Healthy Eating

Choose You Recipe: Chunky Vegetable Salad

April 6, 2012 – 11:14 AM

Have you heard about Choose You? It’s the American Cancer Society’s (R) program that empowers women to lead a healthy lifestyle as the primary way to prevent cancer. One of their tools is a monthly recipe to support a healthy diet. So, we thought we would go ahead and share that with you! We hop you try this recipe! Leave a comment and share your favorite healthy meal with us.

Chunky Vegetable Salad

3 ripe tomatoes, seeded and cut into 1-inch piecesvegetable salad recipe

1 large cucumber, peeled, seeded, and cut into 1-inch pieces

1 red bell pepper, seeded and cut into 1-inch pieces

1 yellow bell pepper, seeded and cut into 1-inch pieces
1 fennel bulb, cored and cut into 1-inch pieces
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh dill
1 tablespoon white balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
Pinch granulated sugar
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

In a bowl, combine tomatoes, cucumber, both bell peppers, fennel, and dill. In a bowl, combine vinegar, oil, and sugar. Season with salt and pepper. Drizzle over salad and toss to combine.

Tip: White balsamic vinegar has a slightly milder flavor than red. It’s found in the vinegar section of most supermarkets. Substitute regular balsamic vinegar for white if you have trouble finding it.

Makes 10 servings. Approximate per serving: 40 calories, 1.5 grams of fat.

 

Here’s a bit more about Choose You’s mission. Check them out!

Choose You is a movement created by the American Cancer Society that encourages women to put their own health first in the fight against cancer. And it shines a light on a hidden issue: one in three American women will get cancer in her lifetime, but about 50% of cancer deaths could be prevented. The key to prevention is focusing on early detection and healthier lifestyles such as maintaining a healthy weight through diet and exercise, and avoiding tobacco.

In the constant struggle between family, work and self, we know how difficult it is to focus on you. To help change this, Choose You provides the tools and support women need to commit to and achieve their personal health and wellness goals. Research shows that 73% of Choose You commitments are successful, and the program provides the support needed to help you eat right, get active, quit smoking, schedule regular health checks or take care of your skin.

 

By caitlint | Also posted in Be Healthy | Comments (0)

Organic Matters

March 19, 2012 – 2:23 PM

We came across this chart recently that shows the difference in nutritional value in vegetables grown with organic methods versus conventional commercial methods. We were SHOCKED! We’ve always thought, a veggie is a veggie is a veggie. But not so. Turns out the ways in which our produce is farmed and harvested makes a huge impact in the benefits we get from it by the time it’s put on our tables. Take a look – how does your favorite produce measure up?

So, all you Moms and heads of household out there who are in charge of buying the groceries for yourself and your families, now what? How much organic produce usually goes in your cart every week? And now will you buy more? We know that healthy diets are helpful in preventing cancer and other diseases – and it looks like buying organic can strengthen our diets even more. Depending on where you live, sometimes it can be hard to find quality organic produce. Here are some suggestions, where will you go?

  • Local Farmers Markets – they usually have local, fresh produce for less than the grocery store (be sure to ask if it’s organic)
  • “Green” Grocery Stores – places like Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods specialize in organic, pesticide-free foods and often have a wide selection
  • Your Local Supermarket – while the selection may not always be as big, sometimes your regular grocery store will have organic options; just ask a store clerk where you can find them
By caitlint | Also posted in Be Healthy | Comments (0)

Wheat Belly

March 12, 2012 – 3:28 PM

Ever since the American Cancer Society proclaimed a direct link between obesity and cancer deaths, we on the Pink Cart team have been working on a new Be Healthy section on our site as a destination for readers interested in leading a healthy lifestyle. We would love help from you, our friends, in this area so if you have topics, recipes, book reviews, exercise tips or ideas that would contribute to a woman’s good health please send them in for posting as this is our collective site to share.

Along those lines, I recently read a book called Wheat Belly by Dr. William Davis which I thought was an interesting read.  Essentially the Doctor makes the connection between the highly altered wheat of today and obesity in our society. He says “Wheat strains have been hybridized, crossbred, and introgressed to make the wheat plant resistant to environmental conditions, such as drought, or pathogens, such as fungi. But most of all, genetic changes have been induced to increase yield per acre. The average yield on a modern North American farm is more than tenfold greater than farms or a century ago.” The wheat of today (which by the way seems to be in everything…just ask a Celiac sufferer) when ingested causes blood sugar to spike and the body reacts by accumulating abdominal fat. You know the dreaded spare tire around the middle of our bodies? The Doctor talks about diabetes and other diseases that are on the rise and helps the reader to understand his perspective as to why that is happening.

I have been following the program for ten weeks and didn’t lose the copious amounts of weight suggested in the book but have lost steadily one pound per week and significant inches, and that feels pretty good to me. What I can attest to is renewed energy and the complete absence of bloating or  any digestive issues which would occasionally bother me. In some ways this program is easier than any of the other famous ones I have tried because it doesn’t take over your life, forcing you to think about, measure, weigh, calculate, write down, etc. every morsel of food you put in your mouth. You simply give up wheat. The book speaks to withdrawal, which I had for about three days, but after that I have absolutely no cravings or desire to consume wheat.

I don’t think this book’s wheat-free diet is for everyone but if you are interested in different points of view and a little education, I recommend the read.

 

~Jo-Anne

By caitlint | Also posted in Be Healthy, Healthy Body | Comments (3)

Prevent Cancer with these 10 Foods & Drinks

February 23, 2012 – 4:22 PM

Want a simple way to make sure you are getting some of the essential cancer prevention foods into your diet? Here’s a quick list of 10 Super Foods and Drinks to help keep your body healthy and cancer free. We also included some ideas on how to use these foods to make your cancer prevention diet interesting!

  1. Cruciferous Vegetables – use these green crunchy veggies as the stars of a chinese stir fry! Toss in some honey and soy sauce and you’re set to go!
  2. Globe Artichoke – roast them and quarter them for a pizza, chop them up and dump on a salad or into your favorite spinach artichoke dip recipe.
  3. Dark Greens & Veggies – Spinach and Beets can make a great salad! Top with some chicken and feta cheese for lots of flavor.
  4. Grapes & Red Wine – Pluck some from the vine and pour yourself a glas! Doesn’t get easier than that.  
  5. Legumes – Beans are a great start to a Mexican fiesta! Saute black beans with chopped tomatoes, cumin, chili pepper and onions for a flavorful burrito.
  6. Berries – Blueberries are delicious when you mix them in with your favorite yogurt or put them on top of your morning cereal.
  7. Flaxseed – Take flaxseed oil supplements or use flaxseed meal in lieu of flower for low carb baked goods.
  8. Garlic, Onions and Leeks – Who doesn’t love garlic? You can toss this master ingredient into almost any meal, just make sure you cook it at least a little bit otherwise it will be too bitter.
  9. Green Tea – A great substitute for coffee, just bring your own tea bag to the office and heat up some water. 
  10. Tomatoes – They go in everything! In salads, on sandwiches, you can even hollow them out and stuff them. Make your own pasta sauce using tomato sauce, paste and diced tomatoes.

 

Which Super Food are you going to try today? Leave a comment and let us know.

By caitlint | Also posted in Be Healthy | Comments (0)

High Blood Sugar Linked to Colon Cancer In Older Women

February 16, 2012 – 5:41 PM

Ok, Ladies & Gentlemen. Next time you find yourself contemplating a big cookie or a piece of death by chocolate cake, think twice! We came across this article by our friends at General Electric on their blog Healthymagination  on a medical study about the link between high blood sugar and colon cancer in older women. Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States, so this is no joke! 

“Researchers at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University in New York found that postmenopausal women with higher blood glucose levels were nearly twice as likely to develop colorectal cancer over a 12 year period as those women with lower blood glucose levels.”

Are you making responsible choices when it comes to your meals and snacks throughout the day? Do you have healthy options as a backup or do you go for the vending machine sweets to fight that 2:30 feeling? You should know that these small choices have a big impact on your body. While sugar is a necessary part of your diet, too much of a good thing, in this case, can kill you. Too many sweets will trigger the release of too much insulin which can wreak havoc on your cells in the long term and can contribute to your chances of those same cells becoming cancerous and forming tumors. But don’t take our word for it, read Healthymagination’s blog. Here’s a preview…

“Taking into account all that we know, by maintaining a healthy weight and girth, by eating a varied and balanced diet that includes lots of vegetables, grains, and fiber, and being physically active, is the best way to reduce the chances of developing a prediabetic state. This in turn will reduce the odds of developing diabetes and possibly colorectal cancer.”

 

 

By caitlint | Also posted in Be Healthy, Healthy Grandma | Comments (0)

Be Healthy, Be Cancer Free!

January 27, 2012 – 1:01 PM

We do a lot of talking on our blog and Facebook about how to lower your risk factors for developing breast cancer. Recently the American Cancer Society released a report linking 100,000 new cancer diagnoses  every year in the U.S. to excess body fat. And quite frankly, it scared us.  We know we should “be healthy” and lead healthy lifestyles to lower our cancer risk, but how committed are we to following through on making the right choices for our bodies and our health?

Honestly, with work, kids, and a social life, our ability to eat well balanced meals on the go and make time for exercise is inconsistent at best – it depends on the day – and that’s not good enough. We, all of us, need to get serious. The war against cancer starts with us, and specifically with our attitudes about our health.

So today we’re launching The Pink Cart’s Be Healthy page. We’ll have research, breaking news and tips for being active, eating right, and doing your part to keep harmful carcinogens out of the environment. Whether you’re a fitness guru, fabulous cook, health-conscious Mom, the family matriarch, or a tree hugger, we’ve got a way for you to lead a healthier lifestyle and reduce your risk of developing Breast Cancer.

We’ll be giving you a lot of information, but we want to know what’s important to you, too. What do you want to hear about? What are your struggles in maintaining a healthy lifestyle? Write to us, leave a comment below, tell us what support you need. Ditch the excuses and get engaged, get educated, and get moving. Be Healthy and Be Cancer Free.

Share your thoughts with us, leave a comment below!

By caitlint | Also posted in Be Healthy, Healthy Body, Healthy Environment, Healthy Grandma, Healthy Lifestyle, Healthy Mom | Comments (0)