Challenge Monday!

 Your challenge this week focuses on the daily routines that we can make more challenging and physical! It's crazy that we actually have to schedule physical activity into our daily routine, but that's what it has come to. If we don't make a conscious effort it does not happen on its own!

Cell phones, elevators, e-mail, automatic doors, riding lawnmowers and the list could go on! These items make our lives easier, but don't challenge us to move! They support a sedentary lifestyle!

Your challenge this week is to take the stairs, when ever you can! No elevators or shortcuts! And  park farther away in the parking lot! Don't drive around for 10 minutes to find the closest spot! Park and walk!

   

Have Fun!!!!!!!!

More Always Healthy Mom!

 Check out my new home @ The Toledo Area Parent!!! You can see my first column in the February edition!

I am so excited, stay tuned in for more great things to come from Always healthy Mom!

Relax?

 OK it's Friday, kick off the heels and relax! Or do you? The weekends are always less structured than the week! If your family is like mine you look forward to ordering in pizza, and take out! This could be the explanation for the research that shows that after the age of 2 we take in more calories on the weekend than during the week! In fact weekend gluttony can add an extra 5lbs a year to our waist line! So what do we do to fix this?

• Continue to have regular meals, even on the weekend!
• Start everyday with a healthy breakfast!
• Make sure you have plenty of fresh fruits and veggies on hand for the family!
• Plan out your meals ahead of time!
• Don't wait until 7pm to order your dinner!
• Keep an eye on the frequency of eating out!
• Avoid drinking too many calories!
• Make your favorite take out foods at home!

So enjoy the weekend and relax! But don't let the weekend get the best of you!

This is SPECIAL!

This is one special cracker in my book! At only 90 calories per serving, and a great source of fiber, you can find a box at my house any day of the week! This is my go to quick snack! I like to pair it with my low calorie string cheese at the office! They taste great and I can have 17 yummy, crunchy crackers for a low calorie price tag! They are available in  multi-grain flavor and savory herb! Two great options for your fabulous figure! I won't just grab any cracker box at the store, but this one makes the cut!

This is what they have to say...

It's called the afternoon munchies. Those evil little hours where you start to crave something. Where visions of buttered popcorn and candies and chips start to dance in your head. It's "make or break" time and you need a snack that's got your back.

That's why there's Special K™ Multi-Grain Crackers. Made with whole grains and oats and just a touch of honey, 17 yummy, crunchy crackers are 90 calories. So you can snack and still stay on track (which makes for one "happily ever afternoon").

 Not only do I enjoy these crunchy little treats but so do the kids !

Check out www.specialk.com for helpful hints on healthy lifestyle and support. They give excellent advise on fitness, nutrition and lifestyle!

TODAY!

What a great day! I was able to talk with some young women and mothers in our community! It was great to share my enthusiasm for health with others! Thanks to Merle Norman Cosmetics and Dr Jon Frankel for their kind donations today!

***Thank you to the women who were open to my conversation. It was great to hear your dreams and goals! Remember this is not easy and don't give up, keep moving forward! You go girls!

Challenge Monday!

  Challenge Monday is focusing on the positive "To Do" behaviors this week!
CHALLENGE: Have a healthy snack between lunch and dinner. Focus on the time after lunch, but before you sit down to eat dinner!

I know many people who tell me that when they get home from work they are so hungry and seem to make unhealthy decisions! They grab for easy convenient food, that may not always be healthiest choice! So make sure you plan ahead!

• Have a fruit and pair it with a protein.
• Have some fresh veggies cut up and in the fridge when you get home.
• Take a healthy snack bar in your car for the ride home!

This may seem like an easy challenge, but I hope it is useful and you make it a regular daily routine! It will cut down on bigger portions and over indulging at dinner time!

~Please share your healthy snack with me on my facebook page, and inspire others!

Salad Love

I love salads! Salads with fruit, salads with veggies, you name it, I love it! I want to share my most recent fabulous find! A friend of mine shared this with me, and I can’t stop eating it!

You will need:

·        2 tbsp. Olive oil

·        1 tbsp.Honey

·        2 tsp. Lemon

·        1 clove Garlic

·        4 tsp. Balsamic Vinegar

·        Sliced Apple

·        Crumbled goat cheese

·        Grapes sliced

·        Almonds

·        Dried cranberries

   

Salads are a wonderful way to fill up, with a small calorie price tag! My advice is to order a salad before your meal or make a wonderful  salad to take to a party! But remember the rules!

·         Limit your dried fruits and nuts!

·         Look for low calorie dressing and go light on the cheeses!

·         Pile high the veggies and fruits!

·         Avoid high calories meats, and look for lean chicken or fish instead!

Salads can be a great tool to help you lose or maintain a healthy weight, but if you don’t watch your dressing and topping it can actually slow down your weight loss efforts!

 Let me know what you think on Facebook at Always Healthy Mom!