THE KITCHEN DIVA
High-tech health
If you’ve resolved to take charge of your health in the new year, why not explore the numerous technological, food, health and fitness advances available? There are many new high-tech devices and apps for you to explore. Here are a few suggestions for ways to use technology to improve your health:
Being physically active has a positive influence on health in a number of ways. For example, physical activity can lower the risk of heart disease and stroke, high blood pressure and cholesterol, Type 2 diabetes, and colon and breast cancer. It also can help maintain a healthy weight. Being active helps older adults prevent falls, reduce depression and maintain cognitive function. • Walking is an easy way to meet fitness goals and a pedometer is one way to get motivated to walk more. Pedometers with apps come in an assortment of styles from simple and inexpensive to elaborate ones that can be worn as a bracelet and measure steps, heart rate, miles and location. Some have other useful features like a timer and music player. There also are apps for a mobile device that maps out your route and time and maintain a digital record of your goals and accomplishments.
If you or your loved ones take vitamin supplements or a daily prescription, technology can save you money! There are apps and websites designed to help users find the lowest prescription prices at pharmacies. Eating well is another part of a healthy lifestyle. Here are some suggestions for a healthier way to shop and eat by using technology to make better choices: • Foodswitch (an app by Bupa): Scan the bar code of groceries and choose the healthier options. • Interested in trying a new diet? The Paleo diet is based on the types of foods presumed to have been eaten by early humans, consisting chiefly of meat, fish, vegetables and fruit, and excluding dairy or grain products and processed food. Paleocentral (IOS and Android) has been touted as the “perfect” app for Paleo beginners. It helps you know what you can and can’t eat on this lifestyle
plan. It also includes a beginner’s guide for getting started and understanding how the diet works.
Try this Paleo diet recipe for Bacon, Egg and Spinach Quiche with a Sweet Potato Crust, and stay healthy the high-tech way this year!
PALEO DIET QUICHE
(Serves 4)
4 sweet potatoes, peeled and sliced into thin rounds (rounds should be thin enough to bend easily) 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon ground black pepper 1 garlic clove, minced 1 small onion, diced 2 cups baby spinach 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper 5 large eggs, beaten 3 bacon slices, cooked and crumbled 1. Heat the oven to 200C/400F. 2. Place sweet potatoes in a 22cm/9-inch pie dish. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil. Season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Toss everything together until coated. Arrange the sweet potato slices in the pie dish in an overlapping circular pattern to form a “crust” for the quiche. Place in oven and bake 15 to 20 minutes or until sweet potatoes are tender when pierced with a knife. Set the crust aside to cool. Lower the oven heat to 190C/375F. 3. Meanwhile, place 1 tablespoon of oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and onion. Cook until the onion and garlic are soft and fragrant, around 5 minutes. 4. Add the spinach, the remaining salt and pepper, nutmeg and cayenne pepper. Saute until wilted, 2-3 minutes. Set aside to cool. 5. In a bowl, combine beaten eggs with the spinach mixture and bacon. Pour over the sweet potato crust, and place in the oven. Bake 30 to 35 minutes, or until the eggs are set; serve warm.