Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Avocados Rock!!!

Looking for the perfect dip to bring to a party or snack on? Why not make some homemade guacamole.

Avocados not only taste good but are so good for you. They contain lutein which helps keep your eyes healthy; They have folate, Vitamin C and Vitamin E which can help fight cancer; Best of all it has 4 grams of heart healthy monounsaturated fat which actually lowers cholesterol and can help reduce extra weight around the belly.

An easy way to make a healthy guacamole is to add diced avocado to a bottle of your favorite salsa. As an extra bonus, the avocado will actually help your body absorb more of the cancer fighter lycopene from the tomatoes.

Hope Danielson
Health and Wellness Advisor
Niemann Foods

Friday, May 22, 2009

Healthy Memorial Day

When you think of Memorial Day, healthy may not be the first image that pops into your head. But it is possible to make your holiday better for you by making healthful choices. It just takes a little effort. And, you won't sacrifice any of the flavor. Here are some tips to help:

* Choose leaner meats to grill such as ground turkey burgers, Extra lean ground beef or grilled, skinless chicken breasts. Avoid high fat meats like steaks, ribs or sausages.
* Grill a variety of vegetables—any vegetable can be grilled: portabella mushrooms, bell peppers, red onions, tomatoes, eggplant, zucchini or squash. Just brush a light coating of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, or any type of marinade. Sprinkle some salt and pepper to taste. Then toss them straight on the barbecue or slide the vegetables on to a skewer or wrap them in foil.
* Trim the fat off meat before grilling—cut off excess fat from the sides of meat before cooking and cut off inside, separable fat before eating.
* Keep meat portions small—cut the meat into chunks and combine with vegetables on a skewer. Use meat as an accent to the meal, rather than the main dish. Remember that around 3 ounces is a serving size (the size of a deck of cards).
* Grill some fruit for dessert—pineapple, mangos, apples, peaches, or bananas—just about any fruit can be grilled. Either slice fruit into big wedges, or chop it into cubes and skewer. Cooking usually takes about 6 to 8 minutes; make sure you turn the fruit occasionally.


Have a safe and healthy Memorial Day!

Hope Danielson
Health and Wellness Advisor
Niemann Foods

Monday, May 18, 2009

Hooray for popcorn!

When looking for a healthy snack, why not popcorn? Microwaveable popcorn without butter has only about 130 calories per serving. That's 3 1/2 cups popcorn for fewer calories than three Oreo cookies have. It is low in fat and high In fiber which makes it a perfect snack that actually slims you down.

Hope Danielson
Health and Wellness Advisor
Niemann Foods

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Indulgence is good!

Do you have a favorite treat that maybe isn't so calorie friendly? Go ahead and have some.

You don't have to stop indulging in your favorite treats when trying to lose weight. You just have to do it right. If you make your favorite treat forbidden, you're likely to give in and eat way too much. So go ahead and have a little treat. Stock up on portion controlled foods like 100 calorie snack bags, ice cream cups, Hershey Kisses, etc. This will help you learn proper portion sizes and will satisfy your craving.

Hope Danielson
Health & Wellness Advisor
Niemann Foods

Monday, May 4, 2009

Cauliflower has brain power

Did you know that Cauliflower is good for the brain?

Eating cauliflower can help boost energy and efficiency in your frontal lobe. This is the region in the brain that is responsible for memory, and decision making.

Here is a great way to eat cauliflower and also a good substitute for mashed potatoes:

Mashed Cauliflower

Ingredients
1 head of cauliflower, cut into florets
2 t butter
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 c milk
1/4 t crushed red pepper
salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
Directions
1. Steam the cauliflower for 10 minutes until very tender.
2. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, add the butter and garlic.
3. Once the garlic becomes fragrant, add the milk, red pepper, salt, pepper, tender cauliflower and mix until combined.
4. Mash with an immersion blender.
5. Enjoy!


Hope Danielson
Health & Wellness Advisor
Niemann Foods

Friday, May 1, 2009

Shrink your waistline with chocolate!

Did you know that dark chocolate has been show to not only be good for your heart, but also your waistline?

According to a study done by the University of Copenhagen, people who ate dark chocolate had fewer cravings afterward than those who ate milk chocolate. It has stearic acid, which can slow digestion and may make you stay full longer.

Remember to always practice moderation. A couple of dark Hershey Kisses is all you need.

Hope Danielson
Health & Wellness Advisor
Niemann Foods