's motd Tue Feb 9, 2010

[Guest guest]

THIS SPUD'S FOR YOU!

Tuesday, 09 February 2010

One of my favorite commercials on TV features fitness expert, Austin, talking about how wonderful the potato is. She's standing right there in a field of Idaho potatoes telling us all how good those spuds are.

Now there's been quite a bit of debate about potatoes going on for a long time. It's like, one year the experts are telling you not to eat white potatoes and say "they're no good for you." But then the next year, another expert claims that potatoes should definitely be part of your healthy diet.Let me tell you, I was raised on white potatoes, sweet potatoes and yams. I loved them all. But the orange ones couldn't compare to the white ones in my book. I'd say we had mashed potatoes once a week when I was growing up in New Orleans. My father made them and boy, were they ever good! I used to love watching my dad make them, too.First, he'd boil the potatoes and when he thought they were ready, he'd stick a fork in his spuds to see if they were soft. Then he'd let them cool while he assembled the other ingredients for his famous mashed potatoes.

I watched as he poured cream into the mixer and added softened butter. Then slowly, he'd add the cutup potatoes, black pepper, a dash of nutmeg and some parmesan cheese. Ooops, I almost forgot, he'd add three shakes of Tobasco sauce to his recipe, too. I would stand right next to the mixer as it spinned, round-and-round.

When my father thought his potatoes were perfectly blended, he'd stop the machine. And you know what my dad would do next? He handed me one of the beaters from the mixer and it would ne filled with mashed potatoes. Oh, it was just like eating a big old potato lollipop to me. I can still remember the taste....M-m-m-m-m!My father also fried shoestring potatoes and those big steak fried potatoes, too. And he made the best potato pancakes. Back then, I certainly wasn't practicing moderation. And you should know, if you overeat any starch...you will gain weight.Now here's what I want you to know about the white potato. First of all, a small, plain baked potato contains only about 128 calories. Now notice, I did say small. (Not like the ones you see at Outback Steakhouse where they build special plates just to hold your baked potato!) Did you know that potatoes contain plenty of fiber? Fiber is filling and helps keep your appetite under control. Potatoes also contain lots of magnesium which helps reduce the risk of Type 2 Diabetes. You want a little more potassium in your food plan? Well, potatoes are the way to go. A small potato contains 925 mg of potassium which helps keep your blood pressure in check.

I had half of a baked potato last night. I sprayed on some I Can't Believe It's Not Butter then added a teaspoon of fat-free sour cream. I also chopped some green onions very fine and sprinkled them on top.I still like to have mashed potatoes once in a while. I add I Can't Believe It's Not Butter, nonfat milk, a little nutmeg, black pepper and some parmesan cheese, just like my dad used to make. (And don't forget the Tobasco!) I'm gonna tell you, they're almost as good as his!So remember, everything in the right size portions from chicken to vegetables to pasta and...potatoes. Enjoy those potatoes just like I do. And if you eat them in the proper portions, you'll never gain weight from enjoying these tasty spuds!Love,