My sister in law gave me a website for a gal that has a chia seed pudding recipe. It looks really good, and seems pretty easy, I think I will try it just as soon as I get my chia seeds. I am very excited! (See previous post.) Here is where you can find that recipe.
Still learning about whole grains! We all know that at least half of the grains we consume should be whole grains, but how do you go about doing that? It is actually quite simple! More so than we think! I did a little research through a couple websites and found some good suggestions.
From the May Clinic:
Whole grains are:
* Naturally low in fat.
* Linked to lower risk of heart disease, diabetes, certain cancers and other health problems.
How to enjoy more whole grains in your diet:
* Eat breakfasts that include whole-grain cereals, such as bran flakes, shredded wheat or oatmeal.
* Substitute whole wheat toast or whole grain bagels for plain bagels. Substitute low-fat bran muffins for pasteries.
* Make sandwiches using whole grain breads or rolls. Swap out white flour tortillas with whole wheat versions.
* Replace white rice with kasha, brown rice, wild rice or bulgur (and I would add quinoa and cous cous to this one).
* Feature wild rice or barley in soups, stews, casseroles and salads.
* Add whole grains, such as cooked brown rice or whole grain bread crumbs, to ground meat or poultry for extra body.
* Use rolled oats or crushed bran cereal in recipes instead of dry bread crumbs.
From www.choosemyplate.gov:
* Make whole grain pilaf using a mixture of barley, wild rice, brown rice, broth and spices. Optional: stir in toasted nuts or chopped dried fruit.
* Choose foods that name one of the following whole grain ingredients first on the label's ingredient list:
brown rice
buckwheat
bulgur
millet
oatmeal
quinoa
rolled oats
whole grain barley
whole grain corn
whole grain sorghum
whole grain triticale
whole oats
whole wheat
wild rice
I am still researching, but if you thought there was no way you could switch to whole grains, I just showed you how. Now this doesn't mean you have to go completely to ALL whole grains. Some people do choose that, but sometimes our stomachs can't handle a complete change, or maybe our pocket book can't handle the change. Some of these whole grains do cost more than your white rice or white flour. This is one thing I do not understand. If something is good for us, don't you think it should cost less? I think the FDA has their priorities in the wrong place.
My family has come to love brown rice, I have bought "100% whole wheat bread" for many years (I've heard white bread is like eating sugar), my kids ask for cous cous, which I don't buy all that often, but we do love it, and now I will be trying quinoa, which I have heard is very good for you.
Anyway, I am continuing to research and learn more, there is SOO much out there! I will continue to bring you updates and suggestions. I love food, I love cooking, and want my health! Along with good health comes increased energy and a clear mind. Which is one thing I really need. The thought came to me recently, "How can we receive the inspiration from our Heavenly Father when our bodies and minds are not clear?" We can't. Eating healthy and keeping our bodies healthy will help with this.
I hope you all enjoy my little updates and insights into whole grains and will continue to follow me as I continue to learn more. I love learning and love life and I hope you do too. Have a great day!
Friday, February 22, 2013
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Chia Seed
I have done fairly well the last couple of days trying to learn about whole grains. I have learned, I need to eat more! Whole grains are good for you and they fill you up, without making you fat. One of my favorite people who have helped me learn more about health is Zonya. I don't know her last name, but she has had a cooking show on PBS. She also has a website (www.zonya.com) where she has lots of healthy recipes and also exercise tips. Another person is the Food Nanny, who aslo has a cooking show on PBS where she teaches families how to eat together healthily and also how to love being together as a family. You can google either of these ladies or catch their programs on PBS (we don't have cable, but we do get local channels, so we watch a lot of PBS, but it's better than Nickelodean or any of those other kids stations.)
Yesterday, someone on Facebook posted something about Chia Seeds. I had never heard of these before, oh wait...ch-ch-ch-chia, yeah those fun little chia pets that grow grass. I'm not sure if they are the same thing, I'm sure they are, but people have come to find that Chia seeds are VERY good for you!! They help with weight loss, and add so much to your diet. From the post this is what I learned about chia seeds:
"Chia got its name from the Mayan word for "strength". The ancient Aztec warriors used Chia seeds during long journeys, because of their ability to increase stamina and energy over long periods of time. Also known as the "Indian running food", chia seeds are perfect for runners and people who do aerobic exercise.
Chia contains 3 times more calcium than skim milk.
They have a unique combination of soluble and insoluble fiber combined to slow down your body's conversion of starches into sugars and keep you fuller longer.
Chia seeds have more Omega-3 fatty acids than salmon! It has one of the most concentrated sources of Omega-3 in any food.
With nearly nearly 11 grams of fiber per ounce, chia delivers 42% of your recommended daily value of fiber in a single serving.
They absorb 12 times their weight; when inside your body, the seeds help you stay hydrated longer, and retain elecrolytes.
The fiber in chia helps slow digestion and makes you feel fuller longer, making then an ideal food for weight loss.
Chia seeds take on the taste of whatever you add them to. Make chia seed pudding, add them to smoothies, dressings, dips, sauces and more."
On the picture it had the website www.live-live.com, which is a great source if you are trying a whole foods diet. They have lots of information and videos on cooking.
I was thinking you would just add them straight to something, but the more I have looked, the more people say to make a gel with them. When you add them to water, they make a gel, which is what makes you feel fuller longer. I have also heard that they help to clean out your digestive system. I googled recipes with chia seeds and came across this website: www.mychiaseeds.com/articles/TOP10chiabenefits.html, I watched a short video clip about how to make the gel and the gal there also said she uses this when she has an upset stomach and that it helps her daughter so much who is lactose intolerant. So many uses from such a small seed!
I have a friend who said she went to Winco the other day and bought some in the bulk section. I went last night and they had nothing left. Guess everyone is finding out about them. I got online to Amazon though and found some there for a little less than Wincos price per pound plus free shipping, so I did that instead. I will also have a big stock for quite a while. I'm hoping this can help me with my weight loss!
Speaking of weight loss...I have a cousin who has done the "3-day diet" and she and her husband both lost a lot of weight on it. I have a friend who has done it a few times to and they all liked it. I decided to try it to see if I could jump start something in me. I made it through the first day just fine and was feeling pretty good, but maybe getting to bed a little late that night caused something in me, but day 2 was awful! Day 2 you eat a little less than day one, so I couldn't just spread it out like I did with the first day. By 2 o'clock on the second day, I was starving, so I had a protein bar. By 5 o'clock I had some major stomach cramps that went up into my chest, it was awful! But after dinner I felt much better! I don't know if my blood sugar was just low or if it just wasn't enough food at lunch, but I don't know if I could do that again. I have decided that I will just stick to eating healthy, adding more whole grains, and trying to just eat less in general and listen to my body. If you are interested in learning more about the 3-day diet, you can go here: http://blessedmommy.hubpages.
Have a wonderful day! All things are possible through God, keep living!
Yesterday, someone on Facebook posted something about Chia Seeds. I had never heard of these before, oh wait...ch-ch-ch-chia, yeah those fun little chia pets that grow grass. I'm not sure if they are the same thing, I'm sure they are, but people have come to find that Chia seeds are VERY good for you!! They help with weight loss, and add so much to your diet. From the post this is what I learned about chia seeds:
"Chia got its name from the Mayan word for "strength". The ancient Aztec warriors used Chia seeds during long journeys, because of their ability to increase stamina and energy over long periods of time. Also known as the "Indian running food", chia seeds are perfect for runners and people who do aerobic exercise.
Chia contains 3 times more calcium than skim milk.
They have a unique combination of soluble and insoluble fiber combined to slow down your body's conversion of starches into sugars and keep you fuller longer.
Chia seeds have more Omega-3 fatty acids than salmon! It has one of the most concentrated sources of Omega-3 in any food.
With nearly nearly 11 grams of fiber per ounce, chia delivers 42% of your recommended daily value of fiber in a single serving.
They absorb 12 times their weight; when inside your body, the seeds help you stay hydrated longer, and retain elecrolytes.
The fiber in chia helps slow digestion and makes you feel fuller longer, making then an ideal food for weight loss.
Chia seeds take on the taste of whatever you add them to. Make chia seed pudding, add them to smoothies, dressings, dips, sauces and more."
On the picture it had the website www.live-live.com, which is a great source if you are trying a whole foods diet. They have lots of information and videos on cooking.
I was thinking you would just add them straight to something, but the more I have looked, the more people say to make a gel with them. When you add them to water, they make a gel, which is what makes you feel fuller longer. I have also heard that they help to clean out your digestive system. I googled recipes with chia seeds and came across this website: www.mychiaseeds.com/articles/TOP10chiabenefits.html, I watched a short video clip about how to make the gel and the gal there also said she uses this when she has an upset stomach and that it helps her daughter so much who is lactose intolerant. So many uses from such a small seed!
I have a friend who said she went to Winco the other day and bought some in the bulk section. I went last night and they had nothing left. Guess everyone is finding out about them. I got online to Amazon though and found some there for a little less than Wincos price per pound plus free shipping, so I did that instead. I will also have a big stock for quite a while. I'm hoping this can help me with my weight loss!
Speaking of weight loss...I have a cousin who has done the "3-day diet" and she and her husband both lost a lot of weight on it. I have a friend who has done it a few times to and they all liked it. I decided to try it to see if I could jump start something in me. I made it through the first day just fine and was feeling pretty good, but maybe getting to bed a little late that night caused something in me, but day 2 was awful! Day 2 you eat a little less than day one, so I couldn't just spread it out like I did with the first day. By 2 o'clock on the second day, I was starving, so I had a protein bar. By 5 o'clock I had some major stomach cramps that went up into my chest, it was awful! But after dinner I felt much better! I don't know if my blood sugar was just low or if it just wasn't enough food at lunch, but I don't know if I could do that again. I have decided that I will just stick to eating healthy, adding more whole grains, and trying to just eat less in general and listen to my body. If you are interested in learning more about the 3-day diet, you can go here: http://blessedmommy.hubpages.
Have a wonderful day! All things are possible through God, keep living!
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Staff of life: grains!
To begin, I must confess, my goal is really not coming along like I would like it to. I am just extremely lazy some days and just don't want to do anything.
We decided to take a trip to Idaho this weekend to visit my parents and my sister. It was a much needed break away from everything where we could just visit and veg and just relax! It was so wonderful! We went up on Saturday afternoon and Mike and I were able to go to a stake dance with my parents and then out for some frozen yogurt. It was a fun double date. For all those teens out there that just cringe at the thought of having a double date with your parents, things change after you move out and get married, we had lots of fun with my parents.
My mom taught me some things about whole grains. This is my new focus for my goal right now: to learn all I can about whole grains and how to incorporate them into my everyday living. My mom had a very old copy of a booklet called "Cookies for Dinner" by Faye Reeves and Anne Cerny. They have updated over the years and my sister in law found that they were selling an updated copy, so she got one for my mom. It is a really neat little booklet. To get a copy you can email Faye at FayeReeves@juno.com or you can call them: Faye Reeves 801-576-9788, Anne Cerny 801-318-1145. Anne also runs an oline store where you can buy organic whole grains, agave, molasses, honey and legumes and beans. The website for that is grainmix.com.
So starting with this new focus, I want to learn about all the different kinds of whole grains and how to use them. I was a t Sam's club with my parents yesterday and came across quinoa. This is a very good whole grain that is just booming right now. At Sam's, its was just over $4 for 2 lbs, which I think is pretty good, since it was organic too. I need to go price match at Winco. I know most smaller grains, like quinoa and cous cous, can be used in place of rice. My kids love cous cous and ask for it often. It is very easy to cook! It is very plain tasting, so I usually add some olive oil and sauteed mushrooms and green onions to it so it has some flavor. Or cooking it with some chicken stock or chicken bouillion will help that to. We eat this on the side with fish.
My family is used to eating whole grains. We eat very little white rice, but lots of brown rice, whole wheat bread and sometimes tortillas. I just want to learn more about how to use all the different grains together to the maximum benefits. I can't wait to get my booklet of "Cookie for Dinner" so I have some recipes and things to help me with that too. They also tell you how to make baby cereal out of fresh whole grains, so you save money and can feed them better than the store bought stuff.
I personally want to start making my own...everything! Noodles, bread, tortillas, you name it, I want to try to make it! I still have SOOO much to learn, I am not even making a dent in what I need to learn, but I am on a mission. I also so much to buy, which is extremely overwhelming, since I don't have a huge budget and most things that I need cost a good chunk of money, so I will try to start small and get some here and there and see if I can keep going. If anyone has any suggestions of what to do to help me, I am open to any suggestions. I want the best for my family, within my budget. I can't switch to organic produce, that is just not in my budget, plus I have heard from many different sources, that it isn't proven that organic is soo much better. But I just make sure and wash it all really good. I have also had some organic produce before and it really wasn't that great, it actually tasted like dirt, and even washed it really good, so I stick with what I can afford.
Tomorrow I will share with you some of the things I plan to study today about whole grains. I can't wait to get started!
"Things come to you as you need them, in YOUR time, not in anyone else's. All things come from God who is the creator of all and knows us all so much more than we even know ourselves. He knows what we need and when we need it. Put your faith and trust in Him and all things will be for your good!"
We decided to take a trip to Idaho this weekend to visit my parents and my sister. It was a much needed break away from everything where we could just visit and veg and just relax! It was so wonderful! We went up on Saturday afternoon and Mike and I were able to go to a stake dance with my parents and then out for some frozen yogurt. It was a fun double date. For all those teens out there that just cringe at the thought of having a double date with your parents, things change after you move out and get married, we had lots of fun with my parents.
My mom taught me some things about whole grains. This is my new focus for my goal right now: to learn all I can about whole grains and how to incorporate them into my everyday living. My mom had a very old copy of a booklet called "Cookies for Dinner" by Faye Reeves and Anne Cerny. They have updated over the years and my sister in law found that they were selling an updated copy, so she got one for my mom. It is a really neat little booklet. To get a copy you can email Faye at FayeReeves@juno.com or you can call them: Faye Reeves 801-576-9788, Anne Cerny 801-318-1145. Anne also runs an oline store where you can buy organic whole grains, agave, molasses, honey and legumes and beans. The website for that is grainmix.com.
So starting with this new focus, I want to learn about all the different kinds of whole grains and how to use them. I was a t Sam's club with my parents yesterday and came across quinoa. This is a very good whole grain that is just booming right now. At Sam's, its was just over $4 for 2 lbs, which I think is pretty good, since it was organic too. I need to go price match at Winco. I know most smaller grains, like quinoa and cous cous, can be used in place of rice. My kids love cous cous and ask for it often. It is very easy to cook! It is very plain tasting, so I usually add some olive oil and sauteed mushrooms and green onions to it so it has some flavor. Or cooking it with some chicken stock or chicken bouillion will help that to. We eat this on the side with fish.
My family is used to eating whole grains. We eat very little white rice, but lots of brown rice, whole wheat bread and sometimes tortillas. I just want to learn more about how to use all the different grains together to the maximum benefits. I can't wait to get my booklet of "Cookie for Dinner" so I have some recipes and things to help me with that too. They also tell you how to make baby cereal out of fresh whole grains, so you save money and can feed them better than the store bought stuff.
I personally want to start making my own...everything! Noodles, bread, tortillas, you name it, I want to try to make it! I still have SOOO much to learn, I am not even making a dent in what I need to learn, but I am on a mission. I also so much to buy, which is extremely overwhelming, since I don't have a huge budget and most things that I need cost a good chunk of money, so I will try to start small and get some here and there and see if I can keep going. If anyone has any suggestions of what to do to help me, I am open to any suggestions. I want the best for my family, within my budget. I can't switch to organic produce, that is just not in my budget, plus I have heard from many different sources, that it isn't proven that organic is soo much better. But I just make sure and wash it all really good. I have also had some organic produce before and it really wasn't that great, it actually tasted like dirt, and even washed it really good, so I stick with what I can afford.
Tomorrow I will share with you some of the things I plan to study today about whole grains. I can't wait to get started!
"Things come to you as you need them, in YOUR time, not in anyone else's. All things come from God who is the creator of all and knows us all so much more than we even know ourselves. He knows what we need and when we need it. Put your faith and trust in Him and all things will be for your good!"
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