Herb Brined-Roasted Turkey

Herb Brined-Roasted Turkey

This deliciously moist roasted turkey is surprising in its ease of preparation. Exactly what you remember from Thanksgiving dinners of the past, but only better. While you can prepare this turkey recipe without the brining step, I highly recommend you give it a try as this process produces wonderfully moist, succulent meat.

Ingredients

1 (14- to 15- pound) turkey
Salt
1 tsp thyme, chopped
1 tsp sage, chopped
1 tsp rosemary
2 carrots, roughly chopped
2 stalks celery, roughly chopped
2 yellow onions, roughly chopped
2 cups gluten-free chicken broth
1/2 cup white wine 4 tablespoons
(1/2 stick) butter, melted
Pepper to taste

Method

Brine the turkey overnight (at least 12 hours) by submerging it completely in a salt water solution made from a ratio of 1/2 cup salt to one gallon water. (Alternately, you may brine the turkey for 4 hours using a ratio of 1 cup salt to one gallon water). Rinse the turkey well and pat it dry.

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Mix thyme, carrots, celery and onions together in a small bowl. Stuff turkey cavity with the vegetable mixture and scatter any remaining vegetables around the bottom of a roasting pan. Pour broth and wine over vegetables in pan.

Arrange a rack over the vegetables in the pan and arrange the turkey on top of it, breast side down. (You may use either a flat rack or a V-rack). Brush half of the melted butter all over the turkey, then season with pepper. Reserve remaining butter for later use.

Roast turkey for two hours, breast side down, basting once. Remove from oven and turn turkey breast side up, being careful not to pierce the skin. Brush turkey with the remaining butter and season again with pepper.

Return turkey to oven and continue roasting until a thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the thigh reaches 165°F, about 2 hours more.

Set turkey aside to let rest for 30 minutes, then carve and serve, drizzled with the pan drippings.

Tabbouleh Salad

If you're looking for low-cost ways to add fiber and protein to your diet, bulgur may be your answer. Bulgur is a derivative of wheat, but undergoes minimal processing so it still retains its nutritional value and is considered to be a form of whole wheat. It's a staple in the healthy Mediterranean diet. Enjoy the taste of this healthy whole grain Tabbouleh salad!



Ingredients

1/2 cup bulgur wheat

1 cup hot water

1/2 cup chopped parsley

1/4 cup chopped fresh peppermint, optional

1 medium tomato, diced

1/4 cup diced scallions

1/4 cup chopped red onions

1/4 cup chopped cucumbers

3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

4 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper



Instructions

1. Place bulgur in a small bowl, add hot water, cover and let soak for 20 minutes.2. Combine bulgur with remaining ingredients and mix well.



Serving Information

Makes 4 (1/2-cup) servings, each containing approximately:

75 cals, 8 g carbs, 4 g fat, 0 mg. cholesterol, 2 g protein, 126 mg. sodium, 2 g fiber

Slow Cooker Chinese BBQ Pork Loin

In this wonderfully flavored set and forget recipe for BBQ pork loin, the pork is cooked in the slow cooker for an extra tender, juicy, and stress-free meal. Serve with brown rice and a steamed or stir-fried medley of bell peppers, carrots, snow peas, and broccoli.

Ingredients
1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
1/4 cup hoisin sauce
3 tablespoons ketchup
3 tablespoons honey
2 teaspoons bottled minced garlic
2 teaspoons grated peeled fresh ginger
1/2 cup coarsely chopped red onions
1 teaspoon dark sesame oil
1/2 teaspoon five-spice powder
3 lbs pork loin
1/2 cup fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth

Preparation

Combine first 8 ingredients in a small bowl, stirring well with a whisk. Place in a large zip-top plastic bag. Add pork to bag; seal. Marinate in refrigerator at least 2 hours, turning occasionally.

Place pork and marinade in an electric slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours.

Remove pork from slow cooker using a slotted spoon; place on a cutting board or work surface. Cover with aluminum foil; keep warm.

Add broth to sauce in slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 30 minutes or until sauce thickens. Shred pork with 2 forks; serve with sauce.

Nutritional Information
Cal 227, Fat 10g, Protein 22g, Carbs 13g, Fiber:.5g, Cholesterol 73mg, Iron 2mg, Sodium 561mg, Calcium 30mg

10 Benefits of Drinking Green Tea

There has been much talk recently about the health benefits of green tea.

Please do not confuse green tea with black tea which everyone drinks daily.

Medical research suggests that green tea can decrease your risk of certain cancers and aid in weight loss by stimulating fat burning mechanisms. The antioxidants in green tea, primarily polyphenols called EGCG, are thought to be responsible for the unique health benefits of green tea. Drinking fresh loose leaf green tea not only tastes great, but is a great regular addition to a healthy diet and lifestyle.

Ancient Chinese people knew the benefits of green tea for health. They have always used it for medical purposes. However, in Ancient China, it was used especially against the headaches and depression. Green tea has a great importance in China history. It is produced from the leaves of Camellia Sinensis by some special processes. Unlike black tea, it has little amount of caffeine which causes to insomnia, nausea and frequent urination.

This is the list of benefits of green tea which I’ve found.

1.It is used to treat multiple sclerosis.
2.It is used for treatment and prevention of cancer.
3.It is used to stop Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.
4.It is used to raise the metabolism and increase fat oxidation.
5.It reduces the risk of heart diseases and heart attacks by reducing the risk of trombosis.
6.It reduces the risk of esophageal cancer.
7.Drinking green tea inhibits the growth of certain cancer cells, reduces the level of cholesterol in blood, improves the ratio of good cholesterol to bad cholesterol.
8.It is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and cardiovascular diseases
9.It is used to treat impaired immune function. .
10.Some researches show that, drinking green tea regularly may help prevent tooth decay by killing the bacteria which causes the dental plaque.

Chicken Stuffed with Feta and a Lebanese Tabbouleh Salad

Chicken Stuffed with Feta Cheese

Ingredients
4 4-ounce chicken breasts, skinned and defatted
4 ounces feta cheese
4 teaspoons chopped fresh basil
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon canola oil

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°. Lightly spray a baking pan with canola oil.
2. Cut a pocket in chicken breast by slicing horizontally 3/4ths of the way through. Stuff with a 1 ounce feta cheese and 1 teaspoon basil. Close incision with toothpick. Season with salt and pepper.
3. Heat canola oil in pan and sear chicken breasts for 1 minute on each side and place in oven for 15 to 20 minutes.

Makes 4 servings, each containing approximately:

225 cal, 1 g. carbs , 10 g. fat, 98 mg. cholesterol , 30 g. protein, 479 mg. sodium, 1 g. fiber

Tabbouleh Salad

Ingredients
1/2 cup bulgur wheat
1 cup hot water
1/2 cup chopped parsley
1/4 cup chopped fresh peppermint, optional
1 medium tomato, diced
1/4 cup diced scallions
1/4 cup chopped red onions
1/4 cup chopped cucumbers
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

1. Place bulgur in a small bowl, add hot water, cover and let soak for 20 minutes.
2. Combine bulgur with remaining ingredients and mix well.

Makes 4 (1/2-cup) servings, each containing approximately:
75 cal, 8 g. carbs, 4 g. fat, 0 mg. cholesterol, 2 g. protein, 126 mg. sodium, 2 g. fiber

Water filters protect your health!

Water filters protect your health!

Pure water may be more important to your health than you realize at the moment! How crucial is it to our overall health anyway?

A home water filter system might help you much more than you've ever considered.

This could be a critical health tip for your entire future!

After all, the human body is made up of 60-70 percent water! What kind of water are we drinking? The life of the body is in the blood - and it's mostly water!

In some countries, the water supply is so contaminated that many people live only a portion of the length of their lives. They die of water-carried germs and parasites. Filters can help us to have much better health. If you want optimum health, consider providing clean water for yourself and your family. The quality of the water we drink is of extreme importance!

Want to know the secret of really living?

You've got a wide selection when it comes to these efficient filters! You can set one up in the kitchen only. You can get them for your entire home. The shower can have its own system. If you like, you can get a portable one.

Where can you install them? Here are some places to put them in your home or office:

They can fit under counters.

You can install them on faucets and taps.

So consider providing your own home with a water filter system.

Bring pure water into your home - like it was originally designed to be!
Do you really want to trust your city's water purification system? How old is it anyway? How many industrial wastes and agricultural polutants are you and your family drinking today?

Wouldn't it be nice not to have to wonder about the purity of your water supply?

How Much Water do You Need to Drink?

A good estimate is to take your body weight in pounds and divide that number in half. That gives you the number of ounces of water per day that you need to drink. For example, if you weigh 160 pounds, you should drink at least 80 ounces of water per day. If you exercise you should drink another eight ounce glass of water for every 20 minutes you are active. If you drink alcohol, you should drink at least an equal amount of water. When you are traveling on an airplane, it is good to drink eight ounces of water for every hour you are on board the plane. If you live in an arid climate, you should add another two servings per day. As you can see, your daily need for water can add up to quite a lot.

Twenty percent of your water need will come from the foods you eat. The rest of your water need should come from the beverages you drink. Water is the best choice. Sodas have a lot of sugar in them, so if you drink sodas, you may take in more calories than you need. Herbal teas that aren't diuretic are fine. Sports drinks contain electrolytes and may be beneficial, just look out for added sugar and calories that you don't need. Juices are good because they have vitamins and nutrients.

Caffeinated beverages will also add to your daily water need. Even though caffeine is a diuretic, if you regularly consume caffeine, your body will regulate itself to that diuretic effect.

Drink Enough Water

It may be difficult to drink enough water on a busy day. Be sure you have water handy at all times by keeping a bottle for water with you when you are working, traveling, or exercising. If you get bored with plain water, add a bit of lemon or lime for a touch of flavor. There are some brands of flavored water available, but watch for extra calories.

Do something very special for your family's health! Increase your wellness by protecting the source of life.

Pistachios, The Healthy Nut!

The Snack That Loves You Back

I love pistachios. Want to reduce your risk of heart disease? Eat pistachios! There is growing evidence that shows a diet that includes tree nuts, such as pistachios, is associated with a reduced risk of heart disease.

Want some proof?
In a 2006 study, after just three weeks on a diet that included pistachios, significant decreases were seen in total cholesterol, LDL (bad fat) and increases were seen in HDL (good fat).1

In a similar study in 2007, researchers found that in people with moderately high cholesterol, eating two to three ounces of pistachios daily over a four-week period improved their blood cholesterol levels, potentially leading to a reduced risk of heart disease.2

A is for Arginine!
Did you know that crunchy, delicious pistachios are rich in the nutrients like arginine that are thought to reduce hardening of the arteries? Arginine is beneficial because it helps make nitric oxidein the blood, and nitric oxidecan prevent build-up along your arterial walls.3 All that is a fancy way of saying pistachios can help you keep your heart clean and clear and ready for action.

Phyto-what?
Everybody’s talking about cholesterol. Well, pistachios can help you with that, too. Thanks to something called phytosterols (which pistachios have in spades)4, pistachios can actually lower your absorption of dietary cholesterol from other foods.5 That means pistachios are looking out for you and helping to keep your cholesterol at bay.

Good Fats
We all need some fat in our diet. Fat adds flavor and helps us feel full longer. The trick is to choose foods that contain good fats (unsaturated) as opposed to bad fats (saturated). Pistachios are a great choice of snack because they contain almost 90% unsaturated fat, i.e. the good stuff. By replacing the saturated fatin your diet with mono and polyunsaturated fats, you may reduce your blood cholesterol levels and lower your risk of heart disease.6 So the next time you consider ordering french fries, choose a healthier, crunchier snack of pistachios instead.

The Cholesterol Police
Oxidation is a natural body process that can lead to cell damage. Like mini policemen, antioxidants can stop those chain reactions and prevent the damage. Pistachios contain high levels of the antioxidants lutein, beta-carotene, and gamma-tocopherol, which can help reduce your cholesterol. In a study where people with high cholesterol added different amounts of pistachios to their diet, those who ate the most pistachios showed an almost 12% decrease in cholesterol, and, notably, a possible reduction of oxidized LDL (bad fat).7

9 Pistachio Facts:

Green With Envy
Per serving, pistachios have more antioxidants than green tea. That should make tea green with envy.

Power of 10
Pistachios contain more than 10 different antioxidants each of which may offer unique health benefits to stave off chronic diseases.

The Skinny on Fat
An appetite suppressing compound called oleoylethanolamide was recently discovered in monounsaturated FAT (of all places!). Fifty-five percent of the fat in pistachios is monounsaturated fat.

Trans-Fat Free
As of 2006, food manufacturers are required to list trans fat on the nutrition label. Because oils are not used during roasting, pistachios are naturally trans fat-free.

Pistachios Help Fight Cholesterol
Pistachios are a "hearty" snack offering more cholesterol fighting phytosterols than any other nut..

Pistachios = Potassium Power
Pistachios have more potassium than any other nut. Did you know a serving of pistachios has more potassium than half of a large banana? That's pretty powerful.

Going Green
The green color in pistachios comes from a compound called lutein which helps to prevent the most common form of blindness in older adults.

Full of Fiber
A serving of pistachios has 3 grams of fiber, That's more than most other snack nuts and more than many types of whole fruit. Reccomended Daily Allowance of fiber is 20-25 grams.

Nuts Over Fiber
You would have to eat three plums to get the same amount of fiber found in one serving of pistachios.


1.Kocyigit, A., Koylu, A. A., & Keles, H. (2006). Effects of pistachio nuts consumption on plasma lipid profile and oxidative status in healthy volunteers. Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis, 16(3), 202-209.↑

2.Sheridan, M. J., Cooper, J. N. (2007). Pistachio nut consumption and serum lipid levels. J Am Coll Nutr, 26(2), 141-148 (2007).↑

3.Hu, F. B. (2003). Plant-based foods and prevention of cardiovascular disease: an overview. Am J Clin Nutr, 78(3), 544S-551.↑

4.Phillips, K. M., Ruggio, D. M., & Ashraf-Khorassani, M. (2005). Phytosterol composition of nuts and seeds commonly consumed in the United States. J Agric Food Chem, 53(24), 9436-9445.↑

5.Ostlund, R. E., Jr., Racette, S. B., & Stenson, W. F. (2002). Effects of trace components of dietary fat on cholesterol metabolism: phytosterols, oxysterols, and squalene. Nutr Rev, 60(11), 349-359.↑

6.Institute of Medicine. (2002). Dietary Reference Intakes for Energy, Carbohydrate, Fiber, Fat, Fatty Acids, Cholesterol, Protein, and Amino Acids. Washington, DC: National Academy Press.↑

7.Kay, C. D., Gebauer, S. K., West, S. G., Kris-Etherton, P. M. (2007). Pistachios reduce serum oxidized LDL and increase serum antioxidant levels. Penn State University. Presented at the Experimental Biology Conference, April 2007 in Washington, DC.↑