No Gym - No Problem...

TV TUMMY TUCKS

Zero in on your abs with this exercise: Sit lightly on the edge of the couch with both hands placed just outside of your hips. Maintaining a straight spine, bend both knees at 90 degrees  and lift your heels off the floor.

Brace your abs in tight to your spine, inhale, and hinge back as far as you can without rounding your back at all (you may touch the back of the couch, but don't rest your body on it).

Exhale and draw both knees up to hip height (maintaining their 90-degree position and keeping your back straight).

Lower your legs with control and tap just your toes back on the floor, holding the hinge position with your upper body. Repeat this up to 20 times in a row, exhaling each time you lift your legs.

Thank you Shape Magazine!

CHIA SEEDS...

This superfood seems to be all the rage these days, and we admit they go great on cereal, in smoothies,on salads, etc. Just don't pour chia seeds on with abandon—a single tablespoon still contains 70 calories, meaning you can easily add an extra 200 calories to that smoothie without even realizing it!

Cabbage...

Surprising Sources of Antioxidants Acacia berries, red wine and pomegranates are all known for their high levels of the antioxidants called anthocyanins. That is what gives these foods their deep red color. So maybe it's not so surprising that red and purple cabbage is another great source of the same powerful antioxidant.

Anthocyanins can help improve the health and youthfulness of your blood vessels, warding off heart disease. And if your dose of anthocyanins comes from cabbage, you'll get the added benefit of glucosinolates, another antioxidant that may help cells fight against cancer.

One cup of red cabbage contains less than 30 calories and has 2 grams of stay-full fiber.  I love my cabbage and or broccoli slaw with a wasabi vinaigrette dressing! 

Butternut Squash Spaghetti...

My husband is a genius!  Remember I gave you the recipe for turkey meatballs and spaghetti squash and I couldn’t make it because I couldn’t find the squash.  We eventually found a spaghetti squash, made it and it was delish!  It was so good I wanted it again! Low and behold - again, no spaghetti squash.  Bob thought he would try a butternut squash instead!  He peeled it, and tried a few different techniques to get strips.  The apple corer worked part way, then he used a peeler.  He steamed the strips until tender and voila - it worked!  The only variation he made to the meatballs was he added some red pepper flakes and a whole egg instead of egg whites - because of course the only eggs we use are organic, omega 3 eggs.  What a great, healthy comfort food!  (see blog 2/6/2012for recipe).  It just goes to show you - you can try anything in the kitchen!

Until Monday - Keep thinking veggies and protein!

Speed up Metabolism...

Eat Constantly - Snacking does not have to be a bad thing. If your stomach is growling, it means that you need more fuel. Not providing your body with food is a surefire way to slow down its basic functions. Choose high-fiber, high-protein snacks like a wedge of Laughing Cow Lite cheese, almonds, fruits, veggies, or Greek yogurt. Starving your body will sabotage all of your dieting efforts.