Stephanie Gallagher's Blog
Posted by Stephanie Gallagher
Peanut butter got a bad rap years ago for being high in fat. But in reality, 80 percent of the fat in peanut butter is the good kind -- healthy, monounsaturated fats that actually lower bad cholesterol.
Peanuts are not tree nuts. They're actually legumes. That's probably why peanut butter is also a good source of protein, fiber, Vitamin E, and folate. Just make sure you buy the peanut butter without all the added sugars, oils and preservatives.
My recommendation? Peanut Butter & Co. makes a line of gourmet peanut butters that are sinfully delicious. They're made with all-natural ingredients and have no trans fats.
The Cinnamon Raisin Swirl is delightful spread on a slice of Granny Smith apple. It tastes almost like apple pie. The Dark Chocolate Dreams makes an excellent sandwich with sliced strawberries on top. And my kids can't get enough of the White Chocolate Wonderful. (Why do you think I keep this peanut butter on the top shelf of my cupboard?)
Peanut Butter & Co. also sells a nice, gift box selection of all of their gourmet peanut butters for around $30.
Not fancy enough for you? Try Style Peanut Spread, otherwise known as the peanut butter supplier to the stars.
With flavors like Blonde Peanut Butter Cup, Chilie Mango, and Cinnamon Cranberry, Style peanut butters are truly gourmet. My personal favorite is the Dark Chocolate Infused with Pretzels.
But these peanut butter spreads aren't cheap. They sell for $8.50-$10.50 for a very small 4 oz. jar. -- shipping not included. But if you're looking to splurge, this is the peanut butter for you.
Click here for more great food gifts
Posted by Stephanie Gallagher
Why have a steak when you can get your protein from your water?
That must be Kellogg's thinking in introducing their new line of protein-enriched products, which include Special K20 Protein Water, Special K Protein Meal Bars and Special K Protein Snack Bars.
How do they taste?
Well, to me, they were overly sweet, syrupy and fake. But my kids loved them. Hmmm...what does that tell you?
And more importantly, are these products good for you?
Like the low-fat Oreos and ranch dressing that preceded them, today's protein-enriched convenience foods may have more protein than traditional versions of the same products, but they also likely have more sugar or artificial sweeteners.
The strawberry kiwi Special K20 water, for example, claims it contains 2% or less of sugar. But it also lists sucralose (artificial sweetener) as an ingredient, along with a variety of unpronouncable additives, including Red Dye #40.
I don't know about you, but personally, I'd rather sacrifice the extra 5 g of protein I might get from Special K20 in favor of plain old water.
Posted by Stephanie Gallagher
Over the next 18 months, restaurants in New York City will have to phase out their use of artificial trans fats, making New York the first city in the country to institute such a ban.
Trans fats have been linked to a variety of health problems, including an increased risk of heart disease and stroke. The food industry has relied heavily on trans fats because they are cheap, and they make food taste good.
The new requirement forces restaurants to eliminate all by 0.5 grams of trans fats per serving.
Restaurants Must Post Calorie Counts Too
In another effort to fight the obesity epidemic, the Health Board also voted to require restaurants to post calorie information on menus and menu boards by March 1, 2007.
The catch: Only restaurants the currently make calorie information available to the public in brochures or other ways are required to meet the requirement. The Board estimates 1 in 10 restaurants will be affected.
Practically, that means you'll be able to see how many calories are in that Big Mac. But the fettuccine alfredo in that quaint Italian bistro? Forget it.
Posted by Stephanie Gallagher
If you haven't tried the Athens Fillo Shells, you should. They'll be a boon to your holiday baking. Not only are they low calorie (two shells are just 35 calories), they're also trans fat-free.
Plus, they make it so easy to make elegant appetizers and desserts. See my Mini Tomato Tarts Appetizer for proof. It takes about ten minutes to prepare these tarts, yet they look and taste like you were in the kitchen for hours.
If you enjoy playing around and being creative in the kitchen, why not enter the Athens Fillo Shells Recipe Contest? Just come up with a delicious holiday appetizer or dessert filling for the mini fillo shells.
Entries must be postmarked by December 29, 2006. The grand prize is $5,000 and first prize is $1,000 in each category.
Posted by Stephanie Gallagher
Sure, Hanukkah is a festival of oil, and lots of Hanukkah recipes are high in fat. But you don't have to give up your healthy lifestyle to enjoy your favorite Jewish recipes.
The recipes below take traditional Jewish favorites and give them a healthier bent -- lower the fat, boost the fiber, and lighten the calorie load. You won't be able to taste the difference. And in some cases, like my potato latkes, the healthy recipes are even easier to prepare than the original version.
Enjoy!
Hanukkah Recipes
