weight loss

There’s nothing like cooking healthy food. I do sometimes eat out, but I try to minimize that as much as possible. Traditionally cooking healthy food is the best route you can take. I kind of threw this together, as you can see, before I would take much more care when I cooked and took a lot longer. But sometimes taking a long time to cook can be a waste. What I mean is, there is a lot to work on during the day, first and foremost, I have to take care of my health. Therefore, eating the healthier route and cooking at home is the best way for me to go. #cooking #healthyfoodie #livehealthy #bestrong #simplethreeingredients #meal #can’tgetawayfrompop #barbecuedchicken #corn 🌽😊

About Zina

Zina Hermez has authored the Best-selling-book, Not Without God: A Story of Survival. Zina’s written several hundred articles and has taught thousands of students from all over the world from many different backgrounds and parts of the world. She’s appeared in Christianity Today, the Suite T blog, and the Southern Writers magazine among other places. Last August she created the “Writing Because I Can’t Not Write Group” meetings and workshops where aspiring and seasoned authors can network and learn together. Zina writes on faith, science, and overcoming adversity. She also likes to write about health and diet and loves to help others. Her latest book, Not Without God: Hope In the Storm was published last year.

Culinary

Here’s a health trick!🍃

June 28, 2023June 28, 2023 Zina Hermez

Want to know how to increase your iron if it’s low? Here’s a health trick. Add a little side of spinach to ANY meal, that’s right, any meal! You are bound to get your iron levels up, especially if you do this every morning. You can add it to steak for dinner, eggs for breakfast, as I have here, or any other meal.

I can’t wait to dig in! Here I have two eggs, scrambled, with a few fresh turkey slices, as well as wheat bread and a nice warm cup of coffee.☕️ All cooked in extra virgin olive oil and spiced with some salt and pepper, of course.🫒😊👩‍🍳

About Zina

Culinary

Tonight’s healthy meal!🍃🥕🐥

September 14, 2022September 14, 2022 Zina Hermez

Today I made a single piece of chicken thigh. Yes, there’s fat on it. Don’t let the fat freak you out! You can see I surrounded it with veggies. A little healthy fat won’t kill you! It’s actually extremely healthy for you, contrary to popular belief. I seasoned it with thyme leaves, kosher salt, fresh ground black pepper, and a little table salt. I have about one to two cups of peas and carrots surrounding it. I also added a half cup of water to the bottom of the pan while cooking and added “butter” flavored cooking spray to the bottom also. I baked it at 400 F for about 40-45 minutes. Cooking times can vary. You’ll have to check on it. I used a cake pan to keep it all together.😀 Butter has health benefits, so does meat and veggies are low carbs!!! I drizzled extra virgin olive oil over the veggies along with a little salt and pepper. I also have a cup of rice sprinkled with mini cubed potatoes and curry seasoning on the side. It’s a mini version of my ‘karee,’ dish, in other words, my tomato beef stew sauce that I like to put over my rice. Of course, this is a cup of brown rice—to have optimal health! Total calories: a low 502 (and I didn’t finish all the chicken) but this is not including drinks or condiments.

About Zina

Zina Hermez has authored the best-selling book, Not Without God: A Story of Survival. She’s been featured in numerous articles, guest posts, podcasts, websites, newsletters, and magazines. She’s recently been featured on the Intuitive Edge podcast! She’s also been on ESPN’s “Solutions from the Huddle” broadcast and on Grace and Truth Radio World! Zina’s written several hundred articles and has taught thousands of students of all ages from many different backgrounds and cultures. She’s appeared in Christianity Today, the Suite T blog, and the Southern Writers magazine among other places. She writes on faith, science, and overcoming adversity. She also writes on health and diet and loves to help others. Her latest book, Not Without God: Hope In the Storm is live and for sale! You can order your copy here: https://www.amazon.com/Not-Without-God-Hope-Storm-ebook/dp/B09P9T2DLT

Culinary

Homemade Whole Wheat Raisin Cookies!🍪👩‍🍳❤️‍🩹

September 3, 2022September 3, 2022 Zina Hermez

Last night I made some yummy cookies. As you know, wheat is a much better alternative to white. Wheat bread and wheat rice are better for you in terms of balancing blood sugar. If you’re going to have a grain, it should be wheat or a darker color, such as Rye. Rye bread also is rich in B vitamins (1, 2, and 3).

I will post some pictures below. I also want to share the recipe in case anyone would like to make them. They came out to 25 cookies all together. What’s great about making a large batch of cookies is you can refrigerate them for up to 1 week and then freeze what you have not consumed for 1-3 months.. I like to put each cookie in its own plastic baggy.

Ingredients:

3/4-1cup of unsalted OR salted butter, and partially melt the butter in a pan

1/4 cup of white sugar

1/2 cup of packed brown sugar

2 eggs

3 1/2 to 4 1/2 cups of Whole Wheat flour (all purpose flour)

3/4-1 cup of raisins (I used mixed raisins of different kinds)

1/2 tspn of vanilla extract

1/2 tspn salt

1/2 tspn baking soda

AND, this recipe is so easy. STEP 1: basically MIX all ingredients together (in no particular order!). It is fun. Now, there may be excess flour that doesn’t want to mix in. So you will have to add about 1/2 cup to a full cup of water, a little at a time, to smoothen the mixture out.

You want the mixture to have a dough like form but to be smooth enough to scoop onto a cookie sheet. Use parchment paper for best results. Scrape up all the excess flour. You can scoop with a tablespoon, and set the cookies about 1-2 inches apart.

This should come out to 20-25 cookies.

Voila! You have Whole Wheat Raisin cookies! By the way, chopped walnuts would be great to add too but are not necessary. It’s optional. Some people like to add 1 cup of uncooked cooking oats. Oats are also great for helping to regulate blood sugar!

Bake at 375-400 F. You may have to go back and forth between the temperature. Check on them every 2 minutes. They only need 10-12 minutes. But cooking times will vary. When the outer rims are golden they are done. But don’t burn! Once you leave them to sit for at least an hour, they will continue to form.

Enjoy!🍪🍪👩‍🍳

About Zina

Zina Hermez has authored the best-selling book, Not Without God: A Story of Survival. She’s been featured in numerous articles, guest posts, podcasts, websites, newsletters, and magazines. She’s recently been featured on the Intuitive Edge podcast! She’s also been on ESPN’s “Solutions from the Huddle” broadcast and on Grace and Truth Radio World! Zina’s written several hundred articles and has taught thousands of students of all ages from many different backgrounds and cultures. She’s appeared in Christianity Today, the Suite T blog, and the Southern Writers magazine among other places. She writes on faith, science, and overcoming adversity. She also writes on health and diet and loves to help others. Her latest book, Not Without God: Hope In the Storm is live and for sale! You can order your copy here: https://www.amazon.com/Not-Without-God-Hope-Storm-ebook/dp/B09P9T2DLT

Culinary

“Food-Network inspired Oven roasted chicken!”🐤🧅🥔🥑🌱🫒

August 31, 2022August 31, 2022 Zina Hermez

Tonight’s #dinner was fabulous, and I want to post it before I forget my recipe in case anyone wants to try it! It’s a Food Network-inspired #oven #roasted #chicken and I added a lot to it!🐤😀 First, I cut up my #veggies. I chopped two #potatoes, one onion, an #avocado, and a #lemon 🥔🥔🧅🍋🥑. Then, I put each to the side on their plates. I rinsed off my whole #chicken (it was a fresh young chicken, 5 pounds). Then I #rinsed it quickly on the inside and don’t forget to move anything excess or inside the chicken. Then I placed the chicken on the oven-safe plate. I melted two tablespoons, no more than 1/4 cup of #saltedbutter. After that, I added one tablespoon of #thymeleaves to the butter. Do not completely #melt the #butter 🧈 Then add the thyme leaves (1 tbsp) to the butter. You need a brush to dress the chicken. After that dash the chicken with #koshersalt and #blackpepper. Then, make sure to add cooking spray to your oven-safe plate under the chicken, or you can grease the bottom of the plate with butter if you have no #cooking spray. Add one or two cups of #water to the plate, so the chicken sits in a little water. You don’t want it sticking to the plate during the cooking process. After that, design your cut-up veggies all around. After that, I like to drizzle the whole thing with #extravirginoliveoil 🫒 but it’s not completely necessary. I also like to dash again but this time with table salt. Finally, squeeze part of the #lemon over it to give it that #zesty taste🍋🍋🍋. Yummy! You have chicken, lemon, thyme, potatoes, an onion AND an avocado! What more could you want?👩‍🍳😃🧅🥑🥔🌱 Cook at 400-425F for up to one hour. Cooking times will vary. Check on it every five to ten minutes. If the top starts to burn, you want to lower the temperature, and spice it with a little more salt (do not over salt!) you can always add more after it’s done. But if you make something too salty you can’t fix it. #Under-salting is always best! The kosher salt is really rich and works its way into it nicely so you don’t need much. Check on it every five to ten minutes, again, but mine didn’t need one whole hour. Your thermometer should read at least 160 F. Voila! It’s done!🥑🥔🌱🧈🍋🧅🐤

About Zina

Culinary

The importance of fasting for health ⚕️☕️👩‍⚕️

August 24, 2022August 24, 2022 Zina Hermez

You need to cut 500-1,000 calories per day to lose weight and it would average one or more pounds a week. It averages at least a few pounds of weight loss per week, actually! I know because I’ve done it before and was on a losing weight streak for months! I’m going back to my intermittent fasting plan again. I’m good with eating meat so that keeps my calorie intake in check because you naturally burn meat calories off—but I need to go back to fasting after 6:30 pm, anyway. It also gives your body a break, insulin rises every time you eat. So here I’m having a ‘honey vanilla chamomile tea.’ It is next to 0 calories and so yummy!☕️ The nice thing about intermittent fasting is you can still have black coffee, sugarless tea, and water in the evening to curb your appetite. It works! #intermittentfasting #tea #healthylifestyle #redmeat #diet #health #mediterranean #paleo #fastingforhealth

About Zina

Culinary

A healthy breakfast meal 🍳🥩🥖☕️

August 22, 2022August 22, 2022 Zina Hermez

The benefits of #redmeat and #eggs for #health is priceless and I can’t emphasize it enough. The vital #nutrients your #body needs are contained in these two foods. Don’t get me wrong: #vegetables (and other low carbs) are helpful. #fruit can be beneficial (yet, quite sugary at times), nonetheless, no matter how many fruits and vegetables you decide to eat, red meat and eggs are still the #best. You can have 5,000 eggs and it will not harm you. Dietary #cholesterol does not affect cholesterol levels in your #heart And the #protein contained in #eggs is valuable. The #vitamins #nutrients and #iron contained in red meat is vital. It’s not that you can’t get your source of #protein any other way. But it’s so easy with eggs and meat. Think #paleo #diet Think caveman days. Think to when there was no such thing as #organic or #lowfat or 2 % #milk , or fat free. Think real #food That is what will keep you #healthy and strong. Here we have two #kofta pieces: 222 calories. Two eggs (large) 160 calories. A half of WHEAT bread:🥖 102 cal. And coffee cup ☕️ 67 cal. w/cream and sugar (8 oz). Total: 551 calories (probably less!).

About Zina

Culinary

Ka’ree recipe and images! #tomatobeefstew #withcurry🥩🍅🥔🧅

August 9, 2022August 9, 2022 Zina Hermez

Yesterday night I made Ka’ree, a very traditional meal. The best way I can describe Ka’ree is it’s a tomato (beef or chicken) stew to which some spices and veggies are added. When I was younger, my mom made this type of ethnic dish, (beef stew) around once to twice a week. One of my favorites has always been Ka’ree. I love the deliciousness of the curry, the hidden spice in the potato and what it adds to the tomato sauce, as well as the tender beef (or chicken) that shreds into the heated stew.

Ingredients

0.75-1lb chuck roast or chuck beef steak or chicken

4-5 large potatoes

an onion, medium-large sized (chopped)

6oz tomato paste

15oz tomato sauce

4-6 cups of water (for sauce)

2-3 tbsp of curry spice

1 tbsp vinegar

2 tbsns lemon juice

1 tspn dried lime (or Noomi Basra)–this is optional

1 tbsp oil

Kosher salt or table salt (I like to use a little of both!)–1 – 2 teaspoons

Black pepper–1-2 teaspoons is fine

chopped garlic cloves (no more than 2-3 chopped cloves, or it may be too hott)

2-4 cups cooked brown rice or long grain wild rice (I steer clear of white)!

First, you cook the meat: Cut the meat into cubes ( I used beef chuck steak) and you set it aside. I also used extra virgin olive oil (2 tbspns) and dashed the meat with Kosher salt and ground pepper to cook.

Oh, I also included the chopped garlic cloves before I started cooking!🧄

Voila! Should take no longer than 15-20 minutes. Make sure meat is tender (heat on high) you can add water.

After you’re done cooking set the meat aside. Now, use the same pan to carmelize the onions. Just cook them in an additional tblspn of extra virgin olive oil (classic olive oil is ok too) until they turn slightly brown. Try not to use vegetable oil; not the healthiest choice by far.

Cooking time to slightly carmelize onions should be no more than 5-10 minutes!

Next you add the curry (2-3 tbspns), salt, pepper, and tomato paste TO THE ONION MIX. Use the same pot (use a big one). The stew will eventually rise. AFTER you add the curry, 6 oz. tomato paste and 1-2 tspns of salt and pepper (each) to the pot, the pot will start to burn a little. The ingredients will brown. That is OK. It’s normal. See below.

You can see that once I added the tomato paste, curry, salt and pepper I mixed them together some (you can just add a dash of salt and pepper). After this you have to add the tblspn of vinegar. Be careful. It will smoke. Also have all ingredients ready to go at this point you have to work fast. As soon as the vinegar makes this mixture bubble, add the TOMATO SAUCE, 15 oz. can. This will stop the splash from the vinegar!🥫

Here I have added the tomato sauce and 4 cups of water. No more splash keep heat on high here.

Finally, add the potatoes and beef to combine all together. Add everything slowly, the water, little by little, gently add beef and potatoes. Combine all together.

You can even add an additional 2-4 cups of water depending on how much stew you want to have. You can use more salt and pepper. Table salt is fine to use at this point. I used kosher salt when I cooked the meat. Spice it how you would like, but don’t make it too salty. Keep in mind if it is under salted you can always add more later. You don’t want to use too much salt and ruin all your hard work!

Keep on high throughout let it come to a boil. Than reduce heat to medium high. Cover with a lid. Let it cook at least twenty minutes. Stir in between. Check on it. Once the potatoes are tender the stew is done. This can take anywhere from 40 min.-1 hr. You have to check on it regularly. Stir. Take a potato out, cut it with a fork, see if it’s tender (cooked), taste it, spice a little! Lol You get the idea. Be safe. And prepared. 🍅🥩🥔🧅🍛🧄

Oops… and I almost forgot—don’t forget to cook the rice! Ka’ree is put over a bed of rice. Here I have cooked 4 cups of brown rice.🍚🌾 And below is also a photo of the finished product! Have fun! There will be lots of leftover!😄

About Zina

Zina Hermez has authored the best-selling book, Not Without God: A Story of Survival. She’s been featured in numerous articles, guest posts, podcasts, websites, newsletters, and magazines. She’s recently been featured on the Intuitive Edge podcast! She’s also been on ESPN’s “Solutions from the Huddle” broadcast and on Grace and Truth Radio World! Zina’s written several hundred articles and has taught thousands of students of all ages from many different backgrounds and cultures. She’s appeared in Christianity Today, the Suite T blog, and the Southern Writers magazine among other places. She writes on faith, science, and overcoming adversity. She also writes on health and diet and loves to help others. Her latest book, Not Without God: Hope In the Storm is live and for sale! You can order your copy here: https://www.amazon.com/Not-Without-God-Hope-Storm-ebook/dp/B09P9T2DLT

Culinary

Whole Wheat Flour Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookies!🍪🍪👩‍🍳

August 5, 2022August 5, 2022 Zina Hermez

Yesterday night I made homemade whole wheat chocolate chip walnut cookies and they are sooo delicious! Yumm! Since whole wheat is a much better alternative to white flour, I would like to share my recipe to put a health spin on baking. The next time you make homemade cookies, you may want to try whole wheat flour yourselves! It is better for you than white flour. 🍪🍪☕️

This recipe calls for:

3 cups of whole wheat flour

2 tspns baking soda

16 tablespoons cold unsalted butter

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup white granulated sugar (optional)

3/4 tspn salt

2 eggs

2 tspns vanilla extract

8 ounces of chocolate chips

2 cups crushed walnuts

First, you whisk together the flour, baking soda and salt. Put in a bowl. In a separate bowl, mix together the butter, sugar(s), eggs, and vanilla, and these don’t need to be too well blended just combine. Oops, don’t forget to add the walnuts and chocolate chips also!

Then, add the flour mix from the separate bowl. Now that all ingredients are in one bowl, use a wooden or regular spoon to combine and mix them together.

The mixture may seem a little dough like and hard to combine at first. Here’s the trick: add up to a half cup of water (as much as needed but not too much!) to moisten the combination of all the ingredients. Use your hand to knead. Put the mixture into cookie dough form.

You can even add extra flour and extra water to the combo mix to make more cookies. I added 2-3 cups extra flour and a little more water! It came out to 43 cookies!

Scoop the cookie dough (1-2 tablespoon sizes) onto oven trays covered with parchment paper, and bake for 8-10 minutes at 350 F. Then move the trays around to rotate cookies, bake for an additional 8-10 minutes. The edges should be golden brown!🍪👩‍🍳

Then let them cool on oven racks for at least an hour. Refrigerate. You can even freeze them for up to a month!🍪☕️🌰

About Zina

Zina Hermez has authored the best-selling book, Not Without God: A Story of Survival. She’s been featured in numerous articles, guest posts, podcasts, websites, newsletters, and magazines. She’s recently been featured on the Intuitive Edge podcast! She’s also been on ESPN’s “Solutions from the Huddle” broadcast and on Grace and Truth Radio World! Zina’s written several hundred articles and has taught thousands of students of all ages from many different backgrounds and cultures. She’s appeared in Christianity Today, the Suite T blog, and the Southern Writers magazine among other places. She writes on faith, science, and overcoming adversity. She also writes on health and diet and loves to help others. Her latest book, Not Without God: Hope In the Storm is live and for sale! You can order your copy here: https://www.amazon.com/Not-Without-God-Hope-Storm-ebook/dp/B09P9T2DLT

Culinary

Red meat for health 🥩⚕️🧅🌾

July 24, 2022July 24, 2022 Zina Hermez

Did you know that eating meat promotes a healthy lifestyle? When you eat lots of protein, you’re able to burn off 20-25% of it, and you don’t even need to exercise! As a matter of fact, you can live a sedentary life and still lose weight as long as you eat right! Do not fear red meat. I tend to follow a paleo and Mediterranean-style diet. Think back to the caveman, obesity did not exist during their time. We didn’t have the faulty guidelines we go by now. Vegetable oil packaged foods are not good for you, six grains per day (as recommended on the USDA food pyramid is not good for you), and fruits are not healthy and okay in abundance because they grow on plants and trees. They contain a lot of sugar. Did you know that in NY City you cannot send your child to school with whole milk? Did you know that they’re given pizza and donuts, though? Saturated fat is not all bad and doesn’t cause heart disease. Therefore, red meat, even bacon, is OK. I have lost around thirty pounds since last year in November. When I first started I was on a strict diet—eating only 1,200-1,300 low calories per day. Now I’m eating up to 1,800-1,900 calories and still maintaining the same weight! And it is not because of more exercise! I make sure to get in meat at least one 4-6 ounces two times per day with a side of veggies. I have two eggs for breakfast every morning. I still get in some sugar and snack (within limits). Eating protein each day once to three times per day promotes health. The nutrients in red meat are vital for me. Iron, B1, B12, Vitamin D, and other nutrients are crucial. You can’t get them the same way anywhere else.🥩🥓🍗🍖

About Zina

Culinary

Homemade Whole Wheat Walnut Cake!🥮🌾🌰

July 20, 2022July 21, 2022 Zina Hermez

Baking has always been a favorite past time since I was a kid. At home they’d call me ‘Betty Crocker.’ As an adult I’ve grown more into the baking art and really enjoy embracing my ethnic side with the foods I make!🫒

They said it couldn’t be done, but I did it. Homemade wheat walnut cake from scratch! It’s never been done without white flour as far as I know. Mom was proud. I altered this traditional recipe to make it healthier. It is delicious! Even more delicious than the all-purpose flour version.

I have to be original and think of healthier methods. I hope I see posts from people in the future who have swapped the all purpose white or self rising flour for whole wheat cakes.

I altered the recipe a bit. Since it’s a foreign food, I was able to locate a few people who made this and one even attached a video. I didn’t follow the exact measurements. The better you get with baking the more you just know what to do.

Here is my own recipe:

It contains 3 and a 1/2 cups of whole wheat flour, 3 eggs, two teaspoons of baking powder, crushed walnuts (as many as you’d like :), a cup of whole milk, a cup and a half of sugar, a cup of butter, a tablespoon of vanilla extract, and I add a little water to make it more of a liquid form. You don’t want the cake mix to seem like dough. You are not making bread, you are making a cake. That’s why I add about a half cup or less of water. You basically mix them all together. I add a little extra flour (about a cup or two) to make two cakes each time. You can slice and freeze the cakes for up to a month. You bake at 350 F for a minimum of 30 minutes. Baking time can take up to an hour. Once your toothpick comes clean you’ll know it’s done.😊🥮☕️

Oh, and it might not be a bad idea to add about a 1/2 cup of vegetable oil into the mix.☺️ It will help the cake to keep that liquid form.

#wheat #wholewheatflour #diabeticfriendly #cake #betterthanwhite #assyrianchaldean #yummyfood #walnuts #tchai #tea #coffee #cake #mediterranean #style #foodie #conossieur 🥮☕️😀

About Zina

Culinary

Tabbouleh and Meat pies!🫓🌿🍋

July 18, 2022July 18, 2022 Zina Hermez

I made these wonderful meat “pizza” and tabbouleh pies yesterday! The taste was fantastic! I added a hint of citrus 🍋 to each one and combined with the parsley, tomatoes, yellow peppers and onions. Yummmmm! That’s all I have to say. I made the dough from scratch and enjoyed it! I also love to embrace my ethnic side! #mediterranean #health #food #foodie #paleo #keto #tabbouleh #diet #weightloss #healthnut #connossieur #food #traditional 🧅🌿🫑🥖🍅

About Zina

Culinary

Chicken Tikkas!🌶🍡🐤🧅

July 13, 2022July 13, 2022 Zina Hermez

It’s what’s on the menu! Healthy! It’s Mediterranean! Paleo! Keto! And everything healthy you can think of. Downfall: the starchy potatoes.🥔 Nonetheless, still a very balanced meal. Here’s a secret: I didn’t have skewers so I substituted them with toothpicks! Very lightly salted with some pepper. Cooked chicken in extra virgin olive oil.🫒 Also a diabetic-friendly meal!⚕️

Zina Hermez has authored the best-selling book, Not Without God: A Story of Survival. She’s been featured in numerous articles, guest posts, podcasts, websites, newsletters, and magazines. She’s just been featured on the Intuitive Edge podcast! She’s also been on ESPN’s “Solutions from the Huddle” broadcast and on Grace and Truth Radio World! Zina’s written several hundred articles and has taught thousands of students from all over the world from many different backgrounds and cultures. She’s appeared in Christianity Today, the Suite T blog, and the Southern Writers magazine among other places. She writes on faith, science, and overcoming adversity. She also writes on health and diet and loves to help others. Her latest book, Not Without God: Hope In the Storm is live and for sale! You can order your copy here: https://www.amazon.com/Not-Without-God-Hope-Storm-ebook/dp/B09P9T2DLT

Culinary

Happy Forth! Eat well!🌟🇺🇸🌱

July 4, 2022July 4, 2022 Zina Hermez

Happy Fourth of July!☄️ There is a war in America. It’s a war on food. This was my breakfast today. We are taught to not eat animal products and that vegetarianism or being a vegan is healthier! Simply not true. No evidence supports the idea that eggs, cheese, or red meat cause cancer or even heart disease; on the contrary, people who gravitate towards ‘low fat,’ no sugar, sugar-free, low protein, and more of a plant-based diet have been proven to get sicker. High fructose corn syrup is widely used; and it’s even worse than sugar. Sugar is ok in moderation, in my opinion. Too much of anything is not good. Mostly all processed food contains high fructose corn syrup. Vegetable oil is another item widely used that’s not good for you. I only use extra virgin olive oil unless I’m making a cake mix that calls for vegetable oil. I don’t eat out at restaurants much. The way food is cooked in most restaurants is with vegetable-heated oils and not healthy for you. My idea is to reduce carbs (I’m in a constant struggle with myself to stay away from snacks, but I do snack a little!). Again, we have to find that balance. The point is, when you gravitate more towards protein/nutrients in healthy ‘fat’ through meat/poultry/fish, etc. you eat less because your body feels fuller. There is iron, B1, B12, and a whole bunch of other vitamins in meats. It’s incredibly healthy! You can even turn around diabetes. The other thing I do is fast more in the nighttime hours. I eat very little and do not eat dinner late at night.

About Zina

Zina Hermez has authored the best-selling book, Not Without God: A Story of Survival. She’s been featured in numerous articles, guest posts, podcasts, websites, newsletters, and magazines. She’s just been featured on the Intuitive Edge podcast! She’s also been on ESPN’s “Solutions from the Huddle” broadcast and on Grace and Truth Radio World! Zina’s written several hundred articles and has taught thousands of students from all over the world from many different backgrounds and cultures. She’s appeared in Christianity Today, the Suite T blog, and the Southern Writers magazine among other places. She writes on faith, science, and overcoming adversity. She also writes on health and diet and loves to help others. Her latest book, Not Without God: Hope In the Storm is live and for sale! You can order your copy here: https://www.amazon.com/Not-Without-God-Hope-Storm-ebook/dp/B09P9T2DLT

Culinary

Mornin’ Breakfast☀️🍳

June 22, 2022June 22, 2022 Zina Hermez

Heart-shaped eggs w/kuftas and a side of cut up potatoes and onions!

Breakfast should be nutritious and good for you. I have two eggs for breakfast just about every morning because of the benefits of the eggs and the protein. This morning I made heart shaped eggs.💕🥚 The nutrition is priceless. Do away with the myth that the egg yolk is bad for you. The yellow yolk is not bad; on the contrary, it provides a variety of benefits. There is no evidence that dietary cholesterol raises blood level cholesterol. Animal products can be really good for you. Red meat (beef) does not cause inflammation; red meat reduces disease because it has a variety of benefits including iron and B1, B12, and B16 vitamins. Therefore, I made these amazing little “kuftas” on the side, and each one is only 67 calories. They were spiced to perfection and yummy. I also had my low carb side of veggies (mixed with a little extra virgin olive oil), and lightly salted with pepper.🥔🧅 With a cup of coffee, today’s breakfast was delicious!☕️

About Zina

Zina Hermez has authored the best-selling book, Not Without God: A Story of Survival. She’s been featured in numerous articles, guest posts, podcasts, websites, newsletters, and magazines. She’s just been featured on the Intuitive Edge podcast! She’s also been on ESPN’s “Solutions from the Huddle” broadcast and on Grace and Truth Radio World! Zina’s written several hundred articles and has taught thousands of students from all over the world from many different backgrounds and cultures. She’s appeared in Christianity Today, the Suite T blog, and the Southern Writers magazine among other places. She writes on faith, science, and overcoming adversity. She also writes on health and diet and loves to help others. Her latest book, Not Without God: Hope In the Storm is live and for sale! You can order your copy here: https://www.amazon.com/Not-Without-God-Hope-Storm-ebook/dp/B09P9T2DLT

Culinary

Super Healthy Dinner!🥕🥖🐤

June 20, 2022August 14, 2022 Zina Hermez

Today I’m in charge in the kitchen. So you know what that means, there will be a ‘meat’ of some sort with colorful veggies. Oh, and here’s a tip: use ketchup instead of any white creamy stuff (such as Ranch, etc.). Ketchup is so much lighter in calories. I’ll admit, I did accompany this healthy meal with a small coke (90 calories only). No matter how healthy I eat and no matter how much I strive to make more of my meals—a little side of coke each day is something I can’t give up! And I will admit, I do enjoy a little dessert often. I also added a slice of American cheese to that loaf of wheat bread, 80 calories. Cheese is actually healthy to snack on. All in all, I will “guesstimate” this meal is at about 490 calories, and that is not too bad at all with a healthy balanced breakfast. I’m working to maintain 1,440 calories or less per day. With a healthy meal like this I should be OK.👍 #mediterranean #paleo #keto #diet #health #foodie #healthyfood

Side note: proteins such as meat/poultry/fish help you feel fuller and eating earlier in the day curbs your appetite so you eat much less in the evening hours.😊 #intermittentfasting #16:8 #fastingforhealth #diet #weightloss

About Zina

Zina Hermez has authored the best-selling book, Not Without God: A Story of Survival. She’s been featured in numerous articles, guest posts, podcasts, websites, newsletters, and magazines. She’s just been featured on the popular, Intuitive Edge podcast! She’s also been on ESPN’s “Solutions from the Huddle” broadcast and on Grace and Truth Radio World! Zina’s written several hundred articles and has taught thousands of students from all over the world from many different backgrounds and cultures. She’s appeared in Christianity Today, the Suite T blog, and the Southern Writers magazine among other places. She writes on faith, science, and overcoming adversity. She also writes on health and diet and loves to help others. Her latest book, Not Without God: Hope In the Storm is live and for sale! You can order your copy here: https://www.amazon.com/Not-Without-God-Hope-Storm-ebook/dp/B09P9T2DLT

Culinary

It’s what’s for dinner!🥩🌽🌾

May 29, 2022May 29, 2022 Zina Hermez

The steak and sides turned out fantastic! First I rubbed both sides with a dash of kosher salt and ground pepper. Then I pan-seared using 1-2 tablespoons of heated olive oil along with a tablespoon of unsalted butter. I flipped the steaks(s) every 3-5 minutes until well cooked. Note: I also added a half cup of water to keep the steak moist and prevent it from burning to the bottom of the pan. Then I moved over the steaks and put them on to the oven-safe plate and added the just rinsed frozen vegetables. I spilled the veggies over the steak in the oven safe. I first coated the plate safely with non-stick cooking spray. Again, I added a cup of water to the bottom of the oven safe. I cooked at 400-425 F for 25-35 minutes and then used a thermometer (steak has to be cooked to at least 145 F) to ensure they are cooked. I even splashed with a hint of wine and added barbecue sauce. I accompanied with brown rice and the veggies. Yummy! This was so delicious!

About Zina

Zina Hermez has authored the best selling book, Not Without God: A Story of Survival. She’s been featured in numerous articles, guest posts, podcasts, websites, newsletters, and magazines. She’s just been featured on the well-known and popular, Intuitive Edge podcast! She’s also been featured on ESPN’s ‘Solutions from the Huddle’ broadcast and on Grace and Truth Radio World! Zina’s written several hundred articles and has taught thousands of students from all over the world from many different backgrounds and cultures. She’s appeared in Christianity Today, the Suite T blog, and the Southern Writers magazine among other places. She writes on faith, science, and overcoming adversity. She also writes on health and diet and loves to help others. Her latest book, Not Without God: Hope In the Storm is live and for sale! You can order your copy here: https://www.amazon.com/Not-Without-God-Hope-Storm-ebook/dp/B09P9T2DLT

Culinary

Zina’s Healthy Tips to Maximize Health⚕️

April 10, 2022 Zina Hermez

I’m not too sure how I feel about this bandana, thoughts? Anyway, you may get tired of my posts about food and diet lately. As some of you know, recently I created the page, “Zina’s Healthy Tips to Maximize Health.” https://www.facebook.com/Zinas-Healthy-Tips-to-Maximize-Health-112061191416124/ If you haven’t liked it already, I would greatly appreciate it if you do. The cover photo is a picture of my beloved father, I dedicated it to him. He lived to be 87 years old through wonderful doctors and medicine. He didn’t always make the healthiest choices, but one thing I distinguishably remember about dad is he had eggs for breakfast every morning typically with sausage. He would eat cold Turkey often and raw tomatoes. He’d at times eat liver from an animal or even tongue from a sheep (yuck!). He wasn’t the greatest cook and left that to mom. But when he did eat or prepare something himself, it was always ‘real’ food.’ I remember ordering pizza one time and him and mom yelling at me and saying, ‘What’s that?’ Cheese with bread.😂😂😂. I also created this page to celebrate not only food but life. I have had my share of surgeries and health challenges in my life because I suffered a spinal cord injury at just sixteen years old from a vehicular related accident. During one health crisis, I tried to become a vegetarian and didn’t eat meat for three months, but that was not the cure. I also considered doing the very difficult ‘Daniel fast.’ And was not able to do it at that time. Nonetheless, I’m feeling better, so much better, and have been studying food for months. In the last several months I’ve dropped more than 25-30 pounds, so I want to share with the world what I’ve learned. The number one cause for disease is food. When you don’t eat right it can cause inflammation and an array of other issues. I am also happy to announce that I have hopes for writing a third book, but this time it will be a healthy cook book. I’d appreciate all your support as I continue to go through this health journey. I can never fully cure my spinal cord injury, but I can choose to be as healthy as possible even though I have to live with it for the rest of my life. Blessings to all, Zina #Zina’sHealthyTipstoMaximizeHealth❤️

About Zina

Zina Hermez has authored the best selling book, Not Without God: A Story of Survival. She’s been featured in numerous articles, guest posts, podcasts, websites, newsletters, and magazines. She’s been featured on ESPN’s ‘Solutions from the Huddle’ broadcast and on Grace and Truth Radio World. Zina’s written more than 500 articles and has taught thousands of students from all over the world spanning many different backgrounds and cultures. She’s appeared in Christianity Today, the Suite T blog, and the Southern Writers magazine among other places. She writes on faith, science, and overcoming adversity. She also writes on health and diet and loves to help others. Her latest book, Not Without God: Hope In the Storm is live and for sale! You can order your copy here: https://www.amazon.com/Not-Without-God-Hope-Storm-ebook/dp/B09P9T2DLT

Culinary

The Importance of Fasting for Health!⚕️

March 30, 2022March 30, 2022 Zina Hermez

Intermittent fasting will get rid of any type of inflammation you have associated with -itis. Tendinitis, arthritis, colitis, etc. It will improve your skin, hair, nails, and organs. It increases fat burning and promotes anti aging. It is more effective than exercise! it helps with brain cells and improves cognitive function. It can kill cancer cells and reverse diabetes. The less you eat the better, and an 8 hour OR LESS window of eating would be ideal. I tend to do the 16:8. I eat during the hours of 10 to 6 and stop from 6pm and on. Giving me 16 hours of no food! Your body naturally goes into ketosis and stops burning carbohydrates for fuel. It will burn fat (it starts to burn it’s own fat), the right kind of fuel. Every time you eat you trigger insulin and the more times you eat in a day, the less chance you have of losing weight. Snacking is the worst thing you can do.:) I will attach Dr. Berg’s video. It just reinforces what I already knew. Intermittent fasting is the way to go! https://youtu.be/xF0OJh19Ubw

I had breakfast this morning and packed my lunch because I knew I’d be out. Here it is. Just to give you a sample of my ‘health meal.’🍅🐤🌾🍋 #brownrice #bakedchicken #tomatoes #lemon

About Zina

Zina Hermez has authored the best selling book, Not Without God: A Story of Survival. She’s been featured in numerous articles, guest posts, podcasts, websites, newsletters, and magazines. She’s been featured on ESPN’s ‘Solutions from the Huddle’ broadcast and on Grace and Truth Radio World. Zina’s written more than 500 articles and has taught thousands of students from all over the world spanning many different backgrounds and cultures. She’s appeared in Christianity Today, the Suite T blog, and the Southern Writers magazine among other places. She writes on faith, science, and overcoming adversity. She also writes on health and diet and loves to help others. Her latest book, Not Without God: Hope In the Storm is live and for sale! You can order your copy here: https://www.amazon.com/Not-Without-God-Hope-Storm-ebook/dp/B09P9T2DLT

Culinary

Hooray! At my weight goal (it feels dreamy)!🎊🎈💭

February 27, 2022 Zina Hermez

Hallelujah! I’ve been this low but it’s been a couple years. This scale looks different from this time last year. I’ve lost 30 pounds or more!!🎉🥳🎈I’m not short and carry muscle. It feels good to have slimmed down. I’m still going for ten more!

#weightloss #goals #healthylifestyle #fitnessmotivation #paleo #mediterraneanchallenge #diet #healthy-living #goingfortenmore 😃🙏🎊

Do I look happy?😁🥑

Now I can scratch that off my bucket list. I am going for ten more or maybe even 15! But I wont stop on this journey of eating great food for health.

I just created a Facebook health page, please visit it and like it as well: https://www.facebook.com/Zinas-Healthy-Tips-to-Maximize-Health-112061191416124/

I have created this page in honor of my beloved father, Yacoub Hermez. Rest in heaven, Babba! (Jul 01, 1932-Nov. 23, 2019)☦️⚛️

About Zina

Zina Hermez has authored the best selling book, Not Without God: A Story of Survival. She’s been featured in numerous articles, guest posts, podcasts, websites, newsletters, and magazines. She’s been featured on ESPN’s ‘Solutions from the Huddle’ broadcast and on Grace and Truth Radio World. Zina’s written more than 500 articles and has taught thousands of students from all over the world spanning many different backgrounds and cultures. She’s appeared in Christianity Today, the Suite T blog, and the Southern Writers magazine among other places. She writes on faith, science, and overcoming adversity. She also writes on health and diet and loves to help others. Her latest book, Not Without God: Hope In the Storm is live and for sale! Order your copy here: https://www.amazon.com/Not-Without-God-Hope-Storm-ebook/dp/B09P9T2DLT

Culinary

Today’s breakfast!🍳🍖🍞☕️

February 8, 2022 Zina Hermez

Its incredible how we are steered in the wrong direction when it comes to food in this country. For example, we are taught that red meat is not good for us. When the truth is just the opposite.

This morning I had ‘koftas’ with eggs for breakfast. The above info is the research I found when I googled ‘kofta.’ Here is a picture of the breakfast below:

This breakfast equaled a total of: 426 calories and that is not including the coffee I had with it. Each piece of kofta kabob is a total of 73 calories.

Recently I learned about about an author and science journalist who teaches heavily on this subject. Below is the link to her video. She is brilliant.

About Zina

Zina Hermez has authored the best selling book, Not Without God: A Story of Survival. She’s been featured in numerous articles, guest posts, podcasts, websites, newsletters, and magazines. She’s been featured on ESPN’s ‘Solutions from the Huddle’ broadcast and on Grace and Truth Radio World. Zina’s written 500 articles and has taught thousands of students from all over the world spanning many different backgrounds and cultures. She’s appeared in Christianity Today, the Suite T blog, and the Southern Writers magazine among other places. She writes on faith, science, and overcoming adversity. She also writes on health and diet and loves to help others. Her latest book, Not Without God: Hope In the Storm has just been released, on Jan 24! Order your copy here: https://www.amazon.com/Not-Without-God-Hope-Storm-ebook/dp/B09P9T2DLT

Quotes

Happy New Year’s Day!!🌟🎊💫

January 1, 2022 Zina Hermez

Happy New Year, friends! As I reflect back on last year it was tough. Definitely not the toughest. But it was in the ‘more difficult’ chapter of my life. Despite of that—I’ve achieved some major milestones. Finally putting my book, ‘Not Without God: Hope In the Storm’ up for pre-order sale feels wonderful! It will be released just before my birthday on Jan. 24.🎂🎉 I also achieved my weight loss goals. Losing around 25 or more pounds between late October to December has felt wonderful too. I am down to the weight I should be and didn’t even have to make a ‘New Year’s Resolution.’

I continue to live my life that consists much of writing, teaching, and caring for others while hoping the Lord continues to shed his light on my path! One favorite piece of advice a wonderful doctor of mine once gave is: ‘The body takes time to catch up to the mind!’ So keep in mind that whatever you have decided on, whether it is to get healthier or be more successful, your body will follow!

Here’s another verse I found that I like:

Often times I feel this. At times I feel I’ve exhausted all options, or like I am simply worn out. But when I ‘keep my eyes on him’ and ask for his guidance he leads me. Psalm 23 reads:

He leads me beside still waters…🌊 He restores my soul!

Lastly, I’d like to display some holiday treats I made yesterday for NYE!💕⛄️🎄🌟

Each cinammon role=140 calories.

About Zina

Zina Hermez has authored the best-selling book, Not Without God: A Story of Survival. She’s been featured in numerous articles, guest posts, podcasts, websites, newsletters, and magazines. Recently she was featured on ESPN’s ‘Solutions from the Huddle’ broadcast and on Grace and Truth Radio World. Zina’s written hundreds of articles and has taught thousands of students from all over the world spanning many different backgrounds and cultures. She’s appeared in Christianity Today, the Suite T blog, and Southern Writers magazine among other places. She writes on faith, science, and overcoming adversity. She is also a major foodie and loves to help others. Her latest book, Not Without God: Hope In the Storm will soon be released on Jan 24!

Culinary

The ‘Mediterranean Delight’

November 12, 2021 Zina Hermez

I started a 1,200 calorie per day plan accompanied with the Mediterranean Diet recently, and a friend suggested I call it the ‘Mediterranean Delight’ instead of a diet. I hate the word, ‘Diet.’ Lol On this plan you are allowed up to 4 proteins a day. A serving size is considered 3-4 oz. of meat, poultry, etc. and that is the size of a ‘deck of cards.’ I actually was having one egg every morning, but my doctor recommended two eggs for breakfast so this is about 1.5 scrambled eggs here. You are allowed 2 grains/bread per day each consisting of 100 calories, preferably dark (wheat) bread so I added this little bun. Finally, I added these delicious koftas which will put me at about two proteins so far between the eggs and meat. You can see I am having a warm cup of coffee with limited cream and sugar. Obviously, I have not started on fruit servings and vegetables along with nuts, seeds, etc. If you are looking to lose a little weight, I recommend the Mediterranean Delight (diet). Search it on google for a complete guide of servings and how much of each food group you can have per day. You won’t regret it!

About Zina

Zina Hermez has authored the Best-selling book, Not Without God: A Story of Survival. She’s been featured in numerous articles, guest posts, podcasts, websites, newsletters, and magazines. She’s been featured on ESPN’s ‘Solutions from the Huddle’ broadcast and on Grace and Truth Radio World. Zina’s written hundreds of articles and has taught thousands of students. Additionally she’s appeared in Christianity Today, the Suite T blog, and Southern Writers magazine among other places. She writes on faith, science, and overcoming adversity. She is a major foodie and loves to help others. You can connect with her on Instagram, Facebook, Linked In, or Twitter.