Herbal Remedies

Herbal Remedies

By Leanne Ely, C.N.C.

Dear Friends,

I love how nature provides us with the tools we need to help keep our bodies strong and healthy. Herbs are one of those tools. For thousands of years people have depended on fresh herbs to heal everything from heart burn to cancer. Most all of the expensive prescriptions we get from our local pharmacy are derived from the ancient wisdom passed down from herbalists.

So why all the hype and mixed messages in the media about herbs? Simple. Follow the money honey. Now, don't get me wrong. Modern medicine certainly has its place and you know I am a firm believer in taking your medicine. But for some common ailments and some preventative measures herbs are just what the doctor ordered. A word of caution, many herbs do have drug like qualities and should be avoided if you are taking certain medications or planning surgery. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist to be on the safe side.

When it comes to herbs fresh is best. Growing your own is a fun and fulfilling way to insure that your herbs are the highest quality and organic. Here are some common herbs and a list of the of the medicinal qualities that may help:

- Cayenne Pepper -- may relieve stomach aches and gas, possible cancer fighting benefits
- Cinnamon -- may help level blood sugar, reduce triglycerides, LDL cholesterol, lower pain
- Cloves -- anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, antioxidant, relieve some asthma symptoms
- Garlic -- immune system booster, antibiotic affect
- Ginger -- eliminates gas, controls intestinal tract issues, alleviates motion sickness
- Nutmeg -- may control anxiety, joint pain, lower blood pressure, improve concentration
- Oregano -- antioxidant, pathogen inhibitor
- Peppermint -- ease stomach problems, heartburn, indigestion, nausea
- Turmeric -- anti-inflammatory, antioxidant

This is just a small list. There are herbs that may relieve menstrual pain, or headaches, strengthen bones, and fight arthritis. But remember, just like with any foods, some people can be sensitive or allergic to certain herbs. Watch for side effects. With a little research and some common sense I think you'll enjoy experimenting with herbs and using what nature has provided to help keep us healthy.

Speaking of experimenting, finding a good way to use these herbs isn't hard. The obvious answer is cooking with them but you can also make your own essential oils, use them in teas, and even eat them fresh. A sprig of peppermint after a spicy dish is a great way to fight that late night heartburn.

One of my favorite herbs is garlic. It's easy to cook and is full of natural immunities to help keep the seasonal onslaught of flu and colds at bay. Roasted garlic can be used in a thousand different ways from spreads to salads to seasoning up almost any dish. Here's a great recipe on how to roast your own garlic.

Roasted Garlic

Remove outer peel from garlic cloves and place in a baking dish. Drizzle each garlic clove with olive oil, sprinkle with thyme, black pepper and some sea salt. Cover and bake for one hour at 350 degrees. Uncover and bake for about 15 more minutes. You can do a huge batch then store in a sealed container in your fridge for use later.

Love,
Leanne, Your Dinner Diva

Saving Your Dinner since 2001,

http://savingdinner.com

Copyright (C) 2010 www.savingdinner.com Leanne Ely, CNC All rights reserved.

Hungry Girl's 2010 Halloween Candy Guide

From our friends over at Hungry Girl

It's our 2010 Halloween Candy Guide... Read on to check out the calorie and fat counts on your favorite bite-sized treats BEFORE you chew. Happy Halloween!!!




Guilt-Free Classics!

Tootsie Caramel Apple Pop - 60 calories, 0.5g fat (POINTS® value 1*)

Charms Blow Pop - 60 calories, 0g fat (POINTS® value 1*)

Dum Dum Pop - 25 calories, 0g fat (POINTS® value 1*)

Lik-m-aid Fun Dip 0.5-oz. Pouch - 50 calories, 0g fat (POINTS® value 1*)

Jolly Rancher Hard Candy (3 Pieces), Original - 70 calories, 0g fat (POINTS® value 1*)

Jolly Rancher Lollipop - 60 calories, 0g fat (POINTS® value 1*)

Laffy Taffy Miniature - 30 calories, 0.4g fat (POINTS® value 1*)

Peeps Ghosts & Pumpkins (2 Pumpkins or 1 Ghost) - 28 - 37 calories, 0g fat (POINTS® value 1*)

Pixy Stix (7 Straws) - 60 calories, 0g fat (POINTS® value 1*)

Smarties Candy Roll - 25 calories, 0g fat (POINTS® value 1*)

Tootsie Pop Miniature (3 Pops) - 50 calories, 0g fat (POINTS® value 1*)

Tootsie Pop - 60 calories, 0g fat (POINTS® value 1*)

Tootsie Roll Midgee (About 1-Inch Long) - 23 calories, 0.5g fat (POINTS® value 1*)

Tootsie Roll Snack Bar (0.5 oz., About 3-Inches Long) - 50 calories, 1.25g fat (POINTS® value 1*)

Twizzlers Strawberry Individually Wrapped Twist - 40 - 47 calories, 0 - 0.3g fat (POINTS® value 1*)

Read on here!

Kicking the Soda Habit

Kicking the Soda Habit

By Leanne Ely, C.N.C.

Let's start off by talking about some of the benefits to drinking soda... (can you hear the crickets chirping in the background?) The silence is profound. I honestly cannot think of one benefit to your health that drinking a soda gives you. Now let's talk about the hazards to your health that soda brings to the table. How much time do you have? It is full of empty calories (we'll save diet soda for another day), fake sweeteners, harmful artificial additives, chemicals, and a whole lot of words I cannot even pronounce.

Why do we want to put this in our bodies? And why are we willing to pay around $10.66 a gallon for this stuff (assuming you pay $1 for a 12oz. can)? We would never spend that on milk, gasoline, or water so why are we willing to pay it for soda? I'll tell you why. Because we're addicted. Whether it's the sugar, the caffeine, the flavor or the fizz you're hooked. So you know it's unhealthy, expensive, and addictive and you want to stop. Let me help. Here's a few tips to get you on the path to soda freedom.

1. You can't drink what you don't buy - Believe it or not, it all starts at the checkout stand. When you're at the grocery store, the game, the restaurant, or the amusement part there are other options for beverages available. Make a plan and put water at the top of the list.

2. Toss it - Most people will feel guilty for throwing away perfectly good soda, but it's necessary to get the soda out of the house if you are serious about living a healthier lifestyle. Just get rid of it! Honestly, do not even save it for your spouse, and especially not your kids. If it's not good enough for you then it's not good enough for those you love.

3. Make the Switch - Soda isn't the only delicious tasting beverage out there. Try unsweetened iced tea with a lemon wedge or cucumber slice. Orange juice that is freshly squeezed has lots of vitamins and fiber that will fuel your body but it is loaded with too much natural sugar; try mixing it with some mineral water for a soda-like treat! Mix up a tasty combination of berries, oranges, pineapple, and carrots for a super healthy and tasty beverage. The fact is, the best beverage choice is always water. No added sodium, no added salt, no added artificial yuck.

4. Step On The Scale - If you need a little motivation step on the scale. A can of soda has about 150 calories in one single serving. If you drink one can of soda a day that is 4,500 calories in a single month. Just by cutting out soda alone from your diet, you will lose over 1 pound a month especially if you replace the soda consumption with water.

5. Get The Whole Family Involved - Trying to quit a bad habit can be much easier when the family is involved. Talk with your family and let them know you are trying to make a healthy lifestyle change for all of you. Explain to them that soda is unhealthy and you won't be purchasing it anymore. This won't just benefit the quality of your life, but theirs as well. By having your entire family give up soda you might just save your children from a life of diabetes and obesity.

6. Get Moving - Studies show people that are more active make better choices in their diet. By replacing your soda addiction with a walking addiction you will become even more healthy.

Just a few minor changes with your daily choices can help your body and your wallet. So go grab a nice tall glass of water. Cheers!

www.SavingDinner.com with Leanne Ely

Copyright (C) 2010 www.savingdinner.com Leanne Ely, CNC All rights reserved.

After School Snack Ideas

After School Snack Ideas

By Leanne Ely, C.N.C.

Dear Friends,

They walk in the door and before you can even say "Hi, how was your day?" they're saying "I'm hungry!". It's easy to grab a bag of chips, a cookie, or a can of pop but you want to offer them something different. You're looking for quick and easy but healthy too. Is there such a thing? You bet there is and I'm here to help you fill their empty bellies with after school snacks you can give your children with confidence. And don't forget, preparing these snacks with your kids is a great time for some of the best conversations. You can find out a lot about your kids and their lives while talking and working in the kitchen together.

Here's just a few ideas to get you thinking:

Mini Pizza - English muffin pizzas offer a healthy dose of calcium and are quick and easy to create. All that is needed are whole wheat English muffins, pizza sauce, and shredded cheese. Apply a bit of sauce to each muffin, and sprinkle with the cheese. Heat in the oven just until the cheese is melted. You can engage your kids in conversation as you prepare this snack together.

Fruit - A common after school snack, but you can spice it up by adding some a healthy fruit dip. Simply mix some plain low-fat yogurt, lemon juice and honey. You can experiment with this dip and change it up by adding some cocoa instead of lemon juice or molasses and cinnamon instead of honey. Use your creativity and your cupboards to their full potential. Your kids can help you by washing the fruits while you prepare the dip.

Mix It Up - Tossing together a variety of ingredients can make for a special blend of trail mix. Items such as almonds, popcorn, dried fruit, cashews, and pretzels, can be added to make a unique yet tasty snack. Consider the preferences of your children when combining the foods for this snack. Trail mix will last for days, so you can make up a big Rubbermaid bowl full over the weekend for a quick snack that requires no preparation.

For more snack ideas check out my Snack Series here:

http://savingdinner.com/articles/snack-series/

Copyright (C) 2010 www.savingdinner.com Leanne Ely, CNC All rights reserved.

HG's Top-of-the-Chops BBQ Chicken Salad

Finally! We're making over California Pizza Kitchen's world-famous BBQ chicken chopped salad, with our own special dressing. YAY!!!

Ingredients:

• 3 oz. cooked boneless skinless lean chicken breast, chopped
• 2 tbsp. BBQ sauce (with about 45 calories per 2-tbsp. serving), divided
• 4 cups chopped romaine lettuce
• 1 plum tomato, chopped
• 1/4 cup peeled and chopped jicama
• 3 tbsp. canned black beans, drained and rinsed
• 3 tbsp. canned sweet corn kernels, drained
• 2 tbsp. chopped scallions
• 1 tbsp. chopped cilantro
• 1 tbsp. chopped basil
• 2 tbsp. shredded fat-free cheddar cheese
• 5 baked tortilla chips, broken into bite-sized pieces
• 2 tbsp. fat-free ranch dressing

Directions:

Place chicken and 1 1/2 tbsp. BBQ sauce in a small bowl and toss to coat. Set aside.

Place lettuce in a large bowl. Top with tomato, jicama, black beans, corn, scallions, cilantro, and basil.

Add the saucy chicken and top with cheese and tortilla chips.

To make the dressing, mix remaining 1/2 tbsp. BBQ sauce with ranch dressing. Serve and enjoy!

MAKES 1 SERVING

Serving Size: 1 large salad (entire recipe)

Calories: 367

Fat: 3.5g

Sodium: 1,046mg

Carbs: 51.5g

Fiber: 9.5g

Sugars: 17g

Protein: 36.5g

POINTS. value 7*

More Fun from Hungry Girl. . .Mood Boosting Foods

Are you feeling tired? Stressed? Just plain cranky? Maybe it's not you... maybe it's what you are (or aren't!) eating. We've got a few tips to help you kick those moody blues. Chow down and cheer up! Click here for more. . .

Flourless and Sugar Free Peanut Butter and Chocolate Cookies

Makes 24 small cookies

• 2 eggs
• 1 cup Splenda granular sweetener
• 2 T Brown Sugar (or use 2 T Splenda Brown Sugar Blend or 1 T Splenda + 1 T brown sugar)
• 3 T unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. vanilla (I used Mexican vanilla)
• 1/2 cup almond meal
• 1 C natural peanut butter without added sugar

1. Preheat oven to 350F/175C.
2. Cut parchment to fit baking sheet, or spray with non-stick spray.
3. In plastic bowl, add eggs, Splenda, Brown Sugar (or substitute described above), cocoa powder, baking powder, and vanilla. Use hand beater or stand mixer to beat together about 30 seconds.
4. Add almond meal and beat 15-20 seconds. Add peanut butter and beat until well mixed., about 20 more seconds. Dough will be stiff, so scrape it off the beaters if needed.
5. Use a small spoon to measure out about 2 tsp. of dough and roll each cookie into a ball, then arrange cookies in rows on baking sheet. Leave enough room to smash down cookies with a fork when the baking sheet is full.
6. Smash cookies to about 1/2 inch thick, then bake for 15-17 minutes, or until top feels firm and cookies look done.
7. Let cool a few minutes before eating.

I found this recipe over at Kayln's Kitchen.

Some choco-rific HG recipes...

That's Hazel-NUTS Cocoa Supreme - The richest cup of cocoa you'll ever drink. Period.

Mini Microwave Triple Chocolate Cake - If anyone asks you to share, point them to the microwave. They can make their own.

Death by Chocolate Cupcakes - The world's most perfect no-guilt chocolate cupcake.

Swirls Gone Wild Cheesecake Brownies - Doesn't the name say it all?

HG Style Hot Fudge 'n Brownie Sundae - Careful! You might want to make it EVERY day! Click 'n scroll!

So-Good Chocolate Chip Softies - A "softy" is a person who's overly sentimental. Our softies are just overly delicious.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Crisp Puddin' Shake - We can come up with different ways to eat chocolate all day. Click. Scroll.

Did you know that Rite Aid Pharmacy online has a FREE weight loss plan?

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Menu Planning Resource

I love menu planning. I am not consistent with it, but when I am, it gives me a great deal of comfort to know that we won't eat out that week. Here's a great post from MommySnacks about how she does it.

I plan my menu plan each week. I find it saves me money, time, and headaches after a long day! I will be sharing my own style of menu planning in a future snack, but I wanted to share this Menu Planning Resource with you because I think it has helped me immensely as I sit down to menu plan. Click here for the rest of the post.

Super Easy Chicken Soft Taco

I got this over at Carrie's Cooking. Check out her site. She shares lots of great recipes.

Ingredients:

1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips
1 cup salsa
1 package Taco Seasoning Mix
2 cups quick rice, uncooked
8 to 12 flour tortillas (6 to 8 inch)
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Directions:

1. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in skillet.
2. Add chicken; cook until lightly browned.
3. Add 2 cups water, salsa and seasoning mix; stir.
4. Bring to a boil.
5. Stir in rice; cover.
6. Cook on low heat 5 minutes or until chicken is cooked through.
7. Spoon chicken mixture onto tortillas; top with cheese, if desired.
8. Fold up sides to enclose filling.

Hungry Girl's TOP ATE tricks for sticking to your diet and exercise resolutions. . .

1. Get by with a little help from your friends.

Following healthy eating and exercise plans can be tough to do on your own. GET SOME SUPPORT! Find a buddy to walk with or join you at the gym. Compare grocery lists with a calorie-counting pal. (Check out our AWESOME new printable list for 2009!) And if you're a little shy about this kind of stuff, a discreet approach can be just as effective. Get your sweat on in your living room with a new workout DVD (consider the video trainers your new BFFs). And hop onto some discussion boards online to swap stories anonymously.



2. Just journal.


Jotting down your daily diet is one of the best ways to stay on track. Even if you're too crunched for time to record every calorie, fat gram, POINTS. value, etc., just writing a little description of each meal and snack can have a huge impact. You can always review your choices later, and see if you need to make some changes. Ooh, and don't forget that old WW credo, "Write before you bite!" That one's a keeper, since you're way less likely to scarf down 87 jellybeans if you see it in writing first.



3. When it comes to exercise, everything counts.


Even if you can't get a full workout in one day, you can always squeeze something in. Go for a few calf raises while waiting in line at the bank -- or get a walk in before dinner. Do bicep curls with soup cans while you wait for the oven to preheat. Stretch in the shower (careful -- don't slip!). Commit to doing at least SOME physical activity each day.



4. Be prepared.


Holiday shopping may be over, but you can still have a spree at the supermarket. A stocked kitchen is KEY to success, so print out our latest grocery list and hit the aisles running (okay, walking). Make sure to consider all your snacking and mealtime emergencies. Do you have purse-friendly snacks? How about nukeable dinner choices for when you get stuck at the office? Make a list of all your tough-eating scenarios and plan accordingly.



5. Rethink your resolutions.


One of the main reasons resolutions fall short is because they aren't reasonable. If you're determined to lose 30 pounds by the end of January, you're setting yourself up for failure. If you've never exercised before noon in your life, yet you've made up your mind to hit the 6am cycling class five times a week, you probably won't do it. Adjust your goals and make them REALISTIC. Who says resolutions need to start on the 1st anyway?



6. Keep it fun.


Face it -- if your meal plan is boring and your exercise routine's lame, you're never gonna stick it out for the entire year (let alone beyond that). So add some excitement. Find great new recipes to try out -- plug the name of your favorite food into the HG search bar (in the upper right corner!) and see what comes up. And seek out exercises that you actually enjoy. If running doesn't do it for you, try dancing. You can also take power-walks through the mall, try a new sport, hula hoop, take up karate, go swimming... Whatever! You can even work out with your video console (Wii Sports, anyone?). Just do it. (Our secret? Lots of bad reality shows while walking on the treadmill.)



7. Rely on reminders.


With all that's going on, you might need some "shoulder taps" to keep you from forgetting your New Year's wish list of personal goals. So buy yourself a cute calendar and fill it with activities. Schedule workouts. If they're written in your calendar, you'll be more likely to do them.



8. Forgive, don't forget!


If you slip up and miss a day of exercise or accidentally inhale an entire week's worth of chocolate in one sitting, don't beat yourself up about it. It's one thing to acknowledge where you went wrong so you don't repeat your mistakes, but it's another thing altogether if you throw yourself a pity party that lasts until Labor Day. Don't give up, letting one bad day turn into a bad week or month. ACK! Be patient with yourself while you figure out what works. Live and learn!

WW Recipe Links

Below are links to WW favorite recipes of 2008! Enjoy!


Breakfast and lunch
Asparagus, Bacon and Cheese Strata
Cajun Chicken Wraps
Hearty Turkey Chili
Pan-Fried Fish Sandwich
Steak and Eggs
Tuna Salad on Whole Wheat

Main course
Apricot-Glazed Turkey and Sweet Potatoes
Beer-Soaked Beef Cheeseburgers with Grilled Onions
Penne with Vodka Sauce
Shrimp Scampi
Thai Chicken and String Beans

Desserts
Caramel Cookies
Chocolate Chip Meringue Cookies
Chocolate-Peanut Butter Shake
Dark Chocolate Cake
Homemade Lime Curd with Butter Cookies and Cream
Whipped Cream Chocolate Pie

Soup, salads, sauces and sides
Broccoli with Lemon-Garlic Crumbs
Creamy Tomato Sauce
Italian-Inspired Zero POINTS-Value Soup
Pesto Sauce
Spinach Salad with Pears, Almonds and Cranberries
Zucchini Flan

Receive a 1-day shopping pass to Sam’s Club

To receive your FREE 1-day pass to Sam's Club from Philly Swirl, go to http://www.phillyswirl.com/aboutus/1day.cfm

Shop as if you were a member all day and don't forget to stockup on lots of Philly Swirl Pops!
[10 cal/0 g fat/1 g fiber/4 g carbs] 0.5 pts

Girl Scout Cookies

Here are the nutritionals and the WW points for the up and coming Girl Scout Cookies!


Lemon Chalet Crèmes, 1 cookie [80 cal/3g fat/0g fiber/12g carbs/40mg sodium/<1g protein] *2

Trefoils, 5 cookies [150 cal/7g fat/<1g fiber/20g carbs/105mg sodium/2g protein] *3.5

Do-si-dos, 2 cookies [110 cal/5g fat/<1g fiber/15g carbs/85mg sodium/2g protein] *3

Samoas, 2 cookies [150 cal/8g fat/<1g fiber/19g carbs/50mg sodium/1g protein] *4

All Abouts, 3 cookies [150 cal/7g fat/<1g fiber/21g carbs/75mg sodium/1g protein] *3.5

Chocolate Chips, 3 cookies [160 cal/9g fat/2g fiber/22g carbs/140mg sodium/1g protein] *3.5

Tagalongs, 2 cookies [150 cal/10g fat/1g fiber/14g carbs/100mg sodium/2g protein] *4

Thin Mints, 4 cookies [150 cal/7g fat/1g fiber/20g carbs/115mg sodium/2g protein] *3.5

~~These cookie nutritionals are from the Little Brownie Bakers in February 2008.