Chic-Shuk Secrets

Trust me- I know what it`s like. I`v been there, done that- yes, my many diet mistakes, especially while working eight or more hours a day in a public office. Agree with me on that one- It can be very difficult to eat healthfully and stick to your diet routine and the secret is simple: plan your desktop snacking- ahead of time!
Research shows that eating every four hours helps in keeping your metabolism charged and your energy level high, however before you turn into the vending machine, which normally contains fatty snacks that can easily ruin your healthy diet, plan ahead and stash low-calorie, high in fiber, nutritious snacks in your cabinet, drawer, or even in your briefcase. Each of these snacks will normally be less than 200 calories and/or 5 grams of fat and will keep you full and satisfied throughout the work day, before and after lunch time, right when the craving hits!

My favorite recommended office snacks are:

When I crave for REAL Chocolate, I pick one Kudos Milk Chocolate Granola Bar that has only 100 Calories and 3.5 grams of fat per one snack! I buy the large variety pack that contains 50 bars with different original flavors which last a few months and make sure its handy!!!

When I feel like something salty I grab a bunch of Special K Crackers! You need up to 17 of them in order to reach 90 calories!  They are multi-grains with fiber and dont taste like diet ones!!!  

If I more into crunchy or salty snacks then popcorn is the perfect low calories option (when you choose the right kind!)
Orville Redenbacher- Gourmet Microwavable Popcorn, the  Butter Light kind, is my favorite one since it is low calorie and low fat yet tastes very real and buttery! love it! I simply through it in the microwave for 2 minutes and I get a bag full with diet snack!!!!

Seriously guys, one of the best secret I can share with you should be my `guilt free` nutrient snack, since you can`t always be in the mood for carrot or celery sticks, right?! A plain popcorn, my friends! It ranks the highest in the snacks category since contains natural fiber and whole grains which are great healthy benefits, and the good news is that according to a recent study many whole grains foods are as rich as fruits and vegetables in health promoting polyphenols which is a type of antioxidant. Now, why do I call it “guilt free”? that is because it contains no sodium or sugar, is a fat free snack and very much low in calories. Besides, even those calories it contains are well known as the healthy ones, so… it makes it a great, healthy choice!!! Enjoy, and don’t forget to go for the plain version when making you some, in order to keep your weight watching or diet routine…

Gluten is a type of protein, which can be found in wheat seeds. If you mix pure gluten with water you can create labor glue. Gluten, on top of the food industry is being used as stamps glue and cosmetics products. Inside our body, the gluten creates layers of sticky glue which hurts foods absorption and can cause many ails such as: rush, swelling and even depression and anxiety. Choose gluten-free foods and EAT LESS GLUTEN!!! It`s your health!!!

All peppers are rich in vitamins A, C, and K, but Red Peppers are simply bursting with them plus considered to be a great source of Vitamin B6. This very nutritious vegetable and the antioxidants it contain help preventing cell damage, cancer, and diseases related to aging. Further more, Red Pepper support the immune function, can reduce inflammation like that found in arthritis and asthma, promotes proper blood clotting and strengthens bones.

With all of these great health benefits and nutrition values, I love cooking this Moroccan-style healthy veggie meal since satisfy as steak and tasteful as a gourmet dish:  With 302 calories, 9 grams of protein,  8 grams of fat and 4 grams of fibre per serving, you cannot go wrong with this MUST TRY RECIPE !!!

Couscous-Stuffed Red Pepper W/Yogurt:

Ingrediants:

85 grams of whole wheat Couscous
2 tbsp Raisins
50 ml hot vegetable stock
1 tsp clear honey
1 large lemon- squeez for juice
2 garlic cloves
small bunch flat-leaf parsley
150 ml tub non-fat natural yogurt
2 tomatoes , roughly chopped
2 red peppers , halved, cores removed
1 tbsp olive oil

How to make:

• Pre-heat oven to 400* degrees.

• Place couscous and raisins in a heatproof bowl. Stir stock, honey and lemon juice, then pour over the couscous. Cover and leave to absorb for 5 mins.

• Place the lemon zest, garlic and parsley in a mini food processor and whizz until everything is well chopped.

• Stir 1 tbsp of this mixture into the yogurt, then set aside. Stir the remaining mixture into the couscous with the tomatoes and some seasoning.

• Spoon the couscous mixture into each pepper half, then sit them in a small roasting tin. Drizzle with oil, then bake for 40 mins until peppers are tender.

• Serve with the yogurt and a simple green salad on the side, and- ENJOY!!! 

Supermarkets shelves are loaded with products claiming to contain 0 trans fat.  However, what many of us are not aware of is that this “zero” on labels isn’t necessarily a REAL Zero! Since according to the FDA trans fat labeling rulesand guideline, products may contain up to 0.5 grams of trans fat per serving in order to be claimed as “Zero” trans fat on their label. Companies are simply taking advantage of these regulations which results in deceiving us, the consumers!

Before you purchase your next box of crackers, cookies or any other product with a “zero trans fat” or “trans fat free” labels, take a look at the ingredients list. Be aware that labels don’t always tell the full story and try to pay attention to the nutrition facts which are normally located at the back of the product, in smaller fonts. That would tell you if the “Zero” is a real non-fat or maybe it is 0.3 or 0.4 grams of trans fat!  The reason this is so important is since the recommended daily limit of trans fat we should consume is 2 grams only! (about %1 of the daily calories, based on an 2,000 calorie diet). Just one of these so-called “zero grams trans fat” servings at each meal could easily adds up, therefore- Awareness please!!!