What is Your Definition of Healthy??

 

 

 

Did you know that Kind Bars were not able to use the word "Healthy" on its packaging??  According to the FDA (Food and Drug Administration), only foods that are very low in fat (no more than 3 grams) can use the word "healthy" as a claim!!! This leaves out a great deal of healthy snacks that contain nuts.  Hello.......let's jump into this decade please!!!  Remember way back in the day (circa 1990's) when "Fat Free Foods" were all the rage?  Hint.....The Simpsons and Friends were pretty hot T.V. shows, we all wanted the "Rachel" haircut, and the Spice Girls were all the rage!!  However, that was then and this is now, and we are a pretty nutrition savvy crowd!   

 

"Healthy Fats" are those found in nuts, avocados, olives, flaxseed, and fatty fish (salmon, tuna, mackerel, herring, trout).  So I guess you can say that the FDA has been stuck in a "time warp".  Well, lets fast forward to the year 2016......we now know that "good fats" help to protect your heart and can support overall good health and should be a part of our daily diets.  So many thanks to the maker of Kind brand bars (which are my personal favorite and contain lots of yummy nuts) and their standing up to the FDA regarding not being able to use the words "Healthy and Tasty" because the FDA is now going to redefine the word "healthy" to reflect current day nutritional knowledge.  Thank goodness!!!   Kind will now be able to use the phrase "Healthy and Tasty" and perhaps the FDA will now turn their focus to the snack foods that are bought for our children and can last in your cabinets for 10 plus years!!!!  So be sure to put Kind Bars on your shopping list, say a silent thank you to them, put your shopping list in your GalsShopper, and head to the market knowing you will be doing something good for you and your families health.





HAPPY

MOTHER'S DAY

TO ALL YOU SPECIAL

GALS!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

This Mother's Day, I would like you all to give yourself a very special gift......the gift of peace, the gift of happiness, the gift of self love, the gift of self acceptance, the gift of serenity!!!  As a mother, we all have so many roles to juggle throughout the course of our day......but in order to be the best for all involved and ourselves, we not only need to nourish our bodies with healthy nutritious foods...we also need to nourish our minds with healthy positive thoughts.  Some of you may be asking, "What do you mean?"  I mean when you start having a negative conversation in your head, when you start reliving a past negative situation, when you start drama in your head in anticipation of what you think might happen.....STOP!!!!!!  Just change your thoughts to something positive......such as what makes you happy... a happy memory that has occurred, a happy memory you may wish to occur, your children's smile and laughter......anything but a negative thought.   Change the conversation in your head....change the channel of the show you're watching in your mind.....just pretend you have a remote control handy for your mind!!!  It takes some work and practice, but I guarantee you it will get easier and easier.  This Mother's Day, give yourself the best gift of all.... positive thinking, life in the moment thinking.  Feed your mind with positive thoughts, surround yourself with positive people... and a healthy life will follow.  Happy Mother's Day to you all!!

Yes, There Is A Way To

Enjoy Your Iced Coffee And

Not Consume A Days Worth

Of Calories!!!!

 

 

 



Say what you will, but the last time I checked we are all in control of what we are ordering at our favorite coffee lounge.  Yes, there are many high caloric choices with lots of whipped cream that are offered, but let's be fair......there are many healthy choices as well!!  Listen, I always say that no food should be eliminated, rather we just need to consume these things in moderation, but if you know your Barista by their first name, their birthday, and they know your astrological sign.....these tips may help you!!!

 

Tip number 1, start by ordering the smallest size available.....even if you still indulge in your delicious Mocha Frappuccino, if you order the smallest size.....you are cutting the calories in half!!! Beach body here you come!!!

 

Tip number 2, "Barista.....please hold the whipped cream"......just say it over and over again in a mirror and I'm sure you can do it!!  Again...you will be making a major drop in calories.

 

Tip number 3, get it skinny!!!!! Just ask for skim milk....the delicious taste of the coffee will come through even more and you'll be helping your waistline!!! 

 

Tip number 4, hold the chocolate syrup please!!   Save it for your ice cream only!!

 

So ladies and gentlemen, continue to enjoy your daily routine of ordering a delicious iced beverage to keep you cool and content.......you are now armed with coffee ordering "know how!"  I have yet to encounter a Barista that wasn't happy to accommodate my "Harry Met Sally" ordering style!!! 

 

 

 

 

 

I WANT AN EASTER EGG!!

I WANT AN EASTER EGG!!

 

 

 

 

I love, love, love this time of year!!! Flowers are peaking out of the ground, the snow boots are going bye bye, melons are coming into season, and yes.....we get to color Easter Eggs!!!!  But how many of you out there leave them in your frig and end up throwing them out???  Don't!!!  Eggs are so awesome for you......gone is the thought that the egg is a "cholesterol bad guy."  Rather, we all now know that the egg is packed full of "eggstra" (corny, I know!) good nutrition.  Can we talk???

 

Nutritional facts about eggs you may not know:

 

• An egg of medium size typically contains 6 grams of protein and only about 63 calories.  Research has shown that the high quality of protein found in eggs, helps to keep people feeling fuller (satiety) longer and thus prevents people from reaching for an unhealthy snack.  The result....weight loss, because you are eating less.
• You can be an energizer bunny!!!  Eggs contain many vitamins and minerals that are required to produce energy in all of the wonderful cells in our bodies!! Who doesn't want more energy??
• Eggs contain Lutein and Zeaxanthin that can help prevent Macular Degeneration, an eye condition that can lead to age-related blindness. 
• Eggs contain Vitamin A, Vitamin B12, and Selenium, which all play a role keeping your immune system healthy. Cold....what cold??
• PROTEIN!!!  Eggs are one of the best sources of protein!!  Whether you are looking to build more muscle, promote weight loss, or simply increase your protein intake, eggs are a star in my book.  Yes, they contain fat too....the majority of the fat (38% monounsaturated ....the good stuff) is found in the yolk...but I'm not saying to throw out the yolk by any means though.  After all....all foods are good in moderation. 
• Now, if you can find eggs that have been enriched with Omega-3 Fatty Acid....even better!!  Omega-3-Fatty Acids are known to decrease Triglycerides in your blood.  Sounds good to me!!

So after the egg coloring bonanza with your family, eat your eggs!!!  Bring them to work as a snack....cut them up and put them in your salads......have them for breakfast....and know you are doing something wonderful for your body!





Ladies and Gentlemen..

May I Present The Magical

Chickpea

 

 

 

 

I know we have spoken about healthy snacking, but did you ever think about chickpeas as an option??  One of my favorite snacks are home made Roasted Chickpeas.  I'm sure they are not the first thing that pops into your mind when you think about snacking, but my husband loves them! The jury is still out on the kids....but I don't give up!!!

 

Let me give you a little background as to why this little bean should be at the top of your "Clean Eating" snack list.  Chickpeas, also known as Garbanzo Beans were originally cultivated in the Middle East and the Mediterranean, but you can find them included in Greek, Indian, and Italian foods as well.  Come on now, Hummus is all the rage and how many of you know that its made from Chickpeas??   I actually stand in the supermarket aisle staring at the endless varieties of Hummus while salivating like Wimpy waiting for a burger.....it reminds me of when I was a little kid standing in the local 7 Eleven candy aisle with a quarter in my hand and too many choices!!!  Remember those days??

 

Ok, back to current day Alison... so a chickpea is actually a legume and they are loaded with both protein and fiber....music to my ears, not mention my heart!!!  They also contain potassium, vitamin B-6 and vitamin C which collectively help promote heart health.   Did you also know that chickpeas can also help prevent cancer??  Chickpeas contain both selenium and folate.  Selenium is involved in liver enzyme function, which can detoxify some cancer causing compounds in our bodies and folate plays a role in the repair and synthesis of DNA which studies have shown can help prevent the formation of cancer cells caused by mutations in DNA.  Holy chickpea Batman!!!  And how about that fiber??  We all know that consuming a snack rich in fiber helps us to feel "full" longer, which also helps us to stop checking our watches for our next "feeding time." Works for me!!!  

 

Just to get you started on your Chickpea voyage, I'm going to give you my recipe for Roasted Chickpeas:

 

Here's what you'll need:

 

• 2 (15 ounces) cans chickpeas, rinsed and drained
• 2 Tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Vegetable Oil Cooking Spray
• 2 Teaspoons paprika (I sometimes use smoked salt or garlic powder, but the fun is you can play with the spices you use depending upon your taste so have fun!!!)
• Salt to your taste

Directions: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.  Spray your baking sheet with the vegetable oil spray.  Next, after you have rinsed and drained your chickpeas, allow them to dry thoroughly on paper towels.  Once dried, toss your chickpeas with your olive oil, salt, and spices in a bowl.  Arrange the chickpeas on your baking sheet in single layer.  Place the baking sheet in the center of your oven for 50 minutes to 1 hour.  Make sure you shift the beans around at about the 30 minute mark.  Once the time is up, allow them to cool for at least 1 hour (they will get that yummy crunchy texture when they cool).  Now, enjoy!!!  I promise you that you will get lots of attention eating them as a snack.....I always offer them so people can try them and they are always pleasantly surprised!!!  I hope you are too!!  



SPRING FRUITS

ARE COMING!!!!

 

 

Last call for chocolate Valentine's Day hearts!!!!  If any of you are still staring at the carnage that is left over from Valentine's Day.......do as I did this morning......save yourself and throw it out!!  Don't be sad though, for all of the most awesome Spring fruits are coming into season!!  Apricots, blueberries, grapefruit, kiwis, strawberries, and pineapple are just some of the yummy ones.  Yes, I know that some supermarkets boast about having these fruits all year round, but if you're like me, it takes me forever to try to examine the containers of fruit from every angle when they are not in season, looking for the already in progress "scientific experiment".   But guess what.....soon I can just pick up the container and be comfortable knowing that I am not bringing home an "extra" life-form with me!!! 

 

Listen, I enjoy my chocolate during Valentine's Day week.......but too much of a good thing can become a bad thing.   Replace the sweetness of chocolate with the natural sweetness of delicious fruits.  Remember, eating a diet rich in fruits helps to reduce your risk for heart disease and may help protect you against certain types of cancers.  Not a bad reason to eat it....right??   Also, fruits are rich in dietary fiber which helps to improve the functioning of your digestive tract.......keeps it moving!!

 

So say "Bye Bye" to your chocolate heart and "Hello" to delicious Spring fruits!!!! 

 



NOTHING SAYS LOVE LIKE

A

CHOCOLATE COVERED

STRAWBERRY

 

 

 

Let me tell you something.....I don't care what size box of chocolates you buy...nothing says Valentine's Day better than a chocolate covered strawberry!!!   And no....I'm not talking about ordering the gourmet ones that are going to further deplete your bank account....I'm talking about getting down and dirty and making your own!!!  I don't know what Giada or Rachael Ray skills you possess, but guess what??? You don't need any!!!  It is so easy to make a beautiful display of chocolate covered strawberries that I know you are going to kick yourself for never trying!!

 

Let's start by making your list....don't forget to clip it on your GalsShopper (I hope you have one by now....it's amazing!!) and head to the store!  All you need to buy is a few fresh packages of beautiful strawberries, melting chocolate, and wax paper.  Some markets sell melting chocolate pieces and if yours does not, simply head to Michaels (any store that sells candy making stuff will do) or you can just melt chocolate chips. 

 

First, clean your strawberries by wiping them with a damp paper towel....this way they do not absorb too much water and let them air dry.  Next, melt your chocolate either in the microwave in a Pirex measuring cup or on the stove in a double boiler (I've done both ways).  Then, dip your strawberry by hand into the melted chocolate and place them on a wax paper covered tray and place them in your refrigerator (uncovered).  And guess what???? YOU ARE DONE!!!  You can place them in a nice Valentine box you can also find at Michaels or any craft store and just like that, you have the perfect homemade gift!  If you really want to get crazy....after dipping the strawberries in chocolate, you can sprinkle on all kinds of goodies likes mini M & M's, chocolate chips, sprinkles, chocolate crunchies, or even peanut butter chips.  Use your imagination!!!

 

O.K.....back on my nutrition box.....don't forget that strawberries are juicy little antioxidant powerhouses!!! So not only does this treat represent AMORE at this time of year, you will also be doing your body good and consuming a nice amount of Vitamin C!!   Enjoy!!!