For me at least discussing foods low in cholesterol with others is fun. I guess some of that has to do with the fact that I do all of the cooking around our house and am always searching for foods low in cholesterol to round out our (what some would consider to be) heart healthy meals.

If you are just starting to get interested in cooking with foods low in cholesterol you may believe there aren't all that many choices. I do understand, after all ten years ago when I decided that my health should be put before that chili cheese dog and fries I thought the same thing. In this article we will be on the prowl for foods low in cholesterol that can be purchase at your local supermarket, not those that come from some recently discovered remote island only populated by natives who not only can't spell heart attack but never heard those two words before the heart healthy explorers came. No we will do our searching for foods low in cholesterol just down the street where the only hostile natives, alligators, or sharks will be the checkers who are a having a bad day.

Look for foods low in cholesterol that multiple cardiovascular benefits

There are three primary ways foods can help with heart and artery health.

*They simply can be low in fat and cholesterol and/or reduce blood cholesterol

*They can be high in cholesterol reducing soluble fiber

*They can help repair the interior lining of the arteries so cholesterol laden plaque deposits don't form in the first place.

What are some of the most dynamic foods that fit at least one of these criteria?

*Salmon: Most cardiologist consider this fish to be a super food for heart health. It is rich in omega 3 fatty acids which lower dangerous blood fats know as triglycerides, help to heal the arterial lining, and lower the risk of heart rhythm irregularities.

Note: If salmon is out of your budget consider tuna, lake trout, sardines, cod, or herring instead.

Cooking suggestions: Bake in foil with lemon juice, garlic, and herbs for extra flavor. Any leftovers can be used for wraps or salads tomorrow night.

*Black beans: Black beans are high in cholesterol reducing soluble fiber, antioxidants, and magnesium. They not only will help with cholesterol but blood pressure as well.

Cooking suggestion: Adding black beans to soups and salads is fast, easy, and affordable.

*Colorful fruits and vegetables: Fruits and vegetables contain virtually no cholesterol or fat. If you can find the willpower to keep meat servings to 4 ounces or less per meal and make up the difference with fruits and vegetables you will have taken a giant step towards lowering cholesterol levels and achieving better heart and artery health.

Cooking and an another idea: Food low cholesterol such as vegetables should be steamed. Adding garlic and olive oil are good choices to spice things up and add flavor. Also, adding a few blueberries or strawberries to a small cup of whole wheat cereal for an early evening snack is an excellent way to reduce cholesterol, boost antioxidants, and promote sleep.

What else? When foods low in cholesterol are simply not enough implementing a natural cholesterol reduction supplement just might give you that little extra boost to send high cholesterol packing once and for all.

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In today's household there's often not much time for cooking meals from scratch. Nevertheless if you still like healthy aromatic meals, here's where the pressure cooker can help.

Believe it or not, but pressure cookers really can reduce cooking times by up to 70% compared to conventional methods and the amount of energy consumed is also reduced to as much as 50%.

Using a pressure cooker is one of the best ways to cook delicious meals while still retaining important vitamins and minerals that would normally escape during traditional cooking methods. Meals are healthier and can be cooked without added oil and salt and still retain their natural colour and flavours. Another added bonus is that you can reduce your food costs even further by using a cheaper cut of roast, as cooking it under pressure means the meat comes out tender every time

Pressure cookers have been around for what seems like ages, but in the last few years there have been considerable changes to make them far safer and more versatile. Pressure cookers are usually made of aluminium or stainless steel. Stainless steel is by far considered the preferred choice as it is of a higher quality and achieves better cooking results and there are fewer problems with food sticking to the bottom. The stainless steel models are regarded as the best choice among many cooks because of its ability to brown or sauté food before cooking it under pressure.

The benefits of owning and using a pressure cooker:

o Saves you time - cooks healthy and tender meals in 70% less time.

o Flavoursome meals - tender meats, delicate fish and chicken are cooked to perfection in minutes as the steam intensifies the flavours.

o Less mess - it sautés, browns and pressure cooks all in one pot.

o Ideal for two or for large family cooking - pressure cookers come in a range of sizes to suit your needs, just remember that a pressure cooker needs to be 2/3 full to operate properly.

o Safe to use - there are plenty of safety features and indicators on new pressure cookers, so you can prepare all the ingredients and do something else whilst it cooks.

Here's an idea of how much time a pressure cooker can save you on cooking times and still achieve tasty and tender meals:

Lamb Stew - 20 to 25 minutes

Vegetable Soup - 5 to 10 minutes

Leg of Pork - 20 to 25 minutes

Leg of Beef - 35 to 45 minutes

Whole Fish - 3 to 4 minutes

Potatoes - 6 to 8 minutes

Please note that cooking times may vary slightly depending on your make and model of pressure cooker.

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For several months now, I've been consistently saving quite a bit of money each week in my grocery shopping adventures. When I mentioned this to a friend, she asked me "What has changed? Have you given up on this 'healthy food' thing?" No, of course not! Shopping for healthy food does not automatically mean you need to take out a second mortgage on your home!

Her question caused me to think. I was able to put my finger on the major things that have changed in my grocery shopping routine that have resulted in this savings.

I spend a lot more time planning than I ever used to. Many months ago, we had a "round table" discussion as a family where each family member let me know what some of their favorite meals are. I wrote them all down.

After that, I wrote down the most common types of meat/protein staple foods that are served in our family meals, along with a list of meal ideas from my family under each type of meat. For example, under "ground bison" I have their favorite meals like Southwest bison lettuce wraps, tacos, chili, soup, burgers, cabbage rolls, stuffed peppers, etc. I do the same for chicken breast, venison, sausage, eggs and so on.

I also made index cards for each of the 3 stores I most commonly shop at and the items I typically purchase at those stores. I keep these lists handy as I'm planning so I know where I'll be purchasing the groceries I need, and where I'm likely to get the best price.

Before heading out for my 'major' shopping trip of the week. I sit down with our family's schedule for the week - I see which nights we're going to be out later for work, teaching a seminar, playing sports or attending various events, and I pick either a quick dinner option for that night (big salad, soup, quesadillas, etc.) or I choose a slow cooker option that I can start much earlier in the day. The nights that I'll be home earlier, I plan on the meals that require a bit more prep time.

Occasionally, there's a special type of lunch being served at the kids' school. I make sure I have healthier ingredients on hand so that we can make a healthier version of this meal ahead of time to take to school. For example, this week is the monthly pizza day at school. At school the 'conventional' pizza is served along with carrots & ranch dip, a brownie and a juice box.

Instead, we start with a pre-made organic, whole grain or gluten free crust, add organic sauce and whole, raw cheese, and our own toppings. They get carrots, but no (conventional) ranch - usually I'll pack some hummus, or we'll make our own ranch, or I'll purchase a brand with no high fructose corn syrup and artificial ingredients. We don't do the conventional juice or juice drinks. Once in awhile I'll pack diluted organic juice, or maybe a container of an organic, low-sugar brand that I trust. No brownie. I'll usually just pack some fresh fruit instead or some homemade sweet.

So, if there are special events, this is all taken into account before shopping.

I like the idea of cooking food once and getting several different 'servings' out of it. So, for example, I'll cook some ground bison, use some for lettuce wraps one night, some for tacos or quesadillas a couple days later or for cheesy bison eggs for the kids breakfast, and then some for soup. I keep this type of "multi-use" cooking in mind when deciding on the schedule of meals for the week.

I also consider what leftovers can be re-purposed for the kids' (or our) lunch, and possibly even breakfast, the next day.

I usually only plan through the weekdays, leaving the majority of our weekend meals open. We either whip up some surprising assortment from all the left overs or yet-to-be consumed foods, or we'll end up going out for a meal on the weekend.

So, the steps that seem to be making a big difference in the bottom line of our grocery expenses are:

1) I take the time to plan the meals for the week.

2) I make the shopping list based upon the ingredients for these planned meals. I do a "big" shopping trip once where I load up with the biggies, then I plan on a second (sometimes a third) and MUCH smaller trip later in the week to replenish produce.

3) I have a mental list of 'staple' items that I'm always on the look out for sale prices on - if it's on sale, and it's something we use/eat regularly AND it'll keep even if we don't eat it this week, then it goes in the cart!

4) When it makes sense for our menu and type of nutrition approach, I'll purchase coupon items - they might help determine what's on the menu this week, or if they'll keep, they get to come home, too. Unfortunately, at least where I live, there aren't too many coupons out there for fresh, real, clean food! The majority of coupons I see are for things I don't want to consume in the first place. I have to dig to find the products I'd buy, but I do find them once in awhile.

5) I stick to the list in the store. (The kids know that if it's not on the list, it's not going in the cart without a really persuasive presentation!)

6) We stick to our meal plan throughout the week. I might mix it up a bit here and there, but overall we stay on track. I'm not so stingy that I'll pass up a fabulous spur-of-the-moment invitation or opportunity, though! Don't worry!

7) We waste less food.

7) I don't buy junk when I shop for groceries. This isn't really any different than how I shopped before - it's just worth mentioning since it makes an enormous difference in the total grocery bill! Once in awhile, I buy organic corn chips, but it's not the norm. I don't buy the 'other' kind of chips or pretzels or munchie-type foods. I rarely buy breakfast cereal. I don't buy packaged snacks, crackers, cookies, ice cream, candy, baked goods or pastries. I don't buy pop, juice, juice drinks, sports drinks or milk.

Since I spend very little money on any of these things, I can spend more money on the type of meat, eggs, dairy and grains that I prefer based on their health quotient. Make sense?

It's not that I never, ever buy some these things - but it's rare that they're in our house. If they were in our house, I'd eat them! Just ask a bag of chips!! By the way, sticking to the meal plan and not buying junk are powerful ways to stay on track with your healthier diet and your weight loss/fat loss efforts.

Just the other day, I was next to a lady in our local 'conventional' grocery store. We were both looking at tomatoes. I was closely reading pricing signs and trying to match them up with their accompanying tomatoes in the display - I was searching for the organic options. She saw the focus on my face and assumed I was thinking what she was thinking. She said, "I KNOW! These are SO expensive, aren't they?!" Then she said, "Forget it... I can't afford to eat healthy!" as she tossed her tomatoes back into the display and stormed off!

(I thought that someone I know must have set me up with a hidden camera somewhere!)

As she walked away, completely ticked off at the Gods of Produce Pricing, I caught a glimpse of her shopping cart contents. It was loaded with brightly colored packages of chips, crackers, cookies, ice cream, several large bottles of pop, and juice drinks. My heart sank. Then I thought, "I can't afford to eat what's in YOUR cart!"

There have been many perks and bonuses to planning our meals this way, in addition to saving anywhere from $25-$50 per week on average.

We don't have as many of those last-minute, "I'm too tired/lazy to cook" dinners out that tend to be unhealthy and expensive. I don't have that dreaded, "What should I make for dinner?" conversation with myself at 5:45 pm! The kids know the menu for the week, so there's less whining about their options - after all, THEY chose the menu items! And, we have much better quality family time together as we sit down to our table, hold hands, offer grace and talk about what we're thankful for.

Saving money is a very good thing!

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A healthy food diet is beneficial for everyone. It is important to take care of your body and if you eat well, you will reap the good benefits. A healthy diet does not need to be boring! It should be tasty, balanced and exciting. If you get bored with a diet, you will quickly abandon it!

A healthy food diet is a life eating plan rather than a short term fad diet (fad diets do not work because your body does not get all its required nutrients and you end up with hunger pangs and cravings).

To work best, the body needs carbohydrates, proteins, fats, minerals, vitamins and liquids. A good selection of vegetables, fruits, grains and proteins is necessary and eating regular meals rather than just one huge one is better for you.

Eating well reduces the risk of illnesses such as cancer, high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease. A poor diet can result in obesity, lethargy and spotty skin. A good diet will help you maintain a healthy weight which is a big factor in overall health.

The body works like a machine in a way - if you put good, healthy foods in, it will look and perform better.

Examples of healthy foods include vegetables, fruit, meat, fish, nuts and whole grain products.

Foods containing carbohydrates which raise your blood sugar abruptly (like white bread, donuts or instant mashed potato) will cause a sharp energy spike followed by a rapid drop. This makes you hungry again soon after eating, rather than satisfying you. This makes you crave more unhealthy food.

Not being a good cook or not having the time is not an excuse! It is possible to have healthy food delivered to your door, either fresh ingredients or prepared meals.

You can also make a batch of healthy stew or a stir fry and refrigerate or freeze the remainder to quickly heat through for another day when you have less time. If you have eaten mainly frozen dinners in the past, you might find you actually enjoy cooking and being creative! It can be a lot of fun to experiment with cooking.

Because a good diet should be balanced, you can still have treats.

It is a bad idea to deprive yourself totally of your favorite foods so the occasional slice of chocolate cake is fine. You don't need to cut anything out completely. You can, however, make good choices and substitute one food choice for another.

Changes should be made gradually. You can begin by introducing more fresh fruit and vegetables into your diet, and perhaps swapping white processed bread for a whole grain bread.

If you normally deep fry a lot of food, try baking or grilling it instead.

Check the labels on foods you like and you might be surprised at the amount of added salt, sugar or unnecessary fillers they contain.

Your body gets used to a new eating regime within a couple of weeks so you will find you don't miss eating all the junk foods you did before. A healthy food diet is essential to maintain good health and keep you feeling great.

A Healthy food diet doesn't need to be boring! Find out just how exciting it can Be. Visit http://healthfood-guide.com/healthyfood.aspx You will never go back to ordinary again.

Many healthy foods to lose weight are readily available. Over time, they have proven that they are much more effective than fad diets and keep the fat off those troublesome areas of the body longer. Healthy foods provide their benefits in three main ways. These include creating the sensation of fullness, helping the body burn more fat and calories and acting as natural weight loss hormones.

Foods high in fiber are actually quite easy to find. Insoluble fiber expands after it is eaten, making the stomach feel full. This is a classic way to trick the body into thinking it has eaten its normal amount when it has actually only consumed a moderate amount of fiber. Virtually all fruits and vegetables are high in fiber. It is especially recommended to not cook these prior to eating, as heat can break down some of the fiber as well as reduce the nutrients in the food. Other items high in fiber are oatmeal and high-fiber breads and cereals. In addition, nuts, mushrooms, eggs and beans are excellent choices in this category.

Certain foods actually cause the body to burn more calories or fat than normal. Hot spices such as crushed red pepper, chili pepper, cinnamon, garlic, hot mustard and others increase the body's metabolism by raising the body's temperature. This benefit can last for up to three hours after eating a spicy meal. Green tea has also been recently proven to increase metabolism and is especially effective to drink directly before exercise;a green tea drinker will find that he has a very high endurance level.

The least known weight loss foods are those that contain fat-blasting chemicals or hormones. Here is a partial list of these. Surprisingly, consuming a moderate amount of dairy products may actually cause loss of weight because they suppress the hormone in the body known as calcitriol, which increases the size of fat cells. Foods containing pectin, such as apples, help the body let go of fat. The hormone known as leptin, found in fish, burns fat. Avocados have a special type of sugar in them that decreases insulin in the bloodstream and thus prevents storage of fat molecules. Beans such as black beans, navy beans and others are full of resistant starch that work on the body's appetite hormones to fool them into feeling full. Finally, olive oil, one of the healthiest oils with which to cook, has good levels of oleic acid that also works beneficially on these same appetite hormones.

Attempting to switch one's diet completely to healthy foods to lose weight all at once may prove to be discouraging or even impossible. It is best to make small changes perhaps once a week. This will aid in creating a habit of healthy eating. For example, the first week, the individual could focus on buying only whole grain breads and cereals. The next week he could focus on eating raw vegetables instead of cooked ones at meals. Healthy foods certainly do not have to be bland. Thankfully, many tasty foods will greatly benefit a dieter.

Try Healthy Lunch Recipes In Your Weight Loss Diet Plans

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Grilling food is one of the best ways of preparing it easily and healthy. Grilling food is a technique by which the food is dry heated from below or above side of the food. An open wire grid with heat above or below is called a grill. Foods can be cooked in this grill which base material is a metal. The metal is a good conductor of electricity and it saves time as well as energy while cooking.

Heat is transferred to the food in a grill pan, which is similar to a frying pan but with raised ridges, via thermal radiation. The heat transferred is through direct conduction. When the heat source in a grilling pan comes from above it is called broiling. If the grilling techniques are followed correctly to its full extent then the food prepared in the grill gives a good taste.

All types of food whether it is vegetable or non vegetarian, it can be prepared using a grill. Instead of cooking the food in the gas or in the kitchen oven most housewives prefer cooking in a grill to gas or oven because it takes less time.

The thumb rule for cooking in a grill: smoking foods should be cooked in a low temperature and should take a long time to cook. For cooking thin slices of meat use high temperature and cook fast. First this food should be cooked on one side then should be flipped and cooked on the other side and directly on the coal.

The sugar-based sauces should be applied only at the end so as to avoid burning. The grill should be coated with oil lightly before cooking. Even vegetable that is to be grilled should be oiled before cooking to avoid sticking. Only little oil should be used to avoid excess grease. The grill should be heated in advance. Before grilling the food should be kept in room temperature, but not for long to avoid contamination.

The food that is cooked in a grill does not take the same time for cooking. Some will get cooked quick while some will take lot of time to get cooked. One has to be very careful while cooking and should give undivided attention so that the food is not charred. Avoid keeping the food after preparation for a long time. If you follow the grilling techniques then there won't be a single problem in cooking the food in the grill.

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Providing children with healthy food can at times be difficult. Most parents feel challenged when trying to provide for the 5 x3 vegetables and fruit quota for their kids. They struggle and the more they do the more children are determined not to cooperate. Parents often feel guilty knowing their children need this quota for optimum health.

There is an answer and here are some great tips to get the veggies and fruit into our children and they will love you for it.

Gardening

Watching a child help in the veggie garden is a delight. They just love to put the plant in the ground and watch it grow. Then the thrill of tasting the veggie especially if it is pleasant, for example peas, tomatoes or strawberries. This is a good way to introduce new veggies into the diet.

Kitchen Hand

Children love helping Mum or Dad in the kitchen. Teach them how to peel the potatoes or an apple. This will also help them with their fine motor skills. Try using some cutting items to cut it into shapes and make it fun. When it is cooked ask the child to check if it is cooked and even taste it. This will reduce the drama at meal time as they will have an advanced tasting session.

Veggie Soup

Try a lamb shank bone with lots of veggies in it especially potatoes. You could use almost any veggies in it including spinach, carrots, turnips, pumpkin, etc. A good way to go is to blend the veggies together with the potato providing the thickening. Another alternative is to add some alphabet noodles cut into animal shapes. The kids get so engrossed in the interesting animals they hardly notice they have eaten the soup.

Shredded Cheese

Try steaming the veggies and sprinkle grated cheese over the top. Most kids love cheese and when it melts into the veggies they find the veggies are much easier to eat.

Mixing with other foods

Spaghetti Bolognaise is a typical meal children love. Add veggies to the meat sauce and the children will not even realize it is there. A good example of this is grated carrot, zucchini, pumpkin etc.

One at a time

Introduce one veggie at a time and see how they react. If they like one veggie less than another then its probably not a good idea to give it to them again for awhile. Try changing the taste a little, for example carrots - pour a little honey over them next time and I think it will be a really popular move.

Shopping Together

Take the child shopping and let them help you choose the veggies and when you might have them. Bring them into managing the meals roster giving them a sense of belonging and sharing.

Rewards

If all else fails then it might come down to rewards. Having something they like for dessert is a great motivator or even lemonade once they have finished their veggies works wonders. Since veggies are usually served during the evening meal it is not a good idea to give children flavored or colored drinks especially close to bed time.

Smoothies

Most kids love smoothies and will often nag parents for one when they go shopping. Parents do not have to go shopping for a smoothie as it can be made at home providing another way to camouflage the fruit and veggies. So what do we put into a smoothie that takes away the flavor of vegetables that kids always seem to recognize?

Want to find more?

I recently found the answer and it is in this amazing Smoothie Recipe Ebook. These recipes improve general health, help reduce obesity, chronic diseases etc and save time trying to solve that difficult problem of giving your child the necessary veggies. Most importantly it means kids will be eating healthy food. So check out this eBook and take the worry or stress out of your life in providing healthy meals for your child.

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In today's world of highly advertised fad diets, it is very difficult for us to know which foods are actually healthy and which foods are not. This program says not to eat an apple, while this other program tells us it keeps the doctor away. Once and for all, we need to know which foods are nutritious so we can all jump off the weight loss roller coaster.

Before I get into the details, it is important to stress that weight loss without proper nutrition is not the road you want to take. No magic pill will ever give you the benefits of eating properly. Stop looking for short cuts and get serious about your health. It is the only way to live a lifestyle that is free of the threats of disease, poor health and obesity.

Healthy Foods Tip #1: Green Vegetables

Vegetables such as spinach and cabbage are very significant in maintaining a healthy body. They are rich in vitamins and minerals. How do they help accelerate weight loss? They are water-rich, which means you are actually filling yourself up with liquids instead of fatty calories.

Healthy Foods Tip #2: Fatty Fish

Did you read that right? Yes, it says fatty! Oily fish such as salmon, mackerel and sardines have omega-3 fats. Despite all the hoopla surrounding the fat-free weight loss craze, your body does in fact need good fat for optimal weight loss performance. Omega-3 fats also takes care of our heart. It prevents stroke and lowers bad cholesterol in our body.

Healthy Foods Tip #3: Green Tea 

Anti-oxidants rid our bodies of free radials that can cause damage to our cells and slow the process of healthy weight loss. Green tea offers such a powerful supply of anti-oxidants and vitamins that it has been known to accelerate metabolism by drinking only one cup per day. Tomatoes, red grapes and blueberries are also beneficial for the same reasons, but on a smaller scale.

Healthy Foods Tip #4: Citrus fruits

Oranges, lemons, limes and other citrus fruits are all high in Vitamin C. That helps to prevents colds, asthma and arthritis. What happens when your body is functioning without illness? It performs better! When your body gets the right nutrition, it can perform its own miracles...like giving you more energy and burning off extra weight.

Healthy Foods Tip #5: Carrots

Have you ever heard someone say carrots were unhealthy? I guess they would be if you ate tons of them every day, just like anything else that is abused. The reality is that carrots are good source of Vitamin A and promotes better eyesight. It only takes a half cup worth to work like magic to accelerate healthy weight loss.

Healthy Foods Tip #6. Bananas

This fruit is so nutrition that even monkeys know it is good for them. It can help cure ulcers, diarrhea and stomach cramps because it is high in potassium. If you sweat a lot and need energy, grab a banana. Many athletes consume bananas for energy and alertness. Have you ever seen an overweight monkey or athlete?

Healthy Foods Tip #7: Soy

The soybean is as close to a magic weight loss pill as you will ever find. No, you can not pop them into your mouth and watch the pounds melt away, but when you add soy into your daily diet, you will be amazed to see how quickly your health and weight loss improve at the same time. Soy-based protein smoothies helped me to lose 70 pounds in 4 months 15 years ago. And yes, I still have the weight off!

Healthy Foods Tip #8 Apples

An apple a day keeps the doctor away. It has vitamin C and pectin that flushes out toxins in our body. Toxins are probably the number one reason why people can not lose weight quickly when they eat healthy foods. Apples only work to your advantage when they are eaten raw, so dipping them into caramel sauce or cooking them into a pie will not keep the doctor away.

Healthy Foods Tip #9. Water

It may not be food but it is the most important part of your daily diet. Your body can not function properly if it is dehydrated, and most people do not drink as much as they should. Water also makes you feel full without any calories. Many times people reach for a snack when all they really need is a glass of water.

Along with a daily diet of the foods listed above, you need discipline and a willingness to reach your healthy weight loss goals. Most people get discouraged with losing weight when they fail to grasp the concept of living a healthy lifestyle. Once you develop this mindset, eating healthy will be part of your daily routine...and battling weight gain will be a thing of the past.

Bill Winch is a Personal Wellness Coach whose mission is teaching and coaching others who are struggling with getting healthy, losing weight safely and keeping it off for good. He is also a Certified Business Growth Specialist, former High School and College Business Educator and Counselor, and mentors from his home office in Rochester, NY. If you are interested in receiving his Free Report "9 Weight Loss Myths Exposed" visit his website by clicking on FREE REPORT or by calling him directly at (585) 271-3767 for a free wellness consultation.

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Dog lovers the world over are starting to prepare the food they serve their dogs instead of buying it. This home cooked dog food helps their pet in several ways and can actually save the owner money as well. This trend of preparing meals for your dog has grown considerably in recent years and more and more websites are appearing everyday with interesting tips and recipes.

Home Cooked Dog Food vs Commercial Brands

Buying dog food commercially is a relatively recent phenomenon and up until about 1900 dogs were fed with grain, meat and table scraps by their owners. The modern pet food industry began as a way for owners to save time with canned and bagged food to serve their pets. These commercial pet foods weren't necessarily better for their pets; they were just cheaper and quicker than home cooked dog foods.

With the rising price of modern commercial pet food and the recalls of tainted products, many pet owners have started taking matters into their own hands and are preparing meals at home for their pets. This home cooked meal is actually better for their dogs because they are using real ingredients and avoiding all of the chemical flavorings and preservatives found in commercial foods. They can even adjust these meals to accommodate for certain dietary restrictions such as allergies for their dogs.

Are Home Cooked Meals More Expensive?

Even though most people think that commercial dog food is cheaper than home cooked dog food, there are ways you can easily lower the cost of these homemade meals. If you find a recipe that your dog likes, buy enough ingredients in bulk to make a few of these meals and then freeze them.

This way you can quickly warm them up and serve them later. This helps reduce the cost of these meals and the time it takes to prepare them. It also allows you to enjoy the convenience of a quick meal that is also healthy for your pet.

Another advantage to this home cooked dog food is that you can create meals for your dog that better align with your eating habits. For example, if you are a vegetarian you can find recipes that use less meat and chicken than a commercial brand and stay true to your food choices.

Easier Control Over Your Dog's Diet

This home cooked dog food also allows you to adjust your dog's diet to reflect their activity level, which may vary throughout the year. You might give them a higher caloric meal in the summer months when they are more active and reduce the calories in the winter when they are more sedentary.

You can also add supplements to these meals to help ensure they get all of the vitamins and minerals they need each day. You should always check with your veterinarian before starting your dog on a home cooked dog food diet just to make sure they will be fine with the change in food.

You also need to move them to this type of food slowly to allow their digestive system to adjust to the new ingredients. Once you make the commitment to prepare meals for your dog you will be helping them lead a longer and healthier life.

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Most of us are aware of the benefits of a balanced diet and healthy eating. But being aware of the benefits is only half of the solution. You also need to know how to choose the foods that will be best for your health. Depending on your daily routine, you may or may not eat at home most of the time.

Start your day with a healthy and well balanced breakfast. Studies have shown that people who don't eat a full breakfast tend to seek carbohydrate snacks all throughout the day, and are more prone to gaining weight.

Eating at home usually involves more meal preparation time, this is important because preparing a good meal takes a lot more time than simply eating some junk food. If you can afford to prepare your meals at home, this can dramatically increase the quality of your meals, not only can you choose exactly what you eat, but you can choose how it is prepared and pick out the quality of the items yourself.

Any meal you eat, whether at home or while out should consist of all the basic food groups, balancing proteins, starches, greens and vegetables is a key factor to a healthy diet. Your body needs all the different food groups in order to function properly, by balancing your meals you are ensuring your health and the quality of your life.

Choosing the food you eat based simply on the label at the supermarket is not always the best choice. Sure, a low fat or diet version of a favorite snack, treat or dessert may be a better option than the regular version, but is it the best option. Look for healthier alternatives for snacking in between meals, low fat cereal bars and natural products, fruit and juice. It is not so much the amount you eat but rather what you eat that makes the difference.

Avoiding fatty foods and food with high quantities of sugar is also very important. Choose baked food instead of fried food, and adopt this healthier alternative when cooking at home as well.

When away from home and eating out, look for healthy alternatives. Fast food offers speedy advantages but often has no real nutritional value. Stuffing yourself with useless calories will fill you up momentarily, but you will soon find you are hungry again, and this can often lead to a vicious cycle, leading to high levels of junk food intake per day. Choose full meals whenever possible; look for whole wheat and organic products whenever you can. If you are on the run and need to eat as quickly as possible, look for the healthier alternatives to hotdogs and burgers. Try natural sandwiches made on the spot, there are many natural fast foods that can be just as quick as the conventional ones, while providing much better quality to your diet.

Food Blog provided by Get Directory

The fact is that eating outside the home might be necessary sometimes when the family is busy, or as sort of fun and entertainment at other times. In order to make the experience fun and useful at the same time:

- Choose a restaurant that offers special food for children.

- Ask for the children menu.

- Before you order, ask about the food preparation.

- Allow your child to choose what he wants

- Let your child eats one of his favorite dishes, rather than having new dishes.

Here are some tips to help you take the appropriate and healthy options while eating outside the home with your child:

- Ask first for a dish of salad.

- Avoid mayonnaise on burgers and sandwiches and replace it by ketchup, mustard, or BBQ sauce.

- When you order a pizza, choose a thin one with vegetables.

- Ask for milk, fruit juice or water instead of soft drinks.

- Ask them to serve the drinks with food and not before it.

- order grilled and boiled food and stay away from the fried one.

- Avoid foods rich in fat and calories.

- If the regular meal is too large for your child, let him share it with another child or with you.

- Choose healthy dessert like fruit salad or milk-flavored ice cream instead of cakes and chocolate.

It has become common today to order food to the house, especially if you have not had the opportunity to cook something at home or if you just want some change. In all cases, choose wisely. Here is some of what you can order:

- All types of salads.

- Grilled chicken sandwich.

- A small piece of hamburger with vegetables (without mayonnaise and fried potatoes)

- Avoid mayonnaise and the sour cream

- Thin pizza with vegetables.

- Roast potatoes, baked beans, corn or mashed potato

Children are exposed to a lot of temptations when they are eating outside the home or when they order food to the house. Therefore, the choice of healthy food always remains the right choice.

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If you eat healthy foods every day and it becomes your habit, you would not suffer from over weight anymore.

When I got married with my husband, his weight was about 205 Pounds, 7 years ago. Now his weight is 146.08 Pounds. He lost 58.92 Pounds naturally by continuing eating what I cooked every day.

He lost weight in the first year about 30 Pounds by eating a lot, three times a day. He didn't do any diet, completely stress free, just eating my healthy meals. No rebound.

Until then what he had been eating was pizza , sandwiches, Burgers, French fries, fried chicken, heavy sauce pasta, ice cream, coca cola.

Even though he was not eating much at that time, his weight was always up and down and could not lose much weight.

Here is my top healthy foods lists which keep us healthy with thin body.

1. Tofu ( silken : 58 calories, Farm : 77 calories, it's made from soy, very healthy. )

2. Seaweeds ( 0 calories, good to put in the salad or soup, that makes you feel full.)

3. Sea foods - ( crab, shrimp, prawn oyster, squid, etc.., )

4. Vegetables - Leeks, green onion, onion, sprouts, cabbage, reddish, carrot, Napa, spinach, broccoli, tomato, asparagus, green beans,( all the vegetables have very low calories. )

6. Mushroom - 0 calories,

7. Strawberries ( one medium size : 8 calories, a lot of Vitamin C contains ), nectarine, apple,

8. Konnyaku - 0 calories ( It's a Japanese food. This food cleans your body, besides makes you feel full. Great diet food. )

9. Fish - Salmon, catfish, swordfish, tuna

10. Mineral water

There are many more vegetables to eat to get good balance. This is an example for my personal top healthy foods list.

Sauces, seasonings, how you cook also are important. And depending on the sauce and seasonings, we can eat meats, potato, pasta, with low calories.

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Keiko Entwistle has been keeping her body slim using her original health care and diet plan for over 20 years. She also helped her husband lose 58 lb naturally. Visit her blog at http://best-healthy-weight-loss.com for more information.

The Maverick RediCheck Remote features a transmitter that reads the internal food temperature with a digital electronic food probe, then sends that information wirelessly up to 100 feet away, freeing you from standing next to the oven or grill during the cooking period. When the desired temperature is reached an alarm goes off. Place the transmitter near the oven or grill. Insert the tip of the Food Probe into the center of the food being cooked, and run the probe's lead wire out through the door connecting to the transmitter. The wire is flexible metal sheath and is rated for over 500 degrees F., and isn't hurt by closing the door. The receiver picks up the signal, and displays: the actual internal food temperature, the "set" or target desired temperature, and the type of meat. Each meat type has default taste "doneness" choices for each type of taste (rare, medium, etc.) but you can override any preset temperature and choose your own.

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If you want to have a flat and firm abdomen, you need to eat only aliments which contain fat acids and healthy fats, but it is also important to know some cooking techniques. You should always cook things with as few calories as possible and with very few fats. Use these cooking techniques and lose your round belly, but also make sure you eat healthily.

Grilling is the healthiest way of cooking method. If you want to prepare a steak with not too many fats, you should grill the meat. This way, the meat loses some of its fats and it also get a special flavour. You can cook a steak, some chicken, some fish or some tofu very easily. In fact, you can do this in approximately twenty-five minutes.

In order to keep your meat juicy and flavoured, turn it on both sides, so that it keeps its juice and its proteins. If you want, you can spring a bit of marinated sauce on it while it is on the grill. Keep the sea fruit on the grill long enough. They shouldn't be transparent in the middle, but don't trust what you see when it comes to figuring out if your chicken breast or your pork steak is well-cooked. Invest your money in a food thermometer, which is a lot more reliable.

Therefore, choose to eat healthily and take our word when we say that eating grilled food is the best thing you can do. So, eat healthily and live healthily!

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Any chef will tell you that we first eat with our eyes and then our mouths. If you cook mostly brown and white meals, you are not only sabotaging your meal but it is not healthy. Do away with fat when cooking, although some fats are good for you, use them sparingly. Olive oil is good but not to cook with, some will use it for sauteing and that is alright. Start using a non stick cooking spray, there are a lot of good ones out there. Most only have about six calories and they do work in coating the pan.

Using our eyes when cooking means to add color to any dish, adding colorful vegetables such as peppers, green, yellow and red will add flavor as well as looking good. Even when cooked they are quite colorful. When you dish is colorful it draws the taste glands up to the front of your mouth and you can hardly wait to taste it. The use of herbs adds many different flavors as well.

Get out of the habit of frying, try baking instead. You can even bake French fries if you have a craving for them. Foods absorb the grease or oil that you use and that is not good for your blood vessels and heart. Some will bake fish or French fries, take them out of the oven just before they are done and spray them with a non stick spray and pop them back in the oven; this gives the food a bit of crispiness.

Try and bake your goodies with honey or even olive oil instead of butter or oil. Believe it or not a cake I baked using olive oil tasted better than with all that butter. Do not be afraid to experiment with it, you can be pleasantly surprised. The cake was richer in flavor and it was healthier for you. Using artificial sweeteners are still up in the air about if they are good for you or not. I do not use them as I feel there are more chemicals added when they take out the 'sugar'. I stick with honey, you only use a small amount and it is better for you.

There are hundreds of cook books for healthy cooking, you can go online or to a book store and take your pick. They are all full of wonderful recipes and information to start your healthy cooking adventure. Your family and your heart will thank you.

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When considering what food to eat, whether on a weight-loss program or not, we frequently think of the matter of cost. Healthy food can sometimes seem to be expensive. A walk through the produce aisles can at times convince us that lots of tasty and healthy items may stretch our budgets. People often assume that eating healthy foods costs more money. In reality, with a little menu planning and some basic cooking skills, it can be affordable. We also save the money we pay at the register for convenience; the more processing a product has had, the more costly it usually becomes. Here are some suggestions to help you save money on your weekly groceries while making healthy choices.

1. Plan your menus. Take 15-20 minutes each week to plan several dinners. Use the weekly sales flier to guide you in your selections, and make a list and stick to it. Avoid impulse buying when you get to the store, to prevent extra expense and unnecessary purchases.

2. Coupons can help. They can save you as much as $10 to $20 on your groceries. Be sure to cut out ONLY the coupons for food you would normally buy. Otherwise, you will be tempted to pick up this and that and the other thing because it looks like good deal. You may spend more money and sabotage your careful planning as well.

3. Compare unit prices. This tells you how much you will spend per ounce or pound or whatever unit is being used. One thing to keep in mind, however, is whether the store brand in reality is a better buy. For example, if the store brand contains extra liquid instead of the vegetables you are buying, then a brand-name product may be a much better buy. Once you try them, you will know which is really the better value. Buy only what you will use or can store. Throwing away unusable perishables or other food is not a savings, no matter how great the price was.

4. Don't shop when you are hungry. You will be tempted to buy more food than if you shop after you have eaten. Stay away from those empty calorie foods such as chips, cookies, sodas, cakes, and candy. They tend to be especially tempting if you are hungry. Also, take a look at the prices. Often a large bag of potato chips is the same as or a greater price than a bag of baby carrots. A 12-pack of soda is often more expensive than a gallon of skim milk. Go for the good stuff!

5. Leftovers can become a meal. Use them for one dinner each week and save a few dollars. Oh, and you won't have to cook on that night, either! If you have leftovers that can go into a soup pot, you can make a wonderful "new" meal with them. Soup and salad can be a tasty, healthy, and filling combo.

6. Do you need individual servings to take to work or send to school with the kids? Don't spend your money on the individually packed snack foods. They may be convenient, but they are also costly. Plan ahead if you need snacks to go. For example, buy a large box of crackers and package them individually. You can use travel cups for drinks and plastic baggies for many kinds of snacks. Fruit and berries as well as cut up vegetables pack well in baggies or in small screw-cap plastic containers which can be washed and reused again and again.

7. Meat is not necessary at every meal. Substitute beans or eggs for meat from time to time. Beans and rice or an omelet or homemade soups or other vegetarian dishes can be healthy alternatives and a nice change of taste for the pallet. To save money, you can cut up your own vegetables or buy frozen or low-sodium canned vegetables when local or less expensive fresh produce is not available. You can also buy and freeze many fresh vegetables and fruits when they are in season, if you have freezer space in which to store them.

Using these tips can help you save money and enjoy good eating all year around. Soon, the delicious flavors of fresh fruits and vegetables and fresh-cooked foods will probably make you wonder why you thought you preferred those chips and cookies in the first place. Plus, eating good food is a very important part of your weight loss and fitness program. Here's to great food and good health!

To learn how to lose weight using proven, tried, and tested methods, please visit [http://www.yourbestsources.com/WeightLoss]. Mary Simpson has been interested in health and fitness since her early twenties.

Learning how to cook healthy foods is one important skill you can have these days. It is indeed tempting to go for those fast foods where food is readily available, but it can be a major culprit in the high sodium, high fat diets of today that increase your risk of heart attack and other heart problems.

If you are exploring the healthy way to prepare your food, here are a few things that you might find useful when it comes to learning how to cook healthy.

Ingredients

To learn how to cook healthy, you have to make sure that you have healthy ingredients as well. There is no use cooking for yourself if you are also using the processed spices and seasonings as well as processed foods. Of course, you are cooking for yourself because you can choose healthy ingredients, so try to stay away from processed foods.

Opt for fresh vegetables and fruits. Organic ones can be clean and healthy for you but you have to understand that they may however cost a little expensive as well. Wash the vegetables thoroughly to make sure they are free from chemical residues.

Aside from opting for fresh vegetables, you also have to avoid processed foods, fats, oils and high -cholesterol ingredients. Choose the healthier options when getting your ingredients and spices. For vegetables, make sure that you use a variety of them to help you boost your immune system.

If you have some restrictions on foods, it is also wise to find alternatives as well as fruits and vegetables that are good for you. Make sure to use herbs that are fresh and of course, avoid those spices that are commercially made as they can also be high in sodium.

Method of Cooking

Aside from the natural and fresh ingredients, it is also important to consider the method of cooking that you are going to use. Learning how to cook healthy means having to preserve the nutrients in the food even after cooking. Of course, you are after the nutritious contents of your cooked meal and you have to keep in mind that your method of cooking should not be something that drains your recipe with flavor and nutrients.

Among the healthier ways to cook your healthy meal is to roast, bake, grill or steam them. These methods are 'healthier' as they do not rob your meal with its nutrients.

Baking for example is a good method of cooking your food as this can also allow you to add fruits to your recipe as well.

Finding Healthy Alternatives

If you cut down or avoid fats, oils and foods high in sodium, you can also find alternatives so that you can still get the result of what you want. Meat substitutes are also available. Instead of going for cakes and pastries with refined sugar go for wheat bread that is high in fiber and a healthier alternative as well.

Carolyn Anderson is a freelance author, book reviewer and an avid reader. To learn more about making your own healthy food, check out fun with cooking. Also check out Working Woman's Cookbook, where you can find tips in healthy cooking and meal planning that can ease up your everyday life.

We all realize how important it is to our overall well-being to eat healthy food. Poor diet contributes to a variety of negatives. It encourages excessive weight gain. It reduces energy levels. It makes us more vulnerable to illness and disease. Eating "the good stuff" should be a priority for all of us.

Fortunately, many of us have taken that lesson to heart and are making a conscious effort to purchase healthy food items. That's certainly a step in the right direction, but some of us inadvertently undermine progress after making those smart selections due to the way we prepare those healthful ingredients. We often cross the line and our healthy food ceases to retain its nutritional value or we find ways to overwhelm the good with a series of bad decisions.

One example is our tendency to overcook vegetables. By subjecting healthy food to an intense and lengthy cooking process, we reduce its nutritional value, cooking much of the vitamins and nutrients right out of the food. A fresh carrot is a wonderful thing. A carrot roasted in a crock pot in the drippings of a fatty pot roast for six hours is a vaguely carrot-flavored piece of mush that maintains very little of its original nutritional value.

Another example is our willingness to treat healthy items in incredibly healthy ways. There's no doubt that buying whole grain bread is better than purchasing a loaf of white bread. However, you undermine your efforts to live a healthier life when you slather two big slices of the whole gain alternative with several tablespoons of butter!

Eating a boneless, skinless chicken breast is better than choking down a fatty sausage, but when your chicken is swimming in a heavy cream sauce, it's hard to see a real health advantage to making the switch. There's nothing all that healthy about fresh mushrooms when their battered and fried. A salad is a wonderful idea. When it's dripping in ranch dressing and is topped with three fistfuls of croutons, it isn't really doing you much good.

Put simply, buying healthy food isn't enough. We need to treat it the right way after we make the purchase. Sure, there's some incremental gain involved if you do everything the same way with better ingredients, but that improvement is nothing compared to what you can do for yourself by using healthy foods in healthy ways.

Congratulate yourself of the decision to buy healthier ingredients. That's a great step in a much better direction. Now, challenge yourself to use those wonderful items in ways that will allow you to experience their full health benefit. If you cook your healthy food in smart ways, you'll begin to notice a significant difference in your health, appearance and energy levels.

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If you have been given a diagnosis by your physician that your cholesterol is too high there is something you can do to improve it. Through proper diet and nutrition, you can make sure that your next doctor's visit is a success. There are many healthy food sources of good cholesterol that you can consume that will not only make you healthier, but lower your overall ratio.

If you eat a large amount of meat in your diet then you will need to cut back. Meat contains a large proportion of triglycerides that are harmful to your diet. A better alternative is seafood, mainly fish. Cold water fish like salmon, and sardines contain omega 3. These are good cholesterol sources which you can eat. Not only are they high in good cholesterol, but if you bake them or steam them they low in calories as well.

For chocolate lovers everywhere you are in luck. Dark chocolate contains healthy levels of good cholesterol. Make sure that it is dark though and not milk chocolate. The milk and higher sugar content of milk chocolate are not a benefit for those with high cholesterol. You should try to consume no more than 70 grams a day.

Nuts are high in fat, but this fat is one of the healthy food sources of good cholesterol. The best nuts to eat are walnuts, flaxseeds, and Brazil nuts. If you have to choose just one nut then pick walnuts. They are the highest source of good cholesterol. You only need to eat a handful of these each day to be effective.

If you use oils while you are cooking your foods, you should switch to those that are high in good cholesterol. Olive oil, and canola oil are two such examples that you can substitute in your cooking. If you've never used them before the taste may be different, but not unpleasant. You will find that it doesn't take long before you won't notice the difference.

Eggs have been given a bad reputation. They are however an excellent healthy food source of good cholesterol. You simply need to make sure that the cooking method used doesn't add fat to it. So that means you can't fry it. A boiled or poached egg is a great way to enjoy this food.

If you have high cholesterol, then you can take healthy measures by eating foods that raise the HDL cholesterol levels in your body. This will improve your overall health and combat the bad cholesterol that you might consume. Just eat a few of the above foods will get you a lower cholesterol level without the use of prescription drugs.

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I was at the grocery store (super-market) yesterday and had to shake my head at all of the clever deceptive food labeling that's everywhere. In every aisle, I saw tons of products claiming all sorts of things that are supposedly "healthy", but are not in reality. This is food marketing deception at its worst.

One of the things I noticed that really disturbed me was that I saw multiple examples of healthy foods in their natural state, while also noticing counterfeit overly processed versions of these original foods claiming that they were healthier than the natural version.

However, in reality, all of these fake versions were actually MUCH worse for you than the original... and they still have the balls to claim that their overly processed "junkified" versions are better.

The sad thing is that millions of people fall for this deceptive food marketing every day. Here are a couple examples I noticed:

Example #1: Product claiming to be "Better than peanut butter"

This product is ridiculous! I can't believe anyone would ever believe that this processed junk is better for them than natural minimally processed peanut butter.

First of all, if you buy a good natural organic peanut butter, it is usually very simply only two ingredients... peanuts and salt. And they do not add much salt so it is not a high sodium product.

However, this counterfeit peanut butter which claimed it was "better than peanut butter" (trying to seem healthier than natural peanut butter based on its label claims) had a list of processed junk in it you wouldn't believe. First of all, they strip all of the natural healthy fats out of the peanuts so that it is a "low fat" product. Alright, now you have just taken away one of the healthiest parts of the peanut butter... the appetite satisfying healthy fats that you need to control cravings and manage more stable blood sugar levels in your body.

To make things worse, the healthy fats were replaced with 2 different types of sugar-based syrups as well as additional dehydrated cane juice (aka SUGAR), in addition to added refined starches (in case you didn't get enough blood-sugar spiking refined carbs yet).

This product has taken something as simple and natural as peanut butter, and turned it into what should really be called some sort of processed junk candy. Yet, they claim that it is healthier for you than peanut butter. And somehow they get away with deceiving the masses like this on their label. Do not be their fool!

Example #2: Product claiming to be "better than eggs".

I won't get as detailed on this one because I recently went into good detail on this entire topic in another ezine issue.

Basically, this product is just egg whites with a bunch of added chemical colorings, flavorings, and other nonsense, including artificially added vitamins.

Again, this product has essentially ruined a good thing by removing the healthiest part... the YOLKS! And yes, the yolks ARE the healthiest part of the egg. Anybody that tells you different does not understand much about real nutrition. The important thing to look for in quality whole eggs are cage-free and organic.

Most people don't realize that almost all of the quality nutrition of an egg is found in the yolks. The majority of the vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and trace nutrients are found in the yolks, not the whites. Even the protein in the whites isn't as high quality in terms of bioavailability without the amino acid profile of the yolk that complements the amino acid profile of the whites.

And no, the cholesterol in eggs is not bad for you... it actually raises your good cholesterol more than bad cholesterol improving your overall profile. And the fats in whole eggs are balanced and healthy for you as well.

Bottom line... whole eggs are healthier than egg whites. It's not even a close comparison. The label claims are just another example of food marketing deception.

Example #3: A product claiming to be "better than butter".

This was essentially crappy margarine which is loaded with highly processed and deadly trans fats, yet it had the nerve to claim it was "better than butter".

Don't fall for it!

Even low quality butter is better for you than any margarine on the market. One problem with butter are the pesticides and hormones frequently found within from improperly raised cows.

For this reason, it's always a good choice to go with organic butter, and if you can find grass-fed butter, then I would even say it can be healthy for you. Grass-fed butter is higher in the natural form of beneficial conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). In fact, adding a little butter to your steamed vegetables helps your body to absorb more of the vitamins and minerals in the veggies.

Also, due to the content of stable saturated fats in butter, this makes butter one of the best oils to cook with. Oils that are high in polyunsaturated fats such as soy, corn, safflower (and even flax) are the worst to cook with due to the highly unstable nature of their chemistry. I have a fully comprehensive article on which oils are healthiest for cooking and which are not based on their chemistry.

Another point... the saturated fat in butter is NOT bad for you. We've already beaten a dead horse with that topic in previous articles, but again, more detailed articles about that topic are found at my site.

You can find dozens more articles about all of these controversial health and fitness topics at my website below. To your good health!

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I get this question a lot: "Don't you get bored just eating fruits and vegetables?". Well, there are a few points to my answer:

1. I don't just eat fruits and vegetables, although they are certainly make up the vast majority of my diet

2. Absolutely not! Do you know how many varieties and types of fresh produce and plant foods are out there? This is a diet of abundance my friends, not restriction or limitation!

3. If you know how to shake things up and get inspired in the kitchen (and this doesn't mean spending a long time or a lot of money by the way!), then you can always have fun, different and exciting meals to enjoy that do not bore you in the slightest!

I want to share some of my favourite ways to keep your meals feeling (and tasting!) fresh, new and fun to ensure you don't fall into a "just another salad!" rut.

1. Change the way you cut

Do you find that every salad you make and every baked sweet potato you cook finds you standing at your chopping board cutting your veggies into the same shapes and sizes and then throwing them together in the same way? It is very easy to do this as it's just what we know! Here's a great tip to make your salads, dipping veggies, and cooked veg way more exciting: shake up the way you cut! If you always chop your veg into small cubes, try sticks, grating and shaving, or food process your veggies into a grain-like texture. Spiralize your zucchini, carrot, beetroot or sweet potato into "pasta" and either eat with a fresh veggie sauce or dip or toss into a salad with your other veg. Think of all the different salads out there: baby greens, coleslaw, potato salad, salsa, creamy salads, chopped, and then re-create some of these textures and styles with your extra healthy salad. You can even get more inventive by adding cooked vegetables into your raw veggie salads and chopping each and every ingredient into different shapes and textures. Just take a look at some of the ways I put my salads together!

Even when it comes to cooked vegetables, I love mixing up the way I cut my veggies to create a different experience. For example, sweet potato I cut into fries, wedges, rounds or bake whole. I also eat in raw in rounds, spiralize it, grate it into salads and put it through the food processor for a grainy texture. Getting the picture?

2. Dressings, sauces and dips

This has to be one of my favourite ways to keep things interesting and absolutely mouth watering! Add a fresh tasting dip, sauce or dressing to a vegetable based meal and you can transform the meal completely! In fact, I would say that mastering a variety of dressings, sauces and dips is one of the best ways to stay on path with a healthy lifestyle. They can be poured over salads, smothered over piping hot cooked veggies, eaten on their own as a snack or a soup, enjoyed with crudites and whole grain crackers, add bulk to any veggie meal, and make the same salad base taste completely different every time. I also love dressings, sauces and dips as they keep your meals extra tasty and satisfying when you are visiting friends or family. If you can take a couple of delicious dips and dressings with you for your healthy fare, you are much less likely to feel deprived while others stuff down roast pork and cream cake. In fact, I recommend you take plenty of extra as I find that everyone wants to eat my dips, dressings and sauces much more than their own unhealthy options!

3. Try new foods and mix up your ingredients

One of the best ways to add variety and interest to your meals is to experiment with ingredients you haven't used before. I find this particularly fun with fresh produce. There are so many varieties of fresh fruit and vegetables out there, it just depends on what you have available in your area. Try going to different markets, grocery stores, gourmet stores and ethnic markets to find produce that you haven't created or cooked with before. Asian markets are particularly abundant with exotic fruits and vegetables and you could try a new ingredient every week for months. Do an online search of the fruit or vegetable to find out how you might work with it, or just have a stab in the dark as to how to use it. When ingredients are fresh and used in simple dishes, it becomes hard to completely mess them up!

This tip doesn't just apply to produce, although that is my favourite way to apply it. You can also try new dried spices, dried herbs, cold pressed oils, nuts, seeds, dried fruits, or raw foods such as superfoods and powders. Keep your eyes open to see what is around and allow your senses and creativity to guide your purchases. Even if you are on a tight budget, you could likely afford to try one new ingredient per week, although I do recommend avoiding raw food specialty items and superfoods ans sticking more to fresh produce, nuts, seeds, grains and dried herbs and spices to experiment with if this is the case.

4. Eat seasonally

Not only is eating seasonally better for your health and the planet, but it also means that for the four seasons of the year, you are exposed to and using very different ingredients. This really helps to keep things interesting and gives you months to work with particular foods and flavours, and then look forward to a total makeover for your taste buds in the coming season. You can easily find out what's in season in your area with a quick search online or by asking local farmers or at fresh produce markets. This is also a great way to keep costs down as seasonal local foods typically don't have the extra costs involved in importing and unsustainable farming practices.

5. Herbs and spice and all things nice!

Adding a different fresh herb or spice to an old recipe can completely change a meal, as does just adding fresh herbs in the first place. A basic mixed greens salad or chopped salad will taste entirely different and far more exotic with some fresh basil, mint, coriander, dill, parsley and so on. Don't be scared to try a new herb. The same goes for new spices. Spice blends in particular can be an easy and great new addition to your culinary repertoire. Don't be afraid of using spices that you might associate with dessert such as cinnamon in your salads also. A pinch or a hint of something unexpected can really change a dish.

6. Borrow or buy a new recipe book

There are so many wonderful books out there with fabulous recipes that you can draw inspiration from. They don't just have to be raw food recipe books either, although they are very helpful and inspirational. You can also pick up your old tattered cookbooks from the days of traditional home cooking and get plenty of new ideas for how to combine ingredients or spruce up your current recipes.

7. Host a do-it-together dinner party or a pot luck

Get a bunch of friends, family or colleagues over to create some delicious meals together.You could ask everyone to bring a healthy and/or raw ingredient they want to work with, or a recipe they want to re-create as heathy as possible. Putting your minds together will serve to bring that much more creativity and ingenuity to the table (pun intended!). Alternatively, you could organise a pot luck and have everyone bring a healthy raw food dish so that you can sample some different recipes and get new ideas from their creations.

8. Keep it simple

If you always create salads and meals with the same 20 ingredients, you are likely going to come bored of these same combination day after day. However, if you focus on fresh, simple meals of a smaller number of ingredients, such as a basil, spinach, cherry tomato and avocado salad with a delicious lemon juice and mustard seed dressing, you will then have 16 other ingredients you typically use to create into meals the following days. Limiting your ingredients in a meal means that over a period of days, even using the same ingredients you always have, you are less likely to become bored with the same flavours.

9. Visit local farms, healthy cafes and restaurants, or got to a pot-luck for new ideas

Take a trip to local farms selling fresh produce and products, or go for lunch or dinner at a cafe or restaurant serving fresh, healthy food. There's nothing like scanning a menu of mouth watering new options, and enjoying the creativity of a professional chef to get you thinking about what you would like to create for yourself at home. You can re-create meals exactly or pull the idea of specific ingredients or combination of flavours out from your meal and use them in your own kitchen. Likewise with pot lucks. Although the people bringing the food may not be chefs, they will still have fresh ideas you can incorporate. Most pot lucks will willingly share recipes also.

10. Grow your own produce

There's nothing like the labour of love involved in growing your own produce to keep you interested in and appreciating your fresh meals. Not only does food you grow yourself seem more tasty and fun to eat because you planted it yourself and watched it grow, but it also gives you a potentially endless variety of fresh plants to flavour and mix up your meals.

11. Give yourself the challenge of creating a fancy and delicious mostly raw food meal for family or friends

If you have to please a number of different palettes, probably many of which do not eat a largely raw or all-raw (or even healthy) diet like you, with healthy foods, you will really have to think outside the box and be creative. This is where gourmet raw foods or simple but high flavour nourishing cooked foods can play a great role in both pleasing others and giving you a healthy dose of new ideas and inspiration. You can use simplified versions of the recipes you create for yourself with small variations to satisfy your own palette for weeks after.

12. Challenge yourself

Promise yourself that for one day you are not going to use any of the same ingredients as you used the day before. This will get you thinking and getting creative!

13. Jump online!

The internet has a wealth of websites, blogs and other resources to give you new inspiration, recipes and ideas to make the most of. There are people posting their recipes for free in every kind of raw food category you can imagine.

Many raw food blogs typically also publish recipes and I publish new recipes here every week.

? 2011 Casey Lorraine Thomas
Casey Thomas, certified Detox, Health and Life Coach, shows you how to get radiant health and energy, lose weight and heal naturally so that you can live the life you want in a body you love. Casey is based in Perth Australia and conducts phone consultations internationally. If you're ready to ditch the frumpy feeling and start looking and feeling fantastic in 7 steps, get your FREE report, tips and guidance now at http://www.CaseyLorraine.com

One of the best ways I'm aware of to get your kids interested in eating healthy, balanced meals is to get them involved in cooking them. Kids of any age can help or even cook entire meals. The key is to start as early as possible getting them involved and to keep them active in the kitchen. The reason this works so well is that for one you get your kids exposed to all kinds of different foods and secondly, you are getting them to prepare the food and the pride they take in making something will get them to eat healthy foods they normally wouldn't touch.

Toddlers and preschoolers are great at stirring dry ingredients and helping you measure things. If you can't find anything for them to do, keep some play cooking utensils around and have them "cook" alongside you. School aged kids can prepare almost anything that doesn't involve a lot of heat or splashing oil. Encourage them to make their own sandwiches using a blunt knife. Ask them to peel eggs, toast bread or chop softer ingredients with a blunt knife. Put them in charge of washing the salad, setting the table and the likes. With some adult supervision they can even cook simple meals like spaghetti or scrambled eggs.

As your kids get older and more comfortable around the kitchen, encourage them to plan a healthy meal for the family and do the majority of the cooking once a week. Even kids who usually don't care much for healthy foods like steamed vegetables or baked salmon, will gladly eat it when they made it.

When it comes to snacks, keep your fridge and pantry stocked with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables and encourage your kids to come up with fun snack ideas including those. You can have them create fancy peanut butter sandwiches with whole wheat bread, natural peanut butter and plenty of dry and fresh fruit that they can use to make sandwich faces or just come up with a gourmet sandwich topping.

Keep some yogurt on hand and have the kids mix it with a bit of mayonnaise or sour cream and some dip mix to make a fancy (and relatively healthy) dip they can enjoy with some raw veggies like celery, broccoli, cauliflower and carrots.

Give it a try and have your kids help with meal preparation, have them make suggestions on what to cook and let them pick their favorite healthy snacks. Before you know it everyone in the family will enjoy healthy and balanced meals and all the whining about having to eat broccoli or fish will stop. Best of all, you can feel good about providing them with the healthy, nutritious foods their growing bodies need.

Start getting your kids to eat healthier today by having them help around the kitchen and don't forget to get them outside for a game of tag or some other exercise as well. If your child isn't eating very healthy right now, start by offering some bananas or apple slices with peanut butter. Getting kids to eat fruit is usually easier than vegetables.

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Sundays have always been special in many aspects. One of them are the Sunday Dinners at the church. Potluck on Sundays refers to one lucky person offering food for all at the local church. Ever since I have been attending these dinners I remember, most people offered fried chicken. Why only this option? Well, it is easily available at the neighboring food store. So easy, just walk in to the store pick out a few packs of fried chicken and walk in to the church.

As far as I can evaluate it happens due to lack of time, planning and ideas. But imagine, what if you cook scratch out a bit of time, prepare something simple yet special & elegant and offer it in the potluck! So many people would be impressed! Some would be jealous! And almost all would be surprised! So much appreciation and satisfaction that you offered something with so much love and little effort! Won't you like to do the same?

Picking a fried chicken from a deli or a local restaurant might not be wrong, but, its surely repetitive, boring and certainly nothing special!

There are so many simple & easy recipes available through varied resources that you can go ahead with; for instance spicy taco casserole or the dessert items!

Here are a few ideas 7 resources for your next Sunday dinner:

1. Surf the internet.

Internet is surely a global resource to quench all your thirst related to whatever aspect it may be. Key in the right keywords and you can find several easy to cook dishes at one go. Kraft foods website offers some delicious desserts that are quite easy to cook.

2. Desserts are often a good choice for Sunday dinners.

Sweet delicacies can be made within no time just a night before. These can be frozen overnight and so can be easily carried over to serve. Such desserts that tickle the taste buds of almost all of us are easy tricks to make your coworkers envious of your culinary talent at the 'pitch ins' at work.

3. Check out the casserole recipes.

Casserole recipes are often quick, simple and delicious.

4. Try the crock pots & slow cookers.

There are several dishes that you can cook in the crock pots & slow cookers. Just fill it in with the ingredients, turn it on and sleep over. By the time you complete your health sleep, the food would be done giving out a yum aroma and you could make up to the church in a record time.

5. Read through the magazines.

Many magazines offer interesting cookery sections. Magazines offer very healthy eating options such as large salad, casserole, or a healthy dessert.

6. Opt some healthy foods.

It is not necessary to select fat filled or calorie filled dishes for the Sunday dinner.

7. Enjoy the cooking.

It is often said that the cook's mood defines the taste of the food. So, cook the dishes that you enjoy. Do not opt for any long recipes that feel you are forced to work on. Instead of being helpful, it would become more tedious and the food would get the bad taste of the cook. Hence, do not make it a stressful activity for yourself.

8. Do not repeat the same dishes.

Try a new recipe every time rather than sticking to the same thing time and again. It can make even a good dish repetitive and boring, just like the fried chicken.

9. Prepare a bank of recipes.

I suggest you to collect some recipes over time so that the next time you have to make the Sunday dinner, you do not have to vigorously search for them.

10. Treat your potluck audiences as guinea pigs.

Though every individual puts in all their effort & love in the dishes they cook, sometimes the results are not that perfect. This could also save you and your family from getting stuck with leftovers for a week. And a rather happier option, if you like the food, you can put it into rotation of recipes at home.

Now, those with little or no culinary talents go out to surprise your family, friends, and fellow church members with the correct 'simple to make' recipes. Instead of getting on to fried chicken next time, cook up something awesome and get famous with your folks!

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