Blue Banana Protein Shake

Blueberries are in season right now and I just can't get enough of them.  I have been tossing a handful or two in my Cheerios every morning and grabbing handfuls out of the fridge when ever a craving strikes.  Blueberries and banana are a great flavor combination and so healthy for you.  Toss them together in this four ingredient shake that will taste delicious and is good for you!

Blue Banana Protein Shake
Prep time: 10 minutes
Total time: 10 minutes
Servings: 1

1/2 cup frozen chopped banana
1/2 cup frozen blueberries
3/4 cup 1% milk
1 scoop vanilla protein powder (6 Tablespoons)

In blender, place all ingredients. Cover, blend on high speed until smooth. Pour into a large glass and serve immediately.

If you don't have frozen bananas and blueberries you can use fresh and then add a 1/2 cup of ice.  And if you don't have protein powder try substituting some plain or vanilla Greek yogurt for that added protein to keep you going longer. You can also sub out the blueberries for any berry that you have.

I keep a good supply of bananas on hand, I love them. But when they are ripening faster than I can eat them I like to cut them up into chunks, put them in a sandwich baggie and toss them in the freezer. That way I have frozen bananas whenever the smoothie craving hits!

Source: livebetteramerica.com

10 Foods That Are Much Healthier Than You Think

There are a lot of foods that we love that get a bad wrap.  Well it turns out that some of them aren't as bad as we once thought they were.  See how many of these delicious and good for you foods that you can incorporate into your diet.

Avocado: It may surprise you but avocados are actually fruits; fruits that contain fat. They are actually one of the few produce items that do. Their heart protecting monounsaturated fats are actually one of the things that make them healthy. Eating these tasty green fruits can help lower your risk of heart disease and stroke.

Spaghetti and Meatballs: You get iron and protein from the beef, lycopene from the tomatoes and energy producing carbs from the pasta, this dish is an energy producing trifecta. If you make sure that you are using lean beef and are sticking to modest sized portions you can definitely enjoy it's benefits without overdoing it. Limit yourself to 3 ounces of meat and 1 cup of cooked pasta. You can also increase the benefits by using whole wheat pasta and adding mushrooms to the meatballs to add fiber and cut fat.  Eat this alongside a big green salad with lots of veggies.

Bananas: These used to be bashed for their high sugar and carb content but bananas are incredibly healthy fruits. A small banana has the same calories, carbs and fiber as an apple. They are packed with vitamins C and B6 and good for your heart potassium.

Peanut Butter: It definitely contains fat but 30 percent of your daily calories should come from healthy fats and peanut butter is a great choice for that. It is also a great way to get protein, fiber and vitamin E. The same goes for whole peanuts or other nuts such as almonds or walnuts.

Coffee: It may add a little pep to your step but it is also full of antioxidants. Research has linked drinking this brewed beverage to a decreased risk of type-2 diabetes and improved mental health as you age.

Corn: Many people frown on this veggie because it is starchy. Well it may be starchy but it is actually a grain. One cup of corn kernels has 5 grams of protein, 4 grams of fiber and energy producing B vitamins. You can also eat corn in a variety of ways--polenta, tortillas and popcorn are all healthy whole-grain options.

Burritos: Burritos can be a healthy choice when they are filled with veggies, rice, beans and a small amount of meat. These burritos can cover all of your nutrition bases in one tortilla. Choose an 8 inch whole-wheat tortilla and stay away from the sour cream and loads of cheese to keep the calories and fat in check. Try adding things like white beans, avocados and chicken to mix things up a bit.

Chicken Thighs: Dark meat chicken has a bad rap for being fatty and artery clogging but it is actually the skin you should be avoiding. Dark meat, like avocados, is high in monounsaturated fat. Thighs are also more affordable than boneless skinless chicken breasts.

Eggs: Eggs do contain some cholesterol, but that doesn't mean they are a total no-no for you. According to the American Egg Board, healthy individuals can eat up to two eggs per day without significantly affecting blood cholesterol levels. Eggs are also full of vitamin A, D and the antioxidant lutein. Don't skip the yolks, there is just as much protein in there as the whites.

Potatoes: They are another veggie that has been shunned for it's starch content but potatoes are a nutrition powerhouse. A medium potato has 165 calories, 5 grams of fiber, 4 grams of protein, 10 percent of your daily iron and 70 percent of your daily vitamin C.

Source: foodnetwork.com

English Muffin Breakfast Pizzas

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day!  If you are thinking "I am not a breakfast eater" then you need to change your thinking!  Your brain badly needs that nourishment first thing in the morning, so it is time to start feeding your brain!  These breakfast pizzas are really easy and delicious and completely customizable.  Throw whatever ingredients you have in your fridge on them. They can even be made in advance and thrown in the freezer, just pull one out and heat it in the microwave and you have a fast breakfast on the go!

English Muffin Breakfast Pizzas
Prep time: 20 minutes
Total time: 20 minutes
Serves 4

1 cup fat-free egg product or 4 eggs

1/4 cup fat-free (skim) milk

Dash of salt  

Dash of pepper

2 teaspoons canola or soybean oil

2 tablespoons chopped onion

2 tablespoons chopped red bell pepper

2 tablespoons chopped cooked ham

1/2 cup shredded reduced-fat Cheddar cheese (2 oz)

2 whole wheat English muffins, split, toasted 

 

In small bowl, beat egg product, milk, salt and pepper with wire whisk or fork until well blended. 

 

In 10-inch nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Cook onion, bell pepper and ham in oil 3 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are crisp-tender. Pour egg mixture into skillet. As eggs begin to set at bottom and side, gently lift cooked portions with spatula so that uncooked egg can flow to bottom. Cook 3 to 4 minutes or until eggs are thickened throughout but still moist; stir cheese into eggs. 

 

Spoon egg mixture evenly over muffin halves.

 

Source: Live Better America 

 

Yogurt and Healthy Toppings!

Greek yogurt is all the rage right now!  It is full of so much good protein and calcium and is a healthy and filling breakfast.  And as hard as I try to eat it because I know it is good for me, I just really struggle with plain old boring yogurt.  I need some crunch and some fruit, something in it to make it a little more interesting while still keeping it healthy.  Try out some of these ideas and you will never think the same of your plain old yogurt again!

• Peaches + Maple + Cardamom + Pecans
• Toss together pitted and quartered peaches with a pinch of cardamom and drizzle of maple syrup. Roast in 350°F oven until tender. Eat warm or at room temperature over yogurt with chopped pecans.

• Carrots + Cinnamon + Honey + Walnuts
• Coarsely grate carrots and toss with honey and cinnamon. Spoon over yogurt and sprinkle with chopped walnuts.

• Lemon + Almond Extract + Poppy seeds
• Stir lemon juice and a dash of almond extract into yogurt. Sprinkle with poppy seeds.

•  Pistachios + Crystallized Ginger + Honey + Orange
• Whisk together honey, orange juice, and orange zest. Drizzle over yogurt, and sprinkle with chopped crystallized ginger and chopped pistachios.

• Honey + Almonds + Apricots
• Swirl honey into yogurt. Top with coarsely chopped almonds and apricots. Drizzle with additional honey.

• Sweet Potatoes + Maple Syrup + Hazelnuts
• Wrap whole sweet potatoes in aluminum foil and roast in a 375°F oven until tender. Peel and mash with a drizzle of maple syrup. Dollop on top of yogurt and sprinkle with hazelnuts.

• Raw Corn + Lime + Agave
• Whisk together lime juice, zest, and agave. Slice fresh sweet corn kernels off the cob. Toss with lime mixture and sprinkle over yogurt.

• Coconut + Shaved Dark Chocolate + Cocoa Powder
• Toast large flaked coconut in a 350°F oven until lightly browned and fragrant. Cool slightly. Stir cocoa powder into yogurt and top with the toasted coconut and chocolate shavings.  

• Blueberry + Lemon + Sugar
• In a bowl smash together half of the blueberries with fresh lemon juice and a sprinkle of granulated sugar. Swirl gently into yogurt. Top with whole blueberries and lemon zest.

• Strawberries + Vanilla + Brown Sugar + Pecans
• Stir vanilla extract into yogurt. Top with diced fresh strawberries. Sprinkle brown sugar and coarsely chopped pecans over top and serve.

• Banana + Cinnamon + Peanuts
• Mash banana and cinnamon together with a fork until smooth. Swirl gently into yogurt and top with finely chopped peanuts.

• Strawberries + Maple + Balsamic Vinegar
• Whisk together balsamic vinegar and maple syrup in a bowl. Add the berries and set aside to macerate for 30 minutes. Spoon over yogurt.

Source: The Buzz Feed

You Need to Address These Things FIRST, Well Before and During ANY Weight Loss Program

The vast majority of you who are diligent about making the basic changes below will be able to successfully lose weight in a safe and healthy way and experience lifelong success at maintaining your ideal weight, because you will have addressed key underlying lifestyle and emotional issues that were keeping you stuck.

This truly works for the vast majority of people who try it! So please, don't gloss over it. Really evaluate your current habits, and identify where you may still be lagging.

TG 2000 ADVANCE, and TG MAX ULTRA can help you successfully lose weight while simply applying the following eight foundational principles:

1. Eliminate processed foods, sugar, and starches, and replace them with fresh raw vegetables, lean meat and eggs. You should stick to these principles, so that your foods are as nutrient-dense as possible.

2. Reduce your grains and fruits, as their sugars will contribute to the insulin resistance that makes it difficult for you to metabolize fat properly.

3. Replace soda, fruit juices, and other caloric beverages with plenty of pure water every day. Increased water intake has been shown to accelerate weight loss.

4. Add plenty of exercise, and make sure you include high-intensity burst-type exercises which are far superior than any other exercise for boosting weight loss naturally. Exercise is every bit as important as what you eat—NO exceptions—regardless of your age, gender, lifestyle, or level of health. A regular exercise routine is crucial for countless aspects of your health, beyond fitness and body weight—even if it means starting with just 5 minutes per day.

5. Make sure you're getting adequate sleep.

6. Manage your stress. Adopt a technique like meditation and Yoga, which can help you nip cravings in the bud.

7.Whenever you are reducing weight and breaking down body fat, it's important to incorporate a detoxification program.  Meta 21 is the product we have designed for this very purpose. Your body stores many toxins inside fat cells, and when you break those down, toxins naturally enter your bloodstream and can actually make you feel sick if you don't take steps to "mop them up."

8. Increasing your protein intake by 30% has been shown to be an effective way to speed up weight loss. There are protein bars, and natural foods, that can contribute more protein in the diet such as great tasting Quinoa. (Pronounced Keen-wah.) This is an extrememly versatile grain that tastes good! It can be added to most any dish, as well as eaten plain, in casseroles, soups, and even as a warm breakfast cereal!

When taking a "lifestyle inventory," you may be surprised to find one little area you've ignored, which, if you made some simple changes, might totally change your situation.

For example, something as simple as cutting out all soda and sweetened beverages could easily be the tipping point that makes your body start losing the fat!

--some excerpts of this article shared from Dr. Mercola, at Mercola.com

Oriental Chicken Wraps-from the Titanium Chef

I don't know about everyone else out there but I hate trying to figure out what to take to work for lunch every single day.  I don't like to eat out much because that gets pricey and its hard to find healthy fast foods.  So I have started making a big batch of something on Sunday and then having it for lunches the entire week.  I have great healthy food to take with me everyday now!  Try this recipe out, you can alter it with any veggies that you like, its delicious, fast and fresh!

Oriental Chicken Wraps

1 chicken breast, grilled, and shredded
2 carrots, shredded
1 package bean sprouts
1 cucumber, thinly sliced
1 cup prewashed spinach, packed
4 flour tortillas (I love the uncooked ones from Costco)
Sriracha Chili Sauce (optional)
2-3 T reduced sodium soy sauce
1 T honey

You can either keep the veggies fresh and uncooked to put in the wraps or you can cook up some of them.  In a hot skillet, toss the shredded chicken, carrots and bean sprouts.  Add a few tablespoons of soy sauce, a little chili sauce and the honey.  Stir and cook over medium high heat until the veggies are soft and everything is warm.

Lay tortillas flat and put 1/4 of the chicken mixture in the center.  Top with a good handfull of spinach, some sliced cucumbers and tuck in the ends.  Roll up the tortilla and enjoy!

Ten Secrets Of Thin People

#7 They Don't Diet

Or at least not in the traditional, all-or-nothing, deprivation sense of the word. Get rid of the diet mentality and determine that you will make a permanent lifestyle change. It's a simple formula. Decrease calories, increase activity. Make sensible choices to get the most nutrition from those calories you take in. Eat more fruit and vegetables. You get more food volume for your calories when you do. Research shows that thin people tend to have a better quality diet than those who are overweight. Eat more fiber, and increase your protein 30%. You can get protein drinks and nutrition bars that add more protein. Adding healthy protein has been shown to help decrease your appetite because protein takes longer to digest, keeping you feeling fuller longer.