Nutritional Markers for Gender & Age

NUTRITIONAL MARKERS FOR GENDER & AGE

File Under: Healthcare Training &
Nursing Continuing Education

Healthcare providers - here's a head's up!  Are you a Nurse Practitioner, healthcare provider, nutritionist, RDE or RD? Update your skills and earn NJSNA contact hours at this ONE DAY intensive at Brookdale Community College on Saturday March 23, 2013!
NEW! Nutritional Markers for Gender & Age
Marie J. Miczak, DSc, PhD, Pharmacology, Nutritional Consultant and Author, instructor.

This seminar is offered for nurses, nurse practitioners, dieticians, and other healthcare professionals who counsel patients on nutrition and chronic diseases specific for gender and age groups. Learn techniques to counsel patients and develop a specific protocol of optimal nutrition for each gender and stage of life.
Case study approach with small group breakout sessions.

Topics: Age related and vitamin deficiency symptoms for each gender, nutritional protocols for each gender according to their age and activity level, and assessment techniques and recommendations on how to improve a patient’s quality of life
through advanced years with simple yet healthy meal planning.
Note: NJSNA Contact Hours Awarded.

Brookdale Community College
Lincroft, NJ
Sat, Mar 23, 9 am-5 pm
Fee and Code: $95, XMEDN 250 W
Register: 732-224-2315
Online Brochure Link: http://www.brookdalecc.edu/PDFFiles/OBCD/Spring%202013%20Healthcare%20Training%20Brochure.pdf

Secrets to Delicious Smoothies

My Vitamix Power Blender in action! Apples, carrots, cranberries & Acai Berry Blast Protein Energizer

Everyone has seemed to have gone smoothie crazy lately. Smoothies are somewhat of an off-shoot of the juice fast, raw food, gluten free & vegan lifestyles which I think are a step in the right direction.  It has already been noted that Americans eat far too much animal protein to be healthy. I remember having free range, hormone free chicken in Virginia (fried in lard no less) and noticed how little fat was actually on the fryer.  That was one lean bird! However, that's how most Americans ate up until recently.  Farms are more like factories today but I still remember what organic eggs from our free ranged chickens taste like as it wasn't that long ago.

So here I have some really good tips on making delicious smoothies that can start you on a healthier lifestyle, no matter how far you need to go.  I'm pretty experienced!  I got my first VitaMix nearly 20 years ago and began by serving my children whole fruit & vegetable juices back then....call them antique smoothies.

My first VitaMix.  It's still working but now it's in my son's family kitchen!

EQUIPMENT
There are all sorts of blenders and juicers on the market these days such as The Green Bullet, The Breville Juicer, The Juiceman II etc. When choosing one for making smoothies from raw ingredients you'll need three things:

Power: A 2 horse power motor will take care of most anything you can throw at it.
No Waste: Any machine that requires you to throw away or pre-peel your fruits and vegetables is not worth it. Pick one that offers whole-food juices. 
Easy to Clean: This is really important because if you have to take the machine apart to clean it each time, you are not going to use it often enough to make a difference.

You don't need to cut fruits & vegetables into tiny pieces before putting them in the VitaMix

INGREDIENTS
Another thing is that you shouldn't have to cut the fruit & vegetables up too much before processing them in your machine. I quarter my apples and break celery stalks in half but I use whole baby carrots and frozen produce with no trouble. In fact if that bunch of bananas is ripening too quickly to eat I simply peel and place them in a zip lock freezer bag. You can add them and other fruits and vegetables fully frozen to your machine.  You can use frozen blueberries, strawberries, peaches, kale, etc. which will be quite handy kept in your freezer.

PROTEIN POWDERS
My smoothies are actually a mini meal for me.  I usually drink one after my morning workout or bicycle ride as a recovery drink.  So to get the most out of my smoothie, I add a scoop of protein powder. I like berries a lot so if I'm making a smoothie with dried cranberries,(see lead photo), I'll add some Acai Berry Blast Protein Energizer by Rainbow Light.
Each scoop gives me 14 grams of brown rice protein (no bloaty soy), added fiber, digestive enzymes and antioxidants. It is sweetened naturally with Stevia so you only get less than 1 gram of sugar per serving. If I'm in a mocha mood, their chocolate version is so delicious and satisfying.  I often add some coconut and sunflower seed butter to some almond milk and add in a scoop of the Chocolate Protein Energizer.  Kind of like drinking a Reeses!  It makes a great after school snack or pick-me-up for the afternoon doldrums.

Chocolate and Acai Berry Protein Energizers can be added to whole food smoothies.

  
THE MIX
To avoid lumps and un-blended fruit and vegetable pieces, I load no more than two cups of water, ice and produce into the machine. I go from low then quickly blend up to the highest speed.  When it looks slushy but uniform in color, I add extra water and ice to get it to the drinkable consistency I want. If you store it in the refrigerator, use an air tight stainless steel water bottle and shake before drinking. The natural pulp will rise to the top after a while but shaking will mix it back in.

So these are just a few secrets I've learned to making nutritious, delicious blender smoothies every time.  It is easy to get your 5-6 serving of fruits and vegetables each day this way and as an added bonus, the VitaMix is self cleaning.  Just add a drop of dish detergent, fill with water, cap and whirl. A machine that is self-cleaning means you WILL use it, thus getting the full benefit of raw foods in your daily diet.

  

New Spring Fashion Clutches

In the clutch!  Hinged iPhone/iPod and Wallet Clutches are taking hold this spring. Bag by Amirita Singh

Spring is almost here but not quite yet!  I was looking for a new wallet to replace my well worn leather one and decided to take a cue from my hinged iPod clutch. This little guy works with your iPod/iPhone and also holds are few credit cards and the like.  It is also small enough to fit in my tiny (by comparison) cross body bags that fit so well in my bicycle panniers.

Hinged iPhone/iPod case fits inside my Fossil Cross Body Bag

What I like about the newer hinged clutches is that they snap closed and securely hold any credit cards that might slip out.  This has happened far too many times with my leather wallet.  Leather stretches over time and when you remove just a few cards, the others slip out.  I just kept imagining some crazed soul coming upon my debit card that flipped out, draining my bank account + over draft!  Not a good feeling.

So I purchased this Ikat Clutch from Target today.  It is pretty heavy but covered in a stylish leatherette fabric with chrome accents.  It has a little pocket for my check book, a zippered change purse and five slots for my credit cards with a clear photo license slot.

Ikat Clutch - Open for Business

The only beefs I have, (and they are minor) is that this clutch doesn't have an ink pen loop.  I simply clipped it onto the edge of one of the card slots. It also doesn't have any photo section. I don't carry a lot but it would be nice to have a place to hold and display them.

All the same, I will not complain because the clutch is a lot more secure than my old wallet. As for stylishness, it goes so well with my Amirita Singh bag with the quilted Chanel-esque pattern. The black and white Ikat design is classy without being stuffy due to the woven, handmade feel and motif. 

Black and White Ikat Clutch, another spring classic.

 

BEST Chicken a La Orange

Try something new like this sweet and sour twist on Chicken a la Orange!  Skillet: M'Stone Non-Stick Fry Pan by Mauviel of France

Chicken breasts can be your best friend, (in the kitchen anyway)!  I keep a bag of frozen, boneless-skinless chicken breasts in my deep freezer as they can be prepared and added to so many dishes at a moment's notice.  Simply take what you need and set the defrost button on your microwave to soften them up a bit.  

No need to thaw them out completely though.  They actually slice better if they are a bit firm and for this dish, you'll want something like one inch cubes of chicken.  This is SO fast.  Grab an orange and let's go:


BEST Chicken A La Orange Recipe

2 boneless-skinless Chicken Breasts
1 Large Orange
3 tbsps of flour plus 1 teaspoon of Organic Grape Seed Flour for dredging
1 teaspoon Sazon Goya
2 tbsps of Orange Marmalade for finishing glaze
2 tbsps of Organic Virgin Coconut Oil for sauteeing 

Cut the partially frozen chicken breasts into 1 inch cubes and season with Sazon Goya. Next dredge the chicken chunks in your flour mixture and set aside.
Start heating your skillet and add 2 tablespoons of extra virgin coconut oil.
Section your fresh orange and cut into chunks.
Once the oil is hot (coconut oil remains stable at high temperatures) add in your floured chicken cubes, sautee and turn when one side is golden brown.
Add your fresh orange sections and continue cooking until chicken is thoroughly done, about 15 minutes.
Once the chicken is thoroughly cooked, stir in 2 tablespoons of Marmalade to the pan.
Cover and set aside for 5 minutes.
Serve over rice or potatoes.  Easy, quick and GOOD!

VARIATION:
Want more of an Asian kick?  Try adding in 1/8 teaspoon of ground ginger root and a teaspoon of Kikoman Soy Sauce for that sweet and sour connection.  Delicious over ramen noodles.

Grape Seed flour adds flavor and antioxidants while coconut oil withstands high heat without breaking down

 

Vitamin & Drug Seminar

In the NY/NJ Metro area? Check out this important new one day seminar at Brookdale College, Lincroft NJ!

Each year, untold numbers of Americans are admitted into hospital emergency rooms due to mixing the wrong supplements and medications. Join Pharmacologist-Nutritionist and author of How Not to Kill Yourself with Deadly Interactions, Dr. Marie J Miczak for an enlightening discussion on the most common mistakes people make with their drug and vitamin protocols and how to avoid them.

Brookdale Community College
765 Newman Springs Road
Lincroft, NJ

Sat. April 13th, 10am-12noon
Fee and Code: $29, XHEAF 064 B
Call to Register: 732-224-2315
Online Registration/Information (all major credit cards accepted)
 

Easy Walnut Oatmeal Bread Recipe

Moist, light and delicious.  Homemade Walnut-Oatmeal Bread! Photo: Presto Bread Slicing System

There is nothing better to fill the house than the smell of fresh baked bread. This is my all around favorite sandwich loaf but this recipe has a few secret ingredients that add both flavor and antioxidants.  Organic Grape Seed Flour and Extra Virgin Coconut Oil.  Here's how to punch up your next loaf:


Easy Walnut Oatmeal Bread (Bread Machine Version)
Yield: 1 1/2 Pound loaf, 12 slices 

2/3 cup milk
1/3 cup water
2 tablespoons Nature's Approved Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons Brown Sugar
1 tablespoon Nature's Approved Grape Seed Flour
2 tablespoons Oatmeal
1/2 cup Walnuts
3 cups Bread Flour
2 1/4 teaspoons yeast

Bring all your ingredients to room temperature.  Whisk the dry ingredients, (except the walnuts and yeast) in a large bowl and set aside.  Proof your yeast by dissolving it in 1/3 cup of warm water plus 2 tablespoons of brown sugar. Set it in a warm spot and let it get foamy.  If it doubles in size after 10 minutes, you know it's active.

Next measure and warm your 2/3 cup of milk and 2 tablespoons of coconut oil. Add both your milk/oil mixture and the developed yeast to your oiled bread machine bowl. Lastly, add in the dry ingredients into the container and start the machine.  If your unit is like mine, it will beep to tell you when to add the walnuts. 
When baking is complete, remove bread from the machine and let cool for about an hour on a wire rack. I have a bread slicing rack so I am able to get even slices.  

This bread is perfect for sandwiches or to be eaten with a little butter and jam. It also makes a wonderful hostess gift for Easter and other celebrations. Check HERE for more easy to bake bread recipes with or without a bread machine.

A bread machine like my Breadman can turn out a fresh baked loaf in about 3 hours.

The Grape Seed Flour, Coconut Oil and Walnuts all add extra nutrition and antioxidants to the bread.  The Coconut Oil made the loaf very light and moist, almost like commercial bread. Even the crust was light and flaky.  The taste?  Absolutely delicious!  The Grape Seed Flour is very fine and turned the loaf a beautiful golden brown.  To purchase the same organic Grape Seed Powder and Extra Virgin Coconut Oil used in this recipe, visit Nature's Approved Online.

Try some Sunbutter on your Walnut Oatmeal Bread!