Better Thanksgiving Choices

It's about that time of year again, the meal cookers are rushing around to get the last of their Thanksgiving meal ingredients while the meal eaters are prepping their stomachs by fasting for the past few days. I just love it!! Thanksgiving is my absolute favorite holiday because of the 3 Fs; family, food and football (booze is also included, but for obvious reasons it's not listed). Families come in from all over the country to sit around, catch up, watch football and be thankful for each other...what's better than that?! Thanksgiving is definitely my Achilles heel, I can eat like a normal person the rest of the year but on this one day, I stack my plates (yes, I said plates) high with mountains of mashed potatoes, piles of turkey, stuffing, cranberry and lather it all with gravy.

I'm literally getting hungry just thinking about it. In this blog post, I will be making suggestions and comparisons on different choices you can make to ensure a healthier Thanksgiving. These are just merely suggestions, but just so you don't hate yourself tomorrow for eating more food in one sitting than all the meals of the week prior, take a read!

Turkey: White Meat or Dark Meat?
When it comes to turkey, most people have the part that they like, Uncle Bob gets a leg, your dad gets a wing, and everyone has to fight over the white and dark meat. To make your plate a little lighter this year, opt for the white meat. White meat (3 oz) packs 115 calories and 7 grams of fat, while its darker counterpart packs 160 calories and 11 grams of fat, respectively.
Better Choice: White Meat

Casserole: Green Bean or Sweet Potato?
In my opinion, the sides served at Thanksgiving are just as important as the turkey. Casseroles have been a staple on many Thanksgiving dinner tables and when choosing between the two, opt for the green bean casserole. About 1 cup of GB casserole has an average of 161 calories and 9 grams of fat (including the creamy mushroom soup and fried onion topping) which is a lighter pick than SP casserole which packs a whopping 285 calories and 5 grams of fat. The reason for this is that green beans are low-calorie foods to start with, although sweet potatoes are full of good-for-you nutrients, such as beta carotene which is packed with vitamin A and antioxidants.
Better Choice: Green Bean Casserole

Toppings: Cranberry Sauce or Gravy?
Believe it or not, gravy is the better choice here. Although there are tons of different ways to prepare both gravy and cranberry sauce, 1/4 of gravy has about 30 calories and 1.5 grams of fat while cranberries have 110 but 0 grams of fat. The elevated calorie count for the cranberry sauce is due to added sugars. That being said, you don't need to drench your whole plate in gravy, make your gravy mashed potato boat and fill it up so you can dip everything else later!
Better Choice: Gravy

Starchy Sides: Mashed Potatoes or Stuffing?
Personally, I love mashed potatoes, one of my all-time favorite foods. They are so versatile and you can put practically anything you want in them; bacon, cheese, sour cream, chives, horseradish or even sneak in some veggies! One cup of your typical mashed potatoes puts you at about 230-260 calories and about 7 grams of fat, while one cup of typical stuffing comes in with over 340 calories and almost 15 grams of fat. There are many ways to lighten up both these dishes; add some turnips, cauliflower florets or some sweet potatoes to your mashed to lighten up the load by up to 60 calories. As for the stuffing, lighten up on butter, and other fatty ingredients.
Better Choice: Mashed Potatoes

Dessert: Apple or Pumpkin Pie?
By this time of the meal, most people either take a nap or try and release a huge belch to make room for a slice of their favorite pie. For one slice of apple pie, it will cost you about 410 calories and almost 20 grams of fat, while the pumpkin pie has about 315 calories and 14 grams of fat per slice. Although neither are healthy options, the pumpkin has so many benefits and doesn't have the double-crust that apple pie does, which saves you on a few calories. The whipped topping that sits atop your pumpkin pie also has less calories than that warm vanilla ice cream that usually accompanies the apple.
Better Choice: Pumpkin Pie

There you have it my friends, just some things to keep you thinking healthier on your Thanksgiving day. I for one cannot wait for Thanksgiving and I wish you all a happy and healthy one!!

ENJOY!!

10 Habits You SHOULD Have

Ever wonder if there is a recipe for being skinny? Or how skinny people manage to keep themselves skinny and the pounds off? According to David Zinczenko of Men's Health, writer for ABC News' website has some insight into the lifestyle habits that help skinny people stay skinny. Below are a few of their successful habits:

1. Eat an early dinner. Researchers have found that people who eat dinner regularly at 8PM ingested more calories and carried more body fat than people who ate dinner earlier; between 5:30-7:00PM.

2. Eat breakfast. Studies have shown that people who skip breakfast were 4.5 times more likely to be obese than people who eat a healthy breakfast. Eating within 30-45 minutes of waking up is optimal in order to kick start your metabolism for the day.

3. Drink water. Skip the sugary soda and swap it out for a tall, refreshing glass of water. People who make the switch lose as much as 23 pounds per year! Start small--if you're a regular soda drinker, swap out one soda a day and gradually cut soda out for good.

4. Order a la carte. People who order combo meals consume almost 2 times as many calories as people who order a la carte. For those who are unfamiliar with 'a la carte', it simply means separate items with separate pricing. That way you can pick what you want instead of settling for a combo meal.

5. Manage stress. Some people are really good at delaying stress and keeping buried, but that is not a healthy response. Research shows that dealing with life's stressors can lead to weight gain. Everyone has things in their lives that stresses them out whether it be school, work, family or a combination of things--manage the stress one day at a time and don't let it build up.

6. Chew thoroughly. I am guilty of inhaling my food and eating every meal like it's my last. According to the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, people who chew their food slowly consume fewer calories than people who eat quickly, like yours truly. Cut up your food into small bites, drink water between bites and enjoy your food.

7. Eat whole grains. Replacing highly processed grains with wholesome whole grains help keep off the belly fat. Although some people say that you should limit your carbohydrate intake, making the switch to whole grains can definitely reduce the risk of serious weight gain.

8. Get a good night's sleep. Getting between six to eight hours each night will help keep your appetite under control and your willpower strong enough to resist those high calorie snacks. I understand this isn't the easiest thing to do, but sleep should be a high priority on everyone's list.

9. Laugh. A study from the International Journal of Obesity found that laughing for 15 minutes each day can burn up 40 calories. The math comes out that in a year, you can lose up to 4 pounds via laughing. Life doesn't always have to be so serious, giggle a little bit and unwind. Laugh at yourself!

10. Reward yourself. Establishing a healthy routine is a very hard thing to accomplish so remember to reward yourself for sticking to it. Food should really not be used as a reward, so use something else that you like--spa treatment, getting your nails done, shopping spree or something else.

I believe that this list is very helpful in developing a healthy routine to help lose or maintain your weight. It's not easy to change your lifestyle overnight so small changes is the way to go. This information was taken from Skinny News magazine.

ENJOY!!

Healthier Halloween Candy

Halloween is upon us, which means your house is probably FILLED with miniature chocolate bars, jawbreakers and all kinds of other treats ready to be given out. Unfortunately, the sugar-filled and unhealthy candy we give out to kids is just that; sugar-filled and unhealthy. You don't want to be the house that gives out pretzels or raisins because that's not what the kids want. Fortunately, there are some healthier candy choices that are under 100 calories, 10 grams of fat and 10 grams of sugar per serving. That way it's good for your trick-or-treaters and for you because you know that there's going to be leftover candy that you're either going to have to throw away or eat yourself.

1. Twizzlers: This low-fat treat comes in not only regular size but in an adorable fun size version as well. Two of these have less than 50 calories and a whopping 0 grams of fat!

2. Peanut M&Ms: Like potato chips, it's hard to eat just one of these delicious treats. Luckily, the snack-size bag, which contains about 7 or 8 pieces, limits your intake so you don't have to feel bad about finishing it. Not only is one bag under 100 calories with less than 5 grams of fat but they also provide fiber, protein and some calcium as well.

3. Hershey's Special Dark: What is Halloween without chocolate?! Fortunately, dark chocolate boosts immunity via the antioxidant properties it contains. Two miniature bars packs about 90 calories and about 5 grams of fat.

4. Tootsie Rolls: The Tootsie roll has been around for years and always seem to resurface around Halloween time. Three mini rolls contains about 70 calories and under 2 grams of fat, so you can snack and not feel guilty about it.

5. Reese's Peanut Butter Mini Cups: These little cups are addicting and they definitely make it hard to stick to the serving size. Peeling off the wrappers of the normal size cups can be quite the process, luckily the mini cups come unwrapped and in mini packages. Two mini cups contain about 90 calories with less than 6 grams of fat--try to opt for the dark chocolate to get those extra antioxidants.

6. Payday: Despite what people say, one fun size bar doesn't pack a huge punch on the waistline with only 90 calories, 5 grams of fat. Since the bar is covered in peanuts, you also are getting 2 grams of fiber and about 7 grams of protein.

7. Mounds: This chocolate-covered coconut treat comes in a fun-size, of course, which only has about 80 calories, less than 5 grams of fat and the coconut really changes up the normal chocolate and peanut butter bars.

8. 3 Musketeers: Fluffy and light enough to float away as the commercials boast, two minis are less than 50 calories and about 8 grams of sugar to make them the right choice.

9. Tootsie Roll Pops: Getting to the center of one of these guys can be quite the feat, with only 60 calories and 0 grams of fat--one of these pops is the perfect treat to give out this Halloween. You get the lollipop aspect as well as the tootsie roll in the center!

10. Kit Kats: Gimme a break--one package of Kit Kats only packs 70 calories with less than 4 grams of fat! Low in calories and fat due to the crunchy and light wafer middle!

11. Raisinetes: Some kids may sneer at raisins being given out on Halloween, but the combo of chocolate and raisins has less than 70 calories and less than 3 grams of fat for a snack-sized bag (about 40 pieces). Also, these guys come in dark chocolate, so get those antioxidants!!

12. Jolly Ranchers: These hard candies can keep your mouth busy for minutes and they are savory but two of these guys will cost you about 50 calories and 8 grams of sugar.

13. Nestle Crunch: Similar to Kit Kats, crunch bars contain little crispies which don't contain extra calories. One fun-size bar has 60 calories and 3 grams of fat--which makes it one of the lightest candy bars on the list.

14. Dum Dum Lollipops: Flavors range from cream soda to cotton candy so what's not to love?! One of these little pops has only 20 calories, 0 grams of fat and less than 4 grams of sugar!!

15. Air Heads: One mini Air Head has under 50 calories and 7 grams of sugar--not to mention the array of flavors!!

16. Mike & Ikes: Chewy, fruity and low calorie too!! One fun-size box of these comes in at 50 calories and 0 grams of fat!! They also contain some real fruit juice as well, unlike other fruity candies.

17. Sweet Tarts: They will make your mouth-pucker. Three mini packs (6 pieces) run you about 30 calories with 0 grams of fat. Hardly satisfying, but if you want something sweet with a little sour, this treat is great!

18. Heath Bar: Mixed in with ice cream or just on its own--one snack-size bar has about 80 calories and less than 5 grams of fat.

19. Almond Joy: This coconut-filled candy is similar to Mounds--but for those who are looking for something a little nutty, Almond Joys are the choice for you, and you also get a dose of fiber and unsaturated fat via the almonds.

20. Smarties: Although they will not make you smarter, one roll is only 25 calories, 0 grams of fat and 5 grams of sugar.

From this list, you can see that there are tons of healthier candy options to hand out this Halloween! Have fun, be safe and enjoy the holiday whether you're trick-or-treating or handing out candy.

ENJOY!!

Hot Drinks to Warm You Up

Hey everyone, I apologize for not posting for awhile. I have been busy lately working, but that's no excuse not to find time to post for my followers. I will do better in the future to get you guys recipes and fun posts for the fall/winter season.

As the temperature is dropping and the weather is getting more and more miserable (cold), people often turn to hot drinks such as coffee, hot chocolate and teas to warm them up. In this post I will be giving advice on what to get to keep you warm for the fall/winter season. (DISCLAIMER: I am not a coffee drinker, I do not like the taste. The only coffee I like is Pumpkin coffee, in which case I usually have not more than 5 cups per season.)

Green Tea: I always have a box of Bigelow Green Tea in the cubbard because I am a HUGE fan of tea. Green tea, while hot and warming also has many health benefits. The facts are that is is loaded with antioxidants and nutrients which can improve brain health, lower risk of cancer and even fat loss. One of the key ingredients in green tea is actually caffeine, so it is like coffee without all the nasty calories and the 'jitters'. The antioxidants in green tea can also lower ones risk of cancer, but adding milk to your tea can lowers the antioxidant power of the tea, thus decreasing the preventative effects of the tea. I try to have tea whenever possible, and green tea is definitely my go-to for the colder seasons.

Coffee...black: From the majority of people I know, I can comfortably say that 10% of you drink your coffee literally black, with nothing else in it. Everyone else adds their sugar, cream, milk, spices, mixtures and whatever else; I'm not too sure, I'm not a coffee-drinker. The best advice I can give to you in this category is to order your coffee black and put in your own fixings. As a franchise such as Dunkin Donuts, Starbucks or anything other place alike, adds excessive amounts of what you ask for. If you haven't noticed, the last time you asked for 'a little whipped cream' on your low-fat chai latte, and they gave you some whipped cream with a little bit of latte underneath. I have nothing against the people who work at these stores, but sometimes they don't listen. Bottom line, add your milk, sugar, creamer, what-have-you yourself; that way you get the right amount.

Hot Chocolate: I am not a chocolate-fan at all, but I can honestly say that Dunkin Donuts does it right, I don't know what they put in there, but it is damn delicious. But for a small cup you're getting about 220 calories. By making some simple switches you can make your hot chocolate choice a little healthier; use a nut milk such as almond or another dairy-free option because of the boost of protein you get while also adding different flavors. Use unsweetened cacao to save some calories, use natural sweeteners such as honey, agave, maple sugar and more. Lastly, add warm spices to your hot coco, such as cinnamon, cardamon and ginger.

Spiced Apple Cider: For you alcohol-lovers out there, here is a hot drink that is sure to warm you up from the inside out. Not only is this drink delicious, but it is also fat-free and can be ready in less than 20 minutes. The health benefits of this drink are that it is blood clot lowering and has blood sugar lowering abilities. I found a recipe I like from Health.com via Spiced Apple Cider. Try it out and enjoy the deliciousness, minus the calories.

Hot Toddy: This warm drink is not only festive but also lower in calories than other drinks such as spiked hot chocolate, hot buttered rum or egg-nog. The citrus, honey and cinnamon working together have even been said to help get over a cold or two. I found a recipe for this delicious recipe on Popsugar.com via Hot Toddy Recipe.

While the weather continues to be sucky and miserable enjoy some hot beverages, but remember that there is such a thing as drinking your calories. Be mindful of what you are putting into your body!!

ENJOY!!

Pumpkin-Inspired EVERYTHING

Hello everyone!! It's been quite awhile since I posted last. I have been working A LOT between my 3 jobs (hostess, beverage cart girl at a golf course and I'm still working at Mo Green Juice) and I haven't had a minute to myself. This week I have a few mornings to myself so I am catching up on sleep, blogging and working out.

School has started back up again, the leaves are beginning to change and fall, and my personal favorite....THERE IS PUMPKIN-FLAVORED EVERYTHING!! :) I absolutely LOVE pumpkin-flavored things: pies, muffins, coffee, cookies, cakes, smoothies..you name it, I love it. If you are skeptical or just don't like pumpkin, you are definitely missing out but I won't force my love for it on you.

In this blog post I will be informing you of the numerous health benefits of pumpkins as well as some pumpkin-inspired dishes you should definitely try out!

Health Benefits

• Very low calorie vegetable with no saturated fats or cholesterol
• Rich in dietary fiber, anti-oxidants, minerals and vitamins
• Usually recommended by nutritionists and dietitians in cholesterol-controlling and weight reduction programs
• Excellent source of Beta carotene, which are converted into vitamin A in the body and helps with eye sight and function
• Great for your skin via cartenoids

The list goes on and on, but I have just listed a few of the key benefits to get your mind rolling. Next I will be providing some recipes and ideas on how to use pumpkin for upcoming recipes!

Pumpkin Pie: Pumpkin pie is one of my absolute favorite pies so when Thanksgiving (my absolute favorite holiday) rolls around, I can't help but get excited!! Sometimes, this classic dessert can be quite costly when it comes to calories, but I found this recipe in Women's Health that has one slice of pie for only 210 calories! Click here to get the link and try out this new and improved pumpkin pie recipe that will surely impress your guests. 

Pumpkin Pancakes: I do love me some pancakes and since I expressed my love of pumpkin before, this recipe is right up my alley. This recipe I found online is actually a Gluten-free one, which I think is interesting and should be fun to try out one morning. Click here to get the link for these pumpkin-packed flapjacks!

Pumpkin-packed Pasta: You may not think that pumpkin and pasta pair well together, but you are sorely mistaken. Adding pumpkin to your pasta is a great way to get added vitamins and minerals without sacrificing flavor. I found this recipe online from an online magazine called Clean Eating. Click here to get the recipe and try it out for dinner one night, your kids, friends and family don't have to know what you put in there!

Pumpkin Seeds: There are a million and one ways to eat and cook pumpkin seeds; plain, with spices, roasted, baked and so on. Since they are so versatile, I found was browsing the Food Network website for some ideas and they have a list of different ways to prepare the seeds to get different flavors! Click here to get the link and explore all the different options!

Pumpkin Cheesecake: I do not have a sweet tooth I sware, but I do have a weakness for cheesecake and doughnuts. I have had pumpkin cheesecake before and it is OUT-OF-THIS-WORLD. Although cheesecake is pretty heavy in calories and fat, one slice won't kill you. I found this amazing recipe for Pumpkin cheesecake and I just had to share it with you! Click here to get this delicious recipe!

These are just a few different ideas to get more pumpkin (and vitamins and minerals) into your life! I found most of these pumpkin-inspired ideas via Skinnyms.com, so check it out if you are interested in looking for more!

ENJOY!!

Label Decoding and But What Does It Mean?!

Hello everyone!! It's been awhile since my last post and the summer is in it's last week, how sad! :( I figured with people going back to school and everything that I would give some advice on label reading and what you should be looking for. For some people, the grocery store is a place of confusion, overwhelmingness and even downright miserable. All the different types of tomato sauces, cheeses, breads and butters--which one do you choose?!? Personally, I LOVE the grocery store and grocery shopping, but it can be quite a challenge when making the decision between slow-churned ice cream and low-fat ice cream while you're freezing in the frozen foods section.

1. Whole Grain vs. Multigrain. If a product is marked with a black and gold "Whole Grain" stamp, which is based on the requirements of the Whole Grains Council, than that means that the product is legitimately made with 100% whole grains and is worth the buy. Multigrain on the other hand simply means 'more than one grain'--hence the prefix "multi". This title does not have any standardized definition and the grains could be refined and not even whole grains. So when looking at breads or pastas look for the black and gold "Whole Grain" stamp.
Winner: Whole Grain

2. Reduced Sugar vs. Low Sugar. If the label says "reduced sugar" this means that the product has 25% less sugar than the regular version. While on the other hand "low sugar", which is most commonly seen on jams, cookies and other sweet products, has no standardized definition. It's crazy to think that food manufacturers can just slap some words on a product without fully having a concrete definition. Reduced sugar is definitely the way to go, by having an actual definition recognized by the FDA and 25% less sugar than its regular counterpart.
Winner: Reduced Sugar

3. Cage-free vs. Free Range. These terms are specifically aimed at eggs. "Cage-free" simply means that the hens were kept in a barn and not in a cage--but usually still kept in close quarters. "Free Range" on the other hand, means that the chickens had opportunities to be outdoors. When choosing between the two, I would go for the "Free Range" due to the fact that the hens were allowed to be outdoors at some point rather than kept hostage in cages or barns. "Cage-free" eggs are more likely to come from hens who were in close quarters, more susceptible to disease and mistreated.
Winner: Free Range

4. Fat-free vs. Zero Fat. These two terms actually mean the same thing; that the product contains less than .5 grams of fat per serving. The "Fat-free" label has been fooling consumers for years now because of it's less than accurate description; products that claim they are "Fat-free" or contain "Zero Fat" can actually have .5 grams of fat per serving. The label also doesn't inform the consumer of what kind of fat it is (trans fat, saturated fat, unsaturated fat, etc.)
Winner: Draw, be mindful of the products you choose and even ask questions

5. Organic vs. Made with Organic Ingredients. Nowadays people are all about organic everything but even organic labels can be confusing. If a product is labeled "Organic" that means that at least 95% of a products ingredients are organic. "Made with Organic Ingredients" means that at least 70% of the ingredients of the product are organic. This is really just a personal preference, usually products that aren't labeled fully "Organic" are going to be less expensive, so the choice is yours.
Winner: Personal preference

This section of my post I'll call "But What Does It Mean?!?" Terms that are slapped onto the products we consume and purchase on a daily basis without really knowing.

Sugar-Free: Like the "Fat-Free" label, this term means that the food contains less than .5 grams of sugar per serving. With this, the serving size could be tiny or could be large--meaning that that .5 grams per serving can really add up if you're not conscious of what you are consuming.

Gluten-free: If someone you know is gluten-intolerant of has Celiac disease you should definitely do your research on this term. It is never safe to assume that a product really is what its label indicates. Gluten-free products, while may appear healthier, may actually be worse for you. Some companies have to compensate for not having gluten by adding extra sugars and refined starches.

Natural: This term is anything BUT natural--usually associated with positive perception, it actually has no formal definition when applied to products that don't contain meat or eggs. Think about it, even sugar is natural, so what is this label really trying to say? Other buzzwords that people look for are "simple" and "wholesome". Unless a product has a label by the FDA or another prestigious corporation.

Low-Fat: This term means that a product contains 3 grams of fat or less per serving. Sounds like a good deal right? The same product could also be high in sugar, sodium and calories to make up for the decreased amount of fat. Most often, when one ingredient is missing, something equally bad is added to make up for it.

Be aware and remember to always question what you are buying. Do you research beforehand and be an informed consumer rather than an uninformed one. Hopefully this post will make future trips to the grocery store a little more clear!!

ENJOY!!

Fast, Easy and Delicious Shrimp Tacos

Hey there everyone!! I haven't posted a recipe in awhile so I decided to tell you about these fast and delicious shrimp tacos I made for dinner last night. In case you haven't picked up on it, I LOVE tacos. I must have 5 different recipes about tacos because not only are they easy and quick, but they also never disappoint.

Ingredients

• 1 pound of de-veined and cleaned shrimp (I used small shrimps, but you can use any size and any amount, depending on how many people you plan to serve them to)

• Raw red cabbage (For this, I had some leftover for when I top my salads)

• Onion (Any color, this is also optional)

• Halved cherry tomatoes

• Greek yogurt (A great alternative to sour cream without losing the tangy taste and texture)

• Shredded cheddar cheese

• Salsa

• Flour or corn tortillas

• Lime juice

• Chili powder

• Garlic

• Jalapeños

Step 1: I personally like to do all my chopping and prep before I get started on my shrimp. First I chopped some onion, halved my cherry tomatoes, chopped my jalapeños and re-cleaned off my shrimp.

Step 2: Put some olive oil in a pan and then drop in your shrimp. Then you can add your lime juice, garlic, and chili powder as you see fit. I chose chili powder and lime juice because lime juice just screams summer and the chili powder adds a little kick to the shrimp, which I love!

Step 3: Once your shrimp is done, lay out your tortillas and construct your taco to your liking! 

I absolutely LOVED this dinner; between the tastiness of the shrimp, the crunchiness of the cabbage and the spiciness of the jalapeños, pure heaven! Unfortunately, I couldn't find any ripe avocados otherwise I would have some avocado slices on these bad boys as well. There's really nothing better than a quick and easy meal that you get to construct yourself. At my house, my favorite night was always taco night, because I would LOAD my taco up with onions, meat, salsa and of course multiple layers of cheese!! 

If you want a little less carbs for this meal, try opting for some Bibb lettuce, the leaves are perfect for a carb-free wrap! Still a little nervous about the Greek yogurt swap? Understandable, it just doesn't seem right, but trust me, it is just as delicious, without all the calories! To make the transition a little easier, you can mix your salsa with your yogurt, for a creamy salsa or even mix it with your lime juice and your diced jalapeños for a chunkier, spicier sauce. Give it a try!!

ENJOY!!