Food for Thought : Super Bowl Sunday

      This Sunday is the  snack-lovers holiday . Super Bowl Sunday . Even for non-football fans , this day is normally filled with hours of eating , drinking  and socializing with friends . While the game may  only last about 4 hours  , many of us consume more than a day's worth of calories  . The  average  person snacking on typical Super Bowl snacks such as pizza , soda , chips , dips , and beverages can easily consume up to 2,500 calories . Don't let the festivities  ruin your healthy goals . Here are a few tips to help you  enjoy your healthy plans  for the new year .
      Chips and dips can be full of calories  and saturated fat . Try some whole grain chips  with hummus . Substitute  plain Greek yogurt for sour cream or mayonnaise to reduce fat in homemade dips.
      Add nuts  and protein foods . A variety  of nuts  such as almonds  and pistachios are great  alternatives , as they are great sources of of protein and healthy fats which are filling  and can help  you control your eating . Lean proteins  such as  shrimp  are also excellent  choices .
      Be mindful  of your liquid  calories  . Sodas  and alcoholic beverages  can add considerable calories  to the festivities  . Make sure  you stay  by hydrated by alternating and sweetened or alcoholic beverages with water .
                                                            Wings And Ribs

24 chicken wings
3 pounds pork back ribs
1 cup frozen pineapple-orange-apple juice concentrate, undiluted
3/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1/4 cup minced fresh cilantro
2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger
1 garlic clove, pressed
2 teaspoons sugar

1 .  Cut off wingtips, and discard; cut wings in half at joint. Place wings and ribs in large shallow dishes or heavy-duty zip-top plastic bags.
2 .  Stir together juice concentrate and next 6 ingredients. Reserve 3/4 cup mixture for dipping. Pour remaining mixture evenly over wings and ribs; cover or seal, and chill 8 hours, turning occasionally.
3 .  Remove wings and ribs from marinade, discarding marinade. Place meat on racks in shallow roasting pans.
Bake at 375° for 30 to 35 minutes or until done.
4 .  Microwave reserved 3/4 cup sauce in a 1-cup glass liquid measuring cup at HIGH 1 to 2 minutes or until thoroughly heated, stirring once. Serve with wings and ribs.

A proud grand-poppa             G.