The Key Ingredient for Weight Loss


I see a lot of people working on their health and fitness on a daily basis, and some people will make noticeable progress while others always seem to stay the same.  What's up with that?

Here is probably the number one question I am asked: "I've been doing this for 5 weeks now and I haven't lost a pound!" My favorite is the person who has been doing it for a while, lost some weight and then plateaus. They literally get stuck for weeks, even months, at the same weight.

The body is a wonderfully created mechanism. Though frequently studied, it remains a mystery in so many ways. Before I continue, let me be clear that I'm not a doctor (although I play one at work sometimes) and I have no formal medical training other than taking some classes in biology, physiology and chemistry. I've had a fascination with the human body from a very young age and I can't get enough of it. What I'm about to say should in no way be construed as advice based on scientific evidence. It is based solely on my own research, observation and anecdotal evidence. My comments also don't take into consideration accidents or some diseases (beyond our control).

First, let's look at what has happened over the course of your life. Well, let's not spend that much time, but suffice to say that you probably haven't been so kind to your body as you should have been. Getting married, starting jobs and moving up the ladder, having and raising kids... it all takes a toll on the body  When we were young, we were active, had lots of muscle and didn't spend all day sitting around. 

As we moved through life, we got slower, weaker and fatter....    read the rest of the article on my blog by clicking here.
Thanksgiving Recipes - Healthy Twists

"Don't mess with my Thanksgiving!" We've all either heard or said that. So, let's not give up those old favorites that make this day so special. Let's take a look at some small changes that can really cut down on the fat and calorie load.

We can thank our friends at Eating Well for these healthier options.

Turkey - Calories Saved: 199

The typical antidote to dry, boring turkey is to slather it with butter, which adds saturated fat, or to brine it. Our solution this year is to use a rub made with miso to add a subtle, savory flavor to the turkey. Miso is a paste made from fermented soybeans; it can be found near tofu at most supermarkets.

Click here for the recipe.


Pumpkin Pie - Calories saved:  203
To add fiber and nutrients and keep the crust tender, use a blend of whole-wheat pastry flour and all-purpose flour. Reduce saturated fat by replacing some of the butter with heart-healthy canola oil. Use low-fat sweetened condensed milk for the pumpkin filling. You still get a great-tasting pie, but with 25 grams less fat and 203 fewer calories per serving.


Sweet Potato Casserole - Calories Saved: 403

Sweet potatoes need not taste like dessert. Cut the butter and sugar and use evaporated milk for creaminess and crushed pineapple (with just 2 tablespoons of brown sugar) for a mellow touch of sweetness. You can top it with meringue instead of marshmallows. These changes cut more than 400 calories and 15 grams of fat per serving.

Click here for the recipe.

 

 

Stroke Prevention
 
Strokes kill 137,000 Americans each year! That makes it the fourth leading cause of death in this country.

While you may not be able to prevent a stroke, you can definitely improve your odds. People who follow a healthy lifestyle have a much lower risk for stroke than those who do not. In fact, you  have an 80% lower risk of a first stroke if...
  • You don't smoke
  • You are not overweight
  • Don't drink to excess
  • Exercise regularly
  • Maintain a healthy diet
Time is of the Essence!
There are no guarantees. If you think you may be having a stroke, call 911. A drug called TPA can break up blood clots and restore blood flow to the brain, but it must be administered within 3 hours.

Be aware of these warning signs.
Signs of a stoke
 
We wish you all a happy and blessed Thanksgiving!