Roasted Seaweed Snack...

Thank you my friend Maureen - great find!

OK, these might not be for everyone, but I LOVE these as a snack.  Call me crazy, but I think they are tasty and fun to eat.  These packs are only 99 cents at Trader Joe’s and you get two servings out of them!  I can’t eat just half - the good news is that if you do eat the whole thing you are only consuming 60 calories!  One serving is only 30 calories, total fat 2g, sodium 50mg, carbohydrate 1g, sugar 0g, cholesterol 0mg, saturated and trans fat 0g.  I think I will try some shredded over my next salad to add a little crunch!  YUM!

Some health benefits of seaweed;

Seaweed is called ancient super food and a secret to health and longevity.  Seaweed draws an extraordinary wealth of mineral elements from the sea that can account for up to 36% of its dry mass. This food is high in iodine, calcium, magnesium, iron, vitamins C and A, protein, Vitamins B, fiber and, alpha linoleic acid, EPA, and so much more.

Nori includes almost all the mineral elements, which are used effectively in our body. This common seaweed contains more vitamins than fruits and vegetables. It is abundant in dietary fiber.

This results in the following seaweed health benefits: healthy hearing, improved memory, clear skin, good eyesight, dental health, healthy thyroid function, improved immune system, prevents allergies and infections, lowers blood pressure, nurtures healthy heart vessels and normalizes cholesterol levels, all in all it supports good health!

Healthy Eating and Dining Out with Friends...

This can be challenging and extremely stressful!  Your out with your friends and they offers you tastes of their butter-soaked fettuccine alfredo. They hand you a fork and beg you to share the chocolate tower truffle for dessert.  It's tough to stick to a healthy eating plan when those around you are indulging. It's even tougher when they're bent on making sure you indulge, too. But don't stress about it. Here are a few tricks will help you stay on track without alienating the not-so-healthy eaters in your life. Heck, you may even inspire them to join your cause.

Prepare to be firm!

If you have a habit of caving in when pressured by your friends, make sure you're not sending mixed messages. Come prepared with a game plan that defines in your mind what you'll eat and how you'll respond to temptation. This way, they won't interpret your hesitation as a cue to push the chips and dip your way.  It's also helpful to guard against common diet saboteurs, including sleep deprivation, stress, and proximity to unhealthy food options.

Bottom line: If friends are pressuring you to indulge, it's probably because they want you to enjoy yourself. The best way to respond is to keep the dialogue positive. Rather than saying you can't or shouldn't have something, say you aren't hungry or it's not your favorite. They can't argue with that.

Go on, take a bite!

Indulgence loves company, so expect a guilt trip if you pass on a temptation your friends gave in to. Make it easy on yourself, then: Pick up your fork and have a small piece of whatever is being served.

If you say, "I'm stuffed, but this looks so delicious I can't pass up a bite," you'll avoid peer pressure by turning the situation around—you're indulging, not depriving yourself. And you won't make your friends feel bad by rebuffing their generosity. Besides, one bite of dessert won't make a dent in your diet.

Until Monday - keep thinking veggies and protein! 

Cooking Staples that can Outlast Even You...

Not that I use some of these product, but good to know!  So before you throw out that years-old sugar or replace that bottle of vanilla that's been gathering dust, consult this list of "forever foods. You may be surprised how many of your kitchen staples have a shelf life of decades — even after they've been opened.

Sugar
Regardless of whether your sugar is white, brown, or powdered, it will never spoil because it doesn't support bacterial growth.

The challenge with sugar is to keep it from hardening into chunks. To keep sugar fresh, store it in an airtight container or seal it in a plastic bag. If your brown sugar is more like a brown rock, you can revive it with just a minute in the microwave on low heat.

Pure vanilla extract
If you have pure vanilla extract in the back of the cupboard, there's no need to throw it out because it lasts forever. It may be more expensive than its imitation counterpart, but its shelf life certainly outweighs the extra cost.

Keep that vanilla flavor at its best by sealing the bottle after each use and storing it in a cool, dark place.

Rice
White, wild, jasmine, arborio and basmati rice all keep forever so there's no need to throw them out. Brown rice is the one exception because it has a higher oil content so store it in the refrigerator or freeze it to maximize its shelf life. Once you've opened a bag or box of rice, move it to an airtight container or resealable freezer bag to keep it fresh.

Corn starch
You can thicken gravies and sauces for years with just one box of corn starch because it keeps indefinitely. Store this kitchen staple in a cool, dry area and be sure to reseal it tightly after each use.

Honey
Whether you use it in your tea, on your toast or as an alternative sweetener, that jar of pure honey is good forever. It may get grainy or change color, but it's still safe to eat — and delicious — because its antibiotic properties keep it from spoiling.

You can help keep it fresh by storing it in a cool area, and you can improve the quality of crystallized honey by placing the jar in warm water and stirring it until the grainy parts dissolve.

Salt

The contents of your salt shaker will never spoil, regardless of whether it's basic table salt or sea salt. Simply store it in a cool, dry place and salt will keep indefinitely.

Corn syrup
If you come across a years-old bottle of corn syrup in your pantry, don't throw it out. This sweetener keeps indefinitely as long as you keep it sealed and store it in a cool, dry area..

Distilled white vinegar
This wonder product can be used for everything, from making marinades and salad dressings to cleaning house and doing laundry. But the best thing about distilled white vinegar is that it lasts for years. Simply close it tightly after each use and store the bottle in a cool, dark place.

Home Work Out with a Towel...

Just when I thought I had to have those gliding discs (frisbee-like discs you can use them on carpets and floors), I found this exercise!  I found two old wash clothes and gave it a try on our hardwood floors!  NOT EASY!!!!!

Sliding plank to pike, great for your core!

A

Get in push-up position on floor, hands shoulder-width apart and feet on a towel; your body should be straight from head to heels.

B

Use your abs to draw your feet forward, lifting hips and keeping legs as straight as you can. Return to starting position and repeat. Keep shoulders over your hands.

Thank you Shape Magazine once again!  I just can’t figure out how the laws of gravity is keeping her braid in place!

Pump Up the Volume...

Sure, we need to think about fat and calories when considering a meal or snack.  It’s also important to think about food’s air and water contents, or volume!  For example you might not find 100 calories of raisons, about a 1/4 cup, as satisfying as 100 calories of grapes, about 1 cup!  Next time you hit the salad bar, pile it high with fresh produce, you’ll consume 8 percent fewer calories and feel just as full as those who load up with higher-density (and lower volume) toppings such as cheese and dressing.  Don’t forget a lean protein!  For volume without the calories, opt for fiber-rich fruit and veggies!