Okay, so I don’t know of any woman out there that doesn’t like chicken salad. I adore chicken salad but don’t eat it much because every time I buy some, it is drowning in mayo. Here’s a healthier version I made today. This is one of only a few times I made up a recipe as I go, and it actually turns out edible. We will be munching on it for days, guilt-free! BTW, this recipe makes a ton. Perfect for leftovers, which makes me very happy.
2 cups cooked chicken (shredded)
2 cups shredded carrots (you can buy them shredded)
1/2 cup green onions, chopped fine
2 tsp. salt
1/3 cup light mayo
1 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt
Mix all together, [...]
Okay so the hubs and I threw this together for a veggie dip, and it turns out we are geniuses. This dip would also be a great substitution for Ranch dressing. So much better for you and it seriously tastes better than any store-bought dressing I have ever tried. So easy, too!
1 regular size container of Oikos plain nonfat Greek Yogurt (or your brand of choice)
1 packet Ranch powder (for spice, get the Fiesta Ranch powder)
1 cup of fresh cilantro, chopped fine
1 tbsp white wine vinegar
That’s it! Mix it all together and either serve it right away or chill for a while. Either way is yummy! Lots of protein and low calorie.
When referring to Greek yogurt, my husband [...]
If I see one more Sensa commercial where the person is sprinkling that mystery dust onto their ice cream (which, duh, zaps it of its calories), I may start screaming. I am scared to look up how many people buy into it because then I KNOW I will start screaming. We will try anything we can get our hands on to take the easy route for weight loss and getting healthy. NutriSystem promises to help you lose weight FAST. Their marketing department is genius because they know that’s the word we want to hear…”fast”. That food delivered to your door will eventually stop coming. Then what? What did you learn? Nothing. That’s why when it comes to maintaining that weight loss in the real [...]
Here are 4 quick, easy, healthy recipes. No more saying, “I don’t have time to prepare meals.” These are awesome. Plus, they all have similar ingredients so you won’t spend a fortune in the store. ENJOY.
Stir-Fry
12 oz of meat of your choice diced (or use tofu, which is what we use during the week)
3 tbsp olive oil
1/4 cup white onion
3 cups fresh broccoli
8 slices sweet bell peppers
1 tbsp minced garlic
5 oz. baby bella mushrooms, sliced
3/4 cup brown rice
1/2 cup of lentils or beans of choice
1 cup low sodium teriyaki marinade
If using meat, let that cook a bit first, then add the rest. With tofu, add it all in at the [...]
Negative Nancies are not just those people who walk around with a frown and talk about how life is rough. They can also be those people in your life who discourage you from reaching your goals. Do you have any of these Negative Nancies in your life?
1) Friends or co-workers who discourage you from exercising or encourage you to go pig out on Mexican or Yogurt Mountain when they know you are trying to lose weight and get healthy. Maybe they are scared you will be successful, and they will be left behind. Instead of being selfish, they should be supportive of your efforts and cheer you on.
2) Your kids. Sometimes they don’t realize they are bringing you down and discouraging you, [...]
I have women all the time tell me they want to lose weight in their midsection. When we start talking about their diet, I find out they eat a Lean Cuisine every day for lunch and their snacks include Wheat Thins and 100-calorie packs. Then I have them take 1 day and add up how much sodium they eat from everything they eat that day. The results often fall in line with the standard in our culture. The average American consumes roughly 5,000 mg of sodium daily. The recommended amount? 2,300. Less than half that amount. You may hear people say “Put the salt shaker away so you will consume less salt.” I don’t think the salt shaker is the problem. The amount of salt [...]
This treat is fun for kids and for adults. The perfect sweet/salty combo.
You will need:
A bag of small pretzels
A bunch of green M & Ms (I think they sell them in all green this time of year but if not, you could always just pick out the green ones)
Dark Chocolate Hershey Kisses
Preheat oven to 350. Place pretzels on cookie sheet with wax paper to prevent sticking. Then place a Hershey kiss on each pretzel in the middle.
Heat for 1 to 2 minutes or until kiss is softened. Then take them out and add the green M & M. Let cool and serve!
Such a fun and yummy treat to make with your kids!
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Happy Leap Day, everyone! Is that what you call it? Leap Day? Regardless, here are 29 ways to improve your health for a lifetime.
1) Get Sleep! Chronic sleep loss can lead to heart disease, irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, and diabetes. You will also have a 30% less chance of becoming overweight or obese, according to a 2004 study. Turn off the tube, put down the book, and go to sleep!
2) Cut out trans fat…totally. They are man-made and even the FDA (which allows anything these days) even says they are scary. The list of diseases these contribute to is a long one. Be sure to look for hydrogenated oil or partially hydrogenated oil in the ingredient list.
3) Drink your water. Take [...]
My book, The Wellness Code, is coming out April 19th. I co-wrote this book with some of the best of the best in the health and wellness industry. What did I contribute to this fine piece of nonfiction? How to kick bad habits to the curb. I used to only focus on coaching about how to eat healthy and exercise, the benefits, etc. You know what? Everyone knows that! There is always something to learn and something to be misled about. Whole grains vs. whole wheat. What the heck is greek yogurt? Does this plan work or is someone just trying to sell a book? But for the most part, there are enough reliable resources out there to get us where we want to [...]
Looking for a quick and healthy breakfast for your entire family? This morning, I had a homemade (and much healthier) version of the McDonald’s breakfast burrito. That TINY little burrito has over 300 calories, 7 grams of saturated fat, and only 1 gram of fiber. This will not keep you satisfied long and basically has no nutritional value. Here’s the quick and easy homemade version that will keep you satisfied and your waistline much happier.
You will need:
1 egg, scrambled
1/4 cup low sodium canned black beans (drained and rinsed)
1 small whole grain or whole wheat tortilla
2 tbsp salsa
2 tbsp nonfat plain greek yogurt
While you are scrambling your egg, lay out your tortilla and spread greek yogurt, then your beans, [...]
