Spinach Salad with Steak & Blueberries

Hi friends-
If you haven't noticed, blueberries are a great deal right now!
Eating Well has some awesome recipes--see below LINK for a super easy, delicious and healthy 
Spinach Salad with Lean Steak and Blueberries!


Spinach Salad with Steak &; Blueberries

Detox Diets: Purging the Myths

Detox Diets: Purging the Myths

Hi friends

I am OFTEN asked my opinion of "detox" diets.

Here is a great summary by some reputable experts.

SPORTS DRINKS for KIDS? Yes and NO

HYDRATE--it's HOT!
if you have been to Houston...you will know what I mean when I say
it is HOUSTON HUMID HOT here in the ATX right now...


My 10 year old son just finished a 6 hour per day OUTDOOR soccer camp for one week.
When I picked him up in the afternoons, it was a minimum of 94 degrees.  
When he is doing that much endurance exercise, in that heat, for 6 HOURS...
I really don't care what he drinks- I just want him to DRINK!   


In the example above, a full strength sports drink with sugar is probably a good idea...
ESPECIALLY if it improves the chances of the child consuming enough liquids.


YET, if exercise is less than 90 minutes, or just a drink around the house,
 a sports drink is NOT the best choice.
Though it varies by brand, a 10 ounce sports drink can have a minimum of 10 teaspoons of sugar.
Children drinking EMPTY calories via sodas, juice, and sports drinks at home INSTEAD of water or 
low fat milk can contribute to childhood obesity and erosion of tooth enamel.


Would you like some GOOD NEWS?


Powerade has come out with a product called POWERADE Play
http://www.facebook.com/poweradeplay
It is specifically designed for younger athletes.  It is sweetened naturally with cane sugar and STEVIA!
Now, they didn't take out the artificial colors- but this is a huge improvement on products that have been readily available in the past.


My son isn't great about drinking enough, ESPECIALLY in the Texas Summer heat...
I would prefer he drink water, which he will do when he is really thirsty, but other times require a bit of 
"strong encouragement."
I have been searching for naturally sweetened, low calorie "fun" drinks for a while...
one that has hit stores here recently is called
Crystal Light Pure Fitness- naturally sweetened and no artificial colors or preservatives!! 
(yes- Alissa--woo hoo!)
http://www.kraftbrands.com//crystallight/varieties/Pages/default.aspx


This blog below also talks about how important it is for children to stay hydrated during sports.
Small water losses are magnified the less you weigh.
Parents, you know your children, you will make the best choices for your children's well being.


http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/08/04/phys-ed-are-sports-drinks-actually-good-for-kids/


I hope this helps everyone in their quest to quench their family's thirst this summer!


DISCLAIMER-
I have not received any free samples/coupons/NADA- just excited that the options are improving

Frozen Banana- CHOCOLATE covered- of Course!

Hi friends

With May Madness past us, 
and the joy and HEAT of June and July jumping in...

Let's COOL OFF with some fun, frozen FRUIT desserts!

Since it is summer, I had my son along
to "help" me do the grocery shopping.

He wanted to buy a kit
for chocolate covered bananas. 
I thought we might

make it better (and with more CHOCOLATE) ourselves!


Summer also says...SORBET--you can make with any
kind of your favorite fruit!
Sorbet tastes great, and it's GOOD for you!


Below are a couple different versions of recipes 
that I found on COOKS.COM and allrecipes.com


If you try one, please comment on 
working4wellness.blogspot.com, 
and let me know how it goes.
Even better, take a picture and post it on here- I'd love to post the winner (we'll let my "helper"  pick!)

Chocolate and Peanut Butter  Covered Chocolate Banana  (cooks.com) 1 c. chocolate morsels 4 tbsp. butter 6 tbsp. creamy peanut butter Sliced bananas Melt chocolate and peanut butter. Insert toothpicks in banana slices.  Dip bananas in chocolate. Put on wax paper and freeze. _________________________________________________________________ PINEAPPLE - ORANGE SORBET (allrecipes.com) INGREDIENTS: 1/2 cup water 1/2 cup granulated sugar 2 cups orange juice 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1 (20 ounce) can crushed pineapple 2 teaspoons freshly grated orange zest DIRECTIONS: 1. In a medium saucepan, bring water and sugar to a simmer  over medium high heat until sugar is dissolved. 2. In a food processor, puree pineapple with its juice until smooth.  Transfer to a metal bowl, and stir in syrup, lemon juice,  orange juice, and orange zest. Freeze until slightly firm,  but not frozen. 3. Process mixture again in the food processor or  beat with an electric mixer until smooth.  Transfer to a freezer container and  freeze until firm, about 2 hours.

Watermelon SOUP!

Hello out there-- Working4Wellness loves WATERMELON! I have a fun recipe for you that's good for you and can cool you off at the same time. Watermelon SOUP! Traci's Tips: -If you don't like a chunky consistency--my suggestion is to puree it a bit after combining all the ingredients. -Make it a day ahead, and be the envy of all your friends at the Memorial Day BBQ! Watermelon is a good source of potassium,  and almost 20% of your daily requirement of Vitamin A and Vitamin C (in one cup diced). Noteworthy is its content of the carotenoids lutein and lycopene.  Lutein is an antioxidant carotenoid that helps to protect your eyes.  Lycopene, the responsible pigment for the red color in certain fruits, has antioxidant properties that help reduce the risk of  cardiovascular disease. Watermelon Gazpacho courtesy of All Recipes.com

Servings: 6

"Start your hot-weather meal with this easy, intriguing variation on the classic tomato cold soup."

INGREDIENTS:

2 cups 1/4-inch-diced watermelon 2 cups orange juice 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 1 seedless cucumber, cut into 1/4-inch dice 1 small yellow bell pepper, seeded and cut into 1/4-inch dice 1 small onion, cut into 1/4-inch dice

2 medium garlic cloves, minced 1 small jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced (optional) 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, basil or cilantro Salt and freshly ground black pepper

DIRECTIONS:

Process 1/2 cup of watermelon, along with the orange juice and oil, in a blender or food processor until pureed. Transfer to a medium bowl, along with remaining ingredients. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Refrigerate until ready to serve. (Can be made several hours before serving.)

Nutrition Information Servings Per Recipe: 6 Calories: 110

Amount Per Serving Total Fat: 4.8g Cholesterol: 0mg Sodium: 68mg

Amount Per Serving Total Carbs: 16.4g     Dietary Fiber: 1.3g Protein: 1.8g

Red Ants on a log...

Hello all parents and/or snackers...

(that would include EVERYone then...  :)    )

Here's an oldie but goodie- with a twist

Log= large carrot cut lengthwise

spread with all natural peanut butter

Red Ants = dried cranberries

   my son added-about 10 chocolate chips...yes, takes after me....

Good Energy- Good Fiber- Good Protein- GREAT Snack!

Baba Ghanoush- WHAT?! eggplant DIP!

Do you like artichoke dip?  
Well, I think you will like Baba Ghanoush--
aka...Eggplant Dip.

See- It even looks like artichoke dip.
(there is nothing wrong with artichokes, but often the dip is made high calorie--try substituting low fat or fat free yogurt in those type of dips)
I found this product at Newflower Market.

You could eat the WHOLE container for only about 400 calories...

(although I am not recommending you do that!)

the Newflower version states there are 12 servings in this 12 oz container--I beg to differ..... :)

If you can make it last 4 servings--Nutrition breakdown would be as follows:

4 servings=100 calories, 6 grams fat (poly and monounsaturated), 3 grams protein, 3 grams fiber, 300 mg sodium (slightly high)

I am always on the lookout for healthy dips to either make or buy ....as I have said in past posts....take sliced veggies such as: carrots, cucumbers, celery etc as the "cracker" for your dip.

Happy Healthy Snacking!