Dinner Tonight

Dinner Tonight

Healthy Cooking for a Healthy Texas

Rotisserie Chicken

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Chicken is a popular protein staple in many households. It can be budget friendly, easy to store, and great to make a variety of dishes. Plus most grocery stores offer the convenient option of picking up a fully cooked rotisserie chicken, ready to go for you!

If you do end up with leftover chicken or find yourself with a rotisserie chicken, work it into your favorite recipe the following day or try some of the recipes below:

But remember, the internal temperature of these recipes should reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Chicken Flautas

Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

White Chicken Chili

Chicken and Broccoli Pockets

Sheet Pan Chicken Tostadas

Mexican Chicken Soup

BBQ Chicken Sliders

Chipotle Chicken Taco Salad

Chicken Vegetable Soup

California Chicken Pasta

Chicken Entree Salad

Chicken Salad Pita Yogurt Sauce

Mango Chicken Salad

Chicken Broccoli Alfredo

Easy Spinach Chicken Pasta

Sushi Safety

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You can make some healthier substitutions for some of the most common ingredients used to build sushi rolls. Take a look at some suggestions to make the best pick when choosing a roll.

  1. Minimize your chances of infections caused by bacteria- choose cooked fish and shellfish. Follow proper food safety practices.
  2. Add healthy protein and fiber to your sushi by incorporating edamame on the side!
  3. Choose rolls with more fruit and vegetables for added vitamins and flavor without the higher-calorie ingredients such as cream cheese and sauces.
  4. Be good to your heart, use “lower sodium” soy sauce when dipping your sushi. Easy on the dipping!
  5. Think about using whole-grain brown rice for added fiber instead of white rice.
  6. Ginger is great for cleaning your pallet with new flavors and provides some minerals such as potassium, magnesium, copper, and manganese.

See these recommendations in reality in this Spicy Salmon Sushi Cups recipe!

Source:

Healthline.com

Carbonated Water

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Staying hydrated is a key step in keeping your body healthy. Eating foods high in water, such as watermelon and cucumbers, and drinking hydrating fluids, can help you meet your hydration goals daily. But what if you do not like to drink water or need some flavor to help you reach your goals?  

Carbonated water has become a popular option for increasing daily water intake. Carbonated water is acidic water infused with carbon dioxide gas under pressure. It is a substitute for sodas and sweetened soft drinks but also hydrating with a little fizz. The fizz, or bubbles, also helps enhance digestion by settling upset stomachs, feeling fuller for a longer time, and relieving constipation.  

With so many options available for carbonated water, you may wonder, what are the differences? Are they good for me? Which is best?  

Let us take a closer look at the similarities and differences between the four main types of carbonated water: club soda, seltzer, sparkling water, and tonic water. 

Club Soda (water injected with carbon dioxide)

  • Calories: No 
  • Minerals: potassium sulfate, sodium chloride, disodium phosphate, and sodium bicarbonate. 
  • Sugar: No 
  • Added Content: Manufactures Flavors 

 Seltzer (water injected with carbon dioxide)

  • Calories: No 
  • Vitamin/Minerals: No 
  • Sugar: No 
  • Added Content: No 

Sparkling Water (Naturally Carbonated by naturally occurring carbonation from a Spring or Well) 

  • Calories: No 
  • Vitamin/Minerals: sodium, magnesium, calcium 
  • Sugar: No 
  • Added Content: No 

Tonic Water

  • Calories: Yes 
  • Vitamin/Minerals: sodium, zinc, copper 
  • Sugar: Yes- sugars and high fructose corn syrup 
  • Added Content: Yes- quinine bitter compound from cinchona trees 

 All types of carbonated waters are beneficial in increasing your water intake; however, you may want to limit your intake of tonic water due to its sugar content.   

Looking for “fizzy” water, try this Sparkling Pineapple and Vanilla Tea beverage   

 

Source:

Healthline

-Club Soda, Seltzer, Sparkling Water, and Tonic Water: A comparison https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/club-soda-vs-seltzer

-Carbonated (Sparkling) Water: Good or Bad? https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/carbonated-water-good-or-bad?utm_source=ReadNext

Coffee

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Coffee has become so popular that researchers are evaluating the trend-setting beverage.  Take a look at some of the health benefits that have been associated with coffee.

  • Increase Energy Levels
  • Lower Risk Of Depression
  • Promote Weight Management
  • Support Brain Health
  • Enhance Athletic Performance
  • Protect Against Chronic Diseases

Try our Coffee Smoothie!

It is important to regularly clean your coffee maker for the longevity of the maker, for your health, and for your favorite cup of brew. Coffee buildup can cause bitter tasting coffee, which is a sign of, bacterial growth, yeast, mold, and mineral deposits to slow the functions of your coffee maker.

If you have noticed bitter-tasting coffee, longer than normal brew time, extra grounds in your cup, and a moldy smell, chances are your coffee maker is long overdue for a cleaning. Follow the easy and inexpensive steps to clean your appliance and start enjoying your coffee again.

Traditional Drip-Pot Coffee Maker

  1. Wash all removable parts to your appliance with warm soapy water.
  2. Decalcify your appliance every month by using water and vinegar. Fill the reservoir with equal parts of water and vinegar.
  3. Add a filter to the brewing basket.
  4. Turn on the coffee maker to brew only to the half pot line.
  5. Turn off the coffee maker and let the remaining vinegar solution sit for 30-60 minutes to release any mineral deposits.
  6. Continue with the brewing and dispose of the brewed vinegar solution.
  7. Repeat the process 2 more times with only water to rinse away any remaining vinegar.

Single Serve Coffee Maker

  1. Wash all removable parts to your appliance with warm, soapy water.  Use a toothbrush to clean any grounds around the pod holder.
  2. If reusable filters are used, gently brush the filter with vinegar and water.
  3. Replace the reservoir and fill it with equal parts of water and vinegar.
  4. Place a mug and set the coffee maker to brew at the largest (cup size) setting. Dispose of brewed vinegar.
  5. Brew half of the water and vinegar solution, and let the remaining sit in the appliance for 1-2 hours.
  6. Continue with the brewing until all the vinegar is disposed of.
  7. Repeat steps 2 more times with only water to rinse away any remaining vinegar.

According to scientists at the FDA, caffeine can be part of a healthy diet for most people, but too much caffeine may pose a danger to your health. Depending on factors such as body weight, medications you may take, and individual sensitivity, “too much” can vary from person to person.

Learn more about caffeine from the FDA. 

Please consult a physician or a registered dietitian if you have questions about how much caffeine is right for you.

Sources:

Healthline.com 

Bhg.com

Goodhousekeeping.com

FDA

Charcuterie Boards

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Charcuterie Boards are very on-trend right now but for good reason, they make sense in a lot of situations! Whether you are looking to create a charcuterie board for a gathering of friends and family, or just looking to put out some snacks to keep hunger away, charcuterie boards are a new go-to. While the concept is fairly simple, we want to provide you with tips to balance your board.

Elements of a charcuterie board:

  • Protein – focus on lean, low sodium, and low nitrate proteins
  • Dairy
  • Fruit
  • Vegetables
  • Grains

Check out these healthy swaps to make your board for a healthy holiday season!

  • Reduce Added Sugars
    • Switch dried fruit with fresh fruit
    • Opt for sugar-free or no sugar added dips & spreads
  • Limit Sodium
    • Switch salted nuts with unsalted/raw options
    • Select lower sodium cheeses such as swiss, fresh mozzarella, or goat cheese
  • Go Whole Grain
    • Switch regular crackers with whole-grain options such as multi-grain crackers, whole wheat baguettes, or whole-grain crostini
  • Add Healthy Fats
    • Add nuts and seeds to add some heart-healthy fats to your board

Add some extra pizazz to your boards by including dips. Check out these dip recipes to pair with your fresh fruit or vegetables.

Keep your board safe!

  • Charcuterie boards can only be set out at room temperature for 2 hours or less before the food will be considered unsafe. Be sure to take this into consideration when preparing and setting the board out for snacking!

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