topic Re: AARP Rewards Healthy Plate Contest, Week 3 May 17-23 in AARP Rewards Connect

AARP Rewards Healthy Plate Contest, Week 3 May 17-23

AARPTeri — Tue, 11 May 2021 17:36:32 GMT

Welcome to Week 3 of our AARP Rewards Healthy Plate Contest, May 17-23, 2021

This week we are discussing the benefits of an anti-inflammatory diet. What are your favorite foods or recipes that help stay in sync with anti-inflammatory diets? Share them here and get 50 AARP Rewards point as well as a chance to win our Week 3 topic. Rules: https://community.aarp.org/t5/AARP-Rewards-Connect/AARP-Rewards-Healthy-Plate-Contest-2021-Official-... . Click here to see information on the contest

Re: AARP Rewards Healthy Plate Contest, Week 2 May 10-16

notauser17 — Mon, 17 May 2021 00:28:26 GMT

When my vegetarian daughter moved in last year, the entire meal prep here was changed. We eat fresh fruits, vegetable and whole grains. 98% of what I make is "from scratch" - minimal canned foods, no meat, breads are made with my bread maker. ..... And I had a wonderful garden last year - hoping it does as well this year! Plus, I got a few good recipes from the AARP website -THANK YOU!

Re: AARP Rewards Healthy Plate Contest, Week 2 May 10-16

GailN935310 — Mon, 17 May 2021 01:42:06 GMT

You love your daughter! I’m 67 and wish my mom had cooked for the 7 of us the way I had to eat to maintain my weight. I also think it would have been good for both of us to walk together after work.

Re: AARP Rewards Healthy Plate Contest, Week 2 May 10-16

Veeks — Mon, 17 May 2021 02:03:08 GMT

I eat healthy most of the time. I've been a vegan for decades and am lucky that I naturally enjoy vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts, fruit, etc.

But, lest I get too complacent, I do have a downfall, which is bread! Not that bread in itself is unhealthy, and I do eat healthier, whole grain breads, but I sometimes eat too much bread. It's just too easy if I don't have time to cook, to just have toast and peanut butter or a sandwich. Or, put me in front of a baguette and a dish of dipping olive oil and I'm out of control!

So I'm trying to decrease my servings, though I don't think I need to entirely eliminate bread. Some years back I cut back on bread and it helped me to lose a bit of extra weight (along with exercise of course).

Second, I need to watch out for sugar. I do not eat a lot of desserts or sugary foods, but I need to pay more attention to sneaky ways sugar shows up.... For example I've been switching to unsweetened versions of plant-based milks, cereals, etc., and now I carefully read labels on packaged or pre-prepared foods.

Re: AARP Rewards Healthy Plate Contest, Week 3 May 17-23

lg7566 — Mon, 17 May 2021 11:41:02 GMT

This is my go to recipe to boost immunity and reinforce an anti-inflammatory diet. It's called "Turbo Soup" and is a great warm-up on cold days and makes enough to both serve at home and pack up some to give away to an ailing neighbor.

INGREDIENTS:
1 T Extra Virgin Olive Oil 2 1/2 tsp. Sea Salt
2 Medium Onions, Finely Diced 1 tsp. Ground Cumin
2 Large Sweet Potatoes, Diced 1 tsp. freshly Ground Black Pepper
into 1/4 " cubes 16 Cups Fresh Baby Spinach
3 Cans - 15 oz.each Black Beans 8 Cups Chopped Kale
1/3 tsp. Dried Oregano 2 Cups Roasted Chicken Breast
2 1/2 (32 oz. each) cartons low Diced Red Pepper
sodium Chicken Broth 1 T Parmesan Cheese, Optional
DIRECTIONS:
Heat oil in large pot over medium high heat. Sauté onions, 5 minutes. Stir in
remaining ingredients; bring to a boil. Reduce heat:
cover and lightly boil until sweet potatoes are soft, 12-15 minutes.
Makes 8 3-cup servings. Store in refrigerator up to 4 days. Heat before
serving and garnish with 1 T Parmesan Cheese.
Healthy and delicious - if you like greens and sweet potatoes!!

Re: AARP Rewards Healthy Plate Contest, Week 3 May 17-23

a170938b — Mon, 17 May 2021 19:10:41 GMT

I follow the Mediterranean diet, shock-full of fresh vegetables and fruits, beans, herbs, plain yogurt. To enhance the anti-inflammatory benefits, I add Turmeric, Cayenne pepper and Cinnamon to many dishes. This way I am starting to like Cinnamon which I have always despised; it sure is an acquired taste and for me a true challenge! Next taste to acquire: durian, the world's smelliest fruit! (May-be.....)

Re: AARP Rewards Healthy Plate Contest, Week 3 May 17-23

Rhymesometimes — Tue, 18 May 2021 19:07:03 GMT

I'm nearly vegetarian. Breakfast: oatmeal with milk, pumpkin, sunflower and chia seeds, walnuts and blueberries.

Lunch/ Dinner: either Smoothie: milk and yogurt, greens, banana, assorted organic frozen fruit, vegetarian protein powder, seeds and often a few drops of peppermint.

Or Salad loaded with greens and veggies, avocado, cheese and homemade dressing 2:1 ratio of extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar and maybe some citrus juice.

or homemade bean soup with sandwich ( veggie-hummus, avocado ) or egg salad substitute avocado for mayo or Cobb salad: with greens, beans, corn, hard-boiled eggs, tomatoes, avocado, blue cheese and a rare treat - a little bacon!

or pasta with veggies and green salad.

About once or twice a month I might have a tuna sandwich or some salmon.

Treats: Brownies made with black beans Breakfast bars: crust is flaxseed, peanut butter and oats, then plain yogurt and topped with berries; Banana nut or blueberry muffins- made with xylitol for sugar replacement. --- Christine

Eating

NicoleB832028 — Tue, 18 May 2021 19:15:54 GMT

Be more aware of what you are eating

Re: AARP Rewards Healthy Plate Contest, Week 3 May 17-23

d953405f — Tue, 18 May 2021 22:29:34 GMT

We use turmeric.. We take the capsules and also use the seasoning in our dishes. My husband mixes it w his mayo for sandwiches. We also use fish oil capsules.

Re: AARP Rewards Healthy Plate Contest, Week 3 May 17-23

LisaC264658 — Tue, 18 May 2021 22:48:50 GMT

Turmeric and tart cherry juice. Both are said to help inflammation so I incorporate them into my diet whenever possible.

Re: AARP Rewards Healthy Plate Contest, Week 3 May 17-23

imaxgirl — Tue, 18 May 2021 23:30:45 GMT

I add cinnamon and ginger to my oatmeal in the morning. I enjoy drinking turmeric tea. I always look for a blend which includes black pepper in the ingredients since it is needed to activate the anti-inflammatory properties of the turmeric.

Re: AARP Rewards Healthy Plate Contest, Week 3 May 17-23

RT86999 — Wed, 19 May 2021 00:20:27 GMT

Pumpkin Cake with zucchini. Pumpkin is anti-inflammatory. How to sneak vegetables in.

Duncan Hines white cake mix box. Follow recipe. Substitute all water and oil (1 1/2 cup ONLY ) with Trader Joe's pumpkin soup (2 cups) in a carton. (Shake your carton before mixing in.) Mince zucchini to 1 1/2 cups. (Can add more ? ) Add to batter. Bake per instructions. Makes a dense moist cake. Enjoy. (Can add cream cheese frosting but...)

Re: AARP Rewards Healthy Plate Contest, Week 3 May 17-23

MaryM169849 — Wed, 19 May 2021 00:28:19 GMT

I add turmeric and ginger to anything possible, I love ginger in my ice tea and even plain all by itself

Re: AARP Rewards Healthy Plate Contest, Week 3 May 17-23

StacyB295578 — Wed, 19 May 2021 00:34:41 GMT

Broccoli Romaine Onions Leeks Brussel Sprouts Mushrooms Peppers love them all

Re: AARP Rewards Healthy Plate Contest, Week 3 May 17-23

jserramcorder — Wed, 19 May 2021 01:25:53 GMT

Not sure which foods are anti inflammatory but try to get a mix of fresh produce

Re: AARP Rewards Healthy Plate Contest, Week 3 May 17-23

Dakotalady401 — Wed, 19 May 2021 01:32:05 GMT

I have been prepping sheet pan meals with olive oil, and roasted veggies. Cutting out the salt and replacing with herbs works for me.

Re: AARP Rewards Healthy Plate Contest, Week 3 May 17-23

skullaria — Wed, 19 May 2021 01:57:33 GMT

I try to include lots of purple foods as I can. We have fruit plates very often for dinner, and I include dried cherries and blueberries with the fresh fruit.

Re: AARP Rewards Healthy Plate Contest, Week 2 May 10-16

skullaria — Wed, 19 May 2021 04:26:16 GMT

I was able to dump sugary soda, and then other sugary foods by trying several different no calorie sweeteners until I figured out what I liked best, then looking for it in replacement products.

Re: AARP Rewards Healthy Plate Contest, Week 3 May 17-23

prsmith27 — Wed, 19 May 2021 10:02:59 GMT

One of my favorite meals is a macrobiotic meal which is anti-inflammatory: adzuki beans cooked with butternut squash, brown rice sprinkled with gomasio (sesame seeds and sea salt ground together), and Tuscan kale sautéed in a little water sprinkled with ume vinegar (which is salty). SO good!

Re: AARP Rewards Healthy Plate Contest, Week 3 May 17-23

dp8133 — Wed, 19 May 2021 13:30:18 GMT

Avocado toast on whole grain bread and oatmeal with dried cherries and cinnamon.