4.20.2011

A Healthy, Fast and Easy Dinner from The Titanium Chef

Macaroni and Cheese is one of my favorite comfort foods, especially when it is homemade.  But with all of the cream, cheese and butter that is usually in it it is definitely not good for my waistline!  Try out this fast and easy and above all healthified dish, you won't even miss the calories! 

Healthified Macaroni and Cheese
Prep time: 20 minutes
Start to finish: 45 minutes
Makes: 6 servings (1 cup each)

2 cups uncooked regular or whole wheat elbow macaroni
2 cup fat-free (skim) milk
3 T flour
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp ground red pepper (cayenne)
2 cups shredded reduced fat Sharp Cheddar Cheese

In a 3 quart saucepan cook and drain macaroni as directed on package.  Return to pan and cover to keep warm.  Meanwhile heat oven to 350 and spray an 8 inch square backing dish.  In a 2 quart saucepan mix milk, flour, mustard, salt pepper and ground red pepper with wire whisk until smooth.  Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly till mixture boils and thickens.  Remove from heat and stir in cheese until melted.  Add cheese sauce to cooked macaroni, mix well.  Spoon into baking dish.  Bake 20 to 25 minutes until edges are bubbly. 


59% less fat and 24% fewer calories than the original.

4.13.2011

You Need to Address These Things FIRST, Well Before and During ANY Weight Loss Program

The vast majority of you who are diligent about making the basic changes below will be able to successfully lose weight in a safe and healthy way and experience lifelong success at maintaining your ideal weight, because you will have addressed key underlying lifestyle and emotional issues that were keeping you stuck.

This truly works for the vast majority of people who try it! So please, don't gloss over it. Really evaluate your current habits, and identify where you may still be lagging.

TG 2000 ADVANCE, and TG MAX ULTRA can help you successfully lose weight while simply applying the following eight foundational principles:

1. Eliminate processed foods, sugar, and starches, and replace them with fresh raw vegetables, lean meat and eggs. You should stick to these principles, so that your foods are as nutrient-dense as possible.

2. Reduce your grains and fruits, as their sugars will contribute to the insulin resistance that makes it difficult for you to metabolize fat properly.

3. Replace soda, fruit juices, and other caloric beverages with plenty of pure water every day. Increased water intake has been shown to accelerate weight loss.

4. Add plenty of exercise, and make sure you include high-intensity burst-type exercises which are far superior than any other exercise for boosting weight loss naturally. Exercise is every bit as important as what you eat—NO exceptions—regardless of your age, gender, lifestyle, or level of health. A regular exercise routine is crucial for countless aspects of your health, beyond fitness and body weight—even if it means starting with just 5 minutes per day.

5. Make sure you're getting adequate sleep.

6. Manage your stress. Adopt a technique like meditation and Yoga, which can help you nip cravings in the bud.

7.Whenever you are reducing weight and breaking down body fat, it's important to incorporate a detoxification program.  Meta 21 is the product we have designed for this very purpose. Your body stores many toxins inside fat cells, and when you break those down, toxins naturally enter your bloodstream and can actually make you feel sick if you don't take steps to "mop them up."

8. Increasing your protein intake by 30% has been shown to be an effective way to speed up weight loss. There are protein bars, and natural foods, that can contribute more protein in the diet such as great tasting Quinoa. (Pronounced Keen-wah.) This is an extrememly versatile grain that tastes good! It can be added to most any dish, as well as eaten plain, in casseroles, soups, and even as a warm breakfast cereal!

When taking a "lifestyle inventory," you may be surprised to find one little area you've ignored, which, if you made some simple changes, might totally change your situation.

For example, something as simple as cutting out all soda and sweetened beverages could easily be the tipping point that makes your body start losing the fat!

--some excerpts of this article shared from Dr. Mercola, at Mercola.com

4.11.2011

A Quick, Easy and Healthy Dinner from The Titanium Chef

Spring is coming and that means it is time to break out the BBQ grill!  Kabobs are one of the fastest, most delicious and my personal favorite thing to grill.  This recipe caught my eye because it has sweet potatoes on it in place of regular potatoes.  Feel free to mix up the vegetables or types of meat to suit your tastes.  Your possibilities are endless!

Pork and Sweet Potato Kabobs
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Makes 2 servings (2 kabobs each)

1/3 cup orange marmalade
1 tsp chopped fresh rosemary
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 pound sweet potatoes cut into 8 chunks
2 T water
1/2 pound pork tenderloin cut into 1 inch pieces
1 small zucchini cut into 8 slices

Heat gas or charcoal grill.  In saucepan heat rosemary, marmalade and salt to boiling, stirring frequently.  Remove from heat, set aside.  In microwavable bowl, heat sweet potatoes and 1 tablespoon water, cover loosely with paper towel.  Microwave on high 2 to 3 minutes, stirring once, just until potatoes are tender (don't overcook).  Drain and rince with cold water.  On each of four 10 or 12 inch skewers (if using wood skewers make sure to soak them in water for 10 minutes) carefully thread pork, sweet potatoe and zucchini alternately, leaving 1/4 inch space between each piece.  Place kabobs on grill over medium heat.  Cover grill and cook 8 to 10 minutes turning once and brushing with marmalade glaze during the last 3 minutes, until pork has no pink in the center. 

Per serving (2 kabobs):  370 Calories and 4 1/2 grams of fat

4.06.2011

Caprese Salad from The Titanium Chef

Here is a very simple but very delicious appetizer or snack or even main dish to make using lots of that basil that is so good for you!  The tomatoes have tons of great nutrients and the real mozzarella is low fat and loaded with calcium.  This is too simple not to try!

Caprese Salad

2 tomatoes
Fresh mozarella cheese
4 basil leaves
Olive Oil
Balsalmic Vinegar
Salt and Pepper

Cut each tomatoe into 4 slices.  Lay 4 slices on a plate and top each slice with a slice of mozzarella.  Add on another slice of tomato and then top each of those with a basil leaf.  Drizzle each stack with a little olive oil and balsalmic vinegar and a sprinkle of salt and pepper.  These little stacks look fancy and taste delicious! 

Another twist on this is to chop up the tomatoes, cheese and basil and mix together in a bowl with a little olive oil, balsalmic and salt and pepper.  Then serve in bowls. 

4.04.2011

Herbs: Who Knew??

Herbs are not only great in meals for spice and added flavor but are key to the nutritional density in the foods you eat. Herbs can protect you against diseases, clear toxins from your body, and provide you with vitamins and minerals.


Here are some examples of such, from a list of nine assembled by Planet Green:

Basil

Basil provides Vitamins A, C, and K, along with iron, manganese, magnesium, and potassium. Loaded with flavonoids, basil helps prevent cell damage from radiation and oxygen.

Ginger

Treat nausea and an upset stomach with ginger; prevent and treat the common cold with its antiviral components.

Fenugreek

This Mediterranean herb is good for menstrual cramps, menopause symptoms, cholesterol, and diabetes.

Flat Leaf Parsley


Parsley is renowned for containing high levels of antioxidants and is full of vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber that help balance cholesterol and ward off constipation.

Turmeric

The Cork Cancer Research Centre's test results show that turmeric can kill gullet cancer cells in 24 hours!

Sources:

Planet Green February 24, 2011