A note from Paula-
I have been asked on numerous occasions to convert Chamorro food into healthier versions, though altering foods so entwined with our cultural identity gives me butterflies. I am making a huge leap forward and will begin posting the nutritional data of the original recipes in my cookbooks. Then, I will improve those same recipes, particularly focusing on changes so they are lower in saturated fat, lower in cholesterol, lower in sodium and higher in fiber. My goal is to keep the taste and texture as close to the original recipe, otherwise what is the point. Subscribe to my Healthy Guam Food.....really? blog to keep up with me.
Alternatively, if you want to improve your health, make fatty, sugary, and salty Chamorro dishes on occasion, eating nutritiously most of the time. More importantly, you must lift weights....and get some cardio in. Weight training has been my saving grace since I was an overweight, 140-lb. 13 year old. It has helped me stay in decent shape over the past two decades. Exercise is a vital component of my daily schedule as I write my way through bakeries, food science and preserving the Chamorro culture by sharing our food.
Rachael Ray's non-profit organization, Yum-O!, has inspired me to share my health and fitness work with you. Also, check-out my blog, Me and Rachael Ray.....kinda! I will be testing out the recipes in her magazine, providing nutritional information......and making them slightly more healthy.
I've trained my kids to do push-ups since they were 2 years old - just for fun. Healthy eating and exercise habits must be enjoyable for kids so they develop a positive mental attitude toward both disciplines, attitudes which will carry over into their adult lives. It all begins in the kitchen and spills into the gym, the field or the court.
Paula trains at Anytime Fitness in Holly Springs, NC.
Enjoy your life with yummy food, improved health, applied knowledge and a positive mental outlook!
paulaq
For an on-line, work-in-progress, free book, check-out Paula's autobiography: From Flab to Fabulously Fit, an autobiography of an island-girl fitness trainer written to INSPIRE, MOTIVATE, and EDUCATE.
Diabetes
High Blood Pressure
Coming soon:
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High blood cholesterol, abdominal obesity and heart disease.
Chamorro Food
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A few things you can do to enhance the health of Guam food without obliterating a Chamorro meal:
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Decrease the oil in red rice by one-fourth of what is used in the recipe.
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Leave the chicken skin out of chicken kelaguen.
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Remove most of the chicken skin before making kado and estufao.
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Skim the fat floating to the top of your kado.
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Saute onions and garlic in olive oil, not pork fat or bacon.
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Use olive oil in your pancit recipes.
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Scoop your rice out with a half-cup measuring cup because you are putting more rice on your plate than you think!
Family Friendly Recipes
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Muffins - High in wheat bran, this batter keeps well in the fridge for two months.
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Waffles - Uses heart-healthy olive oil. Batter holds up great in the fridge for one week so your family can enjoy fresh waffles on busy mornings.
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Pancakes - Luscious! Make plenty of cakes for the week. Save half of the batter in the fridge to cook up another batch for the following week.
NEW Easy-Breezy & "Healthy" Recipes
Healthy Kids
