Happy 2022 to all of you!
Here are some tasty recipes you may enjoy:
Healthy Blueberry Smoothie with Almond Butter - use frozen berries for a taste of summer. This is an easy, healthy addition to breakfast or a snack!
This Baby Bok Choy and Tofu Stir-fry recipe explains how to press and marinate tofu for the best flavor and texture. Try it for a light and quick lunch or dinner.
It’s a wonderful time to bake a fresh loaf of bread. Try this easy Vegan Banana Bread with Dark Chocolate Chunks. It’s even better warm from the oven! This recipe uses ground flaxseeds in place of eggs - extra nutrients without the cholesterol of eggs.
What I’m Reading:
How does mindfulness affect our weight? In January when many people are considering resolutions and healthy eating, think about ways to be mindful, like focusing on the flavor and textures of what you are eating. This pilot study of 57 adults found that following mindfulness techniques including meditation from an 8-week course and day-long retreat helped people maintain a weight loss 6 months later, whereas the average result in the control group was a weight gain of 3.4%. While not statistically significant, this is a promising non-diet technique for healthier eating. The authors discuss emotional regulation and people often make negative food choices as a result of stress.
Chumachenko SY, Cali RJ, Rosal MC, Allison JJ, Person SJ, Ziedonis D, et al. (2021) Keeping weight off: Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction alters amygdala functional connectivity during weight loss maintenance in a randomized control trial. PLoS ONE 16(1): e0244847. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0244847
Keep up to date with my recipes at www.melissatraub.com and behind the scenes from my kitchen on Instagram @melissatraubrd.