Friday Finds: Spaghetti Mesure

This spaghetti measure by Joseph Joseph's is absolutely ingenious! It allows you to select how many portions of spaghetti you need to make, and then fill the hole appropriately.  I love this invention because it ensures that you make enough spaghetti for a larger group, but when you are cooking for yourself you can make sure you do not make too much.  Portion sizes are key when losing weight or just trying to stay healthy, so I love any device that can help you determine the correct portion because I think we are ALL guilty of not knowing how much a 1/2 cup of pasta is!

Source: aplusrstore.com via Elizabeth on Pinterest

Have a Great Weekend!

Elizabeth Milne, MS, RD, LD

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Listen to your... Stomach

As a dietitian people love to ask me about the most recent diet craze, but haven't you heard? Fad Diets are so out of style.  Even with the initial weight loss from extreme dieting, restricting choices tends to lead to boredom and non-compliance, therefore no long lasting weight loss. 

[However, as soon as this escapes my mouth some woman loses 75 pounds eating only Starbucks] 

People always want to give up entire macro nutrients i.e. the hated carbohydrates, or trick their bodies into burning more calories (by the way you can't TRICK your body).  Which brings me to my next point, maybe our bodies are actually telling us something....

The concept of listening to what our bodies are telling us is quite the idea.  When you are hungry, get a snack or a meal.  Then, pay attention to when your body says its had enough.  

So what if your body is telling you to eat a cupcake?  

I found this article on Food Cravings Explained that I really liked.  This video report explains that when we are craving certain foods like cookies (simple sugars), our body is wanting quick energy.  This need for quick sources of energy could actually be from a lack of sleep.

Bringing me to my last point, taking care of our bodies-- getting enough sleep, reducing stress, getting plenty of water, exercising-- can help our diets stay in check as well.  So eat mindfully, treat your body well, and it will be kind in return.

Be well,

Elizabeth Milne, MS, RD, LD

21 Day Challenge: Day 1

Day 1: The Junk Drawer

This project was so easy I decided to clean out the junk drawer and my silverware drawer. I love how this is 21 days so that way if you have to move things to other locations, those other places will be cleaned and organized too... eventually.

Before: Disaster

After: Organized :)

Before: I had all my new and old flatware- cleaned out the cheap, old flatware, sent it to my brother in college and....

I now have this- much better! So what did I do with the old organizer?

Used it in the bathroom- its perfect!

21 Day Challenge: Getting Started

Getting Started:

I am so excited about this new challenge I am taking on! William and I moved into our house in Birmingham and everything was just kind of a mess until after the wedding.  I am slowly getting things organized, but no major progress has been made.  The excuses stop here though... This house needs to become more of a home so I am taking this challenge from A Bowl Full of Lemons.  You may ask why I am doing an organizing challenge when my blog focuses on health and wellness?  Being organized is the healthiest thing you can do!

-It saves you time and money

-Decreases stress

-Your house is cleaner thus healthier

-It makes you feel good!

So yesterday I went to two stores I never go to on the search for organizing devices- Tuesday Morning & Big Lots, and I am so glad I did! Here is what I got to get me started:

From Big Lots:

Three drawer organizer- $5.00

Utensil organizer- it is bigger than my last one and
all our new flatware fits much better! $1.90

2 Large Bins- $5.00 each, Laundry Basket- $3.00

From Tuesday Morning (this store is great when it comes to organization!) and they were all less than $10

I actually got this for our guest bedroom /office to store supplies
(Pinterest Idea from  iHeart Organizing)

This is an ironing board cover- it isn't really for  organizing,
but I am happy to announce that I have a beautiful ironing board now
(Husband loves to iron so he was excited- kind of)

Storage boxes by Waverly- these are so cute!
The top one is for junk drawer organization,
black and white one is for my desk,
and the other one I am using as a jewelry organizer 

Check back in tomorrow because I will be posting pictures of my first organizing challenge: the junk drawer.

Happy Organizing!

Elizabeth Milne, MS, RD, LD

Use What You Have: Poblano Quesadillas w/ Black Beans and Corn

Its fall, and William was so excited on Sunday to make his favorite fall/winter dish, Chili [recipe to come].  It was delicious! Last night, however, after mowing the lawn and going for a 4 mile walk/run, we decided to give our wallets a break and clean out the fridge instead.

I also have to credit my mother in this blog because she is the queen of using what you have; she amazes me!

What we had:
-poblano peppers [leftover from chili]
-the cheese drawer [pepperjack, cheddar, monterrey jack]
-tortillas [always have some tortillas- like a canvas]
-frozen corn [from previous recipe]
-black beans [favorite quick fix ingredient]
-roma tomatoes [on sale at aldi]
-a spice drawer and fresh herbs
-thai hot chili sauce [used for black bean burgers]

What we made:
-three cheese + poblano pepper quesadillas
-black beans + corn + herbs and spices (cumin, chili powder, cilantro, thai hot chili sauce)
-diced tomato topping

=use what you have dinner & meatless monday!

not the best picture, but just wanted to
give you an idea of what we did

Thanks Shepard for our cutting board,
we are obsessed!

Quesadillas are such a great way to use what you have, just add whatever is tasty with cheese, which is pretty much EVERYTHING!

Have a Great Week!

Elizabeth Milne, MS, RD, LD

The Milne's Grow A Garden: Herb Garden 101

Happy Monday everyone! I hope you had a fabulous weekend. William and I did! On Friday night we tried a restaurant I have been wanting to try since we moved to Birmingham, Little Donkey.  It has very mediocre reviews on Urbanspoon so I was a little apprehensive, but then I found out it was voted Birmingham's Best New Restaurant, and I had to try it! William had his usual Mexican dish, the Chile Relleno with the Street-Style Corn and La Concoction (rice, beans, and a poached egg on top- amazing!) and I had the Hickory Smoked Brisket Torta with La Concoction, and a margarita of course. I can best summarize the food as a Mexican-Southern food fusion, it was delicious and not too pricey for the quality!

Fast forward through a day of watching football (Auburn played better than anticipated, but could not pull off the win--sad face) to Sunday where William and I headed to Lowes to start a garden.  We are definitely beginners in the garden department so we have decided to start with a little, edible herb garden. To my surprise it is super easy to do and now I have basil, chives, cilantro, and rosemary at my fingertips! I cannot wait to expand... So for those of you interested in doing this here we go:

William at Lowes, slightly embarrassed of my need to document 

Basil 

Cilantro

Rosemary

Chives

The lady at Lowes told us to use Miracle Grow Potting Mix

Basil, Rosemary, Cilantro & Chives


So all you have to do is remove label to the plant, place in pot with soil, and give them some water. Ta da! I think we spent $40 dollars for- 5 plants, 3 pots, and soil (and we have plenty left over).  No more having to spend $5 for a little bit of an herb at the grocery store!

Happy Gardening!

Elizabeth Milne, MS, RD, LD

Use What You Have: Cucumber & Tomato Salad

I hate wasting food so I like to make up recipes to use what I have, and the other day the item was cucumbers. When recipes don't just come to you, this search engine by Allrecipe.com is great because you can put in the ingredients you have and it searches for recipes, brilliant!

Ingredients:

2 Cucumbers

4 Roma Tomatoes

1/3 cup of Newman's Own Olive Oil & Vinegar Dressing

1/2 teaspoon of dried basil 

(fresh basil would be better, but I did not have any)

Salt & Pepper to taste 

Ingredients

Dice the tomatoes & add to mixing bowl

Dice the cucumbers & add to mixing bowl

Add olive oil & vinegar to bowl

Add Basil, Salt, and Pepper to the bowl

Mix it all together and refrigerate for a little

while so all the flavors soak in

Perfect pop of color to add to dinner

Enjoy!

Elizabeth Milne, MS, RD, LD

Five Favorite Quick Fix Ingredients

1) Newman's Own Olive Oil and Vinegar Salad Dressing

This delicious salad dressing is an excellent addition to your mixed green salad, but I do not stop there.  I have used this dressing as a substitute in recipes for oil and vinegar, I have marinated chicken with this dressing, and I have marinated vegetables... It really mixes quite well with anything!

2) Avocados

Avocados are like the icing on the cake for salads, their green color is so vibrant that it adds another dimension to your meal. My new favorite use for avocados was discovered at the Birmingham restaurant, Urban Cookhouse.  Their B.A.L.T. [bacon, avocado, lettuce, and tomato] makes me wonder how the classic B.L.T. was ever popular when the avocado really completes the sandwich.  I also love this Creamy Avocado Dressing recipe from Closet Cooking.

3) Pesto

Whenever there is no food in the refrigerator and William and I just cannot bring ourselves to go to the store we usually turn to pasta.  I am always a little more excited about this go-to meal when we have a jar of pesto because it really can turn something that is slightly boring into a tasty little dish.  I am not the only one to discover all the things pesto can do, Food Network loves this magical ingredient and outlined its uses in the article, "50 Things to Make with Pesto."  My favorites include adding pesto to pasta, pizza, and sandwiches!

4) Black Beans

I love black beans, and lately I have not only been eating them as a side, but have found many fabulous recipes where black beans are the star ingredient. My favorites include Black Bean Burgers from allrecipes.com and Hearty Black Bean Quesadillas from Budget Bytes. I also must note that black beans are nutrient rich, a great source of fiber and protein, and low in fat.

5) Hummus

Hummus is usually my snack solution, its like the new ranch dressing. My new favorite hummus flavor, Basil & Pesto Hummus by Sabra, is great for dipping carrots, celery, and pita chips.  This dip also makes for a delicious sandwich spread, and recently I have found these must try recipes, Hummus and Grilled Vegetable Pizza from Budget Bytes and Pepper Chicken with Hummus from Epicurious.

What are your favorite ingredients?

Elizabeth Milne, MS, RD, LD

So Hoppy Together

In the past few years, my husband, William, and l have developeda new hobby of tasting and discovering craft beers.  We have visited breweries such as, Sweetwater in Atlanta, The Wedge in Asheville, and Avondalehere in Birmingham, as well as restaurants that specialize in beer such as, The Porter and Brick Store Pub in Atlanta and The J. Clyde in Birmingham—All of which werecommend.

So of course I was intrigued when Draft Magazine publishedthe article, “DrinkBeer, Don’t Get Fat.”  This articlepoints out the fact that the states with the most breweries such as Coloradoand Vermont also have the lowest rates of obesity, while the state ofMississippi has the least breweries, and highest percentage of people who areobese.  

So maybe we should all drink tons of beer and we will besuper skinny? Not so fast.  Beer is typicallypretty high in calories ranging from 120 calories to 960 calories per beer accordingto kegworks.com’slist of lowest and highest calorie beers. This means that drinking 2 or 3 of these craft beers a day could lead toa pound of weight gain each week. 

But the inverse relationship between a state’s breweries andobesity rates is quite strong; maybe we are on to something…. 

Keep in mind, it is important to drink craft beer inmoderation- sip slowly; there is so much to taste in these artfully crafteddrinks. Often higher in alcohol than your typical Bud Light, the consumption ofan entire six-pack is not required.

Also, Pair it with food to enhance both the food and beer’sflavor.  Craftbeer.comhas an excellent list of beer and food pairings.  I personally love a black bean burger paired with a Pale Ale.

And lastly, make beer drinking the finale to a day ofhiking, biking, or other physical activity. After a whole day of exercise there is nothing more refreshing than adelicious beer (after drinking plenty of water of course!)

Cheers!

Elizabeth Milne, MS, RD, LD