Christmas Feast

Worried about packing pounds during the belly-busting Christmas season? Sue Smith offers tips on how you can stay fit and enjoy your food at the same time.

Boys and girls of all ages, Christmas is on its way again. You know it is the holiday season when everyone is flabbergasted that the Christmas decorations are being sold before Halloween has come. You have done all the work to lose weight and finally feel good about your body. If you made it through the gauntlet of Halloween and Thanksgiving without packing the pounds back on here are a few tips to keep you fit for Christmas.

1. Throw a party- if you throw the party you have more control over the food ingredients and preparation and you are more likely to stay on your feet than to sit on the couch and eat.

2. Portion control- it is more than okay to have a taste of our favorite Christmas classics just keep the portions small and pile on vegetables to take up more room on your plate and in your belly.

3. Optional sauces- instead of slathering everything with sauces or butter leave the dressings on the side so that party goers can choose.

4. Turkey or chicken- make several meats available so there are choices and make sure to remove skin from turkey or chicken as that is where the most fat is.

5. Mix spritzers- by making mixed drinks you ingest less alcohol and with carbination you will drink more slowly. Champagne is also a good choice.

6. Avoid desert liquors- any desert liquor with cream is laden with calories and fat.

7. Don't grocery shop too far in advance- if the food is hanging around the house in preparation for the party you will be more tempted to snack before the actual event.

8. Chew gum while you cook- of course tasting is necessary to ensure palate pleasing flavor but chewing gum while you are cooking keeps you from nibbling on your delicacy.

9. Suggest a walk- the day after your event or even after all the food has been eaten suggest a walk to a family member or friend. It will be a good way to get fresh air and burn a few of those extra calories (or escape a nosy relative).

10. Stay away from trigger foods- if you know that pumpkin pie is your weakness don't make it! Do not tempt yourself; there are many alternative deserts that the whole family can enjoy.

Susan Smith writes health articles about fitness and nutrition. Some of her favorite passions include writing about energy drinks and natural sleep aids.

Organic Chicken - Benefits to Health and Environment

by Franklin Genki

The beauty of living in the countryside offers the experience of eating organic chicken, but it is also available in the cities in small quantities. Organic chickens usually just roam around to find food. People raising these chickens use rice, corn or any food available to feed them. They simply call the chickens in some distinct way and the chickens come racing as if panicking for the food. They then throw the grains or any food and each chicken picks as many as it can. When the regular meal is over, the chickens roam around and search the ground for any available food which may be plants, insects, seeds, and if the area is coastal, small fish and live small shellfish.

Organic chickens have high beneficial fats that lower cholesterol, and higher amount of Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Vitamin A. Their eggs taste much much better than those from commercially-raised chickens which receive regular dose of antibiotics, vaccines and other medications. Though it takes longer cooking time for the meat of most native chickens, its taste is incomparable with 28-day broiler confined in overcrowded poultry houses where they also release their wastes.

Native organic chickens are much smaller in size and grow much slower. While it only takes 28 days for a broiler to be harvested, native chicken usually needs at least six months. That is why, native chickens cannot be grown on commercial basis. Since the supply cannot meet the demand requirements of the chicken meat eating population, no big poultry raiser is interested in venturing into this kind of poultry raising. Organic chicken vendors usually rely on groups of small farmers for their supply and could not at this point meet the growing demand of organic chicken consumers.

For organic chicken consumers, eating organic chicken does not only provide health benefits but also better ecosystem. Chickens raised in the open catch insects that may be harmful to the plants, scavenge crop residue and help in fertilizing the soil through its organic manure. By the way, farms using chicken dung as fertilizer do not necessarily produce organic crops. Chicken dung are bought from commercial poultry farms that use chemicals and medications which are proven to be harmful to the human body.

Since most suppliers of organic chicken are small farmers, organic chicken consumers also help build the rural economy and the income potential of small farmers. Consumers also indirectly contribute to the protection and conservation of the environment because growing organic chicken does not produce air pollution that is common in poultry farms. There are also no flies to spread germs and organisms that cause diseases to the people.

Organic food is not an alternative because that was the way nature was created. It only becomes an alternative to people who have gone the unnatural way. Read more organic food articles at Natural and Organic Food Reviews and get ready for the organic and natural choice. The site is dedicated to provide information about healthy habits and lifestyles, list and links to organic food stores and organic food online, campaigns and advocacy on organic and natural food, organic farming and production and a storehouse full of organic food tips. Exchange of information and comments are always welcome.

Cheap Nutritious Foods

by Charles Plake

Do you think that eating healthy is expensive? Well think again. The truth is that you can eat healthy without spending a fortune. It may require a little work on your part, but it is worth the effort.

The three biggest tips anyone can give you are: plan ahead and by food items that are on sale, buy store brands rather than national brands, and buy in bulk either online or from a shopping club, such as Costco, Sam's Club or similar stores. (Watch for the cost of online shipping charges and club memberships). Below are a few ideas for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. The prices used are based on Arizona prices. Prices may vary at other locations. All items were bought on sale, using the store brand or in purchased in bulk.

Breakfast meals under $2.00

Bread with peanut butter and fruit:One slice of whole-grain bread (on sale) with one teaspoon of peanut butter; enjoy it with an orange or half of grapefruit. Buy all items on sale.

Oatmeal with raisins: ¾ cup of quick oat; 1 ½ cups of water; 1/3 cup of non-fat dry milk; ¼ cup of raisins, ¼ cup of sugar-free maple syrup, ½ teaspoon sugar substitute and 1 teaspoon cinnamon.

Scrambled eggs and cheese and salsa: Sauté onions, cilantro and tomatoes or ½ cup salsa and scramble two eggs with mixture. Add two tablespoons of reduced-fat shredded cheese.

Lunch meals under $2.00

Peasant lunch: A bowl of homemade soup accompanied by fresh fruit, an ounce of cheese and one slice of whole-grain bread; or a bowl of homemade soup with a salad.

Sandwich and salad: one-half tuna salad sandwich made with fat free mayo and salad. Save leftover tuna salad for another day.
Baked potato with broccoli and cheese: Top one medium baked potato with one cup cooked fresh or frozen broccoli and ¼ cup reduced-fat shredded cheese.

Cheap dinner ideas for under $2.00

Chicken with rice and veggies: 4-ounce chicken breast with 1 cup cooked rice and 1 cup mixed veggies.

Top Ramen with vegetables and shrimp: 1 package top ramen (prepared as instructed on package); add one cup frozen broccoli, (or cauliflower, green onions, corn or other vegetables) and canned shrimp, (or tofu, scrambled egg or other protein). 1 package of Top Ramen can be divided into two servings.

Salmon patties with homemade soup, salad or bread: See salmon patty recipe below.

Ingredients

• 1 (7-ounce) can salmon, drained
• 2 tablespoons green onions
• 1 egg white
• 1 tablespoon fat free Italian salad dressing
• 1/4 cup bread crumbs
• Canola or olive oil cooking spray

Directions:

In medium bowl, combine salmon with the next four ingredients.

Make four patties. Spray nonstick skillet with cooking spray and heat over medium heat. Fry patties on both sides until lightly browned.

Snacks for under $1.00

• Flavored sugar free gelatin with canned fruit
• ¼ cup nuts
• 1 string cheese (from a large bag at a wholesale club)
• 1 piece of fruit: apple, orange, pear, or 1 bunch of grapes
• ¼ cup homemade trail mix (buy ingredients when on sale)

As a retired person, I looked for ways to pinch my pennies. I found that I could save on everyday shopping and many other ways I spend my money. My name is Chuck Plake and I have designed two Websites to publish my findings: http://www.CheapskateDiet.com and http://www.CheapskateDiet.info I am a Cheapskate who is always on a diet.