http://articles.innovativefoodstorage.com/rss.xml A blog about innovativefoodstorage.com daily 365 1901-01-01T00:00+00:00 http://articles.innovativefoodstorage.com/?a=35608 <p>by Gregg Hall</p><p>Many people are looking for ways to lose weight and become healthier. There are many weight loss programs being offered on television, in magazines and just about every where you look. There are even pills that you can take that promise to facilitate weight loss and build muscles. Some of them are very expensive and others offer unrealistic plans and goals that have failure written all over them. You don't have to spend a lot of extra money to try to get healthier and shed pounds. You also don't have to experiment with different diets. The best place to start to lose weight and feel great is right in your kitchen.<br /><br />Your kitchen probably has many unhealthy foods, just waiting for your consumption. Before you go on your next shopping trip, remove these items from your kitchen. Start with cabinets and get rid of all of those fattening chips, cookies or any other unhealthy snacks that are impeding your weight loss. Move onto the refrigerator and freezer. Toss out the half eaten containers of ice cream and sugar filled sodas. If it isn't healthy, get rid of it. Your body will thank you.<br /><br />Now, you can head to the grocery store. Make a list and stick to it. Ignore all of the displays of cakes and donuts and pay attention to the fresh produce aisle. Fill your cart with a variety of vegetables. Make sure to choose some from every color. Vegetables will supply you with needed vitamins and minerals. They pack large amounts of fiber to help you feel full and reduce your appetite. <br /><br />Instead of candy, by fresh fruit for a healthy way to satisfy your sweet tooth. Instead of fat laden fried chips, buy baked ones. You can dip them in low fat salsa for extra taste and enjoyment. Also try eating dried fruits and nuts for snacks. They are healthy and they taste great.<br /><br />Instead of ice cream, by sugar free fudge cycles. These have a rich taste that will trick your taste buds into believing that they're getting ice cream. You can also get low fat frozen yogurt which is just as tasty as ice cream. Another great desert is sugar free gelatin. You can top it with fruit and a sugar free whipped topping. There's no reason not to enjoy your food, just enjoy healthier ones.<br /><br />Replace fatty meats with lean cuts and fish. Try baking them instead of frying them to reduce fat. Instead of heavy sauces, sprinkle some soy sauce and garnish with sesame seeds for extra flavor. You can get cookbooks that will teach you how to prepare low fat delicious meals. <br /><br />Eat on smaller plates, like square sushi plates. The smaller the plate, the smaller the portion and make your table attractive by adding fresh flowers.<br /><br />By stocking your kitchen with healthy foods instead of fattening ones, your weight loss goals will be achieved.</p><h3 class="popup">About the Author </h3><p>Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Florida. Find more about this as well as Food Storage Containers at <a href="http://www.innovativefoodstorage.com/">http://www.innovativefoodstorage.com</a></p> 2006-08-31T10:02-04:00 http://articles.innovativefoodstorage.com/?a=35607 <p>by Gregg Hall</p><p>Organic products and raw foods have become extremely popular. Stores that specialize in these foods are springing up all over. Even grocery stores are devoting whole sections to them. The reason for that is because these foods are much healthier for you to eat.<br /><br />Organic foods contain no harmful pesticides, chemicals or processing. They are as natural as you can get. With all of the advice we hear of eating more fruits and vegetables, how much better is it for us to eat ones that do not have these harmful substances? Organic food does not stop at produce. There is also organic meats, fish, chicken, eggs, etc... If you look at the labels on salmon in the grocery store, you will see that some of them say that coloring has been added. When you buy organic fish, all you get are healthy ones that were raised naturally, instead of one with additives. <br /><br />The same theory applies to raw foods. Raw fruits and vegetables contain important vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that are beneficial to your health. Cooking them reduces those properties and can even remove some of them completely. By eating them raw, your body gets all of the benefits that nature intended. <br /><br />If you don't have a store that carries these foods, you can easily order them online. Many of these sites offer valuable information and advice as well. The more research you do on organic and raw foods, the more you will want to include them in your diet.<br /><br />You don't have to try to eat every fruit and vegetable being offered. Try different ones and see which you like the best. Here are a few to try.<br /><br />Cabbage-This vegetable is very high in fiber, something that we need to consume everyday. It is also packed with Vitamin C, which supports the cellular system.<br /><br />Kale-This dark green vegetable as well as others in the same color group provides powerful antioxidants, calcium and fiber.<br /><br />Barley-This grain has a beneficial effect on blood sugar. It also provides iron, fiber and niacin.<br /><br />Pumpkin and other orange vegetables provide carotene, a form of vitamin A. It also supplies the body with appetite reducing fiber.<br /><br />Cucumbers, this vegetable is high in water content. The skin is rich with fiber and the vegetable itself provides calcium and manganese.<br /><br />Celery-This crunchy treat has a diuretic effect and is said to help control blood pressure.<br /><br />When choosing your fruits and vegetables try to include all the different colors that they come in. By including organic and raw foods in your diet, you are well on your way to better health.</p><h3 class="popup">About the Author </h3><p>Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Florida. Find more about this as well as Innovative Food Storage at <a href="http://www.innovativefoodstorage.com/">http://www.innovativefoodstorage.com</a></p> 2006-08-31T09:59-04:00 http://articles.innovativefoodstorage.com/?a=34762 <p>by Gregg Hall </p><p>One of the greatest inventions for the food industry and consumers alike has been the refrigerator. What would we do without it? The modern refrigerator enables us to shop less frequently and keep larger quantities of food fresh. Foods are kept in the refrigerator to preserve freshness and keep it safe. <br /><br />While colder temperatures do keep food fresh and inhibit bacterial growth microorganisms that cause food spoilage can still multiply and grow when food is left too long, so you cannot leave food in a refrigerator for an indefinite period of time. Some foods have a longer shelf life than others while some will need to be discarded more quickly. If you follow these guidelines it will help you a great deal with keeping your perishable foods safe and fresh. <br /><br />First, you should strive to maintain a temperature of at least 40 degrees or less and keep a refrigerator thermometer in your refrigerator to be sure that the temperature remains at that level. You may also have to adjust the temperature on a seasonal basis dependent upon where you live. If you live in an area that gets very cold in the winter a 40 degree setting may prove to be too cold and result in freezing some foods such as milk and lettuce. Another tip is to be sure not to overload your refrigerator. It is crucial that air be able to circulate around the food to keep it fresh and cool.<br /><br />Always leave any meat and poultry products in the store wrap they were in when you bought them until you use them. The reason for this is to reduce the chance for bacteria to form which can increase with repeated handling. It is suggested that you store food that has been opened in foil, leakproof plastic bags, or airtight containers that will protect food from drying out. You always want to keep meat, poultry, and fish in the coldest part of the refrigerator. Be sure to store your eggs in their original carton on a shelf and not in the door.<br /><br />Never defrost or marinate meats on the kitchen counter, instead accomplish this by keeping the meats in the refrigerator where they will remain safe. Clean your refrigerator on a regular basis and remove spoiled foods immediately to avoid the possibility of passing the bacteria to other foods.<br /><br />By following these simple guidelines you will lessen the likelihood for bacteria and spoilage.</p><h3 class="popup">About the Author </h3><p>Gregg Hall is a business consultant and author for many online and offline businesses. Check out the <a href="http://www.innovativefoodstorage.com/">innovative food storage</a> containers at http://www.innovativefoodstorage.com</p> 2006-06-18T00:17-04:00