The happy steak owner

Last Saturday night Nicole Richie hosted a party at the Cooper Square Hotel in NYC for her new clothing line, Winter Kate. Nicole’s tunic above is from the collection. Inspiration for the collection is drawn from Richie’s favorite animals, like peacocks, and includes mostly tops.

For years, Nicole has been accused of being too thin, but I’m happy to report she looked healthy and vibrant. And to drive the message of heath and happiness an extra mile… she was standing perched by a shelf at the penthouse party, all by herself, chowing down on a steak and fries like nobody was watching. It was wonderfully refreshing— and it looked delicious!

NY-based celebrity doctor Richard Ash, MD, shares 3 interesting positive correlations between steak and your well-being. (Note: Dr. Ash is not saying steak is “healthy,” but read on for some reasons why you could do worse.)

3 Reasons to Feel Great About Eating Steak, from Dr. Ash MD

1. “Initially people feel better when they eat meat because it makes their body alkaline (the effect you get from eating a lot fruits and vegetables) for the first 24 hours,’ Dr. Ash said. “But then the rest of the week will trigger your body to do the reverse.” Crash and burn! At least she’s living in the moment

2. “Steak is also a good balancer. If you’ve been on antibiotics or you have acid reflux, or if you have chronic candidia (yeast overgrowth) – steak will help you feel better.” Not sure if Nicole had any of the above, but if she did, 2 more points.

3. Also, according to Dr. Ash, “If you’re trying to gain weight, you don’t want to use steak and fries – it’s not something that will necessarily promote weight gain.” So, there are better foods for this— so you don’t have to feel as though you are deliberately injecting yourself with fresh cow lard every time you take a bite.

This should all come as great news for carnivores worldwide! Also, for famous party hosts: It’s your party, you can house a steak in the corner if you want to!

Okay, so she didn’t quite clean her plate – a lesson in moderation from Nicole Richie

Photo credits: www.lastnightsparty.com

Deliciousness. All Hail Kale!

You love potato chips and that salty satisfaction of mindlessly devouring an entire bag at once… but you know better than to succumb like that to the Wicked Chip of the West.

Solution? A drizzle of olive oil, a pinch of seasoned salt and 1 bunch of kale.

Kale is a magnificent, versatile leafy vegetable that doesn’t get nearly the attention it deserves. It’s rich with vitamins and minerals, boosts your immune system, and has been shown to have benefits ranging from improved vision to shielding against ovarian cancer. And it’s delicious too!

Don’t let Kale be the one that got away. It’s the Good Chip of the Mouth (a close relative of the Good Witch of the South? Okay no?), and will leave you feeling guiltless and satisfied. Head over to your supermarket, pass over the humdrum broccoli section, and decide: Am I feeling green or purple?

Kale Chips Recipe

1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees. Line a cookie sheet with aluminum foil or perhaps nothing at all. Wash your kale and dry it thoroughly.

2. Break the leaves off of the stalk into bite size pieces in a bowl. Drizzle on your favorite extra virgin olive oil, then a pinch of seasoned or kosher salt – not too much though! Use your hands to toss the mixture and even out the ingredients. Use sesame seeds if you like them too - Eden Organic’s Seaweed Gomasio is a great salty/sesame combo. Tip: leave the stalky parts of the kale in there too for a hearty and delicious juxtaposition to your chips.

3. Place the kale onto your cookie sheet and bake until they are browned nearly all the way, which will take about 10-15 minutes.

4. Enjoy your crispy, salty, low-calorie snack!

Entertaining tip: Serve at an upcoming party for a snack that doubles as a great conversation piece.

My beauty routine consists of moisturizer, anti-aging cream, a good cleanser and makeup. I never really considered food to be a vital part of my beautifying process, which is surprising for as much as I like to eat. I’m aware of the inner health benefits of certain food, however my appetite increased after I read about their outer effects. The next time I go to the grocery store, I’m going to be looking at it more like the cosmetic section in the department store.

Skin Firming
Blood oranges, cherries and blueberries are high in antioxidants, which reduce aging by lowering inflammation. Antioxidants also increase the product of collagen and thicken your skin, giving you a younger and healthier appearance. A blood orange a day could keep the botox away?

No More Puffyness
Salt addicts, it’s time to trade in your shaker for oregano, thyme, parsley and garlic. These herbs and spices will offer flavor to your meal and won’t puff up like a blowfish. Skip the salt and you’ll avoid the dreaded bags under your eyes.

Pearly Whites
Raw veggies such as celery, carrots and string beans are packed with cellulose, which helps to scrub stains from your teeth. Not only will you have a brighter smile, the cellulose also cleans and removes bacteria from your teeth. We’re not suggesting you trade your toothbrush for a celery stick, but it’s definitely something to chew on.

Younger Skin and Shiny Hair
Meat, chicken, low-fat cheese, lentils and soybeans are protein rich, helping to promote cell growth and repair. That means younger looking skin, less wrinkles and shiny hair.

Glowing Skin
Almond milk contains high levels of magnesium, potassium, copper, vitamin E and calcium. The omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty acids in almond milk give you glowing skin, as well as boost your immune system.

For the complete list, visit MSN Health.

I could live off of cheese. I eat it just about everyday in some form. (I once at an entire block in about 24 hours, but we won’t go there.) It’s a delicious way to get calcium and protein, however, I often forget about its fat and calorie content. It’s important to know the nutritional breakdown of fromage before Munster-munching.

This content is an estimate and based on a half-cup serving (unless otherwise stated). There are many reduced-fat options available, and limiting your serving size makes cheese a great snack.

Cheddar: 266 calories, 22 grams of fat, 17 grams of protein

Swiss: 251 calories, 18 grams of fat, 18 grams of protein

Brie: 240 calories, 20 grams of fat, 15 grams of protein

Blue: 238 calories, 19 grams of fat, 14 grams of protein

Feta: 198 calories, 16 grams of fat, 11 grams of protein

Cottage cheese with 1% milk: 163 calories, 2.3 grams of fat, 28 grams of protein

Reduced Fat-Shredded Cheddar with 2% milk: 160 calories, 12 grams of fat, 14 grams of protein

Laughing Cow Light Swiss (one serving): 35 calories, 2 grams of fat, 2.5 grams of protein

Fat Free Cream Cheese (1 tbsp): 14 calories, 0.2 grams of fat, 2 grams of protein

The House-Made Veggie Burger at Houston’s makes me consider giving up meat altogether. The restaurant is famous for their hamburgers, but the vegetarian option is equally juicy and much healthier.

Several copycat burgers exist in restaurants across the country, but none can compare with Houston’s. One Veggie Burger contains 309 calories, 4 grams of fat, 12 grams of fiber and 13 grams of protein. This information is for the patty only, so remember that you’ll add calories with the bun and cheese. If you can resist, at least skip the shoe string fries, and you’ll have a protein-rich, low calorie meal.

This is one burger that vegetarians and meat-eaters can both enjoy and feel good about. If only the Spinach and Artichoke dip wasn’t so sinful!