soybeans

Labor Day weekend means food-happenings galore. At front and center is Slow Food Nation '08, the country's first ever slow food event, to be held in San Francisco. I'll be in attendance, so I can learn more about eating sustainably. Locals, perhaps I'll see you there! Here's the lineup; enjoy your long (and tasty) weekend.

• Sparks, NV: Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook-off — Aug. 27
• Millersport, OH: Millersport Sweet Corn Festival — Aug. 27
• Honolulu, HI: Joy of Sake — Aug. 28
• Morgan City, LA: Louisiana Shrimp & Petroleum Festival — Aug. 28-Sept. 1
• San Francisco, CA: Slow Food Nation — Aug. 29-Sept. 1

To see the rest, read more

Looking for a tasty snack that's full of protein and fiber but low in carbs and calories? I'm talking about edamame, baby soybeans still in the pod. Beans might not seem like the most delicious snack in the world, but once you try them, you'll fall for their fresh and slightly sweet flavor; plus they're a fun to eat finger-food. Sprinkle a little salt on them and they'll satisfy your salty cravings.

I first had edamame as an appetizer at a sushi restaurant, but you can pick some up to have at home too. Look for bags of frozen edamame. Buy them in the pods to eat as a snack, or for convenience sake buy them already shelled and add the beans to soups, salads, and stir-fries.

Just how healthy are these little soybeans? To find out read more

I could talk your ear off about omega-3 fatty acids, but hopefully you know by now that they are super beneficial to the body. They increase HDL (good cholesterol), decrease triglycerides, prevent irregular heart beats, and prevent blood clot formation. Omega-3s are the fats you should love because they also reduce inflammation throughout the body.

Last week when I posted about which fish are both high in omega-3s and low in mercury, I received a lot of comments from folks that just don't like eating fish. So here is a list of foods high in omega-3s.

• Flax seed and Flax seed oil: Uncle Sam breakfast cereal contains whole flax seeds and it is high in fiber, which means there are multiple reasons to eat it for breakfast. Flax seed oil can be used in salad dressing or on toast as a butter alternative. Calorie wise you get the most bang for your buck with flax seeds - 95 calories of flax seeds provide over 100 percent of the Daily Recommended Intake of omega-3s.
• Walnuts: Raw walnuts are a great treat, tossed into a green salad or your morning oatmeal. 2 ounces of walnuts contain 5.2 grams of omega-3s. Plus you can use walnut oil - it is great in salad dressing or on toast.
• Soybeans - 1 cup of cooked soybeans contains just over 1 gram of omega-3s. While that is not a lot, I say every little bit counts. Cook up some for your dinner veggie tonight...they are also great to munch on while you're cooking.
• Canola oil also contains omega 3s and can be used at high temperatures so it is great for baking and cooking.

Fit's Tip: The current dietary recommendation is to eat 7 - 11 grams of omega-3s a day. So plan your meals and snacks ahead of time so you can eat all you need of this fat. Remember, just because it is a good thing doesn't mean you should go overboard. Fat is still fat, even if it is good for you.

Beef is loved by many a person, maybe a little too much perhaps. Diets high in red meat have been linked to heart disease due to its high fat content.

A recent study found a link between eating high amounts of red meat and developing colon cancer. It can also increase the risk of heart disease in diabetics.

Anyway you slice it, eating a ton of beef just doesn't do a body good. Instead of simply switching to the other "white meat," why not try a meat alternative instead? Take a walk on the healthy side of life and check out some mock meats. Now don't get me wrong - they don't taste exactly like real beef, but they can be pretty tasty just the same.

Tofu, made from soaked and ground up soybeans, can be cubed and baked or stir-fried. It is also used to make Tofurky and Tofu Pups.

Tempeh is made with whole, fermented soybeans. It's great to marinate and bake. Fakin Bacon is made out of tempeh. Some people find it easier to digest than tofu.

The chewy consistency of Seitan (the vegetarian wheat meat), made from wheat gluten, is great in mock chicken nuggets, or mock steak strips for fajitas. You can make it yourself, or buy the pre-made ones at the store.

TVP (textured vegetable protein) can be used to make veggie burgers, or added to chili or other soups to replicate a meaty texture.

These meat alternatives taste fairly bland, making them perfect for marinades. Plus they're great alternative sources of protein.

Fits Tips: Many Asian restaurants offer dishes with these mock meats. If you're nervous about making them yourself, order them the next time you go out to eat. Their delicious taste and texture is not only satisfying but healthier for you than red meat.