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Fat Update: Eat Fat to Feel Full

FitSugar — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 03:00:00 -0700

Fat has a bad reputation. While some of this rep is deserved, let us not forget that not all fats are bad. In fact, unsaturated fat offers some surprisingly healthy benefits, especially for dieters.

New research from UC Irvine indicates that monounsaturated fatty acids, affectionately known as MUFAs, can actually help you feel full. When they reach your small intestine, these fats ignite the production of a compound that tells the brain to stop eating since you're full. MUFAs help stop the hunger signal so you don't overeat.

This property of monounsaturated fats might be why the Mediterranean diet is so successful at helping people maintain their weight. Unsaturated fats, both poly and mono, help keep belly fat at bay. And belly fat can increase your risk of heart disease and high blood sugar levels, so you want to work to keep weight off your midsection.

To see what kinds of food will help you feel full, just

'Wich of the Week: Avo Spinach Panini

YumSugar — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 14:00:42 -0700

Not all of you were loving my last vegetarian sandwich, so I thought I'd try again with a recipe inspired by a recent trip to San Francisco's (appropriately named) Panini. Perfectly pressed in a warm panini grill, this sandwich taught me several lessons about making smushed sammies. First, I never think to put avocado on a hot sandwich, but it held up well in the heat and added a deliciously creamy texture. I was also astounded at how much spinach was piled onto the massive sourdough slices — seriously, like a cup of spinach — but after a few minutes in the press, the spinach had wilted and the bread had flattened so that the sandwich was very compact and manageable. The contrast between the earthy greens and smooth avocado make for a delectable combo. To learn how to re-create it at home,

Seven Summer Soups

YumSugar — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 03:00:01 -0700

I used to shudder at the thought of chilled soups, until I tasted a cucumber-mint recipe that blew my mind. Then I realized: if I like guacamole and ceviche, why not cold avocado and seafood soups? If you can't get into cold soups, you can also make warm Summer soup using the season's freshest produce. I've found seven soup recipes that are all wrong for Winter but just right for right now.

Sunday Dinner: Seared Tuna with Avocado and Salsa Verde

partysugar — Sun, 18 May 2008 06:00:05 -0700

Tuna steaks are a delicious and healthier alternative to beef steaks. The meaty fish — that takes well to most seasonings — is filling and easy to cook. In this provocative recipe, tuna is topped with a pungent, Italian style salsa verde and chunks of ripe avocado. The salsa is made like a vinaigrette with fresh parsley, garlic, capers, mustard, and olive oil.

To make this succulent tuna tonight get the recipe and

Do You Use Food in Your Beauty Routine?

YumSugar — Fri, 16 May 2008 11:45:09 -0700

In People magazine's 100 most beautiful people issue, Food Network host Ingrid Hoffmann talks about her love of avocados — as both food and conditioner. She says she mashes up avocado and puts it in her shower cap to moisturize her hair. I've heard of people using other foods in their beauty routines, including lemons, eggs, beer, and olive oil. Have you tried anything like this?Source

Do You Use Food in Your Beauty Routine?

Yes. I love food in any form.

I have tried it, but I don't do it often.

No, but I would definitely try it.

Ew, that's gross!

Other — I'll tell you my thoughts below.

Monday's Leftovers: Island Pork Tenderloin Salad

partysugar — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 08:13:31 -0700

Use leftover Jamaican spiced pork to make a scrumptious island-inspired salad. A simple vinaigrette is made with fresh lime and orange juice, dijon, and curry powder. For the salad, spinach and cabbage are tossed with red peppers, golden raisins, oranges, and avocados. Topped with the spicy pork, this salad is provocative and delicious.

To see how it's made,

Eat Green, Get Healthy

FitSugar — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 11:45:00 -0700

St. Patty's Day is all about the green and it is just around the corner. That doesn't only have to mean green beer. There are numerous healthy foods that you can add to your diet to not only up the green, but to also up the health as well. Here are just a few:

Avocado: Avocado is a good source of monounsaturated fats, which help lower cholesterol, said Dr. Vickie Vaclavik, clinical assistant professor of clinical nutrition at UT Southwestern. Avocados also are good sources of both vitamin E and lutein, a natural antioxidant that may help maintain eye health.
Broccolini: It's packed with the cancer-fighting nutrients isothiocyanates, sulforaphane, and indoles all linked with reducing the risk of breast, prostate, cervical, lung, and other cancers and offers as much vitamin C as orange juice, said Dr. Jo Ann Carson, professor of clinical nutrition at UT Southwestern.
Brussels sprouts: Brussels sprouts are another cruciferous vegetable with cancer-fighting phytochemicals. "They're also high in vitamin C and are a good source of folate, vitamin A, and potassium," said Lona Sandon, assistant professor of clinical nutrition at UT Southwestern and a spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association.

There's more so

Fast & Easy Dinner: BLTs with Avocado and Spicy Mayo

partysugar — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 09:01:33 -0800

I love making a classic sandwich — in this case, the BLT — more exciting. I almost always add avocado to my BLTs and I jazz up the mayonnaise with herbs or spices. For this kicked up BLT, the mayo is mixed with garlic, fresh lime juice, and chili powder. The recipe has you cook the bacon on the stove, but for a mess-free variation, bake it in the oven on a cookie sheet covered with parchment paper for 15 minutes at 375°F. To make this filling and comforting sandwich tonight, get the recipe,

'Wich of the Week: Avocado and Mango With Cilantro-Lime Mayonnaise

YumSugar — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 12:33:31 -0800

When a recipe calls for cilantro, I'm always forced to buy way more than I'll ever need, which leads me on a search for even more cilantro-centric recipes. That was the catalyst for today's 'Wich of the Week, which features an unorthodox combination of mango and avocado on healthy multigrain bread.

This vegetarian sandwich has a refreshing tropical flavor that's alternately tangy and mild. The creamy avocado balances out the zip of the lime and the sweetness of the mango. I decided to make two versions: one vegetarian and one with ham for the hardcore meat eaters. But we all agreed that the sandwich was better without the ham, since the cold cuts overpowered the more delicate fruits. I do recommend you add some clover sprouts for added texture; just steer clear of the recalled ones!

To get the recipe and step-by-step photos,

Fast & Easy Dinner: Avocado and Feta Salad Wraps

partysugar — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 06:28:31 -0800

With their creamy flesh and delicate color, avocados are an incredibly versatile fruit. Not only are they wonderful in classic Mexican dishes, they also taste delicious when mixed with fresh ingredients like tangy feta cheese and burst-in-your-mouth grape tomatoes. Served on top of a bed of lettuce, and a warmed tortilla, this chunky salad is both flavorful and filling. To take a look at the recipe,