The internet is amazing tool!

In about five minutes, I found a great recipe for Gazpacho and then went on to find out the nutrition information in a green bell pepper and tomatoes! They are LOADED with lycopene and vitamin c. What a great way to incorporate some of these awesome summer vegetables into your diet. My challenge for you this week is to have at least three meatless meals and to make this (or another) recipe that really lets you taste how good “healthy” can be! Happy summer!
GAZPACHO
Makes 6 servings
6 large tomatoes
1 large cucumber, peeled, seeded and finely diced
1 large green bell pepper, finely chopped
1 medium-sized red onion, minced
3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons olive oil
Juice of 1/2 lemon
2 to 3 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (to taste)
2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped or 2 teaspoons dried basil
Salt and fresh ground pepper to taste
Tabasco sauce to taste
To peel the tomatoes, submerge them in boiling water for 15 seconds. Place in a colander and rinse under cold water. The skins should slip right off. Core the tomatoes and gently squeeze out the seeds. Chop half of the tomatoes coarsely and puree the other half in a food processor. Combine the puree and chopped tomatoes in a large mixing bowl. Blend the remaining ingredients with the tomatoes. Cover and refrigerate for several hours before serving. Serve chilled; garnish with herbed croutons if desired.
NUTRITIONAL ANALYSIS PER SERVING: Calories, 99; Fat, 5 g; Cholesterol, 0 mg, Fiber, 3 g; Sodium, 20 mg.
SOURCE: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/National Center for Chronic Disease Control and Health Promotion www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/5aday/
month/tomato.htm

GERMOPHOBE!

Stay Well This Winter!

We are smack dab in the middle of cold and flu season. Just what can we do to keep ourselves well? Here are a few great tips:

1. Drink plenty of water. Keep yourself hydrated inside and out! Wash your hands often especially after your work out. Get a refillable bottle and keep it with you all day.
2. Increase your intake of vitamin C...we all know a pill is just a pill! Try to get you vitamin C from foods like citrus fruits, broccoli, red pepper, and spinach. A diet rich in vitamin C reduces your histamine levels and increases antibodies.
3. REST! The body needs our normal sleep cycle to cleanse the blood and perform cell repair. This is imperative to staying well! This is also the reason it’s not a good idea to eat before bed...blood is sent to the belly for digestion instead of doing its nightly housekeeping. That’s why we wake up tired after eating late in the evening.
4. Reduce Stress...easier said than done, right?!? Try meditation, treat yourself to a massage or a session on John’s table, or add in a yoga class. I hesitate to say it...but a glass of red wine could be helpful too...note I said ONE GLASS not one bottle.
5. Work Out! Believe it or not...daily exercise really does stimulate the immune system and helps us to stay strong and healthy. However, if you are feeling sick... exercise can be very counterproductive. If you have a fever then avoid increasing your heart rate until your body temperature returns to normal. Also, use common sense and take it easy until you are back at 100%.
6. Finally...no smoking, limit alcohol and caffeine intake. DUH!

So take care of yourself and stay healthy...warm weather will be back before you know it!!