I'm OBSESSED with these Crackers!!!

Guilt-Free Endurance Crackers:
 
A while back my girlfriend told me about this recipe for crackers that were vegan, gluten-free, nut-free, soy-free, grain-free, and kid-friendly, too.  Sounded like the perfect cracker so of course I gave the recipe a try…and I’ve been making them ever since!
 
These delicious, crunchy crackers are low in calories and carbs – which I know we’re all concerned about – and they contain lots of the healthy fats found in chia, sunflower seeds, sesame, and pumpkins seeds, all the ingredients to keep us satiated and energized for hours after we eat them!
 
And there’s more: they’re rich in nutrients, omega-3 fats, antioxidants, and fiber.  Do I have your attention?!  The health benefits of these remarkable crackers range from weight loss to reduced inflammation, and .......they are delicious, too!!!!
 
Endurance crackers are light and crunchy – easy to grab on the go and nibble any time of the day just when you need that healthy, guilt-free snack.  And they’re super easy to make!  
 
Got 10 minutes to spare? That’s all you’ll need for the prep, then they go into the oven for about an hour and out they’ll come:  25 to 30 of these fabulous crackers, ready for you to dip into your favorite hummus, spread avocado on, or just enjoy plain.
 
Here ya go:
 Ingredients:
½ cup chia seeds
½ cup hulled sunflower seeds
½ cup raw pepita seeds (pumpkin seeds)
½ cup raw white sesame seeds
1 cup water
1 large garlic clove, finely grated
¼ teaspoon of Herbamare of fine sea salt, add more as needed
 

1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper

2. In a large bowl, combine the chia seeds, sunflower seeds, pepitas, and sesame seeds

3. Add the water, garlic and Herbamare.  Stir with a spatula until combined.  Allow the mixture to sit for a couple of minutes until the chia seeds absorb the water.  After the 2 –minute rest, when you stir the mixture, you shouldn’t see a pool of water on the bottom of the bowl.

4. With the spatula (and hand, if necessary), spread the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet in two small rectangles, each about 12 x 7 inches, and 1/8 – ¼ inch thick.  Sprinkle additional Herbamare on top.

5. Bake for 35 minutes.  Remove from oven and carefully flip each rectangle with a spatula.  Bake for another 25-35 minutes, until lightly golden around the edges.  Watch closely near the end to make sure they don’t burn.  

6. Let cool for 10-15 minutes on the pan and then break the rectangles into crackers and let cool completely on the pan. Store in an airtight container or jar on the counter for up to two weeks.  You can also freeze the crackers in freezer bags for up to a month.

 
Make them today…I promise you will be addicted!
 
Bon Appetit!
 
 

Autumn: Falling Leaves/Rising Resolutions!

Who decided that January 1st is a great time to start getting into shape?  What makes January so important when it comes to turning over a new leaf?  I think by the time we start sipping that champagne at midnight, it’s already too late to start setting goals for ourselves.
 
Autumn, on the other hand, is the PERFECT time to start creating healthy habits.  With the change of seasons comes a renewed time to rethink and restart.  Making resolutions on your health and wellness will create good habits and you’ll be looking and feeling great once the hectic holiday season arrives.  Considering school starts in the fall, let’s think of fall as the real start of a New Year!
 
I have put together 10 ways to "Fall"  into fitness this season so we can all be in great shape way before New Years Eve.
 
The Great Outdoors:
Maybe this fall didn’t get off to the best of starts, but soon enough the heat and humidity will dissipate and it will be the ideal time for outdoor workouts.  Go for a walk, hike, run, or bike ride and enjoy the gorgeous fall foliage and the crisp autumn air!
 
Try Something New:
Bored of spinning?  Tired of that fitness class you’ve been going to?  Now’s the time to shake things up a bit and introduce something new into your life! Ever want to learn how to box?  Maybe try circuit training or a yoga class?  This fall is the perfect opportunity to gain new skills physically – and add some spice to your workout routine, while you’re at it.
 
Binge-worthy:
With Netflix and Hulu, there are so many good shows to binge on (OzarksSeason 2 is amazing if you haven’t seen it :) ), but the sad fact is, with all this binging, we tend to become couch potatoes. This Fall, if you’re going to spend hours watching your favorite shows, get moving while you’re doing it!  Next time you’re binge watching Game of Thrones (guilty as charged), do some sit ups, jumping jacks, push ups, or dips – I promise you’ll enjoy your shows even more.
 
Revitalize
This Fall is a perfect time to rejuvenate our minds as well as our bodies!  Treat yourself to a massage, try meditation (Headspace is an amazing meditation app), and read that bestseller you’ve been hearing so much about: taking care of our minds and spirit is just as important and taking care of our bodies. 
 
Don’t give up!
Rome wasn't built in a day.  Be patient.  It can take up to four weeks for our bodies to adapt to new lifestyle changes and it takes three weeks to develop a new habit.  So don't get discouraged – and don’t hit that snooze button!

Drink up!
Don’t forget to stay hydrated!  During the cooler months we tend to drink less water, but we need hydration just as much, so keep that water bottle handy.  A good rule of thumb is that we should be drinking half our body weight in ounces every day, which means, if you weigh in at 130 pounds, you need to be drinking at LEAST 65 ounces of water a day.
 
Move!
We all lead busy lives and don’t always have the time to hit the gym, go for a run, or attend our favorite yoga class.  But that’s OK because we can still incorporate great amounts exercise into our daily lives.   We can take the stairs instead of the elevator, increase our step count by parking farther away from our destination, talk a walk during a lunch break instead of checking out Instagram and Facebook.   Ready to open that Uber app?  Walk to that appointment instead – save some money and get healthy at the same time: win-win! 
 
Invest in a fitness tracker:
Fitbit could just be one of the best purchases to make this Fall because it helps us stay committed to our fall fitness regiment. When we can clearly see progress, working out becomes more fun – and motivating!
 
Oh my gourd!
In addition to staying active, eating healthy is also essential to staying fit.  There is nothing better than eating fruits and vegetables that are at their peak.  Some of my favorite Fall fruits and veggies are apples and cranberries, as well as cabbage, cauliflower, and don’t forget squash: these big gourds are loadedwith nutrients!
 
The 3 C’s
We all know them, but it’s good to remind ourselves of these cornerstones to a wonderful, healthy life:  Commitment, Convenience, and Consistency.  Adhering to these three C’s is the key to a successful fitness program. 
 
It’s all up to you:  you have to make the decision to get fit – so why not make that decision to stay fit by starting right now, this Fall!  I promise you will be feeling great in no time!

Let me know how you are doing. I would love to hear from you.
 

 
 

HOW DO YOUR PORTION SIZES MEASURE UP?

OK, you’re trying to lose weight and you’re doing everything right:  exercising daily, drinking tons of water, getting lots of sleep, and eating all the right foods…but the scale refuses to budge.  What can be the problem?

Portions!  When we’re trying to lose weight, we need to eat the right amount of healthy foods.  Portions are the amount of food you SHOULD be eating.  In other words, serving size.  And, yes, it is possible to gain weight from eating too much healthy food!!

No one expects you to walk around with a food scale and measuring cups, but there is a way to measure food portions without the equipment – and it can be easy once we know how to use simple tools that are always on hand… literally.  J

Not everyone’s hands are exactly the same size, but below is a general guide that can be effectively used to estimate basic serving size equivalents.

1 CUP = 2 handfuls – a perfect serving size of berries or a serving size of cooked pasta

½ CUP = 1 heaping handful – great for a single serving of dry pasta, hot oatmeal, or cooked quinoa

¼ CUP = 1 level handful – good for a single serving size of nuts (approximately one ounce or 1/4 to 1/3 cup). 

1 FINGER SCOOP = 1 teaspoon for a single serving of butter or oil (a single serving of almond butter is typically 2 teaspoons).

2 FINGER SCOOP = 1 tablespoon – a single serving of hummus is usually 2 tablespoons.

You can also use your hands when measuring portions of meat and produce. 

For example, a single serving of chicken, beef, or fish is approximately 3-6 ounces, roughly the size of your palm (or a deck of cards). 

For fruits and veggies, a one-cup serving is roughly the size of your closed fist.

A single serving of cheese is approximately the size of your thumb.

When at the grocery store, many food packages look like they provide a single serving size but actually provide enough for 2-3 servings!  Make sure to read the nutritional facts label, which will help give you a good idea of a reasonable serving size.

If you’re going out for dinner, eating the right portion size can be even more challenging.  Most entrees can serve 2-3 people.  So try splitting an entrée with a friend or order an appetizer for your main course.

When eating at home, using a kitchen scale will offer the most accurate results of course, but if you don’t own a scale or are in a rush (which we always are!), using my guidelines above will be very… HANDY!
These simple skills – knowing how to measure our food portions accurately – is important to our overall health, especially if we’re looking to lose some weight or maintain what we have.   So take some time to learn and master checking food sizes and read those nutrition labels  and ingredient lists! 

Let me know how you are doing. I would love to hear from you!

-        

HUNG OVER?

HUNG OVER?

I don’t know about you, but I tend to drink a bit more in the summertime – something about the warm sun, the beach, the sand… and suddenly I’m craving glasses of chilled Rosé and Tequila (with lime of course!).
 
Drinking alcohol always seems like a great idea…at the time.  But by morning we may wish we didn’t have that extra glass: will we ever learn?
 
Unfortunately it’s all too easy then to justify eating a greasy egg sandwich or downing that sugary drink – anything to make us feel....less terrible.   But all those sugar additives and heavy foods – although maybe seem comforting at the time – more than likely makes us feel worse in the long run.
 
Having had a hangover once or twice in my life :),  I’ve researched what to eat – and what to avoid eating – in order to feel better ASAP in a healthful way.  There’s no getting around the fact that simply the passage of time will help us, but what we ingest definitely makes a huge difference in how long that time is.
 
Below are some of my healthy recommendations for helping us feel better when we wake up from that great time we so enjoyed the night before:
 
H2O
Alcohol acts as a diuretic, which can cause dehydration.  Dehydration in turn plays a big role in those hangover symptoms, such as headache, nausea, fatigue, and dry mouth.  Drinking tons of water helps us rehydrate and assists in replenishing the electrolytes (potassium and magnesium) that we lose when we have too much to drink.
 
GOT BANANAS?
Potassium rich foods – think bananas, avocados, spinach, sweet potatoes, citrus fruits, and tomatoes – are super helpful and nutritious. In order for our bodies to work properly, we need this type of electrolyte.  In conjunction with lots of water, eating these foods will help alleviate the symptoms of a hangover big time!
 
MAGNESIUM RICH FOODS
In addition to potassium, another electrolyte that gets lost in our urine when we drink too much is magnesium.   Find foods rich in magnesium, such as beans, nuts, whole grains, dark leafy greens, chicken, and dark chocolate (my personal fav).  So eat up: we need to replace them!  Coconut water is a great choice, as well, because it’s packed with electrolytes – but without all that added sugar and additives found in sports drinks.
 
GIVE ME A B!
Feeling weak and shaky in the AM?  That's because alcohol causes our blood sugar levels to drop.  To counteract that, try going for some of those healthy, starchy carbs like oats and whole grains (instead of bagels and pancakes!).  They’ll help get our glucose levels back on track, while providing the much-needed B vitamins we lose while drinking too much.
 
BAD STOMACH?
Feeling sick to your stomach the next morning?  Try to stay away from high-fiber and high-fat foods.  And dump the sugar and artificial sweeteners – choose foods that are sweetened naturally (like fruit!).
 
Protein works wonders for that first morning-after meal, as well – it serves as a calming agent for our stomachs. I personally love eggs – just without all that cheese and bacon.  What about Vegans, you ask?  No problem:  just add your favorite plant-based protein powder to your favorite smoothie…that works too.
 
The most obvious solution to a hangover, of course, is to not put ourselves in this situation in the first place – but we know temptation happens, especially when we’re out having a good time and our defenses are down and…things happen :)
 
So instead of saying “I’ll never drink again!” try following these recommendations and see how you feel.
 
Cheers!
 

You Had Me At Vacation

Who doesn’t love a vacation?  Time to relax and have fun and not be concerned about calories and diets, etc.  That's the point, right?  We’re on vacation and we want to… indulge!  But then it happens: we return home.  And the reality hits us that all that indulging threw us off our  healthy routines – and gave us a higher number on the scale. We’ve all been there, but no worries! 
I’ve put together some simple tips to help keep us healthy – and happy – while on vacation.
 
WORK OUT!
Even if you find yourself eating more while you are away, you can still set aside time each day to exercise.  Try and block out at least 45 minutes a day to do some sort of physical activity.  If your hotel doesn’t have a gym, long walks on the beach or swimming laps in the pool work just as well.  If you’re in the mountains, go for a hike!
 
DON'T OVERINDULGE AT MEALS!
Of course, when we’re on vacation, the last thing we want to feel is deprived – so go ahead and enjoy yourself, but just in moderation. You can have a taste of that yummy dessert your family ordered –just don't eat the whole thing! And if you know you’re having a bigger meal at dinnertime, try eating lighter throughout the day.  Also, make sure you ask a lot of questions:  Dressing on the side?  What kind of oil do you use?  Is there butter in that?  Can i get an appetizer portion, etc?
 

AVOID THE MINI BAR!
Will help you physically and financially!
 
DRINK TONS OF WATER!
When we travel we are out of our normal routine – we may be imbibing more margaritas, or maybe we’re at a higher altitude (or both!) and this can contribute to dehydration. So please be sure to drink plenty of water regularly throughout the day.
 
PACK YOUR PROBIOTICS!
We’ve all heard of Montezuma’s Revenge – and let me tell you, it’s no myth.  So if you take only one supplement with you on vacation, make sure it’s your probiotic.  When we travel we tend to eat and drink all sorts of of stuff we don’t normally eat and drink at home – and this can wreak havoc on our gut, digestion, and overall health.  Taking just one probiotic daily while traveling aids in avoiding these stomach issues.
 
GET YOUR SERVINGS OF FRUITS AND VEGETABLES!
Be sure not to skimp on these essentials – eating plenty of fruits and veggies makes our meals more filling and satisfying.  And – a bonus – they provide us with much needed fiber.
 
BE PREPARED!
Be sure to pack some of your favorite dry food items for the plane ride.  Items such as protein bars, nuts, dried fruits, and protein powder for drinks, to name a few, will get us healthily to our destinations.
 
So if you're a traveling this Spring Break, heed these suggestions and I promise you will feel healthy and energized on your return!
 
Save travels and Bon Voyage!
 

Why We Should Eat Chocolate on Valentine's Day

You know you’re going to indulge today and I’m here to tell you… go for it!
 

If you haven’t already heard, chocolate is good for us!  In its purist form – raw cacao – chocolate has a plethora of benefits.  So the good news is:  eating something sweet and delicious can actually be rewarding for us health-wise!
 
Here’s why:  dark chocolate is loaded with antioxidants, which makes it pretty powerful.  Dark chocolate has more antioxidants than green tea and red wine.  On a day that celebrates the heart, that's good news!
 
Having said that, I may have to ruin your plans to grab that handful of Hershey’s kisses next to your long-stem roses.  The fact is, not all chocolates are created equal.  Many manufacturers sell chocolate – or items that contain chocolate – but they really have zero cacao. 
 
Read labels!   When eating chocolate, the darker the better. When chocolate is darker, it contains less sugar and more cacao, the superfood.  Although many nutritionists and health care professionals recommend people consume dark chocolate containing 50% cacao, I recommend we eat dark chocolate containing no less than 70% cacao.  This is a healthier ratio and means that the 70% chocolate bar we’re ogling contains significantly less sugar than bars with 50% cacao – but it will still satisfy your sweet tooth!
 
OK, so now that I’ve given you the green light for dark chocolate, here are the reasons why eating it is so beneficial to our health:
 
Healthy Heart!
Studies show that eating dark chocolate can decrease the risk of heart disease because dark chocolate aids in lowering blood pressure and can reduce hypertension.
 
Reduces cravings!
Including dark chocolate in our diets helps prevent sugar cravings, which then helps us to reduce all that snacking and bingeing which can lead to weight loss.   Best news ever!
 
Elevates our moods!
Who needs Xanax when we can have dark chocolate?  The cacao in dark chocolate has been shown to significantly increase feelings of calmness in adults.  It also contains phenylethylamine, the same chemical our brains create when we feel like we’re falling in love.  Dark chocolate just makes us feel happier – it’s the perfect treat for Valentine’s Day!
 
 Good for our brains! 
Eating dark chocolate can help improve cognitive function and helps reduce the risk of stroke. Genius!
 
Energy boost! 
Science shows that eating dark chocolate can give us surges of extra energy.  Dark chocolate contains theobromine, which is a mild stimulant.  Maybe not as strong as caffeine, but it’ll definitely give us a bit of a boost and – let’s face it – it tastes a whole lot better!
 
So today, when your Valentine gives you chocolate, go for those darker ones and indulge…just not the whole box of course – despite all its benefits, dark chocolate does still have calories, so try and stick to no more than one to two servings a day....
 
And remember: the purer the chocolate, the more satisfied you will be.
 
All we really need is love… and a little bit of chocolate!
 
Happy Valentine’s Day!

Dump Your Sugar Daddy!

Only if you live under a rock can you possibly not know that sugar is bad for you!  The crimes of sugar are numerous, but let’s start with some obvious ones:  it rots our teeth, packs on the pounds, and provides zero nutrition. 

If that's not enough for you to toss that candy bar into the trash, how about this:  sugar has also been linked to everything from diabetes and heart disease to skin problems, depression/anxiety, and even cancer!

Sugar is one of the most pro-inflammatory foods out there – and that’s the reason it’s associated with so many chronic illnesses.  Chronic inflammation is the basis of most diseases, so when we eat too much sugar, it can be detrimental to our overall health.

You don’t suffer from heart disease, diabetes, or chronic illness?  Wonderful, but!  Reducing our intake of sugar regardless – and giving our bodies a sugar “detox” while we’re at it – does our bodies (and minds!) endless good, especially if we’re feeling tired, moody, stiff, and/or achy. 

Do you think you’re a sugar addict?  You can break the sugar habit!  OK, it isn’t easy – studies show that sugar can have a stronger effect on our brains than cocaine and heroin – but that’s why I’m here:  I’ve come up with some helpful tips for dealing with sugar addiction!

Eat Naturally Sweet Food! 

They’re naturally sweet and healthy – and best of all, they’re delicious.  The more naturally sweet veggies and fruit we eat, the less we crave sugar. 

Replace Sugar with Healthy Fats!

Eating healthy fats, such as avocado, nuts/nut butter, hemp seeds, eggs, and hummus can really fill us up, keep up satiated, and we will be less likely to crave sweets.

Remember H2O!

Very often our sweet cravings are a sign of dehydration.  Before reaching for the Ben & Jerry’s, have a glass of water.  Now just wait a few minutes and see what happens.  I guarantee that sugar craving disappears.

Say No to Artificial Sweeteners and Sugar Substitutes!

Why?  Because they’ve been linked to increased sugar cravings and weight gain! If you need a sweetener, go for sugar in its most natural form:  pure maple syrup, coconut nectar, raw honey.  Just make sure you are consuming minimal amounts!

 Distract Yourself!

Next time a craving for sweets sneaks up on you, grab a turn on Words With Friends, send out a tweet, or just go outside for a short walk.  Most cravings only last a few minutes, so by the time you’re done distracting yourself, hopefully that craving will have gone bye-bye!

Zzzzzzz’s!

Go to sleep!  When we’re constantly stressed and/or sleep deprived, our bodies crave the quickest form of energy out there and unfortunately we know what that is:  sugar!!

Read Labels!

Avoid anything that contains added sugar, which turns out to be most fat-free and low-fat packaged goods.   Look for products that contain no more than 15 grams of sugar per serving. 

Spice Up your Life!

Experiment with spices!  Cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and cardamom are just a few of the spices we can use to naturally sweeten our foods and reduce cravings!

Ready to get that sugar monkey off your back?  Just a warning:  when we start reducing our sugar intake, our bodies initially don’t like it and you may feel, well…  awful at first (depending on how much sugar you are used to consuming!). 

Don’t let that stop you!  This yucky feeling shouldn’t last more than two or three days and then… you will feel GREAT!!

When sugar is the driving force behind our fatigue and mood swings – and so much else that plagues our systems – detoxing from or reducing sugar has us feeling fab right away.

Stay Sweet!

Baby, It's Cold Outside!

I don’t know about you, but I hate the cold!  Once the temperature dips below 50 degrees, I find myself less motivated to exercise and all those crisp, green salads and healthy meals I was eating all summer and fall abruptly seem so much less…appealing.  Not only are so many yummy veggies and fruits no longer in season (or just not as fresh), but let’s face it:  once Mother Nature brings on the brrrrr, our craving for comfort foods comes on full force!

 For me winter brings on major cravings for sweets – and chocolate is my weakness.  It’s as if all those cookies, candies, and cakes we resisted so well during the holidays suddenly form one giant dollop of whipped cream and all our defenses come crashing down – or maybe it’s just that, when Ol’ Man Winter shows up on our doorsteps, he brings a boatload of comfort food cravings at the same time!

 The reasons don’t matter – launching a counterattack does! So in 2017, combat that urge to dig into the mac ‘n cheese on a snowy afternoon and look for foods that are just as warming and comforting… without the guilt!

 Comfort foods don't have to be bad.  Real comfort foods can leave us feeling fab from the minute we dig in.  With these practical tips for healthy eating during these winter months, I’m confident we can maintain a healthy nutritious diet filled with whole foods that will warm – and nourish – our bodies from the inside out.

 Slurp up!

Soup is the perfect winter food choice:  warm, nourishing, and filling.  Look for soups that don’t contain dairy and are low in sodium.  Soups containing lots of veggies or a good chicken broth are the way to go.  Slurping soup as a first course can also fill you up, which we know can help us limit our calories for the rest of the meal!

 Shop seasonal!

Even though some of your favorite fruits and vegetables may not look as good during the winter, this doesn't mean you shouldn’t be filling your shopping cart with produce.  The best way of managing our weight is by eating lots of fruits and vegetables.  They are loaded with nutrients and fiber, and have a high water content, which makes us feel full.  Look for seasonal items such as butternut squash, beets, grapefruit, pears, clementine, and healthy greens like kale, collard greens, brussel sprouts, and broccoli.

 Oatmeal is our friend!

Not only is oatmeal a convenient breakfast food, but it’s also uber-nutritious!  Loaded with vitamins and minerals and antioxidants, this super food not only helps control weight; it’s also great for the ticker and helps reduce high blood pressure and build immunity.  Look for all natural old-fashioned oats.  Add nut butters or pure maple syrup (no Aunt Jemima, please!) and you’ll find it warm and delicious.  My favorite winter comfort food by far!

 Warm up those salads!

Because our bodies crave warm foods during the winter, those cold, crisp greens don't seem quite as appetizing now as they do in July.  But instead of saying no to salads, I suggest topping your favorite greens with warm chicken, roasted veggies or potatoes, toasted nuts, or crispy chickpeas.  Adding this warmth to our salads will provide the same feeling that those naughty comfort foods do – but without the guilt!

 Never eat ingredients you can’t pronounce – except quinoa!

Quinoa, in my opinion, is the best grain to eat – especially during these winter months – because it absorbs a lot of water, which keeps us full for a long time.  This is an awesome grain for weight loss and, since it contains marvelous amounts of fiber, vitamins, and healthy fats, it may be one of the healthiest things we can eat.  Don’t forget it’s also a complete protein, which makes it an excellent choice for anyone who is staying away from animal proteins.

 Quinoa can be prepared just like rice.  I like to make extra and keep it in an airtight container in my fridge for the week. Try adding your favorite veggies – yum! 

Quinoa also makes a great porridge, ideal to eat for breakfast during these wintry months.  Add one cup of cooked quinoa with about a cup of milk (I like almond milk, of course) to make it warm and creamy.  Also feel free to add cinnamon, honey, or maple syrup.

So don’t let Jack Frost tempt you to crawl under the blankets and order pizza.  Put on your hat, boots, and scarf and go for a walk outside.  When you come back, try some of these healthy comfort foods I mentioned. I promise: you’ll feel – and look – great when you do! 

Stay warm!

Move over Kale, there’s a New Spice in Town!

Turmeric has been getting a lot of buzz lately.  Some experts are calling it “the new kale.”  It’s emerging as an ingredient in many juice bars, popular restaurants, and in a lot of cool, healthy recipes!

What is Turmeric?  Turmeric is a spice that grows wild in the forests of southern Asia and is used most often in Indian, Pakistani, and Thai dishes. 

In addition to its unique flavor, turmeric is one of the most potent herbs in the world!

Why, you ask?  One word:  curcumin.  Curcumin is a major component of turmeric and it has amazing health benefits because it contains powerful antioxidants and works as an anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and antiviral agent.

Here are just a few of the many benefits of incorporating turmeric into your lifestyle:

-       Decreased cancer risk

-       Guards against Alzheimer’s disease

-       Helps regulate blood pressure

-       Reduces inflammation

-       Aids in skin care problems such as acne, psoriasis, and sun damage

-       Aids in improving chronic digestive health issues

-       Helps keep skin youthful looking – it literally makes our skin glow!

-       Aids in healing joint pain

-       Helps lower blood sugar

-       Helps our bodies fight stressors such as environmental toxins, lack of sleep, and inflammatory/high fat foods 

So now that you know how awesome this magic spice is, luckily there are some easy ways to incorporate it into your diet.  

For starters, you can grate it fresh (it's a root) or buy is dried in a spice jar.  And then use it to spice up your food.  You can add it to just about anything:  vegetables, eggs, salad dressings, salads, meat dishes, soups… the opportunities are endless!

If cooking isn’t your thing – or maybe you don’t care for the taste of turmeric – no worries:  consider taking it as a daily supplement.  I like the taste, but I also take a supplement just to ensure I’m getting all mind-blowing health benefits of this super spice on a daily basis.

Last but not least, many juice bars incorporate turmeric into their juices – I know Juice Press makes a great one. 

Bottoms up!

LET THE TURKEY DO THE GOBBLING ON THANKSGIVING DAY

I love Thanksgiving, I think it may be my favorite holiday:  no expectations, no presents, no religious overtones – just a gathering of friends and family to celebrate all the things we are grateful for in our lives.  What could be better?

Unfortunately, a lot of eating and drinking also goes hand in hand with being thankful and grateful on this day and it’s way too easy to go overboard with calories and consumption.

Who can resist those yummy sweet potatoes with marshmallows or mom’s homemade stuffing…not to mention that gooey pecan pie!  All these wonderful delicacies make it almost impossible to be disciplined, right?   WRONG!

Just because it’s Thanksgiving doesn't mean we have to sabotage our weight.  With some helpful tips, we won’t have to forego our favorite foods and we can still enjoy a guilt-free feast. Get ready to let the turkey be the only thing that gets stuffed tomorrow!

Here are some recommendations to keep us off that slippery slope leading to over-indulgence on Turkey Day – and leaving room for some dessert while we’re at it.

1.     Eat Breakfast!  You might be thinking that it makes sense to just save up all your calories for the Big Meal, but that couldn't be farther from the truth.  Try eating a small, but satisfying breakfast like a green smoothie with a couple of hard-boiled eggs or maybe some yummy health bread or a bowl of oatmeal with blueberries. This way we won’t be starving when the festivities begin and all that tempting food rolls out!

2.     Police your portions!  Fill up half your plate with vegetables, a quarter of your plate with a starch (stuffing/potatoes), and the other quarter with turkey.  When we eat these low-in-calories/high-in-nutrition foods, we feel full – but not bloated.

3.     Hydrate!  We often mistake hunger for dehydration so drink lots of water throughout the day and you’ll lower your risk of overeating.

4.     Slow down!  By taking our time eating – even just by putting our fork down between bites – we allow ourselves to really taste each mouthful, so we’re guaranteed to enjoy our meal more and gain more satisfaction from it.

5.     Location, location, location!  Try not to position yourself in front of the cheese board or the candy dish.  Sit next to a nice warm fire or next to good friends. You’ll enjoy yourself more – and like yourself better come Friday morning!

6.     Stay away from seconds!  If we eat our breakfast, watch our portions, hydrate, gab with friends, and just slow down, we’ll be far too happy enjoying our firsts to go for more.  Besides, did you see those desserts getting ready for prime time?  I don’t know about you, but I’ll be glad I’ve left room for a slice pumpkin pie.

Remember: Thanksgiving is a time for celebration, so let’s not be hard on ourselves.  Just the intention to eat healthy on this famous eating holiday is a great way to start the day.  And if we do happen to overeat?  That’s why we have the next morning: to get back on track again! 

Every meal is a Monday Morning!

Happy Thanksgiving!