Thursday, February 28, 2013

Berries: go for the blue

Berries in general are great, and many people have no issue with eating them due to their naturally sweet flavor. There are a variety to choose from and all contain health benefits, so you really can't go wrong with any type you choose. With so many choices though, you may find yourself debating which kind to buy on your next trip to the grocery store- but let me tell you, grabbing a container of blueberries would be a very wise decision!

Incredibly rich in antioxidants, these small health-bombs have an insane amount of benefits. Blueberries are a great source of fiber, potassium, vitamins C and E, and also help to reduce stress, boost your metabolism, and aid in blood flow and memory function. Blueberries are low in fat and devoid of saturated fat, making them a great snack and a nutritious addition to other foods and drinks such as greek yogurt, oatmeal, smoothies, pancakes, and juices.

If you don't think you'll be able to finish the whole container before they go bad, opt for frozen blueberries instead. Stored in the freezer, they'll last you quite a long time- just be sure to check the packing to make sure they don't contain added sugar to avoid excess calories (they are already sweet, after all). With so much to gain, there's no reason not to pick up some blueberries on your next trip to the food store!

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Eating breakfast: why it's vital for a great body

If anyone ever asks me what my favorite meal of the day is, I'm always quick to respond that it's breakfast. This is not only because I absolutely love breakfast foods, but also because of how much your body benefits from eating first thing in the morning.

Many people are under the impression that by skipping breakfast, they're saving themselves calories. This though is not the case; you actually consume more calories throughout the day by not eating this pivotal meal! When you skip breakfast, your body goes into starvation mode (consider that fact that you haven't eaten all of those hours you were sleeping, and by skipping breakfast, you're prolonging the period of time since you last ate). Your body in turn begins to store what you eat later on more efficiently, storing it as fat instead of glucose (which your body uses as energy). Not only that, but you're also likely to overeat later in the day, and most likely of the wrong foods. Because you're body is in such a deprived state, you're likely to crave sugary and carb-heavy foods... this is due to a drop in blood-sugar and because fattening foods are simply going to seem more appealing.

Your metabolism also suffers by skipping breakfast. When you don't eat in the morning, your metabolism slows down, and it's harder to get running later on. By eating breakfast, you're not only giving a kick-start to a revving metabolism, but you'll also find that you'll have more energy throughout the day and will experience less feelings of irritability that come from hunger. Now, this doesn't mean that you should reach for a bowl of sugar-coated cereal. The types of food you consume also play a huge role. For lasting feelings of fullness and energy, go a meal that consists of protein and complex carbohydrates (greek yogurt and whole-wheat toast, eggs and a bowl of oats, etc.)

And for all of you out there who simply don't make breakfast a priority due to a lack of time in the morning, there are plenty of quick and easy meals that you can whip up before heading out the door, such as fruit and veggie smoothies, greek yogurt mixed with fruit, a bowl of quick-oats, or pre-made breakfast bars. If you don't have time for a sit down meal, simply transfer your food into a to-go container and eat it as you're heading out to school or work! Below are some links to quick and easy breakfasts that will give a great start to your day!

Chai Oatmeal

Quinoa Vegetable Scramble

Blueberry Almond-Butter Smoothie

Overnight Buckwheat Parfait 

Berry Wafflewhich

Homemade Energy Bars

Creamy Barley with Coconut and Pomegranate Seeds

Eggs Italiano

Saturday, February 23, 2013

Meatless dinners: stuffed sweet potatoes and spaghetti squash

If you've been keeping up with the blog, it should be pretty clear by now that I'm all about the super-simple meals that take very little effort to prepare. Well, here's another one for you- and it's definitely worth trying (and it's 100% vegetarian-friendly too!). This recipe has definitely made it to my list of favorite meals. It may look as if this dish took a substantial amount of time to prepare, but don't let the photo fool you. Altogether, this stuffed sweet potato and spaghetti squash dinner was put together in under 15 minutes.

This dish was so simple to cook up it's mind-blowing, but what's even more incredible was the amazing flavor that resulted! All it took was:

- Cutting the spaghetti squash in half and microwaving each half separately for 6 minutes (this makes a VERY generous amount, but it's great for leftovers!)
  • After cooling, pulling out the squash's seeds and scraping through it with a fork to remove the pasta-like strands, transferring the stringy squash into a bowl
  • Once in the bowl, adding in some olive oil, pepper, and garlic and then mixing the ingredients together
- Sautéing the mushrooms and kale in a bit of olive oil over the stove until they became soft

- Piercing some holes in the sweet potato and microwaving for four minutes (I always rinse my sweet potatoes under some water first, but I'm not sure if this really makes a difference)
  • After cooling, cutting through the center of the sweet potato to make room for the stuffing and then proceeding to add the kale and mushrooms in
And that's it! This meal is too easy and nutritious to not try for yourself!

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Workouts: booty-scultping butt-pushers

A great bum is something to work for, and if you're working toward the butt of your dreams, do I have a workout for you! Until recently, I had been doing all of my butt pushers (one of my favorite glute exercises) on the floor matt. When one of the trainers at my gym suggested me doing them with the stability ball, I wasn't expecting to feel the burn as quickly as I did. The floor version is a great workout as is, but the stability ball really adds an extra challenge that will push your bottom's muscles to the limit! For a 5-minute butt-burning work out with the stability ball, check out the video below from Spark People:

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Cinnamon: a super spice

Cinnamon is more than something to top your drinks, meals, and desserts with throughout the fall and winter seasons; in fact, you should be consuming this incredible spice all year long! Cinnamon has one of the highest antioxidant levels of all spices and herbs out there. Not only does cinnamon aid in memory function, but it also helps to regulate blood sugar and burn fat. Even more so, it's a great, near calorie-free (6 calories per teaspoon) way to sweeten up your foods and beverages! What's not to love?

A few ways I incorporate cinnamon into my diet is by mixing it into oatmeal, stirring a bit into a cup of coffee, and sprinkling some atop baked sweet potatoes. For an even sweeter snack, I love adding a dash of cinnamon to apple and banana slices.

You can take this spice even further by dusting some over a piece of whole-wheat toast with peanut butter, mixing it into fruit smoothies or a cup of non-fat greek yogurt (this is especially good when pumpkin puree, a bit of vanilla extract, and stevia is added into the mix— it tastes just like pumpkin pie!), and it sounds delicious in this healthy apple muffin recipe from Women's Health Magazine. With cinnamon being such an easy way to liven up your food, get experimental! Try adding cinnamon into your next snack or meal and your body and sweet tooth will thank you for it!

Saturday, February 16, 2013

Almonds: why to go nuts for them

Happy National Almond Day! To be honest, I had no idea there was a day dedicated to almonds until this morning. I do love almonds, and I would hate to neglect them on their special day, so I decided to fore-go the post I was originally going to put up today and decided to give some well-deserved acknowledgement to one of my favorite super foods.

Almonds rank number one on Women's Health's list of nuts to include in your diet for good reason. They not only contain high levels of monounsaturated fats (healthy fats that when eaten in moderation can actually aid in weight-loss), but are also packed with protein, fiber, calcium, and iron! Making almonds even more amazing, they're a great food to snack on when you're feeling stressed. In addition to their high amounts of vitamin E, they contain vitamin B, which can help to relieve anxiety and aid in brain function.

Being a nut of versatility, there are plenty of ways to incorporate almonds into your diet! You can eat them in their raw-nut form, with your cereal or oatmeal, (I'm a fan of Silk Pure Almond Unsweetened Vanilla), you can spread almond butter onto whole wheat toast or add some into your fruit smoothie, and you can incorporate them into your baked goods! Since today is a celebration, I've provided some links below to some healthy almond dessert recipes:

Matcha Almond Layer Cake with Matcha Frosting 

Fudgy Black Bean Brownies and Banana Treat  (contains almond butter)

Almond Joy Candy Fudge

Health Nut Truffles

Cinnamon Rasin Almond Balls

Raw Vegan Fudge Brownies (contains almond butter and raw almonds)

If you're on the run and still want to pay tribute to the almighty-almond today, make a pit-stop at the grocery store and pick up some Blue Diamond Dark Chocolate Oven Roasted Almonds or Blue Diamond Cinnamon Brown Sugar Oven Roasted Almonds. There are other flavors to choose from, but these two are my personal favorite! Additionally, they also come in awesome 100-calorie packs (links provided above)!

Commemorate the day and try out an almond-based treat! Happy munching!

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Valentine's Day: sweating with your sweetie

It's that time of year again— a time filled with tons of chocolate, decadent dinners, and all things romantic. Valentine's day seems to be every person's excuse to dig shamelessly into that huge box of chocolates their loved one gives them, because not doing so would just be plain rude. If someone goes out of their way to buy you candy, or asks you out to a four-course steak dinner, you obviously have to say yes since that's clearly the right thing to do, correct?

Well, not really... but I suppose some splurging (key word: some) is acceptable on Valentine's day, especially if you make a pact with yourself to workout beforehand so you won't feel as guilty about the excess calories you're sure to consume.

But then the thought occurs to you, "Valentine's day is about spending the whole day with your loved one, so I can't take off for an hour to hit the gym!" And that's where I say, AHA! You don't have to leave your significant other behind! In fact, you can go to the gym together, and you don't even have to leave each other's side for a single moment!

Here are some workouts to inspire you to get in a mean sweat sesh before starting up your day of indulgence:

(And no, this is not my boyfriend. This is my friend Connor, and he is single and ready to mingle! Watch out ladies!)

Forewarning: implementing these workouts may bring on curious stares from others. Don't let this bother you; they're probably just jealous that they didn't think to do the same.


Baby, I Got Your Back Lunges


Love Struck Push Ups



Painfully Romantic Push Ups


Forever Together Wall Sit

Pulling On Your Heartstrings Stretch




Wishing a Happy Valentine's Day to all of you lovebirds out there! May today's workout be unforgettable and full of love!!!!!!!!


Monday, February 11, 2013

Minimalist cooking: a meal so basic, messing up isn't an option

After pulling into the grocery store parking lot, my friend and I realized that we had no idea what we wanted to cook for dinner. Rather than digging through my Pinterest boards via iphone, we decided to improvise on the spot. We surpassed the store's array of spices and herbs, thinking it would be interesting to put mother nature's goods to the test and see just how flavorful our food could be with only minimal add-ins. After some contemplation, we left the store with an avocado, two pieces of raw, organic chicken, an eggplant, and a bag of brussels sprouts. The only additions to be used were olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and ground, black pepper that we already had at the house.

To back our idea of ultra-simplicity, our cooking strategies proved to be basic as well. They consisted of cutting up the eggplant and sautéing the pieces over the stove in just a bit of olive oil, laying the brussels sprouts out over a baking sheet and drizzling some balsamic vinegar over them (we put them in the oven for 20 minutes at 450 degrees), cooking the chicken over the stove in a pan (lined with some extra-virging olive oil to prevent sticking), and adding the sliced avocado onto the chicken after they were fully cooked. That's it.

For the lack of ingredients used, this meal didn't taste as bland as you would imagine. In fact, it tasted pretty great! It just goes to show that you can prepare a healthy, delicious meal with very few resources (or cooking skills for that matter). Now you officially can't use the excuse "I can't cook", or, "I don't have anything to cook with" to justify a trip to the drive-through.

Not in the mood to cook up a fancy, complex meal? Give simplicity a chance! Your tastebuds just may be pleasantly surprised!

Saturday, February 9, 2013

Pancakes: celebrating a belated

I may have forgotten to celebrate National Pancake day with the rest of pancake-loving America, but celebrating a few days late is better than not celebrating at all! Upon arriving at Cafe Vida this morning (one of my favorite restaurants in all of Southern California!), I flipped open my menu and went straight to the pancakes. Soon after my brown-rice blueberry pancakes arrived (with a side of egg whites), they had all but disappeared... into my mouth. Just incase any of you others forgot to celebrate on the 5th like I did, I've provided some links below to some healthy pancake recipes that sound insanely delicious. And even if you did remember, when isn't it a good time to make pancakes anyways?


Red Velvet Pancakes

Whole Wheat Spiced Pumpkin Pancakes

Chocolate-Chip Cookie Dough Pancakes

Quinoa Pancakes

Strawberry Shortcake Pancakes

Apple-Cinnamon Oatmeal Pancakes

Sour Cream Blueberry Pancakes


Double Chocolate Brownie Batter Pancakes

Carrot Cake Protein Pancakes

Blueberry Banana Pancakes

Thursday, February 7, 2013

Whole grains: the best of the best

I have yet to meet someone who doesn't love their carbs. Whether it's pasta or pretzels, cookies or cake, everyone has their carb of choice. The key to incorporating them into a healthy diet is to eat the ones with little nutritional value only from time to time (the refined type, which can lead to obesity, heart disease, stroke, heart attack, and diabetes), and to eat the ones high in nutritional value on a more regular basis (those being whole grains, meaning their kernels are still intact).

Now, here comes the golden question: which carbs are the most beneficial for a healthy diet? I'm going to make answering this very easy for you, for below is Organic Gardening's list of the 11 Healthiest Whole Grains:

Whole wheat: A good source of fiber, but be sure to you're eating the right type. When at the food store, make sure the packaging says "100% whole wheat," not just "wheat."

Whole oats/oatmeal: Oats are abundant in avenanthramide, which helps to protect your heart. To get the most out of your oatmeal, stray away from the flavored instant-packets and instead aim for plain varieties. You can then mix in your own nutritious toppings, such as honey, fruit, or cinnamon. This will eliminate the high-fructose corn syrup found in the flavored packets and provide you with a healthy dose of antioxidants.

Bulgar: Just one cup of this grain will provide you with nearly 75% of your daily fiber and 25% of your daily protein.

Brown rice: Believe it or not, white rice is actually brown rice sans all of the nutritional benefit. When brown rice goes through the milling process (thus, turning into white rice), 75% of its antioxidants, magnesium, phosphorus, and B vitamins go with it. You can also go for basmati, jasmine, wild, red, or black rice, all of which are considered whole grains.

Whole-grain barley: Eating this grain regularly can lower cholesterol levels. Be sure to buy "whole-grain" and not "pearled,"in which the bran and germ have been extracted.

Whole rye: This carb has contains more nutrients than any of the other whole grains per 100-calorie serving. Again, be sure to purchase "whole rye," not plain ol' "rye," to take in the benefits.

Buckwheat: Containing a high dosage of both magnesium and manganese, this carb and can typically be tolerated by those with celiac disease.

Whole-wheat couscous: By choosing whole-wheat over its refined counterpart, you up your fiber intake by about 5 grams.

Corn: When eaten whole, corn can be very beneficial for a healthy diet! Providing you with magnesium, phosphorus, and B vitamins, you have a great excuse to snag a bowl of popcorn before settling down for a movie (leaving out all of the salt and butter, of course!).

Quinoa: My personal favorite! Actually considered a seed, quinoa contains more protein than any other grain and provides you with a mean dose of Omega-3 fatty acids.

Freekeh: This lesser-known carb contains more vitamins and minerals than other carbs. Additionally, freekeh boasts 4x more fiber than brown rice and aids in digestion.

Next time you're making selections at the food store or out ordering a sandwich, keep this information in mind. Don't forget to read labels closely and to ask the guy behind the deli counter to be specific when listing your bread options. Eat your carbs, but do so wisely!

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Green tea: why to down it like no other

There are always a few things that we simply can't leave the house without. Among these items may be your cell phone, wallet, sunglasses, and possibly some gum. These are all items that I also make sure to have with me before heading out the door, but in addition to these items, I'm armed with green tea bags.

So, anyone else besides me carry their own tea bags around with them? I'm going to assume the answer is no... but I'm going to tell you why carrying some around with you isn't such a crazy idea (and hopefully change your doubts in regards to my sanity in the process).

Green tea is full of a plant-derived compound called "catechins." This compound has been proven to be  an effective disease-fighter, reducing risk for some cancers (including bladder, breast, and lung cancers) and for heart disease as well. Another added bonus of drinking green tea is that by consuming a few cups a day, you can increase your body's fat burning potential. Furthermore, the tea's caffeine is a great way to perk up without the risk of jitters that you may experience from coffee.

Now, you tell me why you WOULDN'T be walking around without some green tea packets of your own?! Carrying your own stash may motivate you to drink more of the antioxidant-filled drink and can also save you money at the coffee shop, not to mention the added convenience if you don't happen to be near one. When you're on the move and in need of a beverage, forget the soda machine and find a cup of hot water to steep your tea in instead! In only a few minutes, you'll have yourself an antioxidant packed, zero-calorie drink! Cheers to health!

Saturday, February 2, 2013

Superbowl snacking: healthy game day recipes

If you're a sports fanatic, it's highly likely that on Superbowl Sunday your eyes will be glued to the TV monitor, and you won't be taking notice of much else. This means that the chances of your hand reaching back and forward between the snack bowl and your mouth will be pretty high as well.

You may walk into your Superbowl day gathering with good and healthy intentions in mind, telling yourself that you're going to monitor your eating and make sure to eat all salty and fattening snacks in moderation, but once the game begins and the excitement in the room builds up, you just may become too ridiculously distracted to follow through with your admirable plan.

If it's not your compulsive hand we can fix, why not change the food instead? Here are some links to  Superbowl-worthy recipes that will keep you from having to loosen your belt-buckle during half-time:

Baked Buffalo Wings

Skinny Guacamole

Chicken Chili

Healthy Ranch Dip

BLT Thin-Crust Pizza

Crispy Oven-Baked Onion Rings

Layered Mexican Dip with Baked Lime Chips

Low-Cal Mozzarella Sticks

Nacho Cheese Hummus

Healthy Tater Tots

Buffalo Cauliflower Poppers

Gluten-Free Quinoa Pizza Bites or Cauliflower Pizza Bites or Pizza Quinoa Polenta

Sweet Potato Chili Chips

Baked Artichoke and Spinach Dip

No-Carb Doritos 

Power Nachos

Honey Mustard Barbecued Chicken

Skinny Queso Dip


With so many options to choose from, there's no reason to pack on the calories on game day! Time to get cookin'!