Colorful Cauliflower

Cauliflower lovers, rejoice! This yummy vegetable is now available in many stylish colors, which will brighten even the most boring dish and allow you to be even more creative, in the kitchen.

Rainbow cauliflower is available in orange, white, green and purple… yes I said purple. Growers have achieved this feat by repeated cross breeding, until the desired color has been created.

Some shoppers might be a bit turned off by these new rainbow colors, but this is in the first time that this type of color change has been attempted. I was surprised to learn that until the 17th century, European’s ate carrots that were purple or yellow.

It was the Dutch who initially added orange pigment to their carrots in attempt to honor the Royal Family.

Cauliflower, of any color, is loaded with vitamin C and vitamin B6. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber and an important source of protein and calcium. Cauliflower is very low in cholesterol and saturated fat.

But wait, that’s not all. It is also a great source of many minerals including: iron, magnesium, phosphorus and zinc. Cauliflower is high in folate, pantothenic acid (whatever that is) and potassium.

The purple coloring in this cauliflower comes from anthocyanin, which may be helpful in preventing heart disease because of the fact that it is instrumental in slowing blood clotting.

Orange cauliflower is said to contain up to 25 times more beta-carotene than white cauliflower. Beta-carotene is a form of vitamin A that is essential for healthier skin.

I love raw cauliflower. But, I also enjoy it steamed as well. It’s great in low-calorie soups and salads and is wonderful, hot off the grill or when roasted in the oven.

When purchasing cauliflower, look for a compact head with no brown spots. Typically heads, which are surrounded by big green leaves are fresher, as they are better protected during travel.

You can store uncooked cauliflower in the refrigerator, for up to one week… in either a plastic or paper bag… just remember paper is better for the environment. To prevent moisture, store the head stem side down.

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March 23, 2008 | Filed Under Diet, food | 18 Comments 

Fitness Magazines

I love to read. You might as well say I’m a magazine junkie. Since I’ve started my fitness journey, I have run across… no pun intended, several great fitness magazines.

What I’ve always liked about magazines is the fact that you can store them for future reference. Let’s face it, it’s impossible to remember everything that is outlined in each issue, but it’s very easy to pull them out and re-read them, when you are searching for new ideas.

There is actually a broad range of fitness magazines available, today. And when you think about, it a magazine is a small investment compared to purchasing a book or DVD series.

If you are in a position where he can afford a subscription, your local library usually stocks several fitness related magazines. Most will even let you check them out, just as any other book for reference material.

There are fitness magazines, which are geared toward men. There are fitness magazines, which are geared toward women. There are also a variety of general fitness related magazine, which cover topics such as nutrition, yoga and pilates and alternative remedies.

Women’s Health is probably one of my favorites. If you are interested in a subscription it runs about $15, per year. (If you take the time to do a bit of research, you may be able to find it, on the Internet, for even less.)

Each issue is jam packed with informative articles on topics including: fitness, sex and relationships, nutrition, weight loss and beauty and style. They feature product reviews on tons of different things and yummy sounding recipes that I can’t wait to try!

Fitness (Mind, Body and Spirit) is another magazine that I’ve purchased. A subscription is about $14, per year. Honestly, this magazine is quite motivational. I enjoy reading the real stories of women, of all shapes and sizes, who have achieved weight loss success. If they can do it, I know I can do it.

It’s probably considered more of a lifestyle magazine, but it’s still worth the small subscription price… in my opinion.

These are just two of the many fitness magazines available. Visit your local bookstore or online magazine vender for a complete selection.

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March 20, 2008 | Filed Under fitness, Shopping, Tips | 10 Comments 

Fresh Peaches

Fresh peaches are a yummy, not to mention delicious, snack. I’d rather have a peach than a candy bar any day…. well almost!

I was surprised to learn that the peach is a member of the rose family. Maybe that’s why they smell so good. I’ve always assumed that the red blush on a peach is the result of ripeness, but that is not the case. The blush indicates the actual variety of peach.

There are a few things to remember when you are buying peaches. First and foremost, don’t choose fruit that is bruised. (I guess that’s pretty obvious, though.) Peaches should be soft, but not mushy. The best one’s should have a defined crease, from stem to point.

The best way to ripen a peach is just to set it on the counter, for a couple of days. After the fruit is ripe, it should be refrigerated and consumed within about one week.

I recently discovered a very simple way to peel a peach and there is almost no effort required. Dip the peach into boiling water for 30 seconds… then in cold water. The skin should then come off easily.

If you do a lot of cooking with peaches, keep the following in mind. Three medium peaches or two cups of sliced peaches, equal one pound. To keep peach slices from getting dark, sprinkle them with lemon juice.

One medium sized peach contains only 40 calories and les than one gram of fat. They are an excellent source of vitamin A and have no cholesterol. They are also a great source of fiber.

There are basically three types of peaches: clingstone, semi-free and freestone. Clingstone peaches cling to the pit somewhat. There are best for jams, jellies and pickled peaches. Freestone peaches are the best variety to eat fresh and to freeze.

In case you are wondering; there is not much difference between a peach and a nectarine. Think of a nectarine as a peach without the fuzz. Rumor has it that the nectarine originated from a mutant peach. In my book, they are just as yummy.

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March 17, 2008 | Filed Under food | 11 Comments 

Blog of the Day for 3/7/08

dailyaward1.jpg

thanks santa

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March 8, 2008 | Filed Under Lifeonline | 5 Comments 

Santa’s Link Love

I’ve been nominated for Santa’s Blog of the Day!  so please vote for me! thanks to who nominated me …

please vote for me .. the santa blog of the day!

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March 6, 2008 | Filed Under Life, Lifeonline, Me! | 1 Comment 

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