FitSugar

3 Words to Know When You're Ordering Vegetarian

FitSugar — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 11:00:00 PST

Vegetarians pay particular attention to ensuring they're consuming enough protein because there's no meat centerpiece to take care of that important nutritional component. There are often choices like tempeh and seitan for building a veggie-friendly salad that goes beyond tofu, and quinoa is a go-to grain because it contains high levels of protein. When you're choosing a meatless meal out, don't skim over these selections because you're not sure how to pronounce them. Expand your vegetarian vocab by learning how to say these three words.

Tempeh: Pronounced tem-pay, 4 ounces of this soy-based meatless alternative contains 22 grams of protein.
Seitan: Made from wheat gluten, this veggie option is pronounced say-tan or see-tan. Just 3 ounces of it contains 19 grams of protein.
Quinoa: Often referred to as the mother grain, the options with this protein-rich grain are endless. Ask for keen-wa, and you'll get 6 grams of protein in just 1/4 cup.

Source

Food Review: LightLife Smart Stuffers

FitSugar — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 10:00:00 PST

As a meat eater, I'm not afraid to chow down on tofu and seitan. I usually don't opt for meat alternatives though, like meatless chicken patties or fakin' bacon, because I enjoy chicken patties and bacon. Normally, I wouldn't go out of my way and buy these Lightlife Smart Stuffers, but a vegetarian friend of mine raved about them, so I thought I would give them a try. Basically they're supposed to be like breaded stuffed chicken. To see how it tasted and how many calories are in one stuffer,

Link Time: Make Chocolate Ganache Truffles

Susannah Chen — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 11:08:55 PST

Learn how to make basic chocolate ganache truffles at home - Vegetarian Times
Top 100 dishes from around the world - Foodspotting
Do aphrodisiac foods really work? - The Kitchn
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Why gluten-free pasta's worth trying, regardless of your diet - Food Republic
Must make: Korean-Chinese spicy noodle soup - The Daily Meal
5 free iPhone apps to help you impress your date - GeekSugar

Healthy Dose Link Time: Why Being Single Can Sometimes Be Better

Michele Foley — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 10:27:35 PST

Why being single is sometimes better (for your waistline) - Self
Find out what happens to unused muscles - Fit Bottomed Girls
The foods that health experts always keep in their kitchens - Real Simple
Salad shouldn't be boring: rosemary and balsamic-roasted grapes and olives - Vegetarian Times
Make it really count! Sex positions that double as exercise - Fitness
How one couple lost 285 pounds together - Daily Spark
Rebecca Romijn says losing baby weight was the "hardest thing I've ever done . . . " - Fit Celeb
Seven simple ways to get healthy right now! - InStyle

Foodie Friday Link Time: Low-Cal Love Potions

Susi May — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 10:04:21 PST

Low-calorie cocktails for your Valentine's Day celebrations - Shape
Go ahead and plate up some pasta; these recipes are healthy - Real Simple
Healthify your chocolate torte with sweet potatoes! - Vegetarian Times
9 power foods that boost your immunity - Prevention
Healthy reasons to not follow recipes when making meals - Self
Low-calorie sweets that please the palate and satisfy - Fitness
Crazy, natural ways to jump-start your stalled weight loss journey - Mind Body Green
Quick protein-packed breakfast: eggs in a mug, in a microwave - Fit Bottomed Girls
You can make a meal in a rice cooker - see how - Fitnessista
How long does it really take for food to go bad in your fridge? - Blisstree

6 Ways Vegetarians Can Be Economical

Emily Co — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:25:52 PST

There's always the perception that being vegetarian is expensive, but that's not necessarily the case. Deborah Madison, the author of Vegetarian Cooking For Everyone and Vegetable Soups From Deborah Madison's Kitchen, says in general, "vegetables aren't that expensive compared to meat." Here are tips from Madison on a few ways vegetarians can save:

Learn to cook and eat grains and legumes of all kinds. "Grains and legumes are very economical and are often organic. You can even buy them in bulk bins, which is always a good way to save money. There are some new books out now on grains that will teach you about their flavors and how to cook them - invest in one! "I suggest, Ancient Grains For Modern Meals by Maria Speck."
Know which vegetables give you the best value. It's important to also know which veggies you can use entirely. "Carrots, winter squash, fennel, cabbage - these are very efficient vegetables in that you can use every part of them. Fennel can be expensive, but if you slice it on an inexpensive mandoline, you can get a lot of salad material from one small bulb."
Find out what the edible parts are. "For example, well-peeled broccoli stems are delicate and delicious, and broccoli with the stems costs less than the crowns alone. If beets come with their leaves, use them! They are related to spinach and chard and are just as good. Chop off the stems, discard any that aren't up to snuff, and cook the rest. Chard stems are also quite edible and actually favored over the greens in other countries. You've got two vegetables in one if you use them. Fennel stalks can be used in a soup or soup stock, the greens a garnish."

Read on for more.

Link Time: Put Marshmallows in Your Tea

Camilla Salem — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 11:19:24 PST

Marshmallows in tea? Sounds strangely amazing -Oh Joy
Are you allergic to any of these foods? - The Daily Meal
Ground meat shouldn't stay in your fridge for very long - Food Republic
Arugula: ways to eat up this spicy green - Vegetarian Times
Get fancy with your Valentine's Day cake decorating - Real Simple
Let your sign dictate what restaurant you go to - HuffPost Food
Pink and red bubbly is totally appropriate for this month - Saveur
A $10,000 Pizza Hut proposal -Eater

8 Meatless Meals to Warm You Up

Lizzie Fuhr — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 04:18:59 PST

Super Bowl Sunday is the second biggest day of eating after Thanksgiving. And if you had as good of a time as I did yesterday, chances are you're looking for a little reprieve from all that decadent (and amazing) party food. The perfect way to lighten up your night? Going for a meat-free meal. Have no fear - we've got you covered with 10 vegetarian recipes that are sure to fill and warm you up. Click through these recipes and get inspired for supper tonight!

Healthy Swaps: Best Choices For Protein-Rich Dairy

Jenny Sugar — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:25:29 PST

Depending on how active you are and how much you weigh, a woman needs about 60 to 100 grams of protein a day, which is a pretty hefty amount. Protein helps build lean muscle and can also help with weight loss, so it's important to get enough each day. Dairy products are a great vegetarian source of this macronutrient, but some foods are richer in protein than others. Check out these healthy swaps to find out how to get more protein at every meal, including snacks.

Source: Thinkstock

Killer App: Mushrooms Stuffed With Artichoke and Spinach Dip

Lauren Hendrickson — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 12:37:29 PST

I'm always on the hunt for those perfect bite-size appetizers that are suitable for just about any party, even this weekend's Super Bowl. These button mushrooms stuffed with artichoke and spinach dip are just that; they only require a small cocktail napkin and are best served warm, but are even satisfying at room temperature. The earthy mushrooms are filled with a creamy vegetable mixture and topped with crunchy panko crumbs - a perfect bite.

The task of preparing the mushrooms can be a little tedious, as you'll want to remove the gills, or the undersides of the mushroom caps, since they retain most of the water; removing them will ensure you won't have a soggy bite. With the right tools (either a small paring knife or a tiny melon baller), removing the gills is fairly easy.

Keep reading for even more tips and this killer app recipe.