Friends and Fitness Enthusiasts,
I hope you've had/are having a wonderful Valentine's Day. Whether you are with a sweetheart or going stag, be kind to your body. Go easy on the sweets and get active!
Speaking of sweets, may I remind you that dark chocolate is a happy treat. Enjoy!
In health,
Lauren
Showing posts with label holiday. Show all posts
Showing posts with label holiday. Show all posts
Monday, February 14, 2011
Sunday, February 6, 2011
201/365 Super Bowl Guacamole
Friends and Fitness Enthusiasts,
I know that you won't read this until tomorrow but, now that I'm caught up, I can't get behind again. So after you've all had wonderfully healthy Super Bowl food, here is something you can add to your repertoire next year or your next party. I'm a huge fan of avocados; I hope you enjoy!
Ingredients:
- 2 vine tomatoes, diced
- 1/2 red onion, diced or smaller
- 1 tbsp fresh cilantro, torn
- 2 avocado (don't mash them, just scoop them out and slice them; they'll get nice and soft later without getting bruised by the back of your spoon)
- juice of 1/2 fresh lime
- dash of salt
- diced jalapeno (optional)
Recipe:
Add all ingredients in a bowl except for lime. Squeeze the lime onto your guacamole. Mix gently. Serve with your favorite whole wheat tortilla chips.
In health,
Lauren
I know that you won't read this until tomorrow but, now that I'm caught up, I can't get behind again. So after you've all had wonderfully healthy Super Bowl food, here is something you can add to your repertoire next year or your next party. I'm a huge fan of avocados; I hope you enjoy!
Ingredients:
- 2 vine tomatoes, diced
- 1/2 red onion, diced or smaller
- 1 tbsp fresh cilantro, torn
- 2 avocado (don't mash them, just scoop them out and slice them; they'll get nice and soft later without getting bruised by the back of your spoon)
- juice of 1/2 fresh lime
- dash of salt
- diced jalapeno (optional)
Recipe:
Add all ingredients in a bowl except for lime. Squeeze the lime onto your guacamole. Mix gently. Serve with your favorite whole wheat tortilla chips.
In health,
Lauren
Friday, December 24, 2010
157/365 Christmas Cookies
Friends and Fitness Enthusiasts,
I heard the following short story on This American Life on NPR. It is called "Christmas Cookies" by comedian and writer Edith Zimmerman.
“Good morning,” I said to my students, “does anyone like,” and here I reached under my desk to produce a heaping tray of homemade treats, “Christmas cookies?”
“Yes,” they screamed.
“How much?” I asked.
“A lot,” they screamed.
“Do you love them?” I asked.
“Yes,” they screamed, “we love them.”
“So, why don't you marry them?” I asked.
“No,” they screamed.
“Why not?” I asked.
“You can't marry cookies,” they screamed.
I looked down at my engagement ring and sort of slid my hand behind my back so the children couldn't see.
“Is that like for sure a fact or is it something you just assume?” I asked.
Christmas cookies are darn delicious, I know. There are so many kinds and usually a plateful asking you to eat them. I am a cookie monster so by all means, eat a cookie. But which one? How many? My advice to you is to break off half of the cookie, take a bite, and see if the whole thing is worth eating. These cookies were probably a gift from someone else, right? Well, the giver isn't there and won't know that you didn't finish their mediocre cookie. If the cookie is worth finishing, enjoy it while keeping in mind that each one is worth about 100 calories depending on size. How are you going to balance that out?
When it comes to junk food, you cannot feel bad about "wasting it" or throwing it away. It's junk food and junk is meant to be disposed of.
In health,
Lauren
I heard the following short story on This American Life on NPR. It is called "Christmas Cookies" by comedian and writer Edith Zimmerman.
“Good morning,” I said to my students, “does anyone like,” and here I reached under my desk to produce a heaping tray of homemade treats, “Christmas cookies?”
“Yes,” they screamed.
“How much?” I asked.
“A lot,” they screamed.
“Do you love them?” I asked.
“Yes,” they screamed, “we love them.”
“So, why don't you marry them?” I asked.
“No,” they screamed.
“Why not?” I asked.
“You can't marry cookies,” they screamed.
I looked down at my engagement ring and sort of slid my hand behind my back so the children couldn't see.
“Is that like for sure a fact or is it something you just assume?” I asked.
Christmas cookies are darn delicious, I know. There are so many kinds and usually a plateful asking you to eat them. I am a cookie monster so by all means, eat a cookie. But which one? How many? My advice to you is to break off half of the cookie, take a bite, and see if the whole thing is worth eating. These cookies were probably a gift from someone else, right? Well, the giver isn't there and won't know that you didn't finish their mediocre cookie. If the cookie is worth finishing, enjoy it while keeping in mind that each one is worth about 100 calories depending on size. How are you going to balance that out?
When it comes to junk food, you cannot feel bad about "wasting it" or throwing it away. It's junk food and junk is meant to be disposed of.
In health,
Lauren
Sunday, November 21, 2010
124/365 Thankful for Leptin
Friends and Fitness Enthusiasts,
Now more than ever must we exert control over our eating impulses. Thanksgiving is in 4 days! Now I love Thanksgiving just as much as anyone else. I won't lie to you, I get my food on. From now until Thursday, I'll give you hints for not totally blowing your healthy lifestyle to bits. I refuse to give you healthy recipe alternatives because let's face it, that would not do justice to the delicious foodie holiday of Thanksgiving.
The important thing to remember is to do your best to listen to your body. I know that stuffing is my weakness. I love it. And sweet potato anything. And pumpkin pie. And green bean casserole. Okay, clearly I love it all. Take a little bit of everything and eat slowly; allow the hormone leptin to tell you that you've had enough. Nobody is going to take the food off of your plate. All this Thanksgiving isn't going to disappear that day. So listen to your body and stop when you're satisfied not when you're stuffed like a turkey. I know the challenge of stopping since the food is so tasty but we must. It's just not right and we shouldn't abuse the gift of food.
In health,
Lauren
Now more than ever must we exert control over our eating impulses. Thanksgiving is in 4 days! Now I love Thanksgiving just as much as anyone else. I won't lie to you, I get my food on. From now until Thursday, I'll give you hints for not totally blowing your healthy lifestyle to bits. I refuse to give you healthy recipe alternatives because let's face it, that would not do justice to the delicious foodie holiday of Thanksgiving.
The important thing to remember is to do your best to listen to your body. I know that stuffing is my weakness. I love it. And sweet potato anything. And pumpkin pie. And green bean casserole. Okay, clearly I love it all. Take a little bit of everything and eat slowly; allow the hormone leptin to tell you that you've had enough. Nobody is going to take the food off of your plate. All this Thanksgiving isn't going to disappear that day. So listen to your body and stop when you're satisfied not when you're stuffed like a turkey. I know the challenge of stopping since the food is so tasty but we must. It's just not right and we shouldn't abuse the gift of food.
In health,
Lauren
Sunday, September 5, 2010
47/365 Labor Day Pains
Friends and Fitness Enthusiasts,
Labor Day is the last holiday of the year where eating (read gorging) ourselves with hot dogs, hamburgers, coleslaw, potato salad, cookies, etc is somewhat acceptable. This is not okay. I know the temptation to have a bit of everything is very strong but you can fight against it.
Remember your plate ratio. If you stick to that, I imagine that you'll get full from all those juicy fruits and veggies and won't have room for another hot dog.
Only get one helping of dessert. Usually there are several options to choose from. Select only one. Think about what that dessert is and what it tastes like. If you know that cookie is not the best cookie you'll ever have, leave it be. If that piece of cherry pie looks like it was made from canned pie filling, leave it be. You're better off rewarding yourself for being good with an amazing piece of chocolate or fruit later than munching through a mediocre sweet.
Listen to your body. On holidays and yummy food fests, we tend to ignore our full or satisfied stomach. If you are not actually hungry, please don't eat more. Walk away from the food. Chew gum. Brush your teeth. Ask yourself, am I willing to give up what I want now for what I want most?
If you do find that you ate too many calories, please just kill it at the gym tomorrow. Burn those calories and be kinder to your body tomorrow. Happy Labor Day!
In health,
Lauren
Labor Day is the last holiday of the year where eating (read gorging) ourselves with hot dogs, hamburgers, coleslaw, potato salad, cookies, etc is somewhat acceptable. This is not okay. I know the temptation to have a bit of everything is very strong but you can fight against it.
Remember your plate ratio. If you stick to that, I imagine that you'll get full from all those juicy fruits and veggies and won't have room for another hot dog.
Only get one helping of dessert. Usually there are several options to choose from. Select only one. Think about what that dessert is and what it tastes like. If you know that cookie is not the best cookie you'll ever have, leave it be. If that piece of cherry pie looks like it was made from canned pie filling, leave it be. You're better off rewarding yourself for being good with an amazing piece of chocolate or fruit later than munching through a mediocre sweet.
Listen to your body. On holidays and yummy food fests, we tend to ignore our full or satisfied stomach. If you are not actually hungry, please don't eat more. Walk away from the food. Chew gum. Brush your teeth. Ask yourself, am I willing to give up what I want now for what I want most?
If you do find that you ate too many calories, please just kill it at the gym tomorrow. Burn those calories and be kinder to your body tomorrow. Happy Labor Day!
In health,
Lauren
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