Friday, August 29, 2008

Oven Roasted Cherry Tomatoes

http://www2.harvesteating.com/recipe-view.cfm?recipe=319

Grilled Vegetables




Prep Time: 15 minutes•Cook Time: 15 minutes•Makes 6 servings

Ingredients:
½ cup (125 mL)
CAMPBELL'S Organic Free Range Chicken Broth
2 tsp (10 mL) chopped fresh thyme leaves
2 tsp (10 mL) chopped fresh rosemary leaves
¼ tsp (2 mL) ground black pepper
1 large red onion, thickly sliced
1 large red or green pepper, cut into wide strips
1 medium zucchini, thickly sliced
2 cups (500 mL)large mushrooms
Instructions:
1.
Stir broth, thyme, rosemary and black pepper in small bowl. Brush vegetables with broth mixture.
2.
Heat lightly-oiled grill rack to medium. Grill vegetables for 10 minutes or until tender, turning over once during cooking and brushing often with broth mixture.

A Great Article Found on the Web (www.high-fiber-health.com)


High Fiber Diet
A funny thing called fiber
It's only just begun. The concept of high fiber is starting to take its place within the hearts and mind and mouths of the Canadian public.
Your grandma called it roughage or bulk.
Nutritionists and scientists are recognizing dietary fiber as something more than just a nutrient on our plate. At this time in our evolution, we must be made keenly aware of the health benefits of a high fiber diet.
We have radically changed eating habits in the past 50 years. The average Canadian consumes about 5 to 13 grams of fiber daily, whereas nutrition experts recommend a daily intake of 20-35 grams. Our ancestors' diet was very rich in legumes, fruits, and vegetables which added up to about 100 grams of fiber a day!
It does make one wonder what they did when toilet paper supplies ran out.
We predominately eat proteins and animal fats. This evolution in our diet has prompted illness and disease of the digestive system largely due to the lack of high fiber in our diet.
Here are some of the leading chronic diseases and conditions of our time: diabetes, obesity, diverticulitis, colon cancer and polyps, colitis, high cholesterol, Crohn's disease, IBS, and hemorrhoids. How do I maximize my health, you ask?
Many of these illnesses start during our youth, but symptoms usually don't appear until our 40's or 50's. Yesterday's poor eating habits of low fiber and refined foods means a higher risk for serious conditions later in life such as chronic constipation, diverticulosis, colon cancer, and diabetes.
In addition to improving regularity, consuming adequate amounts of fiber can aid in the prevention of several forms of cancer and heart disease. High fiber diets are helpful in delaying the onset or lowering the risks of many of these diseases.
Sometimes there is confusion as to the difference between crude fiber and dietary fiber. Both are determined by a laboratory analysis, but crude fiber is only one-seventh to one-half of total dietary fiber.
Fiber is found in plants and is generally not digested or absorbed by the body. Many different types of fibers exist and they are grouped into two broad categories. The two general types are soluble fibers and insoluble fibers. Each has a role in promoting and maintaining good health. Getting the right amount of fiber is a struggle for most adults, but the health benefits of fiber make it worth your while. Besides, it will offer a lot more variety to your meals. Try these suggestions for a change:
Eat more whole grains such as wheat and oats
As you increase your fiber intake, drink at least 8 glasses of fluids a day
Fresh fruits and vegetables are the natural choice
Slowly increase your intake allowing your digestive tract to adjust
Beans are an excellent source of fiber
Read package labels to compare fiber content
We have only just begun to understand the amazing benefits of high fiber in our diet, proving once again- you become what you eat. Your health is dependent upon integral changes you need to make to provide a sensible foundation for a lifetime of sound and intelligent eating. Good health is your goal. What more could a body want?
www.high-fiber-health.com

(the only changes I made in this article was to change the word "American" to "Canadian")

Healthy Eating

Healthy Eating

How it all began

When I was a child my grandfather always had the most amazing garden. His whole back yard was the garden and it was wonderful. I loved every vegetable that he grew - he even grew his own summer savory which apparently isn't that easy to do. Anyway, Grampy helped me put in my first garden and gave me all the tips. I couldn't believe how much work it was. It takes a lot of dedication and love. Sadly, he is gone now but I remember all the love that went into the garden and how even when I was a bit older and I would visit, he would fill the trunk of my car with veggies and I would have to go around my apartment building and share with others as there was no way I could eat all of it before it went bad.

I think my interest in health was part Grampy and part my father. My dad was a health nut when no one else was (that I knew of anyway) I am talking back in the 1970's. I don't think a lot of people knew about some of the stuff that my dad would talk about. He referred to white sugar as "poison"..ok, a little extreme but you get the point. Dad would eat a teaspoon of honey and a teaspoon of bran every day. I think this is important because my father was given six months to live when he was 19 years old and he managed to live until he was 44 with many health complications. I cannot say for sure but paying attention to what he put into his body as far as his food went, may have bought him some very valuable time.

Then comes my mom who was so devoted to my father and continues to be even though he passed away in 1981. I witnessed her nurse him back to health many times and she was the rock that held everything together. She is an amazing woman and I know he would be very proud of her for how she handled everything when he had to leave. My mom had to experiment with recipes to make them adaptable for dad's diet. He was on dialysis and could not consume any salt. If you have never had regular food without any salt - take it from me, it can be pretty bland. She was very creative and she did it with lots of love....

So for Grampy, Dad and for my mom who helped create that passion in me.............

Me with my mom in the garden 40+ years ago

Getting Started


This blogspot is titled "Fiber Fanatic" because after a lot of reading and research (there is so much out there) I think our lifestyles need to focus more on our fiber intake. Eating foods that are high in fiber are the ones that are better for you anyway. Also, you need to keep in mind that 1 gram of carbohydrates = 4 calories, 1 gram of protein= 4 calories, 1 gram of fat = 9 calories, 1 gram of alcohol = 7 calories and 1 gram of fiber = 0 calories. We don't often hear this...seems like everyone is counting calories and fat grams. Don't get me wrong, you still need to have a reasonable intake of calories divided into carbs, proteins, fat, etc but you can be full for much longer if you eat fiber rich foods. Fiber is the part of food that cannot be digested...that is why it has no calories. It is a type of complex carbohydrate. Fiber can be found in vegetables, fruits, seeds, nuts, legumes and grains.It is well known that Canadians eat too little fiber (on average 12 grams per day) and we should be eating 35 grams a day. It is possible to go as high as 60 but I don't ever get close to that...35 is fine but shoot for 35 each and every day. To begin...increase a bit each day and drink lots of water and if you like, herbal teas. If you increase too quickly, you may experience gas and bloating. I would suggest switching from white pasta to whole wheat pasta, white bread to 100% whole grain or 100% whole wheat bread and switch from white rice to brown. Making small changes will make a big difference and it may be easier to change gradually instead of all at once.