Saturday, May 7, 2011

TIP OF THE DAY - SUNDAY HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

ENJOY YOUR DAY... It does not really matter if you ARE A MOTHER OR NOT... You had a mother at one time. Take some time to think about your mother AND mother in law. Think of the lessons she taught you, the time she spent loving and caring for you. Think of the times you might have missed the chance to tell her of your love for her. Think about all those time when you should have said I am sorry or I love you and didn't. Chances are she knew you loved her. So just take a few minutes and say a little prayer to thank the Lord for your mother and for being a mother. ENJOY YOUR DAY BUT be careful with what you eat. It may be a special day but no reason to over eat. You will regret it tomorrow if you do. Oh yes and HAVE A EXTRA SPECIAL AND HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO YOU ALL.

Friday, May 6, 2011

TIP OF THE DAY - SATURDAY

BEST DIET TIP #13: Swap a cup of pasta for a cup of vegetables.
Simply by eating less pasta or bread and more veggies, you could lose a dress or pants size in a year.

"You can save from 100-200 calories if you reduce the portion of starch on your plate and increase the amount of vegetables," says Sass.

I HAVE A REAL WEAKNESS FOR BREAD... If I put weight on I just need to look and what I have been eating and it is almost always breads. Homemade bread is the worst for me. Take a look at what you are eating, being honest with yourself and chances are there are ways you can cut the calories with a little work.

Thursday, May 5, 2011

TIP OF THE DAY - FRIDAY

BEST DIET TIP #12: Eat foods in season.
"If you don't love certain fruits or vegetables, it could be because you ate them out of season when they have little taste or flavor," says Pensiero. "When you eat seasonally, fruits and vegetables are more flavorful, at their best, and I promise you won't be disappointed."

At GiGi's Trattoria, her restaurant in Rhinebeck, N.Y., she serves simple fruit desserts, like naturally sweet strawberries topped with aged balsamic vinegar, or low-fat yogurt or fresh berries in a compote.
I was at the store yesterday and noticed lots of strawberries. I am not sure what foods are in season and when. I think you just need to pay attention in the produce section.

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

TIP OF THE DAY - THURSDAY

BEST DIET TIP #11: Order children's portions at restaurants.
"When you are eating out, order a child's pizza or a small sandwich as an easy way to trim calories and get your portions under control," suggest Perdomo.

Another trick is to use smaller plates. This helps the portions look like more, and if your mind is satisfied, your stomach likely will be, too.

This is a great tip, except that many restaurants will not allow adults select items off the child's menu and even print that on their menus. You can solve this problem by either taking a child with you, (not always possible)or to ask for a take out box with your meal and when the food arrives put half in the box for another time.

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

TIP OF THE DAY - WEDNESDAY

BEST DIET TIP #10: Stock your kitchen with healthy convenience foods.
Having ready-to-eat snacks and meals-in-minutes staples on hand sets you up for success. You'll be less likely to hit the drive-through or call in a pizza order if you can make a healthy meal in 5 or 10 minutes.

Sass stocks her kitchen with:

94% fat-free microwave popcorn (20-25 calories per cup, and you can make it in two minutes or less)
Frozen vegetables
Bags of pre-washed greens
Canned diced tomatoes
Canned beans
Whole-grain wraps or pitas
Pre-cooked grilled chicken breasts
A few containers of pre-cooked brown rice
Within minutes, she can toss together a healthy medley.

This is another good tip. These are a few of the diet items I keep on hand for me: Sugar free strawberry jello (just 10 calories per cup), fat free shredded cheese (a pinch goes a long way), ground turkey (by adding some Mrs Dash I get some great patties), boneless chicken breasts (I cook an entire 3-5 pound bag in the pressure cooker and then use it in lots of different ways and VERY tender), and egg beaters. Think of ways you can do some pre cooking and then end up with meals for several. It will save you time and calories.

Monday, May 2, 2011

TIP OF THE DAY - TUESDAY

BEST DIET TIP #9: Spice it up.
Add spices or chiles to your food for a flavor boost that can help you feel satisfied.

"Food that is loaded with flavor will stimulate your taste buds and be more satisfying so you won't eat as much," says Perdomo.

When you need something sweet, suck on a red-hot fireball candy for a long-lasting burst of sweetness with just a few calories.

I love this tip. I don't use salt but I do put salt free Mrs Dash on everything, almost. I put it on eggs, ground turkey and chicken and chicken breasts. It adds spices I would not normally use and it adds some spice to lots of different dishes.

Sunday, May 1, 2011

TIP OF THE DAY - MONDAY

BEST DIET TIP #8: Eat protein at every meal.
Protein is more satisfying than carbohydrates or fats, and thus may be the new secret weapon in weight control.

"Diets higher in protein [and] moderate in carbs, along with a lifestyle of regular exercise, have an excellent potential to help weight loss," says University of Illinois protein researcher Donald Layman, PhD.

Getting enough protein helps preserve muscle mass and encourages fat burning while keeping you feeling full. So be sure to include healthy protein sources, like yogurt, cheese, nuts, or beans, at meals and snacks.

Remember that many times when you eat a protein you are also eating carbs, fats, and sodium. I know I love eggs and peanut butter. Both are great proteins, BUT both are also high in sodium and fat. Be aware of what you are eating.