W
hat do you think of when you think of recipes for women? Whether it's vital vitamins
or fun with the girls, these recipes will give a needed lift to most menus.

By Tawnya Gibson, staff writer

Calcium-rich recipes:

VERY BERRY SMOOTHIE

1/4 cup berries (your choice)
4 oz. skim milk
6 oz. calcium-fortified orange juice

Blend together all three ingredients until smooth. Pour and enjoy!

RC Note: We made our smoothie with fresh strawberries.

Recipe from ivillage.com

 

ANY-TIME-OF-DAY PARFAIT

1 cup canned sliced peaches, drained
1/2 cup pitted prunes, coarsely chopped
1-8-oz. container nonfat vanilla yogurt
1 cup low-fat granola

 

Into two, wide mouth, stemmed glasses layer 1/4 cup peaches, 2 tablespoons prunes, 1/4 cup yogurt and 1/4 cup granola in each glass; repeat layers.

Makes 2 servings.

Recipe from ivillage.com

 

IRON SKILLET SPAGHETI

1 pound spaghetti
1-1/2 pound ground beef
1 minced large onion
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 large minced clove garlic
1-28 oz. can crushed tomatoes
2 teaspoons oregano
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
2 cups grated reduced fat cheddar cheese

Prepare pasta according to package directions; drain. Brown beef in large skillet, drain and set aside. Preheat oven to 350ºF. In skillet (iron content will be higher if iron skillet is used), sauté onion and garlic in oil. Return beef to skillet and add tomatoes, oregano and parsley.

Simmer 10 minutes. Add pasta and 1 cup of cheese to simmering tomato mixture; stir. Cover mixture with remaining cheese. Bake for 30 minutes or until top is crispy.

Recipe from ivillage.com.

 

Folate Packed:

GARDEN VEGETABLE PIE

2 cups fresh broccoli, chopped
1/2 cup onion, chopped
1/2 cup green pepper, chopped
1/2 cup reduced-fat extra sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1-1/2 cups skim or low fat milk
3/4 cup biscuit mix
3 eggs or 1 whole egg and 3 egg whites

Heat oven to 400ºF. Lightly grease 9-inch pie pan. In saucepan, heat half inch water to boiling and add broccoli. Cover and cook until almost tender (about 5 minutes). Drain.

Mix broccoli, onion, green pepper, and cheese in pie plate. Beat milk, biscuit mix, and eggs until smooth. Pour into pie pan over vegetables. Bake until golden brown, 35 to 40 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes before cutting.

Recipe from www.aristotle.net.

 

SPICY BLACK BEAN SOUP

2 teaspoons extra-light olive oil
2 teaspoons chili powder
1/2 teaspoon oregano
3 cans (19 oz. each) black beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (5-1/2 oz.) spicy mixed vegetable juice
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1-1/2 cups water
1/3 cup reduced-fat sour cream
Half an avocado, peeled and diced (1/2 cup)
1/4 cup chopped red onion
4 lime wedges

In large saucepan, heat oil over medium heat. Add cumin, chili powder, and oregano and cook, stirring, until fragrant about 10 seconds. Add beans, vegetable juice, salt, cayenne, and water and bring to a boil. Increase heat to medium-high and simmer 10 minutes to blend flavors. Remove soup from heat. Puree half the soup in a food processor or blender until fairly smooth. Return pureed soup to pan with remaining soup. Whisk in sour cream. Ladle soup into bowls and top each with 2 tablespoons of avocado and 1 tablespoon of onion. Serve with lime wedges.

Recipe from www.wholehealthmd.com.

 

Just for Fun:

IRRESISTIBLE BROWNIES
1 cup butter
2 cup sugar
1-1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup cocoa
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoon vanilla
4 eggs
1/4 bag each, chocolate and peanut butter chips

Melt butter. Cream melted butter and sugar. Add vanilla and eggs one at a time. Slowly add cocoa. Combine remaining dry ingredients and add to mixture. Stir in chocolate and peanut butter chips.

Pour into greased and floured 13x9 pan, and bake at 350ºF for 25 minutes.

Recipe modified by test cook, Diane, Lawrence, Kansas, USA.

 

JACOB'S DESSERT
1 cup sugar
1 cup Karo syrup
1 cup peanut butter
~3 cups rice crispies
1 cup each, butterscotch and chocolate chips

Heat and stir one cup sugar and one cup Karo until just boiling.
Remove from heat and add one cup peanut butter. Stir until peanut
butter is melted and mixture is smooth. Pour over rice crispies to
desired consistency (start with 3 cups and add more if you need it.)
Smash into buttered 9x13 pan.

Melt one cup butterscotch chips and one cup milk chocolate chips together. Stir together until smooth and spread over the top of the rice crispies.

RC Note: When our test cook made this recipe she used 6 cups of rice crispies and said she could have easily used more. We suggest you start with 6 and add more if you'd like.

Another name for this recipe is "Peanut Butter Balls." The difference - instead of smashing the mixture into a 9x13 pan, you shape the mixture into balls. Once balls have set up, dip them in the chocolate topping - if you wish.

Recipe from Sharon, Bridgerland Park 1st Ward, Logan, Utah, USA.

 

STUFFED PITAS
Chicken, cooked and cubed
Shredded cheese
Onions, chopped
Cucumbers, finely chopped
Tomatoes, chopped
Pineapple, crushed
Grapes, halved

Mix and toss ingredients with a small amount of Ranch dressing and Miracle Whip (just until ingredients are finely coated). Stuff into pita pockets. (Pockets can be halved for get together finger sandwiches).

RC Note: If making the filling ahead of time, wait to stuff your pita's until just before serving time and draining the mixture before placing it in the pita pockets.

Recipe from Tawnya, Forest Grove 2nd Ward, Forest Grove, Oregon, USA.

While all vitamins are
important, two are especially important for women:
Calcium and Folic acid.

Calcium:
The most common way to get the daily recommendation of calcium is through dairy products. However, it's important to know how to get calcium into your diet when you can't have dairy.

Allergic to Dairy?

According to Penny Walker, Forest Grove 2nd Ward, Hillsboro Oregon Stake, USA, who is allergic to dairy, there are several alternatives. Below is part of her list.

Alternatives to Dairy:

  • Soy milk
  • Rice milk, making sure it's calcium fortified, is a sweeter
    alternative to soy milk
  • potatoes contain a small amount of calcium
  • any bony fish, such as salmon or sardines
  • green, leafy vegetables, such as broccoli and kale
  • nuts and seeds (1 cup of sesame seeds = 3 cups of milk)
  • natural Vitamin D through sunlight (please note that sunscreen can block some of this)

Penny also said it's important to make sure any calcium substitutes you take have the recommended amounts of Vitamin D in them. Also, cultured foods (such as yogurt) can be good for some who are intolerant of dairy, but not allergic.

Special Tip from Penny:
For recipes such as white sauces, that call for milk, Penny simply substitutes broths for the milk.

Facts about Calcium

  • Women under age 50 should be take in 1000 milligrams of calcium per day in their diet (teens should be getting more - about 1300 milligrams). After menopause, this should increase to 1200 milligrams per day. FYI - An eight ounce glass of milk contains about 300 milligrams, as does six ounces of yogurt.

  • Calcium supplements should be added (consult your doctor first) if the daily intake levels aren't being met. It has been noted that calcium supplements are better absorbed into the body in smaller doses throughout the day rather than all at once.
  • Anytime is a good time to strengthen your bones. Along with daily recommendations of calcium, strength and resistance training, including free weights and yoga, help protect against osteoporosis.
  • According to official recommendations, women should have an initial bone density screening at age 65 unless risk factors are present for osteoporosis. If risk factors are present, screenings should begin at menopause.

Risk Factors for Osteoporosis:

  • Small body frame
  • Fractures to bones after
    age 50
  • Family history of osteoporosis
  • Not enough calcium or Vitamin D in diet
  • Drinking more than one alcoholic beverage per day
  • Smoking

 

Folate or Folic Acid:

What is Folic Acid?


Folate (aka Folic Acid) is a water-soluble vitamin that helps the body form red blood cells and aids in the formation of genetic material within every body cell.

What does it do for my body?

Folate is necessary for the production and maintenance of new cells. This is especially important during periods of rapid cell division and growth such as infancy and pregnancy.

Folate is needed to make DNA and RNA, the building blocks of cells. It also helps prevent changes to DNA that may lead to cancer. Both adults and children need folate to make normal red blood cells and prevent anemia.

Where do we get Folate?



According to Ohio State University's Human Nutrition Department, in 1990 more than one-third of the folate in the American diet was provided by fruits and vegetables. Grain products contributed a little more than one-fifth and legumes, nuts, and seeds contributed a little less than one-fifth. Foods that contain small amounts of folate but are not considered good sources can contribute significant amounts of folate to an individual's diet if these foods are eaten often or in large amounts.

Preparing Foods to Retain Folate.

Folate can be lost from foods during preparation, cooking, or storage. To retain folate:

  • Serve fruits and vegetables raw whenever possible.
  • Steam, boil, or simmer vegetables in a minimal amount of water.
  • Store vegetables in the refrigerator.

For additional information on folic acid refer to the following websites:

ohioline.osu.edu
www.cc.nih.gov
www.fda.gov
www.mycustompak.com

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