6 Healthies of the Junk Foods

Wednesday, October 28, 2009   0 Comments

Pork Rinds

Why you think they're bad: These puffy snacks are literally cut from pigskin. Then they're deep-fried.



Why they're not: A 1-ounce serving contains zero carbohydrates, 17 grams (g) of protein, and 9 g fat. That's nine times the protein and less fat than you'll find in a serving of carb-packed potato chips. Even better, 43 percent of a pork rind's fat is unsaturated, and most of that is oleic acid—the same healthy fat found in olive oil. Another 13 percent of its fat content is stearic acid, a type of saturated fat that's considered harmless, because it doesn't raise cholesterol levels.



Eat this: J&J Critters Microwave Pork Rinds ($6.50 for a 10-ounce container. Because the rinds are cooked and puffed in a microwave instead of deep-fried, each serving contains only 4 g fat—meaning they're lower in calories and less greasy than regular pork rinds.

Alcohol

Why you think it's bad: It has little nutritional value and is the reason we need the term "beer belly."



Why it's not: In a study of more than 18,000 men, Harvard scientists discovered that those who had an average of two drinks every day, 5 to 7 days a week, had the lowest risk of heart attack. And researchers at the University of Buffalo found that men who consume that same daily amount have lower levels of abdominal fat than those who drink only once or twice every 2 weeks but down more than four drinks each time.



Drink this: Pinot noir. It contains more disease-fighting antioxidants than any other type of alcoholic beverage. Look for a Santa Barbara County pinot noir that's a 2002 to 2004 vintage; those are generally recognized as the top wine-producing years for this finicky grape. We like the 2003 Foley, best in show at the San Francisco International Wine Festival.

Beef Jerky

Why you think it's bad: It's unhealthy meat that's loaded with preservatives.


Why it's not: Beef jerky is high in protein and doesn't raise your level of insulin—a hormone that signals your body to store fat. That makes it an ideal between-meals snack, especially when you're trying to lose weight. And while some beef-jerky brands are packed with high-sodium ingredients, such as MSG and sodium nitrate, chemical-free products are available. If you have high blood pressure, check the label for brands that are made from all-natural ingredients, which reduce the total sodium content.


Eat this: Gourmet Natural Beef Jerky. It has no preservatives and is made from lean, grass-fed beef. Research shows that, unlike grain-fed products, grass-fed beef contains the same healthy omega-3 fats found in fish.

Sour Cream

Why you think it's bad: You know 90 percent of its calories are derived from fat, at least half of which is saturated.



Why it's not: The percentage of fat is high, but the total amount isn't. Consider that a serving of sour cream is 2 tablespoons. That provides just 52 calories— half the amount that's in a single tablespoon of mayonnaise—and less saturated fat than you'd get from drinking a 12-ounce glass of 2 percent reduced-fat milk.



Eat this: Full-fat sour cream. Unless you actually prefer the taste of light or fat-free products (and who does?), opt for the classic version; it tastes richer, and the fat will help keep you full longer.

Coconut

Why you think it's bad: Ounce for ounce, coconut contains more saturated fat than butter does. As a result, health experts have warned that it will clog your arteries.



Why it's not: Even though coconut is packed with saturated fat, it appears to have a beneficial effect on heart-disease risk factors. One reason: More than 50 percent of its saturated-fat content is lauric acid. A recent analysis of 60 studies published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition reports that even though lauric acid raises LDL (bad) cholesterol, it boosts HDL (good) cholesterol even more. Overall, this means it decreases your risk of cardiovascular disease. The rest of the saturated fat is almost entirely composed of "medium-chain" fatty acids, which have little or no effect on cholesterol levels.



Eat this: Shredded, unsweetened coconut.Have a handful as an anytime snack, straight from the bag. (Don't gorge; it's still high in calories.) It'll be filling, and won't spike your blood sugar.

Chocolate Bars

Why you think they're bad: They're high in both sugar and fat.



Why they're not: Cocoa is rich in flavonoids—the same heart-healthy compounds found in red wine and green tea. Its most potent form is dark chocolate. In a recent study, Greek researchers found that consuming dark chocolate containing 100 milligrams (mg) of flavonoids relaxes your blood vessels, improving bloodflow to your heart. What about the fat? It's mostly stearic and oleic acids.



Eat this: CocoaVia chocolate bars. Each 100-calorie bar is guaranteed to contain 100 mg flavonoids. As an added benefit, the chocolate has been beefed up with phytosterols, compounds that have been shown to help reduce cholesterol. Find the bars at many Wal-Mart stores, or online.

Source:Men's Health: Healthy Snacks

Labels: Food, Health

McDonalds Hula Burger.

Thursday, October 22, 2009   0 Comments

I was always curious why McDonald's never followed pursuit with the gourmet hamburgers that restaurants have. There's the guacamole burger, mushroom burgers, BBQ burgers and Hawaiian burgers with pineapple. Then I discovered the McDonald's Hula Burger, but its not what your thinking.

In the 1960's Ray Kroc introduced the 'Hula Burger' to McDonalds as a substitute for American Catholics that would not eat meat on Friday. In the 60's sales would tank every Friday in geographic markets with large Catholic populations. Ray Kroc's solution was a slice of grilled pineapple with cheese on a bun. Nasty right? But this was designed to go up against the Fillet-o-Fish, which was created by a Catholic McDonald's Franchisee.

By looking at the McDonald's Menu board today, you'll still see the Fillet-o-Fish but its not mistake you won't find the Hula Burger. Now a days less Catholics abstain from eating meat on Fridays, but many McDonald's will still discount the Fillet-o-Fish during Lent to increase sales.

If Micky'Ds were to offer the Hula Burger today with a hamburger patty they might have a hit on their hands. But forget the burger and I'd expect to see the hula burger go the way of the doodoo again.

Labels: americana, Food, Religion, United States

Laurence Fishburne = Cowboy Curtis

Thursday, October 8, 2009   1 Comments

Growing up and watching Pee Wee's Playhouse on occasion, I was never truly familiar with the cast of characters that would occasional show up to the Playhouse. Looking back at the series, I recognize it's unique and corny qualities that entertained me on many after noons. I never figured any of the human characters on the show made it into movies, television or film.

That was until yesterday, when a co-worker proclaimed that Cowboy Curtis was played by Laurence Fishburne. I was shocked that an actor of his caliper had his start on a kids TV show. This was like finding out Jennifer Love Hewitt and Fergie were in Kids Incorporated, and Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera Justin Timberland, Keri Russel and more were in the Mickey Mouse Club.

As a bonus researching this one, I also found out that Captain Carl was played by the late Phil Hartman (RIP).

Links

• Youtube: That looks like ... Laurence Fishburne
  

Labels: Actors, Pop-Culture, Television, United States

'The' Ohio State University... whats in the name.

Wednesday, October 7, 2009   0 Comments

I'll preface this post by saying I'm NOT a college football fan. When I do watch, I pull for the University of Alabama, from my family ties and lack of a better option. There however is this one piece of college sports tradition I never understood. 'The' Ohio State University.

During player introductions for Sunday or Monday night NFL games, the players state their name and the college or high school they attended. Besides the random high school thats laid down, Ohio State Alumni, always announce at the name as "THE Ohio State University", with a special emphasis on the "The". Never quite understood that, so I dug a little deeper and ended up with a history lesson.

Founded under the Mirill Act (1862) as the Ohio Agricultural and Mechanical college in 1870, the university was designed to support the local farming and agricultural industry in the area. The Morill act was created schools of mechanic and agricultural arts and was located in the north side of Columbus. Despite its original purpose, then Governor, Rutherford B. Hayes, insisted on a more traditional, comprehensive university and rallied the board of trustees towards that. When their doors admitted their first undergrads in 1878 the college changes its name to 'The Ohio State University' with the 'The' as a part of its official title.

So now when people ask, why do they say 'THE' Ohio State University, you can be a smart ass and reply... 'cause that''s their name'.

Links

• Morrill Land Grant Colleges Act


• Ohio State University

Labels: Names, Ohio, Sports, United States, University