Body Movin'

Exercise is the second half to losing weight besides eating well. I have made it a goal to exercise one hour a day for 6 days a week! I have found that I have a lot more energy and am a lot happier to! Exercise helps release endorphins that make you happy! It is a proven fact that people that exercise do not suffer from depression.

My favorite thing to do now that I am in Idaho and it is freezing outside is Just Dance 2 on the Wii. I know not everyone has a wii. It is important that you just get up and move every single day! A pedometer is a great way to lose weight. A pedometer counts your steps. to maintain your weight you need to take 10,000 steps every day, to lose weight you need to take at least 14,000 steps a day. This is great for the busy bodies that barely have time to breath between work, school, kids, activities and so on. Exercise is also manual labor, shoveling, vacuuming, folding laundry and so on! I do enjoy a nice hike or walk through the mountains or at my aunts ranch, it is nice to go out in nature and enjoy some fresh air and the beautiful scenery!

So whether it is walking, biking, hiking, dancing, or the gym, get out and shake what your mama gave you! For at least an hour a day, 6 days a week! 

Honey Ginger Carrots!

Oh my goodness. I tried these for the first time last night and I am converted! They are so delicious! Extra Virgin Olive Oil is one of the most beneficial cooking oils out there! It does have a stronger taste than your regular vegetable oil but I like the taste it brings to the food! Honey is also a natural sweetner, whenever possible it is better to substitute sugar with honey! Garlic helps lower cholesterol and ginger is a great all-natural healer for tummy aches and indigestion! Enjoy!

1 1/2 tablespoons honey

3 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 cloves garlic
1 lb baby carrots
1-1 1/2 tablespoons fresh ginger, finely minced

 

In a heavy bottom skillet (don't use non-stick for this recipe), heat 2 tablespoons of oil. Add baby carrots and saute over medium high heat, stirring often.When the carrots have become lightly browned, add salt, whole peeled garlic cloves and ginger. Continue to saute, watching that the carrots don't scorch but continue until they take on a roasted but not blacked color. Do not allow garlic to burn - once it has toasted, crush it into the oil with a fork, and push any remaining bits to the side of the pan away from the heat.
Stir in honey and remaining 1 tablespoon of oil, mixing until the carrots are coated. Season to taste with salt and pepper before serving.

Chicken Salad with Red Grapes and Toasted Pecans

I am not a fan of mayonnaise, but I love Chicken Salad. This recipe is one of my all time fav's! It is healthy and helps build up your metabolism!

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, boiled and cooled
1 cup halved grapes
1/3 cup chopped pecans, toasted
1/3 cup low-fat plain Greek yogurt
1/4 cup chopped celery
1 teaspoon honey
1 teaspoon cider vinegar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper

For 1 Sandwich
2 slices of whole-wheat sandwich bread
1 butterhead lettuce leaf

Use your fingers to shred the chicken into a large bowl. Add the grapes and pecans and toss gently to mix ingredients. In a small bowl, stir together the yogurt, celery, honey, vinegar, salt, and pepper. Pour the dressing over the chicken and toss to coat. Place 1/2 cup chicken salad on 1 slice of bread. Top with the lettuce leaf and other slice of bread. Cut in half and serve.

Per 1/2 cup of chicken salad 118.6 calories
Per sandwich 209.4 calories

Enjoy :)

I must say the plain non-fat Greek yogurt is one of my favorite condiments to have in my fridge. I use it to replace sour cream, mayonnaise, I use it to make salad dressings and I love it for breakfast with cinnamon and almonds!

Aqua...Does the Body Good

Swoosh....Swoosh....No that is not the sound of the ocean's waves crashing against the shore, it is the sound of all the water sloshing around in my stomach as I squirm in bed trying to get comfortable at night. You laugh,but I am sure you know the feeling.
Water is an essential part of living and everyone needs it! It is important to drink at least 8 cups of water a day. the is 64 ounces of water at least. I don't know about you but I never realized how little I drink in a day until I have made it a goal to get the 64 ounces in a day. I find it is ten o' clock at night and I have only drank half the ounces I need in the day so I hurry and chug 32 ounces right before bed, hence the sloshing of my stomach! Now add the goal of getting 64 ounces of water each day along with your food journal. Oh and remember it is better not to drink your allotted daily calories! 

Food Journal!

So today is my first day keeping a food journal. I have a little notebook and I am writing down everything I eat every day. For example this morning I had 1/2 cup of 2% milk which is 65 calories, I had 3/4 cup of my favorite cereal Fiber Ones Honey Squares which is 80 calories. By breakfast time I had drank 24 ounces of water. For a snack I had a pickle which was zero calories, you've got to love your vegetables! I had a handful of pine nuts which is about 150 calories. I had a wheat tortilla with one serving of ground beef and one tablespoon of grated cheddar cheese. Altogether it is a total of 440 calories. I find that writing it down holds you more accountable and makes you aware of when you are snacking. Before I grab something to eat I ask myself "do I really want to be writing this in my food journal?" I found a free calorie counter online as well, I would just google it and find what works best for you! Well this is the tip of the day, a food journal! Have at it!