You’ve probably heard this advice before: For a healthy grocery trip, shop the perimeter of the store. Avoiding the middle aisles is a good tactic to help you make great choices and pick the most nutritious foods, but if you stick to this advice completely you’ll be missing out on some of the nutritious items that do come in packages. These packaged foods-not to be confused with “processed” foods-can give you some great nutrients and make meal planning easier, saving you precious time.

Here’s a list of the healthiest convenience foods you can buy from the center of the grocery store.

Canned Beans

Though dried beans are cheaper than canned, they can take a lot of time to cook. Canned beans pack an impressive amount of fiber and protein and can be a quick addition to many meals. Pinto, kidney, cannellini (white kidney), black, Great Northern-name any bean, they’re all great sources of nutrition for your body. When you’re choosing your beans, look for ones without added salt or seasoning. Before using your beans, drain and rinse them in a colander when you’re ready to cook. This will help wash added sodium down the drain–40% of the sodium to be exact.

Oats and Flaxseed

Prepare to have a heart-healthy breakfast by combining old-fashioned oats and ground flaxseed, both found packaged in either cartons or bags. One cup of cooked oatmeal with 2 tablespoons of ground flaxseed will give you 8 grams of much needed fiber, as well as a dose of omega-3 fatty acids, which each protect the heart. Choose old-fashioned oats over quick oats or instant oatmeal to ensure you’re getting the maximum amount of fiber without added salt and sugar.

Frozen Vegetables

These can be nearly as nutritious as fresh and are conveniently prewashed and chopped. To ensure you’re getting the maximum amount of vitamins and minerals available, use the vegetables within a few weeks as some nutrients may begin to degrade over time. Also, steam or microwave your veggies rather than boiling them to make sure you’re not losing water-soluble vitamins. Grab some edamame for a nutrient-packed snack, heat up some chopped broccoli as a side dish or combine a stir-fry mix with shrimp in a shallow pan and heat with a bit of olive or canola oil.

Frozen Berries

Many frozen berries do not have added sugar, but some do. Double check that the ingredients list contains berries to make sure you’re not getting extra calories from refined sugars. Then, add them to oatmeal, cereal, yogurt or make a smoothie.

Granola Bars

Shop carefully and read labels to pick out the healthiest option. Be cautious not to fall into an advertising trap! Flip the products over and check out the ingredients. Some of the healthiest bars will be found near the products made for athletes or in the “natural foods” section. Brands that use dates as their main sweetener can give you a good amount of fiber. Some of these higher quality bars do have more calories. Consider splitting one in half for a small snack or share it with a friend.

Soups

Soup that comes in a can or carton can be a healthy choice if you shop carefully. Many are packed with plenty of fat and added sodium, but some brands are lighter in both. A non-condensed, organic soup made with real vegetables is going to be the healthiest option. These are sometimes found in cans near the condensed soups but are also packaged in boxes in a separate section. Watch out for high sodium soups and read labels for serving size. Most people eat a whole can of soup as one serving, only to discover that what they thought was a healthy option actually contained 2.5 to 3 times the calories, fat and sodium!

Cereal

Breakfast cereal can be a toss-up. Either you’re eating an overdose of sugar or you’re getting a good amount of fiber and vitamins. Look for at least 5 grams of fiber per serving and keep in mind the amount of added sugar. There isn’t an established limit to an amount of sugar to stay under, but if you aim for about 5 grams or less, you’re usually grabbing a healthy cereal. You can add even more fiber by mixing in some plain bran cereal with your favorite lightly sweetened cereal.

Brown Rice

This fiber-rich grain is a great side for nearly any meat, bean, and vegetable–or combination of all three! Try it with kidney beans, diced tomatoes and cilantro, or top it with shrimp, streamed carrots and broccoli with your favorite low-sodium sauce.

Tuna Fish Packed in Water

When it comes to getting a bang for your buck out of canned food, this is almost as good as it gets. This convenient food is high in omega-3 fatty acids and protein, and also gives you a good amount of vitamins D and B-12, too.

Yogurt

Many brands are advertising “natural” products that do not have artificial colors or sweeteners, but what you choose should depend on your own preferences and nutritional goals. Make sure you check the label for calories to ensure you meet your daily goal.

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Source:  SparkPeople.com

Who can relate?

While she was stunning in her latest runway romp, Ambrosio admitted there was a time when she was more self-conscious. She only revealed her second pregnancy to the public last month, and kept it a secret before working the Victoria’s Secret show in November.

“I didn’t tell anybody so no one knew at the show that I was pregnant,” Ambrosio told Us Weekly. “A week before, I told my booker I don’t think I’m going to be able to fit into the clothes because I gained a few pounds already, but we were just quiet.”

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Source: Yahoo!

Happy Year of the Dragon!  With the arrival of the Lunar New Year, the Chinese zodiac turns its sights to the the Dragon.  Of all 12 signs in the zodiac, the dragon is thought to be the most auspicious and powerful of them all – and typically associated with prosperty.  Because this year is the year of the water dragon, which only occurs once every 60 years, it’s considered even more auspicious than ever.

Happy Chinese New Years from Know Boutique!

Offer Expires Feb 1, 2012

List of candidates:

Mitt Romney

Ron Paul

Jon Huntsman

Newt Gingrich

Rick Santorum

Rick Perry

Vern Wuensche

R. Lee Wrights

Danny Woodring

Randall Terry

Matt Synder

Buddy Roemer

Carl Person

Barack Obama

Tom Miller

Jimmy McMillan

Andy Martin

Kathyern Lane

Fred Krager

Gary Johnson

RJ Harris

Roger Gary

Stewart Alexander

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A young father stood in line at the Kmart layaway counter, wearing dirty clothes and worn-out boots. With him were three small children. He asked to pay something on his bill because he knew he wouldn’t be able to afford it all before Christmas. Then a mysterious woman stepped up to the counter.

“She told him, ‘No, I’m paying for it,’” recalled Edna Deppe, assistant manager at the store in Indianapolis. “He just stood there and looked at her and then looked at me and asked if it was a joke. I told him it wasn’t, and that she was going to pay for him. And he just busted out in tears.”

At Kmart stores across the country, Santa seems to be getting some help: Anonymous donors are paying off strangers’ layaway accounts, buying the Christmas gifts other families couldn’t afford, especially toys and children’s clothes set aside by impoverished parents.

Before she left the store Tuesday evening, the Indianapolis woman in her mid-40s had paid the layaway orders for as many as 50 people. On the way out, she handed out $50 bills and paid for two carts of toys for a woman in line at the cash register.

“She was doing it in the memory of her husband who had just died, and she said she wasn’t going to be able to spend it and wanted to make people happy with it,” Deppe said. The woman did not identify herself and only asked people to “remember Ben,” an apparent reference to her husband.

This season pay if forward and celebrate the gift of giving.

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Source: Associate Press

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In addition to serving as the best time of year to reconnect with family and friends, the Christmas and New Years holidays are also one of our best occasions to slip into something a little more festive. Many ladies look forward to holiday parties each year and use them as an opportunity to finally wear their favorite pair of statement shoes or sexy party dress. This holiday season, one-shoulder, strapless and boatneck dresses will be quite popular. Fashionistas will need to accessorize their favorite formal wear with holiday-inspired jewelry, belts and hair adornments made from fun materials like velvet, feathers and stones.

Accessorize With Color
This holiday season, every woman will need to purchase a holiday dress in an exciting and vibrant jewel-tone color like red, blue, orange, gold or purple. Luxurious fabrics like satin, taffeta and silk can set the stage for beautiful stone or beaded statement necklaces and earrings. If you want to opt for a strapless or boatneck dress, try pairing it with long feather earrings for a touch of glamour. While color is cool, some ladies will prefer to go with a classic black or sophisticated white dress, which can be the perfect neutral backdrop to showcase iridescent jewelry like diamonds and pearls.

Rust Dress Only $28.00

Holiday Hair

Old Hollywood Glitz

One of the things woman can look forward to at holiday parties in 2011 is a return to the striking glamor and utter sophistication of the 1930s and 40s. Old Hollywood is making a comeback this season with stylish bedazzled accessories and head wear. If feathers aren’t your style, opt for a crystal embellished, sequined or metallic hair accessory. Channel your inner Jessica Rabbit with sleek and smooth waves secured in place with stone-encrusted hair clips or jeweled barrettes. Or, opt for a head full of curls managed by a skinny crystal-adorned or velvet headband.

Add a little drama to your holiday dress with over-sized rings, which can serve as fun conversation pieces during parties. Also, women will want to invest in asmall, but stylish, clutch purse. Be sure to pair your clutch pursue with a pair of statement shoes. Holiday parties are the perfect time to break out your favorite patent leather, glittered or multi-colored shoes. The colder weather might steer women in the direction of pumps, but don’t forget to show your sophisticated sandals love too – as they make the perfect accompaniment for New Year’s Eve party dresses.

With layers of vanilla chips, oats and dried cranberries, this delectable cookie mix looks as good as it tastes! For a special gift, tuck a jar in a pretty basket with wooden spoon, cookie sheet, kitchen timer and instructions.

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/8 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup quick-cooking oats
• 1 cup dried cranberries
• 1 cup vanilla or white chips

ADDITIONAL INGREDIENTS:

• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon Spice Islands® pure vanilla extract

Directions

• In a 1-qt. glass jar, layer the sugar and brown sugar, packing well between each layer. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; spoon into jar. Top with oats, cranberries and chips. Cover and store in a cool dry place for up to 6 months.
• To prepare cookies: Pour cookie mix into a large bowl; stir to combine. Beat in butter, egg and vanilla. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
• Drop by the tablespoonfuls 2 in. apart onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 375° for 8-10 minutes or until browned. Remove to wire racks to cool. 

Yield: 3 dozen.

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