Spring is here. Well, the calendar says it's here but the weather...says old man Winter isn't going anywhere, anytime soon. But, even though it's still cold outside and you may still feel like hibernating still, it's time to Spring into Action + Get Fit for the warm weather to come.
This is the time of year that many people begin their weight loss program. People are determined to work on having that beach body for summer. Or it may simply be that people are just fed up with where they are with their weight and are vowing not to go into another summer, 10-15+ lbs over their ideal weight. And you can just add me into the mix as well - smile.
So, the upcoming blog articles I'll post will be about ways to jump start your weight loss program for the spring/summer. These articles will discuss cleanses/detoxing, ways to eat healthy on a budget, popular exercise and weight loss programs and other relevant topics.
This week I'll address cleanses and detoxing your body. Spring detoxing/cleansing is the best because it gets your body ready for feeling lighter, healthier and more energized for the warm weather to come. With detoxing or utilizing a cleanse, you may lose a few pounds but the real benefit is being able to completely rid your body of toxins allowing it to heal and renew. Imagine when you take on the project of cleaning out that dreaded closet...you know the one where you have to open the door, quickly shove in whatever article of clothing and quickly close the door before the whole closet comes down on your head. When you finally decide that you've had enough of that and you are completely done with having things drop on top your head (and you've got the bumps and lumps to prove that-smile), you get to cleaning and clearing out the closet. The process of de-cluttering or "detoxing" this closet is rewarding and empowering. Once you've cleared it out, imagine how that would feel? A closet that is organized, completely devoid of clutter leaves you feeling refreshed, lighter and accomplished. Why wouldn't you want the same for your body?
So stay tuned for more! And let me know what types of cleanses/detoxing programs have you tried? What has worked for you or not worked for you? What would you recommend? Please make sure to post your comment below.
Let's begin to Spring into Action + Get Fit!
Be well!
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
[Alternative] Milk Does a Body Good!
Cow's milk seems to be losing popularity in the last several years (totally my opinion-smile). It's like dairy has become a 'dirty' word - lol. And it's interesting that this is the new climate because all of us can remember growing up and being told to 'Drink your milk!' by parents, educators and of course TV.
These days you hear and read about how cow's milk may not be all that good for you or rather there are some con's to drinking cow's milk. While studying to be a health coach, we learned that everyone is completely different; while it may be good for one person, another may have issues with drinking regular milk. If you are like me, then regular milk is a no-no. I am lactose intolerant and have been since I was a kid. I remember times when I'd have ice cream and it would give me the worse stomach cramps and pains. There were times, my good people, it felt like I had the actual cow growing inside, desperately wanting to come out! Can we say ALIEN cow? Seriously, many people are lactose intolerant, may experience allergic reactions and may not even realize it. Symptoms can vary from one person to the next. It's also said that cow's milk may cause phlegm/mucus to increase. The jury seems to be still out on that so the question is what are the options if I do have issues? Here are a few:
ALMOND MILK
Has become my favorite. It is made from ground almonds and contains no cholesterol or lactose (lactose is a sugar that is found most notably in milk). Commercial almond milk comes in plain, vanilla and chocolate and are enriched with vitamins. It is a good alternative for those who are lactose intolerant, have soy allergies or are concerned about how soy MAY increase estrogen levels (another widely debated topic; it's said that increased estrogen levels can lead to certain cancers). My favorite brand is Blue Diamond-Almond Breeze vanilla.
RICE MILK
Is made by streaming brown rice through a mill stream and filtering out the pressed grain. It has about the same calorie count as 2% milk; with about 120 calories per cup, it has the highest caloric count amongst all the milk alternatives. And it also has a lot of carbs...about 33 grams, nearly 3x the amount in cow's milk. So if you are diabetic, it's probably not a good alternative. However, rice milk is a heart healthy alternative; only contains about 2 grams of fat. Rice milk doesn't have a lot of protein. Popular brand: Rice Dream
SOY MILK
Is made as the result of soaking and grinding soybeans with water. The bean water is strained and the remaining mixture is the soy milk. It provides a healthy balance of high-quality protein and carbs, low in fat with no cholesterol and very low in saturated fat. Soybeans contain rich protein, vitamins A, B1, B2, and other mineral elements. They also contain the highest concentration of protein among all the legumes: 40 percent protein by volume compared to 20 percent for other beans. The FDA determined that 25 grams of soy protein per day may reduce the risk of heart disease by reducing cholesterol. Soy less likely to overstimulate blood sugar levels, which makes it a good choice in a diabetic diet. The fat content in soy milk is highly unsaturated and contains omega-3 fatty acid, which studies show, lowers the risk of heart disease and some cancers. However, in the past couple of years, there has been conflicting information saying that soy milk contains estrogen-like substances (isoflavones which convert to phytoestrogen once in the body) that increase estrogen in the body. This increase in the body is said (hasn't been thoroughly proven) to POSSIBLY contribute to breast cancer, irritability, fat gain around hips, thighs and hips, fibrocystic breast disease and uterine fibroids. Again, this information has not been proven so I would recommend discussing with your doctor and using your own judgment.
So try out these alternatives and choose the one you enjoy. The best thing is that for people who cannot consume cow's milk, we have other options. Now DRINK YOUR MILK!
Be well!
These days you hear and read about how cow's milk may not be all that good for you or rather there are some con's to drinking cow's milk. While studying to be a health coach, we learned that everyone is completely different; while it may be good for one person, another may have issues with drinking regular milk. If you are like me, then regular milk is a no-no. I am lactose intolerant and have been since I was a kid. I remember times when I'd have ice cream and it would give me the worse stomach cramps and pains. There were times, my good people, it felt like I had the actual cow growing inside, desperately wanting to come out! Can we say ALIEN cow? Seriously, many people are lactose intolerant, may experience allergic reactions and may not even realize it. Symptoms can vary from one person to the next. It's also said that cow's milk may cause phlegm/mucus to increase. The jury seems to be still out on that so the question is what are the options if I do have issues? Here are a few:
ALMOND MILK
Has become my favorite. It is made from ground almonds and contains no cholesterol or lactose (lactose is a sugar that is found most notably in milk). Commercial almond milk comes in plain, vanilla and chocolate and are enriched with vitamins. It is a good alternative for those who are lactose intolerant, have soy allergies or are concerned about how soy MAY increase estrogen levels (another widely debated topic; it's said that increased estrogen levels can lead to certain cancers). My favorite brand is Blue Diamond-Almond Breeze vanilla.
RICE MILK
Is made by streaming brown rice through a mill stream and filtering out the pressed grain. It has about the same calorie count as 2% milk; with about 120 calories per cup, it has the highest caloric count amongst all the milk alternatives. And it also has a lot of carbs...about 33 grams, nearly 3x the amount in cow's milk. So if you are diabetic, it's probably not a good alternative. However, rice milk is a heart healthy alternative; only contains about 2 grams of fat. Rice milk doesn't have a lot of protein. Popular brand: Rice Dream
SOY MILK
Is made as the result of soaking and grinding soybeans with water. The bean water is strained and the remaining mixture is the soy milk. It provides a healthy balance of high-quality protein and carbs, low in fat with no cholesterol and very low in saturated fat. Soybeans contain rich protein, vitamins A, B1, B2, and other mineral elements. They also contain the highest concentration of protein among all the legumes: 40 percent protein by volume compared to 20 percent for other beans. The FDA determined that 25 grams of soy protein per day may reduce the risk of heart disease by reducing cholesterol. Soy less likely to overstimulate blood sugar levels, which makes it a good choice in a diabetic diet. The fat content in soy milk is highly unsaturated and contains omega-3 fatty acid, which studies show, lowers the risk of heart disease and some cancers. However, in the past couple of years, there has been conflicting information saying that soy milk contains estrogen-like substances (isoflavones which convert to phytoestrogen once in the body) that increase estrogen in the body. This increase in the body is said (hasn't been thoroughly proven) to POSSIBLY contribute to breast cancer, irritability, fat gain around hips, thighs and hips, fibrocystic breast disease and uterine fibroids. Again, this information has not been proven so I would recommend discussing with your doctor and using your own judgment.
So try out these alternatives and choose the one you enjoy. The best thing is that for people who cannot consume cow's milk, we have other options. Now DRINK YOUR MILK!
Be well!
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
For all my snack-a-holics!
I couldn't figure out what to write this time around so I thought about what topic is close to my heart...and stomach. (LOL) Well, for those who know me, I am the original SNACK QUEEN...El Presidente of the 'SNACKS R US' club...Leader of the 'WHO GON' CHECK MY SNACKS, BOO' pack. When I started my whole weight loss journey, besides incorporating more fruits, water and veggies, I had to curb my appetite for snacks. Snacks like potato chips, cookies, cupcakes, cakes, chocolate were a few of the snacks I loved to partake in. And let me tell you, this is not an easy feat. Snacks are fun, comforting, tasty, indulging and yummy for your tummy. Snacks like the ones I mentioned keep you 'company' those late nights when you feel depressed or lonely or bored. They appear to be your 'friend' and trick you into believing that they won't ever hurt you-smile. However, we know that to be untrue and if you are committed to losing weight and keeping those pounds off, these types of snacks are not going to help you with that.
So, what's a snack-a-holic to do? Find replacements. And yes, there are some good, tasty replacements out there. One thing I've learned while studying to be a holistic health coach at Integrative Nutrition is not to just cut out things that have no nutritional value but to replace them with foods/healthy snacks so that you don't feel deprived or hungry.
Here's my unofficial list of recommended snacks (if you MUST snack like me-smile) that are healthier options:
RiceWorks Gourment Brown Rice Crisps
I found these really tasty chips one day as I was perusing through the snack aisle in Duane Reade. (Yes I peruse the snack aisle quite often...how else am I to keep up with what's new, what's hot, what's hip? lol) These chips come in a variety of flavors and they are wheat + gluten free, have no preservatives, no artificial flavors and zero trans fats. Go to their website to find out more: http://www.riceworkssnacks.com. They even have recipes where you can use their crisps as an ingredient.
Luna Bars
Another good option if you are on the go, pressed for time and can't really stop to eat. I love these bars but like most bars some have a high caloric count and are a bit high on the sodium. However, they have a low glycemic index (doesn't jack up your blood sugar levels) and contain quite of bit of vitamins and minerals. This bar is mostly promoted towards women but honestly anyone can eat them. My favorite are Cookies & Cream and Vanilla Almond. Check out their website: http://www.lunabar.com.
Almond Dream Frozen Desserts
I stumbled onto this wonderful little dessert treat as I was...yes you guessed it...perusing through the snack/ice cream aisle in Whole Foods - lol. Now I am lactose intolerant and I RARELY eat ice cream. I remember having ice cream maybe a few weeks ago but before that, I would go ahead and say it's been years. My body just cannot tolerate it so I started to look for an alternative. Just because I cannot have it sure doesn't mean I don't still want it or crave it-smile. So I began looking for something to replace it with and found these little desserts. They come in vanilla, chocolate, strawberry and praline crunch (my fav!) just to name a few. Dairy free and gluten free. They also make Rice Dream and Soy Dream desserts. It's great for smoothies! Their website is: http://www.tastethedream.com.
Green & Black Organic chocolate
"Hi, my name is Lydia...and I'm a choco-holic." Group says: "Hiii, Lydia!"
I could eat chocolate all day and every day. And have done exactly that. Most times I find myself needing a piece of chocolate (well, more than piece...I usually eat the whole darn bar, bag, whatever-lol) every single day. Now chocolate isn't bad for you; it actually has health benefits. Dark chocolate that is and I've learned that raw chocolate is even better. So I had to put aside the Snickers/Kit Kats/Twix bars for a more healthy option and Green & Black can give that, for the most part. They also have great and interesting varieties as well. And Duane Reade sells a little mini version for about $1.99; I usually indulge in that. Their website is: http://www.greenandblacks.com
Duane Reade's DeLish brand of snacks
I have to say this was a great idea the Duane Reade (can you tell I'm in there a whooole lot-lol) chain came up with since the trend has drastically changed with regards to healthier food/snack options. I love their Cashew, Pistachio/Cashew/Almond, Dark Chocolate Almonds and Almond nut snacks. They satisfy my sweet tooth but are not too bad with regards to having a snack. And they are great to buy and take to the movies instead of spending a whole lot of money on snacks that aren't good for you.
Well, these are just a few of my favorite on-the-go snacks. Try them out. And if you have your own favorite snacks that are a healthier choice, leave a comment and share with the world!
Happy snacking.
So, what's a snack-a-holic to do? Find replacements. And yes, there are some good, tasty replacements out there. One thing I've learned while studying to be a holistic health coach at Integrative Nutrition is not to just cut out things that have no nutritional value but to replace them with foods/healthy snacks so that you don't feel deprived or hungry.
Here's my unofficial list of recommended snacks (if you MUST snack like me-smile) that are healthier options:
RiceWorks Gourment Brown Rice Crisps
I found these really tasty chips one day as I was perusing through the snack aisle in Duane Reade. (Yes I peruse the snack aisle quite often...how else am I to keep up with what's new, what's hot, what's hip? lol) These chips come in a variety of flavors and they are wheat + gluten free, have no preservatives, no artificial flavors and zero trans fats. Go to their website to find out more: http://www.riceworkssnacks.com. They even have recipes where you can use their crisps as an ingredient.
Luna Bars
Another good option if you are on the go, pressed for time and can't really stop to eat. I love these bars but like most bars some have a high caloric count and are a bit high on the sodium. However, they have a low glycemic index (doesn't jack up your blood sugar levels) and contain quite of bit of vitamins and minerals. This bar is mostly promoted towards women but honestly anyone can eat them. My favorite are Cookies & Cream and Vanilla Almond. Check out their website: http://www.lunabar.com.
Almond Dream Frozen Desserts
I stumbled onto this wonderful little dessert treat as I was...yes you guessed it...perusing through the snack/ice cream aisle in Whole Foods - lol. Now I am lactose intolerant and I RARELY eat ice cream. I remember having ice cream maybe a few weeks ago but before that, I would go ahead and say it's been years. My body just cannot tolerate it so I started to look for an alternative. Just because I cannot have it sure doesn't mean I don't still want it or crave it-smile. So I began looking for something to replace it with and found these little desserts. They come in vanilla, chocolate, strawberry and praline crunch (my fav!) just to name a few. Dairy free and gluten free. They also make Rice Dream and Soy Dream desserts. It's great for smoothies! Their website is: http://www.tastethedream.com.
Green & Black Organic chocolate
"Hi, my name is Lydia...and I'm a choco-holic." Group says: "Hiii, Lydia!"
I could eat chocolate all day and every day. And have done exactly that. Most times I find myself needing a piece of chocolate (well, more than piece...I usually eat the whole darn bar, bag, whatever-lol) every single day. Now chocolate isn't bad for you; it actually has health benefits. Dark chocolate that is and I've learned that raw chocolate is even better. So I had to put aside the Snickers/Kit Kats/Twix bars for a more healthy option and Green & Black can give that, for the most part. They also have great and interesting varieties as well. And Duane Reade sells a little mini version for about $1.99; I usually indulge in that. Their website is: http://www.greenandblacks.com
Duane Reade's DeLish brand of snacks
I have to say this was a great idea the Duane Reade (can you tell I'm in there a whooole lot-lol) chain came up with since the trend has drastically changed with regards to healthier food/snack options. I love their Cashew, Pistachio/Cashew/Almond, Dark Chocolate Almonds and Almond nut snacks. They satisfy my sweet tooth but are not too bad with regards to having a snack. And they are great to buy and take to the movies instead of spending a whole lot of money on snacks that aren't good for you.
Well, these are just a few of my favorite on-the-go snacks. Try them out. And if you have your own favorite snacks that are a healthier choice, leave a comment and share with the world!
Happy snacking.
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