- Home Care Association of Americawww.hcaoa.org
- FamiliesUSAwww.familiesusa.org
- Health Finderwww.healthfinder.gov
- National Institute of Mental Healthwww.nimh.nih.gov
- National Institutes of Healthwww.health.nih.gov
- Office of Long Term Living – Quality Assurance Helpline 800-757-5042 555 Walnut Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101-1919
- Allegheny County Area Agency on Aging 412-350-4235 2100 Wharton Street, 2nd Fl., Pittsburgh, PA 15203
- Beaver County Department of Aging 724-847-2262 1020 8th Ave., Beaver Falls, PA 15010
- Cambria County Department of Aging 814-539-5595 110 Franklin Street, Johnstown, PA 15901
- Washington County Department of Aging 724-228-6856 100 West Beau Street, Washington, PA 15301
- Westmoreland County Department of Aging 724-830-4444 Troutman’s Building 200 S Main Street Greensburg, PA 15601
- Guiltless Garlic Parmesan Wings
Chicken wings can definitely be a guilty pleasure. They are crispy and flavorful, but when you order wings in a restaurant, they are almost always deep fried in rancid vegetable oil. A much healthier alternative is to bake your wings, which is exactly what’s done for these garlic parmesan wings.
Instead of using unhealthy, hydrogenated oils, this recipe uses avocado oil, which can safely be exposed to high temperatures in the oven.
You’ll love the combination of flavors used in this gluten-free and ketogenic diet-friendly recipe, and knowing that you’re getting the health benefits of ingredients like high-protein chicken, garlic and avocado oil makes these wings taste even better.
Baking vs. frying chicken wings
When you order chicken wings at a restaurant, they are usually deep fried in hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated vegetable oils. The most popular vegetable oil used to fry foods like chicken wings is canola oil.
Although there are mixed opinions about whether or not canola oil is bad for you, it’s not a bad idea to avoid it because more canola oil is genetically modified, and it’s a refined, partially hydrogenated oil that goes through a process of refining, bleaching and deodorizing, which increases its level of trans fats.
When you fry chicken wings, they are fully submerged in oil, adding a lot more calories to your meal. Plus, they are exposed to extremely high temperatures, which can cause carcinogenic effects when the oil has reached its smoke point.
Baking chicken wings is a healthier choice because you use far less oil, and if you choose the right oil, you are not exposed to carcinogens. This recipe uses avocado oil for the garlic parmesan wings because it has a high smoke point, so the structure of the oil won’t begin to break down and lose its nutrients when exposed to high temperatures in the oven.
While canola oil has a smoke point of 400 degrees Fahrenheit, avocado oil’s smoke point is much higher at 570 degrees.
Key ingredients
Here’s a quick glance at some of the top health benefits associated with the main ingredients in these garlic parmesan wings:
- Chicken wings: Chicken wings are high in protein, which is vital for building muscle mass, balancing hormones, aiding digestion and supporting neurological function. Make sure you opt for free-range chicken over factory-farmed chicken. Protein foods are used by the body to develop, grow and maintain every part of the body, from your skin and hair to your immune system and digestive enzymes. Chicken is also an excellent source of B vitamins, including niacin (vitamin B3), which boosts cardiovascular and skin health, improves joint mobility, and supports brain function.
- Avocado oil: Avocado oil is a source of healthy fats, including oleic acid and essential fatty acids. Choosing a healthy cooking oil like avocado oil, instead of partially hydrogenated canola oil, can help lower blood pressure and cholesterol and boost nutrient absorption.
- Garlic: Eating garlic regularly, even in powdered form, helps prevent major health issues like infections, heart disease and stroke. It has anti-inflammatory properties and works as a powerful antioxidant. Garlic benefits your blood pressure, immune system and even your brain function.
How to make garlic parmesan wings
To make these delicious and healthy garlic parmesan wings, start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. Then evenly coat the defrosted chicken wings in avocado oil.
Next, mix one tablespoon of garlic powder, a half a cup of grated parmesan, a half a cup of grated pecorino romano, one teaspoon of salt and one teaspoon of pepper in a bowl.
Coat each chicken wing with your cheese and spice mixture, making sure to cover the wings completely. Then place the wings on the parchment paper.
You’re almost done. Just let your wings bake for 30 minutes, until they turn golden brown and the cheese begins to look crispy.
Let your garlic parmesan wings cool until they can be handled. Feel free to dip these wings in a Paleo buffalo sauce, like the sauce used in this Buffalo Cauliflower recipe.
And just like that, these healthy, gluten-free and delicious wings are ready to enjoy!
PrintGuiltless Garlic Parmesan Wings
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Total Time: 35 minutes
-
Yield: 3 servings
-
Diet: Gluten Free
Description
A healthier alternative to traditional wings is to bake them, which is what is done for these garlic parmesan wings. They’re also gluten-free and keto-friendly.
Ingredients
- 12 chicken wings
- 1½ tablespoons avocado oil
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- ½ cup parmesan, grated
- ½ cup pecorino romano, grated
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 F.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment and set aside.
- Mix spices and cheeses in a bowl.
- Coat the wings in oil.
- Dip wings in mixture.
- Bake for 30 minutes.
Prep Time: 5 min
Cook Time: 30 min
Category: Main Dishes
Method: Oven
Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 wings
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 1.3g
- Sodium: 1567mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 8.8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13.1g
- Trans Fat: 0.1g
- Carbohydrates: 10.5g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 43.7g
- Cholesterol: 108mg
The post Guiltless Garlic Parmesan Wings appeared first on Dr. Axe.
Read more » - Chocolate Mug Cake: Valentine’s Day Last-Minute Special
We’ve all seen the trend of making desserts in a mug, right? The idea is to whip up an easy, decadent single serving of cake in just minutes, typically with the help of a microwave. This chocolate cake in a mug will bring the same joy and satisfaction as those other mug cakes, but this chocolate mug cake recipe has some upgraded ingredients.
What is a mug cake?
Cakes in a mug have spiked in popularity the last several years, thanks to food bloggers on the internet. Who doesn’t love having a quick option for post-dinner dessert? (Such as for Valentine’s Day!)
The problem with many of these chocolate mug cakes is the list of ingredients in them. Refined flour, addictive sugar and conventional dairy are at the top of the list.
Some mug cakes even call for highly refined vegetable oils, which typically are rancid since they have been exposed to light and air while being processed.
When we make this chocolate cake in a mug, we actually bake it in the oven. Using an oven allows the cake to bake evenly without heating the ingredients up too quickly.
Although it would be quicker to use a microwave for this chocolate mug cake, the quality of your ingredients will stay intact using an oven.
For the gluten-free baker
This recipe is perfect for the gluten-free baker who always has ingredients on hand. Since this chocolate cake in a mug is for one, you’ll only need a little bit of each ingredient to make this chocolate mug cake come together.
No need to run out to the grocery store to get a whole bag of cassava flour (although with this moist chocolate cake recipe it would totally be worth it)!
How to make chocolate mug cake
You’ll start with part of a dark chocolate bar, with a minimum of 70 percent cacao. Cacao is rich in magnesium and antioxidants, so the darker the chocolate bar, the better.
Melt the chocolate bar pieces with a tablespoon of grass-fed butter. If you want to keep it dairy-free, substitute with coconut oil.
Add the melted chocolate mixture to a mug or in a mixing bowl if you plan on doubling or tripling this mug cake recipe.
Next comes coconut flour, which is a healthy gluten-free flour high in fiber.
Add in cassava flour, which is another great gluten-free flour. It’s highly versatile, a great replacement for wheat flour and free of grains.
Then add a little bit of baking powder and sea salt, as well as a pastured egg.
Since an oven is used to make the chocolate mug cake, preheat an oven-safe mug as the oven is preheating. Carefully remove the mug from the oven, and pour in the chocolate cake mixture.
Place the mug or mugs onto a baking sheet, and put back into the oven. Bake the mug cake for 10-12 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Your mug will be hot, so be careful as you dive in to this delightful chocolate cake in a mug.
More gluten-free cake recipes
If you’re looking for more cake recipes sans the gluten beyond this chocolate mug cake, here are some more to give a try:
- Gluten-Free Chocolate Cake
- Gluten-Free Carrot Cake
- Gluten-Free Cinnamon Coffee Cake
- Molten Lava Cake
Gluten-free banana bread is another healthy dessert option, and there are many more gluten-free desserts out there to satisfy that sweet tooth.
Chocolate Mug Cake Recipe
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Total Time: 22 minutes
-
Yield: 2
-
Diet: Gluten Free
Description
The idea of a chocolate mug cake is to whip up an easy, decadent single serving of cake in just minutes, typically with the help of a microwave. Here’s a healthier version but done in an oven. Much better all around!
Ingredients
- ¼ cup dark chocolate (minimum 70% cacao), chopped
- 2 tablespoons grass-fed butter or coconut oil
- 2 tablespoons coconut flour
- ¼ cup cassava flour (brown rice flour is a good substitute)
- ⅛ teaspoon baking powder
- pinch of sea salt
- 2 eggs
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 F.
- Place oven-safe mugs in the oven while preheating.
- In a small sauce pan, melt dark chocolate and butter.
- Pour chocolate mixture in a small mixing bowl.
- Add in coconut flour, cassava flour, baking powder, sea salt and egg, and whisk until well combined.
- Carefully remove mug from the oven and pour mixture into the mug. Place back in the oven.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Top with coconut whipped cream, if desired.
Prep Time: 10
Cook Time: 12
Category: Desserts
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (128 g)
- Calories: 426
- Sugar: 8.3 g
- Sodium: 367 mg
- Fat: 32.6 g
- Saturated Fat: 19.8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10.1 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 25.6 g
- Fiber: 4.8 g
- Protein: 8.7 g
- Cholesterol: 195 mg
The post Chocolate Mug Cake: Valentine’s Day Last-Minute Special appeared first on Dr. Axe.
Read more »
Alternative news
- Fish Oil Linked To Slowed Prostate Cancer Growth
A recent study led by researchers at UCLA suggests that dietary changes may help reduce cancer cell growth in men with early-stage prostate cancer undergoing active surveillance. The year-long trial involved 100 participants, who were asked to either continue their usual diet or to follow a plan that was low in omega-6 fats (found in fried or processed fare) and high in omega-3s (found in oily, cold-water fish). The intervention group also took fish oil supplements.
After a year, the researchers found that the men in the intervention group had a 15 percent decrease in the Ki-67 index, a marker of cancer cell growth, compared to a 24 percent increase in the men who followed their usual diet. While promising, the study did not find differences in other prostate cancer indices, such as Gleason grade. The researchers emphasize the need for further studies to confirm long-term benefits and to explore dietary changes as a strategy to delay or prevent aggressive treatments.
Try this recipe today: Poached Salmon
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The post Fish Oil Linked To Slowed Prostate Cancer Growth appeared first on DrWeil.com.
Read more » - Music May Lessen Distress In People With Dementia
One recent report highlights the potential benefits of music therapy for people with advanced dementia, providing evidence-based guidelines for its use. Researchers at Anglia Ruskin University in the United Kingdom compiled and analyzed information gleaned from interviews, systematic reviews, and surveys. Their findings suggest that personalized music therapy, involving activities like singing, playing, or listening to music, can immediately reduce agitation and anxiety in patients with advanced dementia, while improving attention, mood, and engagement.
Music therapy helps stimulate cognitive and sensory pathways, access memories, and regulate emotions through brain-wide activation. Familiar music, especially from a person’s formative years (ages 10 to 30), can evoke positive memories and reduce physiological stress by calming the autonomic nervous system. The researchers note that music therapy appears to foster empathy, reduce caregiver stress, and offer meaningful interactions, especially during periods of distress.
Try this recipe today: French Lentil Soup With Cremini Mushrooms, Sweet Potatoes & Thyme
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The post Music May Lessen Distress In People With Dementia appeared first on DrWeil.com.
Read more »