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has added a new journalSA,
I just read the ask naseeb article (12/05/06) about a sister whose husband is cheating. It sounds really bad and I didn't want to comment, as this is a very sensitive situation. However, I really want to invite all village members to make sincere dua for this sister, and Allah knows best.
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has added a new journalso Salaams everyone
I am new to this village and I have to say I am glad I stumbled upon it ... we if anyone read my profile you would know that I am a mom of one and step mom to eight ... yes EIGHT ... well anyway ... dinner time is the most hectic ... now I would like to get some more ideas for dinner ... family is very picky eaters and I find that dinner is limited to .... Spaghetti .... curry ... tacos ... beans and cornbread ... occasionally breakfast food ... chilli ... thats about it ... every week ... oh some times Mac and Cheese with fish or fish sticks ... and its like this every weeks and I am tired of it .. so I want some advice or ideas on some recipes.
Wa Salaams
Your sister in faith
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has added a new journal10 Tastiest New Products!
By Becky Billingsley
Special for eDiets
Not so sweet on your current shape? Still sweating over the prospect of baring skin at the beach or pool? Don't throw in the towel. Try one of our 19 great diet plans and get in the best shape of your life.
EDITOR'S NOTE: Mr. Bad Food is spending a week painstakingly researching the diet dangers that lurk everwhere (translation: he's burning a rut from his living room to his kitchen while vacationing at home). Becky Billingsley, editor of Coastal Carolina magazine and frequent eDiets contributor, is filling in.
This morning, as I sent a new batch of product reviews to the folks at eDiets, I looked at the Dannon Light ?n Fit Smoothie in my hand. The smoothie is one of the products I discovered while working for eDiets. I doubt if I would have tried it if it hadn?t been for my job, but since I reviewed it, this delicious low-cal yogurt drink has become one of my favorite breakfasts.
So, in honor of marking a year?s worth of product reviews, here are my top 10 favorite healthy and delicious products of 2004-2005:
No. 10
I try to eat fish twice a week and usually have frozen fillets in my freezer for when I haven?t had time to buy fresh. One of my new favorites is Mrs. Paul?s Seafood Grill Garlic Butter Grilled Fillets.
For $2.14 you get two single-serving fillets that each weigh 96g; the price per serving is $1.07.
A serving has 80 calories, 1g fat (zero saturated or trans), 65mg cholesterol, 220mg sodium, 1g carbohydrate (zero fiber or sugar) and 15g protein.
You cook these in the microwave, and in less time than it takes to throw together a salad you have a flavorful, moist and tender entr?e. With products like this, it?s a pleasure to stick to a healthy diet, even when you?re rushed.
No. 9
The new Green Giant Baby Vegetable Medley & Butter Sauce is heavy on fresh vegetable taste rather than a rich butter sauce experience.
The mixture of carrots, cauliflower and sugar snap peas costs $1.69 for three servings (1 serving equals half a cup or 103g); the price per serving is 56 cents.
Each serving has 45 calories, 1g fat (0.5 saturated), zero cholesterol, 300mg sodium, 8g carbohydrate (2 fiber, 4 sugars) and 1g protein.
This healthy side dish tastes wonderful. You won?t just be ?doing your vegetable duty? by eating it.
No. 8
Papa Charlie?s Italian Style Beef is so delicious I bought a second package less than a week after I first tried it. I paid $3.36 at Wal-Mart for a 24-ounce (604g) tray with four servings (1 serving equals 2/3 cup or 151g); the price per serving is 84 cents.
A serving has 90 calories, 3.5g fat (1.5 saturated), 35mg cholesterol, 940mg sodium, 1g carbohydrate (zero fiber or sugar) and 14g protein.
I am extremely impressed by the price, considering the cost of beef these days. What you get is generous slices of real beef in a savory au jus that you heat in a saucepan or microwave. We enjoyed the meat on hoagie rolls with saut?ed onions and low- fat cheese.
I used to buy Steak-Ums and similar products all the time to make steak and cheese sandwiches, until I realized how much fat is in them. Papa Charlie?s is much healthier and tastes vastly better.
No. 7
I like pita bread, but often one slice is too big for a snack. Now Toufayan has Pitettes -- 1-ounce (56g) pita breads that are perfect for breakfast or snacks. Even better, they?re made with stone ground whole wheat and one serving is two of them, so if I did want to have these for a meal, I?d be satisfied.
A package with eight Pitettes costs $1.49; the price per serving is 37 cents.
A serving has 140 calories, zero fat or cholesterol, 130mg sodium, 31g carbohydrate (3 fiber, 1 sugar) and 6g protein.
This flat bread is soft, chewy and fulfilling. I like tearing them apart and dipping them in hummus, or having one with a cup of soup. They?d also make great bases for mini pizzas or open- face sandwiches.
No. 6
Wow, if the new EatSmart Jalapeno & Lime Tres Bean Dip has a great taste to go with its fantastic nutrition information, this will be a staple in my kitchen.
A 1-pound (454g) jar with 14 servings (1 serving equals 2 tablespoons or 32g) costs $3.99; the price per serving is 29 cents.
A serving has 25 calories, zero fat or cholesterol, 150mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate (less than 1 fiber, 1 sugar) and 1g protein.
This bean dip is delicious. It is spicy but not overpowering, and has a sassy lime kick. When I don?t have time to make my own nutritious dip, this will be a perfect store-bought substitute.
The three beans are pinto, black and red kidney. I have learned that, when I am asked to provide food for teachers' luncheons or similar events, if I include a small sign that indicates the dish is low in calories, fat and/or carbohydrates, the diners appreciate knowing they have a healthy choice. I?m sure this dip would wow the crowd with its healthy good taste.
No. 5
Knouse Foods, Inc. has got it going on with their Lucky Leaf Lite ?No Sugar Added? Cherry Pie Filling. It is a good value and it tastes great.
A 20-ounce (567g) can costs $2.16 and contains 7 servings (1 serving equals 1/3 cup or 85g); the price per serving is 31 cents.
A serving has 35 calories, zero fat or cholesterol, 15mg sodium, 8g carbohydrate (less than 1 fiber, 3 sugars) and zero protein.
Compare that to Comstock Premium More Fruit Cherry Pie Filling, which costs $2.76 for a 21-ounce can, and each 1/3-cup serving has 90 calories, zero fat or cholesterol, 70mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (18 sugars) and zero protein.
If you taste the two fillings side by side, the Comstock is definitely sweeter. However, I prefer Lucky Leaf?s tarter flavor. If you are watching your sugar, this is an awesome dessert choice; I made individual cherry tarts topped with fat- free whipped cream and toasted almond slivers. I also want to try the recipe on the can?s label, which is for Barbecue Cherry Turkey.
No. 4
Here is a new smoothie that is extremely low in sugar and tastes fantastic.
A four-pack of the new Dannon Light ?n Fit Smoothies costs $2.96 (1 serving equals one 207mL bottle); the price per serving is 74 cents.
A serving of the strawberry flavor has 80 calories, zero fat or cholesterol, 85mg sodium, 14g carbohydrate (13 sugars) and 5g protein. A bonus is 10 to 25 percent of the recommended daily allowances of six vitamins and minerals.
Smoothies are one of my favorite grab-and-go breakfasts. I can chug one in a few seconds and be on my way, energized and full of spunk.
However, the sugar content in some smoothies -- sometimes more than 40 grams! -- counteracts any benefit. That?s why the Dannon Light ?n Fit Smoothies are so awesome. They?re low in calories, fat, cholesterol, sodium and sugar and are protein-rich.
If you have a child or spouse who routinely rushes out the door in the mornings and skips breakfast, try handing them one of these on the way out. They also make perfect after-school snacks, to provide nutritious energy for sports practices or music lessons.
When I first reviewed this product, it was the sister smoothie called Dannon Carb Control Light ?n Fit Smoothie. It has a few grams less sugar and costs a lot more. This version tastes better, and it still has a third less sugar than most yogurt smoothies.
No. 3
There is only one drawback to this fabulous frozen treat, and it has nothing to do with flavor or nutrition. Popsicle Shots Intense Fruit is one of my sons? favorite warm weather snacks (all right, I admit it -- I love them too). The tiny frozen spheres, which come in tubes, do indeed have intense flavors that fill your mouth with fruitiness.
A box with six 1.7-ounce (43g) single servings costs $2.50. A serving has 10 calories, 0.5g fat, 15mg sodium, 2g carbohydrates (1 sugar) and zero protein.
Did you see those numbers? Talk about guilt-free pleasure! Here?s the drawback: When my sons eat Shots in the house they invariably drop a few pellets on the floor, so later I find sticky little melted dots of Popsicle juice. That?s not so bad in the kitchen, but if it?s on carpet I have to treat the spots with stain remover. Our solution is that Shots are allowed only in the kitchen or outside.
No. 2
When I was in elementary school, one of my older brothers attended the University of Illinois. When he came home for visits he brought me special little treats. Occasionally the gift was a tiny paper bag filled with soy nuts, which were wonderfully crisp and delicious.
Those soy nuts were probably roasted with oil, but now shoppers can easily find healthier options, such as GeniSoy Soy Nuts, in a variety of flavors.
A resealable 3.5-ounce (99g) bag with 3.5 servings (one serving equals 28g) costs $1.99; the price per serving is 57 cents.
A serving of the Zesty Barbecue flavor has 120 calories, 4g fat (1 saturated), zero cholesterol, 420mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (5 fiber, 5 sugars) and 12g protein.
If you?re hopelessly addicted to nuts as I am, you should really give these a try. You get the satisfying crunch of nuts and a tasty nut flavor, plenty of fiber and protein and all the health benefits of soy.
No. 1
And my favorite product of the year is -- Athenos Flavored Hummus. If you like dip and you?ve never tried hummus, this healthy treat is likely to make you a fan.
Hummus is a wonderful Mediterranean spread made from chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice and garlic. It?s a bonus that hummus is healthy, because I?d eat it even if it was decadent.
Now Athenos makes several types of flavored hummus. I tried Artichoke and Garlic and Spicy Three Pepper; there are also Roasted Garlic and Roasted Red Pepper.
Each 7-ounce plastic tub costs $2.99 and contains 7 servings (1 serving equals 2 tablespoons (27g); the price per serving is 43 cents.
The nutrition facts of both kinds I tried are similar. Spicy Three Pepper has the higher numbers with 50 calories, 3g fat (zero saturated or trans), zero cholesterol, 240mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate (1 fiber, less than 1 sugar) and 1g protein.
I like Artichoke and Garlic best. It?s whipped light and spreads easily, has a creamy consistency and tastes quite garlicky. Spicy Three Pepper is almost too spicy for me, but anyone who enjoys foods with powerful heat would love it.
These great products are a perfect fit for your eDiets plan. What? You're not a member yet? Click here for your own personalized weight loss program that includes customized menus, recipes, shopping lists and 24/7 online support.
Becky Billingsley is the editor of Coastal Carolina Dining and CEO of the Food Syndicate.
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has added a new journalTaste Sensation: 10 Best GI Diet Foods!
By Susan L. Burke, MS, RD/LD,CDE
eDiets Chief Nutritionist
Need a diet? You've come to the right place. We have more than 20 personalized programs including the GI Diet. To fill out a free diet profile and to check out what eDiets has to offer, CLICK HERE.
Maintain energy, keep your blood glucose stable, and keep a feeling of fullness longer with the Top Glycemic Impact Foods.
The Glycemic Impact Diet is based on research showing that both the grams of carbohydrate and grams of fiber in foods need to be considered in the way they impact blood glucose. Because portion size is so critical to a healthy diet, we?ve created the Glycemic Impact Diet, which is personalized to each individual?s needs based on his or her current weight, goal weight, and activity.
To maintain stable blood glucose, you should definitely avoid some foods -- white flour, refined sugars, white rice, fruit juice -- cross them off your list.
Equally important to a healthy diet is avoiding hydrogenated fats, excessive saturated fat, deep-fried items, and other ?unnatural? foods. Oh, and it?s very important to remember, just because it?s healthy, doesn?t always mean you can eat ?all you want," because calories count.
That?s why your meal plan is created with your individual needs in mind. You?re different from your neighbor or friend so you have different energy needs.
Don?t bother with tables or charts, or looking up values of individual food items -- it?s too unwieldy to manage on a daily basis. Instead, choose your foods from the following list. Your Glycemic Impact Diet menu details the servings per day from each of the food categories:
1. Whole grains: grains with their hulls and germ intact including whole wheat, rye, barley, millet and oatmeal are full of fiber, protein and vitamins and minerals. Breads and cereals with whole grain listed as the first ingredient are tops.
One slice of bread, one cup of cold cereal, or one-half cup cooked cereal or grain is one serving. Suggested servings are generally three or more per day.
2. Green leafy vegetables: all vegetables are good, and the darker the color, the more the nutritional value. One serving is one cup raw or one-half cup cooked. Suggested servings are generally unlimited -- the more servings, the better.
3. Cereals: high fiber cereals that contain whole wheat or oat bran produce a slower blood glucose response compared to refined white flour (even enriched white flour). Eat whole grain unsweetened cereal for breakfast: it provides energy and fiber, while helping to maintain a slow, gradual rise in blood glucose.
4. Fruits: all whole fruits (not juices) are good, as long as they?re eaten in the proper portion size (your Glycemic Impact Diet plan shows you how much is right for you). Fruit with the peel is best, including berries. Orange fruits like mango, cantaloupe, apricots and red or pink grapefruit are especially nutritious.
Even dried fruits are included, in small portions, as part of a balanced meal or recipe. Total suggested servings of fresh fruit daily is two cups.
5. Fats: healthy, natural fats (not hydrogenated fat) are important in your diet, and have a negligible impact on blood sugar. Avocado, olive oil, nuts, seeds and fatty fish are good sources. Portion size counts, because fat has more calories than protein and carbohydrate, but is an essential part of a healthy diet.
Deep-fried foods may not impact blood sugar, but are linked to overweight. Saturated fat from fatty meats, butter and whole milk dairy should be avoided due to their link to high blood cholesterol. Suggested servings are generally two to three teaspoons daily.
6. Dairy or soy dairy substitute: low glycemic impact, nonfat dairy foods contain good amounts of protein, carbohydrate, and vitamins and minerals essential for bone and heart health. Unsweetened fortified soy milk or rice milk are good alternatives for those who dislike or are intolerant of milk.
Suggested servings are generally two to three cups daily of nonfat or low fat, including dairy or soy milk, yogurt and cheese.
7. Protein: fish, especially fatty fish like salmon, sardines, tuna and mackerel; lean meat, skinless poultry and wild game have minimal impact on blood glucose, and are important to balance a healthy diet.
Soy protein: tofu, tempeh, textured vegetable protein are low glycemic impact protein choices. Suggested servings are generally about four to six ounces daily or equivalent.
8. Crunchy vegetables: all vegetables have a low glycemic impact, especially crunchy ones including broccoli, cauliflower, carrots and green beans. Foods high in fiber and low in carbohydrate per standard serving size have a lower impact on blood glucose. Have at least two cups daily, more if you?re hungry.
9. Legumes: dried beans, peas, lentils and peanuts contain important heart-healthy nutrients, antioxidants and approximately 8 grams of protein and 8 grams of fiber per serving. Serving size is one-half cup canned or cooked, or one-third cup mashed.
Canned or fresh, these are generally low impact, nutritious and delicious. A quarter-cup of cooked legumes is considered equivalent to one ounce of meat, poultry or fish in the USDA Food Guide.
10. Nuts & Seeds: all are welcome additions to a diet designed to maintain stable blood glucose. Most are good sources of antioxidants, protein and dietary fiber; some are exceptional nutritionally, such as almonds (vitamin E), walnuts (omega-3 fatty acids) and sunflower seeds (vitamin E).
Since nuts and seeds are high in (healthy) fat, keep portion size small. Snack on crunchy vegetables, and use nuts and seeds in salads and casseroles for added flavor and texture.
There you have it -- eDiets has taken all the guesswork out of this new GI Diet offering. All that's left for you is to click, join, lose weight and feel more energetic.
eDiets Chief Nutritionist Susan L. Burke is a Registered and Licensed Dietitian, and a Certified Diabetes Educator who specializes in both general and diabetes-related weight management.
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has added a new journalHoney Flaked Chicken
Submitted by Stacey
Chicken is baked in a sweet, crisp coating.
Serves 4 servings
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 25 minutes
Total time: 45 minutes
Calories: 431.46
Calories from Fat: N/A
Total Fat: 2.11 g
Saturated Fat: N/A
Cholesterol: N/A
Sodium: N/A
Total Carbohydrate: 71.79 g
Dietary Fiber: N/A
Sugars: N/A
Protein: 31.33 g
Vitamin A: N/A
Vitamin C: N/A
Ingredients
0.5 cup all-purpose flour
4 cups cornflakes cereal
0.5 cup honey
0.25 cup milk
4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a medium baking dish.
2. Place the flour in a small bowl and the cornflakes in a medium bowl. In a separate small bowl, mix the honey and milk. Dredge chicken in the flour, dip in the honey mixture, and thoroughly coat with the cornflakes.
3. Arrange chicken in the prepared baking dish. Bake 25 minutes in the preheated oven, or until no longer pink and juices run clear.