27

Feb

What Keeps a Salad from Being Healthy

Filed Under (Articles) by Webmaster on 27-02-2009

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 What Keeps a Salad from Being Healthy?

 
Almost everyone loves a salad. All that lettuce and those favored toppings, makes your mouth water just thinking about it doesn’t it? Yet many of us ask ourselves if the salads we’re eating really are as healthy as we think.
 
First you have the lettuce. Lettuce is healthy but doesn’t have much of a taste. Therefore we add all those wonderful extras to give our salad the taste we savor. Things such as vegetables, seeds and even fruit give us taste and still benefit the healthy factor of our salad.
 
So what makes a salad not so healthy? Ever take a close look at a salad bar? What a mouthwatering experience. Yet many of the items on the bar are not so healthy. No one would blame you for adding these delectable little treats. If you want to keep that salad a healthy part of your diet you need to look at some of those tasty items a little closer though. 
 
Fruits and vegetables are a healthy part of a salad. Things such as bacon bits and croutons can be the downfall. Real bacon bits add fat to a salad. Eat them sparingly and you will be fine but add too many and those unhealthy calories will start to add up.
 
Dressings can also be unhealthy when it comes to a salad. When measuring salad dressing we look at a 2 tablespoon serving. Many of the full salad dressings when measured this way have as much as 11 grams of fat. This is a lot when you really think about it.
 
Unfortunately we love our salad dressing and the more there is the happier we are. So how do you cut back on those unwanted fat calories? Try using a fat free or low calorie salad dressing. Many of our favorite flavors now come in these healthier versions. 
 
Yes many of the low calorie dressing just don’t taste the same as our high fat favorites. If you find yourself shying away from the dressings that are better for you because of the taste try this. Instead of covering that salad with the dressing, put it in a small cup. When you take a bite of your salad dip it into the dressing cup before eating it. This will help to control the amount of dressing you consume. 
 
Remember, if you want a healthy salad you must pay attention to the ingredients you place in it. With a watchful eye and a little self control you can have a healthy salad that tastes great too. 
 

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25

Feb

Move over Meatloaf – Salad is Center Stage Tonight

Filed Under (Articles) by Webmaster on 25-02-2009

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  Move over Meatloaf – Salad is Center Stage Tonight

 
When it comes to salads most of us think of that little dish that comes with lettuce, some veggies, cheese and dressing we have before our main meal. Others see that big salad bar with all the fixings. These are not the only ways to enjoy a salad anymore. Why not make your next salad the main course of your meal.
 
Salads have come a long way now that more of us are trying to eat healthy. Main course salads have become a hit and people are finding ways to make these salads a delightful treat. They’re simple to throw together and can fill up any stomach – no matter how big it might be.
 
These main course salads can be served in many different ways. Use a salad plate or a pretty, decorative salad bowl. Taco salad bowls are also a great base for your salads. You can find them in almost any grocery store and they don’t have to be filled with just taco fillings. Pita bread or taco shells can also be used to make a great main course salad base.
 
Most main course salads start with lettuce. Whether you’re fixing a vegetable salad or a meat enhanced salad, lettuce is the perfect filler. On the other hand if you’re making a pasta salad with some shrimp or tuna you can still use lettuce leave as a bed for the salad.
 
Go ahead and add those veggies to your main course salad. Cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, onions and mushrooms are the perfect main course salad enhancers. The more fresh veggies you can pack in the better. You can’t go wrong when it comes to vegetables and if they taste good to you, throw them in.   
 
Lettuce and veggies aren’t enough to fill the really hungry stomachs. Chopped, sliced or diced meats such as pork, beef or chicken can be added to your salads to make them tastier and more filling as well. Turkey, ham or seafood such as shrimp can also be a great addition. Additions such as meat and eggs will give your salad some added protein and will enhance the flavor as well.
 
Don’t forget those toppers. Nuts, seeds, bacon bits and croutons are always a hit when it comes to creating a salad. Your main course salad should be no exception. Add some cheese and sliced hard boiled eggs for even more substance to your salad. 
 
Main course salads can be made with Mexican or Asian fixings as well. Add some chow mien noodles and more to give the salad an Oriental flare. Don’t forget your dressing. There are a vast amount of flavorful dressings available these days to top any great salad.
 
Salads don’t have to be what was once known as rabbit food anymore. Have fun creating your main course salads and remember to let your taste buds and health consciousness lead the way.

 

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21

Feb

Stretch That Chicken to Make It Go Further

Filed Under (Articles) by Webmaster on 21-02-2009

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Stretch That Chicken to Make It Go Further

 

Chicken is routinely eaten at evening mealtime in American households. We each have our favorite ways of preparing it. When cooking a whole chicken, you can do wonders with what you don’t eat for dinner. Here are some ways to make that roasted chicken appealing to the family.
Learn to slice a whole chicken. Slicing one properly makes it easier to remove the rest of the meat from the bone. The skeleton can be used to create broth. Boil it in some water until the rest of the meat falls off.
You can season the broth with herbs and spices. After it cools, pour it into jars for storage. You’ll be able to keep the broth for a few weeks. Use it to flavor soups and casseroles.
Do your kids carry their lunches to school? Instead of buying lunch meat, slice leftover chicken breast for sandwiches. It will be a nice change from the usual lunch fare.
On the weekends, instead of ordering a pizza or going to McDonald’s, use that chicken. Cube a few pieces to toss on top of a salad with some cheese and croutons. Combine with peppers and onions in a skillet to make filling for fajitas or soft tacos.
Does your family like chicken pot pie? Add some of that chicken, along with vegetables (canned or frozen) and a can of creamed soup to a pie crust and you’ve got an instant dinner that takes less than an hour to prepare. It is a quick meal idea perfect for busy families. A salad on the side will make a complete and healthy dinner.
 
Chicken based casseroles can be made and frozen for future meals. The family may be all “chickened out” for the week, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make the most of the chicken you have left for future weeks.
Do you still have more chicken? Well let’s keep going with more ideas. Hey, our mothers and grandmothers learned to use chicken in many ways and so can we. What tastes the best when you have a cold and are feeling under the weather? Why, chicken noodle soup of course.
Don’t settle for canned soup with small noodles. Make your own soup with juicy chicken pieces and wide egg noodles. That broth you jarred up will serve as a nice base and best of all it is already seasoned.
 
Add wide egg noodles and sliced vegetables like carrots, celery, and onions to your soup. When the noodles are tender, add the chicken. Since it is already cooked it just needs to warn up. Ladle up a bowl for the sick and the healthy as a light weekend lunch.
What are you doing with your chicken after dinner tonight? Try some of these ideas to make that chicken do double and triple duty to save on your family’s grocery bill. The best part is that the new meals are just as tasty as the original dish.

 

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