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!

Technorati Tags: group exercise, YMCA, YMCA membership

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

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

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

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

By Katelyn Dieffenderfer, Nubella News

Increased energy levels. Decreased disease risk. Bigger memory capability. Smaller waistline. When it comes to that first morning meal, the reasons to fuel your body are virtually endless. So, the next time you’re about to dash out the door on an empty stomach, remember these 10 reasons why breakfast really is the most important meal of the day:

• High Energy. A healthy breakfast provides you with enough nutrients to energize your body for hours.

• Smart Eating. Studies have shown that people who eat breakfast consume more vitamins, minerals, and fiber, and less fat and cholesterol.

• Calorie Reduction. People who don’t eat breakfast are likely to eat more calories throughout the day than people who skip lunch, according to the Nemours Foundation’s Center for Children’s Health and Media.

• Decreased Diabetes Risk. People who eat breakfast are significantly less likely to be diabetic than those who usually don’t, according to the American Heart Association.

• Weight Control. A study by the National Weight Control Registry shows that eating breakfast actually helps keep people’s weight down.

• Full Focus. According to the American Dietetic Association, people who eat breakfast are better able to concentrate and be more productive throughout the morning.

• Making Memories. According to experts, eating breakfast improves memory and learning. In one study, college students who ate a morning meal scored 22 percent higher in a word-recall test than those who skipped breakfast.

• Urge to Exercise. Researchers believe that people who eat breakfast have higher energy levels and may engage in more physical activity than people who don’t.

• Happy Days. Skipping breakfast can make you feel tired, irritable, or sad. Even grabbing some fresh fruit or a bowl of cereal can help boost your mood.

• Stress Be Gone. The time you spend eating breakfast can be relaxing and help you to mentally prepare for the day. Eating breakfast also forces you to slow down, helping you to prioritize.

Keep in mind, however, that all breakfasts are not created equal—a healthy morning meal should be balanced and not too heavy. So, skip the eggs, bacon, sausage, and biscuits, and go for whole-grain cereals with fruit or juice instead. Or opt for an egg-white omelet filled with vegetables.

Technorati Tags: Health Tips, Healthy Eating, Nubella News

From Nubella:

Did you know that by cutting just 100 calories a day, you could manage to lose a pound a month? This may not sound like much, but over the course of a year, that single pound could translate into 12. Follow these 10 tips to start subtracting calories from your meals and snacks—for real weight-loss results.

1. Lose the bread. It’s probably happened to you a hundred times. You’ve just been seated at a restaurant, and your waitress brings out a basket of bread and butter. Don’t eat it. Those one or two slices you devour before your meal add an extra 60 to 200 calories.

2. Opt for mustard. Swap the fat-laden mayonnaise on your sandwiches for mustard. While Kraft mayo packs 100 calories a tablespoon, the average serving of mustard has only three.

3. Ditch the oil. If you like tuna fish sandwiches, one of the simplest swaps you can make is to eat tuna packed in water instead of tuna packed in oil. The oil-packed variety contains 339 calories, while the water-packed kind has 191 calories.

4. Share your dessert. Split a piece of cheesecake with a friend. Eating half instead of a whole piece could save you up to 150 calories and 10 grams of fat (not to mention a few dollars).

5. Stop the pop. Soda is full of empty calories, and some studies show that even diet drinks are bad for you because they disrupt your body’s ability to count calories. Drink water instead. Or for a refreshing twist, try seltzer with lemon or lime.

6. Go for the roast. Eating a serving of roasted chicken instead of fried chicken could save you almost 150 calories in one meal.

7. Exercise portion control. You don’t even have to skip the fries altogether. Simply downsizing to a medium instead of a large at McDonalds will save you 188 calories.

8. Avoid the extras. When ordering a cup of morning joe at Starbucks, do you get whipped cream on top? Next time, say no, and you’ll cut 100 calories before you even start your day.

9. Think thin. Eating two slices of thin crust pizza instead of thick pan pizza could save you about 160 calories. Skipping the pepperoni on those two pieces will eliminate another 80.

10. Make friends with fungi. When making stir-fry or shish kebabs, use a little less meat and a few more mushrooms. Substituting some portobello mushrooms for a couple ounces of beef will reduce your calorie intake by 100.

Technorati Tags: calorie counting, calorie reduction, losing weight, weight loss

But you can squeeze fast-food offerings into your weight management plans as long as you keep in mind these keys: moderation, “occasional stops,” and wise choices.

Now, more than ever, fast-food restaurants are offering a wide variety of healthy options, from fruit cups to granola. Some restaurants, such as Wendy’s, are allowing you to substitute more nutritious side dishes in lieu of fries in their combo meals.

Here are six ways you can get healthier meals in a fast-food restaurant:

Keep portion sizes small. “Portion control” is one of the foundations of weight management. In a fast-food restaurant, pick the smallest sandwich or order a half-sandwich. Don’t order double- or even triple-decker burgers, which can pack more than 1,000 calories and as much as 70 grams of fat. Aim for 250- to 300-calorie regular or children’s-sized burgers.

Choose a healthier side dish. Skip the jumbo fries in favor of smaller fries and spare your waistline 300 calories. Better yet: in this age of healthy eating, fast-food restaurants are offering healthier options, such as salads, low-fat dressing, baked potatoes, fruit bowls, yogurt, and baked chips, just to name a few.

Go for the greens, like a large salad as your main course, complete with grilled chicken, shrimp or garden vegetables with fat-free or low-fat dressing. Regular salad dressing can bring you more than 300 calories. Skip such high-fat dangers as deep-fried shells, breaded chicken, any other fried topping, cheese, bacon bits, croutons and fried chips.

Go for the grilled food. Crispy chicken sandwiches and breaded fish fillets are high in fat and calories, but grilled or roasted lean turkey, chicken, ham or roast beef won’t murder your weight management plan.

Ask for healthier reduced-fat mayo, mustard and salsa instead of shredded cheese and cheese sauce. Condiments like special dressings, tarter sauce and sour cream will ruin your weight management with plenty of unneeded calories.

Watch what you drink. That 32-ounce soda contains about 400 calories, but healthier options include diet soda, water, unsweetened tea and bottled water. Of course, 1,000-calorie shakes and other drinks made from ice cream are out the drive-in window if you’re trying to manage your weight.

Source: Nubella

Technorati Tags: fast food, healthy foods, mcdonalds salads

Read what they had to say:

“Dear Hungry Girl,

I’m looking for fun ways to get more fiber into my diet. I know all about the fruits and veggies that are high in fiber, but I am wondering if you can point me in the direction of some high-fiber foods that are more snacky or fun. Please help!”

Fiber-Seeker

In Hungry Girl’s reply, she name a list of 10 foods that she reccommends. I’m not planning to list all of them, you can check them out here. There is one in particular, that I’d like rave about for a bit. The Fiber One Chewy Bars. OMG! They are soooo freakin’ good! And she’s right they are so filling. They range from 140 – 150 calories, 4 – 4.5 grams of fat, and best of all, 9 grams of fiber! And with anyone that is on Weight Watchers, you all know….fiber is the key. The higher the food is in fiber, the lower the POINTS® it will be. And here’s some more scoop on these infamous bars.

And yes, if you must ask, I have developed Hungry Girl’s Fiber One obsession!

From “Are you going to eat that?” MSNBC/Health/Diet and Nutrition/Chew on This

GRANOLA BARS

Granola bars got their wholesome, outdoorsy reputation as the mountain climber’s snack of choice. They’re filled with whole oats, nuts, seeds and bits of dried fruit — how could that be a bad thing?

The downside: Many granola bars are dipped in sugary syrups or loaded with chocolate chips, highly processed or artificial ingredients and aren’t much better than high-calorie candy bars. Even the less sugared-up varieties have only a little protein, a smidgen of fiber and a small amount of vitamins and minerals.

If you can’t resist: Make your own trail mix with whole-grain, ready-to-eat cereals, such as shredded wheat, with whole nuts, seeds and chunks of unsweetened, dried fruit. Otherwise, stick to bars with a short ingredient list, essentially whole grains, nuts, seeds and real fruit. Pick ones with 4 or more grams of fiber, less than 150 calories per serving and no more than 6 grams of added sugars.

Click here, to read the rest of the article.