It Is What It Is: vitamin B

My latest article on EXAMINER... leave me comments people! ha ha ha! Or better yet, eat some FISH/SEAFOOD TODAY!

Hosea's back with seafood on the table

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

"A state of total awareness" - PAH!

UNAGI!

And no I am not talking about the "concept"... mentioned by Ross on Friends (season 6, ep. 17) that Unagi is, "a state of total awareness... being prepared for any danger that may be-fall you."

No, I am siding with Rachel and Pheobe in that... Unagi is a type of sushi... and a DELICIOUS SUSHI at that!!!

Unfortunately Unagi is typically DOUSED in a sugary-sweet sauce that really ruins all nutritional benefits of the fish... but I have come up with a very good solution to this problem which has enabled me to SCARF this eel down without a guilt in the world... (although I have heard it's on the Do Not Eat list... but I am going to pretend as though I never heard/read that!)

(Stupid sweet-ass sauce ruining my delicious EEL)

When I buy it from the store in the pre-BBQed package... I open up the package and WASH the fillet off... then I take about 1/2 a roll of paper towel and remove all the rest of the disgustingly sweet sauce... and let me tell you, naked eel is definitely NOT naked in flavor!!!

When I go to sushi restaurants and order eel sashimi, I will ALWAYS ask/write down that there is to be no extra eel sauce slopped on top, that way I am not bombarded with sugar calories that are simply NOT NEEDED!

So you're either now thinking...

A. She is a complete nut job of caring about sugar

B. Ew, eel, that's disgusting, I hate raw fish...

C. Whoa, good idea, although I probably won't go nuts with the paper towels

D. Tell me about the damn nutritional benefits!

And let me just make it clear that...

A. Yes I am completely nuts about avoiding sugar

B. Eel is ABSOLUTELY delicious and should NOT be avoided (out of fear that it's slimy and "yucky") and it is a COOKED fish (if you'd call it a fish)

C. Yes yes, I know I am so smart... and in my mind, every little bit of sauce that comes off is a little less calories & sugar! (but I am aware I probably won't be able to get ALL of the sauce off)

D. I was just about to come to that!

So here you are all you letter D thinkers... EEL'S ROSTER OF HEALTH BENEFITS:

Full of Omega-3 Fatty Acids
High in Protein
Very High in Vitamin A & B1 & B2
High in Vitamin D & E
Rich in Phosphorus
And did I mention... SCRUMPTIOUS!

While eel is a bit on the caloric side, it's oh so worth it... So don't shy away from it! Go nuts and order a sushi roll or better yet eel sashimi the next time you visit your sushi restaurant... Or if you're lucky like me and you have a Whole Foods near by, go and pick up a package or two and simply toast it in the oven until perfection! Seriously, you will have a mouthgasum and then thank me when you're done! Ha Ha Ha!

PS: There is another kind of eel served at Sushi Restaurants called Anago which is SEA EEL and also very tasty... but it's not as popular as Unagi. If you do get the chance, sample both and let me know which one you think is better!

Saturday, February 27, 2010

Beauty Foods VIA AOL HEALTH

aolhealth Tweets

So what beauty foods are you eating today?!?!

*So far I have eaten my fare share of Vitamin A & C & B, Fiber, Lutein... you know what, I've gotten em' all (or I will in the near future - DINNER is just around the corner!!)... since I have, why don't I look like a Victoria Secret Model?! Oh that's right, I'm not 6 feet tall!!!!

Monday, June 29, 2009

Spaghetti? NOPE but close!

So let me just tell you a bit about my diet before I start this post... I do not eat wheat, dairy, gluten, sugar, fruits, soy, nuts.... Wait, maybe I should just tell you what I do eat - that list would be a lot shorter! ha ha.

With such restrictions in my life sometimes it's hard to find substitutes for those "staple" pantry items that everyone seems to have (pasta, rice, bread, etc)...

I have found one substitution that I think works remarkably well and if I could would eat it every single day in mass quantities.

Curious yet on what it is?

Spaghetti Squash!

The stringy strands remind me so much of pasta it's crazy and the way it's tastes is like joy in my mouth (you can obviously tell I haven't eaten sugar in a really long time).

This type of squash is so versatile: top it with tomato sauce, clam sauce, olive tapenade, olive oil and garlic, or just a big slab of salmon - spaghetti squash adopts any flavor you put on it but also gives the added a little some extra too!

What do you want to know first, how to cook it or its health benefits? Health Benefits it is!

Spaghetti Squash has 42 calories in an ENTIRE cup along with 2 grams of fiber! This makes it the lowest calorie winter squash out there so if any of you are on a low carb diet and a bit skeptical when it comes to winter squash, spaghetti squash is completely suitable for all stages!

Within those measly 42 calories there is an abundance of nutrients that only makes me want to buy every grocery store out of their stock! This squash is full of:

Potassium
Beta-Carotene
Vitamin C
Vitamin A
Vitamin E
Folate
Fiber

Woah Woah Woah, now that's a good looking nutritonal profile if I say so myself!

Now since I am all sure you're dying to know how to cook this type of squash so you too can reap it's benefits... Here's what to do:

Bake It -- Pierce the whole shell several times with a large fork or skewer and place in baking dish. Cook squash in preheated 375F oven approximately 1 hour or until flesh is tender.
Boil It -- Heat a pot of water large enough to hold the whole squash. When the water is boiling, drop in the squash and cook for 20 to 30 minutes, depending on its size. When a fork goes easily into the flesh, the squash is done.
Microwave It -- Cut squash in half lengthwise; remove seeds. Place squash cut sides up in a microwave dish with 1/4 cup water. Cover with plastic wrap and cook on high for 10 to 12 minutes, depending on size of squash. Add more cooking time if necessary. Let stand covered, for 5 minutes. With fork "comb" out the strands.
Slow Cooker or Crock-Pot - Choose a smaller spaghetti squash (unless you have an extra large slow cooker) so that it will fit. Add 2 cups of water to slow cooker. Pierce the whole shell several times with a large fork or skewer, add to Crock Pot, cover and cook on low for 8 to 9 hours.

Once the squash is cooked, let it cool for 10 to 20 minutes so it will be easier to handle, before cutting in half (if it wasn't already) and removing the seeds. Pull a fork lengthwise through the flesh to separate it into long strands. You can do these steps ahead of time, then prepare spaghetti squash recipes whenever you're hankering for some delicious vitamin A, E and C (among other things too of course!)!

Here's a really good link with even more helpful information regarding the health benefits of spaghetti squash and its cousins such as butternut, acorn and pumpkin!

Now that I've let you in on one of my favorite foods, I am going to go eat some right now! I hope you all do the same in the near future! Let me know what you end up doing with it too - I love trying out new recipes!

Saturday, June 27, 2009

Yawn!

You know what... I'm tired. I need to pep myself up... Luckily I have a couple of techniques on how to do exactly that. If any of you are feeling lethargic, just try a couple of these tricks!

1. Splash cold water over your face and sip ice cold water

2. Take a Walk, Jump on the Treadmill (if it's too hot outside), Go Swimming, Bike, Really do Anything Active to Get Your Blood Flowing!

3. Bust Out a Comedy or Hang Out With a Funny Friend - Getting a Good Laugh Totally Peps Me Up!

4. Perhaps You Should Eat Something - Sometimes When All Else Fails I Know it's Because I'm Hungry! Be Sure to Make Your Meal a Nice Balance of Protein to Carbohydrates to Fats (ex: hard boiled egg with sauteed spinach in olive oil sprinkled with flax seeds)

5. Do Some Stretching! No One Stretches Enough (including myself!)

6. Take Some Vitamin C - or Eat it For That Matter (Bell Peppers, Kiwis, Lemons, etc)

7. Be Sure to Consume Enough Vitamin B (Chicken, Trout, Spinach, Tomatoes, Oatmeal, Tuna, Salmon, Avocado, etc)

8. Turn On Some Music (I can almost guarantee eventually you will want to get up and dance!)

9. Try to Chill Out (Cut the stress!)

10. Um, Have Sex?!?! (Who doesn't get more energy from doing this?)

11. Don't Load Up on The Beers & Hard Alcohol (1 to 2 drinks is FINE)

12. Call A Friend or Invite One Over 13. And How About You Just Take a Nap! (Getting just 10 to 30 minutes really peps me up - any longer and I feel rather groggy!)

Monday, June 1, 2009

Food of the Day: EGGS

The Amazing Incredible Edible Egg! Why not start off the week with a wonderful high protein food that will keep anyone full for up to 4 hours (depending on how many you eat - many studies have proven this theory correct!).

Those tiny little orbs you see in the grocery store diary aisle are quite amazing!!

First of all, I am not quite sure why everyone places them in the "dairy" family because they are made from a chicken and contain no dairy ingredients what-so-ever (so if you're lactose-intolerant, by all means, ENJOY)... Secondly, THEY WILL NOT RAISE YOUR CHOLESTEROL! So for all your cholesterol-phobs out there, get your facts straight! High cholesterol foods do not impact your cholesterol levels... Saturated and Trans Fatty Acids found in that burger, french fries, muffin, bread, cookie that you are nibbling on as you read this are what cause your cholesterol levels to SKY ROCKET! But enough about those "junk foods" - today's post is about EGGS so that's what will be discussed!

So what came first, the chicken or the egg? Well personally I think the egg, but that is a mystery that may be never solved. What I do know though is that eggs are a very versatile food that have numerous health benefits!

I must first mention that ONE WHOLE EGG (whether BROWN or WHITE/ ORGANIC or NOT) has 68 to 70 calories, and roughly 4 grams of fat. One egg also has almost 6 grams of high quality protein which all of our bodies need to thrive!

There are two parts to eggs that I am sure you all know quite well: the white & the yolk... Both sections contain the protein (the white a bit more) but what the white lacks, the yolk makes up for! The yolk is where all the incredible health benefits lie which is why it's such a pity when people toss the yolk and only eat the white. What exactly does the yolk contain?

WELL SINCE YOU ASKED...

1. Choline - Builds Strong Cells in the Body, Improves the Chemical Events that take Place in the Body, Helps Carry Nerve Messages to Respected Locations, Reduces Body Inflammation

2. B Vitamins - Builds all around Good Cardiovascular Health, Promotes Energy, Promotes Brain & Nerves System Function

3. Fibrin (One of many Special Proteins in Eggs) - Prevents Blood Clots

4. Lutein & Zeaxanthin - Contributes to Eye Health, Reduce Cholesterol Levels

5. Tryptophan - Regulates Appetite, Aids in Good Sleep, Promotes Good Moods

6. Selenium - Helps Prevent Oxidative Stress (which causes heart disease), Supports Thyroid Health, Preventative to Cancer, Reduces Inflammation

7. Iodine - Regulates Thyroid Hormones

8. Vitamin D - Maintains Cell Growth & Structure, Maintains Proper Calcium & Phosphorus Levels in Blood, Reduces Inflammation, Promotes Healthy Immune Function, Prevents Chronic Disease & Cancer, Promotes Strong Bones & Joints

So there you have it! That is only a few of the AMAZING benefits of consuming eggs! So don't hold yourself back! Get to your nearest grocery store: STAT: and purchase some free-ranged organic eggs enriched with omega-3 fatty acids (the fat found in fish which has been noted as being vital for everyone's health)... Your body will thank you buy having BOUNDS of energy so you can take on the day! See you next week with another awesome food... but for now:ENJOY!

PS: All this wonderful information was given to me by The Worlds Healthiest Food Website

Saturday, May 9, 2009

IT'S NOT HALLOWEEN BUT...

I AM OBSESSED with Pureed Pumpkin!!! The best part about me eating this vegetable is that... It is LOADED with health benefits!!!

For roughly 80 calories PER CUP (According to LIBBY'S Canned Pumpkin) you get TONS of vitamins, minerals and fiber... Exactly what vitamins and minerals does pumpkin contain...

- Vitamin A/ Beta- Carotene/ Carotenoids [aids in eye health, immune function, bone metabolism, skin health, heart health, etc]

- Potassium [Stroke & Hypertension Prevention]

- Vitamin C [Lessens Oxidative stress, Antioxidant, Skin Health, Immune System Health, Energy Enhancer]

- 3 Grams of Fiber (per cup) [Healthy Weight & Bowel]

- Lutein & Zeaxanthin [Eye Health]

- Iron [Wards off anemia & kidney failure]

- Zinc [Improves sense of taste & smell, Aids in Wound Healing, Increases Energy, Protects DNA & Aids in Proper Growth & Development]

And don't forget about the SEEDS of the pumpkin because they are equally nutritious containing...

- Magnesium

- Copper

- Iron

- Manganese

- Phosphorus

- Zinc

- Healthy Fats

So even though it's just about summer... why not dig into a can of pureed pumpkin - it will no doubt aid in achieving your bikini body... by making your skin, hair & nails healthy while keeping you full so you don't lose your stellar figure! And one more added bonus... eating pumpkin acts as an SPF (of about 5 but still)!!!