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

[AARPTeri]

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

[PatriciaP18794]

How about olive oil? It gives you a "shiny coat" 😁

[LaurajW510385]

AARPTeri:

I'm the oatmeal, cinnamon person with to go along; whole wheat, grains, Cheerios, fruits vegetables, fish oil supplements, olive & canola oils, my Sprouts trail mix yummy!!, fiber cereal, all kinds of beans. still gotta have some beef in there...green tea.

Stay Healthy!!!

[MaryMom644]

We think the healthiest vegetable, and the most delicious, is the asparagus that we grow in our own garden. We are eating it with almost every meal and are so happy that spring has finally arrived so the we can enjoy this wonderful vegetable.

[LoriL530330]

If I must have sweets - I opt for homemade keto treats or buy sugar free candies, I keep them in the freezer so they're not as tempting as in my pantry.

[CarolB819852]

My go to is sugar free jello with a little whip cream.  Just started making ice pops with the SF jello, great for warmer weather.  

[lynnempow]

I chop radishes, tomatoes, avocado & green onions together. Mix into cottage cheese, season with a no-salt seasoning & white pepper. I like this as lunch that's easy to prepare in advance & take with me. Alternatively, season the cottage cheese and spread onto toasted sourdough rounds. Spoon some of the veggie mix over the top. Simple & easy for breakfast, appetizer, snack, etc. 

[dp8133]

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

[prsmith27]

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!

[skullaria]

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.

[PatriciaP18794]

I'd like to know if you have fewer cavities too!

[Rhymesometimes]

@PatriciaP18794  I haven't had a cavity since I was a kiddo. Been using xylitol toothpaste and xylitol as a natural sweetener in my baking for over five years. ---  Christine

[CarolB819852]

Probably, since carbs turn to sugar and only eating a few heathy carbs a day!   

[skullaria]

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.

[Dakotalady401]

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

[JoJode5]

I agree. I prep the veggies before leaving for work, which makes for a fast and simple meal. I am curious as to what meats you use. We have been roasting veggies mostly with sausage.

[jserramcorder]

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

[StacyB295578]

Broccoli Romaine Onions Leeks Brussel Sprouts Mushrooms Peppers love them all 

[MaryM169849]

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

[RT86999]

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...)

[imaxgirl]

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.

[LisaC264658]

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

[d953405f]

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.

[NicoleB832028]

Be more aware of what you are eating 

[Rhymesometimes]

  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

[a170938b]

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.....)

[lg7566]

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!! 

[Veeks]

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. 

[PatriciaP18794]

I understand nutrition labels now have added sugars listed. I read 19 grams of added sugar, or less, is the daily goal. 

[notauser17]

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!

[GailN935310]

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.