Friday Fun Food

Eating healthy can seem very stodgy and tasteless, but it doesn't have to be at all.  Today is Friday (thank goodness) and it's time to embrace the weekend and have some fun.  One little problem, 'fun food' makes people think, 'naughty'.  Well, it can be.  If I had a dollar for every time I gave into the idea that the weekend meant 'full fat' I would have a lot of dollars. However, since no one ever actually pays for these types of things, I have the pounds as proof.  

I have been craving a burger big time and we know how calorie laden those can be.  So, I went to the Iowa Turkey Federation site and pulled up the part of their cookbook that covers sandwiches, including eight ways to do burgers.  YUM!

Greek Burger

I was just reading that you can save an average of 100 calories per meal by replacing other meats with turkey!  If you eat meat at most meals, add that up.  Even substituting in just one meal a day, you could lose almost a pound in a month without changing your eating habits in any other way.  Wow.

I am a big turkey fan because when the breast is ground it's just as flexible as beef.  We've had it all - burgers, meatballs, sloppy toms - it all seems naughty, but make it with turkey and it gets better for you.

Enjoy your food and the weekend - you deserve it!

Yours in Health,
Kate

Thanksgiving Week - Recipe 3

It's time to talk turkey.  This is the one holiday dish that, short of deep fat frying it, you can enjoy heartily.  While you should avoid the fattier, higher calorie dark meat, the white meat is your friend.  Here's the breakdown according to the National Turkey Federation:

3 ounces Calories Total fat grams Protein grams Iron % DV Turkey Breast 117 .64 26.2 7 Saturated Fat grams Cholesterol milligrams Sodium  milligrams .21 72 45

Not bad at all.  Benjamin Franklin wanted the turkey to be the national bird and while the bald eagle is more regal, the turkey makes up for it by being most people's centerpiece on the national day.

If you haven't already chosen a recipe for your turkey or are looking for something new, here is an option that doesn't require brining and is very tasty.

Roasted Turkey
1 (10-12 Pound) WHOLE TURKEY, fresh or thawed if frozen
1 Bunch fresh thyme
4 Whole navel oranges
As needed salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 Cup fresh or frozen cranberries
2 Medium onions, peeled and quartered
1 Cup cold water

Place oven rack in bottom third of oven and preheat to 325 degrees F.
Slide fingertips between skin and breast meat to loosen skin. Place 1/2 bunch of thyme under skin.
Thinly slice one orange and slide slices under turkey skin. Season turkey with salt and pepper.
Quarter remaining oranges and toss with cranberries and onions in large bowl, place inside both turkey cavities.
Tuck wing tips under and tie legs together with kitchen string to hold shape.
Place turkey on a V-shaped rack in large roasting pan with water in bottom of pan. Cover loosely with foil. Roast turkey in preheated oven for 2 1/2 hours, remove foil.
Continue to roast, basting every 20 minutes with pan juices until meat thermometer inserted in thickest part of thigh registers 170-175 degrees F.
Remove from oven, cover with foil and let stand at least 20 minutes before carving. Remove fruit stuffing and discard.
Garnish with Dried Fruit Stew and serve on a platter.

Autumn Fruit Stew
2 Cups tart apple, peeled and diced
1/2 Cup golden raisins
1/2 Cup dried apricot
2 bay leaves
2 Cups TURKEY STOCK or low-sodium chicken stock
2 Tablespoons brandy or substitute 2 tablespoons apple juice/cider

While turkey is roasting, combine ingredients in saucepan.
Bring to boil, reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from heat.
After turkey roasts, add any accumulated pan juices to stew. Reheat before serving.

Recipe Source: Recipe and photo kindly provided by Perdue via the National Turkey Federation website

That's it for today.  Tomorrow a last minute dessert recipe.

Yours in Health,
Kate

State Fair Friday Report

First, let me say I got a surprise today when I called my mom and she was at the State Fair with my nephew Caelen.  I love him so much and he was having the kind of fun we should all have.  He was eating ostrich sausage and looking forward to seeing the big steer.  He will be 7 in less than a month and everything is interesting at that age!

Me?  I went to the State Fair yesterday afternoon to work the Komen on the Go booth for LITE 104.1.  It was really fun meeting people and helping educate them about breast cancer.  The lady from Komen national paid me the nicest compliment, she loved the way I worked the crowd and thought maybe I worked for the local affiliate.  That's my specialty, I assimilate information, it's like I am the Borg.  :)

As for the food - the downfall of all fair goers?  I did really well.  I had my turkey tenderloin sandwich from the Iowa Turkey Federation grill.  It was so good!  I mean I am sitting here not thinking about it.  It was moist and flavorful and one of the healthiest things you can eat at the fair!  I also had a little fried rice, two crab rangoon and took some kettle corn home to snack later.

Overall, I think that's not bad.  I was mainly intrigued by the fact that I wasn't even tempted by fried things on a stick or deep fried vegetables.  Although, to be honest, it may have been because I didn't have my partner in crime with me.  When Lori and I go this coming Friday, it may be different.

Well, I better go, I have to go find the items that will be featured on the cover of the next !ntuition Magazine and I have no idea what it is yet.  LOL.

Yours in Health,
Kate