Monday, May 7, 2012

Fun Finds for Cookout Season!



 Add some extra flavor to your eats...

Instead of standard ketchup... Heinz Tomato Ketchup Blended with Balsamic Vinegar: This kicked-up ketchup has officially been added to Heinz's regular lineup, and the time to try it on your burger is NOW! Only 25 calories per tablespoon (PointsPlus® value 1*). Score!

Instead of basic pickles... Farmer's Garden by Vlasic: Not just pickled cucumbers in these jars -- you'll also find carrots, garlic, and peppers! Grab some Kosher Dill Spears or Halves, or try the Zesty Garlic Halves. WOW. Click to find. Then crunch!

Instead of the usual potato chips... Smartfood Selects Popped Chips: Yet another popped chip is on the market! The people who've been bringing us white cheddar popcorn for years now have this line of all-natural Hummus and Multigrain crisps -- we especially adore the Cinnamon Brown Sugar Multigrain. A 1-oz. serving (about 16 - 22 chips) has 130 - 140 calories and 4.5 - 5g fat (PointsPlus® value 3 - 4*). Look for these on store shelves nationwide.

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Have You Heard? The Real Deal on Red Meat......


A major study recently came out with some startling findings concerning red-meat eaters -- as a staff mostly made up of omnivores, we took note of this at the HG HQ. The study examined more than 120,000 people over a 20-plus-year span. The research indicates that even a single serving of red meat per day could increase one's risk of death by about 15 percent, especially from cancer and heart disease. But here's the thing... Reportedly, the subjects who ate red meat were also more likely to smoke cigarettes and drink alcohol and less likely to be physically active and eat fruit and vegetables. So how is a person supposed to react to information like this? We're not nutrition professionals over here, but moderation in all things has always been very important to us. If you frequently eat red meat, try cutting back. And don't discount the other findings of this study -- unhealthy habits like smoking and lack of physical activity are risk factors too. Researchers also estimate that swapping a daily serving of red meat for healthier foods like poultry, low-fat dairy, and whole grains could significantly reduce your mortality risk. So take care of yourself, and chew wisely!

Monday, April 9, 2012

Do you want to get SHREDDED for only $6.99??

Right now, Amazon has the Jillian Michael’s 30 Day Shred Workout DVD for only $6.99!  Plus, if you are an Amazon Prime member, this item gets shipped to you free.  You can get Amazon Prime, by signing up for the Free Amazon Mom Program, or Amazon Student Program.  Or, just pad your order to hit $25 and it will ship free too!

Friday, April 6, 2012

Are you looking for a weight-loss program?



If you're looking into weight-loss programs, the best one is both the easiest and the hardest: Change your lifestyle.

"People should not go on a weight-loss program," says Keri M. Gans, RD, CDN, a nutrition consultant in New York City and a spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association. "They should develop healthy eating habits. The problem with a program is people feel they can go off at any time. If you instead change your lifestyle and how you approach food, then you're looking at a long-term plan for health."

The Best Weight-Loss Programs

It all comes down to calories. If you eat 100 more food calories than you burn each day, you'll gain about a pound a month. If you eat fewer calories than you burn, you slowly but surely will lose weight.

Figure out how many calories you should be taking in to maintain your current weight. The number can range from 1,600 calories a day for a sedentary older woman to 3,000 calories a day for an active young man.

Next, increase your physical activity to match or outburn the calories you take in every day. Also, plan your diet carefully to maximize nutrition while minimizing calories.

Lifestyle Obstacles to Weight Loss
Finally, begin your weight-loss program by carefully re-examining your life and recognizing some of the habits that can block weight loss. These include:

    Skipping meals. "Are you eating small, frequent meals throughout the day, or are you skipping meals and having long gaps between meals?" Gans asks. "That only makes you hungrier, and you'll tend to overeat at your next meal."
    Eating out without thought. "Do you dine out all the time and use that as an excuse not to make healthy choices at a restaurant?" Gans asks. "Even when you're dining out, you can make healthier choices. Order broiled food, not fried. Say no to desserts. Have a bowl of berries instead of pie. Order sauces on the side."
    Keeping unhealthy foods in your house. As part of a smart weight-loss program, you should clear out all the junk food and make sure you have a wealth of healthy options available for snacking and dining. "You need to keep fruit, vegetables, low-fat dairy in the house so it's there for you to make meals out of," Gans says. Simply limiting some foods, such as soft drinks, that are high in sugars may help you significantly reduce calories.
    Keep your portions small. One quick way to control weight is to cut back on the size of your portions. Many personal weight-loss programs fail because people ladle out way too much food for themselves and then feel compelled to clean their plates.

Make Smart Food Choices
Your food choices can also help determine the success of your weight-loss programs. Healthy and nutritious eating will include:

    Fruits and vegetables. "Low in calories and rich in nutrients, fruits and vegetables can build your meal and help fill you up," Gans says. Orange and dark-green vegetables contain some of the best nutrition around.
    Whole grains. At least half the grains you eat should be whole. They contain loads of fiber and will help you feel full.
    Low-fat milk and milk products. They fill you up and ensure you get enough calcium to stay healthy.
    Lean meats, poultry, and fish. Everyone needs protein, which satisfies hunger like no other food group. So choose lean meats, poultry, and fish and prepare them by baking, broiling, or grilling — no frying.

Last but not least, remember that lifestyle-based weight loss will occur more slowly than with fad diets, melting off only one or two pounds a month, Gans says. But because you've changed the way you eat, you'll be glad to hear that those pounds are far more likely to stay off.

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

PointsPlus Easter Candy Round-up!

 
Know the WW PointsPlus value of your favorite Easter treats before you spring for them!

Jelly Belly jelly beans--1 oz pkg--3
3 Peeps--3
1 Cadbury creme egg--4
Snickers Easter egg--4
Mounds Dark Choc Coconut egg--4
Pastel M&M's 1/4 Cup--6
Dove Milk Choc Bunny--1/4 of 6 oz bunny--6
10 Hershey Kisses--7

Monday, February 27, 2012

I accomplished my goal....Yippppeeeee!!!!

Back in September, I made a goal to lose 15 lbs by my birthday which was yesterday (2/26).   I made my goal very conservative because I know that I tend to lose weight pretty gradually.   But I am happy to announce that I hit my goal & am now 15 pounds lighter than I was on Sept. 1st!!!!   Yipppeee!   I have about 10 more lbs to lose to get to my "happy weight".   Now I know I can do it & I am no longer making excuses or giving up!   I CAN DO IT.....and so can you if you really make up your mind to do it.   Trust me....if I can do it then YOU can do it!!!   :)   Good Luck with ALL your goals this year!
~Jenn

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Are you SABOTAGED at the SUPERMARKET??

 Hungry Girl to the rescue!
I hear you. And I think a lot of people are in the same tough spot. Here are some tips to get you in and out of the supermarket safely...

Don't shop hungry. You've probably been told this before, but it's really the most important piece of advice anyone can give you. Even if you arrive with good intentions, it's a little scary what happens when your stomach does the shopping!

Stick to the list. If you haven't been making a list before you head to the store, it's about time you start! Really think about what foods will set you up for success. Then stock your cart with those items, including guilt-free swaps for tempting fattening treats.

Avoid trigger foods. What's a trigger food? Anything that you just can't stop eating once you start. For me, it's salty, carby stuff like chips. As hard as it may be, don't put that food in your shopping cart if you KNOW you'll wind up overdoing it. Or go for the pre-portioned, single-serving options.

Count your samples, or skip 'em. Those small bites at the supermarket can really add up. And they'll seem a lot less appealing once you've tallied up those calories! Don't fool yourself into thinking they don't "count."

Saturday, January 28, 2012

Why Your Diet Might Not Be Working



 For a lot of people, the "eating better in the New Year" thing is still weighing pretty heavily (no pun intended) on the mind. Well, some new info has emerged that may help you make the best of this year's weight-management efforts. A recent study found that people who overate on a low-protein diet gained less weight than other overeaters. But it also found that a low-protein diet meant lower levels of energy expenditure (read: calories burned) and lean body mass. Bottom line: For the best long-term results, aim for a reasonable amount of protein (and, um, try not to overeat). In other news, while we're big fans of fruits and veggies, a recent study of 300,000+ subjects found that just eating lots of produce wasn't enough to influence weight loss. However, results suggest that loading up on fruits and veggies could stave off weight gain among people who stop smoking. Interesting! So what have we learned? It's important to have a balanced diet (including things like lean protein, fruits, and veggies) and to pay attention to calorie intake -- don't just choose one or the other!

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Awesome FB post I had to share! :)

I LOVED this facebook post & I had to share it with everyone!!!  Thanks Bonnie!  :) 
Read this today:
"Let’s be frank: if you’re lucky, you’re probably 48 hours away from kissing your New Year’s Resolution to get in shape goodbye."

and thought 'how did they know?' :) But then I thought- "My name is Bonnie, not Frank, and I can do this!!!!"

Just frustrated. Have yet to see the scale budge. If anything it is creeping up, dispite lower caloric intake and high intensity (well, it is only 20 minutes :D) Only 2 weeks left! If there is no change, at least I tried it right? And I do have to say I know I worked my shoulders and hip flexors really well :) Will probably pop Jillian in to substitute some strength workouts, if nothing else. I was just hoping this would work. I am one of these freaks that has to drop down to a 1200 calorie diet and 50 min minimum of high intensity (HR 160+) aerobic workout to see weight loss, plus I have to cut so many things out that I love. And I don't want to do that. It's not like I eat unhealthy, I just am not willing to give up coffee, alcohol or chocolate to be thin :) Here's crossing my fingers for change :)

Plain Greek Yogurt Make-Over!


Plain Greek yogurt is SO good for you but tastes kindof gross!    If you feel this way, you're not alone. A lot of people find plain fat-free Greek yogurt too sour. Luckily, there are a lot of guilt-free ways to doctor up your yogurt and make it taste REALLY delicious. Compared to regular yogurt, it has about twice as much protein, fewer carbs, less sodium, and less sugar -- so it's worth another try.

First of all, not all plain Greek yogurts are created equal; some taste better than others. I LOVE the ones by Fage and Chobani. Now that that's settled...

If it's just some sweetness you're missing, try adding a packet of your favorite no-calorie sweetener (like Splenda or Truvia). Then add a drop or two of vanilla extract. Basic but delicious, and hardly any extra calories.

Want to really crank up the flavor? Swirl in some light or fat-free caramel dip (Marzetti makes this) or stir in a little sugar-free or low-sugar preserves. I've even added Crystal Light -- believe it or not, this tastes AMAZING.

Wanna add something crunchy? Crisp fresh fruit (like chopped apple), freeze-dried fruit, cereal, crushed soy crisps or mini rice cakes (sweet flavors, like caramel), a few mini chocolate chips... These all work great!

Don't feel like doing any work at all? You can find single-serving Greek yogurt containers with sidecars of gooey fruit mixture or granola topping. Look for kinds with 150 calories or less each. And of course there are also flavored Greek yogurts that are worth checking out.

Thanks, HG  :)