by kelsey | Jun 23, 2011 | Food
Below is the list of the Clean 15, those produce that have the least amount of pesticides. You will notice that several melons are listed. Even though they have a thick outer covering, it’s still good to thoroughly wash the outside before cutting in to prevent the spread of food borne illness. Enjoy! -Kelsey
The Clean 15
1. Onions
2. Corn
3. Pineapples
4. Avocado
5. Asparagus
6. Sweet peas
7. Mangoes
8. Eggplant
9. Cantaloupe (domestic)
10. Kiwi
11. Cabbage
12. Watermelon
13. Sweet potatoes
14. Grapefruit
15. Mushrooms
http://www.ewg.org/foodnews/
by kelsey | Jun 22, 2011 | Food
Recently the Environmental Working Group released their findings of produce are most contaminated by pesticides (known as the dirty dozen) and those that are the cleanest. The rankings reflect the amounts of chemicals on the food when eaten. The samples are washed and peeled before testing, however it is difficult to remove all pesticides because some may be taken up by the entire plant and/or may reside on more than just the skin. Pesticides are used for several reasons. They are used in efforts of preventing food borne illnesses and more recently have been used to promote a longer shelf life. Even though the pesticides may be found in small amounts and long term affects are unknown, it’s still useful to practice proper food safety and be knowledgable of the dirty dozen list. Stay tuned to learn about the Clean 15 tomorrow!
-Kelsey
The Dirty Dozen
1. Apples
2. Celery
3. Strawberries
4. Peaches
5. Spinach
6. Nectarines (imported)
7. Grapes (imported)
8. Sweet bell peppers
9. Potatoes
10. Blueberries
11. Lettuce
12. Kale/collard greens
by kelsey | Jun 21, 2011 | Food
Summer salads have been very popular in restaurants lately. I see commercials or advertisements for new tasty summer salads almost daily. It’s always fun to go out to eat, however you can make these tasty (and healthy) salads right at home! Try adding some grilled chicken, tuna, or even beans or lentils to your salad to give you some protein. You can also add fruit and various cheeses. Be sure to watch the dressing as that’s where the calories add up! When choosing a lettuce the darker the color the more nutrients you are going to get. Try adding some spinach or dark leafy greens to your salad next time and enjoy the flavor and color!
-Kelsey
by kelsey | Jun 16, 2011 | Diabetes, Diet, Food
This month’s featured vegetable of the month on one of my favorite websites (www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org) is rhubarb. In the last couple of years I developed a liking for rhubarb. I’m not sure if this is because I usually eat the rhubarb in a dessert and I have a terrible sweet tooth or if I really do like the flavor…either way it’s a great way to get in another serving of vegetables in my diet. Yes, that’s right you read it correctly: vegetable. Rhubarb is actually a vegetable but we think of it more as a fruit as we can it into jam or jelly and use it in desserts like we would apples or strawberries. Here is my pan of cut up rhubarb that I made into a delicious cake. Recipes usually ask for a great deal of sugar to sweeten the rhubarb up so if you are watching calories and sugars, try using Splenda or the Splenda blend when baking. You can also check out the website above for more ideas on how to prepare and serve fruits and vegetables.
Enjoy!
-Kelsey
by kelsey | Jun 15, 2011 | Etc.
Congratulations to our spring group of STRIVE 2 Survive! Last night was our last lecture with this group. We have seen excellent results and are excited for everyone’s success! Here Dr. Dan is doing a demonstration and learning activity on goals and priorities as they are essential for success with your health and wellness! Take a look at our calendar (“INFO” tab) for dates of our fall session. Call now to get your name on the list!!
-Kelsey
