Yoga

Yoga as been defined as “union with the divine” and is used in many religions as a way to connect with God and gain peace. In health communities, it has been known to promote flexibility and balance. Read on for eight reasons to start practicing yoga today. 
yoga is beneficial!

Flexibility: The most obvious benefit of yoga is increased flexibility. You may not be able to touch your toes during the first session but with consistent sessions the muscles begin to lengthen and you will be able to touch them in no time.
Relieves Pain: As the muscles begin to loosen, aches and pain will disappear. Tight hips affect the knees and tight hamstring muscles create lower back pain. Studies show that two 90 minute sessions of yoga a week reduce soreness by 56 percent. Read more in The Woman’s Book of Yoga and HealthRead more

A Lighter Side of Chicken Parmesan

chc parm
We are all familiar with the cheesy, yummy goodness that is chicken parmesan. As one of my favorite dishes, I set out to create a lighter, diet-friendly version of this Italian classic. 17 Day Diet Cycle 3 Compliant recipe.
 

 

Ingredients:

3 slices whole wheat bread 
4 teaspoons Italian spice blend
1/2 teaspoon salt & pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder
2 egg whites
1/2 cup skim milk
1/2 cup flour
4 chicken breast
Olive oil spray
3 1/2 cups marinara sauce
3/4 cup shredded low fat mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup parmesan cheese

Directions:
Pound chicken until 1/2 inch thick.

Place flour into the first shallow baking dish.

Whisk egg whites and milk together in the second shallow dish.

Place bread into toaster and toast until golden brown. Remove from toaster and place in a food processor with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian spice blend. Pulse until crumbs are created and pour into the third shallow dish.

Line up ingredients on a counter and [...]

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Proper Portions

Understanding portion sizes is just as critical to dieting as understanding clean eating. Here is a guide to understanding proper portion sizes.  
baseball

A baseball (not a softball) is roughly the size of 1 cup. 1 cup is the appropriate serving for berries, cooked grains & pasta, most cereals, vegetables such as broccoli, green beans, and potatoes.

golf

Think of a golf ball when you reach for your peanut butter. It equals around two tablespoons packed with healthy fats and tons of calories. It is important to be portion conscience when eating nuts and nut butters. A golf ball can also be used to measure a serving of dried fruit.
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The average chicken breast is one and half to two servings of chicken. A serving of meat is 4 ounces [...]

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Chia Seeds!

Chia Seeds

Find out what chia seeds can do for your health and how to create a clean eating pudding. 

 

 

Almost overnight, chia seeds have gained over-whelming popularity in the health community. Are they worth all the hype? Yes. Chia seeds are packed full of health benefits and can be used to make some wonderful snacks. This powerful ancient food source is packed with fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidants. Just three tablespoons of chia seeds contains as much omega-3’s as 32 ounces of salmon. They provide all the benefits of fish oil supplements without the fishy after taste. Chia seeds can also be ground into flour and used in recipes to as a gluten free substitute. Look for them in health food stores, or purchase them online. I recommend the Bob’s Red Mill Chia SeedsRead more

Scorch Fat

It’s possible to boost your metabolism with simple tweaks to your daily routine. Making these small changes will make your body more effective in its battle against fat.
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Eat Breakfast 
It is more than just a name: break-fast. Your body has been deprived of nutrients while you have been slumbering. Skipping breakfast sends your body into starvation mode. Eat your morning meal every morning. Make it 20-40% of your daily caloric intake.
Drink Cold Water
Research shows that women who drank eight 12 oz glasses of water daily have a higher metabolic then those who only drank four glasses. Drinking cold water will also help burn a few more calories because your body has to heat the water before it can use it. See our 40 Fruit water recipes post.
Sip Green Tea & Java
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Get your Protein!

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Protein is one of the three macro nutrients your body needs but unlike carbohydrates and fat your body doesn’t store protein and is in need of a consist supply. Protein is responsible for tissue repair, growth, and energy. It also is one of the most filling nutrients and your body burns more calories metabolizing protein. The recommended daily value (RDA) for protein is .5 grams per pound. However, if you are pregnant or active your protein needs can increase to 1 gram per pound. If you aren’t getting enough protein, here are some easy and quick ways to add it to your diet.

Find out which protein supplement fits your life and goals best.

Protein Powder Supplements: The choices seem endless when discussing types of protein supplements. A common supplement choice is whey which is quick digesting and inexpensive. But is does contain [...]

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Flat Belly Diet

Find out how the Flat Belly Diet can help you lose 15 pounds in 32 days and learn lifetime healthy habits.
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BASICS
The basics of the diet are eating three meals and one snack a day each totaling 400 calories. You will eat 1600 calories daily with a Mediterranean-style eating plan and places an emphasis on eating real foods and avoiding processed ones. The key to the diet is eating a MUFA every meal. MUFA’s are monounsaturated fats found in nuts, seeds, dark chocolate, flax, avocado, and oils. In the Flat Belly Diet! book Coauthor and Registered Dietician Cynthia Sass explains, “research shows that MUFAs have health benefits and target belly fat. They also help control satiety, so by adding in one MUFA at [...]

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Eat Clean Tortilla Chicken Soup

This recipe is the perfect companion to any diet. It is a giant pot of protein and filling vegetables. The best part of this dish: it is made in the slow cooker.

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Recipe:

5 Chicken Breasts, boneless and skinless 
2 Jars of Salsa
1 Packet Reduced-Sodium Taco Seasoning (or 2 TBSP)
1 Onion
2 Peppers (Red, yellow, or green)
1 Bag Sliced Mushrooms
Juice from 1 Lime
1 Can (6oz) of Green Chillies
Chicken Broth (optional)

Directions:

Line your slow cooker with a Slow Cooker Liner to make clean up a breeze
Put the chicken in the slow cooker and squeeze the lime over the chicken
Add the packet of taco seasoning
Chop the onions, peppers, and mushrooms, throw on top of chicken
Empty the chillies and salsa on top
Cook on low for 6 hours
Remove Chicken and shred, return to slow cooker

Notes:

Add the chicken broth to thin the soup.
Top with whatever you please or what your diet allows. [...]

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Make your Goal a Reality

Six steps to get the ball rolling and keep it moving.
[caption id="attachment_555" align="alignnone" width="500"]Picture courtesy of Fitspoholic.tumblr.com Picture courtesy of Fitspoholic.tumblr.com[/caption]

1. DECIDE: You have to want it, really want it. Becoming fit and healthy doesn’t just happen because you want it. It happens because you want it so bad you are willing to invest in what it takes. You have to decide if weight loss/ toned arms/ running a marathon/ insert goal here is worth your life. Read more about setting goals if its just never been your thing in this book: The Magic Lamp: Goal Setting for People Who Hate Setting Goals.

2. SET: Set a goal, a realistic and measurable goal. Make your goal as specific as possible. Instead of “I want to look good in a bikini,” say “I want [...]

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At-Home Circuit

Picture courtesy of Social Cafe Magazine http://socialcafemag.com
Picture courtesy of Social Cafe Magazine http://socialcafemag.com.
I designed this circuit for when I am pressed for time. I prefer to workout in the morning and do so about five to six days a week. I normally head to the gym right out of bed but on the weekends, I just don’t have the time. The gym opens later and I have to be at work early. Therefore, I started this circuit to burn mega calories and tone up.

Do each exercise for one minute. Rest one minute after each circuit and repeat. Three circuits should take around 30 minutes. Using an interval timer will help you greatly. Get the Gymboss HOT PINK Interval Timer.

Lunges 
Squats
Push Ups
Bicycle Crunches
Jump Squats
X-Squats (plie squats and make an x with your [...]

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