Food is a must for this July 4th weekend

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Hi everyone!

It has been nearly one year since I wrote a blog post for my food blog.

Like many others, I’ve been busy with work, and with the current COVID-19 pandemic, I’ve shifted 100% of my focus on work. You can follow me on Twitter @AnaKieu to check out my shortlists on TheThings.com.

Enough of that.

Food is a must for this July 4th weekend. My family and I will be grilling beef short ribs. We’ll serve several vegetables as side dishes. I’ll make caramel brownies with vanilla ice cream for dessert.

What will you eat this weekend? Let me know in the comments section.

My Top 10 Favorite Fourth of July Foods

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Photo credit: foodnetwork.com

Fourth of July, also known as American Independence Day, is a day that honors the Declaration of Independence as well as the birth of America as an independent nation on July 4, 1776. Since then, many Americans have been sporting the red, white, and blue, especially this year as the US Women’s Soccer team has been dominant in the World Cup.

Anyways, let’s get to my list of my top 10 favorite Fourth of July foods. Bon appetit!

10. Coleslaw
When made correctly, coleslaw is the perfect side dish to compliment a meaty meal.
When made incorrectly, coleslaw is, well, slimy and soggy. Eww!

9. Potato Salad
Potato salad is a hit or miss, depending on the ingredients used in the preparation process. Personally, I prefer San Francisco style potato salad, but that’s just me.

8. Corn on the Cob
Corn on the Cob is just boiled corn that’s really tender. Nothing to brag about.

7. Baked Beans
Baked beans are associated with Boston, but they’re not all that a la carte. However, baked beans with ground beef and perhaps bacon can be an exciting side with extra protein.

6. S’mores
I can’t go wrong with milk chocolate, marshmallows, and graham crackers, but I’m 50-50 on s’mores because I’m not a big fan of chocolate. But if you’re a chocolate lover, you can have some more s’mores by the campfire in the great outdoors.

5. Fruit Pies
I’m not crazy about fruit pies, but hey, my favorite fruit pie is apple cinnamon because I like cinnamon an awful lot. Cinnamon packs a nutritional punch with antioxidants, anti-inflammatory properties, and can even reduce the risk of heart disease. More cinnamon, por favor!

4. Cheap Beer
I’m all for cheap beer, especially if it’s low in calories. I’m a part-time low carb dieter, but I’m down for downing a glass of ice, cold beer with a burger and fries. I’m not all health.

3. Hamburgers
I can’t go wrong with a hamburger with fresh veggies such as lettuce, tomato, red onion, and pickles. It’s a sandwich that will never go out of style.

2. Cheeseburgers
Well, the cheeseburger is an upgrade to the hamburger, thanks to the slices of cheese added to the sandwich. I prefer American cheese, but sometimes, I’m in the mood for cheddar, pepper jack, or provolone. Choose whatever cheese you please as you won’t regret it.

1. Fried Chicken
Now, fried chicken is the first and foremost food on my list. I’ve always loved fried chicken, especially with crispy skin. It’s tasty enough on its own. Need I say more?

What do you like to munch on during the Fourth of July? Let me know in the comments section.

Mustard Is More Than a Condiment

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Photo credit: mentalfloss.com

Like the title reads, mustard is more than a condiment.

Mustard comes with a wide range of benefits and uses. This includes psoriasis, dermatitis, relief from muscular pain, and respiratory issues. Moreover, certain parts of the mustard plant–yes, the mustard plant–have been proven beneficial in preventing cancer, detoxifying the body, and managing diabetes. Still not convinced? It can help with repelling poison, exerting therapeutic effects on the nerves, and maintaining heart health.

By the way, the mustard plant is versatile cruciferous vegetable that belongs to the Brassica family, which includes broccoli and cabbage. It was amongst the earliest grown crops in Europe. From thousands of years, it has been quite popularly cultivated as an herb in North Africa, Asia, and Europe, and was even popular among the ancient Greeks and Romans. It has been esteemed as a multi-specialty crop in North America since major production occurred in California and Montana until 1950 and about a decade later in the Midwest.

Right now, the mustard plant has grown in over 21 countries with major production happening in EU-27, Nepal, Canada, Ukraine, and India. It’s popular all around the world due to its flavor and therapeutic nature. Approximately 700 lbs of mustard are consumed annually.

I deal with skin and heart issues, but mustard has always been a part of my diet even before I saw my diagnoses in the past. Mustard, including honey mustard, compliments a wide variety of foods ranging from cured salmon to fire grilled burgers.

Go ahead and give mustard a chance if it’s not an acquired taste of yours.

Top 10 Lean Proteins You Should Eat

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Photo credit: hasznaltmobil.info

Protein is an essential part of a balanced diet, but sometimes, it comes with more fat and calories than you would expect. Luckily, there are a plethora of lean animal (and plant) protein sources that will help you meet your protein requirement on a regular basis. Your Reference Daily Intake (RDI) is supposed to be 50 grams for a 2,000 calorie diet, but you may need more or less, depending on your age, sex, weight, height and lifestyle, so do what is right for you.

Check out the top 10 lean proteins you should eat.

10. Greek Yogurt
A serving of Greek yogurt packs 15 to 20 grams of protein, compared to only nine grams in a serving of regular yogurt.

Why’s that? Greek yogurt has been strained to remove the liquid whey, leaving a more concentrated product with more protein that’s also thicker and creamier.

If you’re looking for the least calories and fat, opt for plain, nonfat Greek yogurt, which has 100 calories per serving.

9. Beans, Peas, and Lentils
Beans, peas, and lentils–also known as pulses–are a subgroup of legumes. They average eight grams of protein per half cup cook serving. They are also low in fat and high in fiber, which is a plus.

If you eat pulses regularly, the fiber might help you lower your blood cholesterol.

However, pulses are low in amino acids, so you might want to fill in those gaps by eating other animal and/or plant protein sources over the course of a day.

8. Skinless, White Meat Poultry
A 3.5 ounce serving of cooked chicken or turkey breast has around 30 grams of protein.

Skip dark meat cuts like drumsticks and thighs to get the leanest meat. White meat includes breasts, breast tenderloins (tenders), and wings.

Also, don’t eat the skin! 3.5 ounces of roasted chicken breast with the skin has 200 calories and eight grams of fat, while the same amount of skinless, roasted chicken breast has 165 calories and 3.5 grams of fat.

7. Tofu
Tofu is the perfect protein option, especially if you avoid animal meats.

Tofu comes in different textures, so you can select a type based on how you plan to use it. Use firm or extra firm tofu if you are going to bake, grill or saute, but lean towards soft or silken tofu in desserts or soups.

Please remember that about 95 percent of soybeans produced in the US are genetically modified. If you prefer to avoid GM foods, you can purchase organic tofu instead.

6. Low Fat Cottage Cheese
Cottage cheese is a high protein yet minimal snack. 

A half cup serving of low fat, two percent milkfat cottage cheese has 97 calories, 2.5 of fat, and 13 grams of protein.

Besides protein, you get around 10 to 15 percent of the RDI for calcium in a half cup of cottage cheese. Some food scientists have suggested manufacturers should add vitamin D, which aids calcium absorption. Though, this is not currently common practice, so you can look for fortified foods to get the vitamin D you need. 

5. White-Fleshed Fish
Most white-fleshed fish are lean protein sources, providing under three grams of fat, around 20 to 25 grams of protein and 85 to 130 calories per 3.5-ounce plain, cooked serving.

For example, cod, haddock, pollock, flounder, halibut, tilapia and orange roughy. Such fishes generally have only 10 to 25 percent as much omega-3 fat as higher-fat, higher-calorie, darker fleshed fish like coho and sockeye salmon. Therefore, it is good to eat both types of fish.

4. Powdered Peanut Butter
The natural oil in regular peanut butter is heart healthy, but packs on the calories. Just two tablespoons of regular peanut butter have about 190 calories and 16 grams of fat, along with eight grams of protein.

A slimmer option is unsweetened, powdered peanut butter. Most of its fat is pressed out during processing. A two tablespoon serving has just 50 calories and 1.5 grams of fat, but five grams of protein.

To use the powdered peanut butter powder like regular peanut butter, mix it with a little water at a time until it reaches a similar consistency. Keep in mind that it will not be quite as creamy.

3. Frozen Shrimp
Calling all shrimp fans! 

Frozen, unbreaded shrimp is a convenient option that is also chock full of protein. A 3.5 ounce serving has 99 calories, 21 grams of protein, and one gram of fat. 

Although the same serving has 195 mg of cholesterol, scientists have found that consuming cholesterol as part of a healthy diet generally has little impact on heart health. 

By the way, some types of frozen shrimp contain only naturally-occurring sodium of around 120 to 220 mg per 3.5 ounce serving. 

2. Pork Loin 
There are a handful of pork cuts that meet the USDA’s definition of lean, but pork loin is one of those cuts. This means that pork loin is less than 10 grams of fat and 4.5 grams or less of saturated fat per 3.5 ounce cooked serving. This refers to pork tenderloin, pork (loin) chops and pork top loin or sirloin roasts.

Pork tenderloin, the leanest cut, has 143 calories, 26 grams of protein, and 3.5 grams of fat per 3.5-ounce cooked serving.

Before cooking pork loin, trim off any fat around the edges and use low-fat cooking methods, such as grilling or broiling, to reduce the fat and calories.

1. Lean Beef
My list would not be complete with beef. But this time around, I am going to break down lean beef as its qualifications are less than 10 grams of fat and 4.5 grams or less of saturated fat per 3.5 ounce cooked serving. 

If you’re buying beef without a nutrition label, certain words such as “loin” and “round” will tell you the meat is lean. For example, sirloin, tenderloin steaks, eye of round roast, and round steak. Flank steak and the brisket flat-half are also lean.

In the ground beef section, opt for 95% lean. A 3.5-ounce cooked hamburger patty made with lean ground beef has 171 calories, 6.5 grams of total fat (including three grams of saturated fat) and 26 grams of protein.

In addition, a serving of lean beef is an excellent source of several B vitamins, zinc and selenium. 

My Final Thoughts
There is a wide variety of animal and plant protein sources, so you will not starve in the process of trying to find lean protein sources. You will also feel better about yourself after cutting back on fatty proteins such as fried chicken, barbecue ribs, and red burger meat. Find what is healthy (and what you enjoy) and keep up the healthier pattern of life.

Food-Centered Review of Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona

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Chase Field, the home of the Arizona Diamondbacks, is situated in downtown Phoenix. It’s a ballpark in the heart of the desert. It originally opened in 1998 just in time for the D-backs’ first game as an expansion team in the MLB.

Photo taken by Ana Kieu

Okay, enough of the ballpark’s history. Let’s get to the point of this blog post — the food and drinks! Can I get a heck yeah?

There were so many options at Chase Field ranging from Big Dawgs (18-inch dogs) to Grilled Chicken Caesar Salads, but I opted for the Carne Asada Nachos and D-backs’ Paloma Cocktail — both of which were delicious and satisfying on a warm night that cooled down over the course of the night. It was important for me to stay hydrated as the retractable roof was open the night I was there.

Photo taken by Ana Kieu
Photo taken by Ana Kieu

Mexican food and summer cocktails aren’t typical ballpark items, but they were worth the money. Plus it never hurts to branch out and try new items at the ballpark. Baseball may be America’s pastime, but America has gotten diverse over the years and there are a wide variety of flavors that can satisfy the most conservative of folks. Sriracha, Tapatio, Hollandaise, A-1, you name it! Find what’s good as you’ll never know what you might end up liking.

10 Surefire Ways to Save Money on Groceries

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Photo credit: moneydoneright.com

Have you ever wondered how to save money while doing the mandatory choice of grocery shopping? Well, look no further, as I’m about to go over 10 surefire ways to save money on groceries. Check out my list below.

10. Stick to a meal plan
Plan meals ahead of time to avoid purchasing food and beverages that you don’t necessarily need. Also, purchase large quantities of what you need and freeze them, if needed.

9. Download the Receipt Hog app
Receipt Hog is an app that provides a fun and rewarding way to turn everyday shopping receipts into cash and gift cards. Plus the allowed receipts extend beyond the grocery store as many other stores are accepted by the app.

8. Test out your green thumb
Instead of picking small amounts of herbs for big bucks, try growing your own garden with your favorite herbs to save some extra dough. Sure, there’s an initial cost, but the rewards will be worth your time and effort.

7. Shop online, then pick up in store
If any one of your local groceries has the shop online, then pick up in store feature, give it a try. It not only saves time, it also suppresses the impulse of getting items you’re craving, but not needing.

6. Try a meatless meal or two each week
This tip can be applied to the households of singles, couples and families — especially families. Imagine the dough you could save if you whip up a meatless meal or two each week, such as peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, spinach artichoke lasagna and no-meat chili topped with cheese — just to name a few.

5. Keep leftovers for lunch or dinner
After cooking and eating a delicious dinner, save and eat the leftovers for lunch or dinner the next day. Not only will this save some money, it’ll help you cut back on your portion sizes, which is good for an intentional or unintentional health regimen.

4. Buy more generic products
Basically, you’re paying for the name on a brand-name product on a grocery store shelf. So why pay more for the same product? Unless if it’s a medication, you might want to buy more generic products like noodles, sauces and crackers. You’ll save a few cents each time you buy a general product.

3. Leave overspenders at home
Now, this sounds a little too mean, but leave the overspenders at home. Just let them add to the grocery shopping list and pick out the items on your own. Depending on how much the overspender added to the final total, you could save up to $300 with this tip.

2. Utilize “scan it”
If your local grocery store offers “scan it”, you can walk around with a scanner and scan your items while you shop. This will help you keep an initial total so you’ll never be surprised at the cash register anymore.

1. Don’t buy more than you need
This should be a snippet of common sense, but unfortunately, it’s not. But seriously, don’t buy more than you need, even if a particular item was marked 2 for $5, 5 for $10 and vice versa. You can get the exact same discounted price if you buy just one or two. You don’t need that many of the same item unless if you have four-plus people living in your home anyways.

Try my money-saving tips the next time you walk down the grocery aisle!

10 Health Benefits of Basil

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Photo credit: draxe.com

Basil is an aromatic herb in the mint family, the same family like many other beneficial, nutrient-dense herbs in the garden. Those herbs include mint, oregano and rosemary.

Obviously, basil is used to add flavor to a variety of dishes, ranging from a classic pasta with marinara and basil sauce to a simple caprese salad. But did you know that there are 35 different types of basil AND basil is chock full of health benefits? Yep, that’s right!

Let’s get to the headline and check out 10 health benefits of basil.

10. Anti-Inflammatory

9. Anti-Bacterial

8. Antioxidant-Rich

7. Anti-Stress Solution

6. Blood Vessel Protector

5. Cancer Fighter

4. Diabetes Preventer

3. Immune Booster

2. Liver Protector

1. Pain Reducer

With that said, it’s time to experiment with basil in Italian, Indian, Thai, Vietnamese, etc. cuisine because it’s a versatile herb that’s tasty as the lone herb in a dish or combined with other herbs in a dish. Just remember to look for basil with brightly colored leaves to make sure that they’re fresh for a little longer of a shelf life.

Bored of Boba? Try Bambu Instead

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If you’ve spent some time in California, you’ll likely know about the little shops where you can order boba teas and smoothies. But if you’re bored of boba, you can try Bambu instead. Bambu is an up-and-coming chain who serves Vietnamese che (dessert) and sweet beverages. Che has been around for quite a while in Vietnam, but it’s no stranger in California, as it can be created with a wide variety of fruits, jellies, and beans.

Photo credit: @AnaKieu

As you can see, my favorite che is the #3 — Awesome Trio — which features red, white, mung bean, taro, pandan jelly, and coconut milk. I’m no fan of coconut milk or alternative milk in general, but Bambu’s coconut milk is fairly tasty and doesn’t make me sick in the stomach. Great job, Bambu!

If you have a smaller appetite like myself, you’ll need an extra straw to scoop whatever’s left in your cup when you get home to relax and unwind. But seriously, it’s reasonably priced at less than five bucks per cup.

Give Bambu a chance and let me know what you think in the comments section.

I Tried a Salad at Red Robin for the First Time (It Was Good)

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Red Robin is known for their burgers, but the rest of their menu is pretty darn good, too.

I tried a salad at Red Robin for the first time. Verdict? It was good.

I ordered the Avo-cobb-o Salad at Red Robin. I admit, I was a little nervous to try a salad at RR, but my craving for avocado (which is a good source of healthy fats) sort of stomped on my initial nerves.

Red Robin’s salads are just as big as their burgers! So if you have a large or larger appetite, have no fear! You won’t leave feeling hungry!

According to Red Robin, the Avo-cobb-o salad features grilled chicken breast, hardwood-smoked bacon, bleu cheese crumbles, hard-boiled eggs, tomatoes and avocado on mixed greens. It’s served with garlic toast and choice of dressing. It’s 560 calories and costs $11.49. Normally, anything over $10 is a rip-off for a salad, but this is a dinner salad, not your average salad at the produce aisle in the local grocery store.

I ordered my Avo-cobb-o salad with ranch and honey mustard. If you want two types of dressing like myself, go for it! If you’re looking to cut calories and fat, just get one type of dressing. It’s totally up to you!

Red Robin’s salads are worth the money. Try one today!

5 Ways to Cut Calories Without Sacrificing Flavor

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Let’s face it, you love to eat out. Who doesn’t?

But you have to realize that you don’t have to sacrifice flavor when you eat out. There are simple ways to cut calories, fat, and sugar without getting rid of the fact that you’ll enjoy your food and beverages. Yes, that’s right!

Here are five ways to cut calories without sacrificing flavor. Let me know what you think of my list in the comments section. Thanks for stopping by!

5. Lettuce, Lettuce, Lettuce!

Okay, you might not be a vegetable person like myself, but fresh lettuce can cut carbohydrates and bring your burger back to life!

For example, try a Wedgie Style burger at Red Robin or a Protein Style burger at In-N-Out. When you wrap your burger in a lettuce wrap instead of a traditional bun, you’ll save yourself the calories and carbs.

Note: If you’re not quite ready to ditch the bun, you can always opt for a side salad or caesar salad for a healthier side option.

4. Oh, Cheese!

It may be sacrilege to skip the cheese, and you likely don’t want to do such a thing — unless if you’re a vegan — but you don’t have to commit what I call a foodie sin! You can just choose provolone or pepper jack cheese the next time you’re shopping at the grocery store or dining in a restaurant. You’ll save yourself 80 to 100 calories.

You can try this way, and you can thank me later! 😉

3. Proteins Galore!

You don’t necessarily need to eat the traditional beef patties and steaks on a regular basis. There are other types of protein that could help you mix up our diet for when you need a little variety in your life. You can experiment with lean meats such as chicken, turkey, and pork. You can also give non-traditional protein sources like beans, nuts, and peanut butter, a try as well. They’re all great choices that will help your body rebuild its muscle and what not.

Do what works for you, and you can also save a little money in the process.

2. Steamers Are A Friend

Yup, steamers are a friend — especially if you’re trying to lose weight for health and/or personal reasons!

Try steamed vegetables instead of fried vegetables two to three times a week. You’ll not only cut back on the calories, you’ll also cut down on oil, which can increase your cholesterol.

1. Hold Off The Salt

Salt may be your go-to condiment, but trust me, it’s not the friendliest condiment on the table. Sure, salt and pepper can kick your food up a notch, but too much salt can cause high blood pressure and you don’t want to deal with that.

So you don’t have to hold off the salt completely, but you should sprinkle on less salt on your food to avoid high blood pressure, which can lead to heart attacks, strokes, kidney stones, and even dementia.