Why We ♥ Fiber

Posted on February 16, 2012 by Uncle Wally's

    It’s American Heart Month, so it just feels like the right time to declare our love for fiber.

     Why the affection for this humble, indigestible substance?

      Because dietary fiber has emerged as a heart-healthy hero, one that scientists believe can help fight three of the top risk factors for heart disease – high cholesterol, high blood pressure and obesity.

     The health statistics are scary: More than 58 million Americans suffer from some form of heart disease. Heart disease is the number-one cause of death in the United States.

     Studies have shown that dietary fiber appears to cut the incidence of heart disease. Here are some of the ways scientists believe it works: 

     Fiber can carry away unhealthy cholesterol before it gets into the bloodstream. Cholesterol can harden and narrow arteries and cause high blood pressure, all of which hurts the heart.  Obesity is another major danger to the heart: excess body fat can raise blood cholesterol, lower HDL “good” cholesterol and increase blood pressure. Dietary fiber can help reduce excess body fat by making a person feel full, so they eat fewer calories. And because high-fiber foods are digested more slowly, they make a person feel full longer.

     Experts say adults should be getting at least 25 grams of dietary fiber daily.

     That’s we had in mind when we welcomed Fiber One Wraps and Fiber One Muffins into the Uncle Wally’s Family.* Not only do both taste amazing, but each Fiber One Wrap provides up to 30 percent of the recommended daily value for fiber; Fiber One Muffins each provide 28 percent.

     You can get fiber – and other heart-healthy nutrients – in your diet through a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes (beans and peas), nuts and seeds. Fiber is only one aspect of a heart-healthy lifestyle. Other important advice: keep your diet low in saturated fat, trans fats, cholesterol and salt, exercise, maintain a healthy weight and stop smoking.  

     For more ways to get fiber into your diet, check out these high-fiber recipes from Betty Crocker.

 

*Fiber One Wraps are available in Traditional White, Garden Vegetable and Honey Wheat varieties. Uncle Wally’s markets Fiber One Wraps and Fiber One Muffins under license for General Mills.

SOURCE: American Heart Association; Mayo Clinic; American Dietetic Association;   National Fiber Council.

 

Posted in Exercise, Fiber, Fiber One Muffins, Fiber One Wraps, Health, Heart Health, Staying Healthy, Uncategorized, Weight loss | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Sweethearts Strawberry Shortcake: Love at First Bite

Posted on February 9, 2012 by Uncle Wally's

Strawberry Shortcake Valentine's Day Dessert Recipe     This romantic Valentine’s Day dessert recipe was inspired by love … and our love for Uncle Wally’s new Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream Mini Muffins!

     But seriously, who could resist this pretty dessert, with its delicious layers of rich, moist muffin, juicy strawberries and dreamy whipped cream? Elegantly displayed in a shimmering parfait or wine glass, it’s got romance written all over it.

     Here’s the easy recipe:

Ingredients

(Makes 4 servings – cut ingredients in half for a dessert for two)

  • 2 cups sliced frozen strawberries (thawed) or fresh sliced strawberries
  • 2 Tbsp. sugar
  • 8 Uncle Wally’s Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream Mini Muffins (or 2 Uncle Wally’s Rich & Moist Cheesecake Muffins)
  • 8 oz. container whipped topping or 3 cups whipped cream

Directions

  1. Mix sliced strawberries and sugar. Let sit for 5-10 minutes, until sugar is dissolved.
  2. Place 1 Strawberry Shortcake Mini Muffin (or ¼ Rich & Moist Muffin), cut into small pieces, into the bottom of each of the 4 glasses. Top each with ¼ cup strawberry mixture, followed by 1/3 cup whipped topping.
  3. Repeat layers, ending with whipped topping.
  4. Top with a fresh strawberry slice cut into a heart shape  (optional).

Best served immediately; can be refrigerated up to 2 hours.

 

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Posted in Dessert Recipes, Holiday Recipes, Ice Cream Mini Muffins, Mini Muffins, Recipes, Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream Mini Muffins, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Super Bowl Snack Wrap-Up

Posted on February 1, 2012 by Uncle Wally's

Super Bowl Snacks Using Fiber One Wraps     Many of us will be cheering on our favorite team this Sunday, but we’re also rooting for some really delicious Super Bowl snacks!

     In this spirit, we challenged ourselves to come up with some unbeatable Super Bowl snack ideas featuring our powerhouse Fiber One Wraps.* Here are our winning recipes:

Ham and Cheese Rollups. Spread softened garlic and herb cream cheese generously on one side of each Fiber One Wrap (any variety). Sprinkle with chopped scallions, a layer of sliced ham and grated cheddar cheese, a layer of baby spinach leaves and some salt and pepper. Roll up wrap and cover tightly with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, remove wrap and slice into 1-inch pieces.

Cheese Quesadilla. Place a traditional white Fiber One Wrap on greased cookie sheet, top with 2 T. salsa and 1/3 cup grated cheddar cheese, and cover with another wrap. Broil about 3 minutes on each side, until golden brown. Slice into wedges.

Cinnamon Dippers. Cut honey wheat or traditional white Fiber One Wraps into 8 pieces, coat with cooking spray or melted butter and top with cinnamon and sugar. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes. Serve with a bowl of thick chocolate sauce for dipping.

Mexican Cream Cheese Pinwheels. Mix together 8 ounces softened cream cheese, 1/3 cup mayonnaise, ½ cup pitted and chopped green olives, ½ cup pitted and chopped black olives and 6 chopped scallions. Spread the mixture on 6 Fiber One Wraps (any variety). Roll up wraps, cover in plastic wrap and chill for at least 2 hours. Uncover and cut into 1-inch pieces.  Serve with salsa.

Guacamole Nachos. Cut traditional white or garden vegetable Fiber One Wraps into quarters, spray with cooking spray or oil, sprinkle lightly with salt and bake at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes. Top with guacamole, salsa and chopped jalapeno peppers.

Chicken Taquitos. Combine a 10 oz. can of chunk chicken (drained) with ½ cup grated cheddar cheese and 6 drops of hot pepper sauce. Using 8 Fiber One Wraps (traditional white or honey wheat), spread a thin layer of the mixture on one half of one side of each wrap. Roll each wrap tightly, starting with side that has filling. Place taquitos side by side, seam-side down in a sprayed baking dish. Bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees.  Cut in halves or thirds before serving.

Super Spinach Tortilla Twirls. Mix together ½ cup sour cream, 1 cup mayonnaise, 3 oz. cream cheese (softened), 2 (10 oz.) packages thawed spinach (squeezed dry), 1/3 cup bacon bits, 3 T. chopped scallions and 1 pack dry ranch dressing mix. Spread evenly on 6 Fiber One Wraps (any variety). Roll up wraps, covering each tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 5 hours. Uncover and slice into bite-sized pinwheels.

 

* Fiber One Wraps are available in Traditional White, Garden Vegetable and Honey Wheat varieties. Each serving has up to 9 grams of dietary fiber, which is 30 percent of the recommended Daily Value. Uncle Wally’s markets Fiber One Wraps under license for General Mills.

Posted in Fiber, Fiber One Wrap Recipes, Fiber One Wraps, Recipes, Snack Recipes, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Tips for Staying Healthy This Winter

Posted on January 26, 2012 by Uncle Wally's

   It’s the dead of winter and people all around you are sniffling, sneezing or burning up with fever. Will you be next?

    Winter is prime time for flu, colds and other respiratory illnesses, mostly due to people spending more time indoors with others during cold-weather months. Here are some tips for staying healthy this winter:

Get vaccinated against flu. It’s not too late to get the vaccine, which can be taken as a shot or a nasal spray. Flu season peaks in February and can continue through the spring.

Eat a balanced diet. A good diet, especially one full of colorful fruits and vegetables, can help boost your immune system.

Wash hands frequently. Colds, flu and other illnesses are often spread by hands that have touched a contaminated surface. Wash hands with warm, soapy water for at least 15 seconds. Alcohol-based hand rubs are OK if soap and water are not available.

Exercise. It can strengthen your body’s ability to fight off germs.

Don’t touch your face. You can become infected when you touch something that is contaminated and then touch your eyes, nose, or mouth.

Stay away from infected people. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Illnesses can be passed through coughs, sneezes and contaminated surfaces. If you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick.

Quit smoking. If you use tobacco or breathe in secondhand smoke, it makes you more prone to respiratory illnesses and complications.

Keep stress in check. Studies show stress can weaken the immune system.

Get enough sleep. Lack of sleep can reduce immunity. Get enough sleep, and nap when you can.

 

SOURCE: U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA); U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

 

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Winter Warm-Up: Chicken Tortilla Soup

Posted on January 19, 2012 by Uncle Wally's

Uncle Wally's Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe     There’s no better meal for a cold winter’s day than a hot, hearty bowl of soup with a side of Uncle Wally’s moist, savory corn muffins.

     So we’ve cooked up the season’s most delicious soup recipe – an irresistible, easy-to-make Chicken Tortilla Soup that’s low in calories and fat and packed with healthy nutrients and fiber. We topped it with toasted strips of our Fiber One Wraps, instead of traditional tortillas, making it even healthier and adding some tasty crunch.

Uncle Wally’s Chicken Tortilla Soup

(Serves at least 6)

Soup Ingredients

  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 Tbsp. olive oil
  • 4 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
  • 1 box chicken broth or stock, 32 ounce
  • 2 cups frozen corn kernels
  • 2 15-ounce cans black beans, drained
  • 2 10-ounce cans diced tomatoes with green chili peppers
  • 2 tsp. ground cumin
  • 2 tsp. chili powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Topping Ingredients

  • 3 Fiber One Wraps, quartered and thinly sliced
  • Cooking spray
  • Onion salt or garlic salt
  • 1 cup low-fat grated cheddar cheese or Mexican cheese blend (optional)

Side Dish

  • 1 carton Uncle Wally’s Sweet Country Corn Mini Muffins, or any of Uncle Wally’s many varieties of corn muffins.

Directions

  1. In stock pot, heat olive oil and stir in onion and garlic. Stir on medium heat until onion is softened, about 4 minutes.
  2. Add all other soup ingredients (note: you can add more chicken broth if you like a thinner soup) and simmer for 10 minutes before serving.
  3. While soup is simmering, cut Fiber One Wraps in quarters and slice thinly. Spread in a single layer on a cookie sheet, coat tops with cooking spray and sprinkle with garlic salt or onion salt. Bake for 6-8 minutes at 350 degrees or until strips are lightly browned and crispy.

      Serve soup in bowls, topped with cheese and baked Fiber One “tortilla” strips.

 

Fiber One Wraps are available in Traditional White, Garden Vegetable and Honey Wheat varieties. Each serving has up to 9 grams of dietary fiber, which is 30 percent of the recommended Daily Value. These versatile wraps are great for eating right out of the package – alone or with a favorite filling – or warmed in an oven, skillet or microwave to use in recipes. Uncle Wally’s markets Fiber One Wraps under license for General Mills.

 

 

Posted in Corn Muffins, Fiber, Fiber One Wraps, Health, Mini Muffins, Recipes, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Portion Control: A Key to Weight Loss

Posted on January 12, 2012 by Uncle Wally's

     Weight gain isn’t always about what we are eating – often, we just don’t realize how much we are eating.

     Even if we’re filling our plates with healthier dishes, eating too much can rack up the calories and pack on the pounds.

     For weight loss, nutrition experts say we should practice “portion control” – cutting down the amount we eat in order to reduce the calories we are consuming. We can still eat our favorite foods, just not in the supersized portions many of us have gotten used to.

     Here are 10 tried-and-true ways to make portion control a daily habit:

Divide it.  Assemble the meal on your plate using this formula:  ¼ of the plate for protein, ¼ for carbohydrates and ½ for salad or cooked vegetables.

Dish it. Use a smaller plate. Your meal will look bigger even though you’re really eating less.

Savor it. Slowly enjoy every bite of your portion-controlled meal or snack and you will feel more satisfied than if you had blown through a mountain of food. Bonus: Eating more slowly gives your body time to tell your brain it’s full.

Move it: Keep serving dishes far away from the table. It’s easier to keep your portions in check when extra helpings are not within arm’s reach.

Store it: Break up leftovers into single-serving containers so you won’t be tempted to reheat a much larger portion later.

Buy it. Some companies are now individually wrapping single snack servings – that’s how we package our Uncle Wally’s Fun Muffins, Snack Muffins and Fiber One Muffins – making it easier to keep portions in check. Reduced-size products, like Uncle Wally’s new Mini Muffins, can help you satisfy your cravings without overindulging.

Bag it. If you bring home a big bag of a tempting snack food, split it up into single-serve plastic baggies right away. Studies show people don’t realize how much they are eating when they eat from a large bag.

Halve it. At restaurants, ask the waiter to package up half your dinner. You’ll cut that meal’s calories in half, and you can enjoy the rest the next day – at no extra charge!

Downsize it. Ordering a kid-sized meal automatically limits portion size.

Work it. Give your mind and body time to adjust to smaller portions. Soon it will become second nature, and over time you should notice a difference in your clothes and on the scale.

 

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Posted in Fiber One Muffins, Health, Mini Muffins, Snack-size muffins, Uncategorized, Weight loss | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Recommitting to Your Health in 2012

Posted on January 5, 2012 by Uncle Wally's

     Whether you call it a resolution or simply a fresh start, New Year’s can be a good time to refocus on your health.

     In fact, research shows that Americans’ New Year’s resolutions often involve weight loss, exercise and other health-related goals.

    Whatever your personal goals for 2012, here are some tips for making them stick:

 

Set Realistic Goals. Ask yourself: What can I reasonably attain? Perhaps a 10- or 15-pound weight loss instead of 40? A 10K run instead of a marathon? Unrealistic resolutions are rarely kept.

Take Small Steps. If your aim is to exercise more, start by working out several times a week instead of every day. If weight loss is your goal, start by planning lower-calorie, healthier breakfasts. Introduce new behaviors gradually over time.

Put It In Writing. Keep a journal with your thoughts about why you are setting your goal and the steps you plan to take to achieve it. Reread this at times you are uninspired and it may help renew your motivation.

Don’t Go It Alone. Announce your goals to family and friends and don’t be afraid to ask for their help. Support groups, such as aerobics classes at the gym or weight loss groups can also make it easier to reach your goals.

Forgive yourself. Lapses happen to all of us. We eat those doughnuts. We skip the gym. Recover from your mistakes and move forward.

     At Uncle Wally’s, we are committed to your health needs – whether it’s reducing your calorie and fat intake, eliminating added sugar, increasing fiber or simply controlling your portion sizes. We have a range of great-tasting muffins to meet many dietary needs: Fat Free, Sugar Free, Smart Portion, as well an array of new Mini Muffins and fortified Fun Muffins. Fiber One Muffins and Fiber One Wraps are also part of the Uncle Wally’s Family.  It can make all the difference to have a delicious, healthier alternative that allows you to stick to your resolution.

     Visit Uncle Wally’s website for more information on our products.

Posted in Exercise, Fat-free muffins, Fiber, Fortified muffins, Health, Smart Portion Muffins, special dietary needs, sugar-free muffins, Uncategorized, Weight loss | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Planning a Resolution? Our Fat Free Muffins Can Help

Posted on December 29, 2011 by Uncle Wally's

     The New Year often means a healthy resolution – and weight loss is one of the most popular, polls say.

      We’ve found that our Uncle Wally’s Fat Free Muffins are a delicious way to cut calories and lose weight without feeling deprived (and we all know that deprivation is a sure way to drive us off our weight-loss plans).

       Uncle Wally’s Fat Free Muffins have a delicious, satisfying flavor that can indulge every taste – Apple Cinnamon Delight, Wild Blueberry Bliss, Chocolate Passion, Cranberry Orange Supreme, Honey Raisin Bran, Golden Waves of Corn and No Nut Banana).

     The fact is, fat is the most calorie-dense of all the nutrients, with more than 9 calories per gram – more than twice as many calories as a gram of carbohydrate or protein. This is one reason we gain weight during the holidays – eating many of the fatty appetizers, main dishes and desserts the season has to offer.

     Eating a lower-fat, lower-calorie diet full of lean protein and grains, fruits, vegetables and some healthy fats is a great way to drop those holiday pounds.
  
Our Uncle Wally’s family wishes you and your family a happy, healthy new year!

Posted in Fat-free muffins, Uncategorized, Weight loss | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Uncle Wally’s Holiday Recipe: Mini Muffin Ice Cream Cakes

Posted on December 22, 2011 by Uncle Wally's

Uncle Wally's Mini Muffin Ice Cream Cakes     Uncle Wally’s amazing new ice cream-flavored Mini Muffins are the inspiration for our latest holiday dessert recipe – Mini Muffin Ice Cream Cakes.

     We simply paired Uncle Wally’s Chocolate Cookies & Cream Ice Cream Mini Muffins with mint chocolate chip ice cream (the frozen kind!) and topped them with vanilla frosting and a few holiday sprinkles. The result was the most delicious, festive and – let’s face it – just plain adorable dessert on the table. Just look at them: who could resist? And they are portion-controlled – remember, we are using Mini Muffins – so you don’t have to resist!

     Mini Muffin Ice Cream Cakes are an easy, no-bake dessert recipe that you can change up by combining any one of our Ice Cream Mini Muffins with your own favorite ice cream and frosting flavors.

    Follow these directions for each Mini Muffin Ice Cream Cake:

1. Cut the top off an Uncle Wally’s Ice Cream Mini Muffin.
2. Put a heaping tablespoon of softened ice cream between the two muffin halves.
3. Top with frosting, marshmallow cream or non-dairy topping.
4. Add a pinch of sprinkles or other edible decoration over the top.
5. Freeze for at least 1 hour before serving.

 

     Uncle Wally’s new Mini Muffin line includes: Ice-cream flavored Banana Split, Cookies & Cream, Chocolate Cookies & Cream, Orange Cream, Strawberry Shortcake and Party Cake Batter; The Original Cotton Candy Mini Muffin; Rich & Moist Blueberry Streusel, Banana Nut Streusel, Chocolate Chip Streusel, Lemon Poppy Streusel, Cinnamon Bun Streusel and Corn; we also have savory Sweet Country Corn mini muffins in Cheddar Cheese, Buttery Corn, Jalapeno and Cheddar, and Cheddar and Onion flavors.

Posted in Dessert Recipes, Holiday Recipes, Ice Cream Mini Muffins, Mini Muffins, Recipes, Snack-size muffins, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Holiday Recipe: Apple Cinnamon Bread Pudding

Posted on December 15, 2011 by Uncle Wally's

Holiday Bread Pudding RecipeIt’s almost as if Uncle Wally’s Apple Cinnamon Bread Pudding is two different holiday recipes:

By day, it’s a star of your holiday brunch. By night, it’s a centerpiece of your dessert table.

And no one would ever guess the secret ingredient to this simple, double-duty recipe is Uncle Wally’s Rich & Moist Apple Cinnamon Muffins! We figured that if these muffins are incredibly delicious on their own – with sweet chunks of apple and a warm cinnamon flavor – they would make a traditional bread pudding even more amazing. And we were right.

Ingredients

8 Uncle Wally’s Rich & Moist Apple Cinnamon Muffins
4 eggs
4 cups milk
½ cup sugar
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 ½ tsp. vanilla extract
½ cup raisins
1 Tbsp. sugar (to sprinkle on top)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

1. Beat eggs in large mixing bowl.
2. Add milk and sugar to the bowl, mixing well with a fork or whisk.
3. Stir in cinnamon, vanilla extract and raisins.
4. Break muffins into 1-inch chunks and fold them gently, but completely, into the liquid mixture.
5. Pour into 13×9 baking dish coated with cooking spray.
6. Let stand for 5 minutes, so muffins can absorb the liquid.
7. Sprinkle remaining sugar evenly over the top.
8. Bake for 1 hour, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
9. Let stand for at least 10 minutes before serving.

When serving for dessert, offer guests the option to top the Apple Cinnamon Bread Pudding with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream. This bread pudding is great as a leftover, cold or warmed, but it’s so good you can’t count on much being left over!

 

Have you tried Uncle Wally’s Triple Chocolate Trifle recipe? It’s an easy no-bake holiday dessert featuring Uncle Wally’s Rich & Moist Chocolate Chocolate Chip Muffins.

 

Posted in Dessert Recipes, Holiday Recipes, Recipes, Rich & Moist Muffins, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment