Chocolate May Help With Stroke Risks

     We've heard all this before, but it's nice to hear it again, especially for us chocolate lovers!. A study has indicated to some researchers that eating a little but of chocolate every week could not only decrease of odds of having a stroke but can also decrease the risks of dying from one.

     They looked at three large studies and concluded in the first that studied 44,489 who had eaten one serving a week were 22% less at risk of having a stroke than those who did not eat it.

     The next smaller study said that 1,169 people who had 50g of chocolate weekly were 46% less likely to die from a stroke as compared to those who did not.

     The third study showed nothing.

     Dark chocolate especially has a high amount of flavonoids which are antioxidants. These antioxidants have many health benefits.

Photo by RVacapinta

Low Everything Broiled Chicken

     This recipe is flavorful and low in everything. It makes 4 servings and each serving has only about 142 calories, 3g fat, 66mg cholesterol, and 240 mg sodium.

• 4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves, about 1lb
• 1/4 cup worcestershire sauce
• 2 tbls. lemon juice
• 1 tsp. garlic, minced
• 1/2 tsp. pepper
• 1/2 tsp. lemon peel, grated
• vegetable oil

     You're going to combine all ingredients except for the chicken and oil and use to marinate the chicken for about a half hour, turning the chicken once.
     Put chicken on broiler pan and brush it lightly with the oil, broil about 5 inch from heat for about 4 minutes, turn chicken over and brush with marinade then oil and broil that side another 4 minutes till chicken is done.

     I always use my meat thermometer to test doneness. I let mine get to 170 - 180 degrees and make sure meat and juices are not pink.

     Goes great with a green salad, low starch steamed vegetable, and a dinner roll or slice of garlic bread.

Photo by J.Godsey

Introducing the Healthy Snacks

     I have a 16 month old grandson. He's loved fruits and veggies as baby food since we've been able to start him on real foods from just formula.

     At his age now though he's got teeth and really enjoys using them. My daughter started giving him whole apples which he loves. He spits out the skin though and just eats the inside which is fine with us.

     The other day I made a pork roast and put in some baby carrots, broccoli, and cauliflower. The vegetables were somewhat softened but still on the crisp side. We handed him whole baby carrots and large pieces of the other vegetables. He loved them and ate most of them. Part of it is that he is feeding himself which makes him feel like a big boy, second he loves using his new teeth, and third he really seemed to like the taste. Most important we didn't force them on him.

     If you want healthy eating habits, start them young, make it their choice and let them see you enjoying them.

Do As I Say, Not As I Do

     Some of you may be asking what is so healthy about baked ham since I have a site about healthy foods with a ham on the front of it. The answer is that while I don't believe ham is actually good for you, I just love a good ham and this one looks appetizing to me.

     Ham to us is a little expensive so we only have it once or twice a year but it's drowned in maple syrup glaze and is delicious. So there you have it. I don't condone it I just eat it!

Is Ketchup a Vegetable?

     I realize that tomatoes are a wonderful vegetable, but I'm having a little trouble with the recent series of commercials from Chef boy ardee making a big deal over the fact that they say a serving is the same as a serving of vegetables.

     That may very well be, however it just seems on the surface that pointing that out now the way they are is as if they've changed their product. I don't think they did. I think they just changed their label because now getting your family to eat the five servings a day is a big nutrition deal. What say you?