Secrets to Staying Slim

The term slim is tricky.  Slim technically means healthy, svelte, a weight that is good for your height and proportions. It does not mean toothpick, or skinny, or size 00 or anything that should cause a person to make themselves starve to create a warped body image.

I found 8 Secrets to Staying Slim (they may be updated if I find more, but these are the starting 8)

1.  Satisfied over Stuffed-Be aware of how full you are.  Take breaks while you eat and do a check in for yourself of how full you are.  Use a 1-10 scale.  If you are above an 8, then slow down, you are probably almost full and the food just needs to digest.  
2. Being hungry isn't an emergency-don't rush to the fridge the second you feel a slight twinge of hunger.  Make sure you really are hungry before you rip open that bag of chips, and better yet, reach for a protein bar, or a bag of grapes
3. Don't cure sadness with food-Teach yourself about HALT-hungry, angry, lonely and tired.  If you are hungry, eat a snack like a handful of nuts or some fruit.  If you are angry, instead of eating a sleeve of Oreos, go for a run or walk around your house.  The endorphins you create will lighten your mood.  If you are lonely-call a friend, go to the mall, e-mail a family member.  Being around people helps you feel more comfortable to your community.  If you are tired-SLEEP! 
4. Eat more fruit-Sprinkle berries into your cereal or yogurt in the morning.  Add sliced apple or pear to your sandwiches.  Add berries or sliced fruit to your salads.  Aim for 3 servings a day. 
5. Creatures of habit-Dr. David Katz(author of The Flaver Full Diet) says that most people who stay thin usually have a food index that they stay around.  An example would be cereal for breakfast, a salad for lunch and grilled chicken with steamed veggies for dinner.  Its ok to add turkey to your salad or switch up your veggies, but keeping on a track helps your stay balanced.  
6. Self-Control gene-create self-control for yourself for when disinhibition is high. When you are at an event, tell yourself you will only take 3 or 4 hors d'ouevres that are passed around.  If you go out to dinner, order an appetizer and then share a dessert if you find something you really want on the menu.  And if it is finals time or tax season or a busy month in the office, make sure you have tasty, big flavored and crunchy snacks like carrots, granola, or fruit at the ready.   
7. Movers and shakers-Make sure you are moving around.  Many people over-estimate how active their days really are.  Where a pedometer so you can gauge how much you are moving.  Take the stairs instead of the elevator, and try to get up to 10,000 steps a day.
8. Sleep Well-make sure you are sleeping.  It sounds easy, but it is very important.  Work your way up to 8 hours and see how much more refreshed and happy you feel.  

Spring Break....Time to Get Back on Balance and Avoid Falling Off

It is Spring Break here! And I am SO excited! I can't wait to see my dad and my puppy at home.  I can't wait to sleep in and lay around all day and have free time to do whatever I want.  Oh...and want to know what else I can't wait to do...I can't wait to EAT! I love going home to Southern California because I get to eat at my favorite restaurants.  I get to eat steak at Flemings, the best Veal Milanese at Il Barone, and garlic parmesan fries that would make your mouth water from a mile away at The Counter! None of this sounds healthy though does it?

They aren't leafy salads and cucumber soup, but they do have nutritional value.  Lean beef is an anti-inflammatory, did you know that? It is also filled with iron, omega 3, and Vitamin B12.  The nutrients in red meat help your body create healthy skin, bones and eyes.  Veal is one of the leanest meats, and is usually the most tender. Both veal and beef are stated to be "part of a well balanced diet".  And well....parmesan garlic fries are just really tasty.

Eating Healthy Doesn't Need To Be Expensive...and I'll Prove It!

Eating healthy doesn't need to be expensive, and I'll prove it to you! I went to the grocery store today and I was so peeved by how expensive a lot of the typical "health foods" were.   (Ex. Atkins and South Beach bars, Slim Quick system, and other similar products).  But, you don't need to eat those to stay healthy, in fact most of the time, just eating in a healthy manner is much better.

Healthy and Fun Desserts that the Kids Can Help Make!

Dessert-Everyone Wants It, so EAT it!

Here are my top favorite desserts that are healthy, EASY, and fun to make!


Also, these are a great way to get kids and teens who love to cook involved.  Even inexperienced bakers can handle them with ease!

Baking from a Mix-The Easy Way To Make Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth!

Let's make baking fun and simple! Kids LOVE to help bake, and they love to eat the desserts even more.  So should everyone.  Sweets are an important part of a balanced lifestyle and a good way of creating variety in your balanced diet.  Below are some recipes all made from mixes, which are both healthy, and nutritious.  They satisfy your sweet cravings, while also not making you feel bad for eating them.

Healthy Lunches for Your On-The-Go Lifestyle!

Don't Let an On-the-Run lifestyle scare you any longer! Here are some menu options that will help you pick meals that will keep you full and balanced all day long, until you get home and can take that bubble bath and maybe a short cat nap in that favorite spot :) These balanced meals are perfect for work, the park, maybe a day trip somewhere.  Most of them don't need to be heated up.  The snacks are even kid-friendly!