If you’re like me, you try your best to avoid getting sick. Well, winter is right around the corner and flu season is near. Here are a few tips from Registered Dietitian, Qula Madkin, about keeping your immune system healthy. Hint- eat more fruits and vegetables!
Hey Y’all! I have been busy trying to get Nutrition with LaShaundreaB up and running. This weekend, after attending a Culinary Nutrition Conference, I decided to create a YouTube channel. Yes, I’m on YouTube!
As you will see, I am a novice at creating videos. However, I know I will have it mastered.. okay.. somewhat mastered by the time the experience launches. Which will be around mid-fall. So, here’s one of my first videos. Please don’t cringe. It’s a work in progress. As I said, this is an experience. However, now that I’m thinking about it, I probably should have called it an adventure. (Smile)
Take Care and Stay Healthy!
LaShaundrea B.
Authentically Me! Life is all about having fun and that’s exactly what I’m doing!
Despite the summer heat, people are still grilling or “BBQing.” Is it just me, or is there something about summer time or warm weather that makes you want to fire up the grill? As a child, my mom would grill no matter what season or weather condition. Y’all, she once decided to grill in the middle of a snow storm because she had a taste for BBQ. Yep, that’s my momma!
Not sure about yours, but most grilling memories from my childhood consist of memories of family gatherings and large portions of meat, burgers and hotdogs being thrown on the grill. Honestly, I cannot recall anything other than meat being grilled. Occasionally, someone would put a few ears of corn on the grill or wrap sliced bell peppers and onions in foil (as shown in the video) to accompany the juicy smoked sausages or bratwurst. However, I rarely saw anything other than meat on the grill.
Today, I can happily report that my mom and other family members have stepped up their grilling game and are now grilling more than just meat. Yes! Now, I’m seeing grilled asparagus, zucchini and yellow squash, and of course, onions and bell peppers. All of which are delicious, grilled.
Question- Have you and/or your family members stepped up your grilling game since childhoods to include healthier options? If the answer is “no,” please consider trying some the healthy grilling tips Registered Dietitian, Qula Madkin, has to offer for adding more variety to your grill.
Qula Madkin – Extension Instructor and Registered Dietitian for Mississippi State University Extension Service
LaShaundrea B.
On most days, I wake up with a certain flavor or dish in mind– yes.. I wake up thinking about food. (Smile) Well, this morning I woke up craving a bagel with lox (cured salmon similar to gravlax, not smoked). Didn’t feel like making a trip to the supermarket or Einstein Bros. Bagels so I had to improvise and create something that would suffice. Here’s what I had on hand and what I created. I had smoked salmon cream cheese spread, mini naan dippers, cucumbers, pico de gallo, and eggs.
Now, here’s what I created. I toasted the naan dippers, then added the smoked salmon cream cheese spread and cucumber slices to them. I scrambled an egg and added pico de gallo and a dash of tarragon. Although the pico had cilantro in it, it did not clash with the flavor of the tarragon. And to complete my meal, I added a bowl of fresh blueberries and peach slices.Yum! Needless to say, I may not have had the meal I woke up craving; however, the one I had was very satisfying.
Question– How do you manage your cravings? Do you make do with what you have on hand?
LaShaundrea B.
For those in the back, “Eating healthy does not have to be complicated!” Listen, eating healthy is simply making a conscience effort to improve your diet by making small, sustainable changes. By sustainable changes, I am referring to changes that you know you can commit to over a lifetime. Much too often we make changes based on what’s trending, what our friends are doing or to prevent or manage an illness. Unfortunately, over time, if the change was made in haste, was too much of a sacrifice or without proper thought, we revert back to our old habits.
Here is an example of how I have made a small, simple, sustainable change that will benefit me over my lifetime.
Story time…
I love oatmeal. Grew up eating it for breakfast. Started out eating old fashioned oats and over time, graduated to the individual prepackaged kind- yes, the ones that are pre-sweetened and have more calories than necessary. I told you in my intro blog that I am very transparent.
Anyway.. Over the years, I have gone back and forth, switching from old fashion oats to quick oats (unprepared) to prepackaged. Well, guess what? The prepackaged won! Instead of feeling defeated and guilty because I chose to settle for the less healthier option, I decided to add more nutrients to my oatmeal. Since I always have fresh or frozen berries, and some type of chopped nuts on hand (will discuss pantry must haves in another blog), I began adding them to my oatmeal. No, it does not cancel out the sugar or calories. In all honesty, it adds a little more; however, the nutrients gained are far better than none added. Note: If you are struggling with high sugar levels and love prepackaged oatmeal, I recommend trying the higher fiber version. It has more fiber and less sugar.
Well, this was only one example of how I have chosen to make my diet healthier. If you choose to stick around, I have plenty more stories and examples to share. Remember to start small and always make changes that you know you will stick with.
LaShaundrea B.
Happy Wellness Wednesday! Today’s wellness information is from friend and fellow Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Qula Madkin -Extension Instructor at Mississippi State University Extension Service.
Today’s topic is Physical Activity. Although many people view physical activity as one of the primary methods for weight loss, it has many more benefits. Some of those benefits include, but are not limited to- chronic disease prevention and management, improved cognitive health, a reduction in anxiety, and better sleep. Basically, physical activity improves quality of life. Here are a few simple tips for staying physically active, especially during the summer months.
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