June 23, 2010
Apricot Smoothie
Apricot season
Early summer is apricot season.
I love to eat this fragrant fruit fresh or cook it in a variety of ways.
Apricots are delicious when roasted with meat; blanched, pealed and eaten as desert with vanilla ice cream; or slowly simmered into jam.
I found this delicious sounding smoothie in the New York Times food section.
Doesn’t it sound like the perfect treat for a light breakfast or a refreshing summer afternoon delicacy?
The writer advises that “an apricot smoothie should be pure apricot, with no other fruits to dilute the intense flavor.”
Ingredients:
- 3 medium-size apricots (about 6 ounces), pitted
- 3/4 cup plain low-fat yogurt
- 1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
- 1 teaspoon mild honey, such as clover or acacia
- 1/8 teaspoon almond extract
- 1 or 2 ice cubes
1. Place all of the ingredients in a blender and blend at high speed until smooth. Serve right away.
Yield: One serving. Drink this right after you make it. Enjoy!
Source: New York Times Food Section
June 2, 2010
Tips for Eating Well
The ½ plate rule helps with balance and portion control
Like everyone else in this world, I have been trying to watch my weight. I am taking a fitness and nutrition class this spring and learning lots of good and useful information.
None of this is new to me and is mostly common sense for anyone who is mindful. But every once in a while it helps to review it.
Here are a few tips I learned in my class:
- Eat 3 meals a day – plus 1-3 healthy snacks. Do not go without food for long periods and try to eat every 4-5 hours.
- Choose a variety of foods to eat, from all the food groups (whole grains, fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy, lean protein and healthy fats.)
- Read a nutrition label to help you determine if a food is a healthy choice. Choose low-fat, high-fiber foods.
- Use portion control. The ½ plate rule helps with balance and portion control. Fill ½ of your plate with fruits and vegetables, ¼ with grains or starchy food and ¼ with lean protein.
- Keep tempting foods out of the house. Relaying on willpower is risky.
- Keep healthy foods around and ready-to-go. Always have fresh fruits and vegetables in your kitchen.
- To avoid impulse purchases, plan meals ahead of time and use your menu to help guide you when grocery shopping.
- Pay attention to your hunger levels. Start eating when you are hungry (don’t wait to be starving) and stop eating when you are satisfied (but not full.)
- Keep a food record. Research has proven that people who keep a food record eat a more balanced diet and lose more weight.
And don’t feel guilty to delight in a delicious ice cream cone on occasion. French silk flavor in a waffle cone is my favorite summer treat.
Gracious Living - Day by Day 