Saturday, May 25, 2013

Bibb Lettuce with Fresh Chive Vinaigrette

bibb lettuce

 

Bibb Lettuce with Fresh Chive Vinaigrette


Makes about 4 servings

Lemon and chives complement one another. Usher in spring with this herb-filled dressing served on Bibb lettuce. Since chives grow out my backdoor I like to harvest them with a pair of kitchen shears. I also recommend slicing the chives with kitchen shears and not a knife because the scissors don’t smash the hollow chives but instead create a tidy crosswise cut.

2 heads Bibb lettuce, cleaned

Juice of one lemon (about 2 tablespoons)

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Pinch sugar
1/4 cup snipped chives
1/3 cup olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Whisk lemon juice, mustard, and sugar together in a bowl. Add chives and slowly whisk in oil. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Gently tear the lettuce and place in a large salad bowl. Toss with half of the dressing just before serving. Serve the extra dressing on the side.

 

Source:  -Maggie Green

Thursday, May 23, 2013

Reducing Salt Intake While Simultaneously Increasing Potassium

 

 

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Reducing Salt Intake While Simultaneously Increasing Potassium
Date:
May. 1, 2013

According to new research presented by the British Medical Journal (BMJ), cutting down on salt while simultaneously increasing potassium intake has the potential to produce major health and cost-related benefits worldwide. When a surplus of sodium is ingested without an appropriate counterbalance of potassium, the excess sodium content pulls water into circulation increasing total blood volume, and consequently pressure exerted against major vascular structures. When this acute effect becomes chronic, we see the progression of major cardiovascular diseases with an increased risk for myocardial infarction or stroke due (in part) to vascular damage and hormonal changes. A great deal of current evidence demonstrates that reducing salt intake lowers blood pressure and reduces the risk for heart disease. As it relates to the potential benefits of increasing potassium intake less has been conclusively determined, although low potassium consumption has been linked to elevated blood pressure.

Due to current and previous investigations, the World Health Organization (WHO) has set a global objective to reduce dietary salt intake to 5-6 g (approximately one teaspoon) per person per day by the year 2025. The goal is to essentially reduce relative mean consumption among the adult population by 30%. The first study presented by the BMJ examined the effects of modest salt reduction on blood pressure, hormones, and blood lipids from 34 trials involving over 3,000 adults. It found a modest reduction in salt over the span of four or more weeks led to a significant reduction in blood pressure among individuals with both elevated and normal blood pressure values. These effects were demonstrated among various ethnic demographics. However, the researchers believe current recommendations "are not ideal" and say a further reduction to 3 g per day "should become the long term target for population salt intake." Similar results were found in a second analysis of 56 studies examining the relationship between blood pressure, blood lipids, catecholamine levels and/or renal function. The analysis showed that reduced salt intake lowers blood pressure and has no adverse effect on blood lipids, hormone levels or kidney function. Moderate quality evidence demonstrated the same positive effects among children. Lower sodium intake was also associated with a reduced risk of stroke and fatal coronary heart disease in adults. The authors concluded, "The totality of evidence suggests that reducing sodium intake should be part of public health efforts to reduce blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases, and will likely benefit most individuals.” A third study analyzed data on potassium intake and measures of health from 33 trials involving over 128,000 healthy participants. The results showed that increased potassium intake in itself reduces blood pressure among adults with no adverse effects on blood lipids, hormone levels or kidney functions. Higher potassium intake was linked to a 24% lower risk of stroke among adults and may also have a beneficial effect on blood pressure in children, but more data is needed for this population. As mentioned initially, the research team suggested that there could be notable synergistic benefits if the potassium increase was combined with a simultaneous reduction in salt intake.

Source:  Health Fitness News

Sunday, May 19, 2013

Cook’s Corner: Chunky Guacamole

Guacamole

 

Mash 3 Avocados; stir in 1/4 cup diced white onion, 1/2 cup each diced plum tomato and chopped cilantro, and 1 diced seeded jalapeno.  Add lime juice and salt to taste.

Enjoy!

Source:  Food Network Magazine May 2013.

Sunday, May 5, 2013

Mexican Takeout: Cinco de Mayo!

 

 

134235554360HXj4-quesadillas

Quesadillas

 

Black beans

Burritos

Chili con carne

Chimichangas

enchiladas

fajitas

gorditos

guacamole

huevos rancheros

jalapenos

nachos

pico de gallo

Quesadillas

refried beans

Salsa

Sour cream

tacos

taquitos

tortilla soup

tostadas

 

Can you think of some others?