Posted in Recipe on January 7, 2012
Ingredients
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 large onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
4 large carrots, sliced
5 new potatoes, quartered
2 cups vegetable broth
2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger
1 teaspoon curry powder
salt and pepper to taste
Directions
Heat oil in a soup pot over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, and cook stirring often until onion is translucent. Add carrots and potatoes, and cook for just a few minutes to allow the carrots to sweat out some of their juices.
Pour the vegetable broth into the pot, and season with ginger, curry powder, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, until carrots are tender.
Puree soup in small batches using a food processor or blender, or if you have an immersion blender, it can be done in the soup pot. Reheat soup if necessary, and serve.
Posted in Article on January 6, 2012
Exercise and nutrition do go hand in hand. If you suddenly begin exercising strenuously without adequate nutrition you are going to start feel weak and sick before you know it. This is why it is important to eat properly and keep hydrated before, during and after your exercise routine.
Before starting your exercise program make sure that you have eaten something. A small amount of protein with some complex carbohydrates is a good choice. This snack will help fuel your body and provide you with energy while exercising.
Being properly hydrated is crucial for anyone at any time but especially when doing some form of physical exercise. You should always try to carry a water bottle with you and sip on water every 10 minutes or so. Being hydrated will help prevent your muscles from becoming too sore and helps reduce painful muscle cramps.
If you feel shaky after exercise your body may be requiring some food. So eating another small snack is advisable. Try eating a piece of fruit such as an apple or handful of grapes. This should be enough to see you through until your next meal.
Eating healthy during the day will also help your body get the most benefit from your exercise. If you are attempting to lose weight then cut back on sugars, starches and fats. Instead you want to concentrate on eating plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. Protein is important and should be eaten in small portions. It is recommended that you eat lean, low fat choices of protein such as chicken, turkey, fish and avoid eating too much red meat.
The top tips for both fitness and nutrition can be summed up into the following points:
Always drink enough fluids before, during and after exercising
Eat a small snack before working out
Eat fresh foods as much as possible
Always take the time to warm up and cool down to avoid injury
If adding a low impact exercise to your lifestyle is a new concept then pick something that you will enjoy. Many types of activities can be classed as low impact. Walking, cycling, swimming, dancing, ice skating and golfing are just a few of your choices.
Pilates and yoga may sound easy to do but they are low impact workouts that can be very strenuous and good for your body. Don?t forget too that you don?t have to stay with one exercise. Pick a variety and do them once a week or a couple of times each month. This way you are less likely to get bored and will stick with your new exercise plan.
Posted in Video on January 5, 2012
Video: This exercise primarily targets the tricep muscle, but will also workout your chest and shoulders.
Posted in Article on January 4, 2012
A calories burned counter is called a pedometer. Choosing a good and high quality Digital Calories burned counter usually means paying more as the more expensive pedometers are better. As with everything you buy, you get what you pay for. However, you can avoid paying for more pedometer than you need by researching and looking for reviews. The following are characteristics of a good Calories burned counter.
1. It Doesn’t Under-Count Or Over-Count Steps
The most essential characteristic of a good Calories burned counter is accuracy. While no pedometer can have 100accuracy in counting steps, you should not get one that under-counts or over-counts in either extreme. In most cases, a poor quality calories burned counter usually under-counts your steps. Because every step counts, you may end up working harder than you should if you buy a poor quality pedometer.
2. It Comes with a Waistband Clip or Durable Belt
No matter how well the pedometer itself works, it can only work if it is attached to you. That’s why you don’t want to choose a Digital Calories burned counter that comes with a belt or waistband clip that breaks easily. Once the clip or belt is broken the device may not be unusable since it is designed to be clipped firmly on our waist to count steps properly. Always look out for belt or waistband clip that comes with lifetime warranty if available as you can return it for a replacement if it breaks.
3. Comes With Warranty (At Least 1 Year)
A good quality calories burned counter will come with minimum one year warranty or more. A pedometer with no warranty or a limited warranty gives you no assurance that the device will last.
4. Comes With Longer Battery Life
A calories burned counter that comes with only a short battery life will not be accurate and this will negatively affect your wellness and fitness program. Thus, you must find one that has a longer battery life.
5. Comes With “False Step” Sensor To Remove Non-Step Motion
The better calories burned counters come with built-in “false step” sensor. These filter out motions that are not considered as a “normal step”. Such calories burned counters are usually more accurate in results compared to others.
6. Has Separate Step and Aerobic Step Counters
A pedometer that has separate calories burned counters for regular steps and for minutes walked more than 10 minutes continuously will give you a better sense of the actual calories you have burned off. These pedometers are more sophisticated and thus better.
7. Has an Automatic Shut Down Feature
Some of the more advanced calories burned counters will automatically reset themselves at midnight. While this isn’t an essential feature, it is nice to know that you get a fresh count of your steps each morning.
Calories burned counters that are used as freebies or are items given away in trade shows, or sold as promotional items are typically considered as “cheap” and “not-so-good-quality” Pedometers.
Instead, invest the $25 to $35 out of your own pocket to get one of the top quality calories burned counters available today.
Posted in Recipe on January 3, 2012
Ingredients
Nonstick vegetable oil spray
2 cups shelled pepitas
1/3 cup sugar
1 large egg white, beaten until frothy
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Directions
Preheat oven to 350
Posted in Recipe on January 2, 2012
Ingredients
1 cup sun-dried tomatoes, rehydrated
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 cup non-fat cream cheese
1/2 cup non-fat sour cream
basil leaves, for garnishing
Directions
Puree the sun-dried tomatoes and balsamic vinegar in the food processor. Add the cream cheese and process until the mixture is smooth.
Add the sour cream and pulse until combined. (Be careful not to over process or the mixture will liquify.)
Transfer the spread to a serving bowl and garnish with fresh basil.
(Makes 10 Servings)
