Cupcakes and Yoga Pants is Coming Soon

Well, it's official -- the new blog will be called Cupcakes and Yoga Pants.

It's the perfect way to sum up my life. I hit the gym five days a week, but have no regrets (well, maybe a few) when I eat cookies and cupcakes.

This new lifestyle blog will go far beyond foodie topics.

I plan to write about fitness, nutrition, health, recipes, gardening, food information, DIY, crafts, volunteering, photography, the environment, fashion, beauty, Pinterest fails, pets and pretty much anything else that fits into my healthy (but, totally not perfect) lifestyle.

Want to be the first to know when Cupcakes and Yoga Pants goes live? I'll send you an email.

You can sign up for an email notification HERE.

Or, send me an email with a message to angela.tague@yahoo.com.

I'm excited to share tips, ideas, reviews and random musings on this new blog.

Until Next Time,
Choose Healthy!

Angela Tague
Whole Foods Living

Help Me Name My New Website

For awhile now, I've wanted to expand Whole Foods Living.

Living a healthy life goes so far beyond food. It includes fitness, mental health and finding joy in your daily life. Being healthy means learning how to love yourself, be happy and make time for the things that make you smile.

I'm planning on moving Whole Foods Living to a new web host this summer, and with that move, comes the opportunity to change the name of my blog.

So, I'm asking for your help. What should I call the new blog that will encompass these many facets of health and wellness?

I think it should be catchy, two to four words and easy to spell. Have ideas? Please comment below or send an email to angela.tague@yahoo.com.

Until Next Time,
Choose Healthy!

Angela Tague
Whole Foods Living

In A Recipe Rut

I'm addicted to Pinterest.

I have so many food boards brimming with recipes I want to try. But, I have to be honest (and I know I'm not alone), I pin, pin, pin but never cook, cook, cook.

Well, that has to end.

So many pins, so little time! Screenshot from Pinterest.

I'm in a recipe rut, and it's time to try some new meals. The hubby and I eat the same 10 meals over and over, with variations of course, but it's still getting boring.

With the farmer's market in full swing, an obnoxious amount of recipes saved on Pinterest and a dining room bookcase devoted to cookbooks, it's time to get busy and break out of this recipe rut.

So, how do you stay motivated to cook new meals after a long day of work when your energy and time is waning? I'd love some tips!

Until Next Time,
Choose Healthy!

Angela Tague
Whole Foods Living

Opening Week at the Farmer's Market

Photo by Angela Tague

I've been waiting all winter. The farmer's market is open!

Day one was soggy and slow. But, a sunny second day brought out flocks of people and tons of fresh produce, plants for the garden and even a face-painting booth.

So, what's in season in May in the Midwest?

You'll find lots of fresh greens including kale, arugula and several varieties of lettuce. I also spied multiple vendors with green and purple asparagus. The rhubarb was plentiful and if you love kohlrabi, radishes and turnips, there were no shortages of root vegetables on the tables.

At my local market there are also several non-food vendors. Today I saw a face-painting booth, a musician singing, a wood crafter selling cutting boards, a local winery offering samples and a jewelry maker displaying one-of-a-kind necklaces. You never know what you'll find at the market!

Do you shop at a local farmer's market? Why or why not? Tell me in the comments below.

Until Next Time,
Choose Healthy!

Angela Tague
Whole Foods Living

Gluten-Free Food for Life Brown Rice Tortilla Review

I'm always on the lookout for delicious gluten-free bread products. I was thrilled when my local grocery store started carrying wheat-free, gluten-free Food for Life Brown Rice Tortillas.

 Finally, I could give corn taco shells and tostadas a rest and enjoy a soft taco or burrito. But, would the rice flour tortilla be as good as a wheat-based tortilla? Here's my opinion.

Tortilla quesadilla for lunch!

What do Food for Life Brown Rice Tortillas taste like?
My first impression of these tortillas was positive. I used them to make a quick tortilla pizza piled high with tomato sauce, cheese and vegetables. The grainy flavor of the tortillas blended well with the Italian meal. Although the tortillas have a distinct rice flavor, the taste isn't overpowering.

What is the texture of the gluten-free tortillas?
One of the first things I notice about gluten-free pastas and breads is the texture. Many are crumbly, hard or extremely dense. Once loaf of bread I tried in the past was so dense melted butter couldn't even penetrate the bread when toasted.

I was skeptical when I tried these tortillas. But, surprisingly these tortillas are relatively soft. When taking a bite of a plain tortilla, the texture is chewy but soft. If you fold one burrito style, it cracks and tears.

What are the best ways to use these brown rice tortillas?
My favorite way to eat Food for Life Brown Rice Tortillas is by keeping them flat. They are great for making quesadillas, a flat sandwich cut into quarters or as a base for gluten-free pizza.

If you want to fold or bend the tortillas, prepare to bake them with sauce and eat the meal with a fork. Although I haven't tried it yet, I think these tortillas would be great in a baked enchilada recipe or cut into strips and fried for a gluten-free salad topping.

Are these tortillas healthy?
According to the Food for Life website, these brown rice tortillas are kosher and made from sprouted grains. These tortillas include whole grain brown rice flour, filtered water, tapioca flour, safflower oil, rice bran, vegetable gum (xanthan, cellulouse) and sea salt.

Since they are a source of whole grains, these tortillas are healthier than other brands of tortillas made with bleached wheat flour.

Until Next Time,
Choose Healthy!

Angela Tague
Whole Foods Living

Note: This article was originally written and published by myself on Yahoo! Voices on March 12, 2012.

Help Me Eat Gluten Free and Vegetarian in Las Vegas

Image Credit: Flickr

Next week I'm headed to sunny Las Vegas for the New Media Expo.

Thousands of content creators including bloggers, podcasters, video producers and marketers are gathering to listen to seminars, stroll the exhibit halls and network with potential clients.

And I'm nervous as heck.

No, not about the conference or meeting people. I'm not sure what I'm going to eat!

I follow a vegetarian diet by choice (since 1998) and have to eat gluten-free due to a gluten intolerance backed by multiple blood tests.

So, dear reader, I am asking for help.

Have you been to Las Vegas? Did you notice which restaurants are gluten-free friendly and have vegetarian options? I'm working on compiling a list of possible places to eat during my week-long stay.

I'd be especially grateful for suggestions in or near the Las Vegas Convention Center.

If you have ideas, feel free to comment below, message me on Facebook or send an email to angela.tague(at)yahoo.com.

Me and my digestive system thank you!

Until Next Time,
Choose Healthy!

Angela Tague
Whole Foods Living

How Lavender Essential Oil Became My Office Mate

I enjoy trying natural health and beauty products.

Photo Credit: Flickr

Over the past few years I've become a cheerleader for natural oils, such as coconut, cocoa butter and jojoba, to use as skin moisturizers.

I've also ventured into taking supplements to boost my energy.

A month or so ago, I was given a free sample of Aromappeal Lavender 100% Pure Essential Oil from Puritan's Pride to try. Honestly, it sat on my shelf for weeks. I wasn't sure what to do with it. Now, I love the scent of lavender as much as the next gal, but I know essential oils are supposed to also have medicinal values, not just smell nice.

So, I started researching.

Overall, lavender is known for its calming and soothing properties. It can be added to a hot bath or a carrier oil and applied during a massage. It's also said to bring a good night's rest when sprinkled on your pillow or used in a reed diffuser in the bedroom. I also read that lavender oil works well for headaches and menstrual cramps.

So, I finally decided to give it a try. One afternoon when I felt one of my cervicogenic headaches coming on, I decided to dab a bit of the lavender oil on each temple. Within a few minutes the pain was less and much more manageable. Usually those headaches land me in bed for a long nap. After using the oil, I was able to push forward on the day's workload.

Later I tried the lavender oil to calm menstrual cramps. I read it was safe to put a few drops of the oil on my belly, cover it with my clothes, then apply a heat pad. This was simple since I had been using the heat pad all morning anyway with no relief. Amazingly, after about 20 minutes of writing, I realized that I no longer had those annoying squeezing abdominal pains. The oil worked!

In the last few weeks, that little bottle of lavender oil had been sitting on my desk. I've dipped into it to soothe regular headaches and calm myself before difficult work projects. I'm not sure whether it's the oil, or simply mind-over-matter, but that little bottle of lavender oil is my new office mate.


Until Next Time,
Choose Healthy!

Angela Tague
Whole Foods Living

Disclosure: The lavender mentioned in this blog post was provided free of charge from Puritan's Pride for review purposes. No monetary compensation was sought or awarded in exchange for the review. All thoughts expressed on Whole Foods Living are solely my own. ~Angela

Note: This article was originally published on Yahoo! Voices on December 20, 2013.

Behind the Scenes at Whole Foods Living

Recently it dawned on me that I've been sharing healthy tips, ideas, insight and recipes here on Whole Foods Living for 4 1/2 years and I've never taken a step back to tell you who is behind this blog!

So, Hello!!

My name is Angela and I live in Iowa with my husband Andrew and two fur babies, a weimaraner named Belle and a bull terrier mix named Orion. I consider the pups my co-workers since I work as a writer from a home office. I focus primarily on journalistic work and marketing content. (Nope, no poetry or fiction!)

I've been a vegetarian since 1998, and have "vegan days" on occasion. I've been following a gluten-free diet since the day after Thanksgiving in 2011 based on a doctor's advice and blood tests for Celiac Disease.

Whole Foods Living is my fun writing. I turn to this blog to tell the world about cool foodie things I stumble upon during my daily research (like a guy who forages for food) or to tell about a tasty, healthy recipe I accidentally tossed together (like my Banana Bread Smoothie).

When I'm not writing about health or nutrition topics here, I'm probably penning it for a client. I'm a regular contributor to the Tom's of Maine Good Matters blog, have written for grocery store blogs and worked on marketing campaigns for DiGiorno Pizza and Fiji Water. Whew!

I'm also a Pinterest addict. I have several foodie boards that you might like to browse or follow. Check out:

• Feed Me Zucchini: Every summer I end up with too many of these green veggies. I share several ways to prepare it over on Pinterest.
• Eating Gluten Free: This is a collection of gluten-free goodies, mostly baked goods.
• Whole Foods Living: If it's a whole food, a blog post from this site or a healthy tip, I probably post it here!
• Feed Me!: This board includes a variety of recipes, from healthy to sinful, for the hubby and I to try.
• Healthy Apple Recipes for Fall: I love fall baking, especially using apples my mom's farm.
• Let's Make Juice: Are you into juicing? Me too!
• I Love Onions: Need I say more?
• Eggplant Recipes & Tips: Last summer my garden was overrun with these purple beauties, so I needed lots of recipes to use them up.
• Health & Nutrition: Random facts, infographics and ideas about living healthy.

So, why not take a quick minute and tell me a little about yourself in the comments below? Feel free to share links to your blog, website, Pinterest or other social media. I'd love to connect!

Until Next Time,
Choose Healthy!

Angela Tague
Whole Foods Living

My Favorite 100 Calorie Gluten-Free Snacks

Hummus and veggies. Photo credit: Flickr

I like to graze.

A handful of almonds here, an apple there. I'm always snacking on something. But those calories can sure add up quickly, especially when I reach for chocolate!

So today I thought I'd do a fun roundup of some of my favorite 100 calorie (or less) gluten-free snacks to make your next between-meal munching a little bit healthier.

1. Popcorn - Lately I've been venturing into flavored popcorn. I'm in love with Angie's Boom Chicka Pop Lightly Sweet Popcorn. (It tastes like kettle corn.) This non GMO snack is just 70 calories for 2 cups!
2. Nuts - Protein and fiber-rich snacks help keep you feeling full. I like to crack open a handful of pistachios in the shell. Half an ounce of nuts, or approximately 25 kernels, is just 80 calories, according to American Pistachio Growers.
3. Dried fruit - When I have a sweet tooth, and I manage to stay away from chocolate, I love dried fruits. Those little lunchbox size packets of raisins and craisins are 90-100 calories each. As a bonus, they travel well for snacking on the go!
4. Hummus and veggies - Sabra Hummus is gluten-free and delicious. Two tablespoons is just 70 calories. Try dipping low-calorie bell pepper slices, cauliflower, broccoli, celery or radishes in the chickpea dip.

So, what healthy snacks do you like to grab in the afternoon? Tell me in the comments below.

Until Next Time,
Choose Healthy!

Angela Tague
Whole Foods Living

4 Healthy Additions to Your Favorite Valentine's Day Cookie Recipe

I love cookies. It's really no secret.

Sprinkle nuts atop cookies! Photo Credit: Flickr

I think the key to sticking with a healthy diet is by having treats on special occasions. (And, by making them just a bit healthier than usual!)

Give your favorite cookie recipe a healthy makeover this weekend for Valentine's Day.

Here are four of my favorite ways to make cookies pack a nutritional punch -- and taste wonderful!

1. Flaxseed
If your go-to cookie contains oatmeal or nuts, consider mixing a few tablespoons of milled flaxseed into the batter. The nutty-flavored seeds are packed with heart-healthy Omega-3 fatty acids, disease fighting antioxidants and fiber to keep you regular, according to registered dietitian Elaine Magee, an expert columnist on WebMD. Although the flavor of flaxseed is mild, it pairs best with a hearty, thick cookie.

2. Nuts
Add some crunch to your cookies by using chopped nuts. Whether you sprinkle them on top of your favorite cookie recipe, or mix the nuts into the batter, your body will thank you. Nuts provide healthy unsaturated fats, skin-clearing Vitamin E and fiber for regular digestion, according to the Mayo Clinic. To trim a few calories from the treats, choose the lowest calorie nuts such as almonds, pistachios and peanuts.

3. Spices
Instead of decorating cookies with colored sugar, try a flavorful ground spice. Cinnamon is an anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial spice that can help ease arthritis symptoms and fight the growth of bacteria and yeast in the body, according to the World's Healthiest's Foods website. Cloves also help reduce inflammation, plus they are a source of vitamin C, calcium and magnesium.

4. Fruit
Enhance your favorite Valentine's Day cookie recipe by mixing chopped, dried fruit into the batter. Dried cranberries, raisins and cherries not only provide a dose of vitamins and antioxidants, they also add a festive red hue and chewy texture to your treat. Try giving your favorite oatmeal cookie recipe a makeover with both fruit and nuts. Or, use small pieces of dried fruits to decorate cut-out sugar cookies.

So, how to you like to make your cookies a little bit healthier? Do you have a great refined sugar swap or healthy mix-in you'd like to let readers know about? Comment below!

Until Next Time,
Choose Healthy!

Angela Tague
Whole Foods Living

Note: This article was originally written by me, Angela Tague, and published on Yahoo! Voices on February 17, 2012. Since that website is no longer online, I've chosen to reprint this article on Whole Foods Living after the publishing rights reverted back to me.

My 3 Favorite Gluten-Free Breads

Canyon Bakehouse bread makes great sandwiches. 

Just because I follow a gluten-free diet doesn't mean I no longer eat bread.

I simply choose brands made without wheat, barley, rye or other glutinous grains.

Here's my three favorite gluten-free bread products!

For Toasting...

I've tried many loaves of gluten-free bread, and by far my favorite for toasting is Udi's Whole Grain Bread. When toasted it gets crisp on the outside and stays soft inside. Butter or jelly soaks in easily. I mention that because I've tried some gluten-free bread that's so dense butter won't even melt and penetrate the slice. Strange. I know.

For a Soft Sandwich...

When I want to eat bread right out of the package, my go-to is Canyon Bakehouse 7-Grain Gluten Free Bread. The bread is soft, tears and is perfect for making a classic PB&J or BLT. I even wrote a post about how much I like it!

As a Dinner Roll...

At special meals, I like to have a dinner roll option that's gluten-free. For the last several holidays, I've enjoyed Schar's Multigrain Ciabatta Rolls. They warm up quickly, have a crunchy outer crust and the inside is soft. Perfect!

Do you eat gluten-free bread? Tell me your favorite products in the comments below.

Until Next Time,
Choose Healthy!

Angela Tague
Whole Foods Living

Image Credit: Canyon Bakehouse

Top 10 Most Delicious Posts of 2014 on Whole Foods Living

Another year is winding down, so I thought it might be fun to warm up a second helping of the 10 most popular posts in 2014!

Graphic Credit: Freeimages

1. My Gluten-Free Pasta Choice: Mung Bean Noodles
2. Gluten-Free Food List
3. Gluten-Free Soy Sauce Alternative: Liquid Amino Acids
4. Eating Raw Honey
5. Energy-Boosting B Vitamins
6. The 8-week Healthy Skin Diet by Karen Fischer
7. What Is Xanthan Gum?
8. Are bamboo shoots healthy?
9. How to Eat Flax Seed
10. Juicing Carrots: A Burst of Vitamin A

What's your favorite post on Whole Foods Living from 2014? What topics would you like to read about in 2015? Tell me in the comments below and have a Happy New Year!

Until Next Time,
Choose Healthy!

Angela Tague
Whole Foods Living

FDA Serves Up Calorie Counts on Menus

Photo Credit: morgueFile

Restaurant dinners come with too many indulgences.

Appetizers. Starters. Sides. Desserts.

What ever happened to simply enjoying an entree and calling it a night?

I don't know about you, but almost every meal I eat outside of the home is higher in calories than what I'd cook for myself. Why? Because it feels OK to splurge when you're out.

Well, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is hoping to bring us all back down to reality (and responsible portion sizes) when it comes to those evenings when we don't have to cook dinner ourselves.

A new ruling from the FDA that goes into effect in 2015 states that restaurants, bakeries, coffee shops, movie theater snack bars and some convenience/grocery stores with ready-made foods with more than 20 locations must list calorie counts for each prepared food and drink item listed for sale.

In two years, vending machine operators will also have to follow these rules and post calorie counts in a visible area on the machines.

So, in the near future expect to see a calorie count next to items on a salad bar, on your favorite chain restaurant's menu board and on the break room snack machine.

Want to know more details? Read the full FDA report HERE.

So, how do you feel about the new calorie counts on menus?
Will they make dinner less enjoyable because you know how indulgent you're being?
Or, will you make healthier choices since the numbers are right in front of you?

Tell me in the comments below!

Until Next Time,
Choose Healthy!

Angela Tague
Whole Foods Living

Gluten-free, One Pan, 10-minute Vegetarian Stir Fry

I love to cook healthy meals extra fast during my work breaks. Well today I'm sharing one of my go-to favorites filled with a rainbow of veggies and vegetarian protein.

I'm always on the look out for more ways to get protein into my vegetarian diet. Recently I started enjoying tempeh, a fermented soy-based product that can be sliced and used much like chicken breast.

I find that I like tempeh pan fried until it's lightly crisped, then mixed with vegetables. So, voila! That's how I came about this super simple meal that clocks in at about 300 calories.

Gluten-free, One Pan, 10-minute Vegetarian Stir Fry

3 oz. tempeh (I like Lightlife Tempeh with Flax)

1/2 Tbs. extra virgin olive oil
1 cup fresh mushrooms, sliced
2 cups Mandarin stir fry mixed vegetables, frozen
Bragg's Liquid Aminos

1. Put the extra virgin olive oil in a fry pan and warm it to a medium-high setting. While the pan gets hot, cut the tempeh into small, bite-size cubes and slice the mushrooms. I prefer to buy the mushrooms already sliced since they are the same price as whole mushrooms.
2. Add the tempeh and mushrooms to the oil. Let them lightly brown on one side for about three to four minutes. Toss, and let the other sides begin to brown for another few minutes.
3. Add the frozen mixed vegetables, reduce the heat to medium and put a lid on the pan. Let the frozen vegetables soften.
4. Once the vegetables are hot, sprinkle the mixture with some Bragg's Liquid Aminos to give the meal that salty soy sauce-like flavor without any gluten. That's it!

So, tell me: How do you like to use tempeh in the kitchen? I'm looking for new ways to enjoy this protein-packed soy product.

Until Next Time,
Choose Healthy!

Angela Tague
Whole Foods Living

PS: Want more healthy food ideas? Visit my public Pinterest boards: Whole Foods Living and Feed Me Zucchini!

4 Surprising Sources of Salt

During my crusade to live a healthier lifestyle, I've been taking note of the amount of sodium in food.

Photo Credit: Morguefile

Whether you're trying to reduce sodium in your diet to decrease water retention and risk of heart disease, or need add a salt to boost low blood pressure, check out this list of salty foods.

Soda or Pop 

That fizzy carbonated beverage some people simply refer to as a Coke can pack a big salty punch in your diet. 

If you cling to a bottle of Diet Coke or crave an afternoon Pepsi, take a peek at the label. One 16 ounce bottle of Diet Coke contains 60mg of sodium. If you down a six-pack a day, that's 360mg of sodium just from beverages.

Bread

Since salt is used as a preservative, it's commonly found in processed foods. To make bread last longer on grocery store shelves, sodium is added to the dough. A loaf of homemade bread starts to grow mold in just three to four days due to the small amount of salt and a lack of preservatives.

For example, two slices of Sara Lee 45 Calories and Delightful white bread -- which markets itself as a healthy option -- contains 240mg of salt. That's 10 percent of your daily intake of salt (based on a 2,000 calorie diet) in just two slices of plain bread!

Condiments

Sure, many foods taste better dipped in ketchup, barbeque sauce or salad dressing. But, condiments are one of the worst hidden sources of salt. For example, 2 tablespoons of Hidden Valley Ranch salad dressing contain 260mg of sodium. If you're like most people, you use more than 2 tablespoons on an entree-size salad.

Other condiments high in salt include pickles, relish, packaged pasta sauces and soy sauce. To keep your sodium in check, stick to small portions and enjoy condiments as a treat, not an everyday indulgence.

Cheese 

Who knew cheese was full of salt? Since I'm actually trying to include salt in my diet, this was a positive finding since I love cheese. I like to top fresh fruit or a salad with cottage cheese or snack on a stick of string cheese. I learned that one stick of Crystal Farms Wisconsin Spiral String Cheese has 200mg of sodium -- a great snack to boost my low blood pressure.

Until Next Time,
Choose Healthy!

Angela Tague
Whole Foods Living

Note: This article was originally published on Yahoo Voices on April 11, 2012 by myself, Angela Tague.

19+ Healthy Ways to Cook With Fall Apples

Fresh fall apples from the farm!

It's apple picking season!

A few weeks ago I plucked some plump, red fruit from the apple trees on my mom's farm. In addition to eating them as snacks, I've been trying to figure out what to do with all these apples!

Of course the usual fall favorites came to mind: apple pie, apple crisp, apple muffins.

Although those classics are super tasty, they're not the healthiest ways to use this seasonal whole food.

So, I made a big batch of applesauce lightly seasoned with honey and cinnamon -- and it's fantastic! To be honest, I also made one small pan of apple crisp. But, the rest of those apples will be gracing some of these amazing apple recipes I've collected on Pinterest:

Healthy Apple Recipes for Fall

Do you have a favorite fall apple recipe I should add to my Pinterest board above? Tell me the URL in the comments below and I'll check it out!

Until Next Time,
Choose Healthy!

Angela Tague
Whole Foods Living

PS: Don't miss another post from Whole Foods Living! Subscribe (in the right margin of this page) for email updates!

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Banana Bread Smoothie Recipe

It's no secret I love to start my day with a healthy, decadent-flavored smoothie.

Photo credit: Morguefile

I often sip on a Chocolate-Covered Banana Smoothie or Raspberry-Banana Smoothie.

Hey, who says breakfast can't be good for me and delicious?

Today I came up with an oh so tasty treat! Fall is in the air and I've been wanting to make up a loaf of banana bread. Or, maybe pumpkin bread. Anyway, since I haven't had time yet, I adapted the flavor into a smoothie. Enjoy!

Banana Bread Smoothie 

1 serving (approx. 300 calories)

• 1 cup soy milk (I used 8th Continent Soy Milk, Original)
• 1 large banana, cut into chunks
• 1 tbsp. honey
• 1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1/4 cup dry quick oats

1. Place the milk, banana and honey in the blender.
2. Top with the oats and cinnamon.
3. Combine until creamy, pour and enjoy!

*Note: If you are using a small, single-serve blender, invert the layering of the ingredients, so the oats aren't the first ingredient to touch the blender blades.

Do you have a favorite morning go-to smoothie recipe? Tell me about it in the comments below!

Until Next Time,
Choose Healthy!

Angela Tague
Whole Foods Living

PS: You can find me on Facebook and Twitter for more delicious ideas!

The Easiest Way to Preserve Whole Tomatoes

Photo Credit: morgueFile

You just never know what you're going to learn in yoga class.

Last week I shared some of the garden bounty with a few gals and one told me her favorite way to preserve tomatoes is freezing them whole.

That seems so much simpler than canning tomatoes or making several batches of pasta sauce and chili to freeze for the winter.

So, I gave it a test run.

She said to pick, wash, bag and freeze the tomatoes whole. When you want to cook with them, run the frozen fruits under warm water to loosen the skin. Then, peel the tomatoes, chop and cook.

She likes to use them in everything from soup to sauces. And, she's right! It was super easy and my latest batch of chili turned out fabulous made with the frozen tomatoes. I was worried about a grainy texture, but the tomatoes were perfect.

So, what's your favorite way to preserve tomatoes?

Until Next Time,
Choose Healthy!

Angela Tague
Whole Foods Living

Eating Healthy on a Budget: 3 Kitchen Staples Revised

Eating healthy on a budget doesn't mean bringing home half-empty bags from the grocery store. By making smart decisions, eating healthy without going broke can become second nature.

Photo Credit: Flickr

Here are three kitchen staples you can easily replace with healthier, inexpensive options on your next shopping trip.

 

1. Rice

If you love stir fries, casseroles and soups, you probably have rice in your pantry. Did you know there are many types of rice available?

The everyday white sticky rice you enjoy in your Chinese takeout isn't the only option out there. Try buying whole grain brown rice. Unlike refined white rice, whole grain brown rice is packed with energy-boosting B vitamins and antioxidants manganese and selenium.

Whole grains help stabilize blood sugars, encourage weight loss and prevent cancer, according to registered dietician Keri Glassman, a contributor to CBS. To save even more pennies, buy rice in bulk. The individual boil-in-bag pouches cost more and produce more waste for landfills.

 

2. Bread

From sandwiches to a morning plate of French toast, bread is a staple in many homes. Eating healthy on a budget doesn't mean you have to give up bread.

The carbohydrate-filled food is a great way to add even more cholesterol-lowering whole grains to your diet. Instead of grabbing the loaf of white bread made with processed bleached flour, opt for something darker. Look for breads made with oatmeal, quinoa, whole grain wheat or brown rice.

These breads not only add fiber to your diet, they also add more flavor to your meal so you won't grab for extra slices just to fill up. Eating less means your cost per serving goes down -- saving you money.

3. Beans

Consider going meatless for one meal a day. To get enough proteins and fiber in your diet, try making a meal based on beans, recommends the United States Department of Agriculture. When purchased dried, you can easily walk away paying a dollar or less for a pound of dried lentils, kidney beans, pinto beans or chickpeas. You know that's less than what you pay for a pound of ground beef. Now that's eating healthy on a budget!

In addition to chili, soups and vegetarian bean burritos, beans can be mashed and made into hamburger-like patties, bean loafs and seasoned for taco filling. As a bonus, beans are extremely low in saturated fat -- unlike most meat-based proteins.

Until Next Time,
Choose Healthy!

Angela Tague
Whole Foods Living

Note: This article was originally published on Yahoo! Voices on February 10, 2012. 

Flourless Desserts: 5 Naturally Gluten-Free Treats

Messy, homemade and delicious!

Today is my birthday, so I figured we'd celebrate by talking about dessert.

No matter what type of diet you follow, it's fine to splurge on a sweet treat (in moderation!) on occasion.

Gluten-free deserts are plentiful and simple to make. You don't have to learn how to bake with rice flour or drop some big bucks on xanthan gum to create a wonderful sweet treat.

Here are five ways to end a meal without using wheat, rye, barley or triticale.

5 Naturally Gluten-Free Desserts 

1. Chocolate-Covered Strawberries
This simple two ingredient dessert is a snap to make. First pick out fresh, plump strawberries. Fruits are naturally gluten-free, so you're 100 percent in the safe zone. Next, splurge on a decadent organic chocolate. Choose a bar made with cocoa butter, cocoa or cocoa liqueur. Since not all chocolates are made without wheat-based emulsifiers, make sure the label says the product is gluten-free. Then, melt the chocolate in a double-boiler and dip the berries.

2. Sweetened Rice Pudding
Rice is a naturally gluten-free grain. Rice pudding is usually made by thickening the dessert with cream, milk and the rice itself -- no flour. Depending on your tastes, splurge on a cinnamon-raisin rice pudding, chocolate rice pudding or a recipe that uses honey and apples to sweeten the pudding. Once you find a favorite rice pudding recipe, you can really add any combination of nuts, chopped fruits or sweeteners.

3. Flourless Gluten-Free Desserts
After going gluten-free -- and realizing how expensive pre-made gluten-free treats are in the store -- I've done some test baking. Non-wheat flours don't respond the same way as wheat. Gluten gives bread a chewy texture, makes muffins rise and gives body to a cookie. But, what about baking without flour? It is possible! Check your favorite cookbook or website for flourless chocolate cake (it uses a lot of eggs), flourless peanut butter cookies (they are heavy in sugar) or crustless cheesecake (the creamy filling is the best part anyway).

4. Meringue Cookies
Every Easter my grandmother would whip up a batch of meringue cookies, or as she called them "Kisses." These egg-white based cookies puff up like little clouds, melt in your mouth and can be flavored to suit your palette. She usually made vanilla and chocolate cookies. But, if you're into experimenting with flavoring extracts or fresh citrus zest, you could easily create a new cookie flavor such as almond, lemon, lime or coconut.

5. Ice Cream and Sorbet
When made from scratch, ice cream and sorbet are naturally gluten-free desserts. Cream, milk, sugar and fruit are the key ingredients. So, fire up that ice cream maker collecting dust in the cabinet, or purchase an all-natural ice cream. Choose a dessert that's free of any thickeners, preservatives or emulsifiers. These tend to be hidden sources of gluten.

What's your favorite birthday dessert? Tell me in the comments below!

Until Next Time,
Choose Healthy!

Angela Tague
Whole Foods Living

Note: This article was originally published on Yahoo! Voices on March 7, 2012.