Grapefruit Salad For Weight Loss

According to University of Chicago that eating grapefruit may help get much out on your  prescriptions that there are enzyme in our liver and intestines called CYP3A help breaks down drugs you ingest. these enzyme may cause less of the medicine to survive our digestive process. Also found out that these compound in grapefruit that allow more medicine to get into our bloodstream (reference: Women’s Health, May 2008, p. 24).

It help to reduce insulin levels which is helpful for weight loss, lycopene loaded that may reduce your risk of developing cancer. All these health benefits from grapefruit and best to reach darker colored grapefruits. Eating 1 medium grapefruit  give you 80 calories. Healthy snacks isn’t it!

Try these easy fruit salad for breakfast, CitrusAvocado Salad organic and healthy recipe from Laurel On Health Food.

1 pink grapefruit
2 oranges
1 avocado
1 handful fresh mint leaves

Chop up the grapefruit, oranges, and avocado into bite-sized pieces. Toss together and garnish with fresh mint leaves. Serve chilled. Tip: If you can’t eat grapefruit because of medications (or personal preference), you could substitute extra oranges, tangerines, or mango.

Summer Treat In NY

This post was originally published as Weekend Eats by Laurel on Health Food.

I’ve been so busy the past few weekends and didn’t do much cooking at home, but I’ve had some wonderful food while out and about.

We had some family in town last weekend, and I recommended Land Thai Kitchen on the Upper West Side for dinner on Friday night. We went early and didn’t have to wait to sit down. I had a lychee margarita and shared root vegetable spring rolls and vegetable dumplings for appetizers. Both apps were delicious, but I especially loved the vegetable dumplings because they had a nice crunch inside (thanks to crumbled peanuts). I ordered a Jamaican Curry Tofu and Vegetables meal for the entree. I forgot to ask for brown rice, so I mostly stuck to eating the tofu and mixed vegetables which included green tomatoes, broccoli, asparagus, carrot, and more. I’m always happy with my food at Land Thai. It’s so fresh and the vegetables are never overcooked.

Vegetable dumplings at Land Thai Kitchen

Root vegetable spring rolls at Land Thai Kitchen

Jamaican curry tofu and vegetables at Land Thai Kitchen

The weekend before I was on my way to meet up with my boyfriend and his business partner over at their Midtown studio and had worked up a healthy appetite on my walk across town. Le Pain Quotidien is always a favorite of mine, so I swung by and picked up an Organic Red Quinoa salad with arugula, chickpeas, artichoke, side of avocado, and a basil dressing. I absolutely loved this fresh salad. It was filling and perfect for the hot summer afternoon. Oh, I also tried the watermelon cooler with fresh mint. Le Pain makes it with fresh watermelon juice, and it’s just heavenly.

I love my home-cooked meals, but eating out is such a treat here in NY.

Red quinoa salad at Le Pain Quotidien

Watermelon cooler at Le Pain Quotidien

Food directly affects mood

This post was originally published as The Food-Mood Connection by Laurel on Health Food.

The Seattle Times reports that the food we eat directly affects the mood we’re in. In her book, “The Good Mood Diet: Feel Great While You Lose Weight”, registered dietician Susan Kleiner writes that, “what and when we eat directly affects mood. And our mood not only affects what we choose to eat, but how our body responds to that food.” Then ten foods nutritionists recommend eating to enhance your mood are: milk, oily fish, strawberries, spinach, sweet potatoes, turkey, brazil nuts, low-fat yogurt, foods or drinks with caffeine, and cottage cheese.

Handful of walnuts

This post was originally published as Almonds for Digestion and Immunity by Laurel on Health Food.

I feel like I keep talking about almonds lately…but there’s a good reason for it. They’re so good for you and they’re one of the easiest foods to keep at your desk, in your car, or anytime you need something filling and fast.

A study published in the Applied and Environmental Microbiology journal found that almonds may give your immune system a boost and also improve digestion. But how? Almonds increase the amount of good bacteria in your digestive tract. Women’s Health Magazine recommends eating one large handful a day to reap these benefits. (Ref: Nov 2008, p. 28)

To keep your portion in check, count out about 25 almonds before you leave the house for the day and take them in a small tupperware container or bag. For me, I spend long hours sitting at a desk during the week, so I keep a big jar at work. I count them out in a pile next to me so I can grab a few at a time when I want something to munch on.

If you were already trying to add a handful of walnuts into your diet, maybe try mixing the two up for your daily dose. About 10-15 of each on a daily basis.

Great veggie soup

This post was originally published as Feel Better Veggie Bean Soup by Laurel on Health Food.

I made an all veggie soup last week and it came out pretty good. I wasn’t in love with it (I thought I made it too spicy), but my boyfriend seems to think it’s super yummy, so I figured it was worth a share. I can tell you one thing, this soup is super nutritious and filling. Beans are full of complex carbohydrates and fiber, which means they give you long-term energy and satisfaction. This is also a great soup to make when you’re feeling sick. I was a little under the weather last week after returning from a trip to Florida where one of my friends got married. All these vegetables and fresh broth, coupled with lots of sleep, got me feeling better in no time.

Feel Better Veggie Bean Soup

1 pack of mixed beans (such as 10- or 12-bean soup)
1/2 yellow onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, chopped
2 carrots, peeled & chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
2 tomatoes, chopped
1 can tomato puree (reduced sodium)
3 poblano chili peppers, chopped
6 kale leaves, chopped
6 cups vegetable broth (reduced sodium)
2 bay leaves
2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
1 tbsp. fresh thyme
Salt & pepper

Soak the beans overnight in the refrigerator. Drain the beans and put them in a big soup pot. Cover with water and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer for about 1 hour. When the beans are done, drain in a colander and set aside.

Heat olive oil in your soup pot over medium-low heat and add the onions, carrots, celery, chili peppers, garlic, thyme, and a little salt and pepper. Allow veggies to cook together for about 7-10 minutes, stirring frequently. Add the tomatoes, kale, bay leaves, and tomato puree and cook for another 10 minutes, stirring frequently.

Puree about half of the beans in a food processor and then add them to your vegetables in the soup pot with the rest of the whole beans. Pour the vegetable broth on top and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for about 20-30 minutes. Remove bay leaves and season with more salt and pepper to taste.

Tip 1: Try a dollup of organic sour cream on top or a sprinkle of parmesan cheese to boost the flavor. Tip 2: For even more flavor, you could make this soup in a slow cooker…in fact I am definitely making it in a slow cooker next time around.

Definitely Rich Thai Peanut Sauce

This post was originally published as Thai Peanut Sauce by Laurel on Health Food.
My favorite Thai restaurant in the city recently closed for renovations. Wah! But, the good news is that it motivated me to try making my own Thai peanut sauce. Ohhh, I am so glad I did. This sauce was one of the easiest things to make, thanks to store bought peanut butter. I wanted the sauce to have a pretty strong peanut butter taste, because that’s how I like it. My boyfriend and I ate the sauce last night over brown rice and plain stir-fried vegetables (garlic, red bell pepper, mushrooms, snow peas, and green onions sautéed in veggie stock) with a sprinkle of fresh cilantro on top. It was rich and filling, and you can bet I ate the leftovers for lunch today.
This sauce is definitely rich, so remember that a little goes a long way. The recipe makes plenty for a family dinner with leftovers for meals later in the week. Serve it with plain vegetables and whole grains (there is plenty of oil and flavor in the sauce already).

Thai Peanut Sauce
(makes a little over 2 cups of sauce)

2/3 cup chunky peanut butter (all natural, no added sugar, oil, or salt)
1/3 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup coconut milk
1 tsp. cayenne pepper
2 tbsp. agave nectar
1/4 cup peanut oil or safflower oil
1/4 cup hot water
Juice from 1 lemon wedge

Add all the ingredients together in a large bowl and whisk until you get a smooth consistency (there will still be pieces of peanut from the chunky peanut butter). Serve drizzled on top of vegetables and brown rice or rice noodles. Save leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Tip 1: If you want your sauce to have an extra spicy kick, try adding one teaspoon of Sriracha hot sauce. Tip 2: If your peanut butter was refrigerated, you’ll want to warm it up before making the sauce so the ingredients are easier to mix together.

healthy things to eat

This post was originally published as Tofu Marsala by Laurel on Health Food blog.

I used to work in an Italian restaurant back in the day, and the chicken marsala was always one of my favorite things to eat after a long day of work. I made a tofu version on Sunday night that came out pretty tasty. It includes lots of mushrooms and tomatoes and also a healthy portion of fresh basil leaves. I am so excited that our house basil plant is looking healthy again after almost dying this winter. It’s so freaking convenient to have fresh herbs growing indoors during the spring and summer.

Tofu Marsala
(makes about 4 servings)

1/2 box linguine
1 block firm tofu
2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
1 cup marsala wine
1/2 cup coconut milk
1/2 cup marinara sauce
1 cup vegetable stock
3 cloves garlic
2 cups baby portobello mushrooms
1 big handful fresh basil leaves
2 cups tomatoes
Salt & pepper (optional)

Clean and remove the stems from the mushrooms and cut them into slices. Finely chop the garlic and basil. Cut the tomatoes into small bite-sized pieces. Set all the vegetables aside.

Drain the liquid off the tofu and press out any excess liquid with paper towels. Cut the tofu into small rectangles or cubes. Heat up the olive oil in a deep sauté pan or cast iron skillet over medium-high heat and add the tofu to the pan. Cook for a few minutes on each side until the tofu is golden brown. Remove from heat and drain on paper towels. Set aside. Do not wash your pan yet.

Cook the linguine according to the instructions on the box. Set cooked pasta aside and drizzle a little oil on top to keep it from sticking.

Add the garlic to the same pan that you used to fry the tofu. Turn up the heat to medium-low and cook for a minute or two, stirring frequently. Add the mushrooms, tomatoes, and basil to the pan and pour the marsala wine on top with a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Turn heat up to high and allow the wine to reduce for a couple of minutes. Add in the vegetable stock, marinara sauce, and coconut milk and continue to cook over high heat for another couple of minutes until the sauce thickens.

Once the sauce is done, add in the tofu and your desired amount of pasta. Mix it around to coat the noodles and tofu with the sauce. Serve immediately.

Tip 1: I like to eat this dish with a fresh green vegetable like asparagus. Tip 2: Use a whole grain pasta or gluten-free quinoa pasta to make this healthier. I used quinoa pasta for my dinner (see pictures).

10 Healthy Eating Foods

This post was originally published as 10 Foods You Should Really Try by Laurel on Health Food blog.

Men’s Health Magazine produced a list of “The Ten Best Foods You Aren’t Eating“. Here are their choices for the superfoods that rarely make it into our shopping carts-but should. The article also contains helpful information about how you can include each of these foods in your diet.

1. Beets – contain lots of folate and betaine, reduce risk of heart disease, may fight cancer

2. Cabbage – contains sulforaphane to reduce free radicals and cancer risk

3. Guava – high in lycopene to fight prostate cancer, also high in potassium and fiber

4. Swiss Chard – carotenoids protect your eyes from damages of aging

5. Cinnamon – reduces blood sugar and LDL cholesterol

6. Purslane – highest amount of omega-3s in any plant source, and melatonin inhibits cancer growth

7. Pomegranate Juice – lowers systolic blood pressure and improves blood flow, high in vitamin C

8. Goji Berries – potent in antioxidants, reduces insulin resistance

9. Dried Plums – antioxidants fight free radicals that cause cancer

10.  Pumpkin Seeds – high magnesium, linked with living a longer life

Easy Pizza Recipes

This post was originally published as Easy Pizza Night by Laurel on Health Food blog.

Using pre-made pizza doughs can be such a huge time saver when you’re craving a pizza night. I bought some gluten-free pizza crusts from a brand called Udi’s. They were in the frozen section at my favorite health food store. I was hoping to find a vegan pizza crust, but was unsuccessful on that grocery trip. I chose Udi’s because the ingredient list was short and I could use them right out of the freezer. No need to defrost and perfect for a busy night!

For my sauce, I used store-bought organic marinara and added some fresh basil and garlic to flavor it up. I used vegan mozzarella alternative from Galaxy Foods for my cheese. So far this is the best tasting cheese alternative I’ve tried. I wouldn’t eat big pieces of it plain, but it works great on pizza or burritos, and I don’t even miss real cheese.

For toppings I used green bell pepper and shiitake mushroom caps. Then I drizzled a little olive oil on top to make things crispy.

One of these days I’m going to get a bread maker and attempt to make my own crust, but these frozen doughs were so easy and convenient for a fast weeknight dinner.

Assorted sticks & twigs crackers giveways

This post was originally published as Mary’s Gone Crackers Giveaway by Laurel on Health Food blog.

A few weeks ago I was at Whole Foods doing some grocery shopping and got the chance to try some snacks from Mary’s Gone Crackers. I thought their name was cute, but I was instantly intrigued by their pretzel-type snacks flavored with curry. I love anything curry, so I tried the snacks, and instantly loved them. They were super crunchy and kinda spicy with that great curry flavor I am always craving. Since then I’ve had a chance to try all of the Mary’s Gone Crackers products, and am thrilled to share my review and a giveaway of 3 products.

All Mary’s Gone Crackers products are organic, wheat-free, and gluten-free. They are made with healthy whole grains and seeds such as quinoa, flax seeds, brown rice, sesame seeds, and chia seeds. Sweet!

Cookies
The cookies come in 4 flavors: Chocolate Chip, Ginger Snap, N’Oatmeal Raisin, and Double Chocolate Chip. My favorite is the chocolate chip, because let’s face it, I’m just a sucker for a chocolate chip cookie. My second favorite is the N’Oatmeal Raisin. They are dense, soft, and chewy. The Double Chocolate Chip flavor has a strong cocoa taste (for the dark chocolate lover). The Ginger Snaps were quite a bit crunchier than the other cookies, so I like them best with a glass of almond milk.

Mary’s Gone Crackers, assorted cookies

Crackers
The crackers come in 5 flavors: Original, Caraway, Herb, Onion, and Black Pepper. All the crackers look about the same but have subtly different flavors that make each one unique. They are all thin and crunchy and taste great with hummus, bean dips, or mashed avocado and veggies. My favorite flavors are the Caraway and Onion. The caraway tastes like rye bread (yum) and the onion has a sweet roasted onion flavor that makes you want to go back for more.

Mary’s Gone Crackers, assorted crackers

Sticks & Twigs
The sticks and twigs come in 3 flavors: Sea Salt, Curry, and Chipotle Tomato. They kind of resemble pretzels but are even crunchier thanks to lots of whole flax seeds and sesame seeds. I went crazy for the curry flavor which I dunked in hummus for afternoon snacks. The sea salt was also a favorite, with just a touch of salty flavor that’s not overbearing. The sticks and twigs are perfect for someone who loves super crunchy snacks.

Mary’s Gone Crackers, assorted sticks & twigs

Announcing a giveaway! To submit your entry to win Double Chocolate Cookies, Chipotle Tomato Sticks & Twigs, and Black Pepper crackers from Mary’s Gone Crackers, complete one or all of the following actions (to earn up to 3 entries):

• Leave a comment here telling me which of the Mary’s Gone Crackers products you want to try the most (check out their website for a full list of products).
• Share this giveaway on Twitter and include @LaurelMoll and the link to the giveaway in your tweet. Please leave me a comment to let me know you’ve done it.
• Share this giveaway on Facebook and include a link to this giveaway. Leave me a comment with a link to your FB post.

All entries must be complete by Wednesday April 27th, 2011 at 11:59pm EST. Each entry will be put in a bag, and I’ll pull out a name for the winner. If you win, I’ll contact you by email to ask for your full name and address to ship you the snacks. Open to U.S. residents only. Good luck!

Mary’s Gone Crackers Giveaway (Double Chocolate Cookies, Chipotle Tomato Sticks & Twigs, and Black Pepper Crackers)