Friday, June 25, 2010
Thursday, June 24, 2010
W is for Water
We all know that drinking water is healthier than drinking anything else, right? In fact, drinking water is healthy period. Here are other ways that water is healthy for us that we might take for granted.
Water keeps us from getting sick. It is the best cleaning agent on earth. Can you imagine soap or toothpaste without water? Water is the most important ingredient for staying clean.
Water makes us feel good. You know that feeling when you step into a deliciously warm shower? Or maybe you’re hot and sweaty and need a dip in a refreshing pool or lake? Water is a luxury we all can afford.
Water looks beautiful. The sunset over the ocean, a mighty waterfall, a quiet stream—we could spend hours looking at such beauty.
Water sounds beautiful. The trickle of a running fountain, the rain on the roof, the roar of the ocean—it’s like music to our ears.
It might be easy to forget the value we have in something so free and available to us. Let’s enjoy and appreciate the wonderful blessing we have in such a common commodity.
Water keeps us from getting sick. It is the best cleaning agent on earth. Can you imagine soap or toothpaste without water? Water is the most important ingredient for staying clean.
Water makes us feel good. You know that feeling when you step into a deliciously warm shower? Or maybe you’re hot and sweaty and need a dip in a refreshing pool or lake? Water is a luxury we all can afford.
Water looks beautiful. The sunset over the ocean, a mighty waterfall, a quiet stream—we could spend hours looking at such beauty.
Water sounds beautiful. The trickle of a running fountain, the rain on the roof, the roar of the ocean—it’s like music to our ears.
It might be easy to forget the value we have in something so free and available to us. Let’s enjoy and appreciate the wonderful blessing we have in such a common commodity.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
V is for Vegetables
One of the nicest things about summer is the way I can walk into my back patio and pluck a fresh tomato off the vine. Of course, it’s more likely that my daughter has beaten me to it and all the ripe ones are gone! Maybe in a few weeks we’ll have more than we know what to do with. Until that moment comes, I’m content to know that my daughter is getting some fresh nutrients.
This year we planted snap peas that are to die for they’re so sweet, tomatoes, juicy strawberries, summer squash, zucchini, and green beans. We also have onions and herbs for cooking. We’ll see if the bell peppers and watermelon make it. So far they’re not doing so well.
Fresh vegetables and fruit not only taste better, they’re also healthier than frozen or canned. Even if you don’t have a garden, summer is an easy time to find locally grown produce. I’ve heard it said that summer is the easiest time to eat healthy because there are so many healthy options available. And the options are so delicious!
If you have a loved one who is struggling against eating healthy, perhaps summer is the time to have them try a new set of foods. Vegetables might not be as appealing when you dump them out of a can or cook the frozen lumps into tasteless sponges. But sweet, aromatic, and freshly plucked? They won’t be able to resist. Now is the best time to show how good eating right can taste.
This year we planted snap peas that are to die for they’re so sweet, tomatoes, juicy strawberries, summer squash, zucchini, and green beans. We also have onions and herbs for cooking. We’ll see if the bell peppers and watermelon make it. So far they’re not doing so well.
Fresh vegetables and fruit not only taste better, they’re also healthier than frozen or canned. Even if you don’t have a garden, summer is an easy time to find locally grown produce. I’ve heard it said that summer is the easiest time to eat healthy because there are so many healthy options available. And the options are so delicious!
If you have a loved one who is struggling against eating healthy, perhaps summer is the time to have them try a new set of foods. Vegetables might not be as appealing when you dump them out of a can or cook the frozen lumps into tasteless sponges. But sweet, aromatic, and freshly plucked? They won’t be able to resist. Now is the best time to show how good eating right can taste.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
U is for Unashamed
Succeed always has a starting point. When it comes to eating healthy, losing weight, or exercising, some of us may start multiple times! Of course it is best to keep a healthy lifestyle for the rest of our lives, but the message for today is this: whether it’s the first time you start or the hundredth time you start, don’t be ashamed!
It is never a bad thing to try again. What’s bad is giving up because we failed. I’m sure that even the most consistent eaters and exercisers at some point have failed to follow through. Those who can claim victory in maintaining their healthy lifestyle could probably write a book about how many times they didn’t do so well before they found their own recipe for success.
There have been times in my life when I have been thinner than I am now, but still I am not ashamed of what I am today because I am continuing to try. Fortunately for me, I have found success, and slowly the weight from my last pregnancy is dropping off. I can’t deny that sometimes I am a little shy to see someone I haven’t seen for awhile because I know I’m heavier than the last time they saw me…but I am not ashamed. I am working toward a goal. I am succeeding. Even when I have a rough day or two, I refocus and try again. There is no shame in trying, only a possibility of success.
It is never a bad thing to try again. What’s bad is giving up because we failed. I’m sure that even the most consistent eaters and exercisers at some point have failed to follow through. Those who can claim victory in maintaining their healthy lifestyle could probably write a book about how many times they didn’t do so well before they found their own recipe for success.
There have been times in my life when I have been thinner than I am now, but still I am not ashamed of what I am today because I am continuing to try. Fortunately for me, I have found success, and slowly the weight from my last pregnancy is dropping off. I can’t deny that sometimes I am a little shy to see someone I haven’t seen for awhile because I know I’m heavier than the last time they saw me…but I am not ashamed. I am working toward a goal. I am succeeding. Even when I have a rough day or two, I refocus and try again. There is no shame in trying, only a possibility of success.
Monday, June 21, 2010
T is for Tracking
What if I told you there was a 15 minute task you can do every day that would guarantee success in healthy eating? Would you believe me? Think it’s too good to be true? Dismiss it as a gimmick?
This task works. Without fail, every day that I track my calories and enter them into my daily bank, I eat well. Without fail, every time I get lax in this task, I start to allow unhealthy foods in and excess portions—and I don’t eat well.
The neat thing about keeping track is that even the days with special events when we have more than our usual amount of calories, we still eat better. How many times have we gone “off the deep end” in our eating because we had a piece of cheesecake. Our thinking might be, “I already blew it. I may as well make this a doozy.” But. If we track even during those special days, we’ll be much more likely to stay in the safe end a majority of the day.
Tracking is easy to do, but it’s also easy to not do. How many days have I though, “I don’t need to track today. I’m in a groove. I’m doing fine.” And how times have I lapsed back into unhealthy eating, one extra bite at a time because I stopped tracking.
When it comes to tracking, whether using calories, points, or grams, I’m a believer enough to say it will guarantee success. Here is the challenge: Try it strictly for one month. I have the feeling you’ll say I’m right.
This task works. Without fail, every day that I track my calories and enter them into my daily bank, I eat well. Without fail, every time I get lax in this task, I start to allow unhealthy foods in and excess portions—and I don’t eat well.
The neat thing about keeping track is that even the days with special events when we have more than our usual amount of calories, we still eat better. How many times have we gone “off the deep end” in our eating because we had a piece of cheesecake. Our thinking might be, “I already blew it. I may as well make this a doozy.” But. If we track even during those special days, we’ll be much more likely to stay in the safe end a majority of the day.
Tracking is easy to do, but it’s also easy to not do. How many days have I though, “I don’t need to track today. I’m in a groove. I’m doing fine.” And how times have I lapsed back into unhealthy eating, one extra bite at a time because I stopped tracking.
When it comes to tracking, whether using calories, points, or grams, I’m a believer enough to say it will guarantee success. Here is the challenge: Try it strictly for one month. I have the feeling you’ll say I’m right.
Friday, June 18, 2010
Friday Foods
Chili Chicken and Basil
Prep Time: 6 minutes
Cook Time: 9 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Serves: 4
Ingredients
1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 Thai bird chilies or serrano chilies
1 tsp soy sauce
2 cups loosely packed fresh basil
1 tbsp fish sauce
3 cloves garlic
½ tbsp peanut oil or canola oil
½ tbsp red-chili paste
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp fresh cracked pepper
Directions
1. Finely chop the garlic and chilies, then use the side of your knife to press them together into a rough paste. (Add a pinch of salt to make this process easier.)
2. Preheat a wok or stainless-steel pan over medium-high heat. Add the oil and the garlic-chili paste you just made, and cook for 2 to 3 minutes (be careful not to burn the garlic). Chop the chicken into small pieces and add them to the pan, cooking until they're lightly browned, about 3 to 4 minutes. Add the soy sauce, fish sauce, red-chili paste, and sugar, and continue to cook until the chicken is done all the way through, another 3 to 4 minutes.
3. Add the pepper and basil, and cook until the basil is just wilted, about 2 minutes. Serve immediately.
recipes.womenshealthmag.com
Prep Time: 6 minutes
Cook Time: 9 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Serves: 4
Ingredients
1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 Thai bird chilies or serrano chilies
1 tsp soy sauce
2 cups loosely packed fresh basil
1 tbsp fish sauce
3 cloves garlic
½ tbsp peanut oil or canola oil
½ tbsp red-chili paste
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp fresh cracked pepper
Directions
1. Finely chop the garlic and chilies, then use the side of your knife to press them together into a rough paste. (Add a pinch of salt to make this process easier.)
2. Preheat a wok or stainless-steel pan over medium-high heat. Add the oil and the garlic-chili paste you just made, and cook for 2 to 3 minutes (be careful not to burn the garlic). Chop the chicken into small pieces and add them to the pan, cooking until they're lightly browned, about 3 to 4 minutes. Add the soy sauce, fish sauce, red-chili paste, and sugar, and continue to cook until the chicken is done all the way through, another 3 to 4 minutes.
3. Add the pepper and basil, and cook until the basil is just wilted, about 2 minutes. Serve immediately.
recipes.womenshealthmag.com
Thursday, June 17, 2010
S is for Snacking
Snacking is one very effective strategy for healthy eating. Eating every 2-3 hours boosts metabolism. It also keeps a person from getting too hungry—and we all know the horrendous foods we’re capable of eating when we get too hungry! If we want our healthy diet to stick and work, we need to incorporate healthy snacking into our daily routine.
Below are ideas for healthy snacks. I usually eat a snack midmorning and midafternoon, 10:30 am and 3:30 pm respectively. I try to eat a snack that has protein included, since it helps me to avoid sugar lows before my next meal.
1 fruit and 14 peanuts
Protein bar
String-cheese
Milk
Fiber bar
Rice cake and 12 almonds
Whole grain crackers
½ avocado
1 egg and tomatoes
Frozen peas
Greek yogurt
Fruit smoothie with protein powder
Tuna fish and pickles
Cottage cheese
Grapes and cheddar cheese
Pumpkin seeds
Carrots and hummus
Below are ideas for healthy snacks. I usually eat a snack midmorning and midafternoon, 10:30 am and 3:30 pm respectively. I try to eat a snack that has protein included, since it helps me to avoid sugar lows before my next meal.
1 fruit and 14 peanuts
Protein bar
String-cheese
Milk
Fiber bar
Rice cake and 12 almonds
Whole grain crackers
½ avocado
1 egg and tomatoes
Frozen peas
Greek yogurt
Fruit smoothie with protein powder
Tuna fish and pickles
Cottage cheese
Grapes and cheddar cheese
Pumpkin seeds
Carrots and hummus
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