Month: June 2011

Healthy Pasta Recipes

There’s one thing you should always have in your pantry and that’s pasta. Pasta cooks in a matter of minutes, is delicious, versatile, kid-friendly, and goes well with just about anything. Even if you think you “can’t cook”, there are dozens of healthy pasta recipes that are quick and simple enough for anyone to make. Here’s why you should always have pasta in your kitchen:

It’s Versatile

Pasta comes in all shapes and sizes. It also goes well with anything, including beef, chicken, seafood, and vegetables. Even if your cupboard is bare, simply toss your cooked pasta with a little olive oil, chopped garlic, and fresh basil. Add a little grated Parmesan cheese and dine like a king.

From a simple meal to an elaborate dinner, pasta can make any type of meal you can imagine.

It’s Cheap

Food is not getting any cheaper, but pasta remains an affordable option. Best of all, a healthy pasta recipe does not make you feel like you’re eating on a budget, even if you are. Everybody loves pasta, including your wallet.

It’s Delicious

Picky eaters in your family will perk up when you serve pasta. For hundreds of years throughout the civilized world, pasta has been and will always remain a classic favorite.

It’s Easy to Cook

If you know how to boil water then you can cook pasta. Boiling pasta takes a few minutes only. If you have pre-made sauces all you have to do is simmer or heat up the sauce. You can feed a hungry crowd quickly and easily with healthy pasta recipes. There’s no need to toil for hours in the kitchen.

Leftovers are Delicious Too

Leftovers are often unappetizing but that’s not the case with pasta. Simply make a new sauce or topping and you have a completely different meal. Be creative and try new, healthy pasta recipes. You’ll never look at leftovers the same way again.

Quick and Easy Healthy Pasta Recipe

This pasta recipe is easy to make. You will need:

? 1 lb penne

? 2 pounds cherry tomatoes, halved

? 6 oz. soft, mild goat cheese, crumbled

? 2/3 cup brine-cured black olives, coarsely chopped

? 3/4 cup fresh basil leaves, torn

Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain. While pasta is cooking, toss tomatoes with a little salt. Let the juices exude. In a large bowl, toss hot pasta with goat cheese. Add tomatoes with juices, olives, basil leaves. Add salt and pepper to taste.

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Weight Loss Exercise

Healthy Lunch Recipes

What is the problem with healthy lunch recipes. Breakfast and dinner get all the attention but lunch never seems to on the TV shows. Although people often take the time to make sure they have a healthy breakfast and go home to an equally nutritious dinner, they sometimes neglect to plan for a healthy lunch.

Healthy Lunch Recipes

Healthy Lunch Recipes

When it’s time for lunch and your body is craving for food you may take the easy way out and resort to the most easily available food, that is, fast food that’s high in saturated fat, carbohydrates, and salt. To avoid sabotaging your own healthy diet plan, it’s a good idea to have some healthy lunch recipes that you can quickly whip up and bring to work.

Preparing your own lunch saves money and ensures that your meal is healthy and tasty. There are many healthy lunch recipes that you can take to the office, to school, or wherever you need to go. You’ll never run out of lunch ideas because there are hundreds of lunch recipes for kids and adults that are easy to prepare, pack, and take with you.

Healthy Lunch Tips

When looking for healthy lunch recipes, make sure you have a balanced lunch which includes lean meats or low-fat proteins, complex carbohydrates, fiber, whole grains, beans, and nuts. Include fruits and vegetables for their vitamins and minerals. Make sure your lunch contains all the essential nutrients your body needs.
Sandwiches make a healthy lunch, especially if you use a variety of whole grain bread, pita and wraps. Fill your sandwiches with tuna, cheese, skinless chicken breast, lean meats, or sliced hard-boiled eggs. You can also make vegetarian sandwiches or wraps and stuff them with salad greens, bean sprouts, sliced cucumbers, onions, tomatoes, fresh basil, etc.

Healthy Lunch Pizza

Try this delicious, pizza-inspired wrap. Kids and adults love this healthy lunch recipe.

8-inch whole-wheat flour tortilla
2 tablespoons prepared pizza sauce
12 leaves baby spinach
3 tablespoons shredded mozzarella

Place the tortilla on a plate. Spread pizza sauce over it. Arrange spinach leaves on top and sprinkle with cheese. Microwave on high until the cheese begins to melt (about 45 seconds). Roll up the tortilla and let cool for 10 minutes before slicing, if desired.

Here’s another quick and easy lunch idea. To make a Dill Egg Sandwich, combine 1 tbsp. low-fat cream cheese, 1 tsp. whole-grain mustard, and 1/2 tsp. chopped fresh dill. Spread the mixture over 2 slices of toasted whole grain rye bread. Top with sliced hard boiled egg and tomato, salt and pepper. Cover with another slice of bread. Your delicious and healthy lunch sandwich is ready.

So please take this to heart. There are a lot of choices when it comes to lunch and stocking up on a few healthy lunch recipes will keep you richer and healthier

Weight Loss Exercise

Healthy Snack Recipes

When you’re counting calories or being careful about nutrition, every bite counts including snacks between meals. Unfortunately it’s very easy for these grab-and-go nibbles to be unhealthy and unsatisfying. With a little planning and preparation you can come up with healthy snack recipes to fuel you and your family throughout the day. Sugary and starchy snacks will only give you a sugar rush, leaving you hungry an hour later. Healthy snack recipes, on the other hand, include “real food” that’s more satisfying and nutritious.

Plan Ahead

Healthy, well-balanced meals require planning, and snacks are no different. Potato chips and chocolate bars are convenient but they have no place in a healthy snack, except perhaps as an occasional treat. Stock your fridge with ingredients for quick and healthy snacks. Once a week, prepare healthy snack recipes and store them in attractive containers in the fridge or have them conveniently close to your keyboard. Whenever you feel like munching on something, there will always be a nutritious and delicious snack that you can get your hands on.
Healthy Snack Ingredients

Healthy snack recipes are easier to make if you stock up on healthy ingredients. Make sure you always have fresh fruits around the house. In addition to fruits, here are some favorite snacks to have on hand: nuts and seeds, carrots, celery, tomatoes, yogurt, whole wheat crackers, granola, muesli, hummus, dried fruit, and beef jerky.

Strike a Balance

A healthy snack is as important as a full meal. Try to include some protein, carbohydrates, fresh fruits and vegetables in your snack. A healthy snack is also a great opportunity to encourage your kids to eat nutritious foods. Set a good example. Munch on sliced apples with peanut butter, carrot and celery sticks, or a banana and it won’t be long before your kids will be eating healthier snacks too.

Healthy Snack Recipes: Quick and Simple

Kids (and grownups) love dips. A bag of carrot and celery sticks, cherry tomatoes and cucumbers will disappear like magic if you have a bowl of delicious dip to go with them. Try the low-fat Cottage Cheese Dip recipe below for a healthy snack:
? 2 cups low-fat cottage cheese

? 1 tablespoon dried dill

? 1 teaspoon garlic salt

? 1/2 teaspoon ground white pepper

? 1/3 cup low-fat ranch salad dressing

Blend together all ingredients until smooth. Serve with celery and carrot sticks or whole wheat crackers.

Want a healthy snack recipe that’s really easy? Make a simple trail mix by combining equal amounts of raisins, nuts (walnuts, almonds, pecans, cashews, peanuts, etc.), dried fruits, and toasted sunflower seeds. Store the trail mix in a large plastic container. For variety, you can toss in some chocolate chips or dried banana chips.