Here's this week's round-up great tips, hints and recipes for living happy, healthy and slim gathered from a variety of sources...
- The Yummiest Weight Loss-Trick We've Ever Heard: I tore this interesting tidbit from 56 page of the January 2013 issue of Redbook Magazine when I was down visiting my sister in Tucson last weekend. "Adding something dessert-like to your breakfast could (weirdly) help you lose weight. Researchers at Tel Aviv University in Israel asked dieters to consume either a 300-calorie low-carb breakfast or a 600-calorie high-protein and high-carb breakfast that included dessert (cake, ice cream, donuts, sigh...) After four months, both groups lost about 30 pounds. But four months later, the low-carb group regained 25 pounds, while the dessert group lost 14 more pounds." Why? It's believed that the extra protein helped the participants feel full and that the treats prevented feelings of deprivation and decreased cravings during the rest of the day. In order to fit in the splurge, the dessert group downsized their dinners by 300 calories, so it really all comes back to finding the happy, healthy balance that works best for you.
- Have you seen Daphne Oz's latest book: Relish: An Adventure in Food, Style, and Everyday Fun? I picked it up at Costco last Sunday and couldn't put it down. A lifestyle book clearly targeted for an audience far younger than me, the beautiful photography and creative recipes drew me in, but the healthy, balanced perspective of a young woman with a zest for life who is wise beyond her years were an unexpected bonus. The first recipe I made from it this week - watermelon-jalapeno gazpacho was amazing.
- Give Into Your Cravings: More good news on the weight loss front. According to an email I received this week from Daily Burst of Energy, it is best to give into your cravings - a LITTLE BIT. A study from Cornell University found that people who had a very small portion of a snack food (such as a small handful of chips or little square of chocolate) felt just as satisfied 15 minutes later as those who had a larger portion. And, of course, they saved quite a few calories. If you find yourself wanting more, just build in a break after the snack. Take a short walk or send a friend an e-mail. You’ll be surprised at how little it takes to calm a craving! This has been my experience, now that I'm really trying to tune into my body and it's signals.
- Ricotta Hotcakes - a recipe from Nigella Lawson I've bookmarked to try sometime this summer. A more decadent version of my cottage cheese pancakes, I love the idea of adding cheese to pancakes for the added boost of protein it provides.
- Curtis Stone's Grilled Tri-Tip with Green Beans and Onions recipe from the Chew. I just started recording The Chew and watching an episode every now and again. As I watched them prepare this dish, my first thought was, "I need to make that for Rod." It's essentially slices of grilled steak served over a simple "salad" of grilled onion slices and green beans tossed with a little balsamic vinaigrette. I'm thinking I may make it for his birthday Sunday, if I don't come up with a better idea.
- Here's a clever idea from Skinny Sweets Daily for Skinny White Bean Blondies made from a package of Betty Crocker chocolate chip cookie mix and a can of white beans that looks interesting. It immediately reminded me of the skinny black bean brownies I made a couple a couple years back from a box of brownie mix and can of black beans.
- This in home retreat, 30 Ways to Celebrate Food Now, from yoga teacher, David Romanelli, looks like fun. I've taken yoga classes with Dave in the past and the idea of a food focused retreat in the comfort of my own home sounds intriguing…
*PointsPlus® and SmartPoints® calculated by Simple Nourished Living; Not endorsed by Weight Watchers International, Inc. All recipe ingredients except optional items included in determining nutritional estimates. SmartPoints® values calculated WITHOUT Weight Watchers Zero Points fruits and vegetables using the WW Recipe Builder.
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