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Tuesday, November 23, 2004
Into the Belly of the Thanksgiving Beast
Before you sit down to give thanks this week, consider taking a walk. Or maybe shoot some hoops. Or ride a bike. (Make it stationary and indoors, if the weather is bad.) According to a new study by Mayo Clinic researchers, 30 minutes of activity keeps your metabolism revved, which will help burn some of those extra calories you're likely to be eating on Thanksgiving.
How long do you burn more calories after physical activity? Discover that answer and more in today's Lean Plate Club.
Okay, so what did you do last week to prepare for the Holiday Challenge? Share your tips and strategies to hold the line on holiday weight gain from 1 to 2 p.m. today during the Lean Plate Club web chat. Can't join live? Just leave comments, suggestions or questions ahead of time. You can read past columns and web chat transcripts any time, or e-mail me at [EMAIL PROTECTED].
If you would like to see what some other Lean Plate Club members have done, check out Woman's Day magazine which features a story about the Holiday Challenge.
User Fees for Grocery Bags
Yep, that's what San Francisco city officials are considering. Under discussion is a $0.17 fee per plastic bag to help reduce the use of these bags. (The fee would also apply to paper.) What's your opinion? Fee or no? Tell us in today's Lean Plate Club web chat from 1 to 2 p.m. EST. Can't join live? No problem. Just leave comments, tips etc. ahead of time. Or e-mail me anytime at [EMAIL PROTECTED].
What's for Dinner Tonight?
In anticipation of the feast on Thursday, now is a great time to scale back a little to give yourself some caloric wiggle room. (You want a sliver of that pie, don't you?) So reach for high volume foods that pack great taste to help you feel full on fewer calories.
Asian Meatball Soup is one choice from Woman's Day magazine. It takes just 22 minutes to prepare, only costs $1.29 per serving and clocks in at 401 calories.
Hoppin' John Soup is often served on New Year's Day for good luck, but it's simple preparation and great taste make it a smart choice in any season. It's got seven grams of fiber per serving and just 346 calories.
Shrimp and Sausage Creole is another way to fill up with few calories.
And after Thanksgiving, Turkey Goulash Soup is one way to help use up some of those leftovers.
For those still in the market for new recipes and ideas for Thanksgiving, don't miss the Food Section's great offerings, including why a smaller bird can be a tastier choice plus some wonderful first course salads
The Mayo Clinic also has some healthy recipes for Thanksgiving, including some options for your vegetarian guests.
And for dessert, branch out from the traditional pumpkin, pecan or apple pies with some bite size desserts that can help leave you satisfied and maybe even guilt free.
When you're tired of turkey leftovers, you may want to try this Filipino Fiesta from the Sunday Source. It's got pork (among other ingredients) which is finding a new niche in the United States among consumers.
Do choose lean cuts of pork, however, since the other cuts can come with a fair amount of saturated fat. Pancetta is a good example of a lean cut of pork and an ingredient in this fritatta from the Food Network's Kathleen Daelemans.
By the way, if you've been searching for luscious tomatoes--a great ingredient for frittatas as well as salads--here's why you may have trouble finding the pick of the crop. Turns out that tomatoes are one of the casualties of the hurricanes and other bad weather that also damaged many citrus groves in
And as you're looking to maintain caloric balance in order to flatline the bathroom scale, this daily food calculator from the Mayo Clinic will help you estimate your calories.
Joy of Motion
Yes, they're back: Turkey Trots.
Just the thing to help burn some holiday calories. And in true Dave Barry fashion, I swear I'm not making this next one up: Butterball bowling.
No word on how many calories it burns, but it sure does sound interesting and fun.
The American Council on Exercise (ACE) asked 36,000 ACE-certified instructors to name their single most important exercise essentials. See how their top twelve answers fit with your list.
And while you're at it, tell us what you think is the most important to your daily workout in today's Lean Plate Club web chat from 1 to 2 p.m. today. Leave comments ahead of time, if you can't join live.
The American Academy of Family Physicians offers some easy warm-up and cool down stretches for your workouts as well as information about how much physical activity to get.
And the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (yes, your federal tax dollars at work!) offers a list of moderate activities that will help you fit more exericse in daily.
Speaking of exercise, shopping at the mall will burn a number of calories. Figure out how many you'll burn. And in anticipation of those shopping bags that are likely to be in your future, there's a right way to lift and carry packages and a wrong way, according to the American Physical Therapy Association. See how ways of carrying and lifting stack up.
Finally, with Thankgiving upon us, can skiing and snowboarding be far behind? In today's Moving Crew discover how you can help get limber and in shape for the winter slopes.
Happy Thanksgiving to all!
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