arlenesway.com.au Loose weight with Arlene Normand

April 29, 2010

Is it safe to drastically cut calorie intake?

Filed under: Questions — Arlene @ 4:49 am

Question

I have been reading that drastically cutting calories might help me live longer and stay healthier.  Is this true and, if so, is it safe?

Answer

Research shows that rats fed calorie-restricted diets live 50% longer, compared with normally fed counterparts; they are healthier, more active and have more youthful hormone levels and better-functioning immune systems.  The same is true for flies and worms, and there have been preliminary results with monkeys.  Now, scientists are looking at whether restricting calories will produce the same benefits in people. Lest you start drastically cutting your food intake, be aware that the kind of calorie restriction being studied should not be confused with malnutrition, which occurs when food is scarce, or disordered eating, such as anorexia.  While researchers do cut people’s calories by 25 % (for example, a typical woman’s intake would be reduced from 2500 calories a day to 1875) subjects eat diets that contain all the essential vitamins and minerals, 20% of calories from protein, 30% from fat and the rest from high-quality carbohydrate.  One of the reasons for restricting calories may extend life is that it lowers metabolic rate and oxidative stress.  The faster your metabolism is, the more oxygen your body burns, and some of the by-products of this process are harmful.  These unstable molecules, called free radicals, damage DNA, which can lead to signs of aging that range from wrinkles and grey hair to organ degeneration and cancer.  However, scientists are not yet recommending that people restrict calories as a way to stay healthy and live longer, since the research is far from conclusive. In addition, if you eat too few calories, your oestrogen levels may decline enough to cause osteoporosis, absence of menstrual periods and infertility.

April 28, 2010

Is it a mistake to exercise when you are very tired?

Filed under: Questions — Arlene @ 5:21 am

Question

Sometimes I am exhausted after a night interrupted by my 2-year olds teething and nightmares.  Should I avoid the gym the next day or stick with my planned treadmill and weight training workout?  Is it a mistake to exercise when you are very tired?

Answer

In general, it is not harmful physiologically to exercise following a night of sleep disturbance, but do raise your level of caution.  There is an increased risk of accident or muscle strain injury resulting from impaired judgement that accompanies acute sleep loss or disturbance.  You should be capable of running as fast on the treadmill or lifting as much weight as usual.  After those nights that your toddler has kept you up, though, you may want to use weight machines instead of free weights, and keep your treadmill workout slower.  Don’t skip your workouts completely.  Break the habit a few times and it is a lot easier to get seriously off track before you know it.  Besides if your energy is flagging, exercise – even a short workout – may give you just the boost you need.

April 23, 2010

WINTER-PROOF YOUR WAISTLINE

Filed under: Article — Arlene @ 7:35 am

3 Habits to cultivate year-round

Research shows that most of us gain at least a half kilo every winter that we never lose.  The truth is that when it is cold, people get in a nesting frame of mind, often eating more and exercising less. To curb the weight creep, remind yourself of these healthy practices you stashed away with your skimpy summer clothes.

1.                 In the summer you walk more. In the winter you like to bundle up! Keep an extra jumper, hat, gloves or coat in your office so you can take a brisk walk during your lunch break.  Besides burning calories, you will boost your mood and energy levels in the sunlight.  Take a lap around your office, school, or nearby shopping centre.

2.                 In the summer you live on fresh fruit and vegetables.  In the winter you can still find a bounty of in-season produce.  Citrus fruits, apples, pears, sweet potatoes, cabbage, and squash are all at their most flavourful this time of the year.  Toss chopped cabbage into stir-fries and salads, or microwave squash with a little brown sugar, and cinnamon.  Don’t dismiss the frozen vegetables they can be just as nutritious as their fresh counterparts; try them in casseroles, stews, omelettes, and more.

3.                 In the summer your clothes show off more of your body. In the winter it is normal for your resolve to wane when you hide beneath bulky sweaters.  Pick one visual cue – a number on the scale or a fitting pair of jeans – and use it as a gauge for your weight.  Or wear body-conscious items, such as a belted  sweater dress, tight T-shirt – to remind you to rein in unhealthy habits.

April 22, 2010

Is hair loss a sign of a vitamin or other nutrient deficiency?

Filed under: Questions — Arlene @ 7:48 am

Question
Is hair loss a sign of a vitamin or other nutrient deficiency?
Answer
If you’re suddenly losing an unusual amount of hair, one of the possibilities your physician may consider is that you’re not getting enough Vitamin B12, another B vitamin called biotin or enough iron (the lack of which can cause anaemia, which can lead to hair loss.) Be sure to talk to a doctor to rule out a serious medical conditions. Stress or hormone balance may a cause of hair loss.

April 21, 2010

Healthy and Delicious Fish

Filed under: Fish,Recipes — Arlene @ 6:30 am

Atlantic Salmon with Herb Crumble

2 x 150g Atlantic salmon fillets    1/3 cup stale white breadcrumbs
1 Tblsp lemon juice            1 Tblsp finely chopped fresh parsley
1 Tblsp finely chopped fresh chives    1 clove garlic crushed

Cook fish, skin side up, under hot grill for 5 minutes, turn.
Sprinkle with combined breadcrumbs, juice, herbs and garlic; cook for about 5 minutes or until cooked through and lightly browned.  Serve with tossed salad if desired.

Serves 2        1 serve = 1 protein

Fish Fillets with Coriander Chilli Sauce
6 x 60g perch fillets        1 small onion thinly sliced
½ cup water            ¼ cup dry vermouth
2 Tblsp lime juice        1 small fresh chilli, chopped finely
2 Tblsp sugar            1 tsp cornflour
½ red capsicum thinly sliced    2 green onions, cut into 5cm lengths
1 Tblsp finely chopped fresh coriander leaves
¼ cup firmly packed fresh coriander leaves, extra

Place fish in shallow ovenproof dish; top with brown onion.  Pour over combined water, vermouth and 1 Tblsp of the juice; cover. Bake in moderate oven for about 15 minutes or until fish is tender.
Remove fish; keep warm. Strain and reserve liquid.
Place reserved liquid, chilli, sugar and combined cornflour and remaining juice in small saucepan.
Stir over heat until sugar dissolves. Bring to boil; simmer until mixture thicken.  Stir in chopped coriander.  Arrange fish, capsicum, green onion and coriander leaves on serving plate; drizzle with sauce.

Serves 2        1 serve = 1 protein

GRILLED FISH WITH TOMATO SALSA
2 teaspoons oil                4 x 150g white fish fillets
100g mixed baby salad leaves
TOMATO SALSA
1 small red onion, finely chopped        2 tomatoes, seeded, finely chopped
1/3 cup pitted green olives, chopped    3 anchovy fillets, chopped
1 tablespoon lemon juice            2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
salt and pepper to taste
1. TOMATO SALSA.  Combine all ingredients in a bowl; mix well.
2. Brush oil over a heated, grill pan; add fish fillets, cook for a few minutes on each side, or until cooked through.
3. Serve fillets on salad leaves with Tomato Salsa.
SERVES 4            1 serve = 1 protein

Salade Nicoise
200g green beans trimmed, chopped         250g cherry tomatoes halved
½ cup seeded black olives            2 lebanese cucumbers, sliced
1 medium red onion, sliced thinly        150g mesclun
6 hard boiled eggs                425g tin tuna in springwater, drained
Light Vinaigrette:    1 tsp olive oil; ¼ cup lemon juice; 1 clove garlic crushed; 2 tsp Dijon mustard

Boil, steam or microwave beans until just tender; drain.  Rinse under cold water; drain.
Make light vinaigrette
Place tomato, olives, cucumber, onion, mesclun and egg in large bowl with vinaigrette; toss gently to combine.  Divide salad among serving plates; flake fish over salad in large chunks.

Serves 4        1 serve = 2 protein

Salmon with Dill and Caper Dressing
2 Tblsp low-fat sour cream            1 Tblsp tiny capers
2 tsp coarsely chopped dill            2 tsp horseradish cream
1 Tblsp lime juice                4 x 150g salmon fillets

Combine sour cream with capers, dill, horseradish and juice in medium bowl.
Heat oiled large pan; cook salmon until browned both sides and cooked as desired.  Serve salmon with dill and caper dressing.

Serves 4        1 serve = 1 protein, 2 tsp fat

Salmon Steak Kyoto

4 Salmon Steaks – one per person

For the marinade:
1/3 cup soy sauce                ¼ cup orange juice concentrate
2 tsp olive oil                    2 Tblsp tomato sauce
1 tsp lemon juice                ½ tsp prepared mustard
1 Tblsp prepared mustard            1 Tblsp spring onion minced
1 clove garlic, minced                ½ tsp minced ginger root

In a shallow baking dish combine the marinade ingredients.  Add the salmon and turn to coat each side.  Cover and refrigerate for 30-60 minutes.  Remove the salmon and reserve the marinade.
Pour the reserved marinade into a small saucepan.  Bring to the boil for 1 minute.  Lightly brush or spray the salmon with oil. Grill or bbq salmon until fish is tender and flakes with a fork, about 3-5 minutes each side, depending upon thickness of fish.  Brush the salmon with the marinade once halfway through cooking.

1 serve = 1 protein

April 20, 2010

What’s the difference between sea salt and regular table salt

Filed under: Questions — Arlene @ 5:11 am

Question
I’ve heard that sea salt is more nutritious than regular table salt. What is the difference?
Answer
Sea salt can provide a bit more magnesium and other mineras than table salt if its production process doesn’t include rinsing, but not enough to make a difference in your diet. Otherwise, both kinds of salt can be purchased with or without added iodine, a nutrient that, while important in maintaining thyroid health, most of us now get enough of through our regular diets.

April 15, 2010

Chicken Goodness

Filed under: Chicken,Recipes — Arlene @ 7:17 am

Chargrilled Chicken with Warm Tomato Salad
4 breast fillets (120g each)            2 Tblsp lime juice
¼ cup sweet chilli sauce            2 cloves garlic, crushed
4 fresh kaffir lime leaves, shredded        1 Tblsp oil
2 medium brown onions, sliced thickly    2 Tblsp red wine vinegar
¼ cup sugar (55g)                2 Tblsp sweet chilli sauce, extra
¼ cup water                    ¼ cup orange juice
6 medium egg tomatoes cut in wedges    3 shallots sliced thickly
1 Tblsp bottled jalapeno chillies, chopped coarsely

Combine chicken, juice, sauce, garlic and leaves in large bowl; toss to coat chicken in mixture.
Heat oil in large saucepan; brown onion, stirring, until just softened. Add vinegar and sugar; cook, stirring, 2 minutes. Stir in extra sauce, the water and juice; add tomato and chilli, stir until heated through.
Cook drained chicken, in batches, on heated oiled grill plate (or grill or bbq) until browned both sides and cooked through.  Cover to keep warm.
Serve chicken on warm tomato salad; top with green onion.

Serves 4         1 serve = 1 protein.

CHICKEN PESTO
600g chicken tenderloins            2 tablespoons bottled pesto
1 clove crushed garlic            1 cup couscous
1 cup boiling water                2 spring onions, finely chopped
1/2 teaspoon lemon herb seasoning        2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
150g baby spinach leaves
DRESSING
1/3 cup buttermilk                2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
1 tablespoon bottled pesto            1 clove garlic
1. Combine chicken, pesto and garlic in a bowl. Cover; stand for 30 minutes or refrigerate overnight.
2. DRESSING. Combine all ingredients in a blender; blend until pureed.
3. Combine couscous and water in a heatproof bowl. Cover; stand for about 5 minutes or until water is absorbed. Fluff couscous with a fork; stir in spring onions, seasoning and basil.
4. Heat a lightly oiled grill pan; add chicken, cook for about 2 minutes on each side, or until tender.
5. Arrange spinach over four plates; divide couscous then chicken over top. Serve drizzled with Dressing.

Serves 4            1 serve = 1 protein, 2 carbohydrates

Curried Apricot Chicken
1/3 cup chicken stock        1/3 cup water
125g dried apricots        1 Tblsp olive / canola oil
1 onion, chopped        ½ tsp coriander
½ tsp cumin            ½ tsp turmeric
¼ tsp cinnamon        freshly ground black pepper
4 chicken breasts (120g each)

In a saucepan bring the chicken stock and water to the boil. Turn off the heat and add the apricots to soak in the hot liquid for approx. 1 hour.  Remove apricots and liquid.
Heat oil in a non-stick frying pan.
Fry the onion until tender. Stir through the spices.
Add the chicken and fry until golden brown.  Return the apricots and liquid.
Cover with lid and simmer over low heat for approx. 20 minutes or until chicken is tender (add extra stock if required).
Serve with crisp green salad.

Serves 4             1 serving = 1 protein, 1 carbohydrate, 1 fat

Honeyed Chicken Stir Fry
600g chicken breast sliced thinly    2 Tblsp soy sauce
¼ cup honey                1 clove garlic crushed
1 tsp finely chopped fresh ginger    100g shitake mushrooms, sliced thinly
1 red capsicum chopped finely    160g snake beans, cut into 8cm lengths
425g can baby corn, drained

Combine chicken, sauce, honey, garlic and ginger in large bowl; refrigerate for several hours or overnight.
Stir-fry mixture in batches in heated wok.  Add mushroom, capsicum, beans and corn to wok; stir-fry for about 5 minutes or until beans are just tender.
Stir in chicken; cook, stirring, for about 2 minutes or until chicken is hot.

Serves 4         1 serve = 1protein, 1 carbohydrate

Lemon Pepper Chicken with Zucchini Salad
1 Tblsp finely grated lemon rind        2 tsp cracked black pepper
1/3 cup lemon juice                2 tsp olive oil
4 single chicken breast fillets            4 medium green zucchini
4 medium yellow zucchini            1 clove garlic crushed
4 green onions finely chopped        1 cup coarsely chopped fresh parsley
¼ cup chopped fresh tarragon

Combine rind, pepper, 1 Tblsp of the juice and half of the oil in large bowl, add chicken; toss chicken to coat in marinade.  Cover until required.
Peel zucchini randomly, slice into thin strips diagonally. Cook zucchini slices, in batches, on heated lightly oiled grill plate (or grill or bbq) until browned lightly and tender.
Cook chicken on same grill plate until cooked through.
Meanwhile whisk remaining juice and remaining oil with garlic in large bowl.  Place zucchini, onion and herbs in bowl with dressing; toss gently to combine.
Serve chicken with zucchini salad.

Serves 4        1 serve = 1 protein
MIDDLE EASTERN CHICKEN STEW
1 brown onion diced             400ml reduced-salt chicken stock
2 tsp ground cinnamon        2 tsp sweet paprika
1 tsp ground cumin            1 tsp ground coriander
1 tsp tumeric                 1 granny smith apple, peeled, cubed
2 zucchini, sliced            ½ lemon, juiced
1 chilli, finely chopped (optional)    Couscous to serve
4 x 180g chicken breast fillets, trimmed, cut into 3cm cubes
250g butternut pumpkin, peeled, cubed

Heat a nonstick pan or pot to medium and fry onions for 3-4 minutes using 2 Tblsp of chicken stock.
Add spices and cook for 1 minute.
Add chicken pieces and stir to coat.  Add apple, pumpkin, zuccini and remaining chicken stock. Bring to the boil. Reduce heat and cover. Simmer for 30 minutes. Remove lid and simmer for a further 10 minutes.
Squeeze in lemon juice and add chilli. Serve with couscous.

Serves 6        1 serve = 1 protein, 2 carbohydrates

TERIYAKE CHICKEN WITH GREEN BEANS
1 teaspoon peanut oil
3 (500grams) chicken breast fillets, sliced
200 grams green beans, halved
½ cup water
2 tablespons black bean sauce
1 tablespoon sweet chilli sauce
1 tablespoon teriyaki sauce
1 clove garlic, crushed
2 teaspons grated fresh ginger
1 medium onion, sliced thinly
400 grams bok choy, sliced
1 ¼ cups bean sprouts

Heat oil in wok or large frying pan; stir fry chicken in batches until browned.
Return chicken to pan with beans, water sauces, garlic, ginger and onion;  stir-fry until beans are tender.
Add bok choy and bean sprouts; stir-fry until heated through.

Serves 4

Vietnamese Chicken Salad
100g rice vermicelli noodles        4 Tblsp sweet chilli sauce
2 lime, juiced                2 tsp fish sauce
¼ cup rice wine vinegar        600g cooked chicken breast, shredded
2 red capsicum sliced thinly        2 carrot, cut into match sticks
150g bean sprouts            ½ cup fresh mint leaves (and a few for garnish)
½ cup coriander leaves

Put noodles in a bowl.  Cover with boiling water, soak for 2-4 minutes until soft.  Stir to separate.  Drain and rinse.
In a small pan, heat sweet chilli sauce, lime juice, fish sauce and rice wine vinegar.  Boil for 2 minutes until thickened. Cool.
Combine chicken, capsicum, carrot, bean sprouts and herbs.  Add noodles and dressing.  Toss, garnish with extra herbs and serve.

Serves 6        1 serve = 1 protein, 1 carbohydrate

April 13, 2010

5 Fruits and Veges a Day

Filed under: Recipes,Vegetables — Arlene @ 7:47 am

Grilled Chicken, Rocket, Pear and Parmesan Salad
300g skinless chicken breast fillet    120g rocket
1 punnet cherry tomatoes halved    2 medium pears thinly sliced
50g shaved parmesan cheese        ¼ cup balsamic vinegar

Grill chicken until golden brown and cooked through.  Remove, cut into slices and keep warm.
Arrange rocket in four serving bowls. Top with sliced chicken, cherry tomatoes and pear slices.
Top with Parmesan cheese and drizzle with balsamic vinegar.

Serves 4         1 serve = 1 protein, ½ carbohydrate

Ricotta and Rocket Cannelloni
2 spring onions, finely chopped        125g ricotta cheese
50g rocket or spinach leaves, blanched and roughly chopped
Fresh ground black pepper, to taste        2 tsp continental chopped parsley
1 fresh sheet lasagne                1 cup tomato pasta sauce
10g extra rocket for serving            20g shaved parmesan cheese for serving

Combine spring onions, ricotta and rocket or spinach leaves. Season to taste.
Cut lasagne into four.  Cook sheets in a large pot of boiling water for 3 minutes or until tender, then refresh in cold water.  Divide ricotta mixture evenly along the longest length of the sheet.  Roll up to form a tube. Place I a 30cm x 18cm baking dish.
Pour tomato pasta sauce over cannelloni and bake at 180 degrees for 20 minutes or until heated through.  Serve cannelloni topped with rocket and shaved Parmesan.

Serves 2     1 serve = 1 protein, 1 carbohydrate

Veggie Surprise
1 brown onion diced            2 Tblsp olive oil
2 large potatoes, peeled and diced    2 carrots, diced
2 cloves garlic, crushed        1 cup diced pumpkin
1 cup diced sweet potato        1 zucchini, sliced
1 head of broccoli cut into florets    ½ med head of cauliflower roughly cut
2 cups chicken/veg stock        1 bay leaf
2 Tblsp tomato paste            1 tsp oregano
½ cup low fat tasty cheese        2 Tblsp parsley

In a large saucepan cook onion in olive oil for 3-4 minutes until soft.  Add remaining ingredients except cheese and parsley.  Simmer over low heat for 30-40 minutes, or cook covered in moderate oven (180 degrees) for 45 minutes.

Remove bay leaf, spoon into vegetable serving bowls and top with tasty cheese and chopped parsley.

Serves 4        1 serve = 1 protein, 1 carbohydrate

Pumpkin, Basil and Chilli Stir Fry
1 tsp peanut oil                1 brown onion, thinly sliced
2 cloves garlic, sliced thinly            4 fresh Thai chillies, sliced thinly
1 kg pumpkin, chopped coarsely        1 tsp grated palm sugar
250g sugar snap peas                ¼ cup vegetable stock
2 Tblsp soy sauce                ¾ cup loosely packed basil leaves
4 green onions, sliced thinly            ¼ cup unsalted roasted peanuts, halved

Heat oil in a wok and stir-fy brown onion until browned and crisp. Drain on absorbent paper.
Stir fry garlic and chill in wok until fragrant.  Add pumpkin and stir fry until browned all over and just tender.
Add peas, sugar, stock and sauce. Stir fry until sauce thickens.
Remove from heat.  Toss basil, green onion and nuts through the stir fry until well combined. Serve topped with fried onion.

Serves 4         1 serve = 1 protein, 1 carbohydrate

RICOTTA FRUIT SALAD
500g chopped fresh pineapple            2 kiwi fruit, peeled, chopped
2 mangoes, peeled, chopped                2 peaches, chopped
2 plums, chopped                    1 passionfruit
1 x 250g punnet strawberries, quartered
RICOTTA TOPPING
200g ricotta cheese                    ¼ cup icing sugar
½ cup low-fat mango-flavoured yoghurt        1 passionfruit

1. Combine pineapple, kiwi fruit, mangoes, peaches, plums and strawberries in a large bowl. Add passionfruit pulp; stir gently. Cover; refrigerate until serving.
2. RICOTTA TOPPING. Combine ricotta cheese, icing sugar, yoghurt and passionfruit pulp in a bowl; mix well.
3. Serve fruit salad with Ricotta Topping.
SERVES 4.

Roast Pumpkin and Goat’s Cheese Salad
750g peeled pumpkin, diced        Vegetable oil spray
1 Tblsp olive oil            2 large onions, halved and thinly sliced
1 Tblsp brown sugar            2 Tblsp balsamic vinegar
Freshly ground black pepper        1 head butter lettuce
120g fresh goats’ cheese crumbled

Preheat oven to 200 degrees centigrade.  Place pumpkin in a roasting dish and spray with vegetable oil spray. Roast for 30 minutes, until soft and golden.

Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a non-stick pan. Cook onion over medium heat for 3-5 minutes.  Add brown sugar, balsamic vinegar and pepper.  Cook until brown and syrupy.
Place lettuce leaves on plate. Top with the pumpkin, caramelised onions and goat’s cheese.

Serve 4         1 serve = 1 protein, 1 carbohydrate.

TOFU AND VEGETABLE STIR FRY
350 grams cauliflower, chopped        350 grams broccoli, chopped
250 grams asparagus, sliced            350 grams green beans, sliced
3 medium carrots, sliced            1 tablespoon olive oil
2 cloves garlic crushed            1 tablespoon fresh thyme
1 teaspoon cracked black pepper        375 grams firm tofu, cubed
2 medium onions, sliced            250 grams button mushrooms, sliced
½ cup dry white wine            1 vegetable stock cube
3 teaspoons corn flour            1 cup water
¼ cup grated parmesan cheese

Add cauliflower, broccoli, asparagus, beans and carrots t large pan of boiling water; boil, uncovered, 2 minutes, drain.  Rinse under cold water; drain.
Heat oil in wok or large non-stick pan; stir fry garlic, thyme, pepper, tofu until tofu is browned lightly, remove from pan.
Add onions and mushrooms to same pan; stir-fry until onions are soft.  Stir in vegetable mixture, wine, crumbled sock cube and blended  cornflour and wate; stir over heat until mixture boils and thickens.  Stir in tofu; serve sprinkled with cheese.

Serves 4                     1 serve = 1 protein

Vegetable Fried Rice
You will need to cook about 1/3 cup long grain rice for this recipe.

1 clove garlic crushed            1 tsp finely grated fresh ginger
2 Tblsp water                1 medium carrot finely chopped
2 small zucchini chopped finely    ½ red capsicum finely chopped
1 cup cooked long grain rice        2 Tblsp soy sauce
3 shallots finely chopped        2 Tblsp finely chopped fresh coriander leaves

Combine garlic, ginger and the water in wok or large non-stick frying pan; cook over heat until ginger is soft.  Add carrot, capsicum and zucchini; cook for 5 minutes.  Stir in remaining ingredients; stir over heat until heated through.

Serves 2        1 serve = 1 ½  carbohydrate

April 9, 2010

Delicious Meat Recipes

Filed under: Meat,Recipes — Arlene @ 5:24 am

Mushroom Steak
4 lean beef steaks         1 Tblsp oil
1 small onion            180g mushrooms sliced
½ cup beef stock        2 Tblsp Worcestershire sauce
2 Tblsp parsley chopped

Heat the non- stick fry pan.  Brush oil on both sides of steak.
To seal cook steak 2-3 minutes on both sides.  Turn when juices appear on uncooked side.
Remove from heat, rest while making sauce.  Add onion and mushrooms to any pan juices, cook 1 minute.  Add Worcestershire  sauce and stock.  Bring to the boil, stirring constantly until thickened.  Add parsley and any juices from rested steak.

Note: steak thickness determines cooking time, and the way you want it done (rare, medium or well).
Serve with steamed veges.

Serves 4        1 serve = 1 protein

TANDOORI BEEF
4 x 100g lean sirloin steaks            1/3 cup tandoori curry paste
¼ cup low-fat plain yoghurt            salad to serve and fresh herbs to garnish
SAUCE
1 cup low-fat plain yoghurt            1 clove garlic, crushed
1 Tblsp chopped fresh coriander leaves    1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1. Combine steaks in a bowl with curry paste and yoghurt; mix well. Cover; refrigerate for 30 minutes or overnight.
2. SAUCE. Blend all ingredients until smooth.
3. Cook steaks, on both sides, on a lightly oiled grill pan or barbecue hotplate, until cooked to your liking.
4. Serve steaks with Sauce and salad; garnish with fresh herbs.
SERVES 4.            1 serve = 1 protein

Thai Beef Salad
400g beef rump steak                ¼ cup lime juice
2 Tblsp shredded fresh mint leaves        150g spinach leaves
2 Lebanese cucumbers, seeded and sliced    1 Tblsp white wine vinegar
2 Tblsp fish sauce                1 Tblsp brown sugar

Combine beef with juice and mint in medium bowl, cover; refrigerate at least 3 hours or until required.
Heat oiled large pan; cook beef until browned both sides and cooked as desired. Cover beef, rest 5 minutes; cut into thin slices. Combine beef with spinach and cucumber in large bowl. Gently toss combined vinegar, sauce and sugar through beef salad.

Serves 4        1 serve = 1 protein

April 7, 2010

Bad Habits

Filed under: Messages — Arlene @ 7:20 am

Changing a lifetime of bad habits is extremely difficult – but it is worth the hard work!

Does just looking at food make you hungry? Blame your ancestors – and today’s food overload.  When scientists showed people photos of their favourite foods, then used scans to measure their brains levels of dopamine (a messenger-carrying chemical that is associated with pleasure and believed to help regulate food intake), dopamine levels shot up.  This is a perfectly normal throwback to ancient times, when seeing food ensured that people would eat when it was available.  Trouble is, food and food images are everywhere today, all the time, telling us to eat even when we aren’t hungry.  But turning off these stimuli doesn’t have to be complicated. Just think of something else – things like work, family and friends – can help compete with the drive to eat.  You will regret eating too much.

Exercise is the best appetite suppressant.  Remember that we tend to overeat today – it is a time of over consumption and less activity!

Have a good week.

Best Wishes
Arlene
www.arlenesway.com.au

Older Posts »

Powered by WordPress