Tag: Fitness

Health and Fitness News

Welcome to the Health and Fitness News, a weekly diary which is cross-posted from The Stars Hollow Gazette. It is open for discussion about health related issues including diet, exercise, health and health care issues, as well as, tips on what you can do when there is a medical emergency. Also an opportunity to share and exchange your favorite healthy recipes.

Questions are encouraged and I will answer to the best of my ability. If I can’t, I will try to steer you in the right direction. Naturally, I cannot give individual medical advice for personal health issues. I can give you information about medical conditions and the current treatments available.

You can now find past Health and Fitness News diaries here and on the right hand side of the Front Page.

Vegan Pantry Dinners for the New Year

Quinoa with Dried Lemtil Dal

Here is a New Year’s project for you. Take an inventory of your pantry, freezer and refrigerator and cook for a week without buying anything except items that you and your children may consume on a daily basis (for me that means bananas). That is what I’m doing this week, and I have decided that I will also make my meals vegan. [..]

This is a healthy, hearty and inexpensive way to begin the New Year and we have been eating extremely well. In fact there is enough on hand that I might extend this to a two-week exercise.

~Martha Rose Shulman~

Quinoa With Spiced Lentil Dal  

A dal that is spiced up by a little bit of cayenne.

Warm Lentil Salad With Balsamic Roast Squash

A lentil salad with a cumin-scented vinaigrette.

Vegan Pho With Carrots, Noodles and Edamame

A pho without some traditional ingredients is still very much pho.

Rice Bowl With Sweet and Sour Purple Cabbage, Red Peppers and Baked Marinated Tofu

A colorful dish that uses up any sticky rice left in your pantry.

Enfrijoladas

A simple delicious dish that will use up corn tortillas in your freezer and black beans from the pantry.

Health and Fitness News

Welcome to the Health and Fitness News, a weekly diary which is cross-posted from The Stars Hollow Gazette. It is open for discussion about health related issues including diet, exercise, health and health care issues, as well as, tips on what you can do when there is a medical emergency. Also an opportunity to share and exchange your favorite healthy recipes.

Questions are encouraged and I will answer to the best of my ability. If I can’t, I will try to steer you in the right direction. Naturally, I cannot give individual medical advice for personal health issues. I can give you information about medical conditions and the current treatments available.

You can now find past Health and Fitness News diaries here and on the right hand side of the Front Page.

The Versatility of Spinach

Spinach Gnocci

Spinach has remained a part of my holiday ritual. I love the convenience of bagged spinach, but I prefer the richness of the lush bunches I get at the farmers’ market. I don’t mind stemming and washing it, but if you are pressed for time the bagged spinach is a godsend, especially if you live in a cold climate and don’t have access to farmers’ market spinach in December.

~Martha Rose Shulman~

Spinach Gnocchi

A considerably lighter version of the classic gnocchi made with spinach and ricotta.

Spinach and Millet Timbale With Tomato Sauce

A timbale is a molded custard, somewhat similar to a quiche without a crust.

Garlic Soup With Spinach

A quick and easy soup that is a great way to use any leftover turkey stock from Thanksgiving.

Penne With Mushroom Ragout and Spinach

This is a delicious meal no matter what variety of mushrooms you have on hand.

Spinach, Sardine and Rice Gratin

This classic Provençal gratin is a good way to work fish that is high in omega-3s into your diet.

Health and Fitness News

Welcome to the Health and Fitness News, a weekly diary which is cross-posted from The Stars Hollow Gazette. It is open for discussion about health related issues including diet, exercise, health and health care issues, as well as, tips on what you can do when there is a medical emergency. Also an opportunity to share and exchange your favorite healthy recipes.

Questions are encouraged and I will answer to the best of my ability. If I can’t, I will try to steer you in the right direction. Naturally, I cannot give individual medical advice for personal health issues. I can give you information about medical conditions and the current treatments available.

You can now find past Health and Fitness News diaries here and on the right hand side of the Front Page.

Spiced Wok Popped Popcorn

This week’s recipes come in response to requests from readers for ideas for snacks to have around the house during the end-of-the-year holidays: something to replace the candy bowls and cookies that are usually there and easy to nosh on. Commercial snacks that are healthy (or healthier – read the labels closely) are available including vegetable chips and pita crisps, seaweed snacks, nuts, dried fruit and trail mix. But some of these have a lot of salt and they can be pricy.

~Martha Rose Shulman~

Spiced Wok-Popped Popcorn

A wok is the perfect pan for making popcorn.

Not-Too-Sweet Wok-Popped Coconut Kettle Corn

A moderately sweet version, because no holiday is complete without the sweet.

Granola

Right after baking, this seems more like a snack than breakfast.

Spiced Roasted Almonds

A little extra spice on these almonds helps minimize the urge to mindlessly snack.

Marinated Olives

Olives seasoned with herbs, garlic and lemon peel make for a delicious snack.

Health and Fitness News

Welcome to the Health and Fitness News, a weekly diary which is cross-posted from The Stars Hollow Gazette. It is open for discussion about health related issues including diet, exercise, health and health care issues, as well as, tips on what you can do when there is a medical emergency. Also an opportunity to share and exchange your favorite healthy recipes.

Questions are encouraged and I will answer to the best of my ability. If I can’t, I will try to steer you in the right direction. Naturally, I cannot give individual medical advice for personal health issues. I can give you information about medical conditions and the current treatments available.

You can now find past Health and Fitness News diaries here and on the right hand side of the Front Page.

A New Twist on a Hanukkah Staple

Red Cabbage, Carrot and Broccoli Stem Latkes

For those of us who are celebrating Hanukkah this week that is both good news and bad. The frying in oil is not so bad, but the starchy potatoes that make the best latkes are not so great. So I decided to experiment with other vegetables for my latkes, combining carrots and spinach, cabbage and kale, sweet potatoes and apples. I even used up the broccoli stems that were lingering in my refrigerator bin in one batch, mixing them with red cabbage and carrots. I used exotic spices like nigella seeds, cumin, and caraway, as well sweet spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. My vegetable latkes were not as crispy as potato latkes but nobody seemed to mind; they were still delicious.

~Martha Rose Shulman~

Red Cabbage, Carrot and Broccoli Stem Latkes With Caraway and Sesame

A surprising use for broccoli stems in a favorite holiday dish.

Spicy Carrot and Spinach Latkes

I think it is the nutty flavor of the nigella seeds that makes these so addictive.

Sweet Potato and Apple Latkes With Ginger and Sweet Spices

A sweeter version of a Hanukkah staple.

Butternut Squash and Sage Latkes

A favorite flavor combination makes for a delicious latke.

Spicy Carrot and Spinach Latkes

I think it is the nutty flavor of the nigella seeds that makes these so addictive.

Health and Fitness News

Welcome to the Health and Fitness News, a weekly diary which is cross-posted from The Stars Hollow Gazette. It is open for discussion about health related issues including diet, exercise, health and health care issues, as well as, tips on what you can do when there is a medical emergency. Also an opportunity to share and exchange your favorite healthy recipes.

Questions are encouraged and I will answer to the best of my ability. If I can’t, I will try to steer you in the right direction. Naturally, I cannot give individual medical advice for personal health issues. I can give you information about medical conditions and the current treatments available.

You can now find past Health and Fitness News diaries here and on the right hand side of the Front Page.

For Holiday Party Fare, Try a Purée

Spinach and Yogurt Dip

Here’s a new concept: view the holiday party season as an opportunity to eat more vegetables and legumes. I spent a week making Mediterranean vegetable and bean purées that we spread on toasted bread and devoured for lunch and dinner every day. [..]

This week the focus is on the savory (in a couple of weeks I’ll bring you some sweeter and crunchier ideas). As always, the cuisines of the Mediterranean offer everything I am looking for – vibrant, nutrient-dense seasonal vegetables and legumes flavored with herbs, spices and aromatics. I transformed some of my favorite vegetable and legume dishes into spreads simply by blending them in a food processor. Serve these on toasted croutons or crackers, or if you need a lower-carb delivery system, spoon or pipe onto squares of red pepper, endive leaves, or cucumber rounds.

~Martha Rose Shulman~

Spinach and Yogurt Dip

With the help of a food processor she transformed one of her favorite Middle Eastern spinach dishes into a spread.

Carrot Purée

This simple recipe can be served on toasted bread, or as a dip with fresh vegetables.

Mediterranean Lentil Purée

The spices of a popular Egyptian lentil salad are delicious in a purée.

Winter Squash and Walnut Spread

The filling from a winter pie offered inspiration for a delicious spread.

Warm Hummus

A lighter, Turkish version of the classic hummus dish.

Health and Fitness News

Welcome to the Health and Fitness News, a weekly diary which is cross-posted from The Stars Hollow Gazette. It is open for discussion about health related issues including diet, exercise, health and health care issues, as well as, tips on what you can do when there is a medical emergency. Also an opportunity to share and exchange your favorite healthy recipes.

Questions are encouraged and I will answer to the best of my ability. If I can’t, I will try to steer you in the right direction. Naturally, I cannot give individual medical advice for personal health issues. I can give you information about medical conditions and the current treatments available.

You can now find past Health and Fitness News diaries here and on the right hand side of the Front Page.

Salad Days (and Nights)

Turkey Cobb Salad

These salads are all substantial enough to eat as a meal and have enough calories to sustain you until the next. But you could serve smaller portions as a starter or side dish. I found that some, like the Asian chopped salad and the quinoa salad, had great staying power throughout the week. If you are vegetarian and want to include a high protein food in the salads that call for turkey or chicken, use the baked seasoned tofu in the Asian chopped salad. It would be a welcome addition to any of these salads.

~Martha Rose Shulman~

Post Thanksgiving Cobb Salad

A lighter version of the classic California Cobb salad, which is a composed salad made with chicken breast, lettuce, avocado, tomatoes, chopped hard-boiled eggs, bacon and blue cheese.

Quinoa Salad With Avocado and Kalamata Olives

A delicious twist on a traditional Greek salad.

Spinach and Turkey Salad

Turn a classic spinach salad into a light main course with the addition of some low-fat protein.

Spinach and Turkey Salad

Turn a classic spinach salad into a light main course with the addition of some low-fat protein.

Asian Chopped Salad With Seasoned Tofu ‘Fingers’

Served with baked tofu “fingers,” this salad can hold any leftover vegetables you might have on hand.

Health and Fitness News

Welcome to the Health and Fitness News, a weekly diary which is cross-posted from The Stars Hollow Gazette. It is open for discussion about health related issues including diet, exercise, health and health care issues, as well as, tips on what you can do when there is a medical emergency. Also an opportunity to share and exchange your favorite healthy recipes.

Questions are encouraged and I will answer to the best of my ability. If I can’t, I will try to steer you in the right direction. Naturally, I cannot give individual medical advice for personal health issues. I can give you information about medical conditions and the current treatments available.

You can now find past Health and Fitness News diaries here and on the right hand side of the Front Page.

To End the Feast, Something Sweet but Light

Pear Cranberry Galette

It’s always the desserts that tip the balance at Thanksgiving. We’re pacing ourselves, full but not too full, until we get to those irresistible pies. I love them as much as anybody, but I thought I’d work on some pielike desserts this week that have the fillings we love without as much butter in the crust. Galettes, phyllo-wrapped strudel and clafoutis all fit the bill. I filled layers of phyllo with a mixture of caramelized chopped apples, pears, mixed dried fruit and slivered almonds and rolled it up into two beautiful strudels, one of which I froze and will pull out and bake on Thanksgiving. Galettes are more rustic than pies, but they’ll look beautiful on any Thanksgiving buffet, and judging from the way they went over in my house when I was testing the recipes, the apple and the pear and cranberry galettes will please a crowd. A clafoutis is one of the easiest impressive desserts that you can make; it looks a bit like a pie, but there’s no crust. Pears are the fruit to use at this time of year.

~Martha Rose Shulman~

Pear Cranberry Galette

I used Bartlett pears for this juicy galette, but pretty much any variety will work, as long as they’re not overly ripe.

Pumpkin Caramel Mousse in a Glass

I wanted to do something with pumpkin that didn’t involve a crust, so I made a mousse and piped it into small glasses, then sprinkled ground toasted hazelnuts on top.

Apple Walnut Galette

A great rustic apple pie for Thanksgiving, this has very little butter in the pastry and a minimum of sweetening. It’s all about the apples.

Apple Pear Strudel With Dried Fruit and Almonds

This strudel is made with phyllo dough. When I tested it the first time, I found that I had enough filling for two strudels. Rather than cut the amount of filling, I increased the number of strudels to 2, as this is a dessert you can assemble and keep, unbaked, in the freezer.

Pear Clafoutis

If you don’t want to make a crust but want something tartlike for your Thanksgiving dessert, a clafoutis, which is something like a cross between a flan and a pancake, is a great choice.

Health and Fitness News

Welcome to the Health and Fitness News, a weekly diary which is cross-posted from The Stars Hollow Gazette. It is open for discussion about health related issues including diet, exercise, health and health care issues, as well as, tips on what you can do when there is a medical emergency. Also an opportunity to share and exchange your favorite healthy recipes.

Questions are encouraged and I will answer to the best of my ability. If I can’t, I will try to steer you in the right direction. Naturally, I cannot give individual medical advice for personal health issues. I can give you information about medical conditions and the current treatments available.

You can now find past Health and Fitness News diaries here and on the right hand side of the Front Page.

For Thanksgiving, Why Not Go Greek?

Baked Acorn Squash with Wild Rice

I’ve written before about Greek vegetarian main dishes. The culture is rich with them, both vegan dishes and dishes with cheese and eggs. I know that Greek food is not exactly what comes to mind when you hear the word “Thanksgiving,” yet why not consider this cuisine if you’re searching for a meatless main dish that will please a crowd? It’s certainly a better idea, in my mind, than Tofurky and all of the other overprocessed attempts at making a vegan turkey. If you want to serve something that will be somewhat reminiscent of a turkey, make the stuffed acorn squashes in this week’s selection, and once they’re out of the oven, stick some feathers in the “rump,” as I did for the first vegetarian Thanksgiving I ever cooked: I stuffed and baked a huge crookneck squash, then decorated it with turkey feathers. The filling wasn’t nearly as good as the one you’ll get this week, but the creation was fun.

~Martha Rose Shulman

Baked Acorn Squash Stuffed With Wild Rice and Kale Risotto

Look for small acorn squash so that each person can have one.

Coiled Greek Winter Squash Pie

The filling is wrapped in phyllo cylinders, which are arranged in a coil in a pan, then baked until crisp.

Roasted Eggplant and Chickpeas With Cinnamon-Tinged Tomato Sauce and Feta

Eggplant is always a good, substantial vegetable to use for a vegetarian main dish.

Northern Greek Mushroom and Onion Pie

Use portobello mushrooms for this. They are meaty and make for a very substantial pie.

Giant Beans With Spinach, Tomatoes and Feta

The traditional way to wilt spinach in that part of Greece is to salt it lightly, put it in a colander and knead it against the sides of the colander for about 10 minutes.

Health and Fitness News

Welcome to the Health and Fitness News, a weekly diary which is cross-posted from The Stars Hollow Gazette. It is open for discussion about health related issues including diet, exercise, health and health care issues, as well as, tips on what you can do when there is a medical emergency. Also an opportunity to share and exchange your favorite healthy recipes.

Questions are encouraged and I will answer to the best of my ability. If I can’t, I will try to steer you in the right direction. Naturally, I cannot give individual medical advice for personal health issues. I can give you information about medical conditions and the current treatments available.

You can now find past Health and Fitness News diaries here and on the right hand side of the Front Page.

The Kugel Challenge

Kugel

Recently I received an e-mail from a reader describing a kugel made with carrots and quinoa that she’d tasted at a buffet dinner. “It was delicious served at room temperature, cut into cubes, which were firm in texture, sweet but not overly, and  prepared with quinoa,” she wrote. “I am wondering if you might be willing and able to conjure up the ingredients to make this particular kugel incorporating quinoa.”

~Martha Rose Shulman~

Quinoa and Carrot Kugel

This caraway-scented kugel will be a big hit at your family table.

Quinoa and Cauliflower Kugel With Cumin

If you have cooked quinoa in the freezer, this dish comes together even more quickly.

Sweet Millet Kugel With Dried Apricots and Raisins

Millet, a light, fluffy gluten-free grain, lends itself beautifully to both sweet and savory kugels.

Cabbage, Onion and Millet Kugel

This savory kugel is substantial enough to serve as a main dish.

Sweet Potato and Apple Kugel

Basting the top of this kugel with melted butter lets the sweet potato soften properly without the top drying out.

Health and Fitness News

Welcome to the Health and Fitness News, a weekly diary which is cross-posted from The Stars Hollow Gazette. It is open for discussion about health related issues including diet, exercise, health and health care issues, as well as, tips on what you can do when there is a medical emergency. Also an opportunity to share and exchange your favorite healthy recipes.

Questions are encouraged and I will answer to the best of my ability. If I can’t, I will try to steer you in the right direction. Naturally, I cannot give individual medical advice for personal health issues. I can give you information about medical conditions and the current treatments available.

You can now find past Health and Fitness News diaries here and on the right hand side of the Front Page.

The Many Colors of Squash

Winter Squash

   This week it’s hard not to think about pumpkins, even though most of you won’t be cooking your jack-o’-lanterns. But along with the pumpkins in bins outside my supermarket, there are as many kabocha squashes, butternuts, acorns and large, squat European pumpkins that the French call potirons.

   You can use either butternut or kabocha squash in this week’s recipes, though the two are not identical in texture or flavor. Butternut is a denser, slightly sweeter squash, and kabocha has an earthier flavor. Kabocha squash absorbs flavors beautifully and is especially well suited for salads because of the nice way it absorbs tart dressings.

Puréed Winter Squash Soup With Ginger

One of the most comforting dishes you can make with winter squash is a puréed soup.

Lasagna With Roasted Kabocha Squash and Béchamel

No-boil noodles make this rich-tasting lasagna easier to prepare.

Roasted Beet and Winter Squash Salad With Walnuts

This composed salad sets the colors of the beets and the squash against each other beautifully.

Winter Squash and Molasses Muffins

Add walnuts and raisins or chopped apricots to personalize these moist muffins.

Balsamic Roasted Winter Squash and Wild Rice Salad

Tossing the squash with the vinegar before roasting deepens the flavors of both.

Health and Fitness News

Welcome to the Health and Fitness News, a weekly diary which is cross-posted from The Stars Hollow Gazette. It is open for discussion about health related issues including diet, exercise, health and health care issues, as well as, tips on what you can do when there is a medical emergency. Also an opportunity to share and exchange your favorite healthy recipes.

Questions are encouraged and I will answer to the best of my ability. If I can’t, I will try to steer you in the right direction. Naturally, I cannot give individual medical advice for personal health issues. I can give you information about medical conditions and the current treatments available.

You can now find past Health and Fitness News diaries here and on the right hand side of the Front Page.

Whole-Grain Pancakes: Not Just for Breakfast Anymore

Poppy Lemon Sunflower Seed Pancakes

I’ve got a pantry full of different grains and flours, a variety of nuts and seeds in my freezer, and a lot of ideas about how these hearty ingredients can contribute to a pancake. So this week I shook things up in the kitchen, and so far, so good.

I also wanted to come up with some savory pancakes and developed a couple of recipes that quickly became favorites in our home. I was thinking along the lines of traditional Chinese and Korean onion pancakes, but I wanted to make something lighter and at the same time more wholesome. When I’m researching whole grains, both for baking and for cooking, I often turn to Heidi Swanson (www.101cookbooks.com) for ideas, and I found a lot of inspiration in her pancake recipes.

~Martha Rose Shulman~

Poppy, Lemon and Sunflower Seed Pancakes

I decided to stir some lemon zest into the batter. I dotted some of the pancakes with raspberries and left others plain.

Brown Rice, Sesame, Spinach and Scallion Pancakes

Try them heated with a little grated cheese on top, or serve with yogurt.

Maple Pecan Pancakes

Instead of using only wheat flour in these pancakes, I’ve combined whole-wheat flour and almond flour.

Teff and Oatmeal Pancakes

Teff is a tiny, nutrient-dense grain native to Ethiopia. Its calcium content is higher than that of any other grain, and it’s an excellent source of vitamin C.

Savory Cottage Cheese Pancakes With Indian Spices, Cauliflower and Carrots

We eat these Indian-spiced pancakes for dinner, along with a green salad.

Health and Fitness News

Welcome to the Health and Fitness News, a weekly diary which is cross-posted from The Stars Hollow Gazette. It is open for discussion about health related issues including diet, exercise, health and health care issues, as well as, tips on what you can do when there is a medical emergency. Also an opportunity to share and exchange your favorite healthy recipes.

Questions are encouraged and I will answer to the best of my ability. If I can’t, I will try to steer you in the right direction. Naturally, I cannot give individual medical advice for personal health issues. I can give you information about medical conditions and the current treatments available.

You can now find past Health and Fitness News diaries here and on the right hand side of the Front Page.

Stir-Frying With the Seasons

Autumn Stir Fry

Right now I’m phasing out summer’s tomatoes and corn, green beans and zucchini and picking up Chinese broccoli, mushrooms, cabbage and carrots at the farmers’ market. I’m still finding an array of peppers and beautiful Asian eggplants to brighten my wok. Stir-fries can be adapted to any number of ingredients that may be lingering in your refrigerator, or in your freezer, like the frozen peas that liven up a fish and mushroom stir-fry that is one of this week’s recipes.

~Martha Rose Shulman~

Stir-Fried Chinese Broccoli and Chicken With Hoisin

The extra step to “velvet” the chicken is worth it for such tender, succulent chicken

Stir-Fried Rainbow Peppers, Eggplant and Tofu

Roasting the eggplant before stir-frying may not be the Chinese way, but it produces great texture without using much oil.

Stir-Fried Medley of Kale, Brussels Sprouts and Baby Bok Choy With Chicken

Omit the chicken or substitute tofu to make this dish vegetarian. In any case, the antioxidant-rich cruciferous vegetables are the centerpiece of this dish.

Cabbage and Carrot Noodles With Egg

Glass noodles, also known as bean threads, are made with mung bean flour and have more texture than rice noodles. Either kind works in this dish.

Wok-Seared Cod With Stir-Fried Mushrooms and Peas

Cooking the vegetables first prevents the delicate fish pieces from flaking apart in the pan.

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