Fresh Lean Ground Beef Patties-Less Fat & Less Money

Save Money On Extra Lean Ground Beef Patties

  If you are like alot of others who are watching their fat calories, you may be wary of red meat. Here is a tip: Look for lean cuts of beef from the round or chuck which are usually less expensive. Find a nice lean cut on sale. Ask the butcher if he will trim off the excess fat and grind it for you. You will want to ask to have it ground three times for the proper texture. Now it is ready to take home and make your patties. Stores sell small plastic molds for forming patties which are very inexpensive and really easy to use. Typically making beef patties this way will result in beef that is between 93-97% lean and will cost about half as much as the pre formed patties.

Fresh Extra Lean Ground Beef Patties made for about 1.99 lb.

If you are grilling lean patties like this I recommend using a non-stick grilling spray applied to a clean grilling surface before cooking. Thepatties will be so lean that  they may tend to stick to the grill. Otherwise cook in a nonstick fry pan without any added oil.

Whole Wheat Rotini with Garlic,Spinach, and Cannellini Beans

The whole wheat pasta and cannellini bean combination have significant amounts of protein without adding any meat. I often make this dish with either sauteed shrimp or chicken, however it is excellent without, for my vegetarian friends.

Whole Wheat Rotini Pasta with Garlic, Spinach, and Cannellini Beans

In a large pot bring enough water to a boil to cook 1 lb of pasta.

In a large nonstick skillet I start by sauteeing 1 medium onion finely chopped in olive oil and a reduced fat butter substitute(I use Smart Balance Light) 3-5 cloves garlic chopped ( I say the more garlic the merrier-use your own judgement) cook for 5 minutes over medium heat. Add 12-16 oz. fresh chopped spinach, add salt and pepper to taste. Add fresh squezed juice of 1 lemon, cover for 5 minutes until spinach is wilted. When Pasta is done(about 10 minutes) drain and toss with garlic, spinach, and drained and rinsed cannellini beans.

Are antibiotics being used by the farming industry making you sick?

The overuse of antibiotics by the farming industry may be leading to a rise of drug resistant bacterias in beef, pork, poultry, and other fresh meats. If this is a concern of yours you may want to change some of your shopping habits.  The term "all natural" does not guarantee that there was no use of antibiotics in the rasing of the animal. Look for a label that states "No Antibiotics Administered". You can find most types of meat that are rasied without the use of antibiotics that are not as expensive as there 100% organic competitors. However if you can afford to shop 100% organic it might be the healthier choice. Find out more: http://www.rodale.com/staph-meat

Recall on Jennie-O's frozen turkey burgers and drug resistant strain of salmonella

Salmonella Hadar strain of bacteria is resistant to several types of antibiotic treatments according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Find out which states have been affected and how many people have become sick from this bacteria.http://planetgreen.discovery.com/food-health/drug-resistant-salmonella-found-in-55000-pounds-of-turkey-burger.html#mkcpgn=fbpg2

Salty high sodium foods are one of the main causes of heart disease in the U.S. Do you know how much salt is on your plate?

Salty foods you should avoid when dining out. Don't be fooled, some low fat options on your menu can have twice the amount of sodium. Consuming more than the recommended 2,300 mg of sodium per day can lead to heart disease. If you already have high blood pressure you should limit your sodium intake to 1500 mg or less per day. Check the following link for foods to avoid when dining out.
http://health.yahoo.net/experts/eatthis/saltiest-foods-2011

Burn more calories without breaking a sweat.

Burn more calories everyday by making simple changes to your lifestyle. Stand more sit less. Cut down your tv time. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Cook your meals ahead and limit take out dinners to two meals per week. See more calorie burning options at the link below:http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/health/8-sneaky-ways-to-burn-calories-without-sweating-2468566/

Organic meats vs. All Natural meats. What is the difference?

Organic foods and the requirements they must meet to be labeled Certified Organic. As far as meat goes (beef,pork,chicken,lamb,veal) there is little difference between what is considered All Natural, and what can be labeled Organic. The difference being that Organic meats must also be fed a 100%  organic vegetarian diet. Meats labeled all natural can also be free of hormones and raised without the use of antibiotics but their vegetarian diet may not be from 100% organic vegetables. Check the manufacturer's label carefully and don't overpay if you can help it. Many supermarkets carry their own line of "All Natural" meats which are comparable to the organic brands at a considerable discount. Check the link below for requirement standards.
http://www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/pubs/ofp/ofp.shtml

11 Things you should buy Organic

Most people are trying to eat healthier these days and we all know that buying organic can be the best way to go. The only problem is that most people can't afford to go 100% organic. Here are some tips on purchasing organic products to protect your health and your pockets.
http://shine.yahoo.com/event/green/11-things-you-should-buy-organic-2467411/

Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Ingredients:

Boneless skinless chicken breast cut into very thin strips( 1/2 lb per person)

Southwest seasoning (can use taco or fajita seasoning as well)

Fresh chopped tomatoes

Fresh chopped red onion

Fresh diced cucumber

1 can pinto beans (drained & rinsed)

Fresh chopped cilantro

1 jar salsa verde

Lemon or lime wedges

1 head of Romaine lettuce(large leaves) rinsed and patted dry

Low Fat Shredded cheese(optional)

Directions:

Season Chicken strips with either southwest seasoning blend or taco/fajita seasoning blend

Add chicken to a lightly oiled non-stick skillet over medium heat,stirring occasionally

While chicken is cooking prepare fresh vegetables & toppings onto serving dish as shown above

Chicken will cook in 15-20 minutes

Serve chicken onto large Romaine leaves and top with shredded cheese(optional), fresh vegetables, and salsa verde.

Wrap lettuce like a burrito or soft taco and enjoy.

Eat meat and lose weight!

Healthy Meal Ideas that can Help You Lose Weight. Did you know that eating protein every 2-3 hours can boost your metabolism as much as 20 percent? Choose lean meats like, chicken breast, pork loin, beef sirloin, loin, and round cuts. Incorporate heart healthy fish into your diet twice a week for added health benefits. Control your portions and you can be on your way to building lean muscle while you lose body fat.

Pictured above are Top Round Steaks. A very lean cut of meat from the hind leg. It can be marinated and grilled, cut up for lean stew meat, ground up for Extra-Lean Ground Beef, or sliced up for use in stir fry and many other dishes.