Sweet Ideas: Healthier Ways to Tame That Sweet Tooth

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So, the other day over lunch my friend and I began chatting about that inevitable, uncontrollable desire that comes upon us after each meal for something sweet. 

Every time I finish a hearty meal, I rush to the fridge or pantry for some chocolate chips, peanut butter or anything sweet I can get my hands on. After all, who wants that icky taste of fish, meat or veggies in their mouth leftover from dinner?
While most of the time I have my cravings under control, sometimes they can get just a tad out of hand. . . and that’s exactly why I want to help you all. 
Below you’ll find 8 healthier tasty ideas to tame that post-meal sweet tooth…and the best part is you still get to eat!

1. Sliced apple sprinkled with cinnamon and a drizzle of honey/agave syrup
2. 1 oz. dark chocolate or small handful (10-15) Ghirardelli 60% Cacao bittersweet chips
3. Mini bag of Trader Joe’s Lite Kettle Corn (1 bag has only 110 calories) or make your own sweet ‘n’ salty fix by popping a bag of all natural, fat free popcorn and sprinkling it with a dash of salt and real sugar.
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Beauty: It's Undefinable

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For a good part of my teenage life, and well into my early 20s, I considered skinny to be pretty, as after all that is the conventional wisdom. Skinny girls with big boobs, flat stomachs, no thighs, rock-hard abs and arms that don’t jiggle are perfect. Oh and you must be a size 2 to be desirable, right? 

HA, I laugh so hard at myself for believing I ever thought that way, and I laugh even harder and somewhat pity those that still do think that way. I mean c’mon, we are only human. Why must everyone have to fall into a perfect barbie doll physique category?
The thing is, which I’ve finally come to realize after far too long: beauty comes in all different shapes and many, many different sizes.
But, and trust me on this one, inner beauty and confidence in oneself is the most beautiful of them all, and it really does show. I know of girls who may be a size 2 with gorgeous faces and perfectly formed bodies who act bitchy, snobby and self-conceited about their looks, whom by that point I consider them not so pretty anymore. In fact, people like that go down … Read More!

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Boil Up Some Farm Fresh Corn!

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Yes, summer has officially ended and fall has begun (crazy to believe, I know!), but that doesn’t mean we have to end our favorite summer eats as well. Go grab some corn today at the grocery store or at your local farmer’s market while it’s still fresh and (semi) in season! Hey, summer just ended a few days ago; there’s no need to stop all the fun just yet.


The other day, I purchased 2 fresh corn husks at the farmers market for 50 cents a pop, and boiled ’em up today to have for dinner. I’m thinking I’ll eat one “on the cob” with a veggie burger tonight to savor that summer bbq essence. 

But there’s plenty of other things to do with corn after it’s cooked as well (off o’ the cob…) :

-Shave off the edges and cut it up into your favorite salad. Try some fun combos like corn, black beans, onion and cilantro atop some fresh arugula OR corn, chopped hard boiled egg, avocado and spinach. 

-Add some corn to your a.m. omelet for a mexi-flavor! Try corn, tomatoes, cilantro with a few TB of salsa for a spicy breakfast kick!

-Throw it in your … Read More!

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Reach Your Goals. . . NOW!

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So, today I woke up at the crack of dawn (aka 5 a.m.) unable to sleep due to butterflies in my stomach. No, not because I had a hot date or some big important presentation to give. Rather, my nerves were flying because of my 5K race-the Susan G. Komen Race For the Cure- that was to start at 9 a.m. (Yes, 4 hours from the time I woke up.) 

Sure, I had done a 5k before, but this time I had a specific goal in mind: I wanted to break my 27:58 from last time…and I wanted to break it bad.
You see, the first time I ever ran a 5k, I was a tad out of shape and it took me a whopping 33.5 minutes! Mind, you I was also huffing and puffing and complaining to my dad the entire time on top of that. 
My second 5k I did in 27:58, and was thrilled I could run 3 consecutive 9 minute miles, something I never thought that I’d be able to do. After all, I have never really been a runner, and still wouldn’t consider myself one.
So, today was important for me, not because I’m some … Read More!

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Trader Joe's: The Way to Go

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I admit: I am (or was) a Whole Foods fanatic. I’m obsessed with their bulk nuts isle, ginormous salad bar and sampling tables. 

Well, the other day at work I was rambling on about my out-of-control obsession with Whole Foods Market, and a coworker responded, “You Mean ‘Whole Pay Check?'” While at first I laughed, I got to thinking about how true that statement actually is. 
Seriously, every time I walk into Whole Foods, even if I’m just getting a small salad for lunch, I spend at least $10. Then on the days I actually go on a shopping spree, I rack up a quick $50 in no time!
Do we really have to throw away our entire pay checks just to eat healthy? Why must we pay such a great price to stay healthy and fit?
Well, good news is, we don’t.
I’ve now thrown aside my Whole Foods phase, and have moved onto good ol’ Trader Joe’s, and couldn’t be happier about my smart decision.
Trader Joe’s has many of the same options as Whole Foods, but for much cheaper prices. Their vegetables, organic items, meals to go and signature chips, various nut butters and dips could … Read More!

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Caprese Omelet

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When I was in Italy several years ago, almost every day I would order a Caprese salad for lunch or dinner. More simply put: fresh tomato, fresh basil, buffalo mozzarella, olive oil and some salt and pepper. Absolute perfection. Well, this morning I had that authentic Italian craving, so I whipped up an omelet, Italian style.


Ingredients:
-1 egg, 1 egg white, mixed
-1 TB extra virgin olive oil 
-few slices fresh buffalo mozzarella cheese
-3 basil leaves, fresh if you can
-1/4 cup chopped fresh plump tomato (I bought mine at the farmer’s market)

1. Coat frying pan with olive oil on medium heat and then pour egg mixture onto pan.
2. Once slightly cooked (bubbling), top half the egg with tomatoes and basil leaves.
3. Lastly, add the cheese and cover for a minute until thoroughly melted.
4. Flip one side over to form the classic omelet shape, serve and enjoy! : )
*Pair with some fresh fruit (I had 1/2 sliced grapefruit) and a piece of toast!


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7 Savory Money Savers: Healthy Choices to Save Big Bucks at the Supermarket

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1. Sweet potatoes (about 50 cents a pop and so darn delicious)

2. Eggs (Got a dozen for $1.79 the other day–thats about 15 cents per egg…can’t get much cheaper than that!)
3. Brown Rice (Buy it in the bulk section at any health food store for MUCH cheaper than boxed varieties, and this allows you to buy as much as you want)
4. Canned Tuna (Always a cheap favorite of mine–buy it in a big package of 6 or 12 for cheaper)
5. Apples: This time of year, they have bagged ones at grocery stores from local farms for great deals.  The other day I bought a dozen for $3.00, which is excellent considering they go for $2.00 a pop sometimes. Fall is also the perfect time of year to go apple picking with your guy or friends…you can pick ‘n’ eat as you go too!) 
6. Oatmeal 
7. Bananas-soooo cheap…got some today at Trader Joe’s for 19 cents each!

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LATE to Bed, Early to Rise. . .

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OK, so I know how important sleep is. . . get your 8 hours of sleep each night, blah blah blah. But last night I ending up going to bed around 1 a.m. because I couldn’t sleep from the jitters my black coffee gave me that  I had around 7 p.m. (I know, stupid move, especially when I am no longer a daily java-consumer as I used to be). 


But anyway, my point is that even though I went to bed so late, I still forced myself to resist pressing the snooze button on my 6 a.m. alarm and was able to drag myself out of bed this morning for a 7:15 bootcamp with Jaylin Allen from AIR Personal Fitness (Thanks Jaylin, great class today!) 

And the funny part is that I wasn’t even that tired. In fact, while it may sound contradictory, waking up early to exercise actually made me more energized than ever! I had previously planned to go back to bed immediately after class, but I instead find myself awake, perky and ready to start my day (and already blogging!) 

I have to admit that with my new cave like room in Boston (the sun doesn’t shine … Read More!

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5 Healthy Ways with a Sweet Potato

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OK, so I’m addicted to several things in life: exercising, coffee (although I’m trying to slowly ween off of that one), reading magazines, peanut butter, dark chocolate, and yes–now sweet potatoes. They are just the perfect, most cheap vegetable (about 50 cents for a medium one) and you can do oh so much with them! Poke a few holes with a fork, pop ’em in the mic for about 6 to 8 minutes, and voila: instant deliciousness. 

Here, 5 healthy ways with this phenomenal fall-favorite vegetable. First cook the sweet potato in the microwave for 6 to 8 minutes, or bake in the oven wrapped in tin foil and then do as follows:

1. The Sweet Toother: Drizzle with 1 TB 100% maple syrup, 1 tsp. cinnamon, and 1 tsp. nutmeg to cure a sweets craving!

2.  Cajun Concoction: Top with 1 TB Cajun seasoning, 1 tsp. cayenne pepper and a touch of red pepper flakes for a spicy treat!

3. Light ‘n’ Simple: Spread your sweet potato with 1 TB smart balance butter (or another light variety) with a pinch of salt and pepper. . . always hits the spot.

4. Herb-alicious: Coat the potato with all … Read More!

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Healthy Tip of the Day: Make Your Own Din!

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Save money and cals by making your own din tonight! Get your roomies or fam involved too, assigning different tasks to each person. Tonight, I made a delicious egg white omelet with tomatoes, avocado, spinach, oregano and basil. Both super cheap and super delish. 


Other quick healthy dinner suggestions are brown rice with veggies, a large sweet potato with toppings of choice, a turkey burger with a side salad or chicken/veggie fajitas! Be creative, and you’ll find plenty of ways to savor the flavor and save some cash at the same time. 

What are some of your favorite easy, healthy homemade dinners? 
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