Working Out With the Little One

Someone was enjoying a mini workout with me this afternoon...lol.

Since your latest family addition, do you find ourself giving in to any excuse not to exercise? Lol. You can deny it if you want, but I know I've been avoiding exercise like the plague since my youngest was born in November. While I have an amazing assortment of It Works products at my disposal that can help me burn fat, increase my nutritional intake, alkalize my body, increase my metabolism, feed my hair, skin, and nails, minimize the appearance of cellulite and stretch marks, and even tighten, tone, and firm my post baby loose skin, the truth is that none of them can give me muscle tone or definition without some physical effort on my part. 

Just Keep Going!

Gluten Free Diet? No Problem, We've Got You Covered! ;-)

Did You Know?

Did you know that starving yourself and too radical of a calorie deprivation to lose weight has the exact opposite effect? It slows your metabolism, drives your body into preservation mode and will actually cause weight gain?! Truth: eating small healthful meals several (5+ depending on how many hours you're awake) times a day will keep your blood sugar levels stable, boost your metabolism, give you sustained energy and help you lose those unwanted pounds!

Random Health Tip...

Dry Off Head To Toe

After a shower, you'll prevent a chill by drying your head and neck first. You'll also reduce the risk of anything nasty from the shower floor making its way up your body. 

Random Health Tip...

Cheat With Your Weights

Lift a weight as many times as you can. Then, when you can't complete one more repetition, use your free hand (or a workout buddy) to help push your weighted hand through another rep. Once you're at the top of the move, remove your free hand and slowly lower the weight. Studies show that negative resistance exercises like this are more effective at muscle building than standard exercises. 

Random Health Tips...

Don't Buy Wheat Bread

Huh? Isn't it good for me? Actually, "wheat bread" is often just white bread dyed with molasses to make it look dark. Look instead for "100 percent whole wheat" or "whole grain." Even better: rye bread. Swedish researchers found that 8 hours after people ate rye, they felt less hungry than those who noshed wheat bread, thanks to rye's high fiber content. 

Random Health Tips...

Listen To Your Feet

If you can hear yourself running, you're setting yourself up for injury. Pounding the pavement comes from bad form. Keep your feet close to the ground and use a quick, shuffling stride. 

Random Health Tips...

Pick The Red One

Red cabbage has 15 times as much wrinkle-fighting beta-carotene as green cabbage. Red bell peppers have up to nine times as much vitamin C as green ones. 

Random Health Tip...

Lift, Damn It!

Verbally expressing emotion while lifting increases muscle strength by up to 25 percent. (Of course, it also increases your risk of being tossed out of the gym by the same percentage…) Or get someone to scream at you: You'll be able to lift 5 to 8 percent more weight if you get verbal encouragement from a trainer or workout partner. 

Random Health Tips...

Drink a few glasses of ice-cold water before and during exercise. Studies show that the cold stuff can improve endurance by about 23 percent. And ice water forces your body to expend calories warming it up, boosting your metabolism as well. 

7 Foods Your Body Needs If You Stop Eating Meat

By Kristina Bravo

By now, we all know that eating rib eye and pork chops isn’t good for our bodies or the environment. It’s an individual choice to go completely vegetarian, but many Americans are cutting back: From 2007 to 2012, American meat consumption plummeted by 12 percent. It’s recommended that protein make up 10 to 35 percent of our daily caloric intake. Essential amino acids, commonly consumed through meat and eggs, are necessary for digestion, growth, and body tissue repair. Having enough vitamin B12 proves even more difficult for herbivores: Important for energy conversion, the vitamin is mainly found in red meat and fish.

So how do we satisfy these nutritional needs without eating meat?

Here are some nutrition-packed options if you're thinking of becoming a vegetarian.

Hummus

Packed with flavor, this Middle Eastern dip kicks plain old chickpeas up a notch. Not only is it a low-cholesterol protein source; hummus has tons of fiber too. Most grocery stores carry a few ready-made varieties, but with some basic ingredients—tahini, olive oil, lemon, and garlic—it’s also easy to whip up in the kitchen.

Tempeh

Think of it as fermented, healthier tofu. Although tempeh is not as popular as its soy-based protein sister, in Indonesia it dates back to the 19th century. Having three times the amount of protein of tofu, it also contains vitamin B12, an essential nutrient for metabolism usually found in animal products.

Greek Yogurt

Thanks to the recent craze, Greek yogurt no longer carries the sad “food diet” rep. (Really, how healthy can all that added sugar be?) It has a creamier consistency, twice the protein, and half the carbs of regular yogurt. Opt for the plain type, of course, and add your favorite fruits for a tasty snack.

Edamame

Served as an appetizer in Japanese restaurants, edamame are a great source of protein. Don’t let the unfamiliar name fool you: Edamame are basically soybeans harvested just before ripening. They’re cheap, are easy to prepare (boil in water, and add a sprinkle of salt), and can be found in most freezer aisles. Feeling adventurous? Mix these baby soybeans in a stir-fry or a bowl of udon.  

Hemp Seeds

Chewy and nutty, hemp seeds are a perfect addition to yogurt and oatmeal. Unlike flaxseeds and chia seeds, they contain all of the essential amino acids—ideal for vegetarians and vegans. 

Seaweed

Omega-3 fatty acids have many benefits, such as lowering risk for heart disease and cancer, and most people get their fix mainly through fish. But how do fish have so much of the good stuff, anyway? By eating seaweed. Many coastal communities have long relied on and consume it on a regular basis. And with seaweed’s growing popularity in the United States, many supermarkets already stock their aisles with the nutritious vegetable.

Quinoa

Sure, we’re all a little tired of hearing about the magical seed that is quinoa. That doesn’t make it any less wonderful. Cooked right, quinoa makes a great, fluffy substitute for carby grains like rice and oats. It’s packed with manganese, zinc, and iron, minerals more commonly consumed through shellfish. Also, it’s fun to say: kee-no-wah. 

Random Health Tip...

Drink Your Milk

Think you're getting a nutritional boost from your morning cereal? Up to 40 percent of the vitamins in fortified cereals dissolve in the milk. If you don't drink the leftover cow juice, you're not getting the fancy-pants nutrients! 

Random Health Tip...

To reduce the severity of a hangover, order a side of asparagus. When South Korean researchers exposed a group of human liver cells to asparagus extract, the extract suppressed free radicals and more than doubled the effects of two enzymes responsible for metabolizing alcohol. 

Bribe Yourself Healthy!

Looking for some extra motivation to get those workouts done? Bribe yourself! Plan a series of workouts. For every one you complete, put a dollar (or a few if they're intense!) aside in a jar or somewhere. When you reach a certain goal (say $100?), treat yourself to something nice. Maybe a massage, new outfit, a box of wraps....lol. ;-)

If you've been trying to grow out your hair or nails, this one is for you!

Yes I know that there are "hair, skin, and nail products" at stores everywhere, but how many of them are PROVEN to work as fast, as well, or as consistently as this one?

Free Subscription to Oxygen Magazine!

Right now, you can sign up to get a Free Digital Subscription to Oxygen Magazine! I've never seen this one offered for free before and if you are looking to get in shape or live a little healthier, this would be a great offer to take advantage of! This could go fast, so let me know if you're able to get it!

The Ultimate Pancake