ACTIVE FAMILIES Healthy Habits Are All About Planning Ahead Chef Kathleen Daelemans’ Quick Solutions For Busy Families (NAPSA)—Fast-food signs beckon when hungry families spend hours in the car, zipping from soccer prac- tice to debate team and doctor appointments to piano lessons. But fries and soft drinks won’t provide the energy and nutrients that families need, says Chef Kathleen Daelemans, author of The New York Times best-selling cookbook “Cook- ing Thin with Chef Kathleen: 200 Easy Recipes for Healthy Chef Kathleen Weight Loss.” “Families today are so busy,” Daelemans says. “But curbing cars for convenient Daelemans hungerrelief isn’t the only option.” Daelemans, who herself struggled with weight loss for years before shedding 75 pounds, says the best way to stick to a healthy lifestyle is by planning ahead. That way, you won’t fall into the high-calorie food temptations. Daelemans and TheGreenNut. In a nutshell: Eating pistachios can be goodfor your health. at the beginning of the day and allot a time to eat. If you know you're going to be running around all day, make sure you have quick- fix meals in your purse. Try spreading pistachio butter (blend pistachios in a food processoruntil smooth) in between two crackers and packing in a bag with an apple and a low-fat string cheese. Eating is important—soif you’re for keeping families that are on the go charged in 2010: Pack Snacks and MiniMeals to Go: Keep healthful prone to forget, put it on yourcalendar, just as you do with any important event. *Don’t Keep What You Shouldn’t Eat: The grocery store aisles are loaded with foods that, with just a few easy steps, can become nutritious snacks or min- your tote bag, close to the TV. Cre- healthy quick fixes such as in- org offer the following five tips foods everywhere—in yourcar, in ate snacks such as pistachio trail mix by tossing pistachios with dried cranberries, blueberries and cherries. Then divide the mix among individual-sized bags and keep them in places where you spend the most time. eMark Meals in Your Sched- ule: Take a look at your schedule imeals for the whole family. Keep stant oatmeal on hand. Pour oatmeal into a mug with somefruit and pistachios on your way out the door for a mealto go. Shop Weekly: Plan what you will eat for an entire week and do all the shoppingat once. If you make a list and buy only ingredients that you'll need for @- the food you intend to make, you will only need to resist temptation once a week. Change the Way Your Tongue Thinks: As much as you know you love chocolate cake, substitute desserts with sweet alter- natives, such as vanilla nonfat yogurt drizzled with maple syrup and a sprinkle of chopped pistachios. The Proof is in the Research The USDA Children’s Nutrition Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine in Houston recently came out with groundbreaking research sponsored by the International Tree Nut Council, stating that con- suming tree nuts (such as pistachios) is associated with a higher overall diet-quality score, improved nutrient intakes (including antioxidants and vitamins A, C and E), lower weight measures and lower prevalence of health risks. TheGreenNut.org is part of a nutrition awareness campaign sponsored by the Western Pistachio Association (WPA). For more healthful tips, visit www.thegreennut.org.
