by | Dec 15, 2022 | Food |
We all know that we must eat a balanced diet to lead the best quality of life possible. However, maintaining a consistently healthy diet is often easier said than done. We are constantly targeted by fast food ads. Convenience food is – as the name indicates – convenient, meaning we’re much more likely to reach for them than cooking up a storm in the kitchen. But you must get plenty of vegetables if nothing else. Here’s some information on the topic and some advice that could help!
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Why Eat More Vegetables?
A diet rich in vegetables can ensure you get the proper nutrients into your body. It can fuel you and help you to thrive. Various studies have been conducted on the subject, finding mixed results, including claims that a vegetable-dense diet can lower blood pressure, reduce your risk of heart disease, minimize chances of experiencing a stroke, prevent some forms of cancer, increase eye health and reduce the experience of digestive problems. Vegetables can also help you maintain healthy blood sugar levels, help you to maintain healthy eating habits, and keep your appetite in good order.
5-A-Day
It’s recommended that you get five portions of fruit and vegetables into your diet each day. Five portions will ensure that you are getting enough variety in your diet. Remember that you can’t just eat five portions of carrots. Each portion needs to be a different type of vegetable. This maximizes well-being. Each portion should also roughly fill the size of your palm.
Know How to Prepare Your Veggies
A lot of people think that they don’t like vegetables. While this can be the case for a few, most people haven’t found suitable vegetables for them. Preparation is key. Cooking a vegetable the right way can make the difference between being delicious or soggy, tasteless or bland. Instead, you need to take some time to learn how to properly prepare and cook any vegetables you might want to eat. There are countless tutorials out there. From how to cook asparagus to whether to steam or boil broccoli.
Leave the Skins On
If you can leave the skin on your vegetables, you should. This is often the best part of the vegetable in terms of nutrition. Vegetable skins tend to be packed with nutritional fiber. Up to 31% of a vegetable’s total fiber can be found in its skin! Do what you can to keep skins on.
Smoothies
If you make smoothies, this is an excellent opportunity to work a few extra vegetables into your daily diet. Sure, we tend to associate smoothies with fruit, but vegetables also have their place in them. Veggies tend to work best in green smoothies. Add kale and spinach to smoothies with frozen fruit, ginger shots, flax seed, and other goodies. High-speed blenders create the best smoothies, as they can break down stalks while maintaining a smooth, enjoyable texture.
Snacks
Replace unhealthy snacks – such as biscuits, cakes, and crisps – with vegetable-based snacks. This is a great way to work extra veggies in each day. Be creative. Try pepper slices or carrots dipped in hummus. Bake your own vegetable crisps from carrots, beetroot, parsnip, and more.
Soups
Vegetables can be packed into soups easily. This is a warming meal that is perfect for the winter months. Good options include cream of tomato, butternut squash, chunky vegetable soup, and more. It can be tempting to go for canned options out of convenience, but often, you can get more nutrients from healthy, homemade options. High-speed blenders are a good idea for this too.
Pasta Sauces
Pasta sauces are another way to pack lots of vegetables into one meal. Blended tomatoes, chili, olives, and more. Choose to have them smooth or chunky. Again, homemade tends to be a better option, as you can monitor and manage what gets in. This can reduce excessive salt or sugar levels too. You could add more vegetables to your pasta-based dishes, such as vegetable lasagne with vegetable slices instead of pasta sheets.
Switch to Sweet Potato
Sweet potato is a healthier alternative to standard potatoes. Where possible, switch the standard potatoes out for their sweet alternatives. Baked sweet potatoes, sweet potato mash, and more are great options.
Hopefully, some of the tips above will help you to incorporate more vegetables into your diet!
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by | Dec 14, 2022 | Giveaway |
Hello, Elegant Ones
Over the past year, my hubby and I have read through the Bible with a chronological plan from the Bible Recap. Each day, we read up to five chapters of the Bible and listen to a podcast that provides us with the significance of what we just read. In doing so, we have learned much about the people of the Bible. I enjoy this plan because it highlights women’s significant contributions in the Old and New Testaments.
The new CSB Lifeway Women’s Bible is another opportunity to learn how women are not just an afterthought, as many people often think. This Bible contains profiles of more than forty women, with commentary from leading women authors. More than thirty-five reflection questions are provided to help women engage more deeply with the scriptures.
Lifeway is graciously offering a discount to our readers. You will save 50% when you purchase your copy of the CSB Lifeway Women’s Bible with the code SAVE50LWB.
Click HERE to purchase your copy and save 50 percent.
The offer is valid only through December 31st, 2022, and cannot be combined with any other offer. Limit one coupon per person.
Giveaway Winner!
We recently offered a giveaway with releasing the new CSB Lifeway Women’s Bible. And the winner is
~~> Vickie V <~~
Congratulations,! You will receive your copy of the CSB Lifeway Women’s Bible.! YEAH! We will be contacting you about getting your Bible!
We currently have more giveaways going on our blog, with more to come in the next year weeks. Be sure to stay tuned or browse through our blog for more information.
Disclaimer:
Many thanks to Lifeway Christian Resources for providing us with a copy of the Explorer Bible to write this review and offer a copy as a giveaway. Opinions are 100% our own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.
by | Dec 14, 2022 | Fashion |
Your diet plays a crucial role in your health and well-being. You can improve your eating habits by exploring various diets, such as a low-carb diet focusing on foods rich in protein and fats. These low-carb diets may vary, as each has different restrictions on the types and quantity of carbohydrates consumed. According to research, about 5% of people in the US eat low-carb meals, indicating a need for more awareness about the benefits of a low-carb diet. Below are some of the most popular low-carb meals you can add to your daily diet.
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Shrimp, avocado, and egg chopped salad
If you prefer not to eat meat, shrimp is a fantastic, high-protein, low-calorie option. You can enjoy it alongside fiber-rich vegetables. With avocado and eggs, you can add healthy fat, additional protein, and taste to make a wonderfully substantial salad. This tasty option takes a few minutes to prepare and can be enjoyed by you and your family as a quick lunch or light dinner.
Salmon with avocado and tomato salad
Salmon is rich in protein but also high in inflammation-fighting omega-3 fatty acids, which have been proven to improve cardiovascular health. For a fast and fulfilling meal, add walnuts for crunch, avocados for healthy fat, tomatoes for a juicy dose of vitamins, and your favorite vegetables to increase the fiber.
Slow-cooker roast beef and cabbage
The finest slow-cooker recipes allow you to combine your favorite ingredients, including beef and cabbage, in the appliance with little or no prep. After placing your well-seasoned roast beef in the slow cooker, add thyme and caraway seeds to the boiling broth to enhance the flavors of this classic recipe. Add the red potatoes, carrots, and cabbage as well. If you do this in the morning, your delicious meal will be ready for supper in approximately seven to eight hours. You’re sure to come home to a deliciously fragrant house and a warm supper.
Chanko nabe
The well-known chanko nabe recipe is another favorite when considering recipes high in protein. Organic and full of protein, chanko nabe is a nutritious dish. You’ll have a hearty soup combining rice, udon noodles, chicken thighs, tofu, and various nutritious veggies, like carrots, napa cabbage, green onions, and mushrooms.
Enchiladas with bean and spinach
Making enchiladas, rolling them, and baking them might seem like a lot of work. However, you can prepare these protein-packed, inexpensive, and incredibly satisfying bean and spinach enchiladas in your cooker. Before decreasing the temperature, place your enchiladas in the cooker in a single layer. Prepare a fresh side salad after about three and a half hours, then arrange the cooked enchiladas on plates and top them with sliced onions. Don’t forget to add your beans and spinach for the perfect low-carb meal!
Beef chili verde
This option is excellent for you if you love preparing meals in advance or need a quick, tasty dish to serve your guests at an upcoming hangout. You can serve up to ten people with this nutritious dish. Each mouthful of beef is flavored with plenty of Mexican flavors, notable among them being salsa verde and a can of green chilies. For a complete dinner, substitute rice, tortillas, or chips with eggs or vegetables such as cabbage.
by | Dec 13, 2022 | Giveaway |
Hello, Elegant Ones!
The holiday season is quickly approaching. Hannahuk begins this weekend, and Christmas is less than two weeks away. Each year, the pace seems to go into overdrive with gifts, gatherings, reveling, and resolutions. Some people do not take the time to pause and reflect on why they are celebrating. It is easy to overlook the true meaning of the holidays when you do not know what they are. People know the basics but have not taken the time to learn the details.
I believe it is essential for the people who know these details to teach the younger people. If people can learn the full story at a younger age, they will be able to have a better understanding and appreciation for the holidays. For young people to understand holiday stories, they need to have their own Bible written with them in mind. The CSB Explorer Bible for Kids is one that I would recommend for kids between seven and twelve years old. 
This Bible invites young readers to investigate the world and words of Scripture, including the history of real people and their cultures. It will help kids place God’s Word in the middle of their world. The Bible features fun facts about Bible characters, detailed timelines, and features beautiful photography. The Bible includes QR codes that provide videos, discussion questions, and activity pages. Here is a closer look at the Explorer Bible for Kids.
Discount Code
For anyone looking for Christmas gifts, Lifeway is graciously offering a discount to our readers. You will save 50% when you purchase your copy of the Explorer Bible TODAY with the code EXPLORERGIFT50.
Click HERE to purchase your copy and save 50 percent.
The offer is valid only through December 31st, 2022, and cannot be combined with any other offer. Limit one coupon per person.
Giveaway Winner!
We recently offered a giveaway with releasing the new CSB Explorer Bible for Kids. And the winner is
~~> bn100 <~~
Congratulations,! You will receive your copy of the CSB Explorer Bible for Kids.! YEAH! We will be contacting you about getting your Bible!
We currently have several giveaways going on our blog, with more to come in the next year weeks. Be sure to stay tuned or browse through our blog for more information.
Disclaimer:
Many thanks to Lifeway Christian Resources for providing us with a copy of the Explorer Bible to write this review and offer a copy as a giveaway. Opinions are 100% our own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.
by | Dec 13, 2022 | Food |
As the weather cools, you may yearn for some cozy meals. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to make your winter cozier than ever before. From cozy vegetarian dishes to dinner parties with a dash of whimsy and charm, there are so many foolproof ideas to help you get through this season. As the temperature starts to cool, people tend to hunker down at home more than usual and often eat less healthy foods.
Cozy meals don’t necessarily have to be super elaborate either: from hearty stews to simple soups. So, here are some tips for making all of these winter meals feel a little cozier this season!
Photo by Libby Penner on Unsplash
Try New Dishes You Haven’t Tried Yet
The best way to make your winter cozier is to try new dishes you haven’t tried yet. It can get pretty boring to eat the same foods over and over again, even if this is something that you’re doing with your family. While yes, it’s nice just getting to stick to the basics you’re comfortable with, the only way you can expand your palate is going to be by simply expanding it and try out new foods and dishes. Whatever you choose, it’s important that you have some degree of whimsy in your meal planning. If you want to get fancy, plenty of recipes out there can help make your winter cozy but fun too!
Bring Out The Dishes You Have Been Loving
Bring out your favorite dishes for the wintertime. This can mean anything from a bowl of hearty stew to a hearty casserole. Make sure to keep some staple recipes on hand so you can have warm and cozy meals all season long. What better way to get through the cold weather than by warming up to a dish that you love?
Build Around A Preference
If you’re looking for a way to make your winter meals feel cozier, try building around a preference. Instead of trying to make all your meals into cozy ones, find one that you already like and focus on making it better. Maybe you already love cooking but want something new. Try adding some warming spices or herbs that are traditionally used to add warmth to dishes.
If you have a particular craving, try experimenting with different ingredients in the same dish until you find what works for it. Another option is to create comfort food from scratch. Comfort food can be anything from macaroni and cheese (the ultimate comfort food) to hot chocolate (soothing and comforting). By creating these dishes yourself, you can also control the ingredients without sacrificing any of the comfort factors.
Stay Away From Take-Out And Convenience Foods
The first step to feeling cozy is avoiding the temptation of take-out food. While it may seem like a great idea since you can avoid cooking, it’s actually not. Take-out food is often loaded with sodium, sugar, and preservatives that have been linked to weight gain and other health issues. It also doesn’t give you time to prepare a healthy meal in advance, so you end up eating at home what could otherwise be healthier dishes.
Soups Are a Must!
If you’re looking for a comforting winter meal or even something for those busy evenings, soup is a great way to go. They make winter feel more homey and cozy, so they are perfect for those cold days when you want to stay in. Soups can be spicy or mild depending on your family’s tastes, and can also be made with ingredients from leftovers in the fridge.
With soups, there are endless possibilities as well. You could make a creamy tomato soup with meatballs for dinner one night and then vegan lentil chili on another. Get creative with soup-based recipes that will warm your soul!
No Meal Will Feel Complete Without Bread Or Sweets
One of the most classic winter meals, bread and pastries will always be a perfect accompaniment to any meal. Whether it’s a hearty soup or roasted vegetables, there’s nothing like a slice of toast to add fuel to your fire. Who doesn’t love serving up some hearty bread with their soups? However, you could always bring some dessert into the mix instead. Why not consider a buttermilk pie recipe to go with your winter meals? You’ll know for a fact that the food is going to be delicious!
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