Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Leftover Turkey Recipe



Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!  We are expecting a nice day here today, but by Friday our temperature is expected to be around 20 with a strong wind.  What a great day to make a soup or stew.  This quick recipe came in my e-mail this morning from the Diabetes Gourmet newsletter and uses leftover pulled turkey.  With a couple of modifications you would be able to make something similar with what you have in your pantry.  Feel free to substitute regular kidney beans or navy beans for the white if you don't have them and yellow canned corn for white corn.  You will need a large pot as this makes 6 quarts.  Recipe could easily be cut in half.  Enjoy and stay warm.

Baja Turkey Chili
Yield: 24 servings

 2 tablespoons: olive oil
 2 cups: chopped onion
 2 cups: chopped celery
 2 quarts: pulled or cooked turkey breast, chopped
 50 ounces: white kidney beans, rinsed and well drained
 44 ounces: white corn, undrained
 8 ounces: green chilies, chopped
 2 quarts: turkey broth
 2 teaspoons: ground cumin
 3 cups: shredded Monterey jack cheese
 1 bunch: fresh cilantro sprigs
 As needed: tortilla chips

In a medium stock pot, heat oil over medium heat.  Add onion and celery, cook and stir until vegetables are tender.  Stir in turkey, beans, corn, chilies, broth and cumin. Combine well.  Cover and cook about 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally until heated through.  Serve 8 ounces per serving and garnish with cheese and cilantro. Serve with tortilla chips, if desired (not included in nutritional data).

Nutritional Information Per Serving Calories: 259 ; Protein: 21 g ; Fat: 6 g ; Sodium: 263 mg; Cholesterol: 37 mg ; Carbohydrates: 29 g

Saturday, November 21, 2015

Let's Talk Turkey

Many of us only cook turkeys during the holidays, so here are some tips from USDA to remember for thawing your turkey safely and a time table for roasting.



Remember to plan ahead and place your turkey in the refrigerator to thaw either Sunday or Monday depending on your turkey size.



Let's Talk Turkey



I shorten the cooking time for my turkeys by using a turkey size oven roasting bag.  I also purchase a large aluminum pan to thaw my turkey in.  Then I wash it well and use it to cook my turkey.



Have a Very Happy and Healthy Thanksgiving!

Do You Have Problems With Your Shoes Staying Tied?

Recently I was visiting family and during a discussion on Ted Talk and You Tube topics, we learned that several of us had been tying our shoes wrong.  Tying shoes so that they strings form a square knot not only makes a nicer looking bow, but they will also stay tied better.  I tried this method with my shoes that had leather laces.  Because of the lace I was not able to double knot them, so I tie them 4 to 5 times a day.  I am happy to report that they stayed tied all day.  If you are interested, click on this video to learn why shoes come untied and how to tie them so they don't.

Monday, November 16, 2015

Shopping List for Omega 3 Fatty Acids



Next time you are at the grocery store add some foods high in Omega 3s to your cart.  Here are some ideas

 Fish: An Excellent Source
Cold-water fish has the highest amount of DHA and EPA, the two fatty acids closely linked to heart health. The American Heart Association recommends at least two servings per week of salmon, tuna, herring, lake trout, sardines, or similar fatty fish. Why? Studies show that the omega-3s DHA and EPA lower triglycerides, fats in your blood that can lead to blocked arteries. And omega-3s can also help reduce the risk of irregular heartbeats.

Flaxseeds, Flaxseed Oil, and Other Seeds
Flaxseeds have high amounts of ALA omega-3s. But you have to grind them right before you eat them to get all of their benefits.  Flaxseed oil is another good source of this omega-3. Poppy, pumpkin, and sesame seeds also have plant-based omega-3s, but in much smaller amounts. Try tossing them into oatmeal, breads, and salads.  Try adding toasted flaxseeds to salads, soups, and sandwiches for a pleasant crunch.

Whole flaxseeds grind easily in a coffee grinder if you wish to process your own. Ground flaxseed is often sold as “milled flax,” “flaxseed flour” or “flaxseed meal.” Flax oil, flax oil pills and ground flax pills are also available. The oil lacks the protein and fiber of the ground seeds.

Ground flaxseeds mix with several foods unnoticed. Use 1 or 2 tablespoons in oatmeal, yogurt, a smoothie, cold cereal, sprinkled over a sandwich or mixed in a salad. Ground flaxseeds mix with batters and dough and hardly influence the consistency. Several cracker, cookie and muffin recipes use flaxseeds as their main flavor if you wish to base a dish around it. The taste of flaxseed is unappetizing to some.

Chia seeds are touted as the new super food, being high in protein as well as Omega 3s.  They can be added to many casseroles or soups and used as a thickener like tapioca.  Add some crunch to yogurt or oatmeal by sprinkling on chia seeds.  Remember once they sit in liquid for a while, they form little gelatinous balls. If you don't like that texture, sprinkle them on just before eating. Just 1 tablespoon of chia seeds gives you 5 grams of fiber and 3 grams of protein, as well as magnesium, iron, calcium, potassium, and omega-3s, and has just 60 calories.
 
Walnuts
Most nuts have Omega 3s, but walnuts have the most.  It's easy to add walnuts to a morning bowl of cereal or some snack-time trail mix.  Add to breads and cookies or make candied walnuts.  Not fond of walnuts, try pecans or hazelnuts they are also a good source of Omega 3s.

Pinto, Kidney or Soy Beans
Mix edamame (green soybeans), pinto, or kidney beans into soups, chili, and salads to boost your intake of the omega-3 fatty acid ALA.  The body can change some plant-based ALA into EPA and DHA, too, so you will get bonus benefits.

Enhanced Eggs
Chickens fed a diet high in Omega 3 will produce eggs high in Omega 3s.  You can find omega-3-enhanced eggs in many grocery stores. They tend to have darker yolks than regular eggs. The omega-3 fatty acid DHA is in yolks only; egg whites don’t have fatty acids.  Enjoy the whole egg for breakfast, and you'll start your day with the health benefits of omega-3s, including protecting your heart and possibly lowering the risk of memory loss.

Healthy Oils
Choose oils that are high in omega-3s for sautéing, baking, and dressing salads. Canola, soybean, and walnut oils are all good choices. Just remember that while omega-3s are good fats, oils are still high in calories, so keep an eye on how much you use. And don't worry: High cooking heat won't destroy their benefits.

Soy Foods: Tofu, Edamame, and More
Grocery shelves are full of foods made from soybeans: tofu, miso, tempeh, soy milk, and edamame. Soy products have many benefits, including the plant-based fatty acid ALA. Swap soy-based vegetable protein for ground meat in chili, add edamame to your casserole and stir fries, use soy milk in smoothies, and snack on roasted soybeans to boost omega-3s.

Omega-3 Supplements
Most Americans don’t get enough omega-3s in their diets. It’s best to get them from foods, but supplements may help fill in the gaps. You can choose from fish oil capsules or vegetarian-friendly supplements made from algae. Recommended daily doses vary from 500 milligrams to 3 grams, but ask your doctor about how much you should take. If you take high doses of them along with a blood thinner, you may have a higher risk of bleeding. Too much omega-3 also can make some medications not work as well.

Spinach, Kale, and Leafy Greens
Another reason to eat leafy greens: They have the omega-3 fatty acid ALA. A spinach salad, a side of sautéed collard greens, and lettuce on a sandwich all boost your intake. That’s good because fatty acids don’t just promote heart health. Studies now suggest they may help other conditions, including cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Sunday, November 15, 2015

Good Sources of Omega 3 Fatty Acids



Increase your consumption of these foods to increase your Omega 3 intake and you will reap the health benefits.

To meet the daily needs of omega-3 fats for kids and adults, look for these food sources:
Salmon
Sardines
Mackerel
Fresh tuna
Trout
Herring
Halibut
Oysters
Shrimp
Beef
Flaxseeds
Walnuts
Chia seeds
Soy beans






Or these foods which are commonly fortified with omega-3 fats:
Eggs
Juice
Milk
Yogurt

The evidence of health benefits of omega 3 fatty acids in the diet has spurred innovations in the food supply.  New food and beverage products with added omega 3 fatty acids are emerging in the market place.  The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has allowed a number of fish and algal oils to be generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for food fortification.  Algal oil is useful for those concerned with fish consumption and those who do not include fish in their diet, such as some vegetarians.  Examples of foods being fortified with omega 3 fatty acids include milk-based products, juices, table spreads, salad dressings, sauces, breakfast cereals, baked goods, sauces, infant formulas, baby foods and juices, among others.

Additional strategies for increasing the omega 3 fatty acid content of some foods include bio-delivery and biotechnology. Bio-delivery involves adding omega 3 fatty acids to animal feed so that their tissues become enriched. Some examples of foods that have been enriched with omega-3 fatty acids in this manner include eggs, beef, and pork products.  Biotechnology involves cultivating varieties of plants containing greater levels of fatty acids.  However, these plant varieties are currently in development and have not yet been introduced into the marketplace.