Your pita sandwiches sound great, except that I have never been able to stand the taste of hummus. My wife loves it, and I have tried it many times, but I just can not get used to it. I have never been a big fan of chocolate, but my down fall is potato chips. Like the Lays commercials say "I bet you can't eat just one" I can not. so I just do not buy them. I make raw veggie sandwiches a lot with tomatoes, green onion, bib or romaine lettace with either whole grain pita bread or whole grain sliced bread. I put a little extra virgin olive oil on the bread when making the sandwiches. I have lost over 100 lbs in the past year and a half and i feel sooooo much better.

I just ordered a book with recipes for shakes and smoothies using the low glycemic shake mix I have been using. I am looking forward to that. I have been pretty good about coming up with my own recipes, however.  I also love to make smoothies with low fat organic yogurt and fresh or frozen fruit. I find this type of eating is so easy on my digestive system. My husband and I bought a big bag of organic carrots at the grocery store the other night. I think I will get up and make fresh juice in the morning. I have some organic wheat. I may ground some up and make muffins. Those are a little quicker to fix than bread.

Jeanne,

I have the same type of juicer, then I have one similar to a Champion. From my research, you get more vitamins from the Champion, but my husband likes the juice better from the Jack Lalane.  I like my one that is like a champion because you can take frozen bananas and put it through it, and it makes banana "ice cream".  What do you think about starting a healthy recipe topic in this Healthy Nurses Group?

I would be up for it.

bzbell,

smoothies would be a good way of getting nutritional stuff for your kids to eat. I am at work right now, but I am going to start a recipe topic on this Group. I have tons of good recipes, and ideas. I teach some healthy eating classes in my home. I will send along some ideas as well on how to "double" do it. thanks for your comments. I hope this will be a really fun, but informative group.

I am making lettuce wraps tonight with thai peanut chicken and low glycemic veggies. Can't wait to eat them!

Yesterday, I went to Ralphs market, to purchased groceries. I was looking for a blue-berry blended drink, but instead I saw a product called lifeway real lowfat Kefir cultures Milk Smoothie Probiotic. It is a real healthy smoothie. It has inulin to boost calcium absorption, it enhances the immune system, balances the digestive system. I was amazed at this drink. You can pour it over your favorite cereal, granola, or fruit, I just poured it over a half a slice of banana, and a few cherries, will be getting me a granola bar to go with it. Stay healthy everyone.

It is, and it provides the best low-fat nutrition, and it nothing better for your health. I couldn't believe it is Gluten free, you get 32 LO. OZ, and it is KOSHER, which mean it is really ORGANIC!!!, which I am all for it.

Joyce, I hope you got some rest.  I need to do the same thing.

I posted a simple Tilapia recipe on the Recipes blog.  It looks very appetizing when you take it out of the oven.  (The Parmesan gets browned.)  It only takes a few minutes to do, even less if you own a Cuisinart (I so miss mine.)

I have followed very closely the low gycemic diet over the past few weeks. I have lost 15 pounds so far, and I feel great!

I understand your frustration with being on the go and having a hard time to eat right. I also had that problem. I am on a low glycemic diet, and I am having success with it. So much am I believing in what I am doing, that I am becoming a certified wellness coach using this model to teach others. I am on my way to work in a little bit, and I don't have much time right now. So, I am going to mix up a healthy smoothie, and go.

I love Bolthouse Farms products. There is one store in my town that carries these products. I frequently buy them on the way to work for good nutrition and something I don't have to "make" before I go to work. I see they have a recipes section. I am going to check it out. Thanks for the info!

So true, RoSaMia, many people don't realize the HUGE amount of salt you get in the package mix foods.  I began having arthritis problems in 2002 when I was eating Hamburger Helper 2-3 x a week.  The salt was just too much for my body.  I curently have NO arthritis problems and a healthier diet.

I am asking with dread...

So, how is Kosher meat killed?  Gas chambers?

To group members: As a Type 2 diabetic I have to eat right. No more sweets, portion sizes, reading labels, and looking for healthier choices.  I told my kids junk food is out and they will have to follow what we eat from now on.  One of them was complaining that he wanted his Little Debbie oatmeal cake, instead I told him to reach for an orange or apple.  I have to really watch what I am doing and exercise, no more being a couch potato(well I was not really one of them) but I would sit at the computer for hours on end and not get any exercise.  I found out the hard way, I went to the hospital 2 weeks ago for another problem and they tested my sugar level.  I was floored when they told me it was 762, I was told basically that if I had went to sleep that night I might not have woken up!!!!!!  It scared me and now I am following my diet, checking my sugar, and exercising.  I want to be around for a long time for my kids sakes and to be around for any grandchildren we may have.  I URGE EVERYONE PLEASE GET YOUR SUGAR CHECKED TODAY, IT MIGHT SAVE YOUR LIFE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well thought out post Romano! Balance is key! It's OK to have your favorite foods, and still be healthy. The entire key is balance. All the food groups are so important because they all provide us with different things our bodies need. I really love the Mediterranean diet. Fads are usually very unbalanced in certain vitamins and nutrients. I have been teaching a model with a low glycemic program, and it is very balanced in proteins, healthy fats, good carbs, and whole grains. I especially LOVE quinoa!  I also have fresh milled my grains to make whole grain breads.

Changing and creating new habits are very difficult for most people. That is why I believe that making very small changes in one or two areas at a time is very important. For instance, just cutting out products with refined sugar would be HUGE for most.

If you look at the wide array of fresh and natural foods available to us, they are so beautiful and inviting. I am glad there have been adjustments in the Food Pyramid. It was a very positive move. Thanks for that great post!

Having a coach to support you during new changes or even help you find what goals you want to set and achieve can be a way to help you get and stay on track!