Monday, August 8, 2011

Healthy Menu Selections When Dining Out

Sometimes we find ourselves in a perfect rhythm. We are eating healthy, sticking to our fitness routines, and finally seeing some great results. Then, an invite out to eat can be a waste of all our good prioress. Most items on the menu, although delicious, are horrible options when it comes to health. However, there are always exceptions to the rule, and you can find some healthy options when dining out. Dining out is a part of our culture, so sooner or later you are going to find yourself at a restaurant.

The first step to healthy eating habits is having healthy drinking habits. Just because you are out to eat doesn't mean you have to suck down 3 coca colas. One of the best options you have is water, with a splash of lemon. Tastes great, and you can be happy with healthy decision you made afterwards. If water isn't cutting it for you, try an orange juice, apple juice, or cranberry juice. Although high in sugar, juices have healthy vitamins that sodas, or what I like to call them "filler drinks," just do not have to offer. If certainly have to get that soda, and diet is not an option, just make sure that you limit your quantity. If the rewarding Coke is just what you want after a hard workout, then thats ok! Do not take advantage of free refills.

After your drink selections are made an appetizer may be the next choice to make. Avoid all selections that are described as fried, buttered, or deep fried. Appetizers rich in carbohydrates like potato skins or a basket of fries are really bad for you. Potato based foods are the quickest ways to weight gain. Some appetizers you might consider choosing are spinach deeps, grilled calamari with marinara sauce, lettuce wraps, whole grain rolls, or house salads. Remember that foods with nutritional value always are a better option. Of course, you really do not need to order an appetizer. Don't let fried appetizers ruin your meal. In all honesty you are better off enjoying a beer or a glass of wine.

When it comes to the main course, you have more options than you might think. However, most of the menu is littered with options that supply enough calories for the day. One convenient option menus are starting to list are a smaller health menu that usually come with a calorie count, or a weight watcher point system. These are great, because along with a great tasting meal you know what you are putting into your body and therefore can be guilt free. Try to stay away from the options that include a big basket of fries. Vegetables, salads, or soups are much better options.

Sooner or later we are going to dine out. After all of your hard work at determination, don't let a night out set you back on your diet and exercise progress. Remember, there is nothing wrong with going out to eat once in a while, but make sure you choose the healthier options each menu has to offer. You will be much happier with your choices once you leave the restaurant!

This article was written by Alina Cambridge. Alina is a health enthusiast who is passionate about fitness, and skin care health. She works with Acne Centre providing the last breakthroughs in acne science.

Thursday, August 4, 2011

The 5 Big Benefits of Buying From an Online Artisan Meat Shop

Purchasing from an online artisan meat shop might sound strange considering that you don’t have the meat in front of you when you order it and you have to wait for it to arrive, but there are actually many advantages to buying meats from these gourmet online retailers. Most people do at least some of their consumer activity online, from buying t-shirts to purchasing Christmas gifts to ordering electronics for personal use. You can refill prescriptions online, order groceries and have them delivered to your house and have items shipped to your home from around the world—the possibilities are endless. So why not enjoy the largest possible selection of gourmet meats from around the world instead of being limited to what your grocer is carrying?

The 5 Big Benefits of Online Meat Buying

1. Bulk Buying Power

If you need a large quantity of high-quality meat for an upcoming event, your local gourmet meat shop might not have enough product on-hand to meet your needs, assuming that you do have an artisanal retailer in your area. Your local grocery store may also not have a large quantity of specialty meats, and their gourmet selections will most likely be limited. A bulk grocery store will most definitely not have the gourmet meats you’re looking for; this would be a better option if your large event is a backyard barbeque rather than an elegant affair. An online gourmet retailer will be able to fill your order with a large quantity of the best artisanal meats in a short period of time.


2. Convenience

Ordering gourmet meats online is simply more convenient than waiting around in the butcher shop or deli. Sure, you have to wait for your order to arrive, but if it’s not something you need at this very moment, this shouldn’t be a deterrent. It’s just one less errand you need to run while you’re out and about.


3. Organic Selections

If you don’t have a lot of organic meat products available in your local area, online meat shopping is an excellent choice. Retailers on the Internet may offer a much larger selection of organic options than your local grocery store, deli or butcher.

4. Largest Selection

Even if you have an artisanal, gourmet or specialty store nearby, chances are that it can’t rival the selection that is available at your fingertips on the Internet. You can find virtually any kind of rare or hard-to-find meat online.

5. Lower Costs

An online retailer may also be able to offer lower prices than your local gourmet meat shop due to high volumes of sales and special relationships with artisan food makers. You can always shop around and find the best deals for pricey meats when you shop online.

Jessica writes about a wide variety of topics. She especially enjoys writing about food. You can learn more about Gourmet Meats at http://www.dibruno.com/

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