Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Recipe of the Month: Salmon in Tomato-Red Pepper Sauce

I've been busy with editing "Luscious" and redoing my cycle menu, but couldn't resist developing a new recipe. It tastes heavenly -- like something you'd order at a restaurant -- but only takes about 20 minutes to prepare. Bon appetit!

Salmon in Tomato-Red Pepper Sauce

Ingredients:


1 pound linguine
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon parsley flakes
2 teaspoons bottled minced garlic
1 teaspoon rosemary
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
¼ teaspoon fresh-ground peppercorn mix
1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes
1 cup roasted red bell pepper
2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
½ cup sliced green olives
1 pound salmon

Directions:

Prepare linguine according to manufacturer’s directions. Drain and keep warm.

Meanwhile, cook parsley, garlic, rosemary, red pepper flakes, and peppercorn mix in oil in large skillet over medium heat until garlic is fragrant, about 2 minutes.

Combine tomatoes, bell pepper, and vinegar in blender or food processor until smooth. Add to skillet and mix well. Add salmon and olives and cook until salmon flakes easily. Serve salmon on linguine.

Monday, September 19, 2011

To Go Organic, or Not to Go Organic...?

Fruits and vegetables are on the menu at every meal in my house. That's why I'm a huge fan of Environmental Working Group's (EWG) 2011 Shopper's Guide to Pesticides in Produce. If you're watching your food budget (and who isn't?), check out the "Dirty Dozen" list to uncover which fruits and veggies are most likely to be contaminated. When you choose them, it's worth your money to go organic. In contrast, the Clean 15 fruits and veggies are lower in pesticides. Either way, don't forget to wash 'em!

Monday, September 12, 2011

Is Fat-Burning Underwear For Real?!

I laughed out loud when I first read this article about fat-burning underwear. The idea behind these underwear, which are apparently becoming popular in Japan, is simple: they're imprinted with a resin that prevents stretching, so you have to work harder to walk in them. That work results in greater muscle strength. My first thought was, perhaps skinny jeans will be America's answer to weight management?

Seriously, this article not only gave me a good chuckle, but reminded me of the importance of an often-overlooked element of weight management--lifestyle activity. If you don't want to spring for fat-burning underwear, you really don't need to. Instead, park further away at the store, toss around the football with your boyfriend, walk around the track while your kids are at soccer practice, take the stairs instead of the elevator or escalator...you get the idea. Instead of finding ways to be less active, challenge yourself to be more active, every chance you get.

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Portion Plates Go Glam!

Is your perspective on portions warped? Do you load up your plate with meat and carbohydrate? Many people do, and changing those eating habits isn't just a part of weight loss--it's a crucial, and often overlooked, element of weight mangement. That's why I've been a big fan of the Portion Plate for years. (You can check out their Web site here.)

The Portion Plate has some new competition from Precise Portions, which has developed a set of plates that are subtly divided into portions (click here to view their home page). I'm not a fan of lime green, but otherwise, I have to say the idea's brilliant. My kids would no doubt prefer the colorful Portion Plate, but for those who want to stay on track with portion sizes without advertising their nutritional goals, the Precise Portion sets are an elegant alternative.