Doughy Pumpkin Cake

Both hubby and I had cravings for something made out of pumpkin. I knew that I still have an organic one in cans stored in our little pantry. So I decided to look for a recipe from a Diabetic Booklets that hubby collected. I found one but as usual, the recipe calls for an artificial sweetener. So I decided to modify few things making my cake doughy. But we both love it. It has a very different taste, not to sweet and really satisfies ones cravings inside.

Here is the list of things you need in order to try this:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon No Salt Baking Soda
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• ½ teaspoon No Salt Baking Powder
• ½ teaspoon Salt Substitute
• ½ cup regular white sugar
• ½ cup canola oil
• 1 cup unsweetened (homemade) applesauce
• 1 can (15 ounces) solid pumpkin (about 2 cups)
• ¾ cup egg substitute

Here is how to do it:

• Preheat oven to 325º F. Coat 12X7-inch pan with nonstick cooking spray. Then set aside.

• Combine flour, cinnamon, baking soda, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl. Mix well and set aside.

• Beat sugar, oil and applesauce in a large bowl with electric mixer at medium speed until smooth.

• Beat in pumpkin and egg substitute until well blended.

• Gradually pour in flour mixture to pumpkin mixture beating until just blended.

• Pour into prepared pan. Bake for an hour or until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean. Cool completely in pan.

This is good to eat with tea.

Our Appetite

I read this fascinating article and thought it’s a good idea to share here. I copied everything from my source because I don’t want to distort everything that was said in it.

Here is how it reads:

Appetite control is not just a matter of willpower - the hunger sensation can be triggered by physical and mental factors. To tame cravings and avoid overeating:

• Eat a balanced breakfast with protein, healthy fats and whole grains to avoid overeating later. Avoid overly sweet cereals or breakfast pastries.

• Savor your food - it takes about 20 minutes for your brain to receive the “full” signal. Enjoy each bite by using spices and other strong flavors in your cooking

• Eat smaller meals spaced throughout the day.

• Eat only when hungry – not when stressed, bored or tired. Conquer these feelings with other strategies such as taking a break or using relaxation techniques.

• Allow 20 to 30 minutes for cravings to pass. Distract yourself by keeping busy- take a walk or talk to a friend.

• Get enough sleep- hormones released during slumber control appetite.

• Ask your health care provider if medication could be causing you to over eat.

• Allow an occasional splurge – in the long run it’s unlikely to get you off the track.

• Eat filling high-fiber and water-containing foods such as fruits, vegetables, beans, whole grains and soups. Get enough lean protein too.

Plan your meals carefully and your food won’t go to “waste.”

This is a brief and very informative article. It struck me straight to the bones because I do have some eating malpractices, too.

Picture: Google
Reading Source: The Health Promotion and Wellness Newsletter, May 2009

Healthy Bran Muffins for Breakfast

Hubby gave me a copy of the recipe from the web but for some reasons, I was to lazy to try it. It just did not click to my cooking mood. However, I put the paper on one of my binders in anticipation of any future use.

I finally decided to make it but looking at the sugar the recipe is asking, I made a sudden change of it. Hubby does not like any artificial sweetener so I decided to use regular sugar. I also added few more healthy stuff.

Here is the list of ingredients in case you want to try:

• 1 cup Wheat Bran
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 3 tsp No Salt Baking Powder
• 1 tbsp cinnamon
  
• 4 eggs
• 8 oz Cream Cheese (softened)
• 1/2 Organic Unsweetened Soy Milk
• 1/4 cup ground flax seed
• 1/4 cup walnuts (chopped in smaller pieces)

Here is how you do it:

• Preheat oven to 350ºF
• Spray muffin pan with any baking spray.
• Mix dry ingredients in a large bowl
• Hand beat eggs in small bowl, add cream cheese and milk. Mix well.
• Mix wet and dry mixture and blend well.
• Spoon batter into muffin cups.
• Bake for 20 minutes.

This recipe yields 12 muffins.

Healthy Nutty Snacks

When I was still in the Philippines, I always had peanuts for my snacks. I love them and besides being very cheap for my pocket, they're everywhere. It's the only kind of nuts that are abundantly produced by the local farmers back there. I was just amazed to see so many types of nuts in the store here in America and all of a sudden, I started to dislike them. I have to force myself to eat them because my husband always shares the trail mix that he usually makes for himself. Sometimes I like them and sometimes I don't. But generally speaking, they are not on my list.

But here are few of the amazing facts that I read: The fats in some nuts are largely "good" fats. Nuts also provide vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that our body needs. Adding 1.5 ounces of certain nuts a day to a low-cholesterol diet may reduce the risk of heart disease.

To name a few, here is the following list you can try:

Pistachios - I have never pay attention to this small nuts. I tried it during my first year here in the US but I never realize how good these nuts are for the eyes. This will not bring back my 20/20 vision but at least my eyes get the nutrients they need.

Pistachios rank high in lutein which is considered a vision-friendly nutrient.

Walnuts - I really don't like these nuts for a snack. I don't like the fatty taste but I love to make it part of my baking ingredients.

Walnuts are rich in an omega-3 fatty acid (ALA), which can reduce inflammation that can damage arteries. ALA can also raise good cholesterol (HDL), while lowering the bad (LDL).

Almonds - I don't care too much about this nuts. These nuts are popularly mixed in chocolate candy bars which my sweet tooth always loves. I first tried almond nuts in Hershey Chocolate. It was so yummy but yet I did not develop a certain craving for these nuts.

But look what Almonds have. These nuts contain fiber (which make them filling) and vitamin E which is a very antioxidant that may play a role in reducing the risk of some diseases.

Hazelnuts - Honestly, I haven't tried these nuts yet. I really want to try this kind since it contains a lot of nutrients that are good for our body. I know that they are available in any market but I just don't want to try them.

Hazelnuts provide folate, potassium, calcium and magnesium. Intake of these nutrients may be an effective prevention against, cancer, depression and hypertension.

Pecans - These nuts are just too fatty for me and I don't really eat them raw. However, I love these in green salads and pastries.

Pecan nuts supply phytosterols. This type of plant chemicals help lower cholesterol level in our body.

There are still several nuts that I have not listed here. I am sure that they all have good things to offer our body.

Reading Source: Top Health, May 2009
Pictures: from Google