Papaya: Perfect Fitness Food
Wednesday - September 15, 2010
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Del.icio.usIf you are looking to jump-start your fitness routine, slim down for a special event, overcome a plateau or just get measurable results quickly, Amy Forsyth’s Women’s Fitness Bootcamps in Honolulu are for you!
Forsyth was not always so health conscious. “After college I found myself far too caught up in the demands of my full-time job and social schedule to care about such things as exercise and nutrition,” she says. “I don’t know exactly how much I weighed at my heaviest point; I eventually stopped getting on the scale. I was extremely unhappy with the way I looked and how tired and sluggish I felt all the time.”
She started making small changes in her diet and behavior, lost 50 pounds and decided she wanted to help other women improve their health.
For today’s time-challenged women, to be able to pack an intense but fun workout into 60 short minutes is a lifesaver. Forsyth’s programs are for women of all ages and abilities. She is a NESTA (National Exercise and Sports Trainers Association) certified personal fitness trainer and fitness nutrition coach.
Forsyth specializes in helping women achieve their individual health and fitness goals by creating effective and efficient programs tailored for them, and has locations in Manoa and Aina Haina.
This column is dedicated to Amy Forsyth. For further information, contact her at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 783-2558.
Papayas are a rich source of antioxidant nutrients such as carotenes, vitamin C and flavonoids, the B vitamins folate and pantothenic acid, the minerals potassium and magnesium, and fiber. In addition, papaya contains the digestive enzyme papain, which is extracted from the papaya skin and is used in the meat industry as a tenderizer.
This quick, easy snack or lunch has protein from the cottage cheese, good fruit choices for fiber and tastes great!
STUFFED PAPAYAS
* 2 papayas, seeded and cut in half
* 2 cups fat-free or lowfat cottage cheese
* 1 cup blueberries (if using frozen, thaw slightly)
* 1/4 cup dried cranberries
* 1/4 cup chopped dates
* finely chopped walnuts (optional)
* honey, for drizzling (to taste)
* mint sprigs, for garnish
Arrange papayas on plates. Mix cottage cheese, blueberries, cranberries and dates just until combined. Spoon mixture into papaya halves and sprinkle with a bit of the nuts, if desired. Drizzle with honey and garnish with mint sprig.
Makes four servings.
Approximate Nutrition Information Per Serving:
Calories: 300
Fat: (without nuts): 0 grams; if using low-fat cottage cheese, 2 grams
Cholesterol: 20 milligrams
Sodium: 380 milligrams
(Diana Helfand, author of “Hawaii Light and Healthy” and “The Best of Heart-y Cooking,” has taught nutrition in the Kapiolani Community College culinary arts program.)
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