Showing posts with label Wellness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Wellness. Show all posts

Monday, January 17, 2011

Kitchen Must Haves- Healthy Cooking

These kitchen tools are great to have on hand in your quest for making healthier meals.


Spice rack- Natural spices are a great way to add flavor to food without all the extra calories.

Garlic press- Fresh pressed garlic is another great way to add tons of flavor to your meals without extra calories.

Citrus zester- Adding lemon, lime, or orange zest is a great way to add flavor to foods from meat and poultry to steamed veggies or even low fat dessert such as yogurt, or angle food cake.

Olive oil mister- Olive oil is a heart healthy fat that is a great substitute for butter when pan frying and sautéing. By using a mister you are less likely to accidently over do it on the oil thus adding extra calories.

Non-stick pans- Non stick pans help eliminate the use of butter or oil while cooking. Be careful sometimes PAM spray can actually ruin your nonstick pans!

Wok- a wok is commonly used for preparing stir-fry. Combine your favorite veggies, lean protein, low sodium soy sauce, and whole grain rice for a great low fat dish!

Crock-Pot or slow cooker- Slow cookers are great when you don’t have time to cook! Create your own soups, stews, and tender juice meats. Many crock-pot or slow cooker cookbooks are available and recipes are online.

Salad spinner- Clean your lettuce in an instant with a salad spinner. This could make eating your greens a little more appealing!

Food Processor-There are many uses for this tool and it can make preparing any meal that much easier. It chops shreds, mixes, and much more.

Small bowls and plates- By having smaller bowls and plates you are less likely to overeat at meal times.

Stick blender/Immersion blender- Great for mixing up protein shakes and smoothies in the morning. Easy to clean compared to magic bullet or a regular blender.

Coffee maker- If you are a coffee drinker invest in a good coffee maker instead of spending all your money at the local coffee stand. Drip coffee is naturally low calorie, but when adding all the “fluff” (milk, chocolate, flavors) if can get expensive and very high in calories/fat.

Measuring cups/ spoons and food scale- It is very easy to over do it on our portions. Having measuring cups/spoons and a food scale on hand can really help you become aware of what an adequate portion is.

Single portion Tupperware containers- Leftovers are great to take to work. Having small Tupperware containers on hand allows you to have just the perfect amount to take when on the go!

What else have you found that helps you create healthful meals in the kitchen?

Monday, January 10, 2011

Making Fast Food a Little Healthier


Fast food is part of our culture and is not going away anytime soon. If you are unable to steer clear of it, do your best to make a healthy choice! 

BE PREPARED! Remember your overall goals! Fast food and dieting don’t exactly go hand in hand but by being prepared, not being afraid to special order, and planning a little bit you can make eating at a fast food restaurant healthier.

 Tips when going out to eat!



  • Limit the extras – no high calorie sauces such as mayo or BBQ sauce.

  • Stay away from liquid calories. Water please!

  • Get the grilled option. Stay away from fried foods!

  • Go skinless. Take off any skin that may be on your turkey or chicken


 Convenient store

  • Water

  •  Fresh fruit        

  •  String cheese

  •  Yogurt

  •  Beef jerky

  • Protein bar or Granola bar (Cliff bar, Luna bar, Nature Valley, protein bar of choice)

  • Nuts (single serving)      


Wendy’s

  • Garden Sensation Salads- limit dressing, chose low fat, low calories or top with chili for a taco salad and a little extra protein!

  • Grilled chicken sandwich

  • Chili with potato – low fat sour cream if any

  • Limit extra cheese and mayo on hamburgers    


Taco Bell

  • Fresco style tacos and burritos

  • Chicken soft tacos

  •  Chicken burrito

  •   Bean burrito

  •   Taco salad, but don’t eat the shell!


* beware of sour cream, cheese, and guacamole. These are all high calories extras. Use sparingly. Don’t be afraid to special order.

Mc Donald’s

  • Chicken McGrill, no mayo!

  • Side salad- Light on the dressing. Choose low fat vinaigrette.

  • Grilled chicken salad- Light on the dressing. Choose low fat vinaigrette

  • Egg McMuffin

  • Fruit and yogurt parfait (very high in carbs, beware if diabetic)         


Subway

  • Choose lean meats (chicken, turkey, ham, roast beef)

  • Pile on the veggies

  • Light on the sauces- choose low calorie sauces such as mustard, light mayo, or vinegar.

  • Ask for no cheese- you usually cant even taste it on the sandwich and this will save you at least 100 calories.

  • Choose whole grain breads


  Pizza

  • Ask for thin crust

  •  Limit appetizers such as breadsticks or wings

  • Load on the veggies

  • Choose lean meats like Canadian bacon or chicken

  • Have a side salad instead of going back for a second helping of pizza.


NOTICE: All chain restaurants have their menus and nutrition facts online! Review them before going out to eat so you know exactly what you are getting!

Friday, January 7, 2011

Shakeology-Nutrition Simplified. 70 healthy Ingredients in one glass!



70 AMAZING ingredients all packed into one shake. Replace one meal a day with a shake, workout at least 3x a week and watch the weight fall off! 30 day gaurantee...if you don't like it, return it! If you are interested in trying out Shakeology for yourself you can order if through the fitlicker online store, or for more information go to http://www.shakeology.com/kflicker.

ALSO, for those of you who commit to Shakeology, I will give you one FREE nutrition consult (phone or face to face) each month you are on Shakeology. What are your health goals? Accountability is priceless!

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

S.M.A.R.T Goals

Setting S.M.A.R.T Goals for the New Year


Whether our goals are based on the physical, financial, or spiritual aspects of life we are all capable of change if we put our minds to it. Write down your goals and sign them just like a contract. Be accountable to yourself!

 Make your goals SPECIFIC what is it that you want to accomplish, with all the details!

Make your goals MEASURABLE are you able to access your progress?

Make your goals ATTAINABLE are you setting yourself up for success? Is your goal within your reach given the current situation?

Make your goals RELEVANT is your goal applicable with your purpose in life?

Make your goals TIME SENSITIVE what is your time limit for completing your goal?

___________________________________________________________________


EXAMPLE:


Goal: I will exercise every day

Is it SPECIFIC?  NO (I will exercise everyday for at least 30min. whether at home or in the gym, including cardio and weight training exercises)

Is it MEASURABLE? Yes.  

Is it ATTAINABLE? Yes, but most likely NOT attainable (I will exercise at least 4 days a week for at least 30 min., whether at home or in the gym, including cardio and weight training exercises) By committing to 4 days instead of everyday I don’t have to be upset when my busy schedule gets in the way. I also give myself permission to rest. Plus, if there are only 4 days left in my week I KNOW I need to jump on it and make exercise a priority!

Is it RELEVANT? Yes. Exercise helps me maintain my weight, keep my body healthy, and helps me relieve stress.

Is it TIME SENSITIVE? No ( For one month I will exercise at least 4 days a week for at least 30 min, whether at home of in the gym, including cardio and weight training exercises) . After that month is over reflect and see if you want to continue with 4 days a week, increase to 5 days, or fall back to 3. The most important thing is that you continue to stay active! 

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Life is dynamic, always changing! Each month take some time to review your goals and change them or add to them accordingly! HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

7 Components of Wellness

Contributed from RD411- Shawna Gornick- Ilagan, MS, RD, CWPC

In 2011 commit to movings towards a higher level of wellness! Wellness encompasses our whole being= mind, body, and spirit. Is there one area that is lacking in your quest for wellness?    

Here are some tips for achieving each component of Wellness


1. Social wellness:
• Schedule a game night
• Watch a funny movie with friends
• Join an organization
• Do not gossip and become a good listener

2. Environmental wellness:
• Fix something that is broken
• Recycle
• Plant a tree
• Donate blood
• Donate food or clothes

3. Vocational or occupational wellness:
• Pursue continuing education opportunities
• Reflect on your career goals and aspirations each year

4. Spiritual wellness:
• Develop a life philosophy and live by it
• Practice compassion and acceptance

5. Emotional wellness:
• Smile as many times as you can in a day
• Adopt an attitude of optimism

6. Intellectual wellness:
• Learn a new language
• Take a workshop or course for a new skill or hobby

7. Physical wellness:
• Drink plenty of fluids
• Aim for 25-35 grams of fiber/day
• Aim for five servings of fruits and vegetables/day
• Wear your seat belt
• Get preventative exams

Commit to a 12 month wellness Program! http://tinyurl.com/2wy3sjz