Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Just a Few of my Favorite Things


Ms. Poppins could’tve have said it better herself! Now these are just a few of my favorite things that keep me on track to a healthier lifestyle.


Pedometer- I bought one these the other day for under $10 and it’s my new fav gadget! I clip it on in the morning and it calculates how many steps I take throughout the day. I keep track on a calendar and it has been my own little personal challenge to get more steps from one day to the next. I take the stairs more, walk to class everyday and it all adds up!


Calorie counter-If you are ever curious how many calories is in a certain food this website: http://www.fitday.com/ tells you exactly how many calories is in thousands of different food items, even down to the different ways it can be prepared. It also tracks your daily calorie, protein, carb and fat intake along with your exercise and how long it will take you to reach your fitness and/or nutrition goals!


SPIbelt- Attention all runners, this thing is amaaazing! It’s basically a tiny fanny pack that stretch to fit your cell phone, keys, GU, ID, whatever you need and it doesn’t weigh you down! www.spibelt.com


Eat this, not that- I literally carried this book in my purse like a bible for the last two years! There are several versions now, the two I really like are the original and the supermarket version.


iPhone apps- For all of you iPhoner’s out there check out these new apps:

1. Lose it (free)- you can enter your daily food intake and exercise info and this app will tell you the date you will reach your goal weight.

2. iSteps ($2.99)- this turns your phone into a pedometer which calculates the distance you cover walking in one day.

3. Nutrition Menu Calorie Counter ($2.99)- This app gives the nutritional facts at 337 U.S and Canadian restaurants.

4. Dietician ($9.99)- This app tracks your calorie intake and create meal plans, recipes, and grocery lists for you.

5. Fitness Builder (19.99)- This app actually allows you to choose from over 400 different workouts that come with videos.


EnviroSax- This nifty environmentally friendly bag has come in handy everywhere! The best thing about it is it rolls up to the size of my palm so it fits easily in my purse but it can hold soooo much stuff! They come in many different colors and cute patterns. Mine is pink with flying pigs J Get yours today at www.envirosax.com


Nike+ Shoe & Sensor System- This was so handy when I was training for my half marathon. There is a little chip in the bottom of one of the those and a connector piece that goes into your iPod. It then tracks and keeps record of miles, calories burned, pace and time it took.

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Lots’O Veggies

It has been brought to my attention that my veggie intake has been on the decline lately. I just don’t seem to have the patience, creativity or desire for them anymore. So the Veggie Rejuvenation Project was born. My goal is to incorporate a veggie into 3-4 out of 5 of my small meals a day, using herbs, spices and the oven –gasp-- (dun dun dunnnn)

My first assignment: Kale

I sautéed fresh kale in a pan with olive oil and a pinch of salt and pepper. Once it was crispy I added a dash of crushed red pepper flakes and much to my surprise it was pretty good! I ate it with hummus and chicken breast to round out the meal.

Next I ventured into Brussels sprouts, Quinoa, and Zucchini. Yup, I’m going for the guttural. Go big or go home, right?

I cut the spouts in half, arranged them on a pan. Then I mixed olive oil, salt and pepper in a bowl and poured it over the sprouts. I set the oven to 400 degrees and cooked them for 30-40 mins. I sprinkled some parmessan cheese on top to add a little extra falvor!

And in honor of this ridiculously premature winter Mother Nature so graciously bestowed upon us, I picked up a succulent organic acorn squash at the local health food store.

I cut the squash in half (hot dog style- circa kindergarten class folding paper) and scooped out the seeds. I poured maple syrup (sugar free of course) a spray of butter flavoured pam and a pinch of S&P. I set the two halves on a pan filled with a little bit of water so the skin didn’t stick to the pan and put it in the oven for an hour and 15 mins. Once it cooled I scooped the contents out into a bowl and added cranberries and almonds. It was absolutely DELISH!

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Pizza Pizza, Read All About It

I have searched high and low, near and far for the healthiest pizza known to (wo)man, because lord knows, a girls gotta eat some pizza in her life and not feel guilty about it!!

Here are a few rules of thumb to keep in mind:

1. Always opt for thin crust over thick and you’ll be saving yourself a lot of unnecessary calories and starchy carbs.

2. Load on the veggies and lay off the meat. Obviously if you can sneak in some healthy toppings it’s better than nothing.

3. Order a salad first and try to fill up on that before you dive head first into the real deal, an average slice of pizza is about 300 calories and 11 grams of fat a pop, and we all know how hard it is to stop after just one…

4. If you have the option order whole wheat crust over white, you’ll get an extra dose of fiber and feel full on less.

5. Wash it down with water rather than a Coke. The sugar in pop will spike your insulin and make you want to eat more, not to mention sugar turns to fat increasing your caloric intake. Needless to say, water is 0 cals, 0 sugar, 0 g fat and 0 carbs....you can fill up on this curbing your appetite so by half time of the game you’re a half a pizza deep!

* Pizza Fit n’ free- These little guys are fat free, sugar free and come in the appropriate serving size so it makes it harder to overdo it. They are considered a “cheat” food so having some veggies on the side wouldn’t hurt you. You have to order them online but at $19.49 for six I say why not?

* Amy’s frozen no cheese pizza, add your own veggies- I sautéed spinach and mushrooms and sprinkled on my own low fat mozzarella cheese and saved myself a lot of calories without sacrificing the taste.

* Make it yourself! This is the only sure-fire way it will be as healthy (and tasty) as it can be. You can buy a whole wheat pita, marinara sauce (mixed with pesto and chopped basil), low fat cheese, veggies and spices at the store and whip up your own pizza pie! It’s a fun thing to do with your significant other, friends or family.