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For 1 teaspoon of baking power, use one of these:
1 tablespoon flour OR 1 teaspoon corn starch

Good substitutions for 1 cup of sour cream:
1 cup plain yogurt 
OR mix 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar with enough cream to make 1 cup 
OR mix 3/4 cup buttermilk with 1/3 cup margarine

To replace 1 cup fat for baking, use:
1 cup applesauce OR 1 cup fruit puree

For 1 cup cottage cheese, try 1 cup ricotta cheese.

(when measuring utensils aren't available)

1 cup of cereal flakes = adult fist

1/2 cup cooked rice/pasta = 2 baseballs

1 medium bake potato = adult fist

1 cup fresh fruit = baseball

1 oz cheese = 4 dice

1 tablespoon peanut butter = half a ping-pong ball

3 oz meat = deck of cards

3 oz grilled fish = checkbook

ChooseMyPlate.gov
Ten tips for incorporating these principles in your diet:

1. Balance calories
2. Enjoy your food, but eat less
3. Avoid oversized portions
4. Add foods to eat more often to your grocery list
5. Make half your plate fruits and veggies
6. Switch to fat-free or low-fat (1%) milk
7. Make half your grains whole grains
8. Be aware of foods to eat less often
9. Compare sodium in foods
10. Drink water instead of sugary drinks

Find more information at ChooseMyPlate.gov

Beef - bay leaf, nutmeg, onion, pepper, sage, thyme
Pork - garlic, onion, sage, pepper, oregano
Chicken - ginger, oregano, paprika, poultry seasoning, rosemary, sage, thyme
Fish - curry powder, dill, lemon juice, paprika, pepper
Carrots - cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, rosemary, sage
Corn - cumin curry powder, onion, paprika, parsley
Green beans - dill, curry powder, lemon juice, oregano, thyme
Green peas - ginger, onion, parsley, sage
Potatoes - dill, garlic, onion, paprika, parsley, sage
Summer Squash - cloves, curry powder, nutmeg, rosemary, sage
Winter Squash - cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, onion
Tomatoes - basil, bay leaf, dill, onion, oregano, parsley pepper

TACO SOUP

In a pot, add:  1 pound browned ground beef, 1 can whole kernel corn, 1 c Rotel 2 cans beans (drained/rinsed), 1 packet original ranch dressing mix, 1 packet low-sodium taco seasoning mix (see recipe below).

270 calories / 8g fat / 40mg cholesterol / 390mg sodium  27g carbohydrates / 10g fiber / 19g protein
 

• Low-Sodium Taco Seasoning Mix
  Use as lower sodium alternative for Mexican-style dishes.  Combine all of the following ingredients and then store in an airtight container.  1 teaspoon instant minced onion, 1 teaspon chili powder, 1/2 teaspoon cumin powder, 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper, 1/2 teaspoon instant minced garlic, 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch and 1/4 teaspoon oregano.

HAMBURGERS

Mix two defrosted packages of hamburger meat into a bowl.  Add spices of your choice.  Form patties and cook in a skillet or on the grill until no pink is present or meat thermometer registers 160 degrees Farenheit.

320 calories / 14g fat / 75mg cholesterol / 270mg sodium / 21g carbohydrates / 1g fiber / 26g protein

STUFFED BELL PEPPERS

Place hollow peppers into a pot of boiling water for 3-6 minutes until soft.  Put on towel to drain.  put together a mixture of prepared rice, browned hamburger meat and diced tomatoes.  Fill each pepper with mixture.  Place filled peppers in an oven-safe casserole dish.  Pour tomato sauce over peppers.  Bake in a preheated oven for about 20 minutes until heated through.

300 calories / 8g fat / 50mg cholesterol / 25mg sodium / 38g carbohydrates / 4g fiber / 20g protein

SPAGHETTI & MEAT SAUCE

Combine coked pasta, browned ground beef and spagheti sauce in pan.  Heat through.

310 calories / 6g fat / 25mg cholesterol / 40mg sodium / 47g carbohydrates / 3g fiber / 16g protein

BEEF TOSTADAS

Place a thin layer of refried beans on a tostada shell.  Top with crumbled, browned ground beef and your favorite fresh vegetables like tomatoes, jalepenos, onions, cheese, lettuce, etc.

260 calories / 14g fat / 70mg cholesterol / 170mg sodium / 8g carbohydrates / 3g fiber / 23g protein

the healthier holiday hues

Many colorful foods offer protective health benefits and reduce the risk of a variety of diseases.  Color is an indication of different nutrients.  Add color to your holiday meals and boost your nutrition!

Red:  Fresh cranberries contribute a tart flavor and may offset the sweetness of other dishes.  Watch portion sizes.  Salmon patties prepared with canned salmon are a quick healthy meal.  Lycopene, a phytochemical, may help prevent some diseases.  Lycopene is found in canned tomatoes and tomato sauce.  Red beans add fiber and provide alternatives to meat dishes.  They can be added and served instead of meat in casseroles.

Green:  Dark green leafy vegetables come in many forms and offer many different nutrients.  Chose romaine over iceberg lettuce for salads and add spinach to soups.  Avocados, though high in fat, contain heart-healthy monounsaturated fat.  Add a few slices to a sandwich instead of mayonnaise.  Eat them in moderation as a side dish.

Initiative for Native Americans and Physical Activity

Healthy Nutrition

American Diabetes Association

American Liver Foundation