Ten Awesome Things to Do with Bananas

March 13, 2013 | By

According to Women’s Health Magazine, 2013’s biggest super food isn’t something with a name you can’t pronounce (acai, quinoa, anyone?) or a typical green hued veggie (kale and avocado are favorites) and thanks to Gwen Stefani everyone knows how to spell it (unlike spirulina…yeah we had to look that one up). Yep, if you haven’t guessed yet, one of the trendiest superfoods this year is none other than the BANANA!

This should be exciting news for all, as most of us probably eat them on a regular basis. And there’s A LOT about this nifty little fruit that you probably didn’t know. Now that we’ve learned all the crazy ways you can utilize bananas, we’re fully convinced they’ve earned their “super food” wings.

Our Top 10 Uses of Banana:

10. To improve your mood! Bananas contain tryptophan (the same stuff in Turkey that helps tire you out on Thanksgiving) which produces serotonin to stabilize your mood.

9. To help with menstrual symptoms. Bananas contain Vitamin B6 (an anti-cramping nutrient) and potassium to reduce bloating. Midol has officially got some competition!

8. To reduce the effects of nicotine withdrawal. Vitamin B6 has calming properties that helps smokers recover from nicotine withdrawal more smoothly.

7. To curb morning sickness. This magical cure-all (Vitamin B6, of course) has been shown to reduce the symptoms of morning sickness and having a balanced level of potassium can help combat nausea.

6. Lack of iron is the nation’s number one nutrient deficiency, especially in women. Bananas contain a dose of iron AND Vitamin C to help you absorb it. Double win!

5. As a natural laxative. Bananas are high in fiber…need we say more?

4. As a source of natural energy. Substitute your morning latte for a banana – the energy boost will last longer and you won’t experience a crash after it wears off!

3. To soothe mosquito bites. Ever heard this trick? Hold the inside of a banana peel on a mosquito bite for 5-10 minutes to relieve itch and dry the bite out.

2. To reduce your hangover. Alcohol depletes the body of potassium and electrolytes, and eating a banana can help pump these back into your system, thus making you feel better. A handy tid-bit to keep on file!

1. To eat…in banana bread…duh!

Filed Under: Food + Drink, Nutrition Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

3 Healthy Winter Breakfast Ideas

February 12, 2013 | By

Editor’s Note: We asked our friends at Tasting Table to share some healthy recipes to keep us energized throughout the winter — without any extra calories. Here, their editor hand-picked 3 recipes that they think our Spa Week readers will love. Enjoy!

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By Karen Palmer, Tasting Table’s Good Taste Editor

It’s hard enough to just get out of bed on cold mornings. To make it a little easier, we’ve compiled three of our favorite breakfast recipes–developed by Tasting Table’s Good Taste Test Kitchen–that are just as delicious as they are healthful. Each one will make waking up something you’ll actually look forward to.

1. Quinoa-Oat Squares

Quinoa-Oat Squares: Bored of the same bowl of oatmeal every morning? Kiss it goodbye. These wholesome bars are made with red quinoa, bulgur wheat, and old-fashioned oats, and are sweetened with ground dates and rice milk. They’re a warm, soothing start to your day — not to mention easily portable.

2. Cocoa-Bean Smoothie

Cocoa-Bean Smoothie: Beans for breakfast? It may sound odd, but when blended with Dutch-processed cocoa, banana, rice milk and honey, black beans provide a protein-rich boost that tastes pretty darn delicious. Try it before a workout or as a morning pick-me-up to bring to the office.

3. Chia-Pomegranate Pudding

Chia-Pomegranate Pudding: This treat transforms overnight into a nutty, surprisingly filling pudding as the chia seeds soak up the liquid and swell to form a creamy texture. Antioxidant-rich, high-fiber chia seeds are the foundation of this healthy breakfast, and we added a sprinkling of pomegranate seeds for sweetness and crunch.

About The Author: Karen Palmer explores the world of health, wellness, and good food as the editor of Good Taste, the daily email newsletter from Tasting Table. To sign up for the Good Taste newsletter, click here.

 

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Delicious Desserts Made with Popcorn

February 8, 2013 | By

National Popcorn Day was last month (January 19 to  be exact), but those of us who truly love this snack don’t need that kind of excuse to eat it. Just do yourself a favor and skip the movie theatre-style popcorn (loaded with artificial ingredients and tons of butter) and opt for something more diet-friendly.

While eating movie popcorn impacts more than just our waistlines (see here), natural popcorn is high in fiber, low in fat and can be a great healthy snack. Try one of these treats for dessert to save a few grams of fat and calories over a cookie:

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Popcorn Balls from Shape.com

Mix popcorn with a little bit of honey, natural peanut butter and mini-chocolate chips for a wholly irresistible snack. At just 90 calories a pop, bring a few to the movies for a guilt-free evening!

Get the full recipe here

Caramel Marshmallow Popcorn Lollipops from Weight Watchers

This recipe mixes marshmallows with chocolate and caramel Weight Watchers candy to make a much more satisfying breed of lollipop. Each pop is just two weight watchers points plus, so there’s you won’t feel bad going back for seconds!

Get the full recipe here

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Healthy Twists On Super Bowl Recipes

January 30, 2013 | By

Super Bowl recipes are basically synonymous with fatty, greasy foods. How cruel of the NFL to place this holiday the first weekend in February, right when we’re in the thick of keeping our New Year’s resolutions to eat healthier?!

This year we want to help you keep the healthy eating momentum going — without having to hold back at your Super Bowl bash. You won’t have a grease hangover Monday morning if you spend Sunday night snacking on these lighter versions of Super Bowl favorites:

Low Fat Guacamole

Most of the dips you’ll find at a football party are loaded with fatty cheese and sour cream. Opt for guacamole instead, to enjoy an equally creamy and satisfying dip that offers up a dose of healthy fat! This recipe from Women’s Health packs even less fat than usual by subtly substituting some frozen green beans into the mix.

Get the full recipe here

 

Zucchini Crostini

This twist on a classic crostini uses healthy zucchini as a main ingredient. Serious Eats modified this recipe to include just a little bit of parmesan cheese for maximum flavor with less fat. The perfect finger food to add some crunch to your table!

Get the full recipe here

 

Green Beans in a Blanket

Pigs in a blanket are a game day staple…but did you know that just ONE of those little guys can contain up to six grams of fat in itself? And there’s no way you’re going to eat just one! Satisfy your cravings with a WAY lighter version – green beans in a blanket! She Knows created this recipe including part-skim cheese, ensuring that these treats will be both healthy and irresistible!

Get the full recipe here

Low Fat Chili

Not having chili at your Super Bowl party would be like not having having a quick shoulder massage with your manicure. It’s just not the same! Normally a high-calorie, high-fat dish, this recipe from Cooking Light substitutes ground turkey breast for regular ground meat – cutting calories and fat by 70%, with a barely detectable difference in taste!

Get the full recipe here

 

Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Celebrate the end of the night with something sweet! Chocolate covered strawberries are a festive and healthy option that will satisfy your sweet tooth with only a little bit of chocolate. Easily pipe on the lines by melting white chocolate chips, transferring to a plastic bag and snipping the corner off! All the party guests will surely admire your handiwork. Check out the easy to follow tutorial from Domestic Fits.

Get the full recipe here

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Flu-Fighting Ice Cream?

January 18, 2013 | By

Courtesy of Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams

New York Magazine’s Grub Street newsletter reported on an interesting new food item today: the new “Influenza Sorbet” from Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams.

A mix of cayenne pepper, ginger, Maker’s Mark bourbon, honey, orange juice, and lemon juice, the sorbet is the brand’s answer to this winter’s flu epidemic. And, might we add, not a shabby idea.

“It’s modeled on the home remedy my mother and grandmother made when anyone in the family was under the weather,” Jeni states on her site. “A mug of hot whiskey with honey and lemon juice, then straight to bed.”

Well, who are we to argue with a home remedy? We love home remedies. And many fresh juice brands in New York City already offer similar formulas (without the bourbon, of course). The Juice Press’ Spicy Citrus (grapefruit, orange, lemon, ginger, & cayenne pepper) and Liquiteria’s The Killer XX (green apple, ginger, lemon, cayenne & an immunity supplement) all pack a punch against whatever ails you.

The obvious trend in all of these blends is a mix of citrus fruits and spice (ginger and cayenne pepper). You can try blending this up at home with any mix of the above ingredients. As to whether or not you add a splash of Maker’s Mark? The choice is yours.

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