I just found out that we have a very nice YMCA facility in our area.  So I decided to go online and check out their site.  And I couldn’t believe what all they have to offer.  For a monthly fee of around $70, I can get us a family membership.  I can go anytime during the week and use the facility, whether it be to just workout or attend group exercise classes, and the wonderful thing is they provide free childcare for up to 1 – 1/2 hours while you are there.  Also with a membership, you are eligible for discounts on other programs they offer.  Summer camps, swimming lessons, group sports, etc.  My 5 year old daughter really wants to play Soccer, so I’m thinking of signing her up.

I feel like this will give me that kick in the pants that I need to get my weight loss jump started!  No appetite suppressants, fad diets or risky surgery.  Just eating healthy and exercising, and I should be on my way!

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Technorati Tags: group exercise, YMCA, YMCA membership

I subscribe to this really cool blog called Hey, It’s Free! They are dedicated to finding the best freebies on the internet. A lot of the stuff is food related, free samples and stuff. Today they posted about a free sample of a Nature Valley Bar & Clusters. All you have to do to get the free sample is join General Mills’ newsletter, Eat Better America.

I received my first newsletter and clicked on Recipes, and came across this really yummy sounding recipe called Mexican Pasta Skillet. I’m a major pasta lover, and this sounds so good! The serving size is 1 1/3 cups, that’s a lot of pasta!! It’s only 370 calories and 6 grams of fat! Anyway, I’m planning on trying it in a few days, when I get to the store to buy the ingredients.

But not only does this site have recipes, there are several other sections, diet & nutrition, fitness and community.  You can create a profile on there, and it’s all absolutely Free!  I’m probably going to mainly use it for recipes.

Technorati Tags: Eat Better America, Freebies on the internet, General Mills Nature Valley Bar, General Mills Nature Valley Clusters, Mexican Pasta Skillet

I have posted these previously, but I feel like I need a reminder as to why I need to lose weight and what inspires me to do it.  Here are 5 things that inspire me to lose weight.

1. First and foremost, my kids. I’m no “spring chicken” (having my first born when I was 30), and being the weight I am, I find it very difficult and exhausting to keep up with them. I have dreams of being able to run around and play with them, without getting breathless and tired. I want to take them to Disney World in the very near future, and when I go, I want to be able to enjoy myself with them, and not constantly be worried about where I can find a bench to sit down.
2. I’m tired of not “loving” myself. I’m very self conscious about my weight and how I look to myself and my husband (even though he tells me he loves me the way that I am…I know…I’m blessed). I’m ready to feel good about myself, and not become nauseated every time I look at myself in the mirror.
3. And I’ve mentioned this before, but heart disease, stroke and diabetes runs rampant in my family, and I absolutely REFUSE succumb to it.
4. I have really enjoyed Weight Watchers and plan to get back on it. When I’m on it, I’m able to eat a lot of the things that I used to, but just in moderation. Now don’t get me wrong, with WW I definitely eat a lot healthier that I did before, but I love how I’m able to indulge (not overindulge) in some of the things I like without going off my diet.
5. And last, this blog! I am having such a blast sharing my progress with my new found readers! I refuse to start something and not finish it, and having this blog has definitely helped with that.

Technorati Tags: Inspiration, lose weight, motivation, weight loss, Weight Watchers

One of my biggest challenges when dieting, is being able to afford the kind of food that is required.  And I’m sure I’m not the only one that finds it hard to stay on a diet when you are trying to save money.  With dollar menus everywhere, eating cheaply is pretty darn easy, but finding food that is both nutritious and inexpensive is a lot harder.  According to a study published last year in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, researchers at the University of Washington found that at major supermarkets in the Seattle area between 2004 and 2006 the price of fruits and vegetables rose about 20 percent, while the cost of certain junk foods actually decreased.

So if you’re committed to healthy eating, here are a few tips to accomplish that without stretching your budget to its breaking point:

Shop in season. Most of the fruits and vegetables at your local supermarket have traveled an average of 1,500 miles. With the recent rise in fuel prices, that trip not only hurts the environment but your wallet as well. By tailoring your tastes to produce that is seasonally and locally in vogue, you’ll reduce your carbon footprint and your grocery bill, as well as enjoy fresh and tasty food.

Invest a little to save a lot. Living healthier may require a bit more when it comes to time, effort, and money, but the payoff is huge. And if you play it smart, you can minimize the necessary investment on many fronts, each of which is entwined with the other. For example, you can save money by prepping your own produce or making your own juice. And by spending some cash on quality appliances-juicer, mandoline slicer, specialized peelers-you can turn these tedious chores into fun, easy activities that you’re more likely to set aside time to do.

Grow your own. If you’ve got a yard, what are you waiting for? Start a garden. Pick a plot in your yard that gets a sufficient amount of sunlight (at least six hours a day), and if you’re a first-timer, start small-a 10-foot-by-10-foot square is a great beginning. Head to a local nursery or home center (they’ll advise on which fruits and vegetables thrive in your area) to get the supplies you’ll need: plants, seeds, soil, hoe, rototiller, and more. And even if you don’t have a yard, you can still grow carrots, lettuce, herbs, tomatoes, and peppers in containers on a patio or at a windowsill that gets lots of sunlight.

Buy frozen and canned fruits and vegetables. Many experts agree that the process of freezing and canning fruits and vegetables doesn’t diminish the nutritional value of these foods. If you’re concerned about taste, you can boost flavor by adding a variety of spices. Many recipes allow for the substitution of fresh vegetables with canned or frozen ones; in fact, by using canned tomatoes in a sauce or a soup, you can save as much as 70 cents per pound.

Source

Technorati Tags: dollar menus, eathing healthy on a budget, growing your own fruits and vegetables, nutritious inexpensive food

As you guys know, the 4th of July is coming upon us.  These celebrations are always a hard time for me.  Because when MY family gets together, there are always loads of food that I know I can’t have, so it’s tough for me to resist what everyone else eating.  So when I received this an email from Nubella this morning, I thought this would be perfect to share on MMH.  Hopefully this will help everyone this Friday!

Mosquitoes, weight gain, E. coli, oh my! With barbecue season in full swing, you may be wondering how it’s possible to make your next outdoor feast safe and healthy without sacrificing flavor and fun. If you heed the following tips, you’ll find that taking the proper precautions and having a good time needn’t be mutually exclusive. Read on as we reveal the seven secrets to a safe, healthy cookout.

1. Keep It Clean. Some of the quickest ways to transmit foodborne bacteria are by failing to wash your hands often, working in a contaminated prep area, or using utensils, platters, and cutting boards for a variety of purposes. After you handle raw meat or go to the bathroom, remember to wash your hands before continuing to cook. Keep your prep area clean by frequently wiping it down with warm water and a dash of bleach. Assign each utensil to a specific dish, and if you’re going to reuse a platter or cutting board, wash it off beforehand.

2. Skin ’em. By removing the skin from chicken, you’ll eliminate about two-thirds of its fat content. You can ensure the chicken will still be juicy and delicious by cutting a handful of small slits in the meat before marinating it for at least six to eight hours. And when grilling the meat, resist the urge to continually press down on it, which can dry it out.

3. Replace Chips With Crudité. Provide a plate of fresh, raw vegetables as an enticing alternative to fatty chips. Pair it with guacamole, hummus, or salsa, and you may even score some crudité converts, who will be saving themselves hundreds of additional calories by avoiding the chips and dip.

4. Give Your Fruits and Veggies a Bath. To remove any microorganisms or pesticides that might be clinging to fruits and vegetables, thoroughly wash them off before serving. Even if you plan to peel them, you should still give them a good scrub because a microbe lurking on the skin of just one vegetable can contaminate the peeler and affect other vegetables.

5. Mind the Temperature. A food thermometer can be a barbecuer’s best friend. By checking the internal temperature of meat before you plate it—the United States Department of Agriculture recommends a temperature of 145° F for steaks and fish, 160° F for pork and ground beef, and 165° F for chicken—you can ensure that your food is safe to eat (and free of E. coli bacteria).

6. Add Some Garlic. This member of the onion family is not only a delicious addition to marinades and a variety of dishes and condiments; it may also help in the fight against cancer. Additionally, research has shown that garlic contains antibacterial properties and can reduce cholesterol levels.

7. Set Out a Few Citronella Candles. Mosquitoes can breed in as little as one centimeter of water, so they can thrive just about anywhere, waiting to turn your cookout into a feast of their own. Mosquitoes can be carriers of diseases such as West Nile virus, so it’s especially important to keep them at bay. To do this, set out a few citronella candles in your general area.

Technorati Tags: 4th of July Cookout, healthy 4th of July, Healthy Eating