Weekly Gravy « Weekly Gravy

All Sauce from Weekly Gravy:

This year, when the gang comes over to watch football, score big with these healthy treats. Rich and creamy onion dip with chips is a favorite and so easy to make by mixing sour cream into a flavor packet. But most dip mixes are loaded with MSG, sodium and artificial flavors, plus they have zero nutrition. Instead, make your own in a snap. You’ll keep in the creaminess and keep out the preservatives in that packet. It starts with dehydrated onions that you can find in the spice section of your local grocery store. To make it nutritious, choose plain, protein-rich Greek yogurt. Its tangy taste and creamy thickness is ideal for mimicking sour cream. Then go the extra yard and replace chips with carrots and zucchini spears for dipping. Fast and Easy Onion Dip 3 tablespoons dehydrated onions 2 teaspoons each onion and garlic powder 1 tablespoon each Worcestershire sauce and balsamic vinegar 1 cup plain Greek yogurt Place the dehydrated onions, and onion and garlic powders in a medium bowl and stir. Whisk in the Worcestershire sauce and vinegar. Fold in the yogurt with a spatula and chill for 30 minutes before serving. Yield: 1 generous cup Heart-healthy nuts and seeds make a tasty and filling snack. Choose this spicy blend instead of salted varieties. Sriracha-Spiced Snack Mix 1 teaspoon brown sugar 1/2… read on >

When you get the urge for a snack, you might not think that a slice of turkey can have the same lip-smacking effect as a handful of chips. But scientists have known for some time that protein is the most efficient nutrient for not only quickly satisfying hunger, but also for keeping you feeling satisfied longer than other foods. Part of the explanation is the longer time it takes to digest protein and its ability to keep your blood sugar level steady. This, in turn, prevents the kind of cravings that seem to kick in soon after you finish, say, a jelly doughnut. Recent research done at the University of Warwick in the United Kingdom has found that there’s even more to this than we thought. Apart from your digestive system, the brain is also a key player in why protein is so satisfying. Receptors in the area of your brain that controls weight quickly respond to the amino acids in certain high-protein foods and send out the message that your hunger has been satisfied. It’s all part of a chain reaction that starts when certain taste buds are activated by protein’s savory flavor, often referred to as umami — the so-called fifth taste after salty, sour, sweet and bitter. Two amino acids in particular elicit the fast response — arginine, which is not one… read on >

(HealthDay News) — Being underweight may be associated with health problems such as anemia and fertility issues, says the American Academy of Family Physicians. The academy mentions healthier ways to gain weight: Add healthier calories to your diet by eating nuts, seeds and cheeses. Eat high-protein meats. Enjoy snacks that contain protein and healthier carbohydrates. Eat small meals throughout the day. Perform strength training exercises. Before starting a weight gain program, speak with your doctor.

If you’re overweight but have dodged chronic health issues like high cholesterol and high blood pressure, you might not think that losing weight is a priority. But an analysis of five years of records on 3.5 million people — underweight, normal weight, overweight and obese — has found reason for concern. The researchers discovered that even if people didn’t have any metabolic diseases at the start of the record-keeping, those who were obese were more likely than those of normal weight to develop health issues as time went on. Those health issues include coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, heart failure and peripheral vascular disease (a circulation disorder that affects blood vessels beyond the brain and heart). But no one is completely immune to health problems. Researchers also found that being at a normal weight doesn’t necessarily eliminate all risk for metabolic abnormalities, like high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes. Indeed, 10% of those at a normal weight had at least one metabolic issue. Also, no matter what your weight, the more of those health markers you have, the greater your chances of a heart event, like an attack. This research underscores the importance of getting regular health screenings and knowing your numbers: cholesterol (total, HDL and LDL) and triglycerides; blood pressure (systolic and diastolic); and blood sugar. Then you can work with your health… read on >

When it comes to convincing your kids that vegetables taste good, variety might be the key to success. New research suggests that offering children more than one type of vegetable may improve the chances that they’ll eat a greater amount. The study included 32 families with children aged 4 to 6 who didn’t eat many vegetables. The children were divided into three groups: no change in eating habits, being given one type of vegetable (broccoli), or being given multiple vegetables (broccoli, zucchini and peas). Parents were given instructions on portion size and cooking instructions, along with tips on how to offer the vegetables to the children, who were served a small piece of vegetable three times a week for five weeks. A sticker was given as a reward to children trying a new vegetable. Vegetable consumption increased from 0.6 to 1.2 servings among children who were offered multiple vegetables, but no changes in consumption occurred among children who received a single vegetable or those whose eating habits weren’t changed. The increased acceptance for multiple vegetables during the five weeks of the study was still evident three months later, according to the findings published in the September issue of the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior. “While the amount of vegetables eaten increased during the study, the amount did not meet dietary guidelines. Nonetheless, the study… read on >

Novartis, the maker of a generic form of the popular heartburn drug Zantac, said Wednesday it will cease distribution of the medicine after investigations suggested that generic and branded versions contain a known carcinogen. A distribution halt is not the same as a full recall, and it means that generic Zantac (ranitidine) remaining on store shelves can still be sold, CBS News reported. The move stems from an announcement made last Friday by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. In a statement, the agency said that a substance that could cause cancer had been found in some ranitidine heartburn and ulcer medicines, including the brand name drug Zantac, and the source of this contamination is being investigated. Sanofi, the maker of Zantac, said in a statement on Wednesday that “there are currently no plans to stop distributing or manufacturing Zantac or other ranitidine products outside of Canada,” and added that “we are conducting our own robust investigations to ensure we continue to meet the highest quality safety and quality standards.” While preliminary tests found low levels of the nitrosamine impurity N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) in some ranitidine products, the FDA said last week that this does not mean patients taking the drugs should now stop using them. NDMA is the same contaminant found in many brands of blood pressure and heart failure medications during the past year,… read on >

While you can take Social Security benefits at age 62 and get 75% of your maximum, waiting until you reach full retirement age (between age 66 and 67 depending on the year you were born) gets you much closer to the full amount. But the age at which Americans can collect the most dollars has inched up to 70. The problem is that, in general, people today aren’t as healthy during their pre-retirement years as past generations were. Having one or more chronic health conditions, from diabetes to arthritis, can make it harder to keep working through your 60s and, for those who want or need to, beyond. Though you might see retirement as being in the distant future, taking care of yourself today creates the foundation for a healthier and more productive old age. The American Academy of Family Physicians has seven key lifestyle habits to follow that can get you there. Build the Foundation for Lifelong Fitness Eat healthy: fruit, vegetables, legumes, nuts, whole grains and lean proteins. Get regular exercise — on nearly every day of the week. Lose weight if you’re overweight. Protect your skin every time you leave your home to help prevent skin cancer. Don’t smoke. Limit alcohol to a max of one drink a day for women, two for men. Less is better. Practice safe sex. Map out… read on >

Butternut squash, Brussels sprouts and apples are all amazing fall superfoods and the perfect reason to get cooking. Cheap and versatile, butternut squash is loaded with fiber and vitamin A. For an easy butternut squash mash, cut the squash in half, discard the seeds and roast for about 1 hour at 350 degrees. Scoop out the flesh and mash with olive oil, chopped fresh rosemary, grated Pecorino cheese and salt. Roasting is also a great way to prepare Brussels sprouts, rich in vitamins C and K. Cut Brussels sprouts in half and saute with some olive oil in a large skillet over high heat until lightly browned. Then bake in a preheated 400 degree oven for eight to 10 minutes. Sprinkle with balsamic vinegar and chopped hazelnuts. Apples are a great source of hunger-busting fiber, and apples baked in a slow-cooker make for a fabulous, filling dessert that’s quick to prepare. Easy-As-Pie Baked Apples 1/4 cup brown sugar 1/4 cup chopped walnuts, pecans, raisins or prunes 2 tablespoons butter 1 teaspoon cinnamon 6 Gala or Macintosh apples 1/2 cup apple juice or cider 2 tablespoons orange liquor (optional) In a large bowl, mix the sugar, walnuts, butter and cinnamon to make a filling. Using a grapefruit spoon with sharp edges, a melon baller or a small paring knife, core most of the way through each… read on >

Narcissism is not a good look at any age, but new research suggests it fades as people enter their 40s. However, the degree of decline in narcissism varies between individuals and can be related to their career and relationships, the researchers added. Overall, the “findings should bring comfort to those who are concerned that young people are problematically narcissistic,” said study co-leader Brent Roberts, a psychology professor at the University of Illinois. “With time, it seems most people turn away from their earlier narcissistic tendencies.” Narcissism is a personality trait characterized by the belief that you’re smarter, better-looking, more successful and more deserving than others. The study included 237 participants whose levels of narcissism — specifically vanity, belief in their leadership skills and sense of entitlement — were assessed at age 18 when they were freshmen at the University of California, Berkeley, and again at age 41. Most of the participants showed a decline in narcissism as they aged. Only 3% had an increase and a few had the same level of narcissism at ages 18 and 41, the findings showed. The researchers also found that each aspect of narcissism examined in the study had particular impacts on the participants’ lives. For example, those who had higher levels of vanity at age 18 were more likely to have unstable relationships and marriages, and more likely… read on >

The loss of a loved one is one of life’s most stressful events. But new research suggests that having a furry loved one still at home may help ease the pain. Investigators looked at 437 older adults, some of whom lost a spouse, either through divorce or death. They found that having a cat or dog at home was linked to an easing of loneliness and depression. Study leader Dawn Carr, an associate professor of sociology at Florida State University, said the research team was surprised by the results, which were particularly meaningful because loneliness and depression have been found to be risk factors for death and other health problems, just like smoking. Pets can provide support during stressful times — even petting a dog or cat can calm you, Carr noted. In the study, the researchers compared the mental health of people who stayed married to those who didn’t, over a four-year period. They also looked at whether owning a dog or cat had any effect on mental health. The study found that while all people who became widowed or divorced did have some decline in their mental health, having a pet seemed to make a difference. Patients without pets who experienced such a loss had an average of 2.6 symptoms of depression, but that fell to just 1.2 symptoms for those with pets.… read on >

Weekly Gravy

Look Good – Feel Good – Feed Good

A little about: Weekly Gravy

All Sauce from Weekly Gravy:

Smarter Snacks for Football Fans

Foods That Will Make You Feel Full Faster

Health Tip: Gaining Weight

Can You Still Be Healthy If You’re Overweight?

Parents, Throw the Garden at Your Picky Eater

Maker Halts Distribution of Generic Zantac Due to Possible Carcinogen

Staying Healthy Now to Work Into Older Age

Stock up on These Fall Superfoods

Age Often Dampens Narcissists’ Self-Love, Study Finds

Four-Legged Friends Help Buffer Loss of a Spouse