Food Journal - Day Twenty-Two / Phase Two

Breakfast: Oatmeal with walnuts and Splenda Brown Sugar Snack: Yoplait Fat Free Yogurt with Kashi Cocoa Beach Granola Lunch: Skipped Snack: Apple wedges with Peanut Butter Dinner: skipped

Fat-Free "Fat"

Whatever happened to Olestra? By Sally Wadyka for MSN Health & Fitness

The year was 1998, and fans of greasy, fried snack foods had reason to rejoice: Wow! brand potato chips and Fat Free Pringles hit the market, advertising full-fat taste without any of the fat calories. How was this snack food miracle made possible? The secret was a new ingredient called Olestra, a non-fat cooking oil. The so-called “fat replacer” functions in a similar way to high-fat, artery-clogging cooking oils and, because it doesn’t break down at high temperatures, it can be used to fry things—like potato chips—without adding any fat calories to the tasty snack.

Olestra is made from vegetable oil (a real fat), but it’s then processed to create a no-fat taste-alike. During the transformation, Olestra becomes a substance that can’t be broken down by the stomach’s digestive enzymes. That means that rather than being digested, the product—and all of its potential fat and calories—gets excreted. In other words, they leave the body before they’d have a chance to make you gain weight.

But, as multitudes of snack-crazed consumers soon found out, the miracle ingredient carried with it the risk of some very messy side effects. Chip eaters—ecstatic at the thought of being able to eat an entire bag both guilt- and fat-free—started reporting bouts of diarrhea, abdominal cramps and even fecal incontinence. Apparently, food that passes through the body undigested can lead to such issues. And while the ingredient had been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as safe to eat, all products containing it were required by the FDA to carry this warning label:

This product contains Olestra. Olestra may cause abdominal cramping and loose stools. Olestra inhibits the absorption of some vitamins and other nutrients. Vitamins A, D, E, and K have been added.

Jokes about “anal leakage” aside, the hype over Olestra eventually subsided. And the ingredient faded from view even more thanks to two subsequent moves: In 2003, the FDA dropped the warning label requirement, meaning you’d have to actually read the ingredients list to know if a product contained Olestra. According to a statement issued by the FDA at the time, the agency had deemed that the warning was “no longer warranted.” Their rationale for this decision was based on a review of studies showing that Olestra caused only infrequent, mild gastrointestinal distress and that consumers were already aware of these possible side effects.

Then in 2004, the Wow! line of snack products was rebranded. Instead of being lumped together under that Olestra umbrella, the products are now called Lay’s Light potato chips, Ruffles Light potato chips, Pringles Light, Doritos Light, and Tostitos Light tortilla chips.

And that’s when the Center for Science in the Public Interest, a consumer advocacy group, got involved. The same people who brought you the bad news about movie popcorn and Chinese food took it upon themselves to gather and send reports from hundreds of consumers detailing adverse reactions to Olestra to the FDA.

“When Olestra chips were first introduced, the companies really advertised that it was in the products, but when the labeling changed, they suddenly tried to remove every bit of evidence of Olestra,” says Michael F. Jacobson, director of CSPI. And many consumers felt tricked. In response, CSPI threatened to sue Frito-Lay and Proctor & Gamble. After an out-of-court settlement, the chip makers agreed to advertise the ingredient more prominently. On the front of the packaging, the chips declare that they are made with Olean (the Proctor & Gamble’s brand name for Olestra) and then Olestra appears in the ingredients listing on the back. “It’s fair to consumers that at least they’re warned,” says Jacobson, “but I still don’t think it should be on the market at all.”

Not everyone agrees that Olestra is any more of a dietary evil than real fat. “Potato chips are the No. 1 snack food in America, so eating them with less fat and fewer calories could be a good thing,” says Dr. Kristine Clark, director of sports nutrition at Penn State University.

As for Olestra’s side effects, Clark says: “Overeating anything can cause gastric upset, so knowing that overeating Olestra chips can cause upset may not be a bad thing. If anything, I think regular potato chips should carry a warning label, and it should read, ‘Caution: Extremely high in fat and sodium and not good for your health in general.’”

Food Journal - Day Twenty-One / Phase Two

I didn't keep track today of everything I ate, probably because it wasn't a good food day. I made some poor choices and tomorrow plan on getting back on track. Yet again.

The Label Translator

The package is talking. Are you listening? By the Editors of Men's Health Free-range (or free-roaming) Chickens and Eggs This phrase implies that your egg layer has lived its life outdoors, but the government requires only that the animal have "access" to the outside. (That's still better than hens that have been caged 24/7.) Natural The USDA applies this claim only to fresh meat that is minimally processed and contains no artificial ingredients or added color. The label must explain why it's natural--no colorants, for example. It's a weak designation, but at least you're better informed. No Added Antibiotics Red meat or poultry labeled with this claim comes from animals raised without the use of antibiotics--unquestionably a plus. When the supergerms take over the planet, these antibiotic overloads may be partly to blame. No Hormones Administered You want to see this certification on beef products. Hogs and poultry are already hormone-free by federal law, so those products cannot carry the label. But it's one more reason to put more pig and fowl on your menu. Organic Products bearing this claim come from animals that are given no antibiotics or growth hormones. The term "organic" is not regulated as strictly as it should be, and it's no guarantee that the product doesn't come from, say, Chile (with a frequent-flier carbon footprint), but it's a start. Pasture-raised, Grass-fed beef Grass-fed animals must have continuous access to pasture during the growing season, and their diet must be 100 percent forage (no grain or grain by-products). This may be better than organic--forage is what cattle are meant to eat.

Food Journal - Day Twenty / Phase Two

Breakfast: skipped Lunch: Salad with grilled chicken and honeymustard dressing Dinner: 2 slices of pizza (one slice cheese, one slice pepperoni) Snacks & Other: movie theater popcorn milk duds handful of pringles bowl of Kashi Autumn Harvest cereal

Fat Ticker Friday - Weigh in #1 of Part II

Food Journal - Day Nineteen / Phase Two

Breakfast: Egg, spinach and mushroom on a whole wheat bagel Lunch: Chicken Ceasar Salad Dinner: Beef and Broccoli

Food Journal - Day Eighteen / Phase Two

Breakfast: Yogurt cup with fresh berries Snack: Pure Protein High Protein Bar - Chewy Chocolate Chip Lunch: South Beach Living Savory Pork frozen meal Sugar Free Jell-O cup Dinner: apple wedges with peanut butter

Food Journal - Day Seventeen / Phase Two

Breakfast: 1 serving size of oatmeal 1 pumpkin muffin Snack: 1 serving size of turkey pepperoni 4 slices of provolone cheese Lunch: Yogurt with fresh berries and granola Snack: Balance Bare / Trail Mix Chocolate Chip bar Dinner: Grilled marinated pork chop Wax beans Asparagus Sugar Free Jell-O Dark Chocolate Pudding cup

Fast & Easy Dinner: Turkey Taco Salad

Taco salad is one of my guilty pleasure foods. When I'm alone at my parents' house, I like to make a large one and enjoy it for several meals.

This divine variation features ground turkey mixed with a store made salsa. The recipe calls for zucchini and bell pepper, but if you prefer eggplant and squash, use those instead.

To make a vegetarian version replace the ground turkey with canned beans. Sound tasty? Get the recipe: read more.

Turkey Taco Salad
From Everyday Food magazine

Ingredients
4 tablespoons olive oil
1 small onion, diced
1 pound ground turkey
1 small zucchini, diced
1 red bell pepper, ribs and seeds removed, diced
1 1/2 cups prepared green salsa
Coarse salt and ground pepper
2 heads Boston lettuce, leaves separated
1 1/2 cups crushed tortilla chips
1 cup small cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cup shredded cheese, such as white cheddar or Monterey Jack (about 4 ounces)

Directions
Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion, and cook, stirring often, until translucent, 5 to 7 minutes.

Add turkey; cook, stirring often, until starting to brown, 5 to 7 minutes.
Add zucchini, bell pepper, and 1 cup salsa; cook until vegetables are crisp-tender, 5to 6 minutes. Season with salt and ground pepper. Transfer to a plate, and let cool.

In a large bowl, toss lettuce with tortilla chips, tomatoes, and remaining 1/2 cup salsa and 2 tablespoons oil.Transfer to serving plates, and top with turkey mixture and cheese.

Serves 6

by partysugar

Food Journal - Day Sixteen / Phase Two

Breakfast: Oatmeal with Splenda Snack: Yogurt with fresh berries and Kashi Vive Cereal Lunch: Pure Protein Bar - Strawberry Shortcake flavored Snack: cottage cheese and pepper V8 Dinner: Apple wedges with peanut butter Snack: 1 serving size bowl of Kashi Cocoa Beach granola with fat free milk

Food Journal - Day Fifteen / Phase Two

Breakfast: Oatmeal with walnuts and splenda brown sugar Snack: 1 serving size of turkey pepperoni cheddar cheese slices (4) Lunch: skipped Snack: 1 serving size of nuts Dinner: Baked chicken cooked with spaghetti sauce

Get Your Energy Back

From: Body & Soul Magazine When it comes to cultivating energy, you probably never did it better than when you were a toddler. You'd come barreling out of bed in the morning, eyes wide and arms full of toys. These days, you're lucky if you can rouse yourself with multiple alarm clocks and a few cups of coffee. Snacks, if you have time to eat them, aren't the healthy kind. As for naps and early bedtimes, they happen on rare, unplanned occasions, usually when you're down with a cold or flu, or exhausted from running yourself ragged all week. With habits like these, it's no wonder that more than one-third of Americans say they're so tired that it interferes with work. Depleted energy interferes with our lives. Feeling energetic "means having the vitality to do the things you want to do," says Mark Hyman, M.D., editor-in-chief of the journal Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine and author of "UltraMetabolism." That vitality isn't just a state of mind -- it's a physical condition. Each of our cells contains hundreds of mitochondria, tiny "power plants" that combine the oxygen we breathe with the food we eat and then burn the combination to create energy. We know this process as metabolism. How energetic we feel largely depends on how well our mitochondria are functioning. To function optimally, they need quality fuel: a wholesome, varied diet, restorative sleep, and plenty of oxygen from regular exercise. But rather than enhance our vitality, we often sabotage it with "counterfeit energy" -- stimulants like caffeine that we think give us more pep but only drain our energy in the long run. Getting your energy back is possible. Start by simply looking at your day. From morning until night, energy leaks abound. These daily habits may seem perfectly innocent, but over time they impair your body's vitality. The "fixes" aren't complicated -- they're basic lifestyle changes that yield profound results.

Food Journal - Day Fourteen / Phase One - Two

Breakfast: Apple wedges with creamy peanut butter

Lunch: Wendy's Chili with cheese and onions Dinner: Spaghetti with meat sauce

Food Journal - Day Thirteen of Phase One

Breakfast: Protein Bar Lunch: Sausage on a Stick Sweet Potato fries Snack: Low-Cal Butter Pecan Ice Cream from Josh&John's Dinner: Re-fried beans w/ cheese

Food Journal - Day Twelve of Phase One

Breakfast: Omlet with ham and onion V8 Snack: 4 slices of lean chicken lunch meat 1 Land O'Lakes cheese wedge Lunch: Lite Ceasar Salad 1 sugar free / fat free jello cup Dinner: Souper Salad (fresh salad bar)

Food Journal - Day Eleven of Phase One

Disclaimer: I got really busy and stopped keeping track of my food items that I was eating daily however that doesn't mean I've fallen off the wagon. Because I haven't. I'm still going strong. So with that said; today's food journal. :: :: :: Breakfast: Omlet with ham and onion V8 Snack: 1 serving of mixed nuts Lunch: South Beach Living Savory Pork frozen meal 1 sugar free / fat free jello cup Snack: 1 Land O' Lakes cheese wedge 1 serving size of turkey pepperoni Dinner: Lite Ceaser Salad 1 sugar free / fat free jello cup

Seven Whole Grain Harvest Stuffing

Ingredients 2 cups Kashi® Nuggets 1 red apple, coarsely chopped (unpeeled) 2 onion, coarsely chopped 2 cups carrots, small julienne cut 1 cup celery, coarsely chopped 2 tablespoons olive oil ⅛ teaspoon cinnamon ½ teaspoon poultry seasoning 1 teaspoon each black pepper and sea salt 1 (14oz) can chicken or veggie broth ¾ cup walnuts, coarsely chopped Directions Heat olive oil in skillet and add onion, celery and carrots. Cook for about 3-5 minutes or until veggies are slightly soft. Add salt, pepper, cinnamon, and poultry seasoning, and chicken broth to veggie mixture – mix well. Add Kashi Nuggets, chopped apples and walnuts to veggie mixture. Continue to cook for only about 1 minute, mixing gently. Do not overcook; Nuggets will get soggy. Place prepared stuffing in 8x8 baking dish and bake at 400°F for 15-20 minutes until topping is lightly browned and a bit crunchy. Do not over bake; it will dry out. Recipe courtesy of Kashi Recipes

The "cheat day" diet: A good idea?

Have you heard about the diet that tells you to eat healthy for most of the week and then take one or two days to "cheat" and eat whatever you want? If you've tried it did it work for you? My Humble Opinion: I've gotta tell ya my opinion - this is the worst plan for anyone who is addicted to sugar, is a compulsive overeater, or has food obsessions. Why? Well, if you're addicted to sugar and you're intent on getting clean and dropping the food cravings, the worst thing you could do is to eat clean all week and on the weekend put those processed, sugar-filled foods back into your body. Sugar Detox - Once you're clean of the sugared, processed foods you'll experience a freedom from the endless food cravings that the sugar brings and if you go back to those foods on the weekend, you'll be starting all over again on Monday to once again detox from them - that is if you don't go into an extended binge after getting back into the sugar again! Food Obsessions - Another problem I see is for those who obsess about food - they could essentially spend 5 days eating well and exercising while all along constantly thinking about the weekend ahead. This can easily lead to binge eating (out of control eating) on the weekend, which is not a healthy lifestyle plan. Cheating = Dieting - Something else that bothers me is the term "cheat days". In my head, "cheating" means you're dieting, and it's been my experience that diets just don't work. Making lifestyle changes works, but short term dieting to lose weight doesn't keep it off in the long run... Read more about it here. Information provided by JoLynn Braley, The Fit Shack on Yahoo - Healthy Living.

Could drinking coffee save your life?

The Annals of Internal Medicine has released a study that shows that coffee drinking, even a long-term multi-cups-per-day coffee habit, is not associated with increased deaths among women. And among women who reported drinking two to three cups per day, the study found a 25 percent lower risk of deaths from heart disease. The study is called “The Relationship of Coffee Consumption with Mortality” and was funded by a research grant from the National Institutes of Health. It was led by Esther Lopez-Garcia of Universidad Autonoma de Madrid in Spain. Among the most intriguing findings is the suggestion that drinking large amounts of coffee may actually be beneficial to women. The study followed 84,214 women from 1980 to 2004, each a participant in the well-regarded Nurses’ Health Study, which Wikipedia calls “the most definitive long-term epidemiological studies conducted to date on older women’s health.” Article courtesy of The Staff at wowOwow.com, on Yahoo - Healthy Living

Food Journal - Day Six Phase One

Breakfast: skipped Lunch: Chicken Fajita Salad from Subway Dinner: Grilled chicken breast w/Swiss cheese and a slice of bacon on lettuce Snack: 1 serving of mixed nuts

Food Journal - Day Five Phase One

Breakfast: skipped Lunch: Albacore Tuna w/light honey mustard dressing on lettuce leaaves 2 hard boiled eggs Dinner: Taco Bell Taco Salad - did not eat the shell bowl, just the salad

Food Journal - Day Four of Phase One

Breakfast: Omelet with ham/onion/cheese V8

Lunch: Caesar salad kit with cut up hard boiled eggs, and strips of grilled chicken 1 fat free/sugar free jello cup Snack: 1 LiveActive Cheddar Cheese stick 1 serving of pepperoni Dinner: skipped

Wish me Luck - AGAIN

So I did it again. I went and signed up for Baby Tea Leaves "I Proclaim this the Summer of ME! Weightloss Challenge" which will being on June 23rd and run till July 25.

I gave her other weight loss challenge a try and well, my motivation fizzled out mid-way through. I hope to not do that this time. I can't let myself do that this time. I have a goal to reach! And a vacation coming up! So anyway, wish me luck! And if you want to join in and or read more about it, visit her blog. You still have time! So let's re-welcome 'Fat Ticker Friday' shall we? Good luck ladies.

4 Dieting Traps

The reasons diets fail—and how to overcome them by: Cheryl Platzman Weinstock On any given day, nearly half the women across the country are trying to lose weight. We read diet books, pop supplements and stock our freezers with low-cal meals. We have great intentions, yet finding a plan that works and keeps the weight off for the long haul is tough. Statistics show that two-thirds of people will regain the weight they lost within two to three years. "And many people try dieting 10 times or more before they find something that works," says Lona Sandon, RD, a spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association and assistant professor at the University of Texas, Southwestern. Why is it so hard? Top weight loss experts told us that most diet plans fail for the same key reasons. But take heart: Those experts also told us how to overcome the pitfalls so you can successfully slim down for good. Pitfall: They're Too Restrictive If you want to, say, shed 5 pounds before your high school reunion, eating only cabbage soup or grapefruit for a few days may do the trick. But try eating such a limited diet for longer than that and you're bound to run into trouble (not to mention hunger and crankiness). "People ultimately can't follow a diet with lots of rules and restrictions," says Sandon. "Most of us go back to our old eating habits and gain back the lost weight plus some." Not only that, but plans that cut out entire food groups (e.g., carbs or dairy) or severely limit calorie intake can also be dangerous, because they deprive your body of key nutrients that you need to stay healthy. Strategy: Go slow and steady and eat a wide range of foods-and be sure to include your favorites, says David Katz, MD, associate professor, adjunct and director of Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center. That means eating about 500 fewer calories a day (but don't go below a total of 1,500), which should enable you to safely lose about a pound a week. That may seem like a huge chunk of calories, but experts say that eating frequently (five or six mini-meals instead of three big meals) and filling up on water-rich, fiber-filled foods can help curb your hunger as your body adjusts. "Research shows that if you start your meal with fruit, a salad or a broth-based soup, you'll end up eating fewer calories at that meal," says Barbara Rolls, PhD, professor of nutritional science at Penn State and author of The Volumetrics Eating Plan. You can also trick yourself into feeling like you're eating more by choosing foods with lots of air, like puffed cereal and popcorn. Just as important is figuring out which foods you can easily give up so you can decide what's worth indulging in. "Don't suffer with fat-free mayonnaise if you hate it," says Carolyn O'Neil, RD, coauthor of The Dish: On Eating Healthy and Being Fabulous! "Instead, find a lower-calorie alternative that you like-maybe hummus or honey mustard-or just use a delicate smear of the real stuff instead of loading it on." Love pizza? Eat just one slice but accompany it with a salad to help you fill up, suggests Sandon. Pitfall: They Don't Include Support If there's one solid weight-loss fact that research continues to confirm (other than the need to eat less), it's this: Successful dieters don't do it alone. A large study funded by the National Heart, Lung, and and Blood Institute found that after two and a half years, dieters who'd gotten one-on-one monthly counseling regained the least amount of weight, followed by those who got social support online. "Support is crucial to lsoing weight--it provides motivation, inspiration and an outlet for furstration so you don't have to turn to food for comfort," says O'Neil. Plus it's a lot easier to get excited about trying new healthy recipes when you have someone to compare notes with. Strategy: Tell everyone you're trying to lose. "Dieters often make the mistake of keeping their efforts secret," says Dr. Katz. One of the toughest challenges is sidestepping the potential diet disasters you're faced with all the time: from the doughnuts your coworker brings in every Friday to the beer and tortilla chips your husband stashes in the pantry. "If the people around you know about your plan, they can help you stick to it, or at least not unknowingly sabotage your efforts," says Dr. Katz. To get more direct support, you can choose a plan that includes it, such as Weight Watchers or Overeaters Anonymous; hire a nutritionist to steer you in the right direction (find one at eatright.org); or join forces with a friend-you can check in with each other once a week, share tips and vent to each other when you're tempted to give up. Pitfall: They Don't Fit Your Lifestyle A recent study from Stanford University found that dieters were more likely to stay with a particular plan if they found it convenient to follow. Let's face it, if you have no time to cook, an eating plan that demands made-from-scratch meals is guaranteed to backfire. Many people are so anxious to lose weight that they're willing to try just about anything for a little while, but they go back to their old ways when it becomes too difficult. Strategy: Before you choose a plan, take a long, hard look at your lifestyle and the way you eat. Write down your "eating attitudes" (for example, "I hate to cook" or "I love preparing meals with my family") as well as your habits. Do you travel often? Do you work late hours? Do you cook for your family but have no time to make two separate meals? Seeing it in black and white helps you zero in on a plan that meets your needs. If your schedule is super-hectic, you may do well with a prepackaged plan like Jenny Craig, Nutri-System or Slim-Fast, says Christine Gerbstadt, MD, RD, a spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association. "These take out the guesswork and can help get you on the right track," she says. If you often eat out, however, you may be better off with a plan like Weight Watchers, which lets you pick from a wide variety of foods as long as you track your intake. Pitfall: They Promise Quick Fixes Next time you're watching a diet infomercial and are tempted to pick up the phone, ask yourself: If this really could make me lose 10 pounds in 10 days, wouldn't everyone in America already be using it successfully? (Think about it-the obesity epidemic would be over for just four easy payments of $19.99.) You know the drill…if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Though you may think it can't hurt to try a product or plan, no matter how farfetched, you're just setting yourself up for failure, says Dr. Gerbstadt. OK, you may lose 10 pounds in 10 days, but chances are you'll gain it back once you go off the plan-and that can be extremely discouraging, not to mention potentially dangerous (remember the diet drug ephedra?). No one puts on 20 or 30 (or even 10) pounds overnight, so it's better to accept that losing it will be gradual as well. Strategy: Set small, doable weight loss goals-say, a pound a week or 5 pounds this month. "If your goals are unrealistic, you'll lose motivation when you don't accomplish them," says Sandon. And reward yourself (um, no, not with that slab of cake) when you reach them. Everyone needs a pat on the back, says Sandon. "Get a massage or a manicure, or do something else to treat yourself."

Food Journal - Day Three of Phase One

Breakfast: cottage cheese 1 can of V8 Snack: 2 hard boiled eggs 1 LiveActive Marbled Colby & Monterey Jack Cheese stick 1 serving of South Beach mixed nuts Lunch: Skipped again (really what is my problem?) Snack: 1 serving size of pepperoni 1 LiveActive Marbled Colby & Monterey Jack Cheese stick Dinner: Grilled pork chop Asparagus 1 sugar free / fat free jello cup

Food Journal - Day Two of Phase One

Breakfast: 3 eggs scrambled with salt and pepper Snack: 4 slices of lean roasted turkey breast lunch meat 1 LiveActive Marbled Colby & Monterey Jack Cheese stick 1 serving of South Beach mixed nuts Lunch: skipped Snack: 1 serving of pepperoni 1 LiveActive Marbled Colby & Monterey Jack Cheese stick Dinner: Grilled chicken breast Green beans 1 fat free / suger free jello cup

Food Journal - Day One of Phase One

Breakfast: 4 eggs scrambled with lean chicken lunchmeat slices, cheese, chives V8 vegetable juice Snack: 1 serving of sliced pepperoni LiveActive Colby & Monterey Jack Cheese stick Lunch: skipped (bad I know!) Snack: 1 serving of mixed nuts (South Beach Blend) 1 LiveActive Colby & Monterey Jack Cheese Stick Dinner: 3 lettuce wraps with canned chicken and lite honey mustard dressing 1 fat-free / sugar-free jello cup

Re-Commitment Time

Today is Monday June 9th. We will be vacationing at the beach in one month. Today is the day that I'm re-committing to my diet / exercise routine. I have no other choice. I'm going to be tracking my food journal here like I did a while ago. Hopefully it helps me stay on track. Here goes......

For All Your Fitness Needs

And maybe even a good gift item for that special dad in your life - you know, for Father's Day?

So yeah, when I work out, especially if I'm walking/running the neighborhood, I have to listen to music. ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO. Not only does it keep me moving at a good pace, it keeps my mind off of the workout I'm taking part in and makes time go by quickly. Of course an MP3 player would come in handy, don't you think? And anything that's geared towards fitness is a bonus for anyone actively working out right? Especially since it's always tough to convince myself that a work-out is in order, who has time!?

Enough with the excuses. I'm not here to talk about that, I'm here to share some information about two cool products that were brought to my attention. You can find them at Best Buy. Those two products are the Best Buy Insignia MP3 Fitness Bundle or the Best Buy Microsoft® Zune 30GB Bundle.

Available in either black or red, the Best Buy Microsoft® Zune 30GB Bundle retails for between $199.99 - $214.99. It includes the following in the bundle:

- Action Jacket armband for convenience when exercising
- Storage up to 7,500 songs at one time for a long-lived, traveling library
- Exceptional FM radio signal for additional entertainment options
- Up to 14-hours of battery life (for music playing only)
- Integrated wireless allows sharing of songs and photos

Another great MP3 player that's also available at Best Buy is the Best Buy Insignia MP3 Fitness Bundle. It retails for a little less at $99.99. This bundle includes:

- Insignia 2GB MP3 player can store up to 500 songs to keep you in the zone
- $10 Best Buy Digital Music Store download card to complete your perfect workout play list
- Init armband ensures the lightweight Insignia MP3 player is securely fastened
- Water bottle used as packaging is also included as an added bonus

So while you are out and about this weekend, stop at Best Buy and check these two products out. One of them just might be a perfect addition to your shopping cart.

Ain't too Proud

I'm admitting my failure here that I've totally blown the last several months of hard work and dedication, and really I don't care if no one out there is listening, this is for me. I thought maybe if I saw it in writing, with my own two eyes (HELLO FAILURE) that I'd wake up. Last Monday when I stepped on the scales I was blown away with the numbers that revealed themselves to me. They had increased quite dramatically. And it was completely all my fault. One week a while back of bad food choices and no exercise sent me spiraling out of control and I haven't touched down yet. And even when I've tried to get back on track, I've totally failed. Insert sadness and disappointment here. Which hey! Makes me head straight for the pantry and refrigerator to see what else I can stuff in my face. I've got to stop doing this to myself. It's obvious that I can't make it to my goal alone. And even when I join up for challenges and stuff, I start off all gung-ho then fizzle out a few weeks into it. It is just a horrible cycle that I keep repeating over and over and over. And I'm tired of it. Just once I'd like to be happy with my progress, and successful at reaching my goal weight. Anyone have words of wisdom to help pull me out of this food funk!? I'd appreciate it.

Fridge Wisdom

Add flavor to your food without extra calories with these 5 cooking tips. By Liz Applegate, Runner's World Spices do more than make your food taste better — they're loaded with antioxidants and healthy compounds. Store spices in an airtight container away from light and heat and they'll last for many years. Ginger: This root-like spice contains polyphenols, a group of powerful anti-inflammatory compounds. Studies show that one half to one gram (about a half teaspoon) of ginger daily can reduce joint pain, offering runners an alternative to ibuprofen for postrun aches. Get Cooking: Stir-fry thinly sliced fresh ginger or whisk grated ginger into a homemade salad dressing. Add the powdered version to any muffin or quick-bread recipe. Turmeric: This bright yellow curry spice gets its color — and health benefits — from a compound called curcumin. Scientists believe curcumin may lessen muscle soreness postexercise, as well as protect the brain from diseases such as Alzheimer's. Get Cooking: Use pure turmeric, not a curry blend, for the most benefits. Its earthy aroma goes well with rice or sprinkled in a seafood stew. Cinnamon: Studies indicate that daily consumption of this spice may lower borderline and high fasting blood-sugar levels, which are precursors to type 2 diabetes. Get Cooking: Sprinkle into hot or cold cereal, fruit smoothies, or baked fruit desserts. Cinnamon also adds flavor to root vegetables and whole grains. Vanilla: The rich flavor of vanilla comes from two powerful antioxidants that may help reduce muscle soreness and ward off age-related diseases that have their origins in oxidative damage. Get Cooking: Mix a few drops of vanilla extract into your pancake, waffle, and French toast batter or in plain low-fat yogurt. Red Chili Pepper: In some studies, consuming capsaicin, the spicy hot phytochemical in peppers, reduced osteoarthritis pain. It also has been shown to cause a short-term spike in metabolism, allowing your body to burn a few extra calories. Get Cooking: Add pepper flakes or powder to marinades, soups, pasta sauces, and salsa. Provided by Runner's World

15 Smart Snacks and Sips

Stay trim this summer with these healthy drinks and nibbles by Dana Gottesman Looking to slim down in time for swimsuit season? Research shows that eating small nutritious snacks between meals may actually help you lose weight. This summer, your favorite snack manufacturers have made healthful nibbling easier than ever by introducing a bevy of new diet-friendly products to the market. From fiber-enriched flavored water to grab-and-go nutrition bars, the tasty picks that follow are bound to quench your thirst and keep you satisfied, whether you're snacking on-the-go or simply lounging seaside. Take a Hint: This summer, stay hydrated with Hint Water's flavored waters, which come in new irresistible flavors like Hibiscus Vanilla, Watermelon, Honeydew Hibiscus and Blackberry. With no artificial sweeteners or preservatives and zero added sugar, these beverages are a terrific way to tickle your taste buds without tacking on extra calories. $1.79 per 16-oz bottle at most grocery stores. The Spice Is Right: For a guilt-free way to indulge in some sweet summer sips, try Oregon Chai Tea Singles. The all-natural fruit-flavored iced tea mixes are sweetened with stevia, a calorie-free herbal supplement, and come in tempting flavors such as Black Tea with Lemon, Black Tea with Peach and Red Tea with Berry. Simply stir a packet into a plain glass of water for a drink with some spicy zip! $3.49 per 10-packet box at grocery and natural food stores nationwide. Mini-Munches: Craving chocolate? Satisfy your urge with a snack-sized Luna Mini nutrition bar, which comes in decadent flavors like S’mores, Nutz Over Chocolate and Caramel Nut Brownie. Each 80-calorie bar packs tons of folic acid, calcium and protein, and is small enough to fit in your purse, so you can get your chocolate fix even when you're on the run. $12–$15 per 18-count box at lunabar.com. Do the Twist: Sure, CLIF Kid Organic Twisted Fruit is for kids, but we think even grownups will get a kick out of this scrumptious new way to increase their fruit intake. Made from real organic fruit and offered in juicy flavors like Pineapple, Strawberry, Sour Apple and Tropical Twist, each fruit rope is equivalent to one whole serving of fruit, making it easier than ever to meet your daily fruit requirement. 79¢ at clifbar.com. Take a Crack: Talk about self-contained: Each package of Eggology Hardboiled Eggs includes two peeled and ready-to-eat eggs, plus packets of salt and pepper, so you can enjoy a perfectly seasoned snack anywhere, anytime. The eggs are even offered in Certified Organic, Cage-Free and Original selections, so you can choose whichever variety you prefer. About $1 at health stores and supermarkets nationwide. Very A-peeling: Peeled Snacks Natural Fruit & Nuts Packs are the two-in-one answer to your cravings for something savory and sweet. The dried fruit and roasted nut mixes are naturally loaded with vitamins, minerals and fiber, and are even certified organic, so you can snack easy knowing the treat is as good for you as it tastes. $2.99 at peeledsnacks.com and most grocery stores. All Dressed Up: Tired of eating the same old salad? Add pizzazz to your greens with Wish-Bone Bountifuls, which are chockful of real fruits and veggies, and contain less than 35 calories per serving. Our favorite flavor? Berry Delight, a tangy vinaigrette that's packed with confetti-like bits of summer fruit, such as blueberries, raspberries and cherries. $2.79 per 9.5-oz bottle at grocery stores nationwide. Crunch Time: Why do we love Pepperidge Farm Baked Naturals? Because even though they're made from delicious ingredients like whole grains, organic blue corn and gourmet cheeses, each handful (that's 10 pieces) only adds up to 100 calories! Choose from six scrumptious varieties, such as Zesty Tomato Herb Wheat Crisps, Savory Cheddar Pretzel Thins and Toasted Sesame Snack Sticks. $3.49 at grocery stores nationwide. Easy Does It: Each sweet and creamy spoonful of Breyers Light! Yogurt is full of friendly bacteria called probiotics, which may help with digestion. Dip into yummy flavors like Strawberry Cheesecake, Key Lime Pie and Black Cherry Jubilee. 50¢ at grocery stores nationwide. Liquid Assets: Fruity flavors such as Peach Mango and Berry Pomegranate are reason enough to taste Aquafina's Alive Nutrient Enhanced Water Beverages, but with 10 percent of the daily recommended value (DV) of fiber in each bottle, there's simply no excuse not to give them a try. $1.19–$1.29 at aquafinaalive.com. Little Dipper: Looking for a satisfying, nutritious way to stave off hunger between meals? Try a 2-ounce container of Tribe Mediterranean Foods Hummus Snackers, which is naturally dairy-, trans fat– and cholesterol-free, and comes in savory flavor varieties like Roasted Garlic and 40 Spices. $2.99 at food retailers nationwide. Nutty for Nuts: Have a hankering for chocolate-covered nuts? Try Emerald Cocoa Roast Almonds, which have the decadent flavor of chocolate baked right in, so you can indulge without any of the excess calories—or guilt. Plus, the treats have all the nutritional benefits of regular almonds, including loads of vitamin E and hunger-fighting protein. $6.69 at emeraldnuts.com and grocery stores nationwide. Crazy for Cran: Love healthy treats but have a hard time getting the portions right? Each pre-portioned pack of Ocean Spray's Craisins contains only 100 calories, giving you a foolproof way to snack smart. Or, if you're simply in need of a midday pick-me-up, try Ocean Spray's Cranergy Energy Juice, which packs just 35 calories a serving and contains antioxidant-rich green tea extracts for an energizing boost. $3.99 at grocery stores nationwide. Fiber Fanatic: Have a hard time getting the recommended 32 grams of fiber each day? Metamucil is now offering a tasty new way to meet your fiber goal with their Pink Lemonade flavored mix. Simply stir a teaspoon of the tangy-sweet powder into a glass of water for an added 2 grams of soluble fiber a day. $7.99–$9.49 in the digestive health aisle at grocery stores nationwide. Bar None: Next time a snack attack hits, sate your hunger with one of Simple Harvest's hearty Chewy Granola Bars. Jam-packed with delicious, good-for-you ingredients and offered in tempting flavors such as Dark Chocolate Chunk and Honey Roasted Nut, they offer a truly unbeatable way to recharge. $3.69 per carton (six bars) at grocery stores nationwide.

Tortilla Soup

INGREDIENTS
2 Tbsp oil
4 corn tortillas (6-in. diam), stacked, cut in half, then cut crosswise in very narrow strips
3 cans (14 oz each) chicken broth
1-1⁄2 lb butternut squash, peeled, seeded and cut in 1⁄2-in. cubes (about 4 cups)
1 Tbsp minced garlic1 can (14-1⁄2 oz) diced tomatoes with green chiles
2 cups shredded cooked chicken
Toppings: cubed avocado, chopped cilantro and lime wedges

PREPARATION
1. Heat 1 Tbsp oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Fry half the tortilla strips, turning often, 5 minutes or until lightly browned and crisp. Remove to paper towels to drain. Repeat with remaining oil and strips.
2. Bring broth, squash and garlic to a boil in a 3-qt pot. Cover, reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes or until squash is almost tender. Add tomatoes and chicken; simmer, uncovered, 5 minutes or until squash is tender.
3. Place half the tortilla strips in soup bowls. Ladle in soup. Sprinkle with remaining strips and serve with toppings