Eats « Weekly Gravy

Leeks may look like scallions grown out of control, but they can add subtle flavor to many dishes, from soup to sides. Leeks are part of the onion and garlic family and are a good source of nutrients, including antioxidants. But unlike their cousins, leeks aren’t usually eaten raw. The first step in any leek recipe is to properly clean them. Cut off and discard the very dark green tops or place them in your compost pile. Thinly slice the leeks and place them in a large bowl of cold water. Toss the slices thoroughly to loosen any dirt or sand that might be caught between the layers and then drain them. Dry the leeks before proceeding with this or any recipe, unless noted otherwise. Here’s how to make a rich leek and potato soup that’s perfect hot or cold. Leek and Potato Potage 3 tablespoons olive oil 4 leeks, trimmed, sliced and rinsed 1 teaspoon dried herbs, such as rosemary, thyme and oregano 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 pound baby potatoes, such as Red Bliss or Creamer, quartered 1 quart no-salt-added vegetable or chicken broth Freshly ground black pepper to taste 4 tablespoons chopped chives (optional) Place the oil in a large stockpot and warm over medium heat. Add the leeks, dried herbs and salt. Cook 4 to 5 minutes, stirring often until the leeks… read on >

(HealthDay News) — A registered dietician can partner with you to develop a safe and realistic eating plan, says the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Whether you want to lose or gain weight, or to simply maintain your health, there are many reasons to seek the help of an RDN. They include: You need help managing a chronic disease, such as diabetes. You have digestive problems. You have had gastric bypass surgery. You need to gain or lose weight. You are pregnant, trying to get pregnant or a new mom.

Taking your blood pressure may become as easy as taking a video selfie if a new smartphone app proves itself. High blood pressure can be a warning sign of a heart attack or stroke, but half of those with hypertension don’t know it. Developing an easy at-home blood pressure screen could potentially save lives. A new technology called transdermal optical imaging gives a picture of the blood flow in your face, which reveals your blood pressure, researchers say. “We found, using a smartphone, we can accurately measure blood pressure within 30 seconds,” said lead researcher Kang Lee. Lee is research chair of developmental neuroscience at the University of Toronto. “We want to use this technology to help us to make people aware of their blood pressure and monitor it,” he said. Lee doesn’t intend this technology to replace standard “cuff” blood pressure measuring, but rather to make blood pressure easy to take at home. So how does it work? The technology uses light to penetrate the skin and optical sensors in smartphones to create an image of blood flow patterns. These patterns are then used to predict blood pressure, Lee explained. “Once you know how blood concentration changes in different parts of your face, then we can learn a lot of things about your physiology, such as your heart rate, your stress and your blood… read on >

In the quest for more plant-based protein sources, yellow peas have been getting a lot of good press. And the number of packaged foods enhanced with this “pea protein” has tripled in the last few years. But dried split peas, whether yellow or green in color, were an excellent food choice long before they achieved their overnight superstar status. A mere quarter-cup, measured dry (uncooked), will yield 11 to 12 grams of protein, 13 to 16 grams of fiber and just 180 calories. Tip: Read labels on bags of dried peas since these counts vary slightly. Peas are common legumes or “pulses.” While not a complete protein, like meat or chicken, peas have important amino acids including isoleucine, leucine and valine, needed for building muscle. Keep in mind that foods with just the pea protein extract are missing yellow peas’ fiber, B vitamins and a wide variety of essential minerals and phytochemicals. So rather than paying up for products with added pea protein, especially if it’s the only healthy ingredient in the box, consider adding whole split peas to your diet with meals you make at home. Dried peas are perfect for do-ahead meals. Take a few minutes to cook up a batch, and then use them in recipes throughout the week. They form the base of many Indian dishes and hearty soups. They can… read on >

You’ve made the decision to improve your eating habits, but where should you begin? It can seem overwhelming at first. One way to approach new lifestyle habits is to map out the improvements you’d like to make and tackle them one at a time, over a week or two, before making the next change. Here are three steps to schedule on your calendar: Start by making better food choices at meals. Do you forgo breakfast at home and automatically go to your favorite drive-thru or opt for a donut in the break room at work? Your first change might be to have a healthy whole-grain cereal or a plain yogurt with fruit for your morning meal. Pack it in your tote if you aren’t hungry before you leave the house. Next, upgrade your supermarket choices. Is your cart typically loaded with convenience foods? The next time you shop, buy the fresh foods needed to replace at least one meal a day with a from-scratch recipe. When you need convenience items, think of precut fixings for a vegetable salad and a roasted chicken or cooked shrimp for nutritious proteins. Finally, revamp your cooking style. If your favorite recipes are breaded and fried, or loaded with butter and cheese, cut back on some of these high-calorie techniques. It can be as simple as switching from cream-based sauces… read on >

To get the most out of a whole chicken, roasting is the way to go. It’s an easy and flavorful way to prepare this protein-rich, lean meat, plus you’ll have dinner for two and lunch for the next day. Simple prep steps make the job easy. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cautions not to rinse chicken of any kind — the droplets of water can splash around the kitchen, actually spreading bacteria. So unwrap the chicken and place it directly in your roasting pan. Check inside the cavity for any giblets, usually the neck, gizzard, heart, and liver. You can use them to make stock for a future recipe, but skip the liver (it’s larger than the heart) since it can make the broth bitter. Just roast it along with the chicken for a tasty extra morsel. After prepping the bird as directed in the recipe and before placing it in the oven, be sure to wash your hands and any areas of the kitchen the chicken was in contact with. Roasted Chicken and Chicken Salad For the roasted chicken: 1 4-pound roaster chicken 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper For the chicken salad: 2 celery stalks, finely chopped 1/2 cup mayonnaise 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt 1/2 teaspoon seasoning salt or a no-salt… read on >

It’s a hard habit to break — sinking your teeth into a favorite fast-food breakfast sandwich. But your drive-thru addiction could be making a big dent in daily calorie and fat limits without giving you the nutrients needed to fuel your day. Take these steps for a healthy breakfast sandwich remix, great taste included. When you must buy a ready-made sandwich, skip the bacon or sausage. And replace a croissant, white roll or biscuit with a whole-wheat English muffin or whole grain wrap, like a corn or whole-wheat tortilla or a pita pocket. These are great options to have at home for making your own fast meal. Here are other do-it-yourself steps that shouldn’t take more time than driving to a chain restaurant. If you’re feeling adventurous, make a batch of crepes with whole-wheat pastry flour to use as the wrap. Store leftovers between sheets of wax paper in the fridge — they’ll be ready for a grab-and-go breakfast the rest of the week. But if you’re short on time or you’re cutting back on calories, use a broad leafy green, like red leaf lettuce or romaine, as your wrap. Fill your wrap of choice with 3 to 4 ounces of protein, such as eggs, a turkey sausage, your favorite smoked fish or even lean meat leftovers — nowhere is it written that you can’t… read on >

(HealthDay News) — Hypoglycemia occurs when your blood sugar is too low, says the Hormone Health Network. People with diabetes often develop hypoglycemia, but it is possible for people without diabetes to become hypoglycemic, as well. It’s a good idea to discuss your diet with a doctor or dietician, who may suggest limiting high-sugar foods, eating every three hours and varying the type of foods eaten. Eating or drinking carbohydrates in the form of juice, tablets or hard candy may be a quick, effective treatment. Be sure to check with your doctor.

Research continues to unlock the benefits of eating whole grains, already thought to promote better digestive health, along with being very filling. A review of 12 studies involving nearly 800,000 participants published in the journal Circulation found that eating three to four servings of whole grains every day can lower the death rate from many illnesses, including heart disease and some cancers, compared to people who eat no or few grains. When trying to add to the whole grains in your diet, keep in mind that you have choices beyond whole-wheat bread and brown rice. Many ancient grains are being reintroduced and are available in a variety of products. Like the already super-popular quinoa, amaranth is a grain variation with a high protein content. Because it doesn’t have gluten, it’s a good choice for anyone with celiac disease or a sensitivity. Bulgur is a wheat product similar in appearance to couscous. You may already know it as a key ingredient in the Middle Eastern dish tabbouleh. Farro is a type of wheat that’s sometimes used to make semolina flour for pasta. In whole grain form, it looks and cooks like rice. Spelt is another type of whole wheat grain coming back in favor. Use spelt pasta to replace the refined type in favorite recipes. Because it’s also sold in a refined state, be sure to… read on >

After vitamins and minerals, fish oil with its omega-3 fatty acids is the most widely used supplement, taken by an estimated 10% of Americans. So, when research reviews show that it doesn’t provide the health benefits for people with heart conditions that researchers thought it did, it’s hard to know what to do. One thing researchers do know is that omega-3s are essential fats — your body can’t make them. So for general good health, you need to get them from diet. The Main Types of Omega-3 Fatty Acids Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are found in fatty fish and some shellfish. Alpha-linolenic acid, or ALA, is found in vegetable oils, nuts (especially walnuts), flax and some leafy vegetables. Omega-3s can help reduce inflammation, a factor in both artery-clogging plaque and autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis. There is some evidence that omega-3s offer modest rheumatoid arthritis symptom relief. Omega-3s can thin blood and may reduce the likelihood of dangerous clots, but that could also mean it will take your blood longer to clot after a simple cut, for instance. This can be dangerous if you’re also on a prescription blood thinner or take NSAIDs, which can cause bleeding ulcers. So talk to your doctor about potential drug interactions if you’re considering omega-3 supplements. One important point about the research that found little or… read on >