Thanksgiving Survival 101

 

1.    First and most important forget the diet!

 

2.    Take the guilt out of eating more than you normally would by:

a.   Preparing  foods in a healthy way

b.   Eating smaller portion of all foods selected

c.   Waiting at least an hour, to an hour and a half before having seconds

d.   Avoiding large amount of fluids before, with or after meals.

3.   Oven fry chicken is just as tasty as pan fried chicken.  Use a dry batter in place of a wet one when frying in the oven.

4.   Make steamed or roasted vegetables as sides. Avoid using bacon, smoked meats with your vegetables. (see below for great vegan collard greens recipe)

5.   Use natural ingredients; avoid using process foods as much as possible.

6.   If you feel sluggish after dinner due to over eating, go for a quick brisk walk or entertain

yourself, family and friends with a game of musical chairs, or a 15 minute dance off.  Dancing for 15- 30 minutes burns anywhere from 60 to 150 calories.

Recipe!

Vegan Collard Greens

 

2 large bunches collard greens

3 garlic cloves crush and chopped

1 small onion chopped

2 tbsp. Olive oil

¼ tsp. dried rosemary

Dash of salt for taste (optional)

Dash of black pepper

 

Wash and chop (or tear) collard greens.

In a tall stock pot heat olive oil, add chopped onions, garlic and dried rosemary, sauté for about 3 minutes then add collard greens.

Add one cup of water, cover stock pot and let simmer on medium heat for about 10 minutes.

Once collard greens are cooked add small amount of black pepper and salt, simmer for 5 more minutes then remove from heat.

 

*If you prefer your greens soggy cook longer (it is better to steam your vegetables than it is to cook them in water). For collard greens add just enough water to keep it from burning or sticking to bottom of pot.  If water dries out before greens are cooked add water as needed. Kale and turnip greens can be used in place of collards as well!!

Happy New Year

Whole Body Nutrition wants you to know that:

No man or woman is perfect

Change takes time

Setting small goals is a great route to achieving bigger goals

Eating should be enjoyable not burdensome

Weight loss happens differently depending on your age, gender and genes

Stress will not only cause you to gain weight it can lead to high blood pressure and make you physically ill! DON’T STRESS!!

Drinking 6-8 glasses of water daily will keep you hydrated, energized and beautiful

Some cooks are born others are made, be adventurous in the kitchen

This New Year is an opportunity to change unhealthy eating habits and lifestyle practices

You can create a WHOLE new you

You should begin now!

New You Recipes to start the year off right!

Morning Sunshine Smoothie

1 cup orange juice

1 banana

¼ cup frozen strawberries

1 teaspoon honey for taste (optional)

Include all ingredients in a blender can add ice for thickness. Blend and serve with mint garnish

Egg White and Potato Frittata

3-4 fresh egg whites, cage free or organic

2 small potatoes

1 cup fresh broccoli florets (head)

2 table spoon chopped onions

Red pepper flakes or black pepper 

A dash of salt or a salt alternative

1 tablespoon olive oil

Boil potatoes for about 10 minutes or less. Sauté onions, broccoli and potatoes in olive oil. Season with salt, black pepper or red pepper flakes.

Blend egg whites together in a separate bowl.

Add sautéed mix of potatoes, onions, and broccoli to a oven safe bowl. Pour egg whites over mixture, sprinkle with a dash of pepper and bake for at least 10 minutes.

Optional: shaved or shredded cheese can be added to frittata.

Whole Body Nutrition's Rasta Pasta!!!

Rasta Pasta (WholeBodyNutrition’s Fall Version):

Whole Wheat Pasta (cooked and drained), Butternut Squash, Brussel Sprouts, Tofu, garlic, olive oil, shaved parmesan and sage.

Recipe:

1 small to medium butternut squash

2 cups Brussel Sprouts

1 tablespoon olive oil

                                          5 cloves fresh garlic

                                          Salt to taste

Wash and dry butternut squash and brussel sprouts. Slice squash into medium squared chunks, can halve brussel sprouts as well or leave them whole. Once squash and sprouts are sliced, place them in baking container and drizzle with olive oil. Mash and chop garlic, add to the vegetables and mix making sure olive oil coats the vegetables (can add more or less olive oil depending on the amount of vegetables being roasted). Sprinkle with a dash of salt and set baking container aside.

Sage Roasted Tofu

2 packs (any brand) extra firm Tofu

Dried crushed sage about 2 tablespoons

3 plum tomatos

1 tablespoon olive oil

(Olive oil and sage seasoning can be adjusted based on the amount of tofu being prepared)

Cut extra firm tofu into small chunks, slice tomotoes into quarters, toss with olive oil and sage. Place on a baking sheet.

Set oven to 350-400 degrees

 Place baking container with vegetables and baking sheet with tofu and tomatos in pre-heated oven and roast for about 30 minutes or longer if more cooking time is needed for squash and brussel sprouts. Remove once vegetables and tofu are a golden brown color.

Toss with cooked whole wheat pasta and serve with shaved parmesan cheese.

*Gluten Free pasta, flat rice or soba noodles can be used in place of wheat pasta.

Smoothie Delight!

Refresh and energize this summer with a refreshing fruit smoothie.

Yogurt, fruits, soy milk, low fat milk, coconut milk, protein powder, raw oats are all ingredients for a low fat, low calorie meal substitute or snack that can be ready in under 10 minutes.

Stay cool with these delicious recipes:

Tropical Fruit Smoothie

1 ripe mango

1 banana

1/4 cup pineapple

½ cup 100% pineapple or orange juice

¼ cup coconut milk fresh or canned

About a cup of ice

*1/2 cup mango nectar can be substituted for a whole mango.

Combine all ingredients in a blender, blend until smooth, pour into a glass and enjoy!

Berrylicious Yogurt Smoothie

1/4 cup strawberries

¼ cup blueberries

8 oz low fat plain or vanilla flavored yogurt

½ cup ice

Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. If shake is too thick add low fat milk to get desired consistency.

*this smoothie can also be made with 100% orange or pineapple juice instead of yogurt. If using juice instead of yogurt increase fruits in recipe by ¼ cup.

If dairy is not your thing, but you still want to fuel up on protein, soy milk or almond milk can be used in place of dairy products. Substituting soy or almond milk will also benefit those needing or wanting more calcium.

Soy milk Smoothie

1 cup regular or low fat soy milk

1 and a half ripe banana

1/4 to a ½ cup raw oats

2 tsp honey or brown sugar to taste

Dash of cinnamon and nutmeg

Ice (as desired)

Blend ingredients together in blender until smooth. This smoothie is a greater starter for a busy morning, full of protein, potassium and fiber!

The Green Smoothie

2 kiwis pealed and halved

1 ripe banana

8oz plain or vanilla flavored low fat yogurt

Ice (as desired)

Blend all ingredients in a blender until smooth and enjoy!

Avocado Smoothie

1 small avocado pealed and pitted (seed removed)

1/2 cup low fat milk (soy or almond milk optional)

2 tsp honey, brown sugar or agave to taste

Blend avocado, milk, and sweetener in a blender with ice until smooth. If you find this mixture too thick adjust milk as needed for consistency.

Fruits make a great accompaniment to yogurt, low fat milk or soy milk but so do vegetables. Try adding kale, spinach, or carrots to any smoothie mixture for an exciting new flavor, texture and even more nutrients.

Power Up your smoothie with flax seeds, flax seed oil, protein powder, raw or roasted pumpkin seeds and spirulina. These ingredients can be found at health food or specialty stores.

For more delicious smoothie recipes, visit natures-health-food.com. They have a variety of smoothie's that include fruits, vegetables, yogurt, peanut butter, almond butter and even chocolate, yum! Some of the recipes are very high in calories because they are geared towards individuals that are active or athletic. Simply adjust the recipe to fit your desired calorie intake and enjoy!

Your Holiday Guide to healthy eating.

What will you do to stay healthy this holiday season?

It is the season of Christmas parties whether at work or at home and of course ringing in the new years. All of these events are usually accompanied with great food, great friends, family and alcohol. If the thought of all the drinking and eating of the holiday season stresses you out, don't let it. Hopefully by now we have all started a healthy routine that will carry us not just through the holidays but through the rest of the year as well. If you have not started a healthy regiment there is no time like the present. Healthy lifestyle practices should not be abandoned or forgotten because we get caught up in the spirit of the holiday season. In fact it should be revisited and renewed. Look at what you are doing or not doing now and set some realistic goals in place for the coming year.

For the most part we know what to do to improve our health: eat more fruits and vegetables, eat less processed products, drink plenty of water, and limit sugary drinks and sodas and exercise. With countless number of treats and our hectic holiday schedule, this can become challenging during the holiday season.

Do not despair. Follow these simple tips to continue eating healthy, get some physical activity in and reduce extra stress.

1. Do not show up to any event hungry, if you are attending a holiday party it is wise to eat a small well balance meal prior to arrival. Hunger leads to over-indulging.

2. Drink wine and other alcoholic beverages in small amounts. We all know alcohol is loaded with calories so limit your intake.

3. Replace traditional ingredients like white sugar with more natural ingredients like raw cane sugar (brown sugar), honey, maple or brown rice syrup or use apple sauce, bananas, and even 100% natural juices to add flavor to treats without the sugar.

4. Nix the margarine, and the butter use natural oils such as olive, sunflower, canola or another vegetable variety in moderation.

5. Try new and healthier recipes for your main courses and treats. Visit websites like: www.bhg.com/recipes/ , www.foodandwine.com/cooking_guides/healthy or www.foodnetwork.com/healthy-eating.

6. Take advantage of winter activities such as ice skating, sledding, building a snowman with children or other family members or taking a walk in the brisk air.

7. Indulgence in small amounts is fine. Savor every meal and every treat in moderation.

8. Remember what the holiday is all about, sharing with family and friends don’t let the stress of hectic schedules, and counting calories make you lose sight of all the things you have to celebrate and be thankful for.

9. Plan ahead. Planning will help avoid unnecessary stress, which can lead to overeating and indulging in unhealthy foods.

10. Hydrate every day with water, dehydration can cause headaches, and tiredness. Drinking up to 8 glasses will keep you energized and focus on all your holiday activities.

Whole Body Nutrition wishes everyone a happy, healthy and safe holiday season!