Friday, December 31, 2010

Today Only...One Year Subscription for FITNESS Magazine only $2.99

Yay!  Another magazine I have been wanting to grab.  Today only, Dec 31st, Tanga.com has a 1 Year Subscription to Fitness Magazine for only $2.99!  Just make sure to use promo code FITNESS or it will show the price of $19.99.

Thursday, December 30, 2010

One Year SHAPE Magazine subscription for only $3.99--Hurry!

Copy & Paste the link below to get your One Year subscription to SHAE mag for only $2.99.   This is an awesome deal!!!   If for some reason it does not show it as $3.99...enter "SHAPE" as a promo code.  YAY!

http://www.tanga.com/products/shape-magazine-subscription--29

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Happy 1st Birthday!

This blog is officially ONE YEAR OLD!!!!   Thanks for everyone that has supported the blog with comments, suggestions & feedback.   Here's to another great year!  :)

Rethink the New Year's Resolution!


"It's time to rethink your image- of the New Year's Resolution.
Too often, I hear my friends talking about how they plan to start living healthier after the first of the year. But they're putting off their healthy-living goals to the point where they may be setting themselves up for failure: a 2009 study from the University of Hertfordshire in the United Kingdom found that more than 75 percent of New Year's resolution followers gave up. So who had the success stories? The people who broke down their goals into small, achievable steps.
Your life isn't an experiment or a fantasy-it's an investment in your future. You've heard it a million times: If you fuel yourself with junk and bad habits, you won't have the reserves to draw on for energy and good health. Consider each day an opportunity to invest in good habits, so you'll have stamina and great health to withdraw. You can't lose. Who wants to sit at home while the rest of the gang goes out to play?
And it's not just all about you. Do you want to be the parent or grandparent who sits on the sidelines, or the one who creates lasting memories for your kids or grandchildren by riding a bicycle right alongside them? Today, you can make your move so the dream of a long, active life becomes a reality.
Here are seven ways to push the reset button on your healthy habits-starting now. Even if you're already on a healthy track, there's always room for improvement.
1. Sleep It Off.  No, not your New Year's Eve hangover. Your sluggish metabolism. A 2009 study from the University of Chicago found that people who don't get a full night's sleep are more likely to gain weight and have more difficulty losing body fat when they are dieting.  

Sleep experts say the most effective way to improve your sleep is to stick to a regular bedtime and regular wake-up time-even on the weekends. Ideally, your bedroom should be dark, cool and quiet. And move distracting, light-generating electronics like computers and TV sets out of your sleeping zone.
2. Drink Smarter. Ditch the conventional wisdom that your daily fluid intake should only consist of water. Drink juice, green tea or coffee if you want to-but be mindful of the calories. A fizzy Vitamin-C powder added to water may satisfy a soda urge. And branch out-I'm a huge fan of freshly-juiced green drinks made from spinach and kale. Note: You are not allowed to knock it until you try it.
3. Lose the hidden pounds?  We can't underestimate the importance of elimination. To keep your colon healthy, increase your fiber intake to 25 grams a day. I'm also a fan of probiotics for regularity and increased vitality, and downing a fiber drink (yes, those) can actually help your body break down the fat in fat cells.
4. Make It A 5-Veggie Day.  Every day. And get creative with it: If the kale juice seems unappealing, steam them and add a splash of olive oil to a batch (or some collard greens), and you'll quickly change your tune. The darkest, leafy greens help keep your bones strong, so don't skimp.
5. Shrug Off Sugar.  Every time I cut back on refined sugars, my energy level rises and stays there. It's easy to fall into the trap of grabbing a sugary snack for a quick boost, but the crash that follows is never fun. Simple substitutions like choosing a piece of fruit over a glass of juice or sparkling water over soda can do wonders for your mood, energy levels, and waistline: A study of more than 50,000 nurses found that women who had just one sugary soda or glass of juice a day weighed more than those who drank less than one a month.
6. Grab Different Grains. So many people have gluten sensitivities that wreak havoc on their digestive systems. Not every food that contains the word "wheat" is a great choice for everyone.   Choose purer grain choices like steel-cut oat meal, quinoa and brown rice.  And don't be afraid to mix it up a bit, instead of using bread for sandwiches, wrap your lunch up in large lettuce leaves.  You'll love the crisp, fresh flavor. 
7. Shake It Up. I rarely travel without a blender, because protein shakes are a cornerstone of my daily diet. I like the Hamilton Beech single serving blender that has a convenient travel lid, then I add a protein powder that's low in sugar and mix it with frozen berries, soy, low-fat, or almond milk, some flaxseed oil, and swap it out for at least one meal a day.  Another option is to seek out a great local juice bar for your shakes, either way it's a delightful breakfast, post-workout snack, or sweet-tooth-satisfier."
I hope these give you some great ideas how to recommit to your health in 2011.  Don't forget to take it a month at a time so you don't end up being one of those New Year's people who only focuses on results every January!
Have a healthy and active New Year!

~Mindy Buxton--Health/Fitness Coach~

Friday, December 24, 2010

Merry Christmas to you!!

I would like to wish you all a very MERRY CHRISTMAS & a happy/healthy NEW YEAR!!!!  :)

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Arctic Chocolate Delight

 
 
 
 
Scoopy Arctic Chocolate Delight --> PER SERVING (1/2 recipe, 1 bowl): 162 calories, 2.5g fat, 115mg sodium, 33g carbs, 0.5g fiber,
16.5g sugars, 0.5g protein -- PointsPlus™ value 4*

Grab a spoon, leave your mittens, and get ready for a chilly excursion to the bottom of your dessert bowl.... YEE-HAAAA!



  Ingredients:
2 cups Cool Whip Free, thawed
One 25-calorie packet hot cocoa mix (like Swiss Miss Diet or Nestlé Fat Free)
1 standard-sized peppermint candy cane, lightly crushed, divided

Directions:
In a medium bowl, combine Cool Whip with cocoa mix. Mix thoroughly, until uniform in color. Gently stir in half of the crushed candy cane.

Divide mixture between 2 small bowls. Evenly top each bowl with remaining crushed candy cane. Freeze for 1 to 2 hours. Enjoy!

MAKES 2 SERVINGS

HG FYI: The fat in this recipe comes from the trace amounts in each serving of the Cool Whip.

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

HG's Candyland Peppermint Pie


Mint Condition! 

Combining the seasonal goodness of peppermint with the year-round goodness of chocolate, this pie is AMAZING. Warning: If you alert your holiday guests that this creamy treat is low in fat and calories, they might fall over and knock down some of your decorations.
Ingredients:
Crust
4 sheets (16 crackers) chocolate graham crackers
2 tbsp. light whipped butter or light buttery spread (like Brummel & Brown

Filling
1/2 cup fat-free sweetened condensed milk
1/4 cup fat-free milk
1 small (4-serving) box Jell-O Sugar Free Fat Free Vanilla Instant pudding mix
3 cups Cool Whip Free, thawed
3 tbsp. mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
2 standard-sized peppermint candy canes, lightly crushed, divided
Optional topping: Fat Free Reddi-wip

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

To make the crust, crush graham crackers in a food processor or blender (or place in large sealable bag and crush with a meat mallet). Transfer crumbs to a bowl and set aside.

Place butter in a small microwave-safe bowl and microwave until melted, about 15 seconds. Add to the bowl of graham cracker crumbs and mix until uniform.

Spray a pie pan with nonstick spray. Evenly distribute crust mixture along the bottom of the pie pan, using your hands or a flat utensil to firmly press and form the crust. Press it into the edges and up along the sides of the pan.

Bake crust in the oven until firm, 8 - 10 minutes. Set aside to cool.

To make the filling, combine condensed milk, milk, and pudding mix in a large bowl. Mix well. Fold in Cool Whip until smooth. Gently stir in chocolate chips and about 3/4 of the candy cane pieces.

Once crust has cooled completely, evenly pour filling into the pan.

Refrigerate until firm and chilled, at least 2 hours. (Overnight is best.)

Sprinkle pie with remaining candy cane pieces. If you like, top with Reddi-wip just before serving. Dig in!

MAKES 8 SERVINGS

Serving Size: 1 slice (1/8th of pie)
Calories: 202
Fat: 4.5g
Sodium: 250mg
Carbs: 37g
Fiber: 0.25g
Sugars: 24g
Protein: 2.5g

PointsPlus™ value 5*

Monday, December 13, 2010

Burning Calories at the Gym

"Calories burned" readings on gym equipment are only estimates, but they provide a pretty good measure, depending on how honest you are with your information.

You finish your workout on the treadmill and the machine reads 300 calories. But how do you know if that number is truly accurate? Experts say there's a good chance it's not.
Burning Calories at the Gym: Crunching the Numbers
At the end of your workout, most cardio machines provide you with the number of calories you burned. Keep in mind though that this reading is an estimate — and often an overestimate — and should not be taken as gospel. "If you see that you expended 300 calories for a workout, there is probably about a 10 percent margin of error," says Pete McCall, MS, an exercise physiologist with the American Council on Exercise. "The number you see on the treadmill, stationary bike, elliptical machine, stair climber, etc., is just an estimate, but it is a relatively accurate estimate. It is based on what is called metabolic equivalents, or METs, which refers to how much oxygen your body uses."
McCall says that one MET is equal to 3.5 milliliters of oxygen per kilogram of your body weight per minute. This is the amount of oxygen your body requires at rest. When you work harder (e.g., when you exercise), your body burns more METs. "Your body has to expend energy to use oxygen. If you're running, your body needs more oxygen and your body spends more energy," McCall says.
The cardio equipment at the gym uses information on the number of METs it takes to perform a given exercise, as well as your weight if you enter it, to give you an estimate of how many calories you burned. "It is more accurate if you enter your weight and your age than if you don't," McCall notes.
If you are trying to lose weight, you may be particularly interested in finding out the exact number of calories you burned during your workout.
"If people are really concerned about monitoring weight loss, the gym equipment is a good estimate, but the best estimates are going to come from heart rate monitors," says McCall.
Newer heart rate monitors allow you to program in your resting heart rate and your age, and they use this information to give you a more precise estimate of the calories you expend.
Burning Calories at the Gym: Maximizing Your Burn
When deciding which piece of gym equipment will give you the best burn, don't count on the calories-burned estimates from the machine. In order to burn more calories, you simply have to work harder. So the best way to determine which piece of equipment will help you burn the most calories is by gauging how hard you are able to work on it — if you're not able to sustain a workout on the elliptical machine, for instance, use the treadmill instead.
While you can use the calorie counters on gym equipment as rough guidelines, the most important way to maximize the number of calories you are burning is to find a piece of equipment you enjoy using and to use it often.

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

10 Happiness Helpers You'll Want to Try

It is the most wonderful time of the year!  We hear that a lot right now....but what we don't hear is that November-February is the time when DEPRESSION is the highest.   I found this article from Everyday Health that might help if you are feeling depressed or if the hustle & bustle of the HOLIDAYS has got you a little blue.

~Jenn~

 Use these strategies to manage the symptoms of depression, promote positive thinking, alleviate stress, and boost your self-esteem.

1-Fighting Depression.  When you have depression, you can find ways to take control of your life and manage your treatment even beyond medications. Making some lifestyle changes can boost your mood and help alleviate many of your symptoms, including low self-esteem. "Minimizing stress as much as possible is a good idea when you're depressed, especially unnecessary or avoidable stressors that people can be pulled into when they're depressed," says Erik Nelson, MD, a psychiatrist and assistant professor of clinical psychiatry at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine in Ohio. 

2-Talk to a therapist.  Working with a therapist is often an important part of successfully managing depression. "Psychotherapy will focus on helping people adjust their lifestyle in ways that are possible, minimize their stress, and cope with stressors," says Dr. Nelson

 3-Write in your journal.  Writing in a journal is great therapy and can help you manage depression. You can relieve stress by being open about your thoughts, feelings, and concerns in your writing — and stress management is an important part of living well with depression. Be totally honest in your private journal. Writing down your feelings and challenges with depression can release pent-up emotions. You'll be amazed at how much better you feel after putting pen to paper for just a few minutes each day. 

 4-Boost your self-image.  People with depression often experience low self-esteem, so finding ways to feel better about yourself is an important aspect of treatment. Practice positive thinking by focusing your thoughts on your best qualities. You can also make lifestyle changes that can improve your self-esteem, such as eating a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, and spending time with friends who make you feel good about who you are. 

5-Stick to a schedule.  Maintaining a healthy and regular routine is very helpful for people with depression, says Nelson. "Many times with depression, people's motivation drops," he explains, making them feel unproductive and fueling feelings of low self-esteem. Schedule an activity that you have to do every day — make it one you really enjoy — and aim for as much balance as possible in your life. 

6-Stay Involved.  If you’re experiencing depression, you may feel like you want to withdraw socially and keep to yourself, either because of low self-esteem or a lack of interest. "Social life is important," says Nelson. Push yourself to stay involved with your friends. Social connections can help keep you from spiraling downward into deeper depression and from becoming isolated and alone with your thoughts. Go to the movies, share a brisk walk, or just catch up with a close friend — it might lift your spirits. 

7-Depend on others.  Friends and family can help you feel better about yourself when depression brings you down. Allow yourself to lean on loved ones when you need them. They can encourage you to follow your treatment plan, exercise, eat a healthy diet, and generally take care of yourself — all steps necessary to get better.

8-Get enough sleep.  Getting plenty of rest every night is a must for your mood. People with depression often have noticeable sleep disturbances — they either sleep too much or not enough. Go to bed and wake up on a regular schedule, and never skimp on your ZZZs. Feeling run-down will exacerbate your symptoms of depression and make it more difficult to be social, get exercise, and manage stress. 

9-EXERCISE!  Exercise offers physiological benefits that can help people going through depression. Physical activity relieves stress and can make you feel great. Plus, the satisfaction you get from finishing an engaging and challenging workout can boost your self-esteem as you get stronger and more physically fit. When you fight depression with a regular exercise routine, you’ll feel better emotionally and physically.

10-Make the Food & Mood connection.  "Diet and nutrition are very important," says Nelson, and cites omega-3 fatty acids as an example. Some studies have shown that a higher daily intake of omega-3s, which you can get in fish like salmon or through fish oil supplements, can improve mood. There are many connections between elements of diet and good nutrition and depression, adds Nelson. Eating a healthy diet can make you feel healthy, fit, and attractive, which improves self-esteem, while feeling unhealthy can worsen depression and play into negative self-perception, he says. 

~Everyday Health