NEC24

Summer Slow Cooker Recipes

admin — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 08:00:22 +0000

You probably know how amazing slow cookers are for making delicious, hassle-free meals, but most people associate using slow cookers only in the fall and winter. You shouldn’t pack up your slow cooker or crock pot just because it’s hot outside. There are a lot of summer-friendly meals you can make when the temperatures are nearing 100 degrees.

Crockpot Granola

Granola is a great choice for breakfast as long as it’s not too high in sugar. Unfortunately, many commercially-made granola is extremely high in sugar, making in an unhealthy breakfast option. The solution? Make your own at home in a Crockpot, of course.

With ingredients like old-fashioned rolled oats, applesauce, and honey, this recipe is simple and nutritious.

Slow Cooker German Potato Salad

What’s summer without a barbecue or cook-out? And what’s a cook-out without that perennial staple, potato salad? If you have offered to bring the potato salad, take a look at this recipe. If you don’t like creamy potato salads, this one is right up your alley.

It’s lighter and healthier than mayonnaise-based potato salads. Also, since it doesn’t contain mayonnaise, you can leave it out at room temperature without the fear of giving your guests food poisoning. If you happen to eat someone else’s mayonnaise-based potato salad that was left out for too long, and you experience severe food poisoning, come to your nearest Houston and Austin ERs for 24 hour emergency care.

Slow Cooker Hawaiian BBQ Chicken Sandwiches

Slow cookers are great for busy people because you can just throw in your ingredients, go to work, and when you get home, you have a delicious meal ready to eat. This recipe is perfect for those busy weeknights.

All you need are some frozen chicken breasts, barbecue sauce, pineapple slices, and hoagie buns. It couldn’t be easier!

Hopefully now you don’t think you can only use your slow cooker during the cooler months, and you will try these no-hassle, delicious recipes during the summer.

Neighbors Emergency Center offers 24 hour emergency care in Houston and Austin 365 days a year, and our board certified emergency physicians can treat all medical emergencies. We know you’re time is important, so we will treat you quickly and effectively so you can get back to doing what you love. If you are looking for a quality emergency room with little to no wait time, come to Neighbors Emergency Center.

The post Summer Slow Cooker Recipes appeared first on .

Delicious Recipes for Eating Clean

admin — Sun, 26 Jul 2015 08:00:18 +0000

If you aren’t familiar with the term clean eating, you may think it sounds very restrictive. You may think it means you can’t eat anything fun or anything that tastes good. You might have visions of people eating a lot of dry salads. While clean eating does mean cutting out processed foods and artificial ingredients, you can still eat delicious, flavorful meals. Take a look at these recipes if you are considering a clean diet or need to add some more interesting recipes to your repertoire. If you are experiencing severe symptoms from any medical condition, stop by your nearest Houston and Austin ERs for 24 hour emergency care.

Everyday Oatmeal with Amaranth, Coconut, and Maple Sauteed Apples

This recipe may sound too fancy to make for breakfast, especially on busy, frantic mornings, but you could actually make it the night before at heat it up the next day. Amaranth is a grain that is high in protein, meaning it will keep you fuller longer.

The natural sugars from the coconut, apples and maple syrup give it just the right amount of sweetness, and it won’t send your blood sugar soaring only to plummet soon afterwards. This clean breakfast will leave you feeling full and satisfied until lunchtime.

Zucchini Boats

Not only are these fun to eat, they are healthy and delicious! All you have to do is cut a zucchini and half and carve out the insides. Next, fill it with brown rice, lentils, herbs, nuts, and dry fruit. The brown rice is full of nutrients like vitamin B6 and magnesium.

The lentils have lots of fiber, and the nuts have healthy fats that are good for your heart. This dish is perfect for lunch or a light dinner.

Black Bean Plantain Veggie Burgers

Eating clean sometimes means eating less meat. If you can’t find organic, grass fed beef, you should skip the beef patty and try this delicious veggie burger. Black beans are full of protein and fiber, so you won’t have to worry about feeling full.

Plantains add sweetness and the chipotle powder adds a hint of heat. You can also bake some plantains to put on the side. This is the perfect dish for a healthy, weeknight dinner.

If you are thinking about starting a clean eating program, these recipes are a great place to start. you can still eat healthy and have it be delicious too!

The post Delicious Recipes for Eating Clean appeared first on .

Delicious Berry Recipes

admin — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 07:40:59 +0000

Summer is when most berries are in season, so it’s the perfect time to use them as much as you can. Not only are berries delicious, but they are good to eat to stay hydrated. They also make you feel fuller so you eat less, which may help you lose weight. Berries have also been shown to increase mental acuity, reduce the risk for Parkinson’s disease, and lower blood pressure. Go to your local farmer’s market to find the freshest berries and start making these recipes. If you are experiencing severe symptoms from any medical condition, stop by your nearest Houston and Austin ERs for 24 hour emergency care.

Blueberry Baked Oatmeal

Oatmeal is one of the best breakfasts you can eat in the morning. Oats are full of protein and fiber and blueberries have a high concentration of antioxidants. It’s also been called a superfood, which means they have been shown to reduce incidences of cancer and heart disease.

This recipe couldn’t be easier, and you will have plenty leftover for multiple breakfast meals throughout the week.

Arugula, Berry & Goat Cheese Salad

This salad is perfect for a hot, summer day when you don’t want to eat something heavy. It not only contains blueberries, but raspberries and blackberries, which are also full of antioxidants and high in vitamin C. When you eat this salad, you are getting triple the amount of antioxidants!

Make this salad for a delicious and nutritious lunch to eat at work.

Strawberry Orange Sorbet

Light desserts like sorbet are great for warm, summer nights. With only four ingredients, this Strawberry Orange Sorbet is easy and nutritious. Strawberries are also high in antioxidants and can protect against cancer, aging, and inflammation.

Both strawberries and oranges are also high in vitamin C, so this refreshing dessert is not only packed with flavor, but it’s also healthy.

Make sure to take advantage of berry season this summer with these great recipes. When summer is over, you can still enjoy berries, just buy them frozen. Frozen berries still have a lot of the nutrients that fresh berries have, so you can have berries any time of the year.

The post Delicious Berry Recipes appeared first on .

Cooking with Turmeric

admin — Tue, 07 Jul 2015 08:00:50 +0000

Turmeric is a spice that has long been used in Chinese and Indian medicine as an anti-inflammatory, and is thought to treat a variety of conditions from jaundice, toothaches, and chest pain, and inflammatory bowel disease. If you are experiencing severe symptoms from any medical condition, stop by your nearest Houston and Austin ERs for 24 hour emergency care.

The most potent part of turmeric is called curcumin, which gives it it’s yellow or orange pigment. Turmeric has been studied and has similar effects to hydrocortisone and over-the-counter pain relievers. Turmeric can be taken as a supplement, but you can also cook with it. Read on for some delicious recipes.

Southwestern Tofu Scramble

First, when preparing turmeric for cooking, choose organic turmeric when possible. Next, be careful when using turmeric because it can stain. Wear kitchen gloves to prevent it from staining your hands. Most people enjoy scrambled eggs for breakfast,

and if you are a vegetarian, or want to be adventurous, why not try scrambled tofu. Just follow this recipe and then add a pinch of turmeric while cooking. This is a good way to introduce yourself to turmeric.

Creamy Curried Cauliflower Soup

This creamy and fragrant soup will hit the spot for when you need something warm and comforting to eat. The recipe calls for ½ teaspoon of turmeric giving it just the right amount of spice and a beautiful golden color.

This soup is perfect for a simple dinner, and makes enough so you will have leftovers for lunch.

Turmeric-Ginger Tea

At the end of a long day, a warm cup of tea is just what most of us need to destress and unwind. Why not add some anti-inflammatory power to your tea tonight? This recipe calls for ¼ teaspoon of turmeric, which won’t overpower the tea, and honey or maple syrup to give it the right amount of sweetness. This tea is also good to drink if you have a cold or the flu.

If you are looking for a more natural anti-inflammatory, try using turmeric by making one of these recipes. Here’s to your health.

The post Cooking with Turmeric appeared first on .

How to Get More Fiber Into Your Diet

admin — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 08:02:28 +0000

You have probably heard from your doctor, your parents, and the media that you should be eating more fiber, but you may not know why. A high fiber diet can reduce the risk of stroke, heart disease, and hypertension. And as most of us know, a diet high in fiber can keep your bowels running smoothly. The truth is that most of us do not get enough fiber in our diets. Here are some healthy and delicious high fiber recipes that you can make on a regular basis in order to incorporate more fiber into your diet. Stop by your nearest Houston and Austin ERs for 24 hour emergency care no matter what emergency you may have.

Warm Black Bean and Orange Salad

Black beans have 15 grams of fiber per cup, and can be added to most dishes. This salad is great salad to make during the summer, because it’s actually very light and refreshing. There are five grams of fiber per serving in this salad.

The red onions, oranges, and cumin make this salad very flavorful and zesty. Take this salad to work for a delicious, fiber-filled lunch.

Chicken, Black Bean, Avocado & Radish Salad

This salad incorporates black beans and avocados, which are both high in fiber. Raw avocados have 6.7 grams of fiber per half. This is a great salad to have for dinner because it has a great balance of protein, fat, and fiber.

The creamy dressing contains heart-healthy olive oil and the green Tabasco sauce gives it some heat. If you don’t like spicy food, you can just leave it out.

Avocado Pesto Pasta with Peas and Spinach

Almost every ingredient in this pasta dish is packed with fiber. Eating whole wheat pasta is a great way to incorporate fiber into your diet; it has 6.3 grams of fiber per cup, cooked. Peas have 8.8 grams of fiber per cup, cooked.

The next time you have a craving for pasta, try this dish and automatically increase your fiber intake in a delicious way.

Eating more fiber never tasted so delicious!

Neighbors Emergency Center offers 24 hour care, 365 days a year, and our board certified emergency physicians can treat all medical emergencies. We know you’re time is important, so we will treat you quickly and effectively so you can get back to doing what you love. Our emergency centers are located in the Houston area. If you are looking for a quality emergency room with little to no wait time, come to Neighbors Emergency Center.

The post How to Get More Fiber Into Your Diet appeared first on .

Healthy Summer Cocktails

admin — Tue, 23 Jun 2015 15:01:10 +0000

Summer is the perfect time to kick back and relax with cool, refreshing cocktail. Unfortunately, cocktails usually contain a lot of calories due to sugary mixes that are used to make these drinks. If you are trying to eat healthy or lose weight, you may not want to drink your calories. Luckily, there are healthy alternatives you can use when making your next summer cocktail. Just remember to drink in moderation and that drinking too much alcohol can cause dehydration. If you are experiencing severe dehydration, you can always come to any of our Houston and Austin ERs for 24 hour emergency care.

Rum-Based Drinks

Drinks like daiquiris and mojitos are delicious, but instead of using refined sugar to sweeten these drinks, you can use fresh fruit, simple syrup, and light rum. For your next pool party, try this Strawberry Coconut Daiquiri.

It contains fresh strawberries and only three tablespoons of sugar. You can also try this healthier version of a Classic Mojito. It’s sweetened with honey and only has 153 calories.

Vodka-Based Drinks

Instead of vodka and cranberry juice, try a Seabreeze. It’s made with grapefruit juice and cranberry juice, and to lower the calories, you can use juice with no sugar added instead. The regular version of this cocktail is only 180 calories.

A Vodka Sunset is another healthy cocktail option. Just use sugar-free or no sugar added orange juice and grapefruit juice.

Other Delightful Libations

If you like gin-based cocktails, try this Apple & Gin De-Light. Sweetened with just apple juice and simple syrup, this cocktail is light and refreshing and won’t break your calorie bank. If you are having friends over for Tex-Mex night, try this Skinny Margarita recipe.

By using light agave nectar, it makes this cocktail low in calories and delicious.

The next time you are having a barbecue, dinner party, or just having drinks on the patio at your local watering hole, try one of the healthy summer cocktails.

The post Healthy Summer Cocktails appeared first on .

Foods to Keep You Hydrated

admin — Sat, 13 Jun 2015 08:00:51 +0000

It’s summer and that means the temperatures are rising and staying hydrated is of the utmost importance. It’s always a good idea to drink a lot of water during the hot summer months, but did you know certain foods can keep you hydrated as well? Take a look at these recipes, and the next time you go to the beach, or you know you will be spending a lot of time outdoors, take these hydrating foods with you.

Healthy Avocado Fruit Salad with Chia Seed Dressing

This salad is full of fruits that are packed with water like grapefruit, pear, orange, mango, and strawberries. The dressing is made from non-fat Greek yogurt, which is 80% water, and the chia seeds are great at helping your body absorb liquid.

Chia seeds absorb 30 times their weight in water. They also help battle dehydration by regulating body fluid levels and retaining electrolytes. Try eating this for breakfast before you spend a long day out in the heat.

Grilled Eggplant & Zucchini Salad with Feta, Chickpeas & Mint

This salad would be great to take to a picnic or barbecue. Eggplant and zucchini are high in water content. Eggplants are 92% water, and zucchinis are 95% water. Grilling them brings out their delicious flavor, and adding feta, chickpeas, and mint create a satisfying dish for a hot summer day.

Fish Tacos with Watermelon Salsa

If you are entertaining outdoors, and the weather is hot and humid, this recipe would be great for such an occasion. Each bite of watermelon is almost 92% water. So you are guaranteed to feel refreshed and hydrated after eating these tacos.

The watermelon also provides a sweet juxtaposition to the savory flavors of the fish and the spices.

Since many summer activities take place outdoors and it’s so important to stay hydrated when the temps get high, in addition to drinking lots of water, try incorporating these water-filled foods into your diet. They are healthy and light and we’ll leave you feeling great.

The post Foods to Keep You Hydrated appeared first on .

Cooking When It’s Too Hot Outside to Turn on the Oven

admin — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 08:30:31 +0000

When summer rolls around, most of us don’t want to make dishes that require an oven that will fill our houses with unwanted heat. During the warmer, most of us also crave lighter foods that don’t require the use of an oven anyway. Here are some healthy recipes that do not need require slaving over a hot stove.

No-Bake Muffins

These muffins are so easy to prepare and make a great breakfast to grab on busy mornings. Since most muffins are full of sugar, this is a delicious, healthy alternative, and you don’t even have to preheat your oven.

With ingredients like oats, fruit, and almond butter, these muffins will fill you up and leave you satisfied until lunch.

Vegan Collard Wraps

Don’t let the word “vegan” scare you. Even if you are a carnivore, you will appreciate how refreshing these wraps are on a hot day. This wrap is bursting with flavor due to the tamari and cumin, and the red bell peppers and pecans give it some crunch.

The only work required is slicing the avocados and peppers and combining the pecans, tamari, cumin, and olive oil in a food processor.

Easy Chocolate Mousse

Just because it’s hot outside doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a rich, chocolatey dessert. This Easy Chocolate Mousse is healthy and hits the spot. There are only four ingredients and the only equipment needed is a food processor. And don’t be scared off when you see that this mousse contains avocados.

It won’t make the mousse green, and it provides creaminess without using dairy products. Give it a try tonight!

With these recipes, you won’t need to turn on your oven for most of the summer. There are so many options for cooking without heat. Try one today!

The post Cooking When It’s Too Hot Outside to Turn on the Oven appeared first on .

Healthier Grilling This Summer

admin — Wed, 27 May 2015 07:15:47 +0000

Summer is almost here, which means it’s time to dust off the barbecue grill. For most of us, that means hamburgers grilled to perfection over an open flame. If you’re trying to eat healthy, you may think that you can’t enjoy a hamburger at the next summer shindig, but luckily, there are healthy alternatives to the typical burger. Read on to find out more and for delicious recipes.

Spicy BBQ Chickpea Burger

Swapping beef for fiber and protein chickpeas is a great way to make a burger healthier. This Spicy BBQ Chickpea Burger is dense and filling due to ingredients like brown rice, flaxseed, and breadcrumbs.

Garlic, jalapeno, red onions, and BBQ sauce give it a ton a flavor so don’t worry you will be eating a bland burger.

Banh Mi Asian Burger

If a veggie burger isn’t your thing and you love Asian food, why not try this Banh Mi Asian Burger? Loosely based on the Vietnamese Banh Mi sandwich, you can use ground chicken for the burger patty and even add a fried egg on top for extra protein.

The spicy sauce is made with Greek yogurt and sriracha giving it a spicy kick. Top it with cucumber, cilantro, and pickled jalapeno and you have yourself a delicious, healthy beef burger alternative.

Bison Burger with Slow Roasted Tomatoes

If you are a traditionalist and you really prefer beef to other protein, then you should try bison. Bison meat usually has less fat than beef and a higher protein content. This recipe calls for onions cooked in Cabernet Sauvignon, shallots, and thyme,

so you won’t lose out on flavor. For cheeseburger enthusiasts, You can even top it with white cheddar cheese

Don’t let grilling season pass you by this summer. Try one of these healthy and delicious recipes instead of the traditional, calorie-laden burger. Happy grilling!

The post Healthier Grilling This Summer appeared first on .

What to Eat for a Healthy Heart

admin — Tue, 19 May 2015 07:26:53 +0000

Taking care of your heart is something that should take precedence, even at a young age. The Center for Disease Control reports that about 610,000 people die from heart disease in the United States each year. It is the leading cause of death among men and women in this country. One of the best ways to protect yourself against heart disease is to eat a heart-healthy diet.

Healthy Fats

There are several foods that contain healthy fats like avocado, nuts, and olive oil. Avocados are full of monounsaturated fatty acids, which help lower cholesterol levels. They also contain high levels of potassium, which may help control blood pressure.

Try this Avocado and Egg Breakfast Pizza to get a healthy dose of avocado first thing in the morning. Eat a handful of nuts, like walnuts, to benefit from the high levels of unsaturated fats, which lower bad cholesterol and raise good cholesterol levels.You can also start cooking with olive oil instead of butter. Many studies have shown that their monounsaturated fatty acids are linked to a lower risk of heart disease.

Fruits and Vegetables

We all know that eating fruits and vegetables are good for our overall health, but did you know that certain fruits and vegetables can lower your risk for heart disease? Asparagus, kale, and oranges are examples of fruits and vegetables that are very heart-friendly.

Asparagus contains potassium, which helps regulate blood pressure. Kale contains a special kind of fat called alpha-linolenic acid, an omega-3 fatty acid proven to improve heart health. Oranges contain pectin, a soluble fiber, which blocks cholesterol absorption and helps prevent the scarring of heart tissue. Try this Roasted-Garlic Asparagus recipe next time you need a heart-healthy side dish.

Wine and Chocolate

Good news! Two of our favorite foods, wine and chocolate, are good for your heart. Make sure the chocolate you eat is dark chocolate with a cacao content of at least 70%. There are antioxidants called flavonoids in dark chocolate, which have been shown to reduce bad cholesterol levels.

Stick to one ounce of dark chocolate per day, two to three times a week. Red wine contains polyphenols, which have been proven to increase good cholesterol levels. Just remember to drink in moderation to get the best benefits. For a sweet, heart-healthy treat, try this Outrageous Warm Double-Chocolate Pudding.

Your heart is a precious commodity, so you should do whatever you can to protect it. Luckily there are so many delicious foods that can help prevent heart disease. Here’s to your heart!

The post What to Eat for a Healthy Heart appeared first on .