by kelsey | Feb 17, 2016 | Etc.
Fish is not the most popular protein in our area since we are a land locked, northern state. Our mid-western diet typically includes proteins from beef, chicken, and pork…and fish often gets overlooked. During the Lenten season, it’s a good time to try out some new varieties and types of fish as they are better stocked and often times are better priced (ie- salmon, mahi-mahi, talapia, etc). The frozen bags of fish often have the filets in individual servings or two servings in a wrap so you can just take out as much as you need and then put the rest of the bag back in the freezer. Fish is a very lean and low fat protein so if you are watching your weight, it’s a good choice. Another benefit of some types of fish is the omega 3 fatty acids. Fatty fish such as herring, trout, tuna, mackerel, seabass, and salmon have these good fats. Our fresh water fish from around here such as walleye, northern, and perch, do not have these fats, however they are still lean proteins. It is recommended to incorporate two servings of fish into your weekly intake, so get into the habit of this during Lent and it could stick!
When we eat fish, we often think of it as breaded and fried, however that is not the healthiest choice. Instead of frying try these cooking methods:
- Grill: Season the fish with herbs and spices and a little lemon juice (from real lemons!). Lightly brush the fish with a little olive or canola oil so it won’t stick to the grill and cook for 10-20 minutes. The picture shows one of my favorites: grilled shrimp.
- Saute: You can saute any type of skinless fish. Again, season as desired and then heat a little olive or canola oil in the skillet on medium-high. Cook the fish for 2-3 minutes on both side.
- Poach: Place the fish in a saucepan or deep skillet and add enough stock, water, or wine to barely cover the fish. Add your seasonings, herbs, or spices and bring the liquid to a simmer on medium heat. Simmer for 10 minutes or until the center is opaque. Then you can dress it up with a sauce if desired.
- Bake: lightly coat a baking sheet with cooking spray and arrange the seasoned fish fillets on the sheet with seasoning. Bake for 7-10 minutes…you do not need to flip the fish. You can also put the fish filet in tin foil so the seasonings and herbs really flavor the fish.
- Broil: season the fish filet and brush with olive oil. Place on a broiler pan rack and broil 4-6 minutes on each side.
- If you choose to fry, try making it a little healthier by using an egg white to coat your filet, use canola oil to fry in, and instead of the white flour coating, try whole grain cracker or bread crumbs.
- When your fish is opaque and flakes easily, your fish is fully cooked.
Give it a try…you may be surprised how much you like it!
-Kelsey
by kelsey | Feb 9, 2016 | Etc.
This is a re-post to remind you all that this free nutrition talk is this Thursday! I hope to see you all there!
The Watertown Park and Rec’s Community Education Series February program will be “Dieting and You” presented by yours truly: Brown Clinic Registered Dietitian Kelsey Raml! Come learn more about current nutrition recommendations, trends, fads, and ways to keep you at a healthy weight through improved nutrition!
When: Thursday, February 11, 6 p.m.
Where: Watertown Senior Activities Center
No cost to attend
Any questions call 882-6260.
by kelsey | Feb 3, 2016 | Diet, Etc., Food, Wellness/Health
The winter months seem to take a toll on our skin as the air is dry and cold! The beauty industry has a variety of products to help promote healthy and glowing skin, however diet is also an important factor. Research on the best foods for healthy skin is limited, but what we do know is that antioxidant rich foods are effective in promoting healthy and glowing skin. Antioxidants are substances that protect our cells against free radical damage. Free radicals are molecules made when our body breaks down food or by environmental exposures such as tobacco use or radiation. They damage the cells and may play a role in diseases such as heart disease and cancer. A colorful diet is most effective for skin health and each color offers specific vitamins and minerals such as: beta-carotene, lutein, lycopene, vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin E. A diet rich in the following foods will help you get beautiful and healthy skin you’re wanting!
- Red, Orange, & Yellow Produce: carrots, tomatoes, red and yellow peppers, apricots, etc
- Green Leafy Vegetables: spinach, romaine lettuce, broccoli, etc
- Blue & Purple Produce: blueberries, raspberries, eggplant, etc
- Lean Proteins: beans, lentils, nuts
- Fatty Fish: salmon, mackerel, sea bass
It’s also important to be mindful of foods that can cause greasy and oily skin such as high sugar and high fat foods: pastries, cookies, fried foods, etc. These foods should be avoided or limited and instead focus on a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, low fat dairy, and whole grains. In addition to diet, eliminating tobacco abuse and using sunscreen are effective in promoting healthy skin. These recommendations are not only going to benefit your skin, but also your overall health. Color and variety in your diet will help you look stunning always!
-Kelsey
by Dan | Jan 31, 2016 | Etc.
I hear all of the time different reasons for not exercising: I don’t have enough time; I can’t find anything I like; It is too hard; I am too sore. Bottom line: we have a lot of decisions to make, and they may not always be easy. My reasons center around my family, and in particular my kids. I want to spend time with them, be around for them, watch how they succeed in life. My decisions become much easier when this becomes the center of my plan.
How do I do it? How do I chose? Where do I start? Make your list of goals, and not really what you want to accomplish exercise wise, but the reasons you want to exercise for. I want to lose weight. I want to enjoy certain foods more. I want to attend my child’s wedding! I want to see my kids grow up. I want to see my grandchildren, and spend time with them, and for them to know me! Once you do this, the list of goals becomes easier to list, and achieve. Every day is a chance to get better!
There are days that are tougher, and you wonder why you are exercising. But, every day, when I am done, and I feel better, I know why I did it. At that time, you get a burst of energy to last the day. The biggest reason though is I have accomplished another day of being here, spending time with my family, and just enjoying life!
Get excited about life! Make it a success! Give yourself reasons why you can. If you are tired of starting over, then stop giving up in the first place! Keep one foot moving in front of the other.
You may not always have the right decisions every time, but then again, we learn from our mistakes!
Still confused on how to go about it? I would be surprised if you weren’t! Make that list! Keep reviewing your goals! Then, when you feel like quitting, go back to this list, and start thinking about why you wanted to get started in the first place! Take your time. After all, they are your goals and decisions!
You may feel like rolling the dice at times, but really, if you make your list of goals, and reflecting on your decisions of why you should start, or keep going, there is no “maybe” or “no”. Only “yes”! Earn your body! Earn your life! More importantly, enjoy your life! Enjoy your Success in Life! Keep moving everybody!
Dr. Dan
Consecutive Exercise Day #: 3047
by kelsey | Jan 28, 2016 | Etc.
The Watertown Park and Rec’s Community Education Series February program will be “Dieting and You” presented by yours truly: Brown Clinic Registered Dietitian Kelsey Raml! Come learn more about current nutrition recommendations, trends, fads, and ways to keep you at a healthy weight through improved nutrition!
When: Thursday, February 11, 6 p.m.
Where: Watertown Senior Activities Center
No cost to attend
Any questions call 882-6260.
by Dan | Jan 17, 2016 | Etc.
How better to start than above with a quote by Ayn Rand, with a picture of Molly running a Cross Country race. The determination, the drive, the feel of empowerment! Empowerment is the process of becoming stronger and more confident, especially in controlling one’s life and claiming one’s rights. Running laid the foundation for her, to take off in her college career, and to later become President of her sorority. This quiet, soft spoken girl has done a lot of growing up lately. She has empowered herself to succeed. This is the key for all of us, and exercise, in this case running, can help you do that.
We all will have challenges and obstacles along the way in our life. Are you going to let it stop you? Are you going to fight your way through the tough times? Are you one to sit back and say “whatever”, or are you going to learn from previous mistakes, and turn them into learning points that you can advance from? The choice is ours to make. But, after all, it is also our life to make. We become stronger by things that are tough. Experience brings new challenges, and rewards to our lives. By having a foundation of exercise, we find out how tough things can be…only to eventually make us stronger, not only physically, but mentally.
There are always things in life that we may want to run from, or strive for.
Take a chance, and swing for things! You never know when you may actually find the right way, or success, and hit a home run!
Success will find its way towards you, and sometimes in not so obvious ways. Out of all this comes leadership, with your vision and values being part of the foundation, with the empowerment you exude at the top!
We all can use encouragement along the way…from not only friends, but in particular, FAMILY! Family can also lend a hand in helping to provide those foundational points to build on. The rest is up to you as an individual on how you want to act on it. Here is Molly as President of her sorority giving her farewell address this Winter. I was proud of her. She spoke with grace, wisdom, and humor (yes!) that made me proud. My little girl was growing up! Those above aspects all were important in her leadership role that she had! But, like I said, family plays a big role.
When is comes to having a role model about empowerment, Molly learned from the best! Sarah has been a significant role model on how to succeed, and, in particular, how to succeed as a female. Sarah’s mom set the tone on that…she is an electrical engineer, and had to break many stereotypes back in her day. Females did not become electrical engineers…this was mainly a “man’s world” at that time. But this was what SHE wanted to do, and we all should do what we want to do in our lives. We decide how to be a “Success in Life”. Use our abilities, and then don’t let anybody stop you! Keep moving everybody!
Dr. Dan
Consecutive Exercise Day #: 3033
