Meals and Recipes

Ingredients:All-American Chilli

• 6 ounces hot turkey Italian sausage
• 2 cups chopped onion
• 1 cup chopped green bell pepper
• 8 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 pound ground sirloin
• 1 jalapeño pepper, chopped
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 3 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 1/4 cups Merlot or other fruity red wine
• 2 (28-ounce) cans whole tomatoes, undrained and coarsely chopped
• 2 (15-ounce) cans kidney beans, drained
• 1/2 cup (2 ounces) shredded reduced-fat sharp cheddar cheese

 

Preparation

Heat a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Remove casings from sausage. Add sausage, onion, and the next 4 ingredients (onion through jalapeño) to pan; cook 8 minutes or until sausage and beef are browned, stirring to crumble.
Add chili powder and the next 7 ingredients (chili powder through bay leaves), and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Stir in wine, tomatoes, and kidney beans; bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
Uncover and cook for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Discard the bay leaves. Sprinkle each serving with cheddar cheese.
Note: Like most chilis, this version tastes even better the next day.

Hearty Pancakes

Ingredients

• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup uncooked farina (such as Cream of Wheat)
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups vanilla soy milk
• 1/4 cup applesauce
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• Cooking spray
• 1/2 cup golden raisins, divided
• 1/2 cup coarsely chopped walnuts, divided
• 1/4 cup maple syrup

Preparation

Lightly spoon the flours into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flours, farina, and next 4 ingredients (through salt) in a large bowl, stirring with a whisk. Combine milk, applesauce, and egg in a medium bowl, stirring until well blended. Add milk mixture to flour mixture, stirring until well combined. Let batter stand 5 minutes.
Heat a nonstick griddle or skillet over medium heat; coat pan with cooking spray. Pour about 1/4 cup batter per pancake onto pan; sprinkle each with 2 teaspoons raisins and 2 teaspoons walnuts. Cook 1 minute or until tops are covered with bubbles and edges look cooked. Carefully turn pancakes over, and cook 1 minute or until bottoms are lightly browned. Repeat procedure with remaining batter, raisins, and walnuts. Serve with syrup.

Sesame Chicken With Asian Slaw

Ingredients

• Slaw:
• 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon chili oil
• 6 cups packaged coleslaw
• 1 cup orange slices
• 
  Chicken:
• 8 ounces soba noodles
• 3/4 cup panko (Japanese) breadcrumbs
• 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 pound chicken breast tenders
• 1 large egg white, lightly beaten
• 1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons sesame oil, divided
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tablespoon minced peeled fresh ginger
• 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
• 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 4 teaspoons honey
• 1/4 cup chopped scallions

Preparation

1. To make slaw, combine rice vinegar, sugar, kosher salt, and chili oil, stirring to dissolve sugar. Toss with coleslaw and orange slices; let the mixture sit 10–15 minutes before serving.
2. Cook the soba noodles according to the package directions. Drain the noodles, and rinse them under cold water.
3. Combine the panko, sesame seeds, and salt on a plate.
4. Dip the chicken breast tenders into the egg white. Then dredge the chicken breast tenders in the panko–sesame seed mixture.
5. Heat 1 tablespoon of the sesame oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breast tenders and cook 4–5 minutes per side, or until cooked through. Wipe out pan.
6. Add the remaining sesame oil to the pan. Stir in the garlic and ginger; cook, stirring, 30–45 seconds until soft. Remove from heat and stir in the soy sauce, rice vinegar, and honey. Reserve 2 tablespoons of the sauce and toss the remaining with the soba noodles and scallions.
7. Place chicken on top of the soba noodles and drizzle with reserved 2 tablespoons of sauce. Serve the Asian slaw alongside.

 Om Rice

Ingredients

• Pork:
• 1 teaspoon sambal oelek or Thai chile paste
• 1 teaspoon low-sodium soy sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon dark sesame oil
• 8 ounces boneless center-cut loin pork chops, trimmed and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• Cooking spray
• 
  Rice:
• 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
• 2 teaspoons to 1 tablespoon sambal oelek or Thai chile paste
• 2 teaspoons dark sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 2 teaspoons minced peeled fresh ginger
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/4 cup finely chopped carrot
• 1 cup sliced shiitake mushroom caps
• 1 cup chopped zucchini
• 3/4 cup chopped green onions
• 1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper
• 3 cups cold cooked short-grain rice
• 
  Crepes:
• 1 teaspoon dark sesame oil
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 3 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 4 large egg whites, lightly beaten

Preparation

To prepare pork, combine first 4 ingredients in a small zip-top plastic bag. Seal and marinate in refrigerator 30 minutes. Heat a large nonstick skillet or wok coated with cooking spray over medium-high heat. Add pork mixture; stir-fry 2 minutes or until pork loses its pink color. Remove pork from pan. Cover and keep warm.
To prepare rice, combine 3 tablespoons soy sauce, 2 teaspoons sambal oelek, and 2 teaspoons sesame oil, stirring with a whisk; set aside.
Heat vegetable oil in pan over medium-high heat. Add ginger and garlic; stir-fry 30 seconds. Add carrot; stir-fry 1 minute. Add mushrooms, zucchini, onions, and bell pepper; stir-fry 3 minutes. Add rice; stir-fry 2 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Drizzle soy sauce mixture over rice mixture; stir well to combine. Cover and keep warm.
To prepare crepes, combine 1 teaspoon sesame oil, salt, eggs, and egg whites, stirring mixture with a whisk. Heat an 8-inch nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray over medium-high heat. Pour about 1/4 cup egg mixture into pan; quickly tilt pan in all directions so the egg mixture covers pan with a thin film. Cook about 1 minute. Carefully lift the edge of crepe with a spatula to test for doneness. Turn crepe over when it can be shaken loose from the pan and the underside is lightly browned; cook 30 seconds on the other side. Place crepe on a towel. Repeat procedure until all of the egg mixture is used. Stack crepes between single layers of wax paper or paper towels to prevent sticking.
Spoon about 1 cup rice mixture down center of each of 5 plates. Top each serving with a crepe; tuck edges of crepe under rice mixture. (The dish will look like a burrito.)

 

 

 

 

Dating Dilemmas: 8 Tips for Telling Your Partner a Health Secret

Dating someone new means learning about each other’s quirky behaviors, emotional baggage, and the past experiences that have shaped both of your lives. But what if this involves a health or medical secret you’re hesitant to talk about?
Jill*, a 33-year-old from New York City, knows that finding Mr. Right also means telling him that she has bipolar disorder. Though she takes medication to manage her condition, she still lives with residual symptoms: She has trouble sleeping for more than two hours at a time, and can’t shake her cigarette habit—traits that she feels a date might question.
“It’s the smoking and lack of sleeping; it’s hard to share your life with someone when you need to explain further why you do these things,” she says.
Jill* knows that she’ll eventually have to confess her situation to a long-term partner. “It’s something that will affect me if and when I settle down and have children, since I would not be able to take these medicines [while pregnant],” she explains. “It’s never an easy thing to come clean with.”
Not every relationship hides a secret like this one, but plenty of people face similar decisions about how much they should tell a new companion. Some confidential information can’t stay that way forever—if you take daily medication or if you have a condition with visible symptoms, for example. Other events in your medical history, such as addictions, mental illness, past surgeries, and health scares, can easily remain a secret—but should they?
If you’re considering telling your partner about a health secret, here are eight tips to help you spill the beans.

1. Practice what to say
Before you drop a bomb on a potential mate, rehearse your speech with a trusted friend or visit a therapist to talk it through, suggests Ken Robbins, MD, a clinical professor of psychiatry at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
“It’s good to have somebody as a sounding board in a situation like this,” he says. “How you handle this is not something your partner is likely to forget.”
Laurie Davis, an online dating expert based in New York and Boston, suggests asking a friend what sounds most intimidating about your condition and getting his or her advice on how to smooth it over. Getting a second opinion can help you decide how much to say (and when and where to say it), and running through your script a few times can make you more comfortable sharing your story.
“You don’t want to overwhelm your partner but you want to be sure to give him or her all of the important facts,” Davis says. “You should definitely practice before you tell your match, or you’ll most likely fumble through the conversation uncomfortably.”
Mark Snyder, a 32-year-old writer from New York City, used to dread telling a new boyfriend that he was a recovering alcoholic. “I don’t think I was ever able to shake off the feeling I was springing the information on him, usually when we were either out to dinner and he wanted to order a bottle of wine, or at a party where alcohol was introduced,” he says. “I often blurted out, ‘Oh, I don’t drink. Sorry.’”
That changed, however, as he got used to talking about his condition. “As time went on, and I got more comfortable with this side of my life, so did the ease with which I told a man not to expect a tequila-scented smooch at the end of the night,” he says. “I realize my blurting-it-out style was my own insecurities about sobriety. I celebrate it now.”

2. Never tell on a first date
“Never tell someone on a first date,” Davis says. “The results will never be favorable.”
Dr. Robbins seconds that, especially if you’re worried that your health secret “is likely to define you before the person has gotten a chance to know you at all.”
That doesn’t mean you should lie—just let your partner get to know you first. “[Revealing too much too soon] may color how your partner sees you,” Dr. Robbins says. “It defines you before you’re ready to be defined.”
Jenny*, a 25-year-old graduate student from New York, had a breast augmentation when she was 19. “I don’t really bring it up, not when I’m first dating people,” she says. “But I’ve had people ask and I’m always honest with them. I wouldn’t see a reason to keep it a secret, especially if we’re getting serious.”
If you’re worried that your health secret might be a deal-breaker, you’ll want to ‘fess up by the fourth date, says Rachel A. Sussman, LCSW, a New York City therapist and relationship expert. That way, if your secret does make a big difference, you won’t have wasted too much of their time—or yours.
“Of course it can be painful, but if that’s the case, it’s better to know before you get too involved,” Sussman says. “It’s complicated if you withhold it and they find out too late. Dishonesty can ruin a potentially good relationship.”
Jill*, the 33-year-old from New York City, is currently in a long-distance relationship. However, she hasn’t told him about her bipolar disorder—yet.
“Too much too soon is not a good thing…. [But] I truly believe when you share a life with someone, you need to be in it together,” she says. “Men go bald; women gain weight after pregnancy. It’s not all roses and Champagne.”
3. Be casual yet confident
So exactly how does one reveal a secret without just blurting it out? “It’s hard not to kill the mood with your health secret, because it’s probably not something that can be easily segued from a topic you would normally discuss,” Davis says. She recommends a conversation bridge, such as, “I feel like we’re heading in a great direction, so I wanted to tell you something.”
Just don’t overdo it: “You don’t want to frame this in a way that ends up making a bigger deal of something you don’t want made into a big deal,” Dr. Robbins says. In other words, make your delivery as drama free as possible.
Allison*, a 30-year-old marketer from Baltimore, tries to casually tell dates about her multiple sclerosis (MS).
“Usually I’ll work it into another aspect of our conversation,” she says. “It’s a lot easier to tell someone I have MS as a side note in a conversation than to sit down and have a formal discussion focused solely on MS.”
However, even a casual, well-prepared speech doesn’t always meet with success.
“One guy just clammed up and didn’t want to say anything or go anywhere because, in his eyes, I might get hurt,” Allison* says. “And another guy became very controlling and tried to tell me what I should and shouldn’t be doing for my health. Um, you’re not my doctor, dude.”
Allison’s dates probably have their heart in the right place. “They’re trying to be helpful because they care about her,” Dr. Robbins says. He suggests that she have a confident, straightforward response about how she would like them to react; something like: “I don’t see this as something that defines me—but if I need help, please leave it to me to ask.”

4. Don’t have this conversation in bed—or anyplace you associate with intimacy
Although this is a good guideline to follow when dealing with all types of relationship secrets, there’s only one instance in which it is a hard-and-fast rule, Sussman says: “Don’t wait until you’re naked in bed with someone to tell them you have an STD.”
That’s true for any condition, Davis adds. But Dr. Robbins notes that if your health secret is a sexually transmitted disease (STD), you’re going to have to open up to someone sooner rather than later.
“If it’s something that’s going to have a direct effect on your partner, it’s something you’re going to want to talk about sooner, as opposed to an illness that isn’t contagious,” Dr. Robbins says. “If it’s something like hepatitis C, you really do have to talk about that very early.”
Amy, a 29-year-old graphic artist from Chicago, jokes that hepatitis C is the only thing she has in common with Pamela Anderson. But she’s serious when it comes to telling boyfriends about her illness, which she got through a blood transfusion at birth.
“There is less than a 3% chance of transmission within a monogamous relationship, but I’ve always been truthful and upfront about it, whether I ended up in a sexual relationship with someone or not,” she says. “They have a right to know.”
An ideal place to tell someone about your health secret—whether it’s a communicable disease or any other condition—is a park, Davis says. Just make sure there’s no one within earshot.
“Do not tell your partner during intimacy. Telling your partner your health secret means you are opening up to them, trusting them, and becoming more vulnerable,” she says. “The place you choose to tell them should reflect this.”
5. Seek out relationships online
If you tend to meet potential partners through online networks such as Facebook or Match.com, you shouldn’t hint in your profile that you’re concealing a health secret. However, if you’re nervous about rejection or misunderstandings, you might be more comfortable dating someone with similar health issues.
There are many niche sites that cater to people with specific conditions, and they’re a great way to be up-front with potential mates who are in the same boat, Davis says.
Daters with STDs can check out STDFriends.com or PositiveSingles.com, while Whispers4u.com is a great site for people with disabilities, according to Davis. NoLongerLonely.com helps those with mental illness seek partners. “[However,] you should discuss the volatility of your specific condition with your doctor before signing up,” Davis says.
6. Know when to give your partner space
Even if you do your best to deliver a snag-free speech, it’s possible that there could be an awkward moment. “[If that happens], say, ‘I can tell by your expression that this is a lot to digest and I completely understand, and I’ll give you the time and space to do that,’” Sussman says.
Then, offer some physical distance but stay in contact, Davis says. “Give them the following day to breathe and think,” she suggests. “Call them on the third day if they haven’t reached out to you. Let them know that they are still on your mind and you can’t wait to see them again.”

7. Don’t take rejection personally
“A good person will listen and be kind and not judge, but if [your health secret is] something they can’t live with, that doesn’t make them a bad person,” says Sussman. “It just makes them a bad match.”
And there can be multiple reasons for a rejection—many of which have nothing to do with you at all. “If your mother was an alcoholic and you date someone who’s an alcoholic, you might have to make a choice that it’s not healthy to be involved with someone in recovery,” Sussman says.
Besides, your perfect match will accept you no matter what, Davis says: “If things were going well up until the time you told them, keep in mind that they rejected your health condition, not you. At the end of the day, it means that they were not the one.”
8. Accept support
Tiffany Sanchez Conover, 28, a store manager from northern Indiana, settled into a deep depression after her grandmother died. She slept all day, stopped eating, and became socially withdrawn—even with her husband. Still, she kept her depression hidden, because she wanted to “figure it out on my own.”
“[Eventually] I felt like I had to tell him because I could feel the strain it was placing on our relationship,” she says. “A person can only take so much of their spouse not wanting anything to do with them before they start assuming the worst, an affair.”
Tiffany’s husband was hurt that she hadn’t told him earlier, but he was glad she finally confessed. “After I told him, he was as supportive as could be,” she says. “He would stay up late to talk with me just so I wouldn’t feel lonely late at night, even though I’m sure he really wanted to go to bed.”
It’s especially important for married couples to be open to avoid hiccups in the relationship, Sussman says. “In healthy marriages, people lean on each other and are honest with each other,” she explains. “You can never lose by being honest.”
Tiffany knows that now: She and her husband recently went through a series of failed fertility treatments after finding out she likely cannot have children on her own. “I probably share too much now,” she says, laughing. “But it works for us. If I didn’t tell my husband how I felt about it all every day, I probably would end up depressed again.”
A counselor also helped Tiffany to get through the initial rough patch. Therapy and support groups—whether online or in person—are excellent options, according to Sussman. “Name the illness and there’s a support group,” she says. “If you go to your supportive community, you’ll hear stories of how people have handled these things in the past.”
(By Marti Trgovich)

Natural Beauty and Style: Feed Your Face: Healthier Skin Starts With These Five Foods

Strawberries have more antiaging vitamin C per serving than oranges or grapefruit. And research published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition shows that people who eat foods rich in C have fewer wrinkles and less age-related dry skin than those who don’t. C helps fight free radicals, which damage cells and break down collagen, leading to those dreaded fine (and not-so-fine) lines. For smoother, better-hydrated skin, apply a natural-berry mask like the one below once or twice a week, and eat C-rich foods daily, says Ramona Ionescu, primary aesthetician at New York City’s Cornelia Day Resort.

Sip it: Strawberry Smoothie Mask
In a food processor or blender, combine 1 cup frozen or fresh strawberries
(or a mix of strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries—they’re all antioxidant stars). Stir together blended berries, 1 cup vanilla or plain yogurt, and 11⁄2 tablespoons honey (a great moisturizer) in an 8-ounce glass. Enjoy smoothie, setting aside enough to coat your face.
Smooth it on:
Apply remaining smoothie (from recipe at left) to your face over a sink (it’s a little drippy at first, but a smooth layer will stay put), and leave it on for about 8 minutes before rinsing off.

Here’s a beautiful reason to stop by the supermarket today: Certain foods have powerhouse ingredients that keep skin supple and smooth and help fight age-related damage, says Nicholas Perricone, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and author of Ageless Face, Ageless Mind. Wondering what to eat and what to smooth on? Click the links below to find out: These skin-saving foods help both ways. (Be sure to do a skin-patch test first, and wait 24 hours to see if you have an allergic reaction.)




Feed YourR Face: Olive Oil.

The antioxidant, anti-inflammatory properties of olive oil don’t just benefit you on the inside—they soften your skin, too. “Ancient Romans massaged olive oil into their skin,” Perricone says. “When used topically, olive oil results in smoother, more radiant skin.” Plus, consuming olive oil, a staple in the healthy Mediterranean diet, provides antioxidants to disarm free radicals and reduce inflammation. “Remember, inflammation is not just linked to disease—it’s a major cause of wrinkling and sagging in the skin,” Perricone explains. In addition to working olive oil into your daily diet, apply as a lip gloss and skin soother, as needed. If you have dry skin, you’ll particularly benefit from topical application.
Smooth it on: Olive Oil Quencher
Dab a pea-size amount of extra-virgin olive oil on lips to hydrate a parched pucker; or use it on rough patches (think elbows and heels), as needed.

Green Tea.

Curling up to a cup of green tea does a lot more than relax you. Green tea is filled with inflammation-fighting antioxidants, Perricone says. What’s more, research from Case Western Reserve University and the University of Alabama at Birmingham shows that drinking green tea may reduce your risk of skin cancer. (And when you add a generous squeeze of citrus juice—like lemon, lime, or orange—the tea’s antioxidants get a boost of staying power, so they remain in and benefit the body longer, rather than being digested quickly and having much of the goodness go down the drain, according to Purdue University researchers.)

Press it on: Easy Green Tea Eye Treatment
Chill damp tea bags in the fridge and put on eyes for 10–15 minutes. Green tea contains tannins, which act as an astringent when applied to skin and can help reduce puffiness, Perricone notes.
Drink it: Sip at least three big mugs of green tea every day for an antioxidant boost, Fernstrom says.

“Pomegranates are one of the most antioxidant-rich fruits,” says Madelyn Fernstrom, PhD, founding director of the Weight Man­agement Center at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Research shows this fruit’s juice has more inflammation-fighting anti­oxi­dants than red wine or green tea.
Eat some fresh pomegranate (in season now through January). Or, use it in
the age-fighting scrub recipe below; apply once or twice a week to remove dead skin cells, suggests Cleo Londono, aesthetician and owner of Meta­mor­phosis Day Spa in New York City.

Scrub it on: Pomegranate Exfoliating Scrub
Cut off pomegranate crown, and score rind in sections, without cutting all the way through. Place in a bowl of water for 5–10 minutes. Break rind away from seeds, which will sink; strain seeds. In a food processor, combine 2 tablespoons seeds and 1 cup uncooked oatmeal. Transfer to bowl; stir in 2 tablespoons honey (an antiseptic) and 2 tablespoons buttermilk. Apply to face for a few minutes, then rinse. For rough patches (like elbows), add 3⁄4 cup turbinado sugar.
Eat it: Enjoy remaining pomegranate seeds (from recipe below) au naturel or with your favorite cheese.
(articles from Rachel Grumman)

20 Meals That Won't Kill Your Cholesterol.

Low-cholesterol, flavor-packed dishes

Eating a healthy diet doesn't mean the end of taste—just check out this collection of delicious low-cholesterol recipes. You'll forget you're eating for your health!

Parmesan Potato Pancake
With only 4 milligrams of cholesterol, this potato pancake packs a punch of flavor. Olive oil is a healthier way to fry or sauté foods because it's rich in monounsaturated fat.
Try this recipe: Parmesan Potato Pancake
                                                      Next: Ginger-Chocolate Chunk Ice Cream Sandwiches 

Ginger-Chocolate Chunk Ice Cream Sandwiches

Instead of buying your own ice cream sandwiches, which may contain saturated or trans fat, use this DIY recipe. And, for a more figure-friendly option, use fat-free ice cream.

Try this recipe: Ginger-Chocolate Chunk Ice Cream Sandwiches

 

Sangria

Health experts say that red wine—in moderation—can help raise HDL, the good cholesterol.

Try this recipe: Sangria
Next: Apple-Cinnamon Granola

Apple-Cinnamon Granola

Whole grains in granola are a tasty way to promote heart health. The oats in this recipe contain soluble fiber, which reduces bad cholesterol. Making your own granola allows you to keep the sugar content lower than store-bought brands.

Try this recipe: Apple-Cinnamon Granola 

Lighter Penne a la Vodka

Just because you have to cut cholesterol doesn't mean you have to cut flavor. Choosing low-fat or fat-free milk instead of a cream creates a lighter, lower-cholesterol sauce.

Try this recipe: Lighter Penne á la Vodka

Morning Glory Muffins

Packing in fruits and nuts into a whole-grain muffin provides a boost of heart-healthy fiber. Enjoy this breakfast treat with a fat-free yogurt.

Try this recipe: Morning Glory Muffins

Arugula and Goat Cheese Pizza

Even if you have high cholesterol, you can still enjoy pizza. This recipe cuts back on cheese, amps up the veggie intake, and adds walnuts, which may help lower blood cholesterol.

Try this recipe: Arugula and Goat Cheese Pizza

Carrot-Ginger Soup

Since cholesterol is found in many animal products, this creamy veggie-based soup keeps the cholesterol count low. Carrots are a great source of beta-carotene.

Try this recipe: Carrot-Ginger Soup

Jane's Vegetarian Chili

Vegetarian chili is cholesterol free and packed with fiber. Topping it with cheese will add some cholesterol, but choose reduced-or fat-free to cut back on saturated fat.

Try this recipe: Jane's Vegetarian Chili

Bean and Corn Salsa

Most dips are fat-and cholesterol-laden, but salsa is a light yet savory snack. Serve with multigrain tortilla chips that have about 3 grams of fiber per serving.

Try this recipe: Bean and Corn Salsa

Lemon-Asparagus Pasta

Meat-based sauces quickly rack up cholesterol, but this tangy pasta keeps it heart-healthy with fresh asparagus and lemon. Try whole-wheat pasta to sneak in some fiber.

Try this recipe: Lemon-Asparagus Pasta

Two-Potato Salad With Mustard-Chive Dressing

Adding sweet potatoes to your traditional potato salad is a great way to get a boost of fiber and vitamin A. Try fat-free mayonnaise to cut back even more on fat.

Try this recipe: Two-Potato Salad With Mustard-Chive Dressing

Linguine With Red Pepper Sauce

Without meat or dairy, veggie-based sauces get the cholesterol green light. Red bell peppers add a subtle flavor and contain two heart-healthy powerhouses: vitamin B6 and folic acid.

Try this recipe: Linguine With Red Pepper Sauce

Grilled Scallops With Lemon-Chickpea Salad

Scallops are a great source of vitamin B12 and omega-3 fatty acids. And the combination of vitamin C and A in the spinach prevents cholesterol from building up in blood vessels.

Try this recipe: Grilled Scallops With Lemon-Chickpea Salad
Next: Mixed Green Salad With Dried Plums and Toasted Pecans 

Mixed Green Salad With Dried Plums and Toasted Pecans

Fill up on a fresh, green salad and feel healthy and satisfied. Dark greens are rich in folate, potassium, and fiber. Be wary of creamy dressings, which can pack on the saturated fat.

Try this recipe: Mixed Green Salad With Dried Plums and Toasted Pecans

Mediterranean Stuffed Tomatoes

Savor these tomatoes as an appetizer or a snack. They're rich in flavor and high in lycopene, an antioxidant that helps prevent the clogging of the arteries by stopping the oxidation of cholesterol.

Try this recipe: Mediterranean Stuffed Tomatoes

Marinated Feta and Olive Skewers

These flavor-packed skewers are a great treat. Goat cheese is a great source of calcium, and the serving size doesn't boast too much cholesterol.

Try this recipe: Marinated Feta and Olive Skewers

Quick Roasted Vegetable Fajitas

This Mexican-inspired vegetarian dish is full of protein and monounsaturated fat. Packed with low-cal spices and salsa, you'll never miss the meat, and fat-free refried beans add a healthy dose of fiber. Choose fat-free cheese to cut out extra fat.

Try this recipe: Quick Roasted Vegetable Fajita

 

 

Lightened Waldorf Salad

By using fat-free mayonnaise and fat-free yogurt, you can cut back on cholesterol and fat. The lighter the dressing, the more you can taste the fruity and nutty flavors.

Try this recipe: Lightened Waldorf Salad
 

Grilled Zucchini Roll-Ups With Herbs and Cheese

These easy-to-make roll-ups are perfect for appetizers or a light lunch. Each roll packs a punch with fiber, protein, and monounsaturated fat.

Try this recipe: Grilled Zucchini Roll-Ups With Herbs and Cheese








 

Resep menghilangkan napas tak sedap

Salah makan, gigi bermasalah, dan masalah pada pencernaan, adalah beberapa penyebab bau nafas tak sedap. Untuk mengatasinya memang harus ditemukan akar permasalahannya. Namun, sementara Anda mencari tahu apa akar permasalahannya, cobalah untuk mengatasi bau nafas tak sedap dengan tips berikut.
Menyikat lidah
Lidah masih bagian dari mulut. Banyak orang yang tidak menyadari bahwa lidah pun bisa menyebabkan bau mulut tidak sedap. Bagian atas lidah memiliki bagian yang bentuknya seperti kapsul-kapsul kecil, jika dilihat dengan mikroskop, akan terlihat seperti hutan jamur. Di sela-sela kuncup jamur tersebut ada ruang yang bisa menjadi tempat bersembunyinya plak dan sisa-sisa bahan makanan yang kita makan. Jika hal ini menumpuk dan membusuk di dalam, maka hasilnya adalah bau napas tak sedap. Untuk mengatasinya, saat menyikat gigi, jangan lupa untuk mengusap pula bagian atas lidah Anda, untuk membersihkan sisa makanan dan menghilangkan bakteri yang bertumbuh.
Hindari minuman tertentu
Kopi, susu, bir, anggur, dan wiski adalah beberapa minuman yang bisa membuat nafas beraroma tak sedap. Setiap sisa minuman tadi bisa menyangkut di plak gigi pada mulut dan masuk ke dalam sistem pencernaan dan baunya akan keluar kembali setiap kali Anda bernafas.
Bawa perlengkapan sikat gigi
Beberapa penyebab bau tak sedap bisa dihilangkan baik secara permanen atau sementara jika Anda langsung menggosok gigi seusai makan. Penyebab utama nafas berbau adalah lapisan lembut dan lengket dari bakteri hidup yang menempel pada gigi dan gusi, dikenal juga dengan sebutan plak. Sepanjang hari, setidaknya ada 50 trilyun organisme mikroskopis yang bernaung di dalam mulut Anda. Mereka menempel di sudut-sudut gelap, mengonsumsi makanan yang masuk ke dalam mulut Anda, menyimpan bau-bauan, dan memproduksi bau mereka sendiri. Setiap Anda menghela napas, begitu pun para bakteri di dalam mulut Anda. Jadi, sikatlah plak setiap sehabis makan dan hilangkan beberapa makanan penyebab bau mulut.
Konsumsi peterseli
Daun peterseli tak hanya baik sebagai penghias piring, tapi juga bisa membantu menghilangkan bau mulut. Daun ini mengandung klorofil, yang dikenal juga sebagai pewangi napas. Anda bisa mengonsumsinya dengan langsung memakannya (pastikan dalam keadaan bersih), atau gunakan sebagai campuran dalam jus.