Millet an Oatmeal Alternative...

I never heard of millet or spelt until a few weeks ago when we went on a distillery tour and got to try different bourbons and rye's with different grains! 

All grains offer a unique taste, texture, and nutrition profile as an alternative to oatmeal!  Switching it up will keep things exciting and give you a wider range of the nutrients you need. The only downside is that most require some simmer time on the stove, so if you want the same speedy convenience as instant oats, prepare a batch the night before. Then all you have to do is pop a bowl in the microwave the next morning. 

This gluten-free grain offers a mix of important minerals, including phosphorus and magnesium, to keep bones strong and muscles and nerves performing at their best. A 2012 study from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Ohio found that magnesium also works as a powerful anti-inflammatory in cells and has the potential to be helpful in conditions ranging from asthma to diabetes.

Break your breakfast rut:  Millet can be creamy like mashed potatoes or fluffy like rice, depending on how you cook it. Use 2 cups of liquid for every 1 cup millet for a light, dry texture, or add more water if you prefer a thick, mushy mash. 

Nutrition score per serving (1/4 cup dry): 180 calories, 2g fat, 36g carbs, 8g fiber, 6g protein

Jumping Rope...

This will be my next purchase!  Can't muster the motivation to make it to the gym? Skip it! Jumping rope burns more than 10 calories a minute while strengthening your legs, butt, shoulders, and arms. And it doesn’t take long to reap major rewards. You can burn more than 200 calories in two, 10-minute sessions each day (that's 1,000 calories a week)!

Jumping rope is also a great way to fit in an effective cardio session when you're on the go; just toss it in your carry-on! You'll probably feel completely energized after jumping rope too. What are you waiting for? Hop to it!

Meatloaf...

Ha ha - Bob got the “perfect meatloaf” as seen on TV!  He saw it on GROUPON GOODS and decided to give it a try!  It really works great!  We have been experimenting with making a healthy version of a common comfort food.  He nailed it last night!  It was a Mexican version.  He got 88/12 lean ground beef.  We soaked some dried black beans the night before, mushrooms, poblano pepper, onions, garlic and lot’s of Spanish spices.  To top it off he made a non fat tomatillo sauce, (grilled tomatilloes, garlic and cilantro).  Served with some roasted cauliflower!  Comfort on an evening waiting for the winter storm - that seems to be a day late!

Caving...

Sunday morning after my run I had such a craving for pancakes!  Haven’t had them in years!  We almost headed out to brunch and I decided I just didn’t want to partake in the calorie overload.  Sorry Bob!  Instead my wonderful husband went out and got whole wheat flower, fat free milk, fat free ricotta cheese and some frozen mixed berries!  We added some chia seeds and oat bran.  It was a treat and probably the best pancakes ever :) 

Clean Eating (part 3)...

Do: Enjoy a colorful array of foods.

Don’t: Limit yourself to your comfort zone.
Dark green, blue, red, yellow, orange, purple, and even white vegetables deliver a range of phytochemicals for fighting inflammation and stopping invaders dead in their tracks to keep you healthy. The better you feel and more energy you have, the more you can commit to butt-kicking workouts. Bonus: The better you nourish your skin, the more glowing and elastic (read: fewer wrinkles) it will be.

Until Monday - Keep thinking veggies and protein!