Scrumptious Summer Foods!

   It's officially summer!  Yes, that means school's out, the weather's hot, and swimming seems to be a common thing to do.  Summer also means camping, picnicking, and barbequing. Cooking outdoors has always been a favorite of my family.  I remember my dad manning the grill during cookouts for Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, and just about any other day we decided we needed to celebrate. 

   If you're trying to watch your weight and want to eat healthy, sometimes the regular barbeque fare of burgers, hotdogs, and steak may prove to be challenging.  If you're looking for some tasty and more healthy choices, check out the article "What's Cooking:  Grilling." It gives several links to recipes for grilling beef, chicken, fish & seafood, and  salads & sides.  One of the salads & sides is a Grilled Stuffed Portobella Mushroom. Instead of using portobella mushrooms for a side, I like to replace the meat on a burger with a grilled portobella and then dress it like I would a burger.
   Here are a few other recipes that sound like they would be worth trying:

• BBQ Pork Sandwich with Homemade Slaw
• BBQ Chicken with Grilled Sweet Potatoes
• Spicy BBQ Meatballs

   If you are more of a hotdog person, you may want to try fatfree varieties of hotdogs or chicken sausage.  (Never heard of chicken sausage?  Me neither, until I joined Weight Watchers.)  Chicken sausage is spicy, comes frozen, and is lower in fat than regular pork sausage.
   Whether you're having a cookout or you've been invited to one, do some planning.  If you're in charge, provide some healthier choices. Many people don't realize they like some foods until they try them!  When you're going, ask your host ahead of time about the menu.  Volunteer to bring a new recipe or maybe some chicken sausage.
   Remember:  Fate does not control your plate.  You do!  A cook out doesn't mean all you have to do is eat.  Visit with your friends, play ball with the kids, and make wise decisions about what goes on your plate.

Microwave Chips? You Bet!

   Okay, I have to confess...I'm not really that in to cooking. I don't mind it, but I don't spend a lot of time doing it. When something comes along that gets me excited about cooking (even in the microwave), it's a big deal. The latest "big deal" I've discovered is the Microwave Chip Maker by Pampered Chef.  The link will take you to a demo video.  It's pretty cool. 
   In addition to making potato chips, you can also make sweet potato chips, apple chips, jicama chips, and just about any other chip you can think of.  The thing I think is particularly awesome is you don't have to add oil.  You can use any kind of seasoning you want; this makes it easy to use salt substitues for even healthier chips.

   I first saw this at my cousin's Pampered Chef party.  It wasn't being demonstrated, but because I asked what "that funny looking thing" was and my cousin had an apple, the Pamphered Chef lady demonstrated.  Being the healthy minded person I am, I loved it!  The apple chips were incredible.  They were really sweet without anything added.   I'm now waiting for my slicer and microwave chip maker to come in so I can make some fresh, healthy snacks!
   I asked about several fruits and veggies for chip making.  A couple of things that don't work well, I was told,  are bananas and pineapples because of their high moisture content. Stay tuned for an update after I prepare a few chips!

Are You Playing the Numbers?

   Did you ever wonder what the label stickers on fruits and vegetables mean?  Is it just for price scanning?  No, actually the numbers have significance.  I first saw this mentioned on on the Facebook page of Growing Organic, Eating Organic.  I've done a little checking on the web and found out the meaning of the numbers.
   First, I found out the PLU means "price look up" code.  Next, depending on the numbers, you can tell how the produce is grown. Then, I found that the PLU coding system is voluntary.  The PLU code was designed to help out the producers, not the consumers.
   If a product has four numbers in the code, it means that the food has been traditionally grown.  A code with five numbers that begin with an eight means the produce was genetically engineered.  Organically grown produce will have five digits with the first one being a five.
    If you have a type of produce and don't know what it is, use the gadget on the PMA website to find out about a new fruit and/or veggie.
   Now you know and , as G.I. Joe would say, "Knowing is half the battle!"

Everybody Dance! (Hey, but if you'd rather do something else, do it. Get moving!)

You: "Oh, no! Please tell me this isn't about exercise."

Me: "This isn't about exercise. It's about finding something you like to do so you will get up and move to be on the road to good health!"

Being active has many benefits, in addition to helping you lose weight and keep it off. Some of those benefits include putting you in a better mood, reducing stress, helping you sleep better, reducing the risks of some cancers, helping you live longer, and helping you have more energy. Check out the article posted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "The Benefits of Physical Activity." The article provides in depth details about several benefits. Also read "Move It, Love It" for how to start and stick with an exercise plan.
Since the weather is getting warm and more people are going outside to get moving, it's important to consider the safety aspect of being out in the heat. Two important things to remember are to stay hydrated and know your limits. The Mayo Clinic's article "Heat and Exercise: Keeping Cool in Hot Weather" discusses these two things and others so you can stay safe when out in the heat.
In closing, I just want to say, "Find something fun for you and do it. Get up and get moving!."
Following this post, you'll find a couple of fun fitness videos. You can do "Good Morning!" when you get up and "Tonight" before you turn in for the day. Have fun!

(HOT Z Team) "Good Morning" Mandisa Christian Dance Fitness

"Tonight" Fitness Video