Chicken Patty Meal Ideas

It would be nice to prepare every meal from scratch with the finest and freshest of ingredients, but in the real-life world, time doesn't always permit that luxury. That's why convenience products, such as prepared chicken patties, are so useful. Even when you're faced with tight time constraints, the crisp, breaded portions provide numerous options for light or hearty meals.

Flatbreads and Flavors

For a quick lunch or on-the-go meal, chicken patties work surprisingly well with your favorite flatbreads. When the patties come hot from your oven, slice them into strips and tuck them into the pockets of halved pita breads. Spoon in marinated vegetables as a tangy garnish, or add lettuce, tomatoes and a yogurt-based dressing. For a variation on the theme, roll up your chicken strips in a colorful wrap or whole-grain flour tortilla with romaine lettuce and Caesar salad dressing. If you prefer a hot lunch, spread the cut-up patty across a flour tortilla with diced peppers and tomatoes, or a good salsa. Sprinkle it liberally with cheese, top it with another tortilla, and bake or fry it as a quesadilla.

Faux Parmigiana

A chicken patty is little more than the same breaded chicken cutlets you'd make yourself if time permitted. Just substituting patties for those cutlets trims the preparation time for many common dishes down to a bare minimum. For example, if you start cooking pasta and warming tomato sauce at the same time as when you pop your patties into the oven or toaster oven, you can put a pretty reasonable approximation of chicken parmigiana on the table in record time. Just top the patties with cheese and tomato sauce and add them to your pasta, and dinner's ready.

"Un-Stuffed" Chicken

Another easy option is to consider the ingredients in your favorite stuffed-chicken recipe and then add them to the patties for an "un-stuffed" version. For example, if you're partial to chicken Cordon Bleu, top the patties with a slice each of ham and Swiss cheese before they come out of the oven. Broccoli and cheddar sauce is another common filling that works well over patties, whether purchased as a prepared side dish or assembled yourself with fresh or frozen broccoli. Softened herbed cream cheese, roasted peppers or a paste of sun-dried tomatoes are more elegant options in the same style.

Obvious, but Not

With a patty of any type, the path of least resistance is simply to slap it on a bun and serve it burger-fashion. That's true of chicken patties as well, but that doesn't mean you can't exercise some creativity. Start by swapping out the bland, traditional burger bun for something more interesting, such as a chewy, flavorful artisanal sourdough or ciabatta roll. Rummage through your fridge for forgotten condiments, from open jars of salsa to gourmet items like garlicy aioli, instead of the usual mayonnaise. Alternatively, give the burger format a traditional chicken-dinner spin by serving the patties on biscuits, with gravy as a dipping sauce.

Are Olives Healthy to Eat?

Olives entice their consumers with their variety of colors that range from green to purple to black. They can be eaten in salads, on pizza or even by themselves as a snack. The majority of an olive is composed of fat, which leaves some to wonder whether they truly are healthy to eat. However, the type of fat in olives is actually healthy for you. Olives also pack in other beneficial nutrients that help the body's defense against chronic illnesses and even cancers

The Facts

Olives are a type of fruit that are made up of 75 percent monounsaturated fat, also known as oleic acid. However, this type of fat is healthy for you in moderate doses, as it helps to protect the body from various diseases and illnesses. Olives are also a source of lutein, beta-carotene (Reference 2), copper, fiber, iron and vitamin E. Approximately 154 calories are in one cup of olives.

Anti-Inflammatory Benefits

Vitamin E in olives can alleviate symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes. The frequency of hot flashes may also be reduced. Monounsaturated fats, polyphenols and vitamin E in olives help to protect the body from severe flare-ups of asthma, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. The symptoms of asthma are originally caused by inflammation of the lungs, while osteoporosis is attributed to bone loss and inflammation in the joints.

Free Radicals

Free radicals damage cells in the body, which can lead to chronic illnesses. Olives protect your cells against free radicals with the combination of vitamin E and monounsaturated fats. Vitamin E naturally neutralizes fat-soluble free radicals and combines with monounsaturated fats to ensure that healthy cells produce energy as they are supposed to do. When cells no longer produce energy as a result of free radical interference, they die and can even turn cancerous.

Colon Cancer

Olives help to neutralize free radicals in the cells of the colon that can otherwise turn into cancer cells. This is due to the fact that consuming monounsaturated fats and vitamin E has been shown to lower the risk of colon cancer, according to the World's Healthiest Foods website.

Heart Disease

The natural nutrition of olives helps to prevent stroke and heart attacks. This is accomplished by an olive's ability to protect the arteries against the effects of free radicals. Such free radicals aid in the build up of cholesterol and cause blood-vessel damage that can lead to heart disease.

Other Benefits

According to the Genius Cook website, olives also contain lutein, which improves your eyesight and may fight against premature aging of your skin. Also, beta-carotene in olives may help protect you from lung tumors, if you smoke, as well as help maintain your skin and teeth.

Recipes for a No White Flour Diet

Cutting white flour out of your diet completely can seem like an overwhelming task. White flour is an ingredient in many commonly eaten foods and is sometimes even found in breads and other products labeled as whole wheat. Having recipes on hand that do not contain white flour will help you to stay on track with this diet and avoid hunger and diet boredom, which could lead to breaking the diet.

Substitutions

Replace white flour with a combination of whole grain flours. As a general rule, half of the white flour in any recipe can be replaced with whole wheat flour. The rest of the white flour can be replaced with almond flour, soy flour, ground old-fashioned oats or ground flax seeds. Your local health food store probably carries several white flour replacements. Experimentation is important when learning to bake without using white flour; sometimes the best recipes are discovered by accident. The recipes below will get you started on your no-white-flour diet.

Pancakes

This is a simple recipe to create a batch of pancakes without flour. The oats can be ground in a food processor or a blender until they have the texture of a coarse flour. Mix the following ingredients in a large bowl and bake the batter by 1/4-cup portions on a hot griddle. This recipe makes approximately 20 5-inch pancakes. Pancake ingredients: 3 medium soft bananas, 1/2 cup milk, 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract, 1 cup oats ground into flour, 1/4 cup old-fashioned oats, 1/2 cup whole wheat flour, 2 tsp. baking powder and 1 egg.

Bread

Breads made with only whole wheat flour are often coarse and dry. One alternative is to make bread using cold milled flax seeds. Make sure to buy the cold milled variety rather than regular flax seeds, as the milled seeds will be ground up and ready to use in recipes. Flax seeds are a good source of dietary fiber containing 4 g per serving, and each slice of this bread contains one full serving of flax seeds. Mix the ingredients in a big bowl and pour the batter into a greased loaf pan. The bread will bake in 40 to 45 minutes in a 350-degree F oven. Cut the bread into 16 slices. Flax bread ingredients: 2 cups cold milled flax seeds, 1 tbsp. baking powder, 3 eggs, 1/4 cup olive oil, 1/2 cup water.

Cookies

Peanut butter cookies can be created using only ground oats in place of the flour. Mix the cookie dough in a large bowl and then drop tablespoons of batter onto a greased baking sheet. Use a fork to press the cookies down and bake them for 15 minutes in a 350-degree F oven. Add 2 to 3 tbsp. unsweetened cocoa to the batter for chocolate peanut butter cookies, or drizzle melted dark chocolate over the baked cookies. This recipe makes approximately 24 cookies. Peanut butter cookie ingredients: 6 tbsp. softened butter, 1/2 cup natural peanut butter, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup white sugar or granulated sugar substitute, 1 egg, 1 tsp. vanilla, 1 1/4 cups ground oats, 1/4 teaspoon baking powder.

How to Cook Barley

Barley's hardiness and short growing season have made it a vital food crop for much of human history, providing a nutritious staple in climates ranging from subarctic to tropical. Barley fed the Greek heroes of Homer and Rome's gladiators, and it remains a nutritious and versatile -- if under-appreciated -- food. You can select from several ways to prepare barley, and most involve simmering it in water or a more flavorful liquid, such as broth.

A Quick Barley Primer

Barley has a tough and inedible hull that must be removed before the grain can be eaten. The simplest way to do this is by friction, a process called "pearling" that also removes its bran. Pearled barley is the familiar small and pale grain used in soups, missing the germ and bran but still nutritious. Health food stores often stock whole, hulled barley, which is the most beneficial because it retains its bran and germ. Pot barley is an in-between stage, pearled but still retaining some of its germ and bran. The three cook differently, but -- because barley contains high levels of fiber even in its starchy interior -- all can be considered a healthy grain option.

Simple Simmering

The simplest way to cook barley is to simmer it in water, as you would with most other grains. Highly absorbent, barley requires more water. Pearl barley requires 3 cups of water for every cup of grain, and although it's less absorbent, hulled barley requires at least 2 1/2 cups and can require more. Simmer pearled barley for 20 to 25 minutes, until tender and chewy, and hulled barley for 40 minutes or longer. Drain any excess moisture, in the case of hulled barley, then let the grain rest for 10 minutes to absorb the remaining surface moisture and become slightly firmer.

Variations on the Theme

You can vary the base preparation in several ways. Add flavor by substituting broth for the water, or by adding herbs and fresh spices. Saute aromatic onions, garlic or other vegetables before adding the grain and liquid, and the end result is a tasty barley pilaf. Adding another cup or more of hot broth to the pan, and stirring continuously, and your pilaf becomes a creamy-textured barley risotto. Add a cup or more of additional liquid to your plain barley to make barley polenta -- the standard version until maize was brought back from the New World -- or add milk to make barley porridge as a cold-weather breakfast.

From Salads to Waffles

Hulled, pearled or pot barley can all be used in salads as a substitute for bulgur wheat, rice, quinoa or couscous. Toss the grain with greens, diced vegetables, chopped herbs and an appropriate dressing, for a healthy and pleasantly chewy alternative to your regular grains. Simple simmered barley makes a fine base for stir-fries or stews, and barley pilaf or risotto is perfectly at home alongside grilled, broiled or roasted meats. Barley flour lends an interesting depth of flavor to breads and multigrain pancakes or waffles, or can be used on its own to make flatbreads or cookies.

Food That Is Good to Eat for Cirrhosis of the Liver

If you suffer from cirrhosis of the liver, you may or may not already experience trouble digesting certain foods and may experience abdominal discomfort after eating. It is important to understand the role of the liver in the processing of foods so that you can eat food that won't negatively effect your liver condition. There are also some foods that are highly beneficial for the liver and conditions like cirrhosis and may help you to improve the unwanted complications that cirrhosis may present.

Function

In general, people with cirrhosis of the liver suffer from diminished liver functioning to differing degrees due to scarification of liver tissue and the subsequent loss of use of those parts of the liver. The liver is responsible for making nutrients, processing fats and processing potentially toxic compounds such as alcohol. People suffering from cirrhosis of the liver may also suffer from malnutrition if the liver function is low enough to prevent adequate processing of dietary nutrition.

Considerations

People suffering from cirrhosis of the liver should eat as healthful as possible and avoid foods that may further complicate the liver. According to the Mayo Clinic, avoiding alcohol, eating a low sodium diet and eating plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables are among the key components to dealing with cirrhosis through diet. They also recommend eating low fat protein sources such as lean meats and fish.

Healthy Foods

Several food sources have been found to be beneficial for liver functioning and may provide positive support for those dealing with cirrhosis and its complications. Artichokes has been used to help liver conditions throughout the European world and a recent study in Spain, at the University of Seville, found that artichoke extract improved bile production in mice. Dandelion greens are another food that have been traditionally consumed by those with liver ailments and a recent study in Korea at the Center of Smart Foods and Drugs found dandelion to protect the liver of rats from chemically induced inflammation.

Potential

According to the Mayo Clinic, there is no known cure for cirrhosis. The scar tissue that results is usually permanent and sometimes spreads. However, the liver itself is regenerative and can function properly if cirrhosis has not spread too far. By eating foods that are good for your liver and your digestive system in general, it may be possible to reverse some of the symptoms of cirrhosis, even if the scar tissue itself does not go away.

Supplements

If cirrhosis is severe or advanced, it may be difficult to get all the nutrition you need from whole food sources alone. In these cases, you may want to supplement your diet with vitamins, minerals and pre-digested protein or fat compounds that are available at health food stores.

Colitis Diet Recipes

Colitis is basically an extreme inflammation of the inside lining of the colon. Ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, diversion colitis and infectious colitis are a few of the many types. Although Colitis is a chronic condition, you can minimize its symptoms by eating certain foods and staying away from others.

Stir up a bowl of Tuna Pasta Salad for a tasty lunch or a light dinner. Simply cook your pasta; you'll need 2 cups for a single recipe. Drain the pasta and put it in a bowl. Add 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1/4 cup chopped onions, 2 medium, chopped tomatoes and 1 can tuna fish in water, drained. Mix the ingredients together well and serve.

Make Ground Turkey Burgers. They're an easy-to-make recipe for Colitis sufferers. Turkey is more easily digested than beef. It also contains more calcium and protein.

Mix together a pound of ground turkey, 1 small, chopped onion, 2 teaspoons dried onion flakes, 2 teaspoons dried parsley, 1/4 teaspoon garlic and 1/2 teaspoon salt.

Form the mixture in 4 patties. Grill the ground turkey burgers a few minutes on each side, until they are no longer pink inside.

Serve Rice Flour Pancakes to avoid the white flour and cow milk. Sift 1 cup rice flour, 1 tablespoon sugar, 2 teaspoons baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon together in a mixing bowl. Beat in 1 cup rice milk until the mixture is smooth. Stir in a beaten egg and 2 teaspoons olive oil.

Lightly spray an electric skillet with cooking spray. Preheat the skillet to 375 degrees F. Fry the pancakes until both sides are golden brown. Serve with date molasses, honey, berries, or maple syrup.

Blend up a Soy Milk Banana Smoothie for a quick, nutritious snack. Simply peel and slice a banana into a blender cup. Add 1 cup soy milk and 1 cup ice and blend until the mixture is smooth.

Another Colitis Diet recipe that you can make is Crispy Baked Chicken. First, preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly spray a baking sheet with cooking spray. Moisten 4 pieces of chicken and roll each one in 1 to 1/2 cups of finely crushed corned flakes. Arrange the chicken on the sheet so they're spaced apart. Bake until the chicken juices run clear.

Foods You Can Eat on the Master Cleanse Diet

The Master Cleanse is a 16-day diet consisting of three phases. In the first three-day phase, you cut out all processed foods; in the next 10-day phase, you consume liquids only; and in the final three-day phase, you add back in healthy foods. The diet claims to promote fast weight loss and detoxification, but there's no evidence that it does this any better than simply eating a diet of nutritious whole foods. A healthier way to do the Master Cleanse is to consume the lemonade drink in combination with a variety of nutritious foods.

Phase One

There's no doubt that cutting processed foods out of your diet will help you lose weight and improve your health. Processed foods are often high in sugar, sodium, unhealthy saturated and trans fats and refined carbohydrates, which can increase your risk for various health problems, including obesity, diabetes and heart disease.

The Master Cleanse also suggests cutting out meat and dairy during this phase. If you choose to do that, make sure you consume other sources of protein and calcium, including dark, leafy greens and legumes. In this phase, focus on eating a wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables -- the diet recommends a 40:60 ratio of fruits to vegetables. You can also juice and blend your fruits and veggies or make nutritious soups.

Phase Two

The cleanse begins in the second phase, when you add in the lemonade drink made with water, fresh lemon juice, maple syrup and cayenne pepper. The diet prescribes six to 12 glasses of this drink and no solid food for 10 days, but this doesn't align with widely accepted guidelines for promoting sustainable weight loss or overall health. Instead, drink a glass of the lemonade drink before you eat a balanced, low-calorie, nutrient-dense meal.

Filling your belly with a glass of water before a meal may help increase satiety and reduce calorie intake at that meal. Then, enjoy your meal made with fresh fruits and veggies, whole grains and lean protein. You can also drink a glass of the lemonade between meals if you feel hungry, but be sure to limit your calorie intake each day if you're trying to lose weight. A registered dietitian can give you a daily calorie goal for weight loss.

Phase Three

The last phase of the Master Cleanse adds solid foods back into the diet, but since you've already been eating nutritious solid foods, all you do in this phase is continue your healthy eating habits and stop drinking the lemonade mixture. The lemonade mixture is not a beverage that you should drink for the long term because it contains added sugar from the maple syrup. Replace the lemonade drinks with plenty of pure water. You can continue the habit of drinking a full glass of water before meals, if you find that it helped you eat less. Drink water whenever you feel hungry throughout the day, as thirst is sometimes mistaken for hunger.

Second Phase Sample Menu

During the second phase of the Master Cleanse, you'll combine a nutritious, calorie-conscious diet with the lemonade drinks. Drink a glass of the lemonade first thing in the morning when you wake up, before you eat breakfast. Then, whip up a low-calorie, high-protein omelet with a few egg whites and some fresh spinach and tomatoes. At midmorning, have another glass of the lemonade drink and a piece of fruit or cut-up veggies if you feel hungry. Combine your lunchtime lemonade with a salad with dark, leafy greens, fresh veggies, beans or canned light tuna in water and a low-calorie dressing made with a little olive oil, vinegar and dried herbs. Have another glass of the lemonade and a snack of fresh fruits or veggies midafternoon. Before dinner, drink a glass of lemonade, then eat a filet of fish with some brown rice and steamed broccoli. Have a final glass of the lemonade an hour or two before bedtime.