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Fall for These Fall Recipes
Tweet Share on Facebook September 26, 2012 CommentIt's time to say bittersweet goodbyes to summer produce. This was an amazing year for tomatoes and berries, and I hope you got your fill—they won't be as flavorful, inexpensive, or abundant until next summer. Still, I'm ridiculously excited to see fall's bounty hit the markets. Autumnal deliciousness starts with apples. If we chug through the alphabet, we'll also find: artichokes, arugula, beets, Brussels sprouts and cabbages, cauliflower, chard, cranberries, edamame, eggplant, fennel, figs, garlic, grapes, herbs, kale, kohlrabi, leeks, lemongrass, lime, mushrooms, onions, pears, peppers, potatoes, pumpkins, radicchio, spinach, sweet potatoes, turnips, and winter squash. I cannot wait to break out my crock pot, roasting pan, and fall recipes. Here's what I'm most looking forward to in the coming months:
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Why Fast Food Could Be Good for Your Waistline
Tweet Share on Facebook September 26, 2012 CommentWaiting for her flight, Sharon had a few eating options: Chili's Grill and Bar, McDonald's, Starbucks, and some non-descript airport bar. With her waistline in mind, Sharon chose Chili's, where after spending at least five minutes meticulously scrutinizing the menu, she decided to play it safe and order the Santa Fe Chicken Salad as a main. She was also proud to have pushed the bread basket aside, but at the insistent request of her husband and two teenage girls, she did agree to eat her share of the Hot Spinach and Artichoke Dip with Chips. And while she spent zero calories on a Diet Coke, she couldn't resist grabbing a few spoonfuls of her daughter's Brownie Sunday.
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How to Stop Feeling Selfish About 'Me Time'
Tweet Share on Facebook September 25, 2012 CommentAccording to a 2009 Pew Research Center report, called "The Harried Life of the Working Mother," 66 percent of women with children 17 or younger work full or part time. But these working women are extremely hard on themselves. Only one-third gave themselves top marks on being a mom. Among the full-time workers, only 13 percent agreed it was ideal for child rearing.
Hello, guilt. It's no wonder working moms feel the need to compensate for their lack of "mom performance," rushing to get to their families ASAP to ease the guilt of being gone in the first place. There's the added pressure to schedule kids' extracurricular activities, which can leave kids coming home late in the evening, just as tired as their parents! Then there's homework, dinner, and the work E-mails you can't seem to ignore. For everyone in the family, it's go, go, go. There is no down time, no more empty space on the calendar. It's not surprising that four in 10 working moms describe themselves as "always rushed," according to the Pew study.
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7 Ways to Lose Fat Fast—And Fit Into Your Skinny Jeans!
Tweet Share on Facebook September 24, 2012 CommentIt's that time of year again when many of us regret the diet decisions we made over the summer as we realize our jeans are too tight! The all-inclusive vacation and trips to the beach and pool can often lead to some unwanted pounds by September and, as a result, poorly fitting jeans. Look your best, and get ready to slip into your skinny jeans with these tips to help you shape up quickly.
1. Eat protein at every meal. Eating enough protein will help you stay satisfied and resist the temptation to snack excessively between meals. If you want to lose weight, aim to eat approximately .7 grams of protein for each pound of your body weight. Just multiply your body weight, in pounds, by .7 to determine the number of protein grams to eat each day. Protein also helps boost your metabolism, since it takes more calories to metabolize compared to fat and carbohydrates. Some high-quality protein sources include: lean beef, chicken breast, fish, lentils, beans, and Greek yogurt.
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How Helping Local Gardens Helps Your Business
Tweet Share on Facebook September 24, 2012 CommentGardens have a way of connecting with people who perform all sorts of job functions and work in a wide variety of industries, including accounting, law, medicine, manufacturing, retail, advertising, technology, and every other type of business under the sun. Associating your business with local school and community gardens not only helps your employees access the joy of gardening but can also bring some surprising benefits to your company's bottom line.
Your company's support of local gardens, either through financial support or employee volunteers, can help your business accomplish a number of key goals, including:
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Make Pinterest Your Personal Health Coach
Tweet Share on Facebook September 21, 2012 CommentHave you found yourself sucked into the online world of Pinterest yet? If not, you've been warned. Ask any Pinterest fan to describe the website, and chances are they'll do so in one word: addicting.
Pinterest is a virtual pinboard. It's like browsing through a cooking magazine, travel brochure, fashion column, and decorating magazine at the same time. It has the power to suck hours out of your day, leaving you with nothing planned for dinner and no time for exercise. A popular quote that's frequently pinned on the website sums it up: "Honey, can you pick up pizza? I spent all day pinning healthy recipes on Pinterest."
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How to Sneak in a Salad
Tweet Share on Facebook September 20, 2012 CommentWe're all big salad eaters in my home … except for one of my sons. He would turn his nose up at any colorful creation I tossed together—until I realized the right tactic. I knew that he adored mangoes, so I considered his preference to craft the bridge between his plate and the salad bowl. I prepared a separate dish for him: a few chopped lettuce leaves topped with a whole, diced mango. While the rest of the family ate salad, he had his own special appetizer. This practice was repeated on other nights, except the lettuce-to-mango ratio increased regularly. Other ingredients were gradually added, and today, my 6-foot, 4-inch young man is making his own fruit and veggie medleys.
It's not just kids that shun salads. Adults often opt for less nutrient-rich, calorie-laden appetizers and miss out on these satisfying dishes. Whether served as a side or a main, here are some helpful hints to get you psyched for salads:
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Value of Omega-3s: Not Up for Debate
Tweet Share on Facebook September 20, 2012 CommentA meta-analysis published last week in the Journal of the American Medical Association reported no effect of omega-3 fatty acid supplements—often referred to as "fish oil"—on cardiovascular event rates. Predictably, the study made headlines. It was welcomed by those inclined to disparage the touchy-feely world of alternative medical treatments and was lamented and rejected by advocates for the kinder, gentler remedies of nature. Which view is correct? Let's see if we can fillet open the details.
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Food Face-Offs: How Your Favorites Stack Up
Tweet Share on Facebook September 20, 2012 CommentChia seeds or flax? Almonds or walnuts? Turkey burger or sirloin? Many people form misguided opinions about the virtues of one food over another based on media reports or hearsay. Oftentimes, there's no clear winner. I've dug up the facts on several foods, so that you can decide for yourself.
Chia seeds vs. Flax seeds
Nutritionally, ounce for ounce they are quite similar. Chia seeds have 139 calories, 8.7 grams total fat, 10.7 grams fiber, and 4.4 grams protein. Flax seeds have 140 calories, 9 grams total fat, 7 grams fiber and 6 grams protein. Both are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, with flax coming in slightly ahead. Chia seeds don't have to be ground to unlock their nutrients, whereas flax seeds do. You can cook with both to add extra nutrients to a recipe. Chia seeds' slightly higher fiber content will keep you fuller longer—and that's why I prefer to sprinkle them on my morning oatmeal. As for taste, both have minimal to none in my opinion.
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Extreme Dieting Not Necessary for Weight Loss
Tweet Share on Facebook September 20, 2012 CommentYou might think that in order to lose weight, you must live a rigid, inflexible life, and push yourself to constant extremes. That's what reality TV shows like The Biggest Loser might have you believe.
But that's not reality. Fact is: You can enjoy your life and keep your weight in check, too. And that's a much more positive message to broadcast. Especially for those of us whose lives—and health—don't allow for extremes. Consider:
