GROW SOMETHING!

Plant a garden this spring, it won't take much, just your will, dirt and some seeds.

Get back to nature, back to understanding how our foods grow, how the earth consistently provides for us. Plant a vegetable or herb garden this spring and remind yourself of nature's gift of freshness.

 Gardening is a great way to bond with nature, reduce stress, and eat fresh.  

Vegetables like eggplant, sweet peppers, snap beans, okra, carrots, summer squash and tomatoes are great starters.

 Season your meals with herbs from your garden.  Rosemary, basil, oregano, thyme, sage, garlic, and onions will make your salads pop and lessen the need for salted seasonings.

Beginners can Google gardening tool needs online or visit your local Home Depot or Lowes gardening center for instructions and advice.  For those existing in urban areas with restricted space consider renting a plot, or joining a garden association. You can also begin the process by using flowering pots.

Some helpful tips:

1. Select an area to plant your garden and begin prepping soil. Avoid using weed killers and pull weeds with hands

2. Use natural compost on your soil before planting; this will reduce the need for fertilizers later on

3. Don’t crowd your seeds, allow sufficient space between them, this will allow seeds to grow better

4. Water before you plant and know how much water your seeds will need once planted. This information along with other gardening explanations can be found online

 Planting and harvesting time can be determined by accessing your state's harvesting calendar online.

 

Is it me or is my waistline expanding as fast as my ass is?

Growing into adulthood is an exciting experience. The realization that yes, I am a woman or a man now, is one most people find rewarding and others find challenging. Sometimes these challenges appear in the form of responsibilities while for others it could be the changes your body's experiencing. It is true that with age comes knowledge and understanding we certainly didn’t have in our youth, but expanding waistlines, buttocks and the ability to gain weight faster than we lose it are all a part of the package as well.

Most men and women between the ages of 28-55 experience similar concerns with their weight and there are no specific answers to why our buttocks spread, our jeans get tighter and the energy we once had to do all the things we love has turned into us having our meals on the sofa while reclining, or lying down after having a meal.

I am exaggerating, of course, but I do find that most men and women start experiencing changes they are not familiar with as soon as they hit the 30-year mark. It progresses and by the time you are 40 you are left wondering, “What the hay is going on here?”

It is obvious that our bodies change, and along with that change comes a change in our appetites and a change of the foods we love to eat. Personally I believe this is normal. We shed our

20-year old bodies for a more mature one and the process continues well into our 50’s and possibly further into our 60’s. I can’t speculate that far because I have yet to hear the complaints of that age group.

There are many reasons for the changes, but there are no specific solutions as to how to deal with them. We can listen to others’ suggestions and form our own conclusions, but the truth is, what works for me, may not work for you and vice versa. However, we can learn our bodies. We can begin to understand what makes us tick in a sense and find a healthy balance. As long as your weight gain is not affecting your health in a negative way, don’t stress too much about it. Stressing will only cause you to eat more and gain more weight.

Fighting weight gain during adulthood is winnable. Maintain a positive outlook and begin by:

Getting to know your body. Know what works for you and what doesn’t.

Understanding what you like versus what you need. We all have foods we like or love to eat, but as our bodies change those foods may no longer be the best choices for us. I’m not referring to just unhealthy foods such as chips and sweets alone. Maybe you now have to choose low-fat dairy instead of 2% or whole fat dairy. It could be that 1 cup of white rice should become ½ cup of brown rice. Certain foods provide many calories with few nutrients. Choosing a healthier alternative to something you are eating now could decrease the rate at which you gain weight.

Moving. Our metabolism slows with age and inactivity, as well as with muscle loss (a factor of aging). Being active and staying active throughout your adult life can help you maintain a healthy weight. An active lifestyle keeps us youthful, boosts our metabolism and builds muscle.

Staying fresh. Fresh foods provide more nutrients and less harmful additives and toxins (if you choose organic). Eat fresh fruits and vegetables daily. Stay hydrated and refreshed with at least 8 cups of water daily. Water replenishes fluids lost and keeps our blood flowing, as well as keep our skin clear and vibrant. 

"No one wears YOUR body as well as you do, wear it well."

Weight Loss Tips from Whole Body Nutrition!

The first step to successful weight loss is to be mentally ready. Losing weight is as mental as it is physical and knowing that you are ready to start the process is the first step.

Once you are ready to begin follow these simple steps to find success:

1. Eat consistently. It’s ideal to eat 3 meals a day but better to eat 6 small meals instead. A consistent eating schedule will prevent hunger and overeating. Eating regular meals will also prevent sluggish metabolism.

2. Drink more water. By now this is very cliché but we all know water is a vital component in our diets. It prevents dehydration which can lead to other problems, but it also keeps our bodies and skin healthy. Water with meals instead of juice or soda will help you cut back on total calorie intake.

 

3. Eat more fresh fruits and vegetables daily. They are low in calories, and loaded with important nutrients and antioxidants.

4. Avoid processed foods as often as possible. Process foods are higher in fats, sugars and sodium than freshly prepared foods are. Limiting process foods requires limiting canned foods, frozen meals, boxed or pre-prepared foods and even fast foods.

5. Exercise.  Exercising should be just as consistent as eating regular meals. Engaging in an activity that increases your heart rate 30 minutes a day 3-5 days a week will begin the process of weight loss.

Finally maintain a positive attitude and outlook, and view everyday as an opportunity to start new.

Wheat Berries

Just found out I like this food. Had it for the first time in a salad and it was delicious!

What are Wheat Berries?

Wheat berries are essentially unprocessed wheat kernels without the hull.  Pasta, flour and breads are all products of processed wheat berries. 

Wheat Berries are categorized as white or red, soft or hard. Either of the white or red variety can be found in soft or hard. The hard wheat berry has more gluten and takes longer to prepare than the soft kind.

Wheat berries can be cooked like rice eaten as a side dish or added to soups and salads for a nutty, flavorful whole grain dish. 1 cup of wheat berries yields about 300 calories and it’s loaded with fiber, protein and iron. Remember for any starch such as rice, flour, oats 1/2 cup cooked is considered 1 serving.

Wheat berries can also be soaked in water and sprouted this too can be added to salads. The sprouts are supposed to be a good source of the antioxidant vitamin E.

Where to get Wheat Berries

Wheat Berries can be found at natural food markets, health food stores or in the natural foods section at your local grocery store.

NOTE: white wheat berries are not refined; it’s the natural lightness of the grain that lends to its name.

For recipe ideas visit the foodnetwork.com, eatingwell.com, cooks.com or just Google search wheat berry recipes.

New Year, New You!

Did you make a resolution to eat better, and live better this year? If not what are you waiting for.

It’s a new year, re-invent a new you. Resolutions are great if we stick to them and see them through. New Year’s resolutions should always be simple, realistic and attainable. Let’s resolve to stick it out and see our resolutions through for 2011.

If your resolution is to lose weight, eat healthier, increase fiber or start a workout regiment start by establishing simple goals. For instance weight loss can begin with an increase in activity or healthier eating. Goals such planning a workout 3 days of the week on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays before or after work is a great start. Establishing days and time will help get you organized and keep you motivated. Healthier eating can begin with simple steps such as eating out less, taking a healthy lunch to work twice a week, adding a vegetable to at least one of your meals, snacking on fruits or limiting sugar intake by giving up sodas or replacing current whole calorie drinks with a low cal version.

Remember to stay focus and keep goals to a minimum until they have been mastered. Document your healthy new start in a journal. Outline 10 significant, realistic lifestyle changes you would like to achieve and set at least 2 goals to accomplish each change. Take at least a month to work on your goals; once you have integrated that change into your daily routine, you are now ready to move on to the next item on your list.

You can achieve a healthier lifestyle in 2011, by just remembering to never give up. Stay motivated; share your success and even your failures. Remain positive and surround yourself with positive individuals.

Exercising for your health and longevity

Do you exercise? If yes great, keep it up. If your answer is no then ask yourself “why not”?
Research has shown over and over again that a successful weight loss plan is one that incorporates exercising along with a modified diet. Exercising along with healthy eating is a more efficient and reliable way to lose and control your weight. Remember everything we eat contains calories and calories translate into energy for our bodies to use. Everything we do with our bodies require energy, if we are not using the energy food supplies for our bodies we are storing them as fat. Exercising is a great way to burn the excess calories we take in daily. If you are trying to lose weight start with your eating habits first. Begin taking note of what you are eating, how much you are eating and why you are eating the way you are. Once you begin to take note of your diet, the process of modification can begin. Maybe it’s as simple for you as limiting or removing sugary drinks including sodas from your diet, or eating smaller portions of starches, whatever it is begin that process then move into exercising. Though some studies show that weight loss can occur with either modification to unhealthy eating habits, or an increase in activities the experts all agree that the two concepts work better as a pair and results last longer.

Other benefits of exercising:
1. One of my favorite reasons to exercise is relieving stress. Exercising helps us feel better, and look better. When we feel better as individuals we have a more positive outlook and is therefore able to deal with stress a lot better. Limiting stress also limits eating for comfort.
2. Regular exercise helps reduce your risk for high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke. If you have high blood pressure exercising helps control and may even lower your blood pressure. Exercising improves your heart overall health and increase your heart working ability.
3. Exercising reduces fat, and can help to reduce and control the effects of type 2 diabetes.
4. Other benefits of exercising include increasing bones mass, treatment and prevention of back and joint pains and building strength and endurance.

Things to remember:
1. If you are already exercising make sure to switch up your routine. Our body easily becomes conditioned to routine activity. If you are walking a mile gage yourself, increase your pace and the number of miles you walk each week. Doing the same activity over and over again can cause you to stop the weight loss progress or slow it down. Continue to challenge yourself weekly or as it is fitting for you to do so.
2. Not yet working out thinking about it, start off slow. One of the easiest way to begin a regular exercise regiment is to do something you enjoy doing. It could be going for a 15 minute jog, walking for 30 minutes, dancing to your favorite songs as long as it gets your heart pumping and your breathing is increased it is physical activity.
3. To prevent injury start and end all workout with at least 10 minutes of stretching.

Exercising is one of the best ways to relieve stress, keep your heart healthy and lose weight. What are you waiting for? Get Moving!!

FATS: Part 2(The truth about low fat and fat free foods)

So I mentioned in my previous post how supermarkets and food makers are still marketing low fat and fat free items as a healthier alternative to higher fat products or foods with their natural fat content. If you are trying to lose weight and live a healthier lifestyle my advice would be to thread lightly when it comes to consuming products made with less calories because sugar or fat has been removed. Most whole foods should have some fat and some sugar in it. As I mentioned before fats are just as important in our diets as are protein and carbohydrates. The problem is usually the source of fat and how much we take in on a daily basis.

Low fat and fat free does not mean HEALTHY.

Fats are not bad for you, but fat free and low fat may be. The reason being we tend to over eat a particular food if we think it's healthier. When the whole concept of fat free diet came on the scene in the late 80s every one that wanted to lose weight jumped on the bandwagon. It was advertised to sound like as long as fat was missing the pounds would miraculously fall off. So we ate and ate only to find out years later that we were still indeed fat and gaining even more weight on top of what was already there. It happened because fats were replaced with sugars or as they like to call them carbohydrate additives. So instead of learning how to balance our daily food intake, we learned how to add more sugar to a diet that was already filled with refined carbohydrates (which is basically sugar in the form of a starch).

Next time you visit your local grocery store do a cross comparison. Compare the calorie content of a regular 8oz cup of yogurt to that of a fat free or low fat kind. Look at the ingredients, and the sugar contents. You will find that the two products are very similar in calorie content and that shouldn't be. Low fat or fat free should have a lot less calories than a regular cup of yogurt made with whole milk. That is not usually the case because the fat has been replaced with carbohydrates. Carbohydrates break down into sugar once digested and sugar amounts to calories. Empty calories. Another reason why these products are not the healthiest is, once you have altered a food you have also altered the nutrient content of that food. Removing fats from foods decrease the absorption of other nutrients. Nutrients like fat soluble vitamins, calcium and even protein all of which are important for proper functioning of our bodies systems.

Learn your foods, as consumers you should know what you are eating. One of the easiest ways to begin this process is to read food labels. Foods with all their natural ingredient and nutrients and have not been altered in any form are what we should all aim for.

FATS: Part 1

When it comes to healthy eating and the proper intake of fats the debate rages on. In the 90s the big trend was low fat and fat free and practically everyone trying to lose weight went for it. While browsing the supermarket the other day I realized that fat free and low fat items are still very prominent and are still being marketed to consumers as a healthier alternative to foods containing regular amounts of fats or higher fat content. Part one of this segment will focus on Fats and the importance of them in our diets. Part 2 will follow shortly and will focus on the truth about fat free and low fat foods.

Every thing we eat has some importance in our lives even FATS. It is when we are eating in excess that we encounter problems and ailments that debilitates us.
Fats are one of three nutrients used by the body as an energy source protein and carbohydrates are the other two. Fats are also important for the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins like vitamin A, D, E and K, and should comprise 20 to 30 percent of your daily dietary intake. Some health professionals will recommend as low as 10 to 15 percent.

What’s wrong with eating foods with its natural fat content? The answer is simple there is nothing wrong with eating foods that contain fats, but there is a problem with eating too many fats and eating too many of the wrong fats especially if you already have health problems associated with a high fat diet such as high cholesterol, heart disease and kidney disease among others. There are fats that are beneficial to your health and there are fats that are disadvantageous. For example trans-fats found in margarine, fast foods, deep fried and most process foods are said to raise total cholesterol and contribute to heart disease. Saturated fats found in dairy products, butter, heavy creams, meats and plant sources such as coconut and palm oil are high in cholesterol and can also contribute to heart disease.

Fats that are beneficial to your health are those found in foods such as coldwater fish, plant base oils that don’t thicken when cooled, nuts and seeds. Fats found in coldwater fish are known as Omega-3 fatty acids and they are prevalent in salmon, mackerel, herring flaxseeds and walnuts. Poly and Monounsaturated fats are two other fat source that offer health benefits and they are found in plant base oils such as olive oil, safflower oil, peanut oil, avocados, nuts and seeds. These fats promote heart health, and help maintain healthy cholesterol levels.

In your attempts to eat healthy you do not need to eliminate all fats from your diet. Use the healthier types in moderation along with a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

SUMMARY
Consume less than 10% of your fats from saturated fat sources and even less from trans-fat sources.
Keep total fat intake between 20 to 30% percent.
Try to consume less than 300mg of cholesterol daily (that’s about 1 and ½ egg scrambled)
Bake or grill meats instead of frying.
Choose healthy fats like olive oils, peanut oils and not plastic fats such as margarine
Limit dairy food intake to 3 servings daily (8oz of whole milk, 1oz cheese and a 8oz container of plain yogurt is approximately 3 servings and total 90.5mg of cholesterol for a whole day) lower if you choose the low fat versions of these foods.

Portion Size Vs. Serving Size

Portions and Servings can be confusing to the average person trying to change their eating habits and lose weight. On one hand the food pyramid says we should eat 6 servings(the same as 6oz) of carbohydrates(breads, rice, cereals, pasta etc) daily but it neglects to illustrate how much 6 servings actually is. A nutritionist will focus on how much is on your plate and tell you to eat smaller portions. A good nutritionist will demonstrate to you what an actual portion looks like. But, what if you have never seen the food pyramid or have never visited a nutritionist. How do you distinguish between a portion and a serving? The two terms are more similar than they are different because a portion is actually what makes up a serving. I will define both based on how they are used in relation to eating healthy.

A portion size is the amount of food that is on your plate. It is the amount of food that you will consume in one sitting.

A serving size is the recommended amount of food based on the food guide pyramid that you should consume throughout an entire day.

Both portions and servings help to determine how many calories, and nutrients, we consume daily and if followed properly portion sizes and serving sizes will help us maintain a healthy balanced diet.

Servings are easy to determine if we follow the food guide pyramid recommendations which can be found at www.mypyramid.gov. Once you know how many servings of a food you are to eat, knowing how much of that food takes some educating. The easiest way to figure out portions is to measure your foods. If you are unable to measure, knowing that 1/2 cup cooked rice, pasta, mash potato and hot cereals account for one serving of a starch (carbohydrate) can be beneficial. I often encourage clients to purchase measuring cups and begin measuring foods to get an idea of what a cup looks like or what a 1/2 cup looks like. Once you have the measurements down you can then begin to visualize and know when you have too much of one food or not enough of another on your plate.

Why Cook?

I saw an advertisement not too long ago with this same question. Why Cook? The advertisement was in reference to a web site that lists various restaurants in your town or city where you can order breakfast, lunch, or dinner instead of cooking. My first thought was "WOW" how clever. My second thought was wow how convenient. But, restaurants are in the business of making money and having convenient, delicious, unhealthy foods available to you at a low cost make them money because we are not doing exactly that cooking?

Our lives are consumed with meetings, football practice, homework and such it’s a wonder we find time to eat. However, we do eat and most of the time we are eating what someone else has prepared for us. So, here you have a business idea ready to capitalize on our inability to plan and manage our time well enough so that at least 12 of our meals a week are being prepared by us. Think about it. How many meals do you actually prepare and consume at home. With 7 days in week and 3 meals a day we should all say 21 right? Truth is most will say 5. Sometimes breakfasts or dinners are the only meals being prepared at home. So I thought why cook? How do you convince someone who has a busy life like myself to cook?

My advice would be; cook because it gives you more control. Control over what goes into your foods, how your foods are prepared and ultimately control over what you are eating. It is one of the first steps needed to achieve a healthier lifestyle.

If you cannot cook, learn how. The Internet is an amazing tool we all should have access to in our homes, start there. Learn simple easy recipes online; gather recipes and preparation ideas from moms, aunts, and dads, friend’s even co-workers. Cooking should be an experience and most of us learn how to cook by experiment. I had a girlfriend in college who had no idea how to heat oil. No longer at home with mom and no longer on the college meal plan she had to learn how to feed herself. She did so by experimenting, putting different flavors together and inquiring with friends who knew how to cook. Today my friend is a great cook. Remember if you start off learning how to cook healthy meals then eating healthy won't take much of an effort.

Before we give into convenience we should always assess the benefits of doing what is not considered convenient, especially when it is relating to our health. Happy cooking everyone!!

(have a healthy recipe idea, share them here)

"Spring" Into A Healthier You!!

Don't forget to spring clean your cupboards, and your fridge!!
AAAAAHHHHHHH spring is fast approaching and many of us will be doing just that spring-cleaning. I love spring!!! Spring is the time of year where we start getting ready for bikini season. It is typical for us to start eating less, eating healthier and exercising more around this time of the year. I often get a new sense of freedom when spring comes. Leaves are returning to the trees, I can now drink cold beverages like healthy shakes, homemade ice teas and lemonade. I can also eat lighter. No more cravings for comfort foods, warming, thick rich foods. Though yummy they tend to pack on the pounds a lot faster than a crispy fresh salad do. So in our preparation for spring lets remember a few things. Spring-cleaning should apply to the foods you have available in your home that is not beneficial to your health.

This spring lets rid our cupboards of the salty snack, the salted seasonings, and all sugary foods and beverages that well, have more calories than they do nutrients. Pack all the unnecessary, unhealthy foods that you house in your pantries and take them to a shelter, or a soup kitchen that feeds the homeless. Trust me they need it more than you do. Start planning for your next grocery trip. The first step is to make a shopping list, make sure this new healthy you shopping list is void of all the things you just removed from your cupboards. Substitute sodas with more water, or a 100% juice drink. Replace sweets, such as cookies and snack cakes with fresh fruits or fruit cups in light syrup. Items such as sugar free Jell-O, Popsicle treats made of fruits or 100% fruit juices are great. Try something different; explore other snack options such as your favorite fruit dried. Purchase frozen berries and make a quick healthy shake when the sweet cravings begin. My favorite is banana, 1/2-cup soymilk and a tsp of honey for taste and one banana.

There are many different food items available to us. Let us all be adventurous and break away from the norm this spring. Challenge yourself to find a new seasoning that is just as tasty as the salted one you currently use. Eat less meat, and drink more water this spring. Buy healthy snacks for home and for work. Having a healthy satisfying snack at work will keep you away from the vending machines and from the convenient stores. Being prepared is only the second phase in your quest for a healthier lifestyle. Let spring be your springboard into making the changes that will impact your health for the rest of you life.

Are you Ready?

The struggle to lose weight is often won by some and lost by many.
Sometimes we set out with unrealistic expectations and give up fast when we do not see the results we are expecting. Weight loss is a struggle no matter how much weight an individual is trying to lose. Whether its 5 pounds or 30 pounds we all struggle with making the necessary changes that will impact our weight and health for the long run.

Are you ready?

Well, are you? Readiness is a major factor in starting weight loss and maintaining it. We all want to lose weight but not many of us are mentally prepared for the challenges we experience during the weight loss process. It is very easy to follow someone else's plan but can you create a plan of your own that works for you. Many of us do not have the time, and most of us are not willing to invest the time needed to learn to eat and live healthy lives. Being ready requires that you have some understanding of foods, weight and healthy lifestyle practices. This knowledge can be gained from conversing with others, reading materials on diet and exercise, speaking with healthcare practitioners like your physician, a nurse or a staff nutritionist.

Are you ready?

Are you ready to change habits? Habits form and stay with us for most of our lives. The saying that old habits die hard is very true. Being successful at losing weight and keeping the weight off require overcoming unhealthy habits and forming healthier ones. Relieving your self of bad habits could be very challenging. Most of the time habits are formed out of routine. It is routine to stop at Dunkin Donuts on your way to the office. It is routine to go to the gym work out for an hour and then grab a hot caramel macchiato from Starbucks on your way home. Part of breaking unhealthy habits is changing up your routine. Identify the things you do out of routine that is not beneficial to your health and find ways to change them.

Get Ready!

Be mentally prepared before you start any diet program. Whether it is one you created or one someone has created for you. If you are not ready within your mind, body and soul success will be short lived. Prep yourself at least a month in advance. Start a journal. Write down your expectations, your goals, time frame and even your doubts. Begin a conversation with yourself about why you want to lose weight and what you are willing to change to have this happen. Be honest with yourself about the process of weight loss. A successful weight loss program takes time and it educates you in the process. That education is important in the long run, it is this new knowledge that will help you keep the weight off for years to come.