Travelling Woes

03Apr02-17-2016 By admin

Let’s face it, you are a nomadic soul

or your job is pretty demanding, either way traveling can’t be avoided. Spring break is in the air and summer is right around the corner, for most of us traveling results in us putting on weight instead of losing it. Why is traveling

counter productive in weight loss efforts? The reasons are:

We eat more than normal when traveling
We are less active
We dine out at restaurants more than usual
We make a few too many toast – drink more
We consume more take out or fast food
We prefer taste over health

If you want to maintain your weight or weight loss regimen, you must maintain normal activities and diets as much as possible while you travel. Of course this is easier said than done. If we are traveling on business, most meals are on the go or dining with coworkers or clients; when traveling for pleasure we are looking to relax and indulge our senses. Regardless if business or pleasure, the weight loss pitfalls start at the airport upon departure and don’t end until we are back in baggage claim heading home.

Here are some tips to keep our weight in check while traveling:

Walk whenever and wherever possible
Always carry water and drink often to keep well hydrated and feeling full
Visit a gym with reciprocal arrangements with your fitness club or pay for a casual workout (about $15)
Book at hotel with a pool and gym – use them
Exercise before breakfast and get it out of the way
Pack a skipping rope (ten minutes of skipping is great exercise)
When eating in a restaurant, order a side plate of veggies
Follow your normal routine as closely as possible but allow yourself to have fun
Try to avoid quick-fix airport meals
Don’t drink too much alcohol on the flights; full of empty calories plus alcohol dehydrates our bodies even more than normal while flying
Avoid too many buffets
Watch portion sizes carefully – especially in restaurants
Decide what you will eat throughout the day
Let others know how important your exercise program is to you
Make the supermarket your first stop after checking into your hotel room

Conclusion

The hardest thing to do is maintain our current weight and throwing traveling into mix can be disastrous – follow these simple tricks to maintain that summer body.

Quenched

02Apr02-16-2016 By admin

Quick start to any weight loss diet is simple, water. Unlike that weekly exercise class or that morning run, drinking
water requires little to no will power. Incorporating water into your weight goal plans is a quick fix, and for all the nay-sayers who struggle to get that recommended 8 glasses a day, here are three reasons to keep you motivated:

1. Water Fills You Up

Is that your stomach grumbling? Before you pick up that snack consider this – you may just be thirsty! Our minds tends to confuse thirst with hunger. We have all had those moments, when we felt like we were starving but the timing seemed wrong; grab H2O before you grab a meal. If you still feel hungry then grab a bite – if not, you just saved yourself from unneeded calories. Water fills us up and prevents us from overeating.

Going out to a social event? Drink water before you go, it will limit the trips to the buffet line and drinks consumed. Bottom line, drinking water gives the time to assess how hungry you actually are and aids you in making better food choices. So the next time your friends invites you to that open bar and buffet event, get your H2O on first!

2. Water Kick Starts Your Metabolism

Quickest way to slow down your metabolism is through dehydration. You put your body in a state of panic causing it to slow in efforts to converse energy. Your organs won’t work at its highest efficiency which stops the fat-burning process. You need adequate hydration for your body to function properly, especially during exercise. Simply put, drinking water contributes to your body’s ability to burn calories.

Ice cold water first thing in the morning may not sound like the way to wake up your body, but it’s the easiest way to kick start your metabolism. Drinking a glass or two of cold water in the morning will make your body try and warm itself up, thus increasing your metabolism. This simple trick added to your routine can contribute to your weight loss.

3. Water Keeps You Healthy

Water aids in flushing toxins from your body’s system, especially those produced during exercise. It keeps your joints lubricated which is very important in daily functions and in preventing your body from injury during exercise. Whether you’re kick starting your weight loss plan or locked into a routine, make sure you’re drinking enough water for your body to function properly.

Vegetarian Options : Grilled Mushroom Bruschetta

30Mar06-14-2022 By admin

Food swapping: Take that traditional bruschetta and make this alternative nutritious and delicious instant hit instead. Perfect as a light lunch or horderves before the main meal. This recipe is low sodium, low carbs, low sugar, and low in saturated fat. It’s ideal for those looking to stay on track with their no carb or low carb diet.

Ingredients

2 large flat mushrooms or Portobello mushrooms
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 large tomato or 2 small tomatoes, diced
1 tbsp. olive oil
Splash balsamic vinegar
4 fresh basil leaves, sliced finely

Method

1) Preheat oven 180C.

2) Line a baking tray with baking paper and place mushrooms face up on the tray.

3) Drizzle olive oil over both mushrooms then with a teaspoon spread the crushed garlic randomly over the mushroom.
Bake for 10 mins in oven or until cooked through.

4) Meanwhile chopped tomato and season with salt and pepper. Place in a small bowl and mix with basil leaves.

5) When mushrooms cooked through take out and place on your serving plates.
Spoon tomato mixture on top, drizzle with a splash of balsamic vinegar and crumbled feta.

Scrambled Egg Muffin

28Mar02-16-2016 By admin

97 calories, 0.8 grams sugar, 6.1 grams fat, 3.4 grams carbohydrates, 7.3 grams protein

Not only do these egg creations taste divine, they’re also easy to make! A little bit of bacon goes a long way in these muffins, which get an added flavor boost from fresh basil and juicy tomato.

Ingrediens:
9 eggs
1/2 c. fresh spinach, chopped
1/3 c. skim milk
1/3 c. spelt flour (or whole-wheat pastry flour)
1/4 c. 2% cheddar cheese, grated
1 tbsp. fresh basil, chopped
1 small tomato, chopped
1/2 tsp. sea salt
1/2 tsp. cracked black pepper
1/4 c. cooked, crumbled bacon

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Break the eggs into a bowl and whisk. Add the rest of your ingredients and mix it all together! Add spoonfuls of the mixture to a cooking sprayed or nonstick muffin tin. Pop them in the oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes. Fork check to make sure they are done.Makes 12 muffins.

Low Calorie Cocktails and Drinks for Summer

28Mar02-17-2016 By admin

Rocket’s Red Glare (95 calories) This fun drink is made with KU Soju, a distilled Korean liquor. it’s smoother and lighter than Vodka, it’s all-natural and doesn’t contain any added sugars or sweeteners, making it the perfect mixer for a delicious low-cal summer cocktail.

Ingredients: 1 oz. TY KU Soju 1 oz. TY KU Liqueur Splash of Sugar-Free Cranberry Juice

Method: Mix all ingredients in a rocks glass.

Stars and Stripes (140 Calories) Another low calorie cocktail made with KU Soju, the Stars and Stripes is the perfect patriotic thirst-quencher, especially if you like a little fizz. Best of all, it has only 140 calories, making it a guilt-free summer cocktail.

Ingredients: 2 oz. TY KU Soju 1 oz. Blue Curacao Ginger Ale

1776 Sipper (115 Calories) This flavorful cocktail packs a stronger punch than your average iced tea but not many more calories. Make it with green tea for a cocktail hour nutrient-boost. This sipper is perfect for a hot summer day!

Ingredients: 2 oz. TY KU Soju 2 oz. Iced Tea or Green Tea

Method: Put all ingredients into a shaker and fill with ice. Shake the mixture for 30 seconds, and then drain into a prepared glass.

Farmers Market Margarita (99 Calories) The Farmers Market Margarita uses fresh and healthy ingredients, including cucumber, cilantro, and spicy jalapeno, all of which you can pick up at your local farmers market.

Ingredients: 1.25 oz. Corzo Silver, 2 sprigs of fresh cilantro, 4 slices of fresh cucumber, 2 slices of fresh jalapeno, 1 oz. fresh lime juice, 2 oz. distilled water, 2 packets of Splenda or similar

Directions: Add all the ingredients in a mixing glass with ice, shake and serve over the rocks in an 8 oz. glass. Garnish with a lime wheel.

Italian Summer Sipper (100 calories) The Italian Summer Sipper combines strawberries with Italian ingredients such as fresh basil and balsamic vinegar to create the perfect cocktail for warm and breezy summer nights.

Ingredients: 1.25 oz. Corzo Silver, 2 strawberries,1 sprig of fresh basil, 4 drops of balsamic vinegar, 1 oz. fresh lime juice, 2 oz. distilled water, 2 packets of Splenda or similar

Directions: Muddle fresh strawberries and basil in a mixing glass. Add the rest of the ingredients with ice, shake and serve over the rocks in an 8 oz. glass. Garnish with a fresh sprig of basil.
Asian Mojito (105 Calories) This popular cocktail is a dramatic calorie saver—with healthy accents of fresh mint and a squeeze of lime.

Ingredients: 2 oz. TY KU Sake, fresh mint, splash of diet citrus soda, squeeze of lime, lemon, or orange

Directions: Combine ingredients in a glass over ice and add a squeeze of your favorite citrus—lemon, lime, or orange

Sake Sunrise (120 Calories) Made from only four all-natural ingredients (water, rice, yeast, and koji), sake is one of the purest beverages on the planet. The orange juice adds sweetness while keeping the calorie count down.

Ingredients: 2 oz. TY KU Sake, 1 oz. Orange Juice, splash of Champagne

Directions: Combine sake with orange juice, add a splash of champagne, and garnish with an orange peel. Skinny Peach Tea (133 calories) Classic summer cocktails are often loaded with calories and sugar. For example, the average 6-ounce frozen daiquiri has more than 500 calories! Get the same refreshing fruit flavor for a quarter of the calories with this simple skinny cocktail.

Ingredients: 2 oz of Van Gogh BLUE Vodka, 4 oz of Diet Snapple Peach Ice Tea

Directions: Combine ingredients and shake vigorously in shaker with ice. Strain into glass and enjoy!

The Blue-Hoo (200 Calories) It’s not the lowest-calorie cocktail on our list, but it may be the most delicious. As long as you stop after one, this chocolate cocktail is the perfect way to end a summer night.

Ingredients: 2 oz of Van Gogh BLUE Vodka, 4 oz of Yoo-Hoo

Directions: Combine ingredients and shake vigorously in shaker with ice. Strain into glass and enjoy!

Tokyo Tea (70 Calories) This iced tea for grownups lacks the bite or calorie count of the classic Long Island, which is the absolute worst cocktail you can drink. Why? It’s loaded with five different liquors (gin, vodka, tequila, rum, and triple sec) and a huge hit of high-fructose corn syrup from the sweet-and-sour mix and Coke used to drown out the strong liquor taste.

Ingredients: 1.5 oz. TY KU Soju, 1.5 oz. unsweetened iced tea, squeeze of lemon, lime, or orange

Directions: Combine ingredients and shake vigorously in shaker with ice. Strain into glass and enjoy!