Bananas vs Plantains + Recipe

This is a new series where I compare foods and share with you a recipe. Let the games begin....

You can purchase plantain at any African/ Asian Food Store

1. A plantain is a vegetable whereas a banana is a fruit.
2. Plantains are a lot bigger and have a thicker skin than bananas.
3. Plantains are mainly used in Afro-Caribbean and Asian main/ side dishes. A banana is consumed in most continents.
4. Plantains should be cooked before eaten because it's rich in starch. Bananas are usually eaten raw.
5. Just like a banana the riper the sweeter. 
6. Plantains are  slightly higher in dietary fibre. They are both high in vitamin A which helps maintain healthy eye-sight, skin, hair & tissues. Vitamin C which aids in healthy teeth, gums & blood vessels.

Well who wins? 

I prefer the plantain as it's more satisfying than a banana. It's versatile, it can be baked, boiled, fried, grilled, made into chips and some people eat in raw when the skin is nearly black. The only disadvantage would be that it's not as convenient as a banana because of the preparation and cooking time.

Plantain Chips Recipe

1. Pre-heat oven to gas mark 3.
2. Peel the plantain and thinly slice and lightly season with cinnamon and salt.
3. Place onto baking tray lined with baking paper.
4. Place into oven and bake for 20-30 minutes (until crispy).

It's vital that you slice it up thinly to get it crispy!

Have you ever tried plantain? Which do you prefer? How do you like to eat it?

            "More die in the United States of too much food than of too little"
    - John Kenneth Galbraith

The Best Fat Burning Workout

Well what makes it the best? It's easy, doesn't require skill, you are engaging a lot of muscles which burns fat effectively. Meet Debola, a dance competitor. 

When and why did you start dancing?

I started dancing at quite a young age, my mum put my sister and I in ballet classes (I quit 

that early on so don’t ask me to show any ballet moves lol) and I danced quite a lot at school and at church. Initially, dance was more about ‘following’ my sister, I did everything she did, but then as I got older I realised I loved it just as much as she did. My mum loves dance so I guess you could say it’s in my blood.

What kind of dancing do you do?

 I’ve tried a few styles; street, cheerleading, burlesque, salsa, tap, ballet, hip-hop, contemporary, jazz and African, oh and Chinese Fan dance (loved it)  I can’t claim to be good at all of them but I always try a new style when I can, just for fun. I’m not an established dancer or anything, dancing is more of a hobby for me.

Around how many calories do your burn during a session?

II’m not sure as I don’t tend to count but I’m guessing around 300-500 depending on the style and intensity of the warm-ups and the length of the session as well as the style.

What are the benefits in comparison to running etc?

Dancing is more FUN! A lot of the time you don’t realise you’re losing weight or getting more toned, it’s more about enjoying yourself, and sometimes in my case, pushing yourself to perform the best you can.

Tell us about your dance routine? What are your thoughts on Zumba?

I can’t really describe any one routine, I’ve danced mostly in shows or competitions but a session is usually; warm up and stretch, learn/rehearse a routine and warm down/stretch. I’ve never actually tried Zumba, but when I do I’ll let you know!

What would you recommend to a beginner?

Find a local club or if you’re still in school or at university, join the dance societies. Don’t get too caught up in the weight loss aspect and just do the best you can. Also, ALWAYS STRETCH before you dance!

Any further comments?

I combine dancing with a healthy lifestyle (most of the time, lol). I try to cut out sweets and chocolates and all the unhealthy snacks, and I replace them with fruit and nuts. I also exercise often – squats and ab work mostly. Hopefully I’ve shed a bit of light on dance as an exercise, I’m not a professional, just a girl who loves to dance!

Thanks for answering the questions, I hope you guys find it useful! 

"Dancers are the athletes of God" -Albert Einstein

The Fitness Tag

I was sent this tank from Enlightened State Apparel to review. The quality is top knotch! When I was at the gym I saw my reflection in the mirror and was motivating myself to give it my all! Also I got told that I was encouraging others at the gym by wearing it! 

Question Time 

How fit do you consider yourself to be? Are you happy with the shape you're in?
        I'm the fittest I've ever been so relatively fit and yeah I am pretty content.

Do you play any sports?

        Yeah, because I'm so tall, I love basketball. 

Besides those, do you exercise as well?
        Yeah, you need to. I remember when I was in terrible shape, I'd be on the court for a minute and then I'd be a bench-warmer, the water-girl if I could make it to the tap fast enough. 

Do you have any fitness or health related goals? 
        I'd love to see a little ab definition & become a Personal Trainer. 

Which celebrity's body would you like to have?
        Don't really have one actually, I'd like to have parts of people's body I guess, not the full package though.

What's your favorite and/or least favorite exercise?

         My Favorite is probably High Intensity Interval Training, it's challenging and works up a sweat fast. Swimming, I'm terrible! I was always that lanky kid in the shallow end with a gazillion floaties. I'd do widths whilst everyone else did lengths.

How important is leading an active and healthy lifestyle for you?
        Very important, It's one of the few things that I actually care about. Obesity runs in my family and 3 people had to get stomach surgeries also a close family friend had a stroke. If that wasn't a wake-up call I don't know what is.

How much attention to a healthy diet do you pay? 
        A lot of attention, I mean if something is better for you why not eat it? 

What's your biggest diet secret? 
        Don't drink your calories! Forget about the sugar filled crap! Eg. concentrated juices,alcohol and anything that bubbles. It's more harm than good.

Do you smoke, or have you ever smoked in the past? 
        Nope!

I hope you all enjoyed reading this. I tag Precious Jenny Jess Hattie Louise & Niamh 

"Take care of your body. It's the only place you have to live" -Jim Rohn

Veganism 101

To celebrate World Vegetarian Awareness month (October) I wanted to let you know more about vegetarianism. I'm not a vegetarian but I decided to interview one Megan Roosevelt, Registered Dietitian and Founder of HealthyGroceryGirl.com

• As a Registered Dietitian what exactly do you do?

There are a variety of fields of practice for a Registered Dietitian (RD) such as working in a hospital, out patient clinic, public health, private practice & more.

For me personally I own & run a business, am an author, producer & host. As an RD & through my business Healthy Grocery Girl I provide nutrition coaching & also create & provide multi-media nutrition resources such as our online nutrition programs, weekly cooking & healthy lifestyle show & I am also a nutrition expert for magazines & television.

• Why and When did you decide to become a vegan?

For me personally I became vegan for health reasons, because I love animals and because it’s good for the environment. I became a vegetarian 10 years ago & slowly transitioned into a vegan lifestyle.

• As a vegan could you tell us about your plant-based diet?

I eat a variety of fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, legumes (beans) & grains. The Healthy Grocery Girl website, cooking show & our nutrition programs provide a variety of plant-based vegan recipes, which are the exact recipes I make for myself & for my family.

• What are the pro's to adopting this lifestyle?

For me personally, eating plant-based has provided me with more energy, has helped clear up my skin & has improved my digestion & bowel regularity, just to name a few benefits. By eating plant-based I feel healthier in the present day & I also know I am being preventive from diet-related diseases long-term.

• What would you recommend to those who want to become a vegan?

I would recommend to anyone who is looking to make dietary changes, such as going vegan, to meet with a Registered Dietitian to assist in nutrition education & guidance. Meeting with a nutrition expert such as an RD will ensure your personal nutritional needs are discussed & help you gain further understanding, tools and resources to support eating a balanced vegan diet.

• Any further comments on veganism?

Eating a plant-based vegan diet can be affordable, realistic, delicious & meet your nutrition needs! Our Healthy Grocery Girl Nutrition Plan provides a 90-day transitional meal plan program with a grocery shopping list, recipes & nutrition education, which is as a guide to help someone transition into a balanced plant-based lifestyle.

Huge thank you to Megan for taking the time out for the interview. Hopefully it clears things up for you! 

BIO:

Megan Roosevelt is a plant-based Registered and Licensed Dietitian as well as the founder and CEO of healthygrocerygirl.com. She is an author, web TV host, producer and regular nutrition expert for magazines as well as local and national television. Healthy Grocery Girl® provides nutrition services and multi-media resources that help individuals and families shop, cook and eat healthy including the Healthy Grocery Girl® Nutrition Plan and Online Community and the "Healthy Grocery Girl® Show", a free weekly online cooking and healthy lifestyle show.

Megan Roosevelt, RD, LD

Founder l CEO at Healthy Grocery Girl LLC

w. healthygrocerygirl.com

NEW! Nutrition Plan and Online Community  

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"Animals are my friends, I don't eat my friends..." -George Bernard Shaw

My Workout Wardrobe: Yoga

This is a new series on what I typically wear when I'm working out. Honestly having cute and comfy workout clothes motivates you to exercise more!                                            

The clothing I'm wearing is from Ilu Fitwear, I was asked to review some of their sportswear clothing. They are a UK-based company that hope to blur the lines between female fashion and fitness. They have got a range clothing from gym wear to night outs. 

The Sporty Racer Back was my favourite. It's made of a sweat-wicking material, it's chlorine resistant and protects against UV rays! It also has a built in light support sports bra. It makes me look super athletic and is comfortable to work out in. It's currently on sale for £17.99! 

    

The Sporty Compression Capri leggings had the same material as the racer back. The blue contouring also has a slimming effect. It would be even better if they had a zip pocket to insert a phone, key or cash! It's also on sale for £17.99! 

I really like these items because I did J-Fitness in them, jogged and even did Insanity and I managed not to feel sweaty. Their clothing isn't cheap, but it's fantastic quality which is why I'm giving you guys 20% off your first order using the discount code JFIT14 at checkout. 

                         "If you don't invest in yourself, why would anyone else?" -Jeb Blount