Avodaco bread?

Avocados are versatile as a salad ingredient or in guacamole, but have you tried them as a sandwich spread or in a recipe instead of oil?
And why would you want to?
Plant fats, such as avocados, nuts, seeds, olives and oils made from plants like sunflowers, olives, soybean, and safflower, tend to have a higher proportion of monosaturated fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids which are much healthier than saturated fats found in animal fat.  According to the 2010 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee, animal fats are associated with increased total and LDL cholesterol, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease risk.  In addition to using olive oil, for example, as you improve the types of fat in your diet, think of the whole foods packaged the way Mother Nature intended us to eat it: packed with healthy fats, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals and free of trans fats. For example, numerous studies have found benefits for including nuts in the diet. While most of the research has focused on the benefits of eating nuts for better heart health, nuts have also been linked with bone health, cancer prevention, improved cognitive function, and diabetes prevention and treatment.  Also it is easy to use fresh peanut butter or almond butter or mashed avocado instead of mayo or refined margarine-based spreads.

I sampled some delicious banana bread recently which had been made substituting one avocado for half the bananas called for.  Plus it included chopped walnuts which are a great healthy and crunchy snack instead of chips or crackers.  Keep a zip lock bag of them in your freezer -- they do not freeze hard but stay very fresh.

Barbara Bingham, nutritionist, wellness coach, and director of Kaizen Total Wellness does NOT believe that another diet book needs to be collecting dust on the shelves of those of us who want and need to improve our eating habits. She doesn't believe that we need another book filled with low-fat, low-sugar, high protein, soup only, grapefruit only, cabbage only....recipes! In fact, she questions how many of those books lie buried under a pile of other books, never to be opened again after the initial excitement of getting another new book is forgotten! 

Typical green salads start off healthy and can provide a very lean, nutrient and fiber-rich meal or side.   'Green' means leaves of spinach or dark green lettuce, and chopped veggies such as cucumber, bell pepper and broccoli.  Adding tomato or grated carrot is smart too -- the mistake is usually made when dressing the salad.   How much money and effort have companies like Kraft spent to convince us our salad isn't ready until we pour gobs of emulisfied salad syrup on it?  Check the labels and you will often find high amounts of sodium, sugar and/or fat along with artificial coloring, MSG and preservatives. If you make your dressing at home and put it in the right bottle, it will keep in the refrigerator for weeks and be just as convenient, cheaper, and healthier.
The principle behind the one true French vinaigrette is simple, chef Michael Roux explains in his book "Sauces" -- one teaspoon Dijon mustard, one tablespoon vinegar and three tablespoons oil. “Everyone has his or her own take on this simple recipe” Roux writes.  Experiment with your own creations by adding herbs, garlic, lemon juice, minced onion or even miso, ginger or stevia.  Vary the dressing by using different vinegars like balsamic or red wine vinegar. Extra virgin olive oil is not only a healthy choice but also a delicious one for your recipe sure to become your first choice over any dressing off the store shelf.

-Barbara Bingham, MCC, Nutritionist
 Director, Kaizen Total Wellness

An elderly man was stopped by the police around 2 am and was asked where he was going at this time of night.

The man replied, " I am on my way to a lecture about alcohol abuse and the effects it has on the human body, as well as smoking and staying out late."

USDAFood Pyramid

Please read the following article. It examines the benefits of certain spices added to foods. Please note it studied the actual spices and not antioxidant pills. At Kaizen Total Wellness, we recommend healthy eating, not taking unproven pill supplements! Enjoying real spices and fruits and veggies are not only cheaper then pills but taste better.

Barbara Bingham, Director
Kaizen Total Wellness Center
Nutritionist,  Wellness Coach

So what is the biggest cause of obesity? SODA? CANDY? ICE CREAM?

 R. Bruce, Comedian, Singer - Songwriter

There is nothing like a little humor now and then, a nice break to refresh and renew our commitment to a healthy lifestyle....so please click on the link below for your laugh of the day!