Eat Slower = Cut Calories

This is not something I am proud of, but I can, without a doubt, eat as much as my boyfriend and probably in a shorter amount of time than he can. Once the eat feast is complete, I am normally succumb by food-coma.

In a recent study by the American Dietetics Association in 2008, it was found that subject reported greater satiety and consumed roughly 10 percent fewer calories when they ate at a slower pace compared with times when they gobbled down their food (my typical eating habits).

In scientific mumbo-jumbo it is believed that the two hormones (glucagons-like peptide-1 and peptide YY) that signal feelings of satiety, otherwise known as the feeling of being full, showed a more pronounced response in a slow condition of eating.

If this isn’t proof enough to slow my roll down at the dinner table, I don’t know what is.

Health Care 101 (please!)

If you haven't realized there was a new health care bill signed into law...you should be ashamed of yourself. It's a pretty big deal, whether you are for it or against it.

The biggest problem is that its SO confusing. Today's New York Times Health & Science reporter - Tara Parker Pope - wrote a good article about what people can expect , it did help...a little bit.

One thing that I do understand and think is frankly very awesome, is that in most cases all preventative care is covered under your plan, including physicals, yearly gynecologist appointments, etc.

Insurance companies (and maybe Doctors) might not too excited about this, but in the long run it will hopefully create a much healthier society.

When people know its for "free" there is much more incentive to do it. Just think about Ben and Jerry's free ice cream cone day - its free, why wouldn't you get it. If your physical is free, why not go to the doctor. Contrary to what many people, specifically women, believe its good to know how much you actually weigh. Doctors can point out things that are taking place in your body that you would never have known.

Of course, I have a lot more reading to do, and I bet everyone else do. I am more than happy to read anything else anyone else finds - Cliff notes for health care reform or Health care for dummies???!!

Sunday Dinner vol. 1

I am Italian, but really the most Italian thing about me is my passion for cooking and eating.

Hopefully every Sunday, I will have an installment of 'Sunday Dinner.' All good Italians cook a hearty Sunday meal, and I am no different.

Tonight was Turkey Sausage Stew.

2 cloves of crushed garlic
4 tbl of EVOO
A head of cabbage chopped
4 turkey sausages with casing removed
1 12 oz. can of low sodium chicken broth
12 oz. of water
1 12 oz. can of tomato paste
2 15 oz can of cannellini beans
1/2 cup of fresh parsley
Sprinkles of pepper, oregano and red pepper flakes

Cook the sausage until no longer pink. Heat the oil and add the garlic. Saute for a little bit and then add in cabbage and cook for 2 minutes. Add the chicken broth and bring to a simmer, then add the beans and parsley. (1 can rinsed, 1 can without rinsing), add the sausage and a can of water (use can from one of the bean cans). Cook in a simmer for 20 minutes. Then add the can of tomato paste (not the entire can but the majority) and cook for another 20 minutes. Let settle for 5-10 minutes and serve.

This is great to have the night you cook, refrigerate a portion and then freeze the rest for another meal. But it will serve at least 4 people for sure.

Great ingredients too with healthy benefits:
Cannellini beans
Cabbage