Tag: Fitness

Health and Fitness News

Welcome to the Health and Fitness NewsWelcome to the Stars Hollow Health and Fitness News weekly diary. It will publish on Saturday afternoon and be open for discussion about health related issues including diet, exercise, health and health care issues, as well as, tips on what you can do when there is a medical emergency. Also an opportunity to share and exchange your favorite healthy recipes.

Questions are encouraged and I will answer to the best of my ability. If I can’t, I will try to steer you in the right direction. Naturally, I cannot give individual medical advice for personal health issues. I can give you information about medical conditions and the current treatments available.

You can now find past Health and Fitness News diaries here and on the right hand side of the Front Page.

Follow us on Twitter @StarsHollowGzt

A Cool Classic, Sliced and Diced

Cucumber and Radish Salad photo recipehealthpromo-tmagArticle_zpscce173f9.jpg

Cucumbers are high in three types of phytonutrients – cucurbitacins, lignans and flavonoids – that have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. They’re a good source of vitamin C, beta-carotene, potassium, magnesium and manganese, and an excellent source of vitamin K. They also contain the mineral silica. They’re hydrating and great for the skin, a perfect food for hot end-of-summer days. Try to find unwaxed organic cucumbers so you don’t have to peel them.

~Martha Rose Shulman~

Cucumber and Radish Salad With Yogurt and Cumin

Based on a recipe from Mark Peel’s “New Classic Family Dinners.”

Salmon and Cucumber Tartare With Wasabi Sauce

A delicious fish dish that can be either an appetizer or a light supper.

Cucumber, Melon and Watermelon Salad

This dish provides a sweet and savory mix of crunchy, thirst-quenching fruits and vegetables.

Cucumber Salad With Asian Flavors

This pungent Asian salad goes very nicely with fish and stir-fries.

Cucumber Raita

This side dish is spicy and cooling at the same time.

Health and Fitness News

Welcome to the Health and Fitness NewsWelcome to the Stars Hollow Health and Fitness News weekly diary. It will publish on Saturday afternoon and be open for discussion about health related issues including diet, exercise, health and health care issues, as well as, tips on what you can do when there is a medical emergency. Also an opportunity to share and exchange your favorite healthy recipes.

Questions are encouraged and I will answer to the best of my ability. If I can’t, I will try to steer you in the right direction. Naturally, I cannot give individual medical advice for personal health issues. I can give you information about medical conditions and the current treatments available.

You can now find past Health and Fitness News diaries here and on the right hand side of the Front Page.

Follow us on Twitter @StarsHollowGzt

Dress Up Your Salad With Grains

Quinoa Salad with Kale, Plums and Herbs photo 26recipehealth-articleLarge_zps3566284e.jpg

When a grain is not the main ingredient in a salad you appreciate it for its texture and for the nutty flavor it contributes to the dish. Authentic Middle Eastern tabouli, for example, is a parsley salad to which a small amount of fine bulgur adds a bit of substance. I made a tabouli of sorts this week with lots of parsley and a little bit of barley, and I made a kale salad with a little bit of quinoa added. Both of these I served as side dishes or starters.

~Martha Rose Shulman~

Kale and Quinoa Salad With Plums and Herbs

The kale is the main ingredient here, with quinoa adding texture and bulk.

Brown Rice and Farro Salad With Roasted Pepper, Basil, Arugula and Feta

Roasted pepper and a vinaigrette dressing infuse a chewy, savory mix of rice and farro.

Parsley Salad With Barley, Dill and Hazelnuts

This lemony salad is enriched with a small amount of barley and toasted hazelnuts.

Raw and Cooked Tomato and Herb Salad With Couscous and Sorghum

In this salad, two types of couscous show off summer’s tomato bounty.

Bulgur Salad With Greens, Barberries and Yogurt

Barberries are a tart dried fruit that add an interesting flavor to this salad.

Health and Fitness News

Welcome to the Health and Fitness NewsWelcome to the Stars Hollow Health and Fitness News weekly diary. It will publish on Saturday afternoon and be open for discussion about health related issues including diet, exercise, health and health care issues, as well as, tips on what you can do when there is a medical emergency. Also an opportunity to share and exchange your favorite healthy recipes.

Questions are encouraged and I will answer to the best of my ability. If I can’t, I will try to steer you in the right direction. Naturally, I cannot give individual medical advice for personal health issues. I can give you information about medical conditions and the current treatments available.

You can now find past Health and Fitness News diaries here and on the right hand side of the Front Page.

Follow us on Twitter @StarsHollowGzt

Four Frittatas and a Terrine

Tomato Frittata photo 19recipehealth-articleLarge_zps90d7a0d0.jpg

Four of this week’s recipes are for small, four-egg frittatas for two, all cooked in an 8-inch, heavy nonstick omelet pan. If you want to double or triple the recipes for a larger crowd, use a 10-inch pan for six to eight eggs and a 12-inch pan for more than eight eggs. You will need to finish the large ones under the broiler for a minute or two to set the top.

The last recipe is more time consuming, but well worth the effort. It’s a traditional Provençal terrine of stacked omelets, called a crespéu. Years ago, when I was working on my cookbook “Provençal Light,” I researched and wrote a recipe for the dish but never saw it in restaurants or shops. But in the last five years it has become fashionable in Provençal charcuteries, and I see it everywhere. I experimented with a couple of techniques for making it this week, and was so happy to have the results on hand in my kitchen.

~Martha Rose Shulman~

Tomato Frittata

Pasta is just one destination for summer marinara sauce. This dish is the other.

Frittata With Peas, Herbs and Feta or Parmesan

This pretty frittata can be made using peas from the garden, market or freezer.

Onion and Zucchini Frittata

A sweet-tasting frittata that makes a great meal or snack.

Greens and Garlic Frittata

A colorful frittata that makes a great portable meal.

Crespéu

A beautiful terrine made with stacked frittatas.

Health and Fitness News

Welcome to the Health and Fitness NewsWelcome to the Stars Hollow Health and Fitness News weekly diary. It will publish on Saturday afternoon and be open for discussion about health related issues including diet, exercise, health and health care issues, as well as, tips on what you can do when there is a medical emergency. Also an opportunity to share and exchange your favorite healthy recipes.

Questions are encouraged and I will answer to the best of my ability. If I can’t, I will try to steer you in the right direction. Naturally, I cannot give individual medical advice for personal health issues. I can give you information about medical conditions and the current treatments available.

You can now find past Health and Fitness News diaries here and on the right hand side of the Front Page.

Follow us on Twitter @StarsHollowGzt

Hot Days, Cold Noodles

Hot Days, Cold Noodles photo 12recipehealth-articleLarge_zps109d8495.jpg

Some people just don’t get hungry during a heat wave, but I’m not one of them. During the last run of hot weather I craved cold Asian noodles; I loved the way they were both cooling and filling, and the way they served as a vehicle for refreshing vegetables like cucumbers and crisp shredded cabbage. Asian noodles don’t need to be cooked al dente the way Italian pasta does, so they won’t suffer from being cooked ahead, tossed with a little sesame oil or dressing and refrigerated for a day or two. This is really helpful when the weather’s hot and you’re hungry. You reach into the refrigerator and grab a bowl of noodle salad that is no worse for wear from having been there for a day.

~Martha Rose Shulman~

Soba and Herb Salad With Roasted Eggplant and Pluots

I love the contrast of the savory/spicy and fruity/sweet here.

Cold Sesame Noodles With Cucumber and Sweet Pepper

Both udon and soba noodles work in this mildly spicy salad.

Cellophane Noodle Salad With Cabbage

A refreshing Thai noodle salad.

Korean Buckwheat Noodles With Chilled Broth and Kimchi

Inspired by a signature Korean noodle dish, there are a variety of ways to make this recipe, depending on your preferences.

Chicken Noodle Salad With Creamy Sesame Dressing

A substantial salad that makes for a delicious summer meal.

Health and Fitness News

Welcome to the Health and Fitness NewsWelcome to the Stars Hollow Health and Fitness News weekly diary. It will publish on Saturday afternoon and be open for discussion about health related issues including diet, exercise, health and health care issues, as well as, tips on what you can do when there is a medical emergency. Also an opportunity to share and exchange your favorite healthy recipes.

Questions are encouraged and I will answer to the best of my ability. If I can’t, I will try to steer you in the right direction. Naturally, I cannot give individual medical advice for personal health issues. I can give you information about medical conditions and the current treatments available.

You can now find past Health and Fitness News diaries here and on the right hand side of the Front Page.

Follow us on Twitter @StarsHollowGzt

Gazpachos Minus the Bread

The New Gazapachos photo recipehealthpromo-tmagArticle_zps9b1b87eb.jpg

For years I insisted that gazpacho can’t be gazpacho if it doesn’t have bread as one of its ingredients. After all, bread is what gives classic gazpacho its unique texture. But this week I decided to forget about the bread and focus in on the combination of tomatoes, vinegar, olive oil, onion and garlic that is really behind the signature flavor of gazpacho. The new Spanish chefs have been reinterpreting this lively, low-calorie soup for over a decade now, so I felt free to experiment, too.

~Martha Rose Shulman~

Gazpacho sans Bread

Keep this gazpacho in a pitcher in the refrigerator and enjoy all summer long.

Blender Gazpacho With Celery, Carrot, Cucumber and Red Pepper

A version of gazpacho that is essentially a tangy, pungent vegetable smoothie.

Chipotle Gazpacho

Chipotle contributes heat and smoke to this beautiful blender gazpacho.

Tomatillo, Tomato and Avocado Gazpacho

Avocados contribute a creamy texture to this spicy gazpacho.

Beet and Tomato Gazpacho

The color alone is reason enough to make this gorgeous gazpacho.

Health and Fitness News

Welcome to the Health and Fitness NewsWelcome to the Stars Hollow Health and Fitness News weekly diary. It will publish on Saturday afternoon and be open for discussion about health related issues including diet, exercise, health and health care issues, as well as, tips on what you can do when there is a medical emergency. Also an opportunity to share and exchange your favorite healthy recipes.

Questions are encouraged and I will answer to the best of my ability. If I can’t, I will try to steer you in the right direction. Naturally, I cannot give individual medical advice for personal health issues. I can give you information about medical conditions and the current treatments available.

You can now find past Health and Fitness News diaries here and on the right hand side of the Front Page.

Follow us on Twitter @StarsHollowGzt

Grated Squash, Corn and Tomatillo Tacos photo 31recipehealth-tmagArticle_zps131744c9.jpg

Tomatillos, which are closer botanically to the gooseberry than to the tomato, have a wonderful acidic tang. They’re low in calories and a good source of iron, magnesium, phosphorus and copper, as well as dietary fiber, vitamin C, vitamin K, niacin, potassium and manganese. To get the best out of them they should be simmered or grilled for about 10 minutes, until they’re soft and the color has gone from pale green to olive. You can use them for a quick, blended salsa and also for a cooked salsa, which has a rounder, seared flavor. I made both last week and used them with different taco fillings. The salsas keep well in the refrigerator and I’m enjoying the leftovers with just about everything I make, from scrambled eggs to grilled fish to plain corn tortillas that I crisp in the microwave.

Two Tomatillo Salsas

You could eat both of these green salsas with a spoon. The quick fresh salsa is the tangier of the two.

Potato ‘Salad’ and Tomatillo Tacos

The filling for these tacos can also stand alone as a potato salad, but it’s very nice and comforting inside a warm tortilla.

Grated Squash, Corn and Tomatillo Tacos

Tacos with a light filling make for a perfect summer meal.

Tacos With Salmon or Arctic Char, Greens and Tomatillo Salsa

This tangy fish filling tastes good hot or cold.

Tacos With Green Beans, Chiles and Tomatillo Salsa

This filling works in tacos or on its own as a delicious summer salad.

Health and Fitness News

Welcome to the Health and Fitness NewsWelcome to the Stars Hollow Health and Fitness News weekly diary. It will publish on Saturday afternoon and be open for discussion about health related issues including diet, exercise, health and health care issues, as well as, tips on what you can do when there is a medical emergency. Also an opportunity to share and exchange your favorite healthy recipes.

Questions are encouraged and I will answer to the best of my ability. If I can’t, I will try to steer you in the right direction. Naturally, I cannot give individual medical advice for personal health issues. I can give you information about medical conditions and the current treatments available.

You can now find past Health and Fitness News diaries here and on the right hand side of the Front Page.

Follow us on Twitter @StarsHollowGzt

Tomatoes Take Center Stage

Tomatoes Stage Center Stage photo recipehealthpromo-tmagArticle_zps41d4f6b7.jpg

There is little room in my repertoire at this time of year for dishes that don’t include tomatoes, but this week I kept it pretty simple.

   I tried a new recipe for roasting tomatoes. I roasted them for 2 hours at a low temperature (300 degrees), which didn’t dry them out completely but intensified everything about them. I snacked on them all week, and also put them through a food mill for sauce. They will definitely become a habit, along with the fresh tomato sandwiches I’ve been eating for lunch every day. This won’t stop until September.

Super Tomato Sandwiches

An irresistible way to use the freshest tomatoes.

Tomato and Basil Risotto

Tomatoes make a great base for a luxurious summer risotto.

Soft Tacos With Roasted or Grilled Tomatoes and Summer Squash

Tomatoes and summer squash make for delicious taco fillings.

Greek Chicken and Tomato Salad

A tomato-centric Greek salad that is substantial enough for lunch or a light supper.

Amazingly Sweet Slow-Roasted Tomatoes

This method of roasting won’t dry out the tomatoes completely but will intensify everything about them.

Health and Fitness News

Welcome to the Health and Fitness NewsWelcome to the Stars Hollow Health and Fitness News weekly diary. It will publish on Saturday afternoon and be open for discussion about health related issues including diet, exercise, health and health care issues, as well as, tips on what you can do when there is a medical emergency. Also an opportunity to share and exchange your favorite healthy recipes.

Questions are encouraged and I will answer to the best of my ability. If I can’t, I will try to steer you in the right direction. Naturally, I cannot give individual medical advice for personal health issues. I can give you information about medical conditions and the current treatments available.

You can now find past Health and Fitness News diaries here and on the right hand side of the Front Page.

Follow us on Twitter @StarsHollowGzt

Summer Stir-Fries

Stir Fried Shrimp photo 15recipehealth-articleLarge_zpsa6da6591.jpg

If you are trying to put dinner together in a hot apartment this summer you will appreciate the fact that stir-frying in a wok requires little more than a five-minute blast of heat. Some time is needed to prepare the ingredients while the stove is off, but once you begin cooking, be ready to eat. Yes, you have to cook the rice or noodles you will be eating with your stir-fries, but those can be cooked ahead, in the morning for example, before it gets too hot, or in a rice cooker, and then reheated in the wok.

!Martha Rose Shulman~

Stir-Fried Shrimp With Amaranth (or Beet Greens), Red Pepper and Cilantro

For a beautiful meal, serve the stir-fry with red rice, like Bhutanese rice.

Spicy Stir-Fried Eggplant, Tofu and Water Spinach (Ong Choy)

The eggplant in this spicy stir-fry is roasted first so that the stir-fry won’t require too much oil.

Stir-Fried Baby Squash, Long Beans, Corn and Chiles With Soba Noodles

This sweet and spicy dish also works with regular green beans.

Stir-Fried Chicken With Mixed Sweet and Hot Peppers and Cashews

A mix of hot and sweet peppers and “velveted” chicken makes for a delicious dish.

Stir-Fried Soba Noodles With Long Beans, Eggs and Cherry Tomatoes

Tomatoes and noodles Asian style: the tomatoes soften just a little but sweeten a lot.

Health and Fitness News

Welcome to the Health and Fitness NewsWelcome to the Stars Hollow Health and Fitness News weekly diary. It will publish on Saturday afternoon and be open for discussion about health related issues including diet, exercise, health and health care issues, as well as, tips on what you can do when there is a medical emergency. Also an opportunity to share and exchange your favorite healthy recipes.

Questions are encouraged and I will answer to the best of my ability. If I can’t, I will try to steer you in the right direction. Naturally, I cannot give individual medical advice for personal health issues. I can give you information about medical conditions and the current treatments available.

You can now find past Health and Fitness News diaries here and on the right hand side of the Front Page.

Follow us on Twitter @StarsHollowGzt

Apricots to Savor, While You Can

Celebrating Apricots photo recipehealthpromo-tmagArticle_zps4a8a3746.jpg

Apricots are an early summer fruit, and their short season is now. They’re worth buying, for the purposes of both taste and nutrition, only when you can find them ripe. You don’t want them so ripe that they bruise as soon as you put them into a bag – they should be slightly firm to the touch, as apricots ripen from the inside out – but if they were picked green they will have little flavor, and they’ll have that mealy texture that describes a bad apricot.

The fact that 95 percent of the apricots grown in the United States are from California doesn’t mean that you can’t find good ones that were picked at the right time if you live elsewhere. Whole Foods watches the crops carefully and sells all of the terrific varieties, like Blenheims, that we find out here in California in our farmers’ markets. I’m lucky to live in Southern California, where the apricot season is longer than in other parts of the state (mid-May to mid-August; it ends in mid-July in Northern California), so I’ve already had some time to work on this year’s apricot recipes.

~Martha Rose Shulman~

Buckwheat Crepes With Roasted Apricots

A delicious combination of earthy/nutty crepes and sweet and tangy apricots.

Apricot Crumble With Oatmeal Topping

A topping prepared ahead of time means this satisfying dessert takes only 20 minutes to bake.

Pan-Cooked Chicken Scaloppine With Spiced Roasted Apricots

Roasted apricots go well with savory dishes like these chicken breasts, or your vegetarian favorite.

Soufflé Omelet With Apricot Sauce

Beaten egg whites keep this Cointreau-spiked dessert omelet light and airy.

Small Apricot Galettes

Simple, rustic tarts show off peak-season fruit.

Health and Fitness News

Welcome to the Health and Fitness NewsWelcome to the Stars Hollow Health and Fitness News weekly diary. It will publish on Saturday afternoon and be open for discussion about health related issues including diet, exercise, health and health care issues, as well as, tips on what you can do when there is a medical emergency. Also an opportunity to share and exchange your favorite healthy recipes.

Questions are encouraged and I will answer to the best of my ability. If I can’t, I will try to steer you in the right direction. Naturally, I cannot give individual medical advice for personal health issues. I can give you information about medical conditions and the current treatments available.

You can now find past Health and Fitness News diaries here and on the right hand side of the Front Page.

Follow us on Twitter @StarsHollowGzt

Forget Tofu Hot Dogs: Pizza on the Grill

Pizza on the Grill photo recipehealthwell-tmagArticle_zpsdebbfbd6.jpg

Pizzas made on the grill are really more like topped flatbreads. They get plenty of direct heat, so the surfaces brown nicely, but not enough ambient heat, even with the lid closed, for a crumb to develop on the rim of the pizza. Stretch out or roll the dough very thin, with no raised edge, so that the pizzas won’t have a doughy texture. It’s much easier to work with smaller pies, so I divide into three portions dough that I usually divide in half, and I roll them to approximately 10-inch disks. Then I freeze the disks between pieces of lightly dusted parchment so I don’t have to worry about the dough sticking or tearing when I’m ready to put it on the grill. I take it from the freezer shortly before I’m ready to grill it, and the cold rounds are easy to manipulate. If you want to reduce the calories in these pizzas you could roll them really thin and get four slightly smaller pies out of one batch of dough. Then freezing is really necessary for easy handling.

It’s important that you don’t weigh down your pizzas with ingredients, especially marinara sauce, or they’ll be difficult to get on and off the grill and they’ll be soggy. A thin layer of marinara – 1/4 cup – will be plenty for a 10-inch disk. As for vegetables, because the pizzas get so little time on the grill, they will taste best if you grill them a bit beforehand, on their own, in a grill pan. Then they get the nice charred flavor we love. I’ve given you recipes this week for tomato, eggplant, onion and fennel pizzas. Other vegetables that work well are peppers, summer squash, artichoke hearts, even potatoes.

~Martha Rose Shulman~

Pizza Marinara on the Grill

A basic pizza recipe you can use to create whatever flavor combinations you like.

Pizza on the Grill With Cherry Tomatoes, Mozzarella and Arugula

No precooked sauce is needed for these pies.

Grilled Pizza With Grilled Eggplant and Cherry Tomatoes

The grilled eggplant slices are equally good on their own, or use them instead of crusts for “eggplant pizzas.”

Grilled Pizza With Grilled Red Onions and Feta

Cooking the onions on the grill before assembling the pizza give them a nice charred flavor.

Grilled Pizza With Grilled Fennel and Parmesan

Imported black olives are optional, but they add a briny punch that complements the sweet fennel.

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