Category: Fresh and Fit Tips

Gluten and Allergen Free Expo

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Over the last few years, the gluten free craze has become widely talked about and even has its’ own section in many supermarkets. It is a lifestyle for those discovering and being diagnosed with Celiac disease or gluten sensitivity and those who choose to eat gluten free foods because of personal beliefs regarding their health. The Paleo diet craze also has  many health and fitness enthusiasts learning of the effects of wheat and grain on the body. Whatever the reason for giving up grains and wheat may be, this awareness has caused many people to seek out alternative foods. I wanted to share a link to the Gluten and Allergen Free Expo that will be taking place throughout American cities. I urge anyone who has food allergies or those wanting to increase their knowledge on eating special diets to attend. The expo  will have a variety of the latest product vendors as well as seminars and cooking demonstrations.  There are now many more alternative food products available for people with food allergies. The expo is open to the public and tickets are only $20.00.

Buy tickets and get more information on the Gluten and Allergen Free Expo here!

 

 

A Fresh and Fit New You in the New Year!

Christmas is almost here and the new year is fast approaching. Whether you are in the gym daily and watching what you eat or want to start eating a more healthy diet, this time of year makes most dieters weary of gaining the dreaded holiday pounds. I am here to tell you, let it go. Enjoy the holidays with your family and the wonderful foods, like Christmas cookie recipes handed down through generations. Christmas is a time for traditions and a very big one is the foods we eat this special time of year.  Don’t try to deprive yourself by following  a strict diet or eating only vegetables while your family is chugging down the eggnog. That is no way to spend this time of year. Your diet will be there tomorrow, and so will the gym. Savor the food in front of you and every moment with your loved ones.

If you are looking to make another New Years resolution to lose weight, I would like to suggest resolving to eat a cleaner diet. This is what works for me personally. By choosing to buy the cleanest sources of the food I love, I have lost weight.  I recommend instead of going on a crash diet after the holidays, clean out your pantry and refrigerator. Throw out the foods with artificial ingredients and colors, preservatives, processed ingredients, boxes of packaged foods with ingredients you can’t pronounce, and foods with added sugar or multiple sugars on the label (Ex: Corn syrup, sugar, molasses, High fructose corn syrup). And add back fresh organic vegetables, fruits, meat, and dairy you can reach for when you are hungry.  Resolve to not buy what I like to call “Fake Food” anymore. I think changing your mindset to eat only clean foods with few ingredients on the label will be the easiest diet to follow. Because it really isn’t a diet at all. It is eating food the way nature intended before modern man got a hold of it.  Weight loss and better health are two benefits I believe you will achieve by cleaning up your diet.

To a fresh and fit new you in the new year!

Happy Holidays!

Switch it up!

 

Mix up your fitness routine. This may sound like a common sense tip. But sometimes people need a little motivating or get stuck in a slump in their normal workout routine and become comfortable and complacent. They get to the gym, get on the treadmill (or other piece of equipment) and start going. While getting to the gym or starting your workout is the hardest part without a doubt, I recommend trying a new machine next time you are at the gym, maybe the one you are most fearful of, and try it out for a few minutes. Feel the different muscles that are being worked or notice how you break a sweat faster on this machine. Breaking out of your routine and mixing it up every once in a while can keep your body guessing and burning more calories. Sign up for that class you see everyone sweating away to while you are on the elliptical or bring your swimsuit and take a few laps in the pool.You are paying for the gym membership each month so you might as well utilize all the machines and classes you have at your disposal. If you don’t prefer the gym, find out where the best hiking trails are in your area or turn the stairs outside of the mall into your personal gym. It is good to challenge yourself every once in a while and will give you a sense of accomplishment. Your workout should be giving you results and sometimes it helps to switch things up and maybe even find a new workout you never knew you loved.  I hope this tip will keep you motivated the next time you start your workout and help you see your workout in a new way.

Calorie Saving Food Swaps

 


 

Often times when trying to cut calories and make healthy choices you may find it very hard to give up the foods you love and crave. With these simple swaps you don’t have to feel deprived and can still stay fresh and fit! I will continue to offer tips on food swaps in future articles.
1. Substitute applesauce for oil in baking recipes–  This will trim hundreds of calories off your recipe as well as fat. If a recipe calls for 1/2 c vegetable oil use 1/2 c of applesauce instead. You may feel you need to add a tablespoon of oil back to achieve the desired texture of the food, but you will still save a ton of calories.
2. Substitute lean ground turkey or chicken for ground beef–   This one also packs a double whammy saving you fat and calories. Just make sure the package says “lean” or “extra lean”. Sometimes regular turkey and chicken can have just as much calories and fat as regular ground beef, so it is important to read your food labels.  You can substitute lean ground chicken or turkey in burgers when grilling, in meatloaf, and even tacos and chili. If you want to go a step further, look for packages that say “Organic”, this means the chickens were not fed additives or given antibiotics/ hormones and  are treated humane.
3.  Substitute baked sweet potato fries for packaged potato fries or white potatoes–  Many times packaged frozen french fries seem like a good and convenient choice, but most commercial brands have oil and preservatives. If you make your own baked sweet potato fries you will have control over how much oil you use ( if any) and it will be preservative free. Sweet potatoes are also full of fiber, potassium, beta carotene and vitamin C, making  them an ideal swap for white potatoes. Another bonus, they cover the salty/sweet craving!
4. Substitute frozen chocolate covered bananas for Ice Cream–  This is a huge swap nutritionally and a huge calorie saver for your waistline. What makes chocolate covered bananas a dieters best friend is they come in a single serving size direct from nature. This makes counting the calories a cinch. Store bought chocolate covered bananas contain an average of 130-270  calories per banana, around 6 grams of fat, and virtually no cholesterol, compared to a 1/2 cup of ice cream which contains 300 calories, 20 grams of fat and 105 mg of cholesterol! That is an incredible swap. And let’s face it, no one eats only 1/2  a cup of ice cream. You can even make your own chocolate covered bananas using dark chocolate and chopped almonds or walnuts. Or make your own “ice cream” out of  frozen bananas by blending them with a little peanut butter or chocolate protein powder. Either option will give into your craving for a frozen sweet treat without sabotaging your diet!