Tilapia - The good and bad fish

I don't always consider fish to be my protein of choice, but since the American Heart Association states that fish contains vital nutrients for heart health I decided to start feeding my family fish once a week.

The American Heart Association recommends eating fish at least twice a week (click here for American Heart Association article), but I'm starting small, particularly because tilapia, the fish I can afford on my budget, may have as many health risks as it does benefits.  Click here for an article from US News and World report. 


Prior to cooking and consuming any type of fish, including tilapia, you should be aware that fish can contain mercury and some low fat fish might contain potentially unhealthy fatty acids.

Although some mercury is not considered to be dangerous, too much mercury can be harmful to your body.  (Read more and see mercury levels in various types of fish on the American Heart Association's website here). 

There is controversy over the types of fat in low fat fish such as tilapia may contain dangerous types of fats.  You can read both sides of the issue here and here.

As with many any food, following government and American Heart Association guidelines for portion sizes and serving frequency is key to maximizing the nutritional value of fish.

Kitchen Decor Stickers - A great gift for the holidays.

Expressive Signs offers holiday decor gifts for the hard to buy for people on your Christmas list. Many of these unique home accent gifts are even priced under $20. Custom vinyl wall words and graphics are also available in a variety of colors and sizes. Click here for additional information.

Easy recipes and Dinner Meal Plans

I am always looking for budget-friendly and easy recipes. Today I found a website that offers inexpensive mom-tested recipes and weekly meal plans as well. The moms who think website is definitely going into my internet bookmarks.

You can check out the recipes and free meal plans available on their website by clicking here.

The website also offers many other helpful resources for moms such as parenting advice and activities for children, health, nutrition and diet resources for women,baby names for boys and girls and more.

Chocolate - The Perfect Gift For a Woman

With the holidays approaching we all have that one woman on our list who seems to have everything. Why not give her the gift that speaks volumes to almost any woman - chocolate. I am not sure of the precise scientific reasoning behind why chocolate can alter a woman from a depressed state of mind back to what passes for sanity, but I do know that chocolate works wonders for my mood and that of many other women as well.

Gourmet chocolates can be an affordable luxury with many gift packages available at www.chocolate.com for under $25. This holiday season, why not give the gift of chocolate?

Food Stamps, Women Infants and Children, and Government Food and Nutrition Grants

With the rising cost of food, many families are turning to government assistance for help. If you have never used this financial assistance before,however, it may be difficult to know where to go for eligibility information.

The United States Department of Agriculture website offers information on food stamps (now called the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program or SNAP for short) and Women, Infants and Children (WIC) assistance. You can find  S.N.A.P. food stamp information here; and WIC assistance information here.

For charities in need of government assistance for feeding programs information on government grants for food and nutrition is located here.

Vary the Routine

Has cooking become just another part of your daily routine?  Why not try some variation to spruce it up a bit, either in the cooking itself or in your style of presentation for the food. 

As I write this post I am envisioning a fond memory of a family tradition my parents, sister and I had when I was younger.  We had indoor family picnics on our living room floor.  That may sound like a cheesy idea to you, but for me it was one of the highlights of my week.  Why?  Because I was spending time with my family and breaking free from the day-to-day routine once a week.

Today, why not try a creative method of presentation with your family?  Maybe you could try eating with chopsticks or having party food for supper.  Maybe you have a different creative idea such as having family members come up with meal suggestions, eating dessert first, or letting the kids do the cooking.  Whatever your idea, be sure it is something the whole family can enjoy and that family members participate together as much as possible.

Mood Food

Have you ever had one of those days where you just feel like being lazy all day and not doing anything or where the pressures of life seem so overwhelming that  you just need a break to eat?  Well, before you reach for your favorite comfort food, why not reach for a healthier alternative.

In her article listed here, About.com Guide Cathy Wong recommends "Five Foods for a Better Mood."

1) Oatmeal
2) Walnuts
3) Tea
4) Salmon
5) Lentils

Rest and other factors also play important roles in reducing stress, but food is fuel for our bodies.  Without the right kind of fuel, our bodies do not run as efficiently as they should.