Monday, April 14, 2014

SPRING BREAK

I'm calling this week "Spring Break." We are not going anywhere and I'm not even sure what we are doing for Easter Sunday but I am pretty sure that we will be roasting a prime rib and will have a lot of side dishes to enjoy. Do you have plans for Easter Sunday?

Here are a few decorations that are sitting around the 
house. I didn't put everything out this year!

I'm thinking of trying the Watergate Salad that I read about on a couple of Wednesday Hodgepodge answers from March 26th.  Also thinking of trying Plantation Pound Cake which I saw last week on CiCi's post. I like tradition but I also like trying new things!
Thought I would share a few nutritional facts that I came across in my REDBOOK magazine about eating your colors.

RED: The rosy hue in luscious red produce comes from lycopene, an antioxidant that protects skin from sun damage and decreases the risk of heart disease and certain forms of cancer, says Ashley Koff, a registered dietitian in Washington, DC. Plus, they maintains memory function and keep the urinary tract healthy.

ORANGE & YELLOW: Fruits and veggies in this color family are all immune-boosting powerhouses says Kroff, thanks to their carotenoids, which are converted to vitamin A in the body. Vitamin A is just as important as vitamin C, if not more so, when it comes to building a healthy immune system. "You might not think of mango and butternut squash as foods that can prevent you from getting sick, but they are,"says Frances Largeman-Roth, a dietitian. "Adding sunshine-colored foods to your diet also boosts reproductive health and gives you clearer skin."

GREEN: Doctors and dietitians agree that if your looking to lose weight, you should load up on greens. "That's because every vegetable in the green spectrum is low in calories and high in fiber," says Largeman-Roth. "You get a lot of nutrition in a low-cal package that'll fill you up." The chlorophyll in greens may help ward off cancer and has alkalizing benefits, helping to bring the body back to a healthy pH balance. (Most of us are acidic, thanks to the processed foods we eat.) Green foods also have high levels of certain phytochemicals that help break down carcinogens and strengthen bones and teeth, says Koff.

WHITE & TAN: So white and tan produce counts as nutritional heroes? Definitely, says Koff. These fruits and veggies may look bland, but they've got plenty of health benefits." They're loaded with anthoxanthins, which have been shown to help lower cholesterol and blood pressure as well as prevent heart disease. Many of the foods in this color group also contain allicin, which may decrease the risk of stomach cancer and inhibit tumor growth. Largeman-Roth adds another plus when it comes to white and tan produce: "These foods have a lot of texture going on which makes them interesting to cook and eat."

BLUE & PURPLE: These dark beauties have hefty doses of phenolics and resveratrol, two plant nutrients that reduce the risk of cancer, stroke and heart disease while they improve memory. And like produce in the red color group, blue and purple fruits ad veggies get cancer-fighting powers from anthocyanins, those powerful antioxidants. "While purple veggies like cabbage and eggplant might seem daunting to work into your diet, they're a lot easier to cook with than you might think, and less expensive than berries," says Largeman-Roth.

So there you have it, eat a rainbow of colors!

(No Wednesday Hodgepodge this week)

35 comments:

Mara said...

I will be working all over Easter and have never ever put up any decorations. I will stick to my Christmas ones!

Secret Agent Woman said...

I've long been a believer in having as big a variety of colors as possible in a meal.

I think my son and I may get out and hike or kayak on Easter weekend.

Montanagirl said...

This is a "Great" Post! Dr. Oz was saying something about all the different colored fruits and vegetables out there, that we should all be eating. My chips and salted peanuts were not on that list.

TexWisGirl said...

loved the rabbit family portrait. :)

enjoy your week!

MadSnapper said...

love the brown bunny in the collage and the bunny family photo is so cute.. no plans for Easter..

betty said...

Enjoy the spring break, Debby :) Traditionally, I've always thought the week before Easter or the week after Easter have been spring breaks; its funny that when the kids were in school in Montana, spring break was the second week of March which was still winter, LOL.

Your prime rib sounds like a delicious start to planning Easter. We haven't sat down yet to put together a meal; not sure what we will be feasting on yet.

Thanks for sharing that about the colors of food; I do think it is good to have a variety of colors to eat, not just for the health benefits, but also for a more appealing plate; looks neat with different colors of food on it, not bland, know what I mean?

betty

Sharon said...

We are planning to bring my mom up to our house in the mountains this week, and hoping that she'll do well enough to be able to stay through Easter Sunday!

May you have a blessed Holy Week, and may you enjoy celebrating our Risen Savior.

GOD BLESS!

April said...

That's all such great information, Debby! I know you'll love Watergate Salad...it's one of our favorites for Easter and Christmastime.

kc bob said...

You had me at "roasting a prime rib". :)

We are unsure of our Easter plans but will probably do an Easter evening (5pm) service with friends then eat out.

Deb said...

we are going to the cabin again this year at the lake...this year it is my Hubbies family reunion...so excited to get away!

bp said...

I pinned the pound cake and want to try it myself.

Have a nice week! We are visiting my Mom for Easter.

Cathy said...

I've got the girls Easter Baskets made and Kelli's is ready to take to the post office this afternoon. Other than church, no plans yet.

Ceil said...

Hi Debby! Thank you for all that wonderful information on foods and colors. I guess I never even thought much about white foods...my mind goes straight to bread!

Have a wonderful Easter and blessed Holy Week too,
Ceil

Miss Debbie said...

Prime rib...sounds yummy! One of my DILs loves watergate salad. She always asks for it for her bday.Enjoy your break!

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

I like trying new dishes too. Your choices sound great - I bet they'll be tasty!

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

I like trying new dishes too. Your choices sound great - I bet they'll be tasty!

Lea @ CiCis Corner said...

Oh, what an interesting post! I learned somethings I didn't know about colored foods.

I don't think you will be disappointed in the Plantation Pound Cake. I never do it any fancy bundt pan though. The coconut can cause it to stick so I just do it in a plain bundt pan sprayed with plenty of Baker's Choice.

Happy Easter week!!!

Chatty Crone said...

First of all I hope you have a great Easter. Your house is decorated so pretty. And I so agree about all those beautiful veggies!!!

Claudya Martinez said...

You had me at prime rib! Have a wonderful Easter.

Joyce said...

We will have our traditional menu because my family would revolt otherwise : ) I love it though, so am not complaining. Baked ham, pineapple stuffing, roasted asparagus, and deviled eggs. I'm making an orange cream cake for dessert that I had at a friend's house recently, and it was one of the lightest freshest cakes I've ever tasted. Hope mine is the same! Easter blessings to you Debby!

Formerly known as Frau said...

I hope you and your family have a wonderful Easter. Katelyn arrived home last night so I'm gonna be busy making all her favorites and doting on her as much as possible; I missed that girl!

Cranberry Morning said...

I've no idea what we're going to do for Easter. Seems odd, doesn't it. But three of our kids and their families live too far away, and the other two may possibly be here with us. Isn't that great info about eating the colors. I find it fascinating!

Little Penpen said...

I've been reading a lot on nutrition lately, but mostly about the low carb science and why it works. About the Watergate salad, it is YUMMY! It used to be a staple at all church events when I was growing up. Not sure if I have seen it lately, but will def. look next time we have a big meal!!

Together We Save said...

Happy Easter!!

Alexis AKA MOM said...

Rick is in Palm Springs again for 3 weeks so we might have dinner / lunch with my parents.

The boys and I will go to Easter service on Sat since the bunny will be there that night :)

Kristie said...

Easter decorations are always so cute! :-)

Our Easter Sunday plans are to make it to church and take a two hour drive (one way) to my sister's for dinner...and the stuff we usually do at home with the kids :-)

It's so neat to read about the benefits of fruits and veggies! Makes you want to eat them even more!! :-)

NanaNor's said...

Hi Debby, Love all the Easter colors! We will be spending Easter in Hawaii this year, for a much needed break after spending the last month working hard for our move. I pray you have a blessed Resurrection Day my friend!
Hugs,
Noreen

Anonymous said...

I enjoyed viewing your Easter decorations :) So cute!

I think you'll like Watergate Salad, we do!

Thanks for sharing the nutritional facts. I knew that green was good, didn't know about some of the others.

In case I don't get back over here again before, have a Happy Easter!

Hilary said...

So interesting about the colors….

Doreen McGettigan said...

Orange foods also have a lot of natural estrogen which can be a miracle worker for menopausal woman.
doreenmcgettigan.com

Laura said...

I'm back!!! I have missed reading your blog. I haven't read any blogs recently or written many posts because life seems so hectic. It's good to be back. I have a nutriblast so I am loving my smoothies with all the colored stuff! ;-)
Have a wonderful Easter!! I love your decorations. I don't think they'll be coming out at my house this year... there's a reason we I haven't blogged! Crazy busy!! <3

Dawn @ Words Of Deliciousness said...

I hope you have a Happy Easter.

Ginny Marie said...

My sister-in-law was going to have Easter, but then last week she told me she was going to visit her son so I'd have to figure out what I wanted to do for Easter instead. I don't mind having Easter, I just wish she wouldn't do that to me! (It's happened before!) I know you understand completely. :)

Cyndy @ Back in the Bush said...

I love colorful meals, especially red, orange, yellow and green bell peppers =)
We're just going to my parents' house for Easter dinner and to watch my great-nieces do the Easter thing.

Unknown said...

Love the info on veggies they are so important:)

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