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Diet by Zodiac: The Astrological Diet

After reading about all of the wacky inventions posted on FadDiet.com yesterday, I got to wondering if there were any diets purportedly related to your astrological sign. I Googled it and <poof!> got about 1,490,000 results in 1.25 seconds.

Don’t get me wrong here: I check my horoscope religiously. But that’s because I like a bit of whimsy in my life, and sometimes it can be very motivating. But as anyone who’s researched the Zodiac will tell you, we are WAY off its track. Everything in the universe shifts and moves, including the elliptical, bringing new and different constellations into what we commonly refer to as the Zodiac. One theory suggests that there are actually 13 signs, the 13^th occurring somewhere between Scorpio and Sagittarius, commonly referred to as “Oriuchus”.

I found this one particularly interesting. And entertaining. And it freely suggests reposting it along with its anchor link (bottom), so I’m doing so. If you really want to diet by astrology, go for it…I’ll stick to “mindful eating”, thanks.

Diet Weight Loss program which Use Horoscope Zodiac Signs to Tell the Best Times to Lose the Most Weight with the Least Effort

Astrologers themselves found that the planets, sun and moon exert certain physical stresses on the earth. The effects of these stresses manifest themselves in weather patterns, planet and animal behavior, and most notably, in ocean tides.

Astrology is the reading if your horoscope-the map of the planets at the time of your birth. Like any map, astrology can give you your boundaries and the obstacles you will encounter-dieting, as well as in life. It will also show you how to use your cosmic energy by tapping into your strengths, and even your weaknesses, to overcome a certain obstacle-like being overweight.

Since the earth is constantly moving, nothing (including you) stays the same. To diet successfully, you must find out what your ‘givens’ are -where the sun was in your chart when you were born, what horoscope zodiac sign was on the horizon (your rising sign), and the placement of the planets at the moment of your birth. The placement of your sun tells how you perceive the world and what motivates you. Your rising sign tells how the world perceives you. The placement of your moon reveals how you interpret this information.

Most diet weight loss program limit your intake of all the things you love to eat, sometimes they do away with them, altogether. Knowing that you must give up these foods, and accepting it, are two very different things. If you cannot live without coffee with cream and sugar, black coffee may not get you through even the first day of your diet weight loss program. Many of us love and depend on certain foods, and the prospect of giving them up forever-or at least for the next ten to twenty pounds-may send us into fits of depression, or worse, into giving up the diet weight loss program completely.

By recognizing the eating and personality traits for each horoscope zodiac sign, you can eliminate this formidable barrier to successful dieting forever. When you learn what your givens are, you can begin to work with them and not against them.

For instance, the fire signs (Aries, Leo and Sagittarius) have less trouble dieting than any other horoscope zodiac signs, since their bodies burn up calories most efficiently. Their diets are based on carbohydrate counting because their weakness stems from quantity: they will try to consume much more than they actually need, and they like foods with poor nutritional value. Their diets are based on the motto, ‘Eat like a queen in the morning, like a prince in the afternoon and like a beggar in the evening.’

You might start your diet whenever the spirit-or the necessity-moves you. But remember that you will not see the dramatic results you crave unless you diet during the correct astrological cycles for your horoscope zodiac sign.

The secret is timing. For centuries astrologers and farmers have known that the sun affects the plumpness of fruits and vegetables. Now astrologers noted it also affects the weight of people.

The earth signs, Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn, have a harder time losing weight because they let themselves gain weight for a long time before going on a diet weight loss program.

The air signs, Gemini, Libra and Aquarius, have little trouble losing weight because they have so much nervous energy. They tend to go on way-out fad diets, however, and that’s a weakness. They need to keep a diary of everything they eat in order to benefit from a diet weight loss program.

The water signs, Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces, gain and lose weight at a phenomenal rate because most of their problem is not fat, but water weight.

Before you begin complete these four preliminary steps:

Step one: Self Evaluation.

If you are reading this article, you want to lose weight. You must set up a clear goal that how much weight you want to lose.

Step Two: Banish Guilt.

Realize there are times when you will find it hard to lose weight. If you don’t lose weight at these times, don’t be hard on yourself. Think of those times when you have been bursting with willpower; then think of the other times when you would have killed for a cracker. We have all had times when we can seem to eat anything and still lose weight. Then there are times when you stick religiously to diet and gain weight despite your effort. Knowing your astrological cycles will help prepare you for those times.

Step Three: Timing is everything

Use your horoscope zodiac sign and learn to do the right thing, at the right place, at the right time.

Step Four: Know Yourself.

Everyone has a different reason for being overweight. Study your likes and dislikes. Get to know yourself. It can help you explore your astrological map, but only you can find the most direct route to your goal.

Please feel free to use the article and include the following link with anchor text on your site. Credit to: Elaine Fung, Horoscopes & Chinese Astrology Specialist Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Elaine_Fung

Wacky Diet Inventions

From the brilliant minds at FadDiet.com, some of the weirdest diet inventions…ever. These are actual inventions that were actually patented, according to the author of the site. Gotta love someone who does their research. Happy Monday!

The Red/Green Light Fork

This fork has a green and a red light. When the green light is lit you can eat. Then, the fork senses that you have eaten something so it makes you wait a while (red light). Tick-tock tick-tock Green Light!

This might not be a bad idea but I doubt it would work for me. I would just put more food onto the fork each time and shovel it in my mouth.

This patent was awarded in 1995

The Diet Dam: Hannibal Lecter Style

The easiest way to not eat is to block off your mouth right? Seems logical to me. Just stick this grill over your mouth and you won’t be able to stuff your face.

How precious would it be to see one of your co-workers wearing this thing around the office? I think that would be hilarious.

The Hand Near Mouth Alarm

I am a perpetual rule-breaker. That is why I love fad diets so much. Using a fad diet to lose weight is like telling all of those celebrity doctors to shut up. It is just fun. Fad Diet users are rebels. We know they aren’t good for us, but they do let you lose weight fast.

So I was reading this patent description and it said: “All other things being equal, the success of an attempt to lose weight depends heavily on the dieter’s limiting of his calorie intake. Unfortunately, however, most people with weight problems have compulsive habits which cause them to eat food habitually and without conscious awareness that they are doing so. Such a person may be totally engrossed in another task and may eat whatever happens to be within reach without ever noticing that he is doing so”

I may feed myself without knowing about it sometimes but I also thought of a way to beat this alarm. It took me all of about 10 seconds to come up with my “Hand Near Mouth Alarm Hack” and I can summarize it in two words. “Dog Bowl” or three words “Pie eating contest”.

The Man cannot keep me down.

The Calorie Counting Fork

This fork will count your calories for you. That is pretty nice. I am not sure how it works and from reading the patent it involves a stack of index cards with codes on them so I don’t think it is automatic or even easy to use.

Too bad. I would like a fork that counted my calories for me. Of course I would just cheat by trying to swirl as much pasta into each bite as I possibly could.

The All-In-One Exercise Suit

Why go to the gym when the gym can go everywhere with you? It is no coincidence that this patent was issued in the 1970′s right when the Village People where rising to fame. Unfortunately some of the original members of the village people were kicked out because the record company thought that they weren’t marketable enough.

One of the original members of the village people wore an all-in-one exercise suit. It was quite a site (sic) I am told. Whenever he raised his arms to do the Y-M-C-A thing he burned about 13,000 calories.

Book of the Week: “mindful eating” by Jan Chozen Bays, MD

My family knows I’m a huge reader:  I subscribe to several different ‘zines a month, am always on the lookout for new books and am constantly quizzing friends I know who are avid literature nuts like me on what they love to read. Lately I’ve been in a book rut, though, and this has to happen, of course, just as my birthday comes by and my family gives me, collectively, $100 in Barnes & Noble gift cards. Um, could I be any luckier?

Except I didn’t know what to buy. Perusing the selections at my local B&N, I came across “mindful eating” by Jan Chozen Bays and figured I’d give it a shot. If worse came to worse, I could always go exchange it, right?

Instead I’m thinking I might replace all of my other “diet wisdom” books with this one. It focuses on EXACTLY what the title says: mindful eating. “Minfdulness is deliberately paying attention being fully aware of what is happening both inside yourself-in your body, heart, and mind-and outside yourself, in your environment. Mindfulness is awareness without judgment or criticism.” (“mindful eating”, p. 2) And that last part is SO important. How many of us, even as we’re eating delicious, healthy foods are telling ourselves how many calories we’re packing on, or focusing on some other aspect of how we choose to feel about eating, rather than the simple act of eating itself?

So, as I’m sure you won’t be surprised to hear, I am going to try to be more mindful in my eating, and I suggest you do, too. I’m going to focus on the taste, the texture, the raw enjoyment of the act of nourishment. I’m going to consider how my body is utilizing the fuels I’m giving it, and how wonderfully appreciative it is to me for choosing my sources of energy healthfully and carefully. I’m going to taste each bite, savor each taste and enjoy every flavor. Of all the diets I’ve heard of, this one makes the most sense: creating a deliberate awareness of the foods one is consuming, and using that awareness to increase one’s sensitivity to our dietary needs. What do we really want to eat? What are our bodies truly asking for? How can we fuel ourselves best? “mindful eating” addresses these questions–and a whole lot more–and encourages a gentle, caring approach towards one of the most important activities of our lives: our nourishment.

Diet Myths DEBUNKED!!!

Fitness magazine examines 5 popular diets and tells why they can be wrong…wrong…oh, so wrong!

Eating wheat-free, skipping meat, and avoiding dairy are not necessarily good for you. Our experts investigate five “healthy” diets and tell us what you should really be eating and not eating.

By Karen Ansel, RD

The Gluten-Free Diet

Confession: I always thought I had the perfect diet — after all, I’m a nutritionist. My meals were low in fat and salt, and loaded with fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. I was doing everything right. Except…I wasn’t. Two years ago, after dozens of unexplained dizzy spells, my doctor informed me that my low-sodium meals plus a heavy workout schedule were driving my already low blood pressure down even further. Shocked, I followed my MD’s orders and made friends with the salt shaker. Within a day or two, the dizzy spells disappeared, which just goes to show that even experts can make mistakes when it comes to good nutrition. “Any diet can be big trouble if it’s taken to the extreme,” says Andrea N. Giancoli, RD, a Los Angeles-based spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association.

Is your so-called smart diet actually a problem? Before you take another bite, see what a huge difference the right plan can make.

The Gluten-Free Diet

The Myth: It’s no-carb, so you’ll lose weight!

The Truth: Gluten-free is not a no-carb plan, and it shouldn’t be used as a weight-loss strategy, says Tricia Thompson, RD, author of The Gluten-Free Nutrition Guide. The diet is designed for people with celiac disease, an autoimmune digestive disorder that causes intolerance to gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley products. There are major health dangers in going gluten-free: By skipping fortified breads and cereals, you’re missing out on folate, which can lead to an increase in the amino acid homocysteine, raising your risk of a heart attack by as much as 200 percent. Pregnant women who don’t get enough folate double their risk of preterm delivery — and their babies have a 50 to 70 percent greater likelihood of developing certain birth defects. Replacing wheat products with gluten-free versions doesn’t help much: A study in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association found that only 5 percent of the 58 gluten-free breads, cereals, and pastas studied were fortified with folic acid, the synthetic form of folate.

The Fix: Aim to get 400 micrograms (600, if you’re pregnant) of folate a day. Choose healthy carbs, such as whole-grain breads and cereals that are fortified with B vitamins and that have plenty of fiber to keep you feeling full. If, like 1 in 133 Americans, you suffer from celiac disease, eat folate-rich leafy greens and gluten-free fortified foods and juices, and take a daily multivitamin. Also, try naturally gluten-free whole grains such as buckwheat, quinoa, and amaranth.

The No-Dairy Diet

The Myth: Milk is for kids. Lots of adults are allergic to it, anyway.

The Truth: You’ll lose a good source of calcium and vitamin D, two nutrients that are a must for strong bones and teeth and for preventing PMS. The latest research also suggests that D protects against cancer, diabetes, gum disease, multiple sclerosis, and arthritis.

The Fix: “There’s so much misinformation about dairy,” says Suzanne Girard Eberle, RD, author of Endurance Sports Nutrition, who sees lots of cases of self-diagnosed milk allergies and lactose intolerance. Truth is, very few adults are allergic to milk. If you suspect you are, see a board-certified allergist, who may recommend a skin or blood test. If the results are positive, add orange juice and soy milk fortified with calcium and vitamin D to your diet, as well as canned salmon or sardines, to meet your RDA of 1,000 milligrams and 200 international units, respectively. If you’re truly lactose intolerant, swap regular milk for lactose-reduced. But don’t give up yogurt and cheese — they contain less lactose and are generally better tolerated, explains Eberle.

The Vegetarian Diet

The Myth: It’s healthy beyond belief. What could be bad about eating vegetables?

The Truth: Unless you replace the vitamins and minerals lost by cutting out an entire food group, like meat, you maybe weakening your immune system, says Eberle. That’s because you won’t be getting enough key nutrients — such as iron, which affects energy levels, the ability to think clearly, and the production of enzymes that fight infection. Too little iron can even increase a woman’s risk of postpartum depression, say researchers at Pennsylvania State University. And that’s not all: “Meat-free diets that don’t include dairy, beans, or eggs are also low in the quality protein needed to repair the microdamage to your muscles that comes from working out,” explains Eberle.

The Fix: Dig into iron-rich plant foods (lentils, kidney beans, black beans, fortified cereals and pasta, tofu, and baked potatoes), along with oranges, kiwis, strawberries, peppers, and tomatoes, which are loaded with vitamin C and help boost iron absorption. For your daily dose of protein (about 85 grams for an active 140-pound woman), eat eggs, milk, yogurt, beans, or soy at every meal and with most snacks.

The Vegan Diet

The Myth: It’s low in the saturated fat found in meat, so it’s better for you.

The Truth: Many women go vegan to reduce their risk of heart disease or other chronic conditions, or because they’re morally opposed to eating animals. That’s fine, as long as their diet contains a healthy mix of vitamins, minerals, protein, and fiber. The problem is, many vegans come up short — meaning that they’re missing out on vitamin B12, found in animal foods, and healthy fats such as DHA and EPA, the two types of omega-3s found primarily in fish like wild salmon, says Giancoli. That’s a major concern if you’re one of the 20 million Americans who suffers from dry-eye syndrome, in which insufficient tear production causes painful, burning irritation. Women whose diets had the highest levels of omega-3s were 17 percent less likely to have dry eyes than those who ate the least, according to a Brigham and Women’s Hospital study.

Omega-3s are also vital for stabilizing mood, and may even help ward off depression. The risk of mood disorders is compounded if you don’t get enough B12, which helps your brain produce feel-good neurotransmitters. A lack of this vitamin can lead to memory loss and disorientation, research shows.

The Fix: Get your omega-3s by eating ground flaxseed (sprinkle it on yogurt, oatmeal, or cereal), walnuts, and tofu, and by using canola, walnut, flaxseed, and soybean oils, which contain the fat alpha-linolenic acid. Include some of these foods every day to meet your omega-3 requirement of 1.1 grams. To load up on B12 (your goal: 2.4 micrograms a day), take a multivitamin or have several servings of fortified foods, such as soy milk, cereal, or tuna.

The Low-Carb Diet

The Myth: Give up bread and pasta and the pounds will melt away.

The Truth: Low-carb eating plans are a digestive nightmare, because they don’t provide enough fiber, which frequently results in severe constipation, says Maye Musk, RD, a New York City-based dietitian. Healthy carbs are also crucial for energy. Stop eating them and you’re likely to feel tired and grumpy all the time.

The Fix: Eat good-for-you carbs. To make sure you get the nutrients you need, add four servings to your daily diet, suggests Musk. Try a slice of whole-grain bread, one-half cup cooked oatmeal, one-third cup brown rice, and one-half cup whole wheat pasta. Piling your plate with fiber-rich veggies such as spinach, broccoli, peas, and asparagus can also help get things, um, moving. (Legumes such as soybeans and lentils are also good fiber sources.) If that doesn’t work, pour yourself a bowl of low-sugar, high-fiber cereal, such as All-Bran with Extra Fiber. Just one-quarter cup will supply you with more than 6 grams.

Originally published in FITNESS magazine, August 2008.

Ten Healthy Foods For Picky Eaters

It’s back-to-school time, and we all know what that means…picky-eater season officially begins! Play the trump card with these delicious, healthy recipes your pickiest eater won’t be able to resist…thanks to MyRecipes.com.

Blueberry and Maple-Pecan Granola Parfaits

Kids will love to assemble their own parfaits.

Yield: 4 servings (serving size: 1 parfait, including 1/4 cup maple-pecan granola)

Ingredients

2  cups  vanilla fat-free yogurt

2  cups  blueberries

1  cup  Maple-Pecan Granola (recipe below)

Preparation

Spoon 1/4 cup yogurt into each of 4 parfait glasses; top each serving with 1/4 cup blueberries. Top each serving with 1/4 cup Maple-Pecan Granola, 1/4 cup yogurt, and 1/4 cup blueberries.

Nutritional Information

Calories: 283 (18% from fat)

Fat: 5.6g (sat 0.8g,mono 2.8g,poly 1.8g)

Protein: 8.8g

Carbohydrate: 50.9g

Fiber: 3.7g

Cholesterol: 2mg

Iron: 1.1mg

Sodium: 106mg

Calcium: 242mg

Maple-Pecan Granola

Ingredients

2  cups  regular oats

1/2  cup  pecan pieces

1/2  cup  maple syrup

1/4  cup  packed brown sugar

2  tablespoons  canola oil

1/8  teaspoon  salt

Cooking spray

Preparation

Preheat oven to 300°.

Combine oats and next 5 ingredients (through salt); spread on a large jelly-roll pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 300° for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes. Cool completely.

Note: Store in an airtight container for up to one week.

Guacamole Chicken Wraps

Lettuce leaves line the tortillas, keeping the wraps fresh. Because of the generous amount of lime juice, the guacamole doesn’t discolor.

Yield: 4 servings (serving size: 1 wrap)

Ingredients

2  tablespoons  fresh lime juice

1/4  teaspoon  salt

1  ripe peeled avocado

1/2  cup  chopped seeded plum tomato

4  green leaf lettuce leaves

4  (8-inch) fat-free flour tortillas

2  cups  shredded skinless, boneless Grilled Lemon-Herb Chicken (about 8 ounces) (recipe below)

Preparation

Place first 3 ingredients in a medium bowl; mash with a fork until smooth. Stir in tomato.

Place 1 lettuce leaf on each tortilla; spread about 1/4 cup avocado mixture on each lettuce leaf. Top each serving with 1/2 cup Grilled Lemon-Herb Chicken. Roll up. Wrap in foil or parchment paper; chill.

Nutritional Information

Calories: 300 (33% from fat)

Fat: 10.9g (sat 2.1g,mono 6g,poly 1.7g)

Protein: 21.1g

Carbohydrate: 30.2g

Fiber: 4.1g

Cholesterol: 50mg

Iron: 2.5mg

Sodium: 777mg

Calcium: 22mg

Grilled Lemon-Herb Chicken

If your grill is large enough, cook two chickens at the same time to feed a larger group or just to have more leftovers for quick lunches. Refrigerate leftover chicken for up to three days. Butterflying the chicken is easier to do with strong kitchen shears than with a knife.

Yield: 5 servings (serving size: about 4 ounces meat)

Ingredients

1  (5-pound) roasting chicken

2  tablespoons  chopped fresh parsley

1  tablespoon  chopped fresh thyme

3  tablespoons  fresh lemon juice

1  teaspoon  salt

1/2  teaspoon  freshly ground black pepper

Cooking spray

Preparation

Remove and discard giblets and neck from chicken. Rinse chicken with cold water, and pat dry. Trim excess fat. Place chicken, breast side down, on a cutting surface. Cut chicken in half lengthwise along backbone (do not cut through breastbone). Turn chicken over. Starting at neck cavity, loosen skin from breast and drumsticks by inserting fingers, gently pushing between skin and meat.

Combine parsley, thyme, juice, salt, and pepper; rub mixture under loosened skin and over breast and drumsticks. Gently press skin to secure. Place chicken in a large zip-top plastic bag. Seal and marinate in refrigerator 30 minutes.

Preheat grill to medium heat.

Place chicken, skin side up, on grill rack coated with cooking spray. Grill 55 minutes or until a thermometer inserted into meaty part of thigh registers 180°. Remove chicken from grill; cover and let stand 10 minutes. Remove and discard the skin.

Watermelon-and-Kiwi Skewers With Starry Strawberry Cream

The watermelon and kiwifruit can be cut up one day in advance. Thread the fruit onto skewers a few hours before the party. The strawberry cream is best when prepared only a few hours prior to serving.

Yield: 8 servings (serving size: 3 skewers and 2 tablespoons sauce)

Ingredients

3/4  cup  sliced strawberries

1/2  cup  vanilla low-fat yogurt

1  tablespoon  1/3-less-fat cream cheese

1  teaspoon  fresh lemon juice

1/2  teaspoon  powdered sugar

24  (1/2-inch) watermelon balls

2  kiwifruit, each peeled and cut into 12 pieces

Preparation

Place first 5 ingredients in a blender; process until smooth. Cover and chill.

Thread 1 watermelon piece and 1 kiwi-fruit piece onto each of 24 skewers. Serve with sauce.

Note: To shape the kiwifruit as in the photo, cut a thin vertical slice off both ends of fruit, revealing the flesh. Peel by cutting vertical strips from one end to the other. Cut each kiwifruit lengthwise into quarters. Cut each quarter crosswise into thirds.

Nutritional Information

Calories: 40 (18% from fat)

Fat: 0.8g (sat 0.4g,mono 0.2g,poly 0.1g)

Protein: 1.3g

Carbohydrate: 7.6g

Fiber: 1.1g

Cholesterol: 2mg

Iron: 0.2mg

Sodium: 18mg

Calcium: 34mg

Fresh Tomato-Pesto Pizza

What kid doesn’t love pizza? This recipe gets a five-star rating from reviewers!

Yield: 8 servings

Ingredients

Pesto:

4  cups  basil leaves

2  garlic cloves

1/4  cup  fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth

1  tablespoon  grated fresh Parmesan cheese

1  tablespoon  olive oil
Pizza:

1  (1-pound) Italian cheese-flavored pizza crust (such as Boboli)

3  cups  chopped seeded tomato (about 2 pounds)

3  garlic cloves, thinly sliced

1  cup  (4 ounces) shredded provolone cheese

1/4  cup  thinly sliced basil leaves

Preparation

Preheat oven to 475°.

To prepare pesto, place 4 cups basil leaves and 2 garlic cloves in a food processor, and pulse 5 times or until coarsely chopped. With processor on, add broth, Parmesan, and oil through food chute; process until well-blended.

To prepare pizza, place pizza crust on a baking sheet. Spread pesto over crust, leaving a 1/2-inch border; top with the tomato, garlic slices, and provolone. Bake at 475° for 12 minutes or until the cheese melts. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup basil. Cut the pizza into 8 wedges.

Nutritional Information

Calories: 242 (33% from fat)

Fat: 9g (sat 3.8g,mono 3.7g,poly 1g)

Protein: 11g

Carbohydrate: 29.1g

Fiber: 1.7g

Cholesterol: 10mg

Iron: 2.5mg

Sodium: 458mg

Calcium: 307mg

Oat Bran Muffins

(Or, you can just tell your kids they’re “yummy sweet and tasty muffins”!)

Yield: 28 muffins (serving size: 1 muffin)

Ingredients

1  cup  all-purpose flour

1  cup  whole wheat flour

1 3/4  cups  oat bran

3/4  cup  packed brown sugar

1/3  cup  nonfat dry milk

1/4  cup  flaxseed

4  teaspoons  ground cinnamon

2  teaspoons  baking soda

2  teaspoons  baking powder

1/2  teaspoon  salt

2  cups  shredded carrot

2  cups  chopped Granny Smith apple

1  cup  raisins

1  cup  fat-free milk

1/4  cup  canola oil

2  teaspoons  vanilla extract

3  large egg whites

1  thin-skinned orange, unpeeled and quartered

Cooking spray

Preparation

Preheat oven to 375°.

Lightly spoon flours into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flours and the next 8 ingredients (all-purpose flour through salt) in a large bowl, stirring well with a whisk. Stir in carrot, apple, and raisins.

Combine milk, oil, vanilla, egg whites, and orange in a blender or food processor; process until smooth. Make a well in center of flour mixture; add milk mixture; stir just until moist.

Spoon 3 tablespoons batter into each of 28 muffin cups coated with cooking spray. Bake in batches at 375° for 20 minutes or until muffins are browned and spring back when touched lightly in center. Remove the muffins from pans immediately, and place on a wire rack.

Nutritional Information

Calories: 114 (22% from fat)

Fat: 2.8g (sat 0.3g,mono 1.3g,poly 0.8g)

Protein: 3.5g

Carbohydrate: 22.6g

Fiber: 3g

Cholesterol: 0.0mg

Iron: 1.1mg

Sodium: 188mg

Calcium: 61mg

Smoothies

Help the kids make their own and give them fun and silly names!

Yield: Makes two smoothies (serving size: 2 cups)

Ingredients

1  mango (peeled, pitted, and coarsely chopped)

1 1/4  cups  plain low-fat yogurt

4  tablespoons  honey

1  tablespoon  fresh lime juice

1/4  teaspoon  freshly grated lime zest

1  banana (peeled, and chopped)

10  medium strawberries (washed, and hulled)

1  tablespoon  fresh lemon juice

1/4  teaspoon  freshly grated lemon zest

Preparation

In a blender, whirl the mango; 3/4 cup plain low-fat yogurt; 2 tablespoons honey; the fresh lime juice; 2 ice cubes; and the freshly grated lime zest until smooth. Divide mango-lime smoothie between 2 straight-sided glasses and set aside.

Rinse blender, then whirl the banana; the strawberries; 1/2 cup plain low-fat yogurt; 2 tablespoons honey; the fresh lemon juice; 2 ice cubes; and the freshly grated lemon zest until smooth. Layer banana-strawberry smoothie onto mango smoothie, gently spooning mixture around inside edge of each glass to create a clean horizontal line.

Note: Nutritional analysis is per smoothie.

Nutritional Information

Calories: 408 (7% from fat)

Protein: 9.6g

Fat: 3.3g (sat 1.7)

Carbohydrate: 94g

Fiber: 5.4g

Sodium: 109mg

Cholesterol: 8.5mg

Mini Frittatas With Ham And Cheese

Bake these bite-sized frittatas in a miniature muffin pan. They taste great hot or at room temperature, so you can make them in advance.

Yield: 8 servings (serving size: 3 frittatas)

Ingredients

Cooking spray

1/2  cup  finely chopped onion

2/3  cup  chopped reduced-fat ham (about 2 ounces)

1/3  cup  (about 1 1/2 ounces) shredded reduced-fat extra-sharp cheddar cheese

2  tablespoons  chopped fresh chives

1/8  teaspoon  dried thyme

1/8  teaspoon  black pepper

4  large egg whites

1  large egg

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350°.

Heat a large nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray over medium-high heat. Add onion; sauté 2 minutes or until crisp-tender. Add ham; sauté 3 minutes. Remove from heat; cool 5 minutes. Combine remaining ingredients in a large bowl; stir with a whisk. Add ham mixture, stirring with a whisk. Spoon mixture into 24 miniature muffin cups coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350° for 20 minutes or until set.

Nutritional Information

Calories: 39 (30% from fat)

Fat: 1.3g (sat 0.5g,mono 0.2g,poly 0.1g)

Protein: 4.4g

Carbohydrate: 2.3g

Fiber: 0.4g

Cholesterol: 32mg

Iron: 0.2mg

Sodium: 121mg

Calcium: 80mg

Boiled Edamame

Edamame is fun to eat, popping the beans from the pods for a delicious and healthy snack, and can be served hot or cold.

Yield: Makes 6 to 8 servings

Ingredients

3  quarts water

1  teaspoon  salt

2  pounds  frozen soybeans in pods

Preparation

In a 5- to 6-quart pan over high heat, bring about 3 quarts water and 1 teaspoon salt to a boil. Add 2 pounds frozen soybeans in pods and cook until beans inside pods are tender to bite (break a pod open to test), about 5 minutes. Drain and sprinkle with additional salt to taste. Serve warm or cover and chill up to 4 hours.

Nutritional Information

Calories: 13 (92% from fat)

Protein: 9.4g

Fat: 1.3g (sat 0.0)

Carbohydrate: 9.4g

Fiber: 6.7g

Sodium: 145mg

Cholesterol: 0.0mg

Apricot-Almond Granola

“I like to have a batch of granola on hand during the hectic holidays. It makes a great portable snack with lots of fiber and is also good served on yogurt or reduced-fat ice cream.” –Jennifer Sransky, Birmingham, Alabama

Yield: 6 cups (serving size: 1/3 cup)

Ingredients

2 3/4  cups  regular oats

1/2  cup  slivered almonds

1/2  cup  dried cherries

1/2  cup  coarsely chopped dried apricots

1/3  cup  coarsely chopped walnuts

1/3  cup  golden raisins

1/2  cup  honey

1/3  cup  butter, melted

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350°.

Combine oats, almonds, and next 4 ingredients (through raisins) in a medium bowl. Combine honey and butter. Drizzle honey mixture over oat mixture; toss to coat. Spread mixture in a single layer onto a jelly-roll pan. Bake at 350° for 15 minutes; stir. Bake an additional 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool completely on pan. Break into pieces.

Nutritional Information

Calories: 164 (33% from fat)

Fat: 6g (sat 2g,mono 2g,poly 1.6g)

Protein: 3.3g

Carbohydrate: 25.4g

Fiber: 2.6g

Cholesterol: 7mg

Iron: 1mg

Sodium: 20mg

Calcium: 25mg

Sweet Potato Fries

Sweet potatoes are high in beta-carotene and deliciously sweet, crispy and tender when made into fries! Serve with a dip made of Greek yogurt and a little Ranch dressing.

Prep: 10 min., Stand: 5 min., Grill: 4 min.

Yield: Makes 4 servings

Ingredients

1 1/2  pounds  sweet potatoes (about 3 medium-size)

Vegetable cooking spray

1/2  teaspoon  seasoned salt

Preparation

1. Pierce sweet potatoes several times with tines of a fork. Place on a microwave-safe plate; cover with damp paper towels. Microwave at HIGH 6 to 8 minutes or until tender. Let stand 5 minutes. Peel and cut in half lengthwise. Cut into (1/2- x 3-inch) strips. Coat evenly with vegetable cooking spray, and sprinkle evenly with salt.

2. Coat cold grill cooking grate with cooking spray, place on grill over medium-high heat (350° to 400°). Place potato strips on grate.

3. Grill potatoes, covered with grill lid, for 1 to 2 minutes on each side or until grill marks appear on fries.

Note: For testing purposes only, we used a 1,100-watt microwave oven.

21 Ways To Make Fitness Fun

Bust out of your workout rut with these awesome ideas from Women’s Health!

No Excuses

The most important part of getting fit is to stop making excuses not to, Dixon says. We all are crunched for time, sore, and just looking for an excuse to stay in our jammies.

But no excuse is good enough for you not to take care of your health. Start taking a “no-ifs,-ands,-or-buts-about-it” attitude toward fitness.

Be Flexible

You don’t have to pack your workout into just one time slot. If you need to, break your workout into two or more smaller workout sessions spaced throughout the day. You’ll get great results and will still have time for the rest of your responsibilities.

Do Something

If you’re like most women, when you don’t have a full hour to devote to exercise you opt out. For what? A few more sleepy minutes between the sheets.

But even if you can only work out for 20 minutes a day, that time will make a difference. Something is always better than nothing.

Make it a Habit

Fitness isn’t a luxury. It’s a necessity. By thinking of exercise as just one of many important health habits, working out will become just as automatic as brushing your teeth, says Dixon.

Get a Goal

When starting or even maintaining a workout, motivation is key. Jot down your goal and post it in a prominent place like your bathroom mirror.

Whether you want to lower your cholesterol or fit into your size 6 jeans without a struggle, chasing a goal is the best way to keep you moving toward fitness.

No Gear Needed

Don’t have the dough to dish out on a fancy gym membership? Luckily, plenty of recession-proof exercise routines don’t involve a gym, equipment, or cash.

These exercises have the added benefit of freeing up your schedule, since you won’t have to head off to the gym to get in a sweat.

Be Consistent

Wonder why the last day you skipped at the gym magically turned into a month? Because when we don’t consistently exercise, fitness falls completely off our radar.

To stay consistent, Dixon recommends creating a set schedule of exercising at least three days a week. That way, on those days, you can literally check off working out. After all, what’s more satisfying than checking off a to-do?

Assault Your Senses

You can’t possibly get bored on the treadmill when you’re watching trashy TV, chatting with your beaux on the phone, listening to your fave jam, or reading WH.

One activity not enough? Combine forces for extra stimulation.

Start Slowly

If you start an exercise routine too fast, it’s easy to get discouraged–or end up with a dumbbell on your toe.

But if you start off exercising slowly, and then gradually add difficulty to your workout, you’ll feel challenged, not defeated. That’s much more motivating.

Keep Track

By writing down your daily workouts (how long you run, how much you lift), you can literally see your progress on the page–often before it shows on your body.

Plus, you won’t have to play guessing games with the equipment every time you hit the gym, ensuring you the best sweat possible.

Wear the Right Gear

Not only does the newest workout apparel make you look pretty damn good, it can battle blisters, wick away moisture, and keep you feeling perky. All that makes for a better workout.

Don’t Overtrain

It’s important to stay committed to working out regularly, but if you are hitting the gym for hours every day, you might be overtraining.

When you exercise, you create tiny tears in your muscles. When they build back up, you add muscle mass and strength. But that’s not possible without adequate recovery time between tough workouts.

The cure? Take a step back from your schedule or create a rotation of muscle groups to work on throughout the week. That way, you can work out every day while still giving your body a rest.

Set Mini Goals

Dropping 20 pounds or running a 10K can be daunting, but when we set mini goals, we make progress more attainable. Try to lose five pounds or clock in 30 minutes on the treadmill; then go from there.

Accomplishing our goals keeps us moving forward and challenging ourselves to meet even bigger ones in the future–like that marathon.

Reward Yourself

Celebrate your victories with healthy treats. Instead of going out for dinner, go out dancing. Instead of buying a new TV, buy a new elliptical.

Find a Friend

For some, working out alone can be as daunting as a yearly pap. Try exercising with a workout partner who will keep you committed and not let you cut corners.

Some women also like to chart and discuss their progress with their exercise partner. Whether your set-up is relaxed or structured, a friend can bring support and accountability to any workout plan.

Cross the Line

Ever wonder why you were in such great shape during high school? It wasn’t just the revved-up metabolism. You were running track, winning medals, and being an all-around superstar. Fitness was a means to an end.

But many of us haven’t really clocked in any time on the track since then. Running a race can give you a goal and, each day, your workout will be one small step in reaching it. Finishing a race can give you the passion you need to make exercise a lifestyle.

Mix It Up

If you’re like most women, you like routines (manicotti Mondays, sauna Sundays). But strict routines can wreck havoc on your fitness. Doing the same exercises day in and day out can bore both your muscles and your mind. When many women get bored, they just stop.

Try varying your exercise routine on a regular basis. Combine the cardio exercises, strength training, and fitness classes to stay interested.

Have Fun

No matter how many strategies you use, you won’t get fit if you aren’t having fun. If you don’t enjoy traditional workouts, playing sports is a great way to bring back the good ’ole days of gym class.

With many gyms and studios offering cheap classes throughout the year, you can also try your skills at hip-hop dancing, yoga, kickboxing, and Pilates.

Jam Out

Music is a great way to make it over that last hill on the trail. But we can get in a music rut just as easily as we get ourselves into workout ruts.

Dig yourself out by changing up your exercise playlists.

Group Fitness

If you have been working out by yourself for a long time, experiencing group fitness can refresh your health and exercise outlook. Group exercise classes build a sense of community and can make you look forward to hitting the gym.

Online health support groups can also provide motivation and accountability when the going gets tough.

Change Scenery

Go outside once and a while. The white walls of your gym can get monotonous.

Ten Smart and Healthy Snacks for Kids…and Moms Too!

I found these great snack recipes, as well as the explanation behind why they’re smart choices, at Cookie magazine’s online site. Check it out!

Ten Smart Healthy Snacks for Moms and Kids

A nutrition expert and mom shares recipes nutrition-packed healthy snacks that don’t skimp on taste.

Making healthy snack choices for you and your kids can be the toughest food decisions you’ll make all day. We asked Tanya Zuckerbrot, M.S., R.D., author of The F-Factor Diet: Discover the Secret to Permanent Weight Loss (Putnam Adult) and founder of the nutrition and lifestyle website SkinnyAndTheCity.com, for her favorite nutritious snacks. Here, the mom of three shares 10 delicious recipes for fiber-and protein-rich snacks that will keep you and your little ones full without any of the junk.

Banana Popsicles

• 3 bananas
• 6 Popsicle sticks
• 1/4 cup natural peanut butter, softened
• 1/4 cup chopped peanuts or walnuts, granola, crispy rice cereal, or sunflower seeds

How: Peel the bananas. Cut them in half, widthwise, and push a Popsicle stick through the cut end of each half. Spread peanut butter on the bananas, and then roll them in the nuts, cereal, or seeds. Wrap them in waxed paper and freeze for three hours.

Why: A single pop contains 16 percent of the recommended daily dietary-fiber intake for an adult. The potassium content of the bananas can help reduce bloating in mom, while the peanut butter and nuts or seeds provide fiber and heart-healthy monounsaturated fats.

Flavored Popcorn

• 12 spritzes of I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter! spray
• 1 tablespoon dry taco-seasoning mix (or parmesan cheese, cinnamon and sugar, or nutritional yeast)
• 1 bag of low-fat or fat-free popcorn

How: Pop the popcorn in the microwave according to the instructions. Empty the popcorn into a large bowl and spritz with butter spray. Sprinkle on your topping of choice and toss the popcorn until it’s thoroughly seasoned.

Why: Microwave popcorn like Orville Redenbacher’s Smart Pop minis or Jolly Time Healthy Pop minis have about 100 calories, two grams of fat, and five grams of fiber per bag. Popcorn also contains the amino acid known as serotonin, which can boost feelings of happiness and calmness. Children under age 4 should avoid eating popcorn because it’s a choking hazard.

Veggies and Dip

How: Prepare your own ranch dip with low-fat plain Greek-style yogurt and ranch seasonings. Or, for sour-cream-and-onion dip, mix nonfat plain Greek-style yogurt (such as Fage 0%) with one packet Lipton’s Onion Soup Mix.

Why: Kids love anything that requires their hands to be moving, so dipping is always a favorite. Carrots, celery sticks, cucumbers, pepper slices, and cherry tomatoes will disappear in an instant if there’s a tub of dip to go with them.

Pizza

How: Slice whole-wheat pitas in half. Let the kids smear on a bit of jarred tomato sauce, sprinkle it lightly with shredded low-fat mozzarella cheese, and top it with chopped vegetables (for an additional fiber boost) and a little bit of precooked chicken. Heat for a few minutes in the toaster oven or microwave until the cheese is melted.

Why: No kid can resist pizza! Pizza doesn’t have to be laden with fat—it can be a perfectly healthy snack. Not only will this snack allow you to feel full on few calories, but, according to a study in the April issue of the research journal Obesity, low-fat dairy products can boost weight-loss efforts.

Mom-Friendly PB&J

How: For a healthy update to this old favorite, use half of a Thomas’ Light English Muffin, which is filled with hearty whole grains, fiber, and protein. Use only one tablespoon of peanut butter. Polaner makes delicious sugar-free jellies, and they also have an all-natural line, if sugar-free isn’t your thing.

Why: Peanut butter is a healthy monounsaturated fat that not only lowers cholesterol but also slows down digestion to help keep you feeling satisfied until dinner.

Healthy Trail Mix

How: Mix whole-wheat pretzels, wheat Chex, Craisins or raisins, chocolate chips, and nuts (optional) together.

Why: Kids love this sweet and crunchy mix of ingredients that’s high in energy-boosting protein.

Gnu Flavor and Fiber bars

How: Pick them up online or at stores nationwide.

Why: Thank goodness for energy bars! They’re a convenient, prepackaged, preportioned, mess-free, portable snack. But beware: Many of these “energy bars,” although marketed as healthy, are simply glorified candy bars. Gnu Flavor and Fiber bars are one of your best options. Gnu bars have less than 150 calories and three grams of fat, but contain 12 grams of fiber—nearly half of the daily recommendation for adults.

Yogurt Parfait

How: For the mom version, combine 1/2 cup Fiber One cereal with Fage 0% Total Greek Yogurt and honey. For the kid version, combine 1/2 cup Fiber One Caramel Delight (or cereal with at least five grams of fiber a serving) with any lowfat yogurt.

Why: Although it’s often thought of as a healthy, fiber-rich food, granola only contains a measly two grams of fiber and is usually loaded with calories and sugar. Swapping granola for Fiber One not only saves you over 100 calories but provides you with a whopping 14 grams of fiber in a half cup. Mixing this cereal into Greek yogurt, which contains 18 grams of protein, will fill you up without filling you out. Kids love cereal because it’s bite-size and crunchy, and if you choose the brands with the highest amounts of fiber and whole grains, they’ll be getting a lot more nutrition than they’ll ever realize. And the calcium in the yogurt makes teeth and bones strong.

Chocolate Delight

How: In a bowl, combine one individual-size container of Jell-O lowfat chocolate pudding with one cup of sliced strawberries and a dollop of whipped cream.

Why: How many of us are guilty of indulging in sweet desserts? Some of our favorite ice cream treats have as many calories as an adult should eat in a day. For the same amount of calories, you can have 10 of these fudgy low-cal treats. Plus, pudding is a great source of calcium. Paired with strawberries, which are packed with fiber, this treat will curb any craving.

Baked Potato Fries

How: Spray calorie-free nonstick cooking spray in a roasting pan. Slice the potatoes and add salt and pepper and any seasonings you like.

Why: French fries are one of the most beloved foods in America, but a typical serving of French fries can contain about 600 calories. Leave the skins on because they provide all the essential nutrients, like potassium, vitamin C, fiber, and even protein. For a metabolism kick (spicy foods have been shown to temporarily increase metabolism) and a taste kids will love, try making spicy fries with a dash of cayenne pepper, garlic, and onion powder.

Ludicrous “Fad Diets”

I had such a good time checking out the ridiculous “fad” diets listed on FadDiet.com for my post yesterday that I couldn’t help but share…

The All You Can Eat 7 Day Diet

MONDAY

All the fruit you want except banana

TUESDAY

All the vegetables you want *you can use soy sauce, vinegar or mustard

WEDNESDAY

All the fruit & vegetables you want.

THURSDAY

5 bananas with 5 glasses of milk

FRIDAY

4 (3 oz beef/chicken or fish steaks) with fresh vegetables

SATURDAY

4 (3 oz. beef steaks) with fresh vegetables

SUNDAY

4 (3 oz. beef steaks) with fresh vegetables

The “Lemonade” Diet

Hey folks, do you hate food? Do you think you could live without it for a while? I don’t, but if you really think that living without food seems like a great idea, here is the plan for you. Some folks call it the lemonade diet while others will call it a lemonade cleanse or even “The Master Cleanse”. I call it ‘The Master Dumbest Idea I Have Seen In A While”.

Here is how to completely empty your intestinal tract. You’ll look great at the coroner’s office after you pass out and crash your car.

The diet plan is simple. You can’t eat anything! Ha ha ha! You are so bummin!

You can drink something that people call Lemonade, but it isn’t really lemonade, unless you like hot pepper in your lemonade. I personally do not like hot pepper in my lemonade. I also don’t use maple syrup to make lemonade. I like maple syrup, but it isn’t an ingredient in lemonade in my house.

You also get to drink salt water and laxative tea. Woo Hoo!

Here is how to make the lemonade:

2 oz. of fresh squeezed lemon juice. No using the bottled stuff, although cheaters have been known to use the frozen concentrate from Trader Joe’s.

2 oz. of maple syrup, (sticklers call for grade B, Organic maple syrup, and let’s face it, this is a diet plan for the sticklers)

1/4 of a teaspoon (or more) of cayenne pepper

2 Cups of Water.

Mix it up and enjoy it because that is all you are getting. You’ll need about 160 ounces per day.

When you get up in the morning you can choose to drink a “salt water flush” consisting of 2 teaspoons of salt (sticklers use uniodized, sea salt) and 1 quart of water. It takes about 30 minutes to run through you, so don’t drink it right before a long commute.

At night you can drink Herbal Laxative Tea.

Normally, I don’t write about what results you can expect, but this plan warrants some expected results.

During the diet (some people go for 10 days) you can expect:
* Diarrhea
* Dizziness
* The salt water can make you puke.
* You might lose about 8 pounds over 10 days * While during the diet you might be sluggish, it promises increased energy afterward. After you EAT SOMETHING!
* You will crap out all of the solids within your body. Be ready. If you swallowed a pebble when you were 5 years old, it might make a guest appearance.
* You may have an increased desire to eat healthy foods afterward.

Good luck with the cleansing. If it causes your hemorrhoids to flare up, I suggest you stop by ShopInPrivate.com to take care of them.

The Metabolism Diet

Rules of the road:

• Drink at least 4 glasses of water or diet soda per day.
• You can add the following to your foods:
  • herbs
  • salt
  • pepper
  • lemon
  • vinegar
  • Worcestershire
  • soy sauce
  • mustard & ketchup

DAY 1

• BREAKFAST
  • Black Coffee or Tea w/1-2 packets of Sweet & Low or Equal
• LUNCH
  • 2 hard boiled eggs
  • 1 cup cooked spinach
• DINNER
  • 1 lettuce and celery salad
  • 1 6oz. steak *(use PAM to fry)

DAY 2

• BREAKFAST
  • Black Coffee or Tea w/1-2 packets of Sweet & Low or Equal
  • one water cracker
• LUNCH
  • 1 lettuce and celery salad
  • 1 6oz. steak broiled or grilled
• DINNER
  • 8-10 oz. of Ham

DAY 3

• BREAKFAST
  • Black Coffee or Tea w/1-2 packets of Sweet & Low or Equal
  • one water cracker
• LUNCH
  • 2 hard boiled eggs
  • 1 cup green beans
  • 1 cup tomatoes
• DINNER
  • 8-10 oz. of Ham
  • 2 cups green bean/tomato salad

DAY 4

• BREAKFAST
  • Black Coffee or Tea w/1-2 packets of Sweet & Low or Equal
  • one water cracker
• LUNCH
  • 1 hard boiled eggs
  • 1 cup raw carrots
• DINNER
  • 1 cup regular yogurt
  • 1 oz. mozzerella cheese
  • 1 cup fruit salad

DAY 5

• BREAKFAST
  • Black Coffee or Tea w/1-2 packets of Sweet & Low or Equal
  • 1 raw carrot
  • Juice of 1 lemon
• LUNCH
  • 1 fried fish filet (4-6 oz.)
  • tomato salad
• DINNER
  • 1 4-6 oz. steak
  • green salad

DAY 6

• BREAKFAST
  • Black Coffee or Tea w/1-2 packets of Sweet & Low or Equal
• LUNCH
  • 1 4-8oz. chicken broiled w/o skin
• DINNER
  • 2 hardboiled eggs
  • 1 raw carrott

DAY 7

• BREAKFAST
  • Tea w/lemon
• LUNCH
  • 1 4-8oz. steak broiled or grilled
  • 1 1/2 cup of fruit
• DINNER
  • a sensible dinner

And, my personal favorite, this site’s take on The South Beach Diet

Here is my version of the South Beach Diet.

Put on your bathing suit. Go to South Beach. Take of your shirt and sit on the blanket for a while. Look at all of the beautiful, thin, tan people. Look at your own body.

If that doesn’t motivate you, go for a walk. Walk all along South Beach until you find a donut shop. Keep walking. Walk and walk and walk looking for that donut shop.

You will become thin before you will find a donut shop in South Beach. Why? Because the thin folks at South Beach don’t eat donuts.

But honestly, is life without donuts really worth living?

How To “Cheat” On Your Diet

Thanks to the Cheater’s Tips page of FadDiet.com for these humorous—if not exactly useful—methods of “cheating” on your diet.

1.If you eat something and no one sees you eat it, it has no calories.

2.If you drink a diet soda with a candy bar, the calories in the candy bar are cancelled out by the diet soda.

3.When you eat with someone else, calories don’t count if you don’t eat more than they do.

4.Food used for medicinal purposes NEVER count, such as hot chocolate, brandy, toast and Sara Lee Cheesecake.

5.If you fatten up everyone else around you, then you look thinner.

6.Movie related foods (Milk Duds, Buttered Popcorn, Junior Mints, Red Hots, Tootsie Rolls, etc.) do not have additional calories because they are part of the entertainment package and not part of one’s personal fuel.

7.Cookie pieces contain no fat– the process of breaking causes fat leakage.

8.Things licked off knives and spoons have no calories if you are in the process of preparing something. Examples are peanut butter on a knife making a sandwich and ice cream on a spoon making a sundae.

9.Foods that have the same color have the same number of calories. Examples are: spinach and pistachio ice cream; mushrooms and white chocolate. NOTE: Chocolate is a universal color and may be substituted for any other food color.

10.Foods that are frozen have no calories because calories are units of heat. Examples are ice cream, frozen pies, and Popsicles.

11. Foods eaten while watching a major event on television do not count. Major events include: Superbowl, Hockey Finals, Indy 500, Jerry Springer show.

12. Powerbars and other type energy bars make you thinner. In all my years of exercising (at least three times a year) I have only seen thin people eating energy bars. Ergo (therefore) they must make you thin.

13. Snickers is the same as an energy bar (see #12)

14. Tasting other people’s food does not add to your calorie count.

15. Containers of food that list the number of servings as greater one are lying. Every container includes one serving. Half gallon of ice cream, box of cereal, bottle of soda, bag of chips are all one serving.

Recipe of the Week: Boulder “Caviar”

My hometown might be the fitness capital of the country: Kenyans, professional Ironman triathletes, runners and cyclists of all distances, styles and classes, from age-groupers to elite professionals, come here to train (and often, stay). The weather is almost always cooperative, if not absolutely perfect, and the city’s population is largely trim, fit and in excellent health.

Absolutely necessary to Boulder’s healthy profile is access to excellent food. We have seven natural-foods stores, farmer’s markets twice a week, and every “conventional” grocery store in town has a special section for natural and health foods. We’re spoiled rotten. Especially during the summer, when the local crops make for excellent eats & treats. This recipe is one of my favorites: it can be a snack, a side dish, an appetizer, a healthy alternative to that bag of potato chips while you’re watching TV. I love it in the summer because we get in sweet corn from Olathe, Colorado. Olathe corn is so popular here that produce and market clerks have a hard time keeping up with the demand for it. And now, without further ado…

Boulder “Caviar”

• Kernels cut from 2-3 ears sweet corn
• 2 zucchini squash, cut lengthwise into quarters and crosswise into 1/4 inch pieces
• 3/4 cup edamame, shelled (fresh or frozen)
• Approx. 2 tsps extra virgin olive oil
• A pinch (or more or less as you like it!) of the following: dried cumin, cayenne pepper, sea salt
• 2 tbsps each fresh finely chopped basil, dill

Combine the vegetables in a skillet on low to medium heat, lightly coating with olive oil (I like to use an olive oil mister). Add dry spices and stir to combine evenly. Cook until veggies are crisp-tender, about 6-8 minutes or, for those of us living at higher altitudes, 8-12 minutes. Remove from heat, add basil and dill, and stir to combine. Serve as quickly as possible and enjoy!

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