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Archive for May, 2010

Flavor Without Salt

Friday, May 28th, 2010

We all know that we get too much salt, but we also enjoy the way our food tastes with it. Some salt can’t be avoided in the common processed foods we use. So, how to have tasty food while cutting salt where we can?

Here are some tips on what to substitute for salt:

* Herbs can add taste, especially to soups, sauces and chili. If using dried herbs, crush them in your fingers as you add them to release the full flavor. It’s easy to grow your own herbs too. My wife grows basil, rosemary, and sage in a small plot in our backyard, and they are GOOD. Herbs also grow well in small containers, so the lack of a yard or garden is no excuse.

* Spices can kick up the flavor, like Bam! Try cardamom, cumin and ginger with roasted vegetables, meat or seafood.

* Lemon or lime juice or vinegar can be great as salad dressings, marinades and condiments instead of high salt bottled versions.

* Citrus rinds or peels add a zesty flavor to many recipes.

    Go forth and salt no more. And share any other ideas you have for adding flavor and cutting salt.

    Eating Water?

    Tuesday, May 25th, 2010

    Last post we talked about ways to avoid dehydration, and the importance of proper fluid intake. Another way to get more fluid is through what you eat.

    Some foods have a high water content and estimates are that you can get 19-25% of your daily fluid intake from food. Some examples and their water content:

    Iceberg lettuce 96%

    Squash 94% when cooked

    Cantaloupe 90%

    Orange 87%

    Apple 86%

    Pear 84%

    By the way, these are also low calorie foods. So, go ahead and eat some water.

    9 Tips To Avoid Dehydration

    Friday, May 21st, 2010

    As spring moves into summer, and the temperatures climb, you need to be aware of the risk of dehydration, and take steps to prevent it.

    What is dehydration? Simply, it is when you lose more fluids than you are taking in. That means your body is operating with less water than needed for normal body functions. Dehydration can be prevented, however, and here are some tips to help.

    1. Drink a lot of fluids, especially on hot, dry, and windy days.

    2. Drink fluids, even if not thirsty. By the time you feel thirsty, you are already starting to get dehydrated.

    3. Drink fluids before exercising.

    4. Drink fluids early and often during exercising. 8-12 ounces for every 15-20 minutes of exercise are recommended.

    5. Drink fluids after exercising.

    6. If taking medications or over-the-counter supplements, check to see their effects on fluid retention. Some may pull fluid from the body and contribute to dehydration.

    7. Wear loose-fitting clothes and a hat. These will keep the body cooler and help the body lose less fluid through sweating.

    8. Avoid alcohol and drinks with caffeine in it, as these can pull fluid from the body and contribute to dehydration.

    9. What is the best fluid to drink? Water is always a good choice, but check with your trainer to see if they recommend a sports drink when doing heavy exercises.

        Follow these tips and help keep your body properly hydrated no matter what the conditions.

        12 Ways To Burn Calories With Everyday Activities

        Wednesday, May 12th, 2010

        Little things can add up to big results. If you are trying to lose weight – or maintain weight loss – adding in some extra, everyday activities can help burn off the calories. The list below is a dozen everyday activities showing the calories burned in 30 minutes by a 150 pound person. Not all activities will take 30 minutes (or 30 consecutive minutes), but keep doing these things each and every day, and they will add up.

        • Raking lawn – 149
        • Folding laundry – 72
        • Food shopping, with cart – 130
        • Weeding garden – 172
        • Playing with kids, moderate effort – 149
        • Heavy cleaning; wash car, windows – 167
        • Mowing lawn; push, power – 167
        • Dusting – 80
        • Cleaning rain gutters – 186
        • Vacuuming – 84
        • Stair Climbing, normal speed – 237
        • Strolling – 103
        • Bathing dog – 119

        Want to look up an activity you often do? Try the Activity Calculator at Discovery Health; you enter your weight, click on the activity, then enter the number of minutes. The estimated calories burned will appear.

        So, get out there and get busy!

         

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