For the New You, Focus on 'Happy'

It may sound trite, but it’s useful: If you can find a way to feel good right now, regardless of what you want to accomplish, separate from all that you think you need to change, it will help bring about change, very positive change, in your life. Assuming you want to improve your health, lose weight, stop eating something or start doing something, the best thing you can do to get on track right now is stop thinking about the problem. Start focusing on happy thoughts, and I would imagine that the new you – whatever and whoever that is, will make you happy, so think about him/her. Try these "WorkIns": 1. Imagine yourself as the person you want to be, doing the things you want to do, looking the way you want to look. If this doesn’t make you happy, then you have been misleading yourself because there is no point to being that person if it isn’t going to make you happy. So fixate on it, feel it, focus on him/her daily, hourly, constantly. Feel what it will be like to be that person, and if it makes you feel good – then think about it more and more and more. 2. Make a happy list every day. List on a piece of paper all of the things that you are proud of, happy about, grateful for. You will be inspired to do something if you really do these “workins” consistently. You may spontaneously desire different foods; you may all of a sudden love exercising. You may find a new job, meet someone special, get introduced to someone or something that changes your life to ultimately bring every part of you – physically, mentally and emotionally in line with the happy you. Enjoy the process – make it fun – you can be happy now. Posted at: Yahoo! Health

Accepting Yourself is the First Step to Success

Courtesy of Yahoo! Health: Are you one of those people who beat themselves up for not having the perfect body, or for overeating at a BBQ or missing a workout? If you are, you probably do it more than you realize, and are likely inhibiting your progress rather than enhancing it by being so hard on yourself. Whatever you put the most energy into, you’ll get the most out of. You may think you’re putting energy into being thin, when in fact you are focusing on how unhappy you are not being thin - there is a big difference. The first thing you need to do is accept yourself for exactly who you are and where you are in your life. This will allow you, without resistance, to change. Focusing on the negative inhibits your ability to have what you really want. So try having a little compassion for yourself. If you ate more than you would have liked to at a meal, accept it (it is what it is), and next time do it differently. But watch your thoughts (not just your actions) to see if you are really feeling excited to get into that new swimsuit, or becoming resentful that it's taking so long to reach your goal. Really, when is the last time you did something nice for someone who was belittling you? Don’t you do things more quickly, easily, and joyfully for someone who treats you with kindness and respect? Wouldn’t it make sense to apply that thinking to yourself? Try a diet of acceptance and compassion and see what happens. Peace and Happy Trails – Debbie Rocker http://www.debbierocker.com/

10 foods you should never skimp on at the grocery store

by Weetabix, Elastic Waist I'm pretty ruthless while grocery shopping. In fact, I make an effort to get in and out of the store as quickly as possible. Hey, walking really fast while pushing a cart full of canned beans and a whole watermelon is resistance training, right? And sometimes this method fails me because I don't take the time to do the math and identify whether or not I'm making a good decision with my grocery dollar.

I end up buying a lot of precut stuff, which is just wasteful because we all know it's cheaper if you do the chopping yourself. And we all know that many of the store brands are the exact same product as the one with the fancy label (and catchy commercial jingle) but in some cases, spending a little bit more can make a big difference in the quality of your groceries. Cheap Healthy Good breaks down some items where spending just a little bit more will pay off when it comes to taste, texture or general edibility (is that a word?) of your chow. Her list: Coffee Pickles Premade pasta sauce and salad dressing Lemon juice Garlic Pasta Beer Chocolate Fish Cheese Reading the post, however, I was stunned by what I consider automatics. For instance, we always have a jar of reconstituted lemon juice in the fridge for when you need an unexpected little acidity, but whenever I'm making something that requires lemon juice, I always buy fresh. I wouldn't even consider buying cheap cheese (although this might be a regional attitude, being from a state that prides itself on its artisanal cheeses). While we do buy some jarred pasta sauce, it's typically Newman's Own Five Cheese blend, because in a pinch, it's not only edible, it's absolutely delicious when tossed with hot pasta and Pecorino. And Esteban has threatened to send me back to the store if I come home with a pasta that isn't Creamette. Chocolate? Puhlease. In my mind, the only actual chocolate is the kind that doesn't taste like wax, and I get a much better high off of a single $2 bar of Lindt than I do from $10 worth of Hershey's. It's also just good nutritional sense to go with the bar that gets the job done with the least amount of fat and sugar. However, we totally get jarred garlic all the time. But it's not a cost thing, it's a laziness thing. One thing not mentioned on the list, though, is peanut butter. I won't touch anything in the grocery store that costs less than Jif, but my favorite is Whole Foods' 365 brand of smooth all natural, and at $2 a jar, it's about twice the price as generic. The taste, though? A million times better. End of debate. Posted on: Healthy Living / Yahoo! Shine

Women like sticks, men like curves, go figure

File this one under Duh: a recent poll conducted by the U.K.'s Fabulous magazine showed that women most envied US size 4 bodies, while men tend to lust over bodies that have a little more T&A, hitting around the US size 10 mark. But what was most interesting to me is that the men decidedly preferred women whose bodies were very similar to their wives or girlfriends, with their decidedly average US size 10ish bodies. Which, I guess, makes total sense. After all, the guy is going after someone he's attracted to, right? It would absolutely follow that they wouldn't want you to change a thing and that they like you, much like Bridget Jones, just as you are. The question shouldn't be whether men expect women to have perfect bodies, but what the definition of "perfect" is.

Conversely, what's being ignored in the subsequent "Yay for curves" article is the ranking on what it would take for a guy to leave their partner. The choices are going up one, two, three or more dress sizes, with 67% of respondents stating that they would leave their partner if they went up more than three sizes. I'm choosing to believe that at least some of the respondents were stymied by the lack of a choice "I wouldn't leave my partner for stupid reasons like weight gain because I love her more than I love her current ass", and notice that no one is concerned about a man's feelings if their partner started dropping dress sizes. For this, I blame the pollsters, though, because that's just lazy survey skills.

What's most endearing is the sentiment that more than 3/4s of the surveyed guys wish that their ladyfriend would be more confident about their bodies. Easier said than done, fellas, but we're working on it. Believe me, we're working on it.

Posted on: Yahoo! Shine

Turkey Burgers with Grated Zucchini and Carrot

3/4 pound ground turkey 1 medium zucchini, grated 1 medium carrot, grated 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped 3/4 teaspoon dried thyme 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 1 large egg 3 tablespoons olive oil 4 slices crusty bread 4 small leaves Boston lettuce 4 tablespoons mayonnaise (optional) 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice (optional)

Heat broiler. In a large bowl, combine the turkey, zucchini, carrot, garlic, thyme, salt, pepper, and egg. Form the mixture into 4 patties. Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the patties, turning once, until no trace of pink remains, 4 to 5 minutes per side. Meanwhile, place the bread on a baking sheet and brush with the remaining oil. Broil until golden brown and crisp, about 1 1/2 minutes. Transfer the bread to individual plates. Top with the lettuce leaves and burgers. If using, combine the mayonnaise and lemon juice in a small bowl and serve with the burgers. Upgrade: For extra zest, rub the bread with the cut side of a peeled, halved garlic clove immediately after removing the bread from the oven. Yield: Makes 4 servings From Real Simple

Which Juice Is Healthiest?

Before you sip, check out how these eight juices stack up healthwise.

Juice: Apple Calories (8-Ounce Serving): 117 Drink It For: Polyphenols (antioxidants thought to fight cancer), potassium, iron; many are fortified with vitamin C. Keep in Mind: Apple juice tastes great, but you won’t get as many nutrients from it as from a whole apple, since much of the good stuff is in the skin.

Juice: Cranberry* Calories (8-Ounce Serving): 116 Drink It For: Vitamin C, antioxidants, heart-healthy flavonoids, antibacterial properties. Keep in Mind: Cranberries are tart, so most juices contain added sugar. Choose “no added sugar” to avoid extra calories.

Juice: Grape (Red) Calories (8-Ounce Serving): 154 Drink It For: Resveratrol (a compound in red grape skins that may fight cancer), vitamin C, potassium. Keep in Mind: Red may be a better option than white because of the resveratrol in the skins.

Juice: Grapefruit* Calories (8-Ounce Serving): 96 Drink It For: Vitamin C, potassium, lycopene (an antioxidant), beta-carotene. Keep in Mind: Grapefruit juice can interact with some medications, making them last longer in the bloodstream. Check your prescriptions and talk with your doctor to be on the safe side.

Juice: Orange* Calories (8-Ounce Serving): 110 Drink It For: Vitamin C, potassium, folate. Keep in Mind: Fortified orange juice comes with added calcium, vitamin D, and even heart-healthy omega-3s.

Juice: Pineapple* Calories (8-Ounce Serving): 133 Drink It For: Vitamin C, potassium, vitamin B6. Keep in Mind: Freshly squeezed pineapple juice often contains bromelain, an enzyme found in the whole fruit that may aid digestion and reduce inflammation.

Juice: Pomegranate Calories (8-Ounce Serving): 160 Drink It For: Antioxidants, ellagic acid (which may block reproduction of cancer cells), vitamin C, potassium. Keep in Mind: Pomegranate juice often comes in blends with other antioxidant-rich powerhouses, such as blueberry and açai.

Juice: Tomato* Calories (8-Ounce Serving): 53 Drink It For: Potassium, lycopene, vitamin C, beta-carotene. Keep in Mind: Tomato juice and tomato-juice blends, like V8, can be high in sodium. If you’re watching your blood pressure, look for a low-sodium version with less than 480 milligrams per serving.

* These juices have a slight edge, healthwise, over the others. Ounce for ounce, they pack the most nutrients with the fewest calories. Tip: Buy products labeled “100 percent juice,” not “juice drink” or “juice cocktail.” The latter can contain little juice and a lot of added sugar. Written by Kristin Appenbrink - June 2008 @Real Simple (http://www.realsimple.com/realsimple/package/0,21861,1159184-1806922,00.html)

Heart Healthy Orange Pork and Broccoli Stir-Fry

2 pork tenderloins (1 1/2 to 2 pounds total), 4 skinless, boneless chicken-breast halves, or 1 1/2 pounds skinless salmon fillet -- meat or fish cut into bite-size pieces 2 tablespoon sherry or white wine 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes 4 tablespoons cornstarch 1 orange, zest grated and juice squeezed 1/2 cup chicken broth 2 tablespoons soy sauce 2 teaspoons sugar 2 tablespoons canola oil 1 onion, cut into thin wedges 1/2 bunch broccoli (1/2 pound), cut into small pieces, stalks peeled and thinly sliced (3 cups) In a bowl, toss the meat or fish with the sherry, red pepper, and 2 teaspoons of the cornstarch. In a measuring cup, combine the orange juice, chicken broth, soy sauce, sugar, and the remaining cornstarch. In a large nonstick skillet or wok, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the orange zest and let it sizzle for 1 minute. Add the onion and the meat or fish and cook, stirring, until cooked through, 2 to 5 minutes. Add the orange-juice mixture and broccoli. Simmer 5 minutes or until the broccoli is tender. Yield: 4 servings Recipe courtesy of Real Simple

One Hundred and Eighty Eight

Pounds baby. Pounds. That's how much I weighed in at after my wonderful vacation. That Summer Challenge I was working so hard for? Yeah, totally blew it. And also? Something I learned while I was having a ball? Diets are hard to stick to while on vacation. SO! I had a pep talk with my lovely inner self and re-committed to two things since I've been back. 1. Eating healthy and 2. Exercising daily. I've followed the South Beach Diet for a while (and was very successful at it!) and I've also given Weight Watchers a try. Both diets work, and both diets are easy for me to follow, however this time I'm not sure that I want to do either. So I'm simply going to make things up as I go and follow the rules of: eat healthy. Hopefully it works. And too, I realize that I really, really, REALLY need to exercise daily. I was able to lose 90 pounds without any exercise at all, if I want to get to my goal (140 pounds!), now is the time that I need to kick it up a notch, quit making excuses and just do it. I've got to exercise. And so I am. I lumbered around like a blubbering idiot in the privacy of my bedroom last night and did a 20 minute workout video. Turbo Jam to be exact. And I stuck to my guns and ate healthy yesterday too. It's yet again another start on this weight loss journey of mine. Wish me luck!

Did you know that.....

Researchers have found that the flavor of mint curbs hunger, while the act of sucking reduces cravings for high-calorie, fattening foods. Wint-O-Green Life Savers® provide long-lasting breath protection, but you might be surprised to learn that these sugar-free mints could help you lose weight, too.

Try it out, anything to help, right?

Um......

Well it's official. Vacation is over and my diet? TOTALLY WRECKED. It's time (again) to re-commit myself and get on the ball. Time to finally put my nose to the grind and reach my goal. Time to get to work. Seriously. I mean it.

Gotta Try to Win, Right!

I've been wanting a Wii for a while now, even more specifically a Wii Fit. The only problem though is that I have yet to see one available on the shelves in the store. That's why I am stoked that The Smart Mamma is giving one away! Go check out her site, and this post for more details. You bet your out of shape bottom that I entered! Wish me luck!

Food Journal - Day Twenty-Four / Phase Two

Breakfast: Honey Wheat Bagel with cream cheese Snack: 1 serving size of pepperoni 1 cheese wedge V8 Lunch: Bowl of chili South Beach Living Dark Chocolate Fudge Covered Wafer Sticks - Hazelnut Creme Dinner: grilled pork chop green beans South Beach Living Dark Chocolate Fudge Covered Wafer Sticks - Hazelnut Creme Snack: Bowl of Kashi Cocoa Beach Granola

Barley Vegetable Casserole

Ingredients: 2/3 cup barley 1 cup onion\cooked, chopped 1 cup cauliflower florets\cooked, chopped into 0-1/4 inch pieces 1 cup mushrooms\cooked, chopped 1 cup carrots\grated, finely shredded 2-1/2 cups vegetable stock 1/4 tsp. garlic powder Cooking Directions: Preheat oven to 350° F. Place barley and a small amount of water or stock in a heavy nonstick skillet over medium heat. Cook 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently, until lightly browned. Transfer to a casserole dish that has been lightly coated with cooking spray. Saute onions 5 minutes in same skillet, stirring frequently. Combine onions with remaining vegetables and add to casserole. Combine remaining ingredients in a bowl. Mix well and stir into casserole. Season with salt and pepper to taste and mix well. Cover and bake 1-1/4 hours, until barley is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed. Stir several times while baking. Let stand 5 minutes, mix and serve. Recipe courtesy of Nubella

The skinny on salmon

by Epicurious.com

Chinook, coho, sockeye, pink, and Atlantic. These are just five of the most well-known types of salmon found in the seafood section of your grocery store.

This fish's popularity can be attributed to its health benefits: It's got high levels of omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins B12 and B6, and calcium, as well as relatively low amounts of mercury. Salmon is also a versatile fish—you can grill, fry, poach, bake, roast, or sauté it. Its mild flavor lets other ingredients shine, and if you want the fish itself to shine, all it needs is some olive oil, salt, pepper, and fresh lemon juice. As with all fish, one telltale sign of freshness is its odor; if it lacks a fishy smell, it's fresh. And if you're looking for inexpensive caviar, try salmon roe. The egg's large, bright red-orange hue adds pizzazz to a dish.

Recipe Tips: Smokin' Hot - If you plan on smoking your own salmon fillets—steaks, while not impossible, will take much longer and may not cook as evenly—and are purchasing the wood planks from a housewares store, make sure that the planks are not chemically treated. Let the planks soak in water for at least one hour before placing the plank and the fish on your heat source. Besides cedar planks, try other hard woods, such as apple or alder, for a different flavor.

It's All in the Name - Lox, nova salmon, gravlax, kippered. It can get a little confusing with all the different types of cured salmon. Here's a quick tutorial. Kippered means the salmon has been brined and then baked. Lox is salmon that's been brined but not smoked. Nova used to refer specifically to the Nova Scotia Atlantic salmon, which was brined and cold-smoked. Nowadays it is used as a more general term for any cured salmon. Scottish- and Irish-smoked fish are dry-cured before being cold-smoked. Gravlax is salmon that's been dry-cured with no smoking.

Born to Be Wild - Look for wild salmon, the kind that isn't farm-raised. It will cost a bit more, but should be leaner and tastier and will probably have fewer traceable chemicals. If the cost is prohibitive, look for canned salmon, almost all of which comes from wild salmon. For more information on farmed and wild salmon, visit oceansalive.org and Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch.

Visit Food on Shine for Salmon recipes

Food Journal - Day Twenty-Three / Phase Two

Breakfast: Oatmeal Snack: Yoplait fat free yogurt Dark Chocolate Soy Nuts - South Beach Lunch: Pure Protein Bar 1 serving size of mixed nuts Snack: 1 serving of pepperoni 1 wedge of colby jack cheese Dinner: Grilled chicken sandwich 1 banana chocolate fat free pudding cup