by Guest | Nov 22, 2019 | Eat Well, Recipes
Recipe and photo source: Foodhero.org
Number of servings: 5
Time for preparation (including preparation and cooking): 35 minutes
Ingredients:
1⁄2 pound turnips, peeled and diced
1 pound potatoes, peeled and cubed
1⁄4 cup light sour cream or buttermilk
1⁄2 teaspoon salt
1⁄4 teaspoon pepper
1⁄2 teaspoon garlic powder
Directions:
- Boil turnips and potatoes in enough water to cover until tender, 15 to 20 minutes.
- Drain vegetables and mash.
- Stir in sour cream, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Serve hot.
- Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.
by Guest | Nov 7, 2019 | Eat Well, Recipes
Recipe & Photo Source: FoodHero.org
Number of servings: 4
Time for preparation (including preparation and cooking): 15 minutes
Ingredients:
3⁄4 pound asparagus, washed and trimmed (2 1/2 cups sliced)
1 teaspoon oil
3 Tablespoons slivered almonds
1⁄4 teaspoon salt
Pinch of black pepper
1⁄4 teaspoon sugar
1⁄8 teaspoon ginger powder
Directions:
- Slice the asparagus diagonally into pieces about ¾ inch long.
2. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add remaining ingredients. Stir and sauté until asparagus is a brighter green, 3-5 minutes.
3. Reduce heat to medium-low; cover and cook until the asparagus is just fork-tender. Avoid overcooking. Shake the pan occasionally to prevent sticking or burning.
4. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.
by Guest | Oct 24, 2019 | Eat Well, Recipes
Recipe & Photo Source: FoodHero.org
Number of servings: 9
Time for preparation (including preparation and cooking): 45 minutes
Ingredients:
2 cups leeks, chopped
1 Tablespoon oil
2 cups mushrooms, sliced
1 cup dry orzo (rice shaped pasta)
2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
1 1⁄2 cups tomato, chopped
3 Tablespoons cream cheese
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1⁄4 teaspoon each salt and pepper
Directions:
- Sauté leeks in oil in a medium skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the leeks are soft (about 5 minutes).
- Add mushrooms and cook until soft (about 5 minutes).
- Stir in the orzo and toast lightly, stirring frequently, for about 3 minutes.
- Add broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to simmer, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is almost tender, about 8 minutes.
- Add the tomatoes and simmer until orzo is tender (about 2 minutes).
- Remove from heat and stir in cream cheese, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Serve warm.
- Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.
by Guest | Oct 3, 2019 | Eat Well
Sometimes on the top of the list of what to avoid, “processed foods” seem to have a bad reputation. Fresh foods are often considered a “best choice” – but is that true? There is definitely more to the story!
When it comes to food, the word “processed” is a broad term that refers to any change in a food from its original, raw state. There are different levels of processing, which range from unprocessed, minimally processed, to highly processed. Fresh fruits, vegetables and meats are examples of “unprocessed” foods.
“Highly processed” foods go through many steps, often have more than one ingredient and you find them throughout the store. An example of a “highly processed” food is a frozen meal that is ready to eat after heating. These meals/foods can be higher in added sugars, sodium, and fat, which are often on people’s lists of ingredients to limit. These extras, as well as nutrients that can be lost during processing, are potential sources of the bad reputation that “processed foods” have.
What about the minimally processed foods? While the foods that fit into this category are often up for debate, these are foods that are processed for safety and to help preserve nutrients and flavor. Examples include pasteurized milk, aged cheeses, frozen vegetables. Also included are foods designed to be easier to digest, such as lactose-free milk. Processing can also add vitamins and minerals, like folate and B vitamins which are added to grains.
Though opinions may differ, purchasing some processed foods can save time, money and perhaps even lead to less food waste. The convenience of vegetables that are frozen at their peak of ripeness and packaged in an easy-to-store bag is a big help. You can use them as needed, which could help avoid wilted and spoiled food found at the bottom of the refrigerator after an unexpectedly busy week. Frozen vegetables often cost the same, or may even be less expensive, than fresh produce.
For a simple, fast meal, stir frozen vegetables into any pasta or rice dish. You can even top a frozen cheese pizza with washed fresh spinach or frozen broccoli before heating. There are lots of choices!
Author: Lacey Mangano
OHSU Dietetic Intern and Master of Science Student
by Guest | Aug 23, 2019 | Eat Well, Recipes
Recipe & Photo Source: FoodHero.org
Number of servings: 4
Time for preparation (including preparation and cooking): 35 minutes
Ingredients:
4 bell peppers
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
1⁄2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1⁄2 teaspoon garlic powder
1⁄4 teaspoon each salt and pepper
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
- Wash bell peppers and remove tops and seeds. Cut peppers in half and rub with vegetable oil. Place cut side up on a rimmed baking sheet and sprinkle with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt and pepper.
- Roast until peppers are tender and blistered in spots, about 30 to 35 minutes.
- Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.
by Michelle | Aug 23, 2019 | Being Well, Eat Well, Recipes
Pam Russell earlier in her journey
Pam Russell’s health journey, like so many others’, has had its ups and downs. Along with recovering from cancer and dealing with other life stresses, Pam has often been frustrated with her weight. As so commonly happens, it seemed there were always issues that got in the way of making lasting health behavior changes. She tried different “quick-fix” approaches, including a liquid diet, but she knew she was not on the right path. “For one thing, I wasn’t learning anything about making healthier choices,” she said, “Plus, I was spending all this money and not seeing the results I wanted. I knew I needed to change my approach but I didn’t know where to start.” Pam admits she was hoping to find a “magic pill” but she was also open to making a long-term commitment to change.
Pam learned that her risk for cancer reoccurrence would be reduced with healthier eating habits and better weight management. Highly motivated after going through cancer recovery, she asked her primary care provider for advice on how to improve her eating habits. Based on the success of other patients and knowing Pam was searching for a convenient solution, her care provider suggested she consider Weight Watchers.
After looking into the program, there were several elements that appealed to Pam. “I’ve learned so much!” she emphasized. “Choosing foods that are right for my goals and tracking what I eat has helped me eat differently.” Pam likes the app that is part of the program and how the points-based system helps with her decision-making throughout the day. What really works for her is that she is changing the way she eats, while also enjoying a better quality of life and sense of well-being.
Pam describes her own “aha” moment as she was learning about food choices. When she realized that fruits and vegetables are nutrient powerhouses that promote health and healing, she found they were much easier to choose and work into her day. She went on to say that what she has learned has totally changed her relationship with food and with eating. After trying many other “quick fixes” and spending a lot of money, she now firmly believes in the power of relatively simple food choices that can make such a big difference. Since, starting this journey, Pam has lost weight, reduced her cholesterol levels and she feels great.
Initially, Pam focused solely on changing her eating habits. Now that she has established a sense of routine around her eating habits, she has added exercise back into her daily life. She says, “adding exercise helped me bust through some of my weight-management plateaus and it also keeps me motivated.” She enjoys participating in group fitness classes at the Y and the sense of community and support they provide.
After the interview, Pam shared an observation of why she believes she and so many others come to the Y. “We go there to heal,” she said. “At least, I know that’s what it has done for me and I think that’s why a lot of other people are there too.”
There are many supports available to people seeking to improve their eating habits, including on-site nutrition services at Tillamook County Community Health Centers, Adventist Health & Rinehart Clinic as well as community programs like CHIP, Cooking Matters, Diabetes UnDone and Diabetes Prevention Program classes offered at the YMCA. Be sure to check with your primary care provider to see what options are available to you and if they are covered by insurance. For more information about local health and wellness programs, visit tillamookcountyhealthmatters.org or follow Tillamook County Wellness on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
