WHAT'S NEW DOWN THE AISLE..

SMART ONES- Has a NEW product containing 30% more per serving. From weight watchers- Each package promises to contain 400 calories or less & 25 grams of protein.  The portion sizes are nice, and there are handful of new varieties. I personally do not consume this product but it would be a nice meal and perfectly portioned out for you to stay on track. Remember calories in vs calories out...

EARTHBOUND FARMS- Organic has masterminded a plan to get everyone to eat nuts & dried fruit.  They are introducing three new snack mixes-
Cracked BlackPepper Cran Walnut
Mandala Spice Coconut Cashew
Roasted Tamari Cherry Almond
ALL USDA certified organic..No added sweeteners or artificial anything
These are great for snacking BUT remember in MODERATION.  Nuts are very high in fat, but have a lot of other good benefits. Sooooo watch your portions.

So, HERB PUREES- Again by-EARTHBOUND FARMS- Certified ORGANIC...These people have been busy, these Herb purees come in many different spice varieties & at the squeeze of a tube-ready for spicing up your dish.
Cilantro, Basil, Dill, Chili Pepper, Garlic, & Ginger

OKAY, so for all you coffee drinkers that need to add something spectacular into your coffee... COFFEE MATE has introduced us to a new flavor for it's NATURAL BLISS line--LOW FAT VANILLA. It's ALL Natural Ingredience & it's SLIMMER and only 20 calories per serving. All you need is a drop..

Another energy gel shot??!...Well GUNGHO has created a new energy gel shot that claims to give "Ninja like focus"...mental focus & alertness without the crash?!! With only 4 calories per shot- OHHHsoNINJA






Until Next time....

             XOXO

                          Jamie

QUEST BARS!!

UHHmazing! So, I don't know how they do it! BUT they are so good! I got a sample of one when i ordered some more protein from bodybuilding.com.  So I decided to try it since I'm still WAITING for my samples from THE Quest Bar people, hopefully they are different flavors. So, i tried chocolate brownie, and it's absolutely SCRUMPTIOUS!! They're filling and also are very satisfying!! So with 20 grams of protein. only 1 gram of sugar, 19 grams of Fiber, 24 grams of carbs, and 6 grams of total fat what more could you ask for!!

XOoXo
Jamie

SWEET POTATO vs WHITE POTATO

SWEET potato vs WHITE potato

Okay, so you all know my ranting about sweet potatoes.  So, I thought that I would do a comparison for you. White VS Sweet Potatoes.  They are different, both virtually have the same amount of calories, carbs, fats ect. Except, sweet potatoes have a large percent of the daily requirement of vitamin A and beta-carotene. Sweet Potatoes also have a little bit more fiber as well as vitamin C & folic acid.  Sweet potatoes are great for muscle building, they are also a complex carb, which means that they wont spike your insulin levels and blood glucose levels-keeping your blood sugar levels at a constant.  They also leave your stomach feeling fuller longer. The white brother of the two, is the opposite, in that being that it will spike your insulin and get right directly into your system, being high on the glycemic index-so consuming this guy directly after exercise will quickly replenish your glycogen levels- (along with some protein as well.) The White potato is made up of mostly starchy carbohydrates, but is richer in folate.  Don't forget to EAT THE SKINS!! The skins of potatoes and a lot of other fruits/veggies is more concentrated with their fiber!

Tip..So if you're new to sweet taters...you can have them SWEET or SALTY!!!

SWEET
They can be paired with Low Sugar Smuckers Jam in the form of baked wedges with the jam used as dipping sauce! OR bake/microwave and mash & top with Light Maple Syrup..
SALTY
Bake them in wedges and LIGHTLY spray with olive oil & top with Cajun Seasoning..OR bake/microwave & stuff with chives & grilled chicken

*Remember portion sizes & look for a sweet potato that is about 5" long and 2-2.5" diameter

xoxo
        Jamie

I'm now a proud Mother!!!

Woot woooot...So I finally got my baby. Yay, I LOVE SPINNING...So now I'll be able to hit up more cardio more often without going to the gym since I'm training for another couple shows..

New down the aisle...

Okay so NEW NEW NEW...

LIBBY'S SKINNY FRUITS
Not sweetened with sugar.  Libby's offers this in crushed,sliced, or chunk-Pineapple, Fruit Salad, & Mandarin orange.

CHOBANI
Two pretty new flavors- Blood Orange & Apple Cinnamon!

GEVALIA KAFFE By Kraft
A Swedish style coffee..Newly now offered in the US, in 10 different varieties!!

Italian Chicken Sausage by PREMIO, with 45% less fat than regular sausage. I'm not really a big fan of the regular in general. But, this stuff is good.  Not to great to have on the daily, but a great substitute for regular sausage. Comes in Sweet, Cheese & garlic, Hot & Spicy, and Pesto.

Reflection

So,I know this is sort of a little late,but I was thinking..and as new years has come and gone, we are still in the beginning stages..and..I think that this is a great time to reflect, reflect on the past year; your accomplishments, your problem areas, goals set and reached, everything. Sometimes when life throws us curveballs it's hard to understand why at the time, But everything thrown at you in life is all in ordanance.  It's simply shifted your path in a direction unknown, but that is meant for you.  You might not get why and it may be hard, but reflecting back on the negative problems and obsticles that you've been through will help you grow as a person.  Everything that you've been through has made you who you are today.  Going through challenges and pushing yourself to that next level, can only help you succeed. Take a deep breath and step back and distance yourself. Reflecting on the years past events will help you with the future. Making a New Years resolution was a good idea to bring in the new year and a new you! If you didn't make one..then you still can! So, so many New Years resolutions are totally unkept.  Make a resolution that is realistic for you.  In order to keep one try having someone to hold you to it, or do a new years resolution with someone else. And if you did make a New Years resolution...how is it going? Are you still ringing in the beginning of 2012 with positive goals and sticking to your changes?..New Years resolutions to lose weight or diet should really be looked at as trying a lifestyle change...--Something that should be acquired slowly.  Setting a reasonable goal is the key, so challenge yourself, but make it attainable. A resolution takes perseverance, so pushing through the toughest times and getting over that final hill will make you stronger.  A Resolution is something that you have resolved in your mind to put forth the effort to change in your life, so it's not going to be easy. Be determined to succeed because you are worth it to yourself to be a better you..

Stay Positive
xoxo
Jamie

COUNTING SHEEP

Make sure your getting your Zzzzzzz...Sleep is an extreme necessity.  An insufficient amount of sleep is very  probelmatic not only for our physical health, but mental & psychological health too. 8 hours is known to suffice for a typical amount of sleep, but now it's proven that it's based on YOU...your daily energy output, as well as genetics plays a role.  Everyone's amount of sleep is different. 

Not getting a full amount of sleep could really put a halt on your ability to lose weight.  The missed energy that your body lacks from not enough sleep, is swapped with food. Your body is looking for something to compensate with the lost sleep. Sleep deprived individuals are also proven to run the risk of many diseases and sicknesses.

During sleep your body is fully repairing itself...your muscles, memory, your brain, everything.  Without your full amount you definitely won't be hitting your full potential. So don't miss out on quality time with your pillow.
Staying physically active should help with sleeping problems and it can also improve chronic sleep problems. Still having sleeping problems you could try Melatonin. Make sure you are in a dark/relaxing setting at least 30 minutes before bed with bright electronics dimmed. & try to avoid caffeine before bed! Turn OFF your brain..sometimes it feels as if it will never stop..over and over...your to do list, reminders,etc...Keep a super fast notebook or journal, pad of paper or something & a writing utensil next to your bed, jot down your racing thoughts or sleepless TO DO's. Sleep is just as important as any other daily activity so don't miss out on it.
xoxox
Jamie

HEALTHY SWAPS

Okay so I wanted to share with you some healthy SWAPS to stay clean and still be able to enjoy eating..Some you may probably already know...
So, some healthy trade outs for cooking lighter..


SOUR CREAM or GREEK YOGURT for Mayo
OR
MUSTARD for Mayo- (depending on your recipe)

When baking SWAP-
Applesauce or canned pumpkin for butter or oil

But the best NEWLY found SWAP is.... SunSweet -Lighter Bake (Butter & oil Replacement)
This stuff is excellent for swapping, you honestly can't tell the difference, but at only 35 calories per tbsp. vs oils' 120 cal per tbsp, your body will be able to tell the difference & thank you.