Category Archives: Diet

My Favorite Paleo Recipes – Part 1: Breakfast

24 Monday Mar 2014

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week105If you are a regular follower of my blog, you will know that me eating Paleo didn’t happen overnight; it took years of trial and error plus refinement to determine what works best for my body and myself. If you are also a fellow Paleo eater, or are curious as to what one eats when following the Caveman Diet, I am going to share with some of my favorite go-to foods for breakfasts, snacks, lunches, dinners and desserts in a five part series. First up, breakfast. These are all delish! Inbox me with your own favorite Paleo breakfasts!

Cinnamon Roll Smoothie
This is a super easy recipe and is like dessert for breakfast! In a mixture, add: 1/2 cup almond milk, 1/2 cup coconut water (or more almond milk), 1 frozen banana, 1 tablespoon hemp seeds (or nut of choice), 1/2 teaspoon chia seeds, 1 tablespoon raisins, 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (or more to taste), 1 scoop vanilla Fat Flush Body Protein (or your favorite protein powder) and a handful or two ice. Blend all. Serve with more raisins and a sprinkle of cinnamon.

Almond Zucchini Bread
Moist and delish! Preheat oven to 350° F and grease two mini bread loaf pans. Combine 1 1/2 cups almond flour, 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon cinnamon in a small bowl and set aside. Combine 3 omega-3 eggs, 3 tablespoons maple syrup, 1 mashed banana and 1 tablespoon melted coconut oil in a stand mixer and beat on medium for about 2 minutes. Or combine in a large bowl and whisk together vigorously. Add 1 cup grated zucchini (water squeezed out) and mix until combined. Pour dry ingredients into wet and mix until incorporated. Pour batter into loaf pans. Bake for 32-35 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes. Transfer bread out of loaf pan and cool on wire rack. Makes 2 mini loaves.

Scrambled Egg Whites with Spinach, Tomatoes and Turkey
One of my ultimate favorites! Brown 1 pound lean ground turkey in a medium skillet until cooked through and lightly browned. Drain excess juices from the pan. Place turkey in a bowl and set aside. Wipe the pan clean with a paper towel. Scramble 8 egg whites until dry. Add scrambled eggs to cooked turkey. In a small skillet coated with cooking spray, lightly sauté 2 coarsely chopped tomatoes, 2 c. shredded spinach and 1 clove garlic, minced or pressed through garlic press. In a large skillet combine all ingredients and mix until evenly distributed. Season with sea salt and pepper to taste and serve immediately. Serves 6.

Bacon and Heirloom Tomato Frittata with Basil
Preheat oven to 350° F. In a medium bowl whisk 12 large omega-3 eggs together and add 1 clove of the minced garlic, 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil, 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, 1/2 teaspoon sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste. Cut 1/2 pound turkey bacon (8 slices) into 1/4 inch strips and cook in a 10 inch, cast iron skillet until almost crispy and much of the fat has rendered. Using a slotted spoon, scoop out the bacon into a separate dish and reserve. Drain all but two tablespoons of the fat. Add 1 medium diced red onion diced and cook in the remaining bacon fat on medium heat until soft, about 3 minutes. Add another 1 clove of the minced garlic and cook for another minute. Add the bacon back to the pan and spread out evenly. Gradually pour the egg mixture into the hot pan and allow to cook on medium until the edges begin to cook and the eggs have cooked about halfway. Gently place heirloom tomatoes (in different sizes and colors cut into thick 1/2 inch slices) and onion slices on top of the eggs. Top with a few of the fresh basil leaves. Place the skillet in the oven and cook for approximately 20 minutes until the middle of the frittata is cooked. Remove from the oven and let the frittata set up and cool off slightly for about 5 minutes. Top with more fresh basil leaves and serve warm. Serves 6-8.

Banana Pancakes
Sift together 1 1/4 cup blanched almond flour, 1/4 cup coconut flour, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda and 1/4 teaspoon sea salt. In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 cup full fat coconut milk, 1 ripe mashed banana (about 1/2 cup), 3 large omega-3 eggs, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and 1 tablespoon raw honey (optional). Pour 1/4 cup of batter onto a heated griddle greased with cooking spray. Cook the pancakes for 2-3 minutes per side until bubbling stops. Serve plain or top with honey, berries, walnuts, or almond butter. Serves 4-6.

Coconut Waffles
Mix together 1/2 cup coconut flour, 1/2 cup vanilla Fat Flush Body Protein (or your favorite protein powder), 1/4 cup fresh or canned pumpkin puree, 1/2 cup almond milk, 2 omega-3 eggs, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1/4 teaspoon baking soda, and cinnamon to smell and taste. Pour about 1/3 cup batter into a heated waffle maker. Heat until no more steam rises from the waffle maker. Serve plain or top with honey, berries, walnuts or almond butter.

Be Fit. Be Strong. Be Well.
Adriana

What’s All the Hype About CrossFit?

20 Thursday Mar 2014

Posted by in Cardio, Diet, Exercising, Fitness Classes, Health and Wellness, Nutrition, Paleo, Setting Goals, Training, Weight Training

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week101CrossFit. It seems to be all the rage. Gyms just for CrossFit are popping up everywhere with family members and friends of mine joining this latest fitness craze that has taken off like wildfire.

So I went exploring to check it out and see what this so-called “ultimate power combination” was all about. I checked out a few nearby facilities, reviewed their membership plans, and even contemplating investing in a CrossFit gym not too far from my home. But in the end, I decided CrossFit wasn’t for me (due to my longstanding lower back issues) but it might be the right fitness regimen for you! Here’s more.

Greg Glassman first came up with CrossFit back in the 1990s. Prior, Glassman first coached gymnastics at a local YMCA in Southern California and later trained professional athletes and celebrities in local gyms. He discovered high intensity workouts worked best with his clientele and later concluded bodybuilding and endurance programs should be incorporated when he began training law enforcers. In 1995, Glassman took his developed fitness technique and opened up his first official CrossFit gym in Santa Cruz. His program received immediate attention and recognition. Six years later, he launched crossfit.com as an open source program – meaning anybody could now use his program – that includes a library of workout and exercise demo videos, an active discussion forum and the Workout of the Day. Then a few subsequent years later, Glassman took CrossFit to another level by launching an affiliation program. Today, members of more than 9,000 affiliated gyms practice CrossFit worldwide.

Getting back to the program itself. CrossFit is a very unique strength and conditioning exercise regimen with the goal of bettering one’s muscular strength, cardio-respiratory endurance, and flexibility. This is accomplished by stringing together a perpetually varied mix of skills and drills that most commonly associated with Olympic weight lifting, gymnastics, and metabolic conditioning. All movements are continuous, diverse and performed at high intensities to help the exerciser to ultimately become more dexterous with their accuracy, agility, balance, cardiovascular endurance, coordination, flexibility, power, speed, stamina, and strength.

Workouts include short but intense movements using your body weight, such as air squats, back extensions, box jumps, burpees, cartwheels, dips, handstands and handstand push-ups, hanging knees-to-elbows and toes-to-bar, hip extensions, holds, jump rope, kips, L-sits, lunges, muscle-ups, pirouettes, pull-ups, push-ups, ring dips, rope climbs, scales, and sit-ups. For distance and endurance, it’s biking, running, swimming, and rowing. Weight training is a mix of barbell snatches, bench presses, clean lifts, deadlifts, kettlebell swings, power cleans, push presses, snatches, squats, thrusters, and wallballs with a medicine ball.

The key is to constantly move, constantly challenge yourself and constantly advance your abilities; to become measurably stronger, faster, and fitter. And due to CrossFit’s intensity level, it also yields a very high calorie-burning capacity with the actual count based on the participant’s physical abilities, weight and aerobic capacity on top of the actual workout itself.

When it comes to nutrition, CrossFit devotees typically indulge on a diet rich in vegetables, lean meats, nuts and seeds and, in more particulars, 30 percent protein, 40 percent carbohydrates and 30 percent fat, with the principles and guidelines of the CrossFit diet duplicating those in the Paleo Diet. Hence by combining two very distinct lifestyles together, participants will not only feel better but also perform better and possibly experience mouth-dropping results.

So if you have your own curiosity about CrossFit, check out a local CrossFit gym. Most offer free passes or the first month at a discount so you can first hand determine if this fitness program is for you. You never know what you will discover unless you give it a go.

Be Fit. Be Strong. Be Well.
Adriana

Eating a Paleo Diet

17 Monday Mar 2014

Posted by in Diet, Health and Wellness, Nutrition, Paleo

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week102A few years back, I was having digestive issues. When I couldn’t seem to figure out the cause myself, I went to see a gastroenterologist who happened to be just about nine months pregnant. After discussing my digestive problems, examining my health and reviewing my diet, she just plain out told me to stop eating processed food.

“No processed food?” I had instantly thought to myself. “No more pumpkin pancakes, chocolate cake or oatmeal raisin cookies?”

I could understand possibly see why she would suggest such a thing, but how? At the time, I ate 85% “healthy,” but to go 100%? Ouch! I loved having a treat now and then as a reformed sweet and bread eater. It seemed like the impossible and unlikely.

Instead, I began eating a gluten-free diet. After doing further research myself, to me that seemed like a better answer and route. I created a list of all the foods I could eat along with all those I needed to avoid and carried the list around with me to restaurants and grocery stores. I was determined to beat my digestive issue and finding foods that were a gluten-free seemed like a challenging fun game to me.

To quicken my story here, eating gluten-free did not solve my issues; in certain respects, it made it worse. By then, my gastroenterologist was well into her maternity leave, so I continued fiddle around with my diet on my own. In the end, I discovered on my own what worked best for me was a diet of lean poultry, fresh water fish, seafood, garden vegetables, fresh fruit, omega-3 eggs, nuts, seeds, and fresh water. That’s it. By the time I reached this point with my eating, I was complete off processed foods and dairy and on my own terms – except for an occasional frozen yogurt as a special treat. And this time, it was easily achievable – and all of my digestive issues were gone.

Fast forward my diet quest further, and it wasn’t until I saw a chef on TV making banana ice cream, and I Googling the recipe afterward, that I connected the dots and realized that my eating habits were actually Paleo. A diet rich in the foods that can be fished and hunted as listed above plus grass-fed red meat and healthful oils – olive, flaxseed and nut – and all free of any food additives. An avid Paleolithic practitioner may also break down their diet and consume 56–65% of their foods from animals and 36–45% from plants. Foods not Paleo are dairy, grains and grain-like seeds, legumes, refined vegetable oils, salt, starchy vegetables, refined sugar, and processed food. Bingo! I my diet had a name and a following!

The Paleo diet (also known as the Paleolithic, Caveman, Stone Age, or Hunter-Gatherer Diet) may be one of the most talked about nutritional plans of today, but it actually first became popular back in the 1970’s when gastroenterologist Walter Voegtlin, MD self-published “The Stone Age Diet: Based on In-depth Studies of Human Ecology and the Diet of Man.” In his writings, he claimed humans are carnivorous animals and should feast on a diet a Paleolithic diet of our ancestors – mainly fats, protein, and small amounts of carbs. Dr. Voegtlin came to this conclusion after treating various digestive problems, including colitis, Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel syndrome and indigestion. In the subsequent years, Stanley Boyd Eaton, MD; Melvin Konner, MD, PhD; anthropologist Marjorie Shostak; Staffan Lindeberg, MD, PhD and others followed and supported Dr. Voegtlin’s findings with their own published articles and books.

Today, physicians around the globe often recommend the Paleo diet to their patients suffering from serious illnesses or diseases and digestive issues, like myself. Studies also show that eating a Paleo diet benefits “healthy” individuals by helping to reduce their risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and most chronic degenerative diseases. It is known to slow down or reverse progression of autoimmune diseases, improve or eliminate acne; better mental outlook and clarity, aide in losing weight if one is overweight, and increase energy levels, athletic performances and libido.

For me, I’ve never felt better since following a Paleo diet; eating a “truly healthy” and process-free diet without any man-made foods and additives. So my question to you is why wait until you are sickly or possibly facing a life threatening illness to change what you are digesting in your body? Eating man-made foods, which misleadingly looks more appealing and may taste more appetizing, is simply not what your body needs or was originally intended to digest and breakdown. Just a thought to ponder. You have one body and one life. Treat it like the lifelong investment is truly is and watch what you digest. Can’t do like I had once thought? Sure you can! What it really comes down to simply mind over matter, wellness over weakness.

Be Fit. Be Strong. Be Well.
Adriana

Unconventional Motivational Tips to Get or Stay Fit

13 Thursday Mar 2014

Posted by in Diet, Health and Wellness, Setting Goals

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week104I am often asked how I stay so motivated to go to the gym and remain fit. With me, it’s easy since going to a fitness center and working out is actually a pure passion of mine. In this sense, I realize I am fortunate, and it also chimes in perfectly with the saying, ‘Do what you love and never work.’ Hence, “working out” isn’t work to me; it’s fun. I have always loved it and love seeing the results on my body.

While I am very self-motivated and self-disciplined, I also expose myself to self-created motivational goodies, no matter how big or how small, that pass in front of my very eyes during any given day of the week, if not all. It’s a means of surrounding myself with positive images that reinforce my chosen path to live, eat, sleep, and breath a healthy and fit lifestyle and keep me in the mental state of mind over matter. Not that I need to be encouraged, but with temptations everywhere, it’s just nice to have an added third-party support.

Below are just a few unconventional motivational ways you can incorporate into you everyday life and surround yourself to stay inspired you and remain on track – may it to be lose weight, change your eating habits, or just to maintain – as staying in shape is much mental as it is physical.

Swimsuit Catalogs – Great for when at home!
These are just not for the female shopper or guy gawker! Turn the pages of these booklets and get inspired and motivated by the fit models clad in skimpy bikinis. Leave the catalogs open to the pages of the model(s) that inspire you most. Tear a few out pages and place them strategically on your fridge’s door, bathroom mirror, closet entrance, or other location(s) in your home.

Social Media – Great when on the go!
Are you a social media user? If so, this will be easy for you. Pick your favorite network – Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Google+ or other – and follow users who post, tweet, and pin tips and tricks to staying fit … including videos of exercises, diet recipes, links to informative articles, motivational quotes, and photos of inspirational end results.

Trophy Clothing – Great when grabbing a snack!
Dying to get into a pair of favorite old jeans or a certain bikini for an upcoming trip? Is your top feeling snug or no longer fitting? Place that article of clothing upfront and right inside your refrigerator so when you open the fridge door – bingo! – it’s the first thing you see. Just its mere presence will immediate remind you of your goal and remind you to choose your food wisely when in the fridge.

Bathroom Scale – Great to stay on track!
You may prefer not to, but getting on the bathroom scale every day at the same time is another means to staying on track with losing weight or maintaining your goal. Keep in mind it’s natural for your body to fluctuate by a few pounds, but, by getting on the scale, it will assist you to stay in check and help prevent you from gaining any unsuspecting weight.

The Sports Bra – Great reality check!
This is easily accomplished if you live alone or with a partner. Walk around your home a little bit longer, prior to getting fully dressed for the day, in your bra and panties, sports bra and shorts/sweat pants, or another motivating combination that reveals yourself. This forces you to see your body as it is right now and should help motivate you to lose the pounds or continue to maintain your goal weight.

The Wristband – Great reminder!
Some of us eat right-handed, others left. Whichever hand you naturally gravitate to when grabbing a utensil, this is the one you wear either a special wristband or bracelet as another visual reminder you are what you eat and you need to stay true to your fitness goal. Perhaps it’s a present to yourself for reaching your fitness goal. Whatever you choose to wear, keep it on to keep you going.

It’s all mind over matter as the purpose for all of these tactics listed below is to simply surround yourself with positive and encouraging reinforcements and influences as an extra built-in support system and to top off your already existing diet plan and regular workouts. Just sneak in the above visual motivators into your days and soon you, too, will be the one your friends turn to and ask, “How do stay motivated to workout and stay fit?”

Be Fit. Be Strong. Be Well.
Adriana

Healthy Banana Desserts

03 Monday Mar 2014

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week98Who doesn’t love bananas? Who doesn’t love desserts? Combine them together and it’s a win-win sweet ending to any meal or a delicious treat when snacking in-between.

Perhaps you remember my mentioning how bananas are my Mother’s favorite fruit. In “The Bulging Benefits of Bananas,” I shared how Mom would always buy a bunch or two from the grocer, encourage us to snack on these white soft fruits every day, and how she would add several into delicious homemade meals and, better yet, desserts.

I also cited how bananas are loaded with nutrients, vitamins, and minerals, including potassium, fiber, B vitamins, tryptophan, and the good sugars – glucose, fructose and sucrose. And how eating this fruit daily has ample health benefits, such as fighting depression, curing hangovers, relieving morning sickness, and helping to protect against kidney cancer, diabetes, osteoporosis and blindness, and more. Plus benefits one who never think of – reducing the itch and swell of a mosquito bite by placing the inside of the banana peel against it and the same for removing warts.

But let’s get back to the desserts. Bananas make an excellent ingredient to add to cakes, cookies, pies, puddings, and more. They are especially delish when paired up with peanut butter, oats, apples, or dark chocolate.

Since healthy desserts are often hard to find, I thought I’d share a few of my favorite banana desserts. Try one or try them all!

Banana, Apple and Almond Butter Smoothie
In a blender, add 2 frozen bananas (peeled and cut in chunks), 1 medium apple (cored and quartered), 1/4 cup almond butter, 1/2 cup almond milk (or soy milk, non-fat milk, or coconut water), and 1 pinch nutmeg (optional). Blend until smooth. Add ice for additional thickness.

Banana, Apple and Walnut Bread
Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly spray a 9-inch loaf pan. In a medium-sized bowl, mash 2 ripe bananas with a fork. Add 1 peeled and diced apple, 1/2 cup Sucanat or Stevia, 1 3/4 cups whole-wheat flour, 1/2 cup applesauce, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1 teaspoon cinnamon to the bowl, and mix well. Pour into greased pan, and sprinkle with chopped 1 tablespoon chopped walnuts. Bake for 40 to 50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out dry. Cool in pan for 15 minutes, and then transfer to a cooling rack.

Banana Carrot Cake with Blackberries
Preheat oven to 350°F. Mash 2 large and ripe
 bananas with a fork, add 3 eggs and 2 tablespoons coconut oil and whisk together. Add 3/4 cup almond milk, 1/2 cup brown rice flour, 1 cup rolled oats, 1 tablespoon chia seeds (optional), 1 teaspoon vanilla, a pinch of salt, and a pinch of saffron. Stir. Shred two carrots and ground 1 cup walnuts. Add to the mixture and stir. Grease the inside of 2 large 8-inch tartlet tins with coconut oil. Pour the batter into the tins and bake for about 30 minutes. Serve the cake while warm and top each with fresh blackberries and roasted almonds.

Banana Cream Pie
Peel 4-6 ripe bananas and cut in half. Place in a Ziploc bag or container and freeze overnight. For the crust, add 2 cups of unroasted, unsalted almonds into a food processor and process until ground. With processor still running, add a touch of maple syrup in a slow thin drizzle. Press crust mixture into a medium size pie plate with your finger, spatula, or wooden spoon. Next, fill crust with a generous amount of banana ice cream using a spatula or wooden spoon to evenly distribute and smooth out. Top pie with fresh fruit – blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, or blackberries.

Banana Foster
Peel 3 large firm ripe bananas and cut into medallions. Heat one tablespoon of coconut oil over medium heat in a large, heavy skillet and add bananas. Cook for 2-3 minutes, just until tender and turns brown. Serve warm over banana ice cream or Greek yogurt.

Banana Ice Cream
Peel 2 medium bananas and cut into medallions. Freeze until it hardens, about an hour or two. Remove and blend in a food processor or blender until smooth and creamy. Add 3 tablespoons almond butter and teaspoons honey and blend OR add 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder, 2 tablespoons coconut milk and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla. Both combos are delish or toss in fresh berries. You can also just eat just plain. Transfer to freezable container and freeze for a few more hours. Then serve and indulge!

Banana Muffins
Preheat oven to 325°F. Mash 2 very ripe bananas with a fork until mostly smooth. Stir in 2 eggs, coconut 1/4 cup melted coconut oil, 2 tablespoons honey, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1 teaspoon and apple cider vinegar. Additional optional add-ins include: 1/4 cup shredded coconut, 1/4 cup chopped nuts or seeds, 1/4 cup shredded carrot or shredded zucchini, 1/4 cup dried cranberries or raisins, or 1/4 cup dark chocolate chips. Mix together 1 cup almond flour, sifted 1/4 cup coconut flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda. Add to mixture until well blended. Let batter rest for 5 to 10 minutes to allow the coconut flour to absorb the liquids. Fill paper-lined or well-greased muffin tins 2/3 full and bake 15 to 20 minutes. Test for doneness with a toothpick. Cool for 10 minutes then remove muffins to a wire rack. Makes 12 regular-size muffins.

Banana Oatmeal Cookies
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Mash 3 ripe bananas and mix with the 3 cups oats (preferably not instant), 1/2 cup skim milk and 1 egg. Add in 2 tablespoons Stevia (or other sugar substitute), 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, and 1 tablespoon peanut butter (optional). Other optional add-ins area 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips or raisins. Grease a cookie tray with cooking spray and spoon the mixture on to make around 9 large cookies. Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown. Store in an airtight container.

Banana Peanut Butter Pudding
Puree 15 ounces chickpeas (or 15 ounces garbanzo beans), 1 banana, 2 tablespoons peanut butter, 1 tablespoon honey, 1 teaspoon honey in a blender, food processor, or hand blender. Spoon into serving bowls and refrigerate before serving.

Frozen Chocolate-Covered Bananas
Line a baking sheet with parchment or wax paper. Peel and cut 4 large ripe bananas into thirds crosswise. Insert a Popsicle stick into each piece of banana. Cover each piece with melted dark chocolate using a rubber spatula and sprinkle with shredded coconut or crushed nuts. Place the bananas on the baking sheet and freeze until frozen, about 2 hours. Indulge or store airtight in the freezer for up to one week.

Be Fit. Be Strong. Be Well.
Adriana

The Biggest Loser Resort – A Fit and Fun Getaway

24 Monday Feb 2014

Posted by in Diet, Healthy Getaway

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week97When it comes time to book some R&R, the choices are endless. In addition to the typical island and European holidays, there are bicycle tours, family vacations, ski trips, honeymoons, sailing adventures, girls’/guys’ weekends, kayaking excursions, dream destinations, golf outings, spa retreats, tennis resorts, safari expeditions, hiking treks, maiden voyages, ski trips, boot camps … and getaways just for weight loss.

A weight loss vacation might not sound alluring or all that exciting, but for those who are serious but dropping the pounds and need a little assistance to jump start their journey, today’s programs have advanced to have a pampering feel. Now in breathtaking destinations, these luxurious getaways include beautiful four- and five-start accommodations, delicious low-calorie meals from world-class chefs, expert advice from the best, engaging group activities, scenic outdoor excursions, rejuvenating spa treatments, new friendships, unforgettable memories, and more in addition to losing those unwanted pounds – the whole point of this getaway in case one almost forgot.

One popular weight loss escape is the Biggest Loser Resort – yes, as in the TV reality show, and yes, it truly does exit – but minus the cameras, lights, and Hollywood hoopla. But you do get to live out the fantasy! You do still get an attentive crew to help with your transformation and will receive the utmost attention and support from certified trainers, registered dietitians, holistic nutritionists, life coaches, and licensed professional counselors. Participants as young 14 are welcome.

For those who are overweight and are better off losing the weight for multiple reasons, the supportive environment at the Biggest Loser Resort is ideal. The award-winning program (see special note below) is designed to help their guests not only to succeed and become lighter on the scale but improve their aerobic endurance, tone their muscles, increase their flexibility, detoxify, and most of all gain the much needed confidence – a CAN DO attitude – that they CAN lose the weight and they CAN keep it off … for good. They learn which exercises work best for them, the correct forms, how to prepare healthy meals, and more empowering instructions.

Guests receive an outlined itinerary daily that includes seven hours of exercise, educational lectures, and three meals and dessert for 1200 calories. Days start early at 6:00 a.m. and are jam-packed throughout and into the early evening with the various workouts such as stretching classes, toning sessions, circuit training, core work, strength training, yoga, aerobics, water aerobics, Pilates, Zumba®, kickboxing, scenic hikes, indoor cycling, and more plus. The educational classes discuss weight loss strategies, meal planning, emotional eating, cooking demos, and more plus how to continue with the Biggest Loser program once they return home. Nighttime is free downtime where guests can indulge in spa treatments, time with newly discovered friends, or kicking back poolside with a good book.

Also worth mentioning is the spa cuisine, which is a welcome dining experience in itself. Organic vegetable omelets, oatmeal with berries or fruit and granola are just some of the delicious healthy choices for breakfast. Wraps, soups, and salads for lunch. Shakes, hummus and veggies, or homemade granola nut bars for a snack. Guests can choose mouth-watering fresh fish or free-range chicken for dinner and heavenly cinnamon apples or coconut haystacks for dessert. All just delish and will make you forget you are actually dieting.

Accommodations
There are all four all-inclusive Biggest Loser Resort locations in four very different settings – the Spa at Eaglewood in Chicago, IL; the Spa at Fitness in Ridge Ivins, UT; the Spa at Fitness Ridge in Malibu, CA; and Spa Alexis in Niagara, NY. Pick the destination that suits you best and will inspire you most! Guests may choose private, semi-private, and double occupancy accommodations priced by the number of selected weeks. Two weeks is an ideal minimum stay. All locations, except for Niagara, also offer the “Town Program” to local residents who do not need the overnights. Costs include meals, daily activities, and educational series. Spa treatments are additional. Amenities at each location vary. Review each location before deciding. Financing is offered American Health Care Lending. For reservations, call 877-550-1786 or visit BiggestLoserResort.com.

Nearby Activities
Well, you are on a mission here; to learn new fitness and nutritional ways for a healthier you. Clearly this is your main focus so any nearby activities and attractions may only be distractions and should not be of top of mind on this getway. My advice is put all your eggs into one basket. Maximize your time and attention to achieving your goal at the resort and learning how to best continue the path of success after you return home.

Getting There
This of course depends of which Biggest Loser Resort location you select. If you are flying to the Spa at Eaglewood in hoping to find time to play on its championship golf course, Chicago has two international airports, O’Hare (ORD), 12.9 miles from the resort, and Midway (MDW), 25 miles. When choosing the Spa at Fitness Ridge Ivins with its glorious location near the Big Red Mountains, your best bet is to fly into St. George Municipal (SGU), only 22 miles away. If the Pacific Ocean is calling your name and you have your heart set on the Spa Fitness Ridge in Malibu, Burbank Bob Hope Airport (BUR) is your closest airport, 34 miles from the resort. You may also chose to fly into Los Angeles (LAX), 46 miles away, or Long Beach (LGB), 55 miles. Book your flight to the Buffalo-Niagara International Airport (BUF) if you are headed to the Spa Alexis nestled in a 300-acre outdoor wonderland complete with it’s own private lake. Car rental, taxi, and shuttle service are available from all above airports once you arrive.

Special Note
The Biggest Loser Resort is award-winning! It received Spa Magazine’s Readers’ Choice Silver Sage Award for “Best Weight Loss Spa,” placed second in Spas of America’s Top 50 Spas, and voted Best for Hiking in the SpaFinder Magazine’s Readers’ Choice Award competition. The resort also won SpaFinder Readers’ Choice Awards in multiple categories, including “Best Fitness Program,” “Best for Weight Loss,” “Best for Hiking,” and “Best for Affordability,” and other awards.

So if buddying up and working with a trainer has always produced the best results for you, then pack up your sneakers, workout clothes, and bathing suit and head to the closest airport for the most alluring Biggest Loser Resort. The time is now to get a kick-start on your weight loss program. If you do, you’ll never look back.

Be Fit. Be Strong. Be Well.
Adriana

How Fast is Too Fast for Weight Loss

17 Monday Feb 2014

Posted by in Diet, Health and Wellness, Metabolism, Muscles, Nutrition

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week94When The Biggest Loser contestant Rachel Frederickson won Season 15 of the television reality show, the public and the media went on a frenzy – her weight loss gone too far. During the taping of the show and the three months proceeding, the voice-over artist from Los Angeles dropped from 260 to an unrecognizable 105 pounds to claim the season’s crown and $250,000 cash prize. Her astonishing 155-pound weight lost, equivalent to 59.62% of her starting body weight, was achieved from daily six hours workouts and limiting her diet to 1,600 calories a day.

At 5’4” and 105 pounds, 24-year-old Rachel is now the exact same size of me. So of course, I will disagree with the self-claim body critics who will say she’s too thin and that she is anorexic. I like my size. And I think Rachel looks great! I believe it’s perhaps more about the shock of going from an unhealthy, obese body size to where she is today in the rapid speed of time to complete. In just under eight months. Wow! Now that is motivation and discipline. Or is it insanity and starvation?

To be fair, a swift weight loss can occur when a person of obese size stops eating poorly, frequently, and in overly amounts with little or no exercise in their day-to-day life and instead switches to eating wisely and healthy with the right foods in the right amounts and with an exercise program approved by their physician or personal trainer. The pounds can drop off. Easily 10 or more a week initially, depending on your starting size, and less as time passes. And of course, results are even quicker when you are on a national television show and have the constant support and guidance from a personal trainer and dietician.

So for those who aren’t cast on a weight lose show, what is a good rule of thumb to follow when it comes to losing weight? How much is too much and how much is too little? How much should you lose versus can lose?

There is no perfect answer to these questions since there are several baseline factors to consider. Starting weight. Goal weight. Metabolism. Genetics. Health conditions. Diet restrictions. Discipline. Exercise regimen. Support system. Lifestyle. Environment. And more.

However, if you want to lose weight and keep it off, your goal should be just one to two pounds a week. That’s all. It may not sound like a lot, but remain patient, dedicated, and consistent and you will see your hard work will pay off over time. Plus losing weight at a slow steady pace reduces the risk of unwanted side effects and increases the likelihood that you will be able to keep the weight off long term, like with The Biggest Loser Season 1 winner Ryan Benson, who started at 330, dropped to 208 and is now at 300 and Season 3 winner Erik Chopin, who began at 407, plummeted to 193 and is back up to 368.

Rapid weight loss is unhealthy and ineffective. It can cause dehydration, fatigue, dry skin and nails, hair loss, bloating, constipation, gallstones, iron and nutrient deficiencies, mineral loss, liver damage, heart disease, osteoporosis, and more. And if you are losing more than a couple of pounds a week, your body perceives it’s in starvation and will start burning muscle for needed fuel and energy. With less muscle mass, your metabolism automatically slows down and burns fewer calories.

As with any weight loss plan, consult with your primary physician first and request a complete physical before dieting. He or she can help you select a diet plan that is right for you and the correct amount of calories. Discuss an exercise program that is appropriate for your age, existing, fitness level, and goal. Finally, keep a dairy to help with your own personal weight loss journey. Track your daily food intakes and times along with the triggers that cause you to want to eat outside your meals and snacks. Document your exercise regimen, nightly hours of sleep, and your daily stress levels. Collectively, this will reveal your best recipe for your weight loss.

Be Fit. Be Strong. Be Well.
Adriana

Move Over Peanut Butter; You’re Being Replaced with Almond Butter

30 Thursday Jan 2014

Posted by in Diet, Health and Wellness, Nutrition

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week91One of my very favorite mid-morning snacks is a granny smith apple with a smooth and creamy almond butter. The crunchy tart fruit combined with the smooth nutty butter is an A+ in my book and shields my tummy from hunger pangs for the next few hours. And often a long hike, I will treat myself to a 1/2 to 1 cup serving of Healthy Choice’s vanilla bean Greek yogurt with, again, almond butter. I simply love the taste, topping the classic peanut butter, and it’s a bit healthier for you to boot.

Almond butter has more minerals than peanut butter, more fiber, fewer carbohydrates, and about half the amount of saturated fat. It is packed with vitamin E, potassium, magnesium, iron, calcium, phosphorus, and phytosterols – helping to regulate your body’s blood sugar, lower your risk of a heart attack, and reduce elevated cholesterol levels.

Perhaps I was a bit spoiled or lucky as I fell in love with the very first almond butter brand I ever purchased and tasted. I must confess, I became a little obsessed with new food now a staple in my diet, stocked up in my cupboard and initially eaten a few to several times a week.

If you decide to give almond butter a chance with your own taste buds, below are the almond butters I have tasted and tried. As with any other food item, when selecting an almond butter be certain to read the label. For your healthiest option, choose one that have undergone minimal heat processing and has very little added ingredients.

Barney Butter Almond Butter Smooth
This was the very first almond butter I tasted and remains my absolute favorite. Smooth and creamy, the taste tops any peanut butter I have ever eaten. Ever. It’s typically found in the organic section of the supermarket. Ingredients: almonds, evaporated cane juice, palm Fruit oil, sea salt. For those with allergies, Barney Butter is peanut free and made in an almond only facility. Other almond butters by Barney Butter include: Almond Butter Cocoa Coconut, Almond Butter Crunchy, Almond Butter Honey Flax, Almond Butter Raw Chia, Almond Butter Vanilla Bean Espresso, and Bare Almond Butter Smooth. Nutrients per 2 Tbsp. (32g) serving size: 180 Calories, 140 Fat Calories, 15g Total Fat (1.5g Saturated Fat, 0g Trans Fat), 6g Protein, 100mg Sodium, 8g Total Carbs (3g Dietary Fiber, 3g Sugars).

Jif Almond Butter Smooth

This is my second favorite of the almond butters. Like Barney Butter, no stirring is required and you can simply just start eating it right from the jar. But unfortunately, the Jif Almond Butter contains hydrated vegetable oils, which is an ingredient to be avoided. It’s found with the mainstream peanut butters in the supermarket. Ingredients: roasted almonds, hydrated vegetable oils (rapeseed, cottonseed and soybean), sunflower oil, contains 2% of or less of salt. For those with allergies, it contains cashew ingredients and may contain Brazil nut, hazelnut, macadamia nut and pine nut ingredients. Jif also makes Almond Butter Crunchy and two Cashew Butters, one smooth and one crunchy. Nutrients per 2 Tbsp. (33g) serving size: 190 Calories, 150 Fat Calories, 16g Total Fat (2g Saturated Fat, 0g Trans Fat), 7g Protein, 100mg Sodium, 8g Total Carbs (3g Dietary Fiber, 3g Sugars).

Justin Almond Butter Classic

This almond butter is very nutty and a more earthy and gritty taste. Unlike the other butters, it contains palm fruit oil, which is composed of 50% saturated fat and 50% unsaturated. It’s found in the organic section of the supermarket and also comes in convenient 32 packet sizes perfect for when on the go. Ingredients: dry roasted almonds and organic palm fruit oil. For those with allergies, it may contain trace amounts of peanuts and hazelnuts. Chocolate Almond Butter, Honey Almond Butter Blend, Maple Almond Butter, and Vanilla Almond Butter also made and are available by Justin. Nutrients per 2 Tbsp. (32g) serving size: 200 Calories, 160 Fat Calories, 18 Total Fat (2g Saturated Fat, 0g Trans Fat), 7g Protein, 100mg Sodium, 6g Total Carbs (2g Dietary Fiber, 7g Sugars).

Wegmans Organic Smooth Almond Butter Unsalted

This almond butter is also very nutty and gritty taste, needing to be stirred before using and refrigerated after opening. Of all of the almond butters, this one is my least favorite but perhaps you will feel differently as taste is, after all, a personally preference. It can be found in the organic section in Wegmans’ grocery stores. Ingredients: organic dry roasted unblanched almonds. For those with allergies, it may contain other tree nuts, peanuts and soy. Crunchy also available. Nutrients per 2 Tbsp. (30g) serving size: 190 Calories, 160 Fat Calories, 18 Total Fat (1.5g Saturated Fat, 0g Trans Fat), 5g Protein, 0mg Sodium, 6g Total Carbs (1g Dietary Fiber, 2g Sugars).

So the next time your picking up groceries, pick up a jar of almond butter and give it go as it’s all about finding healthy guilt-free options. A tablespoon tastes delish on whole-wheat toast, is a great kick in your morning oatmeal, adds boost to shakes and smoothies, and of course is yummy when filled in celery and topped on bananas. Enjoy!

Be Fit. Be Strong. Be Well.
Adriana

What’s for Dinner? Italian Night Makeover with Spaghetti Squash

27 Monday Jan 2014

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week88For those of you who are pasta lovers, but feel like you can’t just give up the carb-laden food, then perhaps it’s time for a quick makeover with spaghetti squash as your answer.

Found in grocery stores – August through March – in several varieties, spaghetti squash is a cylinder-shaped winter vegetable with inside strands similar to thin strings of pasta. Think capellini or angel hair spaghetti. Yum! The stands are yellower than spaghetti and provides a sweet, mild flavor. Best of all, it can be baked, boiled, microwaved, or slow cooked in a crockpot.

How nutritious is the spaghetti squash? Very! Low in calories (42 per cup), low in fat (> 0.5g per cup), and low in carbs (10g per cup), it’s a great choice for weight-loss or weight-management plans. It is packed with vitamins A, B-6, and C plus the minerals potassium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and sodium.

Ready to try it out? Below is one of favorite Italian dinner lineups for when I’m in the mood to indulge but don’t want the guilt. Make one or all! You can also top off your meal with your favorite bottle of Italian wine, a loaf of fresh whole wheat bread with olive oil, and espresso!

Italian Leafy Green Salad

In a large bowl, combine 2 cups romaine lettuce (torn, washed, and dried), 1 cup torn escarole, 1 cup torn radicchio, 1 cup torn red leaf lettuce, 
1/4 cup chopped green onions, 1/2 red bell pepper (sliced into rings), 1/2 green bell pepper (sliced in rings), and 12 cherry tomatoes. Set aside. Whisk together the 1/4 cup grapeseed oil, 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil, 
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar, and 2 tablespoons lemon juice. Add salt and pepper to taste. Pour over salad, toss and serve immediately.

Italian-Style Spaghetti Squash

Half 2 pounds spaghetti squash lengthwise and remove seeds. Place cut sides down in glass baking dish. Add 1/4 cup water and cover with plastic wrap. Microwave for 8-10 minutes until tender and cool slightly. Meanwhile in large skillet heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add 1 red onion thinly sliced and cook for 3 minutes until onion is translucent. Add 1 diced zucchini and cook 4-5 minutes. Add 4 diced tomatoes, 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes. Using a fork, scrape squash into bowl. Toss with 1 tablespoon olive. Spoon vegetable mixture over squash. Drizzle with more oil if desired. Garnish with 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese and 1 lemon sliced. Other option is instead of the vegetables, top with Cucina Antica’s Tuscany Pumpkin Pasta Sauce found online or at a whole food grocery store.

Almond Biscotti with Greek Frozen Yogurt

Preheat the oven to 325°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Chop 1/2 cup soaked and crisped almonds (pecans, walnuts, pistachios, or hazelnuts can be substituted) coarsely in the food processor or by hand, and set aside. In a dry food processor fitted with the “S” blade, grind 1 1/2 cups of your favorite sweetener (I use stevia) to a very fine powder. Add 1 2/3 cups almond meal, 1 cup arrowroot powder, 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon unprocessed salt, and 2 teaspoons nutritional yeast (optional buttery flavor). Spin it for a minute to a very fine powder. Open the lid, stir the bottom, replace the lid, and grind again until the powder is uniformly fine. To the dry ingredients in the food processor, add 3 eggs (at room temperature), 1 teaspoon guar gum (optional, for slightly less crumbling), 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract, zest of 1/2 lemon or orange, 1 teaspoon almond extract (optional), and 1/2 teaspoon ground anise seeds (optional). Pulse the nuts in briefly so they’re evenly distributed but not mush. Coat your hands with a bit of coconut oil. Remove the dough from the food processor. Divide it into two equal parts and place on the baking sheets. Shape each piece into a rectangular log about 10 inches long, 2 inches wide, and 1 inch thick at the thickest point. Bake for 20 minutes. If they begin to crack, remove from oven before they crack deeply. Let cool for 20 to 30 minutes in the pan on a rack. With a sharp knife on a cutting board, carefully slice each log diagonally into 1/2-inch-thick biscotti or a bit thicker. Place each piece flat on its side on the baking sheets. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes at 325°F. Turn over each slice and bake for 15 additional minutes, until slightly golden brown on the top. Transfer to a wire rack or a plate to cool. Serve after dinner with Healthy Choice’s vanilla bean Greek yogurt or enjoy with breakfast! Store extras in an airtight container.

A few more tips with the spaghetti squash. When selecting, be certain it is hard and surprisingly heavy for its size. Avoid squash with soft spots and green in color. Once home, store your spaghetti squash in a cool, dry place. You may also choose to freeze. After cutting, wrap the squash in plastic and store it in your refrigerator no more than two days.

Monja!

Be Fit. Be Strong. Be Well.
Adriana

15 Easy Diet Changes that Make a Big Difference

20 Monday Jan 2014

Posted by in Diet, Health and Wellness, Metabolism, Nutrition, Setting Goals

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week86Sometimes it’s the little things in life that counts and adds up to make a difference. Or another way to look at it, baby steps people! I’m referring to making small subtle changes to your daily diet to get you started to eating healthier. It’s how I started many years, and what I suggest to those who inquire how I reached my healthy eating levels of today.

Below are 15 simply changes you can do to your diet today that matter and will make a positive difference with your health and well-being.

#1. Eat within one hour of waking up in the mornings. While sleeping, your metabolism slows down, your body temp lowers, and your blood sugar level drops to conserve energy. To restart your engine and lower your risk for weight gain and obesity, eat a balance meal of lean proteins, complex carbs, and healthy fats within an hour of waking.

#2. Chew your food 30-50 times per mouthful. Chewing food thoroughly has several benefits, such as improving your digestion, eliminating bad breath, preventing excessive gas, and strengthening the immune system. It also takes up to 20 minutes for your brain to get the signal that your stomach is full. So between bites, place your utensil down and savor the moment.

#3. Avoid the whites: flour, sugar, salt, rice, potatoes and mayonnaise. Yes, don’t pass the salt, skip the sugar, and avoid white flour and mayonnaise. Yes, this means white pasta, white bread, and baked goodies made with white substances. All of these foods are absorbed quickly and cause a rapid spike in your blood sugar, which can result in weight gain plus is linked to an increased risk of diabetes and heart disease.

#4. Eat protein with every meal. Protein satisfies hunger and boosts metabolism. If you don’t eat enough, your body breakdowns and burns muscle to compensate which you want to avoid. For each meal, consume enough protein fitting the size of your palm; a total daily intake of ~46g for women and ~56g for men depending on your age, situation, and activity level.

#5. Stop eating processed food. Skip the convenience and forget the delish taste. Eating processed food is not worth you ingesting, doing more harm than good, loaded with preservatives, unnecessary carbohydrates, trans fats, extremely high levels of sodium, and often high fructose. Processed meats come full of synthetic chemicals, many of which are potentially carcinogenic. Need more be said?

#6. Pack your lunch. Not only will it save on your wallet, but your body will thank you. If you typically grab fast food or sit down at a restaurant with coworkers or clients, you are most likely eating more fat and calories than you need or realize. Instead, pack your lunch and know exactly what you are eating. It may take extra time in the mornings, but it’s well worth it in the long run.

#7. Don’t eat lunchmeat or hot dogs. Sorry ballpark hot dog fans, this is one treat to avoid. Any meat that is salted, cured, smoked, or preserved with nitrate is considered processed. This includes bacon and sausage. As mentioned in tip #5 above, they are full of synthetic chemicals and are possibly carcinogenic. They are also usually high in fats and salt, which means they are not heart-friendly, either.

#8. Carry and drink fresh H2O. Pass on the sodas and fruit drinks. Instead swig half your body water in water in ounces of water everyday. Not only is water is one of the best tools for weight loss, it flushes out toxins and waste products, reduces the risk of a heart attack and colon cancer in addition to keeping you hydrated, nourishes your skin, and facilitates your athletic activities among other numerous benefits.

#9. Pass on unhealthy trans fats. These are the bad guys, primarily found in foods containing margarine or vegetable shortening, such as fried foods, baked goods, packaged snacks, fast foods, full-fat cheeses, and lard. These man-made fats raise LDL cholesterol levels while lowering HDL cholesterol, increasing your risk of a heart attack, stroke, and possibly type two diabetes. Instead, choose foods with monounsaturated or polyunsaturated fats, including olive and canola oils, almonds and other nuts, seeds, avocados, and fatty fish, such as salmon.

#10. Eliminate red meat, now. Numerous studies year after year show a direct line with red meat consumption to diabetes, heart disease, cancer and other life-threatening conditions. This includes beef, pork, and lamb meats, which are all high in saturated fat and cholesterol. Most are filled with nitrates and have dangerous chemicals when cooked at high temps. Substitute your servings with fish and poultry.

#11. Eat every couple hours. Your body is like a clock. Eating every 2-3 hours will keep your metabolism high and your insulin levels stable, which in return keeps your energy up and your hunger under control. Going long periods without food can result in a breakdown and loss of muscle tissue, resulting in a slower metabolism, and a gorge out on your next meal.

#12. Pack a snack. Ever find yourself hungry when on the go? When this happens and you have nothing on hand, making a quick stop to grab a healthy snack can be challenging as you drive by fast food eateries or are tempted by the aroma of sweet treats when in a shopping mall. So before heading out, take along your favorite protein bar, a small bag of nuts, or grab an apple, pear, or banana to keep your metabolism going and ward off hunger.

#13. Eat fish 3 or more times per week or take a daily fish oil supplement. Protein packed, vitamin rich and low in saturated fat, fish is also great brain food. Most fish, such as salmon, tuna, and trout, contain omega-3 fatty acids, which keep arteries free of blockage, lower blood pressure, reduce inflammation, and aid in brain development and memory. The omega-3s will also decrease your risk of heart disease, stroke, arthritis, diabetes, and cancer.

#14. When your hunger stops, stop eating. No, you do not have to finish all the food on your plate and not after that feel so full you could burst feeling. Goodness knows that many restaurants today super-size their servings. Once your hunger is satisfied, it’s time to put down the fork and ask for a container to take the balance home.

#15. Don’t eat past 7:00 pm. A good rule of thumb to follow is to stop eating 3-4 hours before retiring to bed. After eating, it takes about 6-8 hours or more for food to pass through your stomach and small intestine, depending upon the type. Only a couple of hours after dinner, your body naturally begins preparing for sleep with a reduced metabolism and storage of fat recently consumed. The only calories you body needs are the basics to keep your heart beating, your lungs breathing, and your eyes moving in REM sleep overnight.

I can easily give you another 15 changes to make to your diet, but let’s start with these. Add in daily exercise to the above and you are off to a good starting plan you can follow and build on for the rest of your life.

Be Fit. Be Strong. Be Well.
Adriana