Getting Those Healthy Fats

Good morning! I hope your weekend was great and your Monday is off to a lovely start.

We actually had a big birthday celebration for my dad and Jon this weekend. My dad’s birthday was last weekend and Jon’s is tomorrow, so we combined the two and had family/friends over. I don’t know why but I wasn’t in the mood to take pictures. I had cooked Friday night and all of Saturday so I was wiped out. The food was delicious, though! I did snap pics of the desserts I made.

Chocolate Mousse Cake (that took me hours to make and now Jon wants it every year…)

And, a French Apple Tart.

My morning started with a chilly 4 mile run with Gunner. BTW, when we were without power because of Hurricane Sandy, we got Gunner a sweater because he would shiver at home sometimes when it was cold. It broke my heart!

Jon thought it made him look like a girl, while I thought my dog looked like a stud. I think my opinion wins because he picked up a little white fluffy girl dog that day, no joke.

Moving on…

A lot of times in the media, on the internet or in magazines, we see and hear the term “healthy fats”. Well, this term is in reference to Omega-3 Fatty Acids. Many people know this, and they know that Omega-3s are good for us, but does anyone know why? Well, sit back because there are loads of reasons! Yes, these fats are great for the heart. They will help keeping arteries from clogging and keep blood flow at a good rate. Omega-3s can help lower triglyceride levels in people, as well. These beneficial fats can also help reduce inflammation in the body. We never want inflammation in the body.

Some of my favorite ways to incorporate Omega-3s into my diet are as follows:

Adding ground flaxseed or chia seeds to oats/smoothies

Salmon dinners such as Stir Fry

Spinach Walnut Pesto - this one incorporates healthy walnuts and olive oil!

Avocados – plain, guacamole, or mashed on an English muffin topped with eggs <- a wonderful suggestion by Emily

And lastly, an olive oil based dressing is a better choice than those creamy dressings!

An important thing to remember is that a fat is a fat when it comes to calories. The 9 kcal/g does not change! Healthy fats need to be eaten in moderation, as well. It is all about the health benefits. Always check with a doctor before adding any supplements into your daily routines.

Have a lovely day!