NNM, Snack ideas

What are you snacking on?  Depending on what you reach for in the afternoon, snacking can be beneficial to your health, metabolism and weight loss goals.  Healthy snacks can also increase energy levels and get you thru the rest of your day at the office.  However, snacking on the wrong things, say a bag of M&M's from the vending machine or a few Oreos (Danny!), can cause weight gain, lethargy and set you up for even more bad decisions when dinner time rolls around.  Ideal snacks are low calorie, low fat and low sugar.  Choose wisely!

Here are some suggestions:

*A piece of fruit, such as a banana, an apple, a bowl of berries...
Popcorn - without butter, duh
Edamame - packed with protein
Greek yogurt - option to add granola and/or fruit
Nut and cranberry mix - satisfies a sweet and salty tooth
*Spoon full of peanut butter - keeps you feeling full

*One of my favorites!

For My Winos

I read an interesting article today from Women's Health that asked if you should be drinking organic wine. The main issue explained was the difference between "organic wine" and "wine made with organic grapes". Organic wine cannot contain added sulfates whereas wine made with organic grapes can contain a small amount of sulfer dioxide, which is used to preserve wine.  Read more to find out which wine you should be purchasing!

Should You Buy Organic Wine?

NNM, Popcorn chips!

I love chips!  However, I don't love the fat and calorie count in a serving or the long list of foreign ingredients in some bags of chips.  Ew.

Let's compare...

On the Border tortilla chips - serving size ~ 7 chips, calories per serving = 140, total fat = 7g

Fritos Scoops - serving size ~ 10 chips, calories per serving = 160,  total fat = 10 g

Baked Ruffles, cheddar & sour cream - serving size ~ 10 chips, calories per serving = 120, total fat = 3.5

Chipins, sea salt - serving size ~ 20 popcorn chips, calories per serving = 120, total fat = 2.5

After comparing, I easily switched to "chipins all natural popcorn chips".  Chipins are gluten free, contain 9g of whole grain, have zero trans fat and are 100% natural.  They go great with my turkey sandwiches for lunch.  Plus, I don't feel guilty munching on these popcorn chips because 20 chips only give me 120 calories...I can handle that!    

  

NNM, My Plate > Food Pyramid

Most of you, including myself, were taught what and how much to eat according to the food pyramid.  What an ancient method!  Plus, the food pyramid has been know for being confusing and vague.  Since I've never really supported it, I'm excited that the food pyramid is out!  The Department of Agriculture announced in the summer of 2011 the new nutrition guideline:  My Plate.  The new guideline icon will replace the much outdated food pyramid, making what to eat and how much a lot less confusing.  If you haven't seen it yet, here's what the icon looks like:

This icon gives you a simple idea of what should be on your plate at the dinner table.  However, not everyone has the same nutritional needs depending on your age, gender and other health issues.  So adjust "your plate" accordingly if you have specific needs in your diet.

We're playing basketball

Over the weekend we had 5 basketball games to watch!  My little brother, Levi, played in his first tournament in the Primetime league with my boyfriend's little brother's team, Team Texas.  It was really cool seeing Levi and Scotty play ball together!  Even though the boys only practiced once, they played like a team that had been playing together all season!  So proud of those boys!  Team Texas won it's first game but lost their next two games - each game was a battle and Team Texas competed until the last buzzer sounded.  Looking forward to their next tourney!  Great job Levi!   

And about 30 minutes away, my cousin (#32) with the North Dallas Vandals, won their tournament over the weekend.  On Saturday, they beat the #9 ranked team, the Texas Fuel, and then on Sunday, they beat the #1 ranked team, the Colorado Kings.  These Vandals are legit!  They'll be traveling next weekend, continuing on their road to the championship!

  

NNM, Dinner Recipe

Monday night I cooked dinner for Matt and myself.  As previously suggested via FilthyFit, we are trying to make fish the protein on our plates 1-2 times a week.  Why not start the week off right with some yummy halibut!?  This dish is quick, easy and gluten free (duh).

Here's the recipe, just for you!

Pan-seared Halibut with Apple-Pear Chutney

Halibut

4 (4-ounce) halibut fillets

1 tablespoon chili powder (I omitted this...we don't/can't do spicy)

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 tablespoon olive oil

Chutney

1 tablespoon unsalted butter, buttery spread or canola oil

1 ripe Bosc pear, peeled, cored and cut into 1/2 inch dice

1 small tart apple such as Granny Smith, peeled, cored and cut into 1/2 inch slices

1/4 cup coarsely chopped white onion (no onions for me!) 

2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

1 tablespoon honey

1 tablespoon dried cranberries

1 garlic clove, minced (I left this out as well)

1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

1/8 teaspoon allspice

1/8 teaspoon ground ginger

Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

1.  Make the halibut:  Pat the halibut fillets dry with a paper bowl.  Mix the chili powder, salt and pepper together and press onto both sides of the halibut.  Set aside.

2.  Make the chutney:  In a small, heavy saucepan, heat the butter over medium heat.  Add the pear and apple and cook, covered, until slightly softened, about 5 minutes.  Add the onion, vinegar, lemon juice, honey, cranberries, garlic, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, ginger, salt and pepper and cook over medium heat until the mixture comes to a boil.  Remove from the that and let stand, covered, while cooking the halibut.

3.  In a heavy, nonstick (gray, not black) skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat.  Cook the halibut until the crumbs are golden and the fist is just barely opaque when cut in the thickest part or flakes easily with a fork, 8 to 10 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fish.  Serve the halibut topped with the chutney.

Choose your vegetable as the side - I served the halibut with grilled asparagus (olive oil, salt, pepper). 

Enjoy!

NNM, Where should we go for lunch?

It's time for lunch and your co-workers suggest something like Olive Garden, On the Border or Chilies... Ya, I'm a little grossed out too.  For a healthy and organic lunch, grab your co-workers and head over to Southpaw's Organic Grill.  It's one of my absolute favorite places to eat and I seem to never get tired of it since it's usually where my bff and I end up for lunch.  Southpaw's offers delicious smoothies, salads, sandwiches, rice bowls, etc. without added sugars, nitrates or preservatives!

Locations:

Preston Center
6009 Berkshire Lane

Uptown
3227 McKinney

By the way, the new location on McKinney has an awesome patio.