SIMPLE BUTTER/GARLIC FOIL COOKED POTATOES

Foil Potatoes
SUBMITTED BY: TAWNIA0

"Easy potatoes with only five minutes of prep time. These turn out full of flavor and not dry at all."

INGREDIENTS
4 medium baking potatoes, scrubbed
4 tablespoons butter or Flax oil
4 teaspoons garlic powder or minced fresh garlic
2 teaspoons sea salt

DIRECTIONS
-1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
-1. Lay out 4 squares of aluminum foil on the counter. Cut each potato in half lengthwise, and place onto a square of aluminum foil. Place 1/2 tablespoon of butter onto the cut side of each half, then season with garlic powder and salt. Close the potato halves together, and wrap tightly in the aluminum foil.
Bake potatoes directly on the oven rack for 40 minutes, or until tender.

Recipe from allrecipes.com

CILANTRO JALAPENA PESTO W/ LIME (VEGETARIAN/VEGAN)

*VEGANS can substitute the parmesan cheese with nutritional yeast.

SUBMITTED BY: KELIQUE

"This is a spicy alternative to classic basil pesto. You can control the spiciness by using less jalapeno and by removing the seeds and white membrane of the pepper before adding it to the pesto. If you like the spice, just throw it all in!"

INGREDIENTS
1 bunch fresh cilantro
2 1/2 tablespoons toasted pine nuts
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
5 cloves garlic
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1/2 fresh jalapeno pepper, seeded
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

DIRECTIONS
Combine the cilantro, pine nuts, olive oil, garlic, lime juice, jalapeno pepper, and Parmesan cheese in a blender; pulse until the mixture reaches a soft, paste-like consistency.

Recipe from: allrecipes.com

HOW TO LOSE WEIGHT WITHOUT CHANGING YOUR DIET

Taking part in a pedometer-based walking program can help you lose weight even without a change in your diet, according to a University of Michigan Health System analysis.

This study involved 307 people in total of 9 studies. Of these 73% were women and 27% were men. The lengths of the studies ranged from one month to 1 year, with a median of 4 months.

How many pounds can be lost? About one pound every ten weeks, or five pounds in a year.
The amount of weight loss attributable to pedometer-based walking programs is small but significant, according to scientists.
Pedometer-based walking programs without a dietary intervention component do result in a modest amount of weight loss, the study conclude.

A quicker way to see results, would be to add a dietary program to the walking plan.
The analysis was published in the Annals of Family Medicine.

From guideforbetterhealth.com

TIPS FOR EATING A BALANCED VEGETARIAN DIET

Fruits and vegetables are an important part of any balanced diet. But nutrition experts also recommend eating a certain number of servings of meat and dairy products each day. It’s not surprising that many people who are considering becoming vegetarians hesitate because they fear that they will not get adequate nutrition.
The truth is that vegetarians can eat balanced diets too. It takes careful planning, but it’s not as difficult as one might imagine. The key to eating a balanced diet as a vegetarian is to know what foods give you the vitamins and nutrients that most people get from animal sources.
Calcium
Calcium is important because it strengthens our bones. Most people associate calcium with milk and cheese, but these are not the only sources of the important mineral. There are many vegetables that contain calcium.
Leafy green vegetables are one of the most popular sources of calcium among vegetarians. Broccoli and beans are also rich in calcium. Soy products provide lots of calcium as well, as do fortified fruit juices.
Lacto and ovo-lacto vegetarians can consume milk and milk products, so it’s easier for them to include calcium in their diets. But vegans can get the calcium they need for strong bones as well.
Protein
A common myth about vegetarianism is that it is extremely difficult to get enough protein. The fact is that although vegetarians usually eat less protein than those whose diet includes meats, meat-eaters often eat too much protein. Plant proteins can also be healthier, because they do not come with the large amounts of fat and cholesterol that animal proteins some times do.
Beans are a great source of protein for vegetarians. Grains, nuts, and seeds are also protein-rich. Even many vegetables, such as corn, provide a large amount of protein.
Vitamins
One thing that vegetarians usually get plenty of is vitamins. Fruits and vegetables are loaded with them, and many of these foods have several different vitamins in one delicious package. But there are a few vitamins that vegetarians need to take extra care to include in their diets:
- Vitamin B12 is one important vitamin that is usually obtained through meat, eggs or dairy products. Lacto and ovo-lacto vegetarians do not need to worry about getting enough B12 in their diets. Vegans, on the other hand, might want to consider taking B12 supplements.
- Vitamin D is also often lacking in vegan diets. Those who consume dairy products that are fortified with Vitamin D do not have to worry about it, but strict vegans usually don’t get much of the important nutrient. Two solutions are to get plenty of sunshine, which causes our bodies to create Vitamin D on their own, or to take Vitamin D supplements.
Eating a balanced diet is no harder for a vegetarian than it is for anyone else. Getting all of the vitamins and minerals we need requires us to eat a variety of foods, and to make sure those foods have enough of the things we need in them. By educating yourself about which foods have the nutrients that vegetarian diets often lack, and making it a point to include those in your diet, you can be a healthy vegetarian.

From guideforbetterhealth.com

8 TIPS ON HOW TO BURN FAT

1. Use a fan in front of you when working out at your home.
2. Use a heart-rate monitor. This way you will know how hard you are really pushing yourself.
3. Warm up for 5 minutes before each workout.
4. Your warm-up routine should include all your body, not just your legs.
5. Do not start slow and end up strong. Exercise intensively from the beginning.
6. Instead of one big exercise have two smaller workouts.
7. Workout out in the morning and at night.
8. Rest less between sets when you are doing strength training - about 30 seconds.

From article in guideforbetterhealth.com

TIPS FOR RAISING VEGAN KIDS

Children often have an intense dislike for vegetables. Sometimes they give in after being presented with a certain vegetable several times, but it’s often a tough fight. One might imagine that it would be difficult to raise a child on a vegan diet.
Starting Young

If you start young, raising a vegan child is less difficult. Breastfeeding is in accordance with vegan principles, and if you can’t breastfeed there are soy-based formulas available that have no animal products in them. So the first few months are easy when it comes to raising a vegan.

Once the infant is ready for something more than liquids, rice cereal is a good first step. Many non-vegan moms include it in their babies’ diets because it is easily digestible and is unlikely to cause an allergic reaction. Its bland taste also makes it palatable to infants who are just beginning to venture into the world of solid foods.
When your child is eating the rice cereal well, you can begin to introduce other vegan-friendly baby foods. You can buy jars of fruits and vegetables from the grocery store, or you can puree foods at home. Raw, mashed fruits are good to start with, followed by soft-cooked vegetables like sweet potatoes. Legumes and soy products may be introduced at around eight months of age.

When Teething Begins
Children who have begun to sprout teeth can begin to eat raw fruits and vegetables. It is important, however, to serve foods in a way that minimizes the risk of choking. Carrot sticks and peeled apple slices are good to start with.
When your child enters toddlerhood, you can begin to introduce more vegetarian food options. Kids often become picky at this stage, so persistence is crucial. Many traditional favorites of children are available in vegetarian versions, such as the following:

- Spaghetti - This or any other kind of pasta can be prepared with meatless sauce.
- French fries - You can use plant oils or bake instead of fry them.
- Grilled cheese sandwiches - Soy cheese can be substituted for regular cheese.
- Pizza - Use soy cheese and top with vegetables.
- Chicken nuggets - Nuggets made out of soy protein are a good substitute for this favorite of many children.
Most kids on traditional diets eat some foods that are vegan-approved. Here are some foods that vegan and non-vegan children can both enjoy:
- Popcorn
- Mixed fruit
- Trail mix
- Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches
- Pancakes
- Fruit juice

Raising vegan children is pretty easy if you start when they are young. Kids enjoy many fruits and vegetables, and those who have not been exposed to meat and other animal products are more likely to conform to a vegan diet.

This article from guideforbetterhealth.com

EARTH HOUR, SAT., MAR. 29, 8PM

Jenine invited you to "Earth Hour" on Saturday, March 29 at 8:00pm.

Jenine says, "What a great idea! Light a candle and relax for an hour... :)".

Event: Earth Hour
"Lights off for only one hour, wherever you are in the WORLD!"
What: Rally
Host: World Wildlife Fund
When: Saturday, March 29 at 8:00pm
Where: GLOBAL: THE WORLD

To see more details and RSVP, follow the link below:
http://www.facebook.com/n/?event.php&eid=8240986531