The Minutes According to Amy

Taking life for granted!

2009-04-24T21:11:00.000-07:00

http://www.cultureunplugged.com/play/1081/Chicken-a-la-Carte

We take so much for granted when the world around us is hurting so much and other cultures around the world value every little crumb life gives them. Our society is struggling with so many different eating disorders and yet some where across the ocean there are people hoping for a piece of bread or some half eaten piece of food.
We spend millions of dollars on products to help us eat less so that we can look better and its a shame because we think of our looks not our health and well being. Many of our children in elementary school are suffering with eating disorders such as bulimia and anorexia. On the other side of the coin we see the compulsive eaters which believes are so distorted that they are in total denial as to their behavior with food. Perhaps we should stop and revise the way we teach our children enjoy food and not to use it as a pacifier for that feel good moment or gratification.
I hope the short film on the link above makes you think and help you make some positive changes in your everyday life. Lets all help our starving friends across the world by conquering hunger one area at a time. If we all donated a dollar a day which probably is less than all the food we throw away on a daily basis not only at home but when we go out to eat as well. All together we can make a difference in the lives of others and maybe someday there wont be so many starving people in the world.

Boost your life eat healthy

2009-04-16T14:13:00.000-07:00

When it comes to increasing your stamina and feeling great eating healthy is the key. Diet plays a huge role in being healthy and keeping your weight in control which further protects your heart and other organs. When you consume a low nutrient, high saturated fat and high in sodium diet you are not only putting yourself at risk of developing high cholesterol but you are increasing your changes of getting high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease over time.

Our nation is facing an obesity problem that begins with our children and spreads out to our seniors. Here are some tips that will help you maintain a healthy diet:

How can we make our diets healthy and still please our taste buds?

It is quite simple all you need is to make some minor changes that will improve the way you feel.

1. Replace processed products with fresh natural foods

2. Eliminate high sodium things such as crackers, chips, soda pop

3. Add lean protein such as skinless chicken and fish

4. Stock your pantry with whole grains, fruits, nuts and vegetables

5. Keep away from trans-fat which are generally found in cookies, pie crust, cakes, pastries, butter and margarine.

These are just 5 simple tips that will make a difference in your weight and the way you feel.

Remember portion control is an important factor. For example one portion of meat is 3 ounces, a serving of nuts is one ounce, more or less a handful. Another thing you can do is use smaller plates and divide them into four equal parts. If you feel hungry just bulk up on vegetables and salads. Be very careful of salad dressings they are loaded with fat and calories the best thing is light on the salt, lemon or a dash Balsamic vinegar and if you are craving for more taste add a little crushed garlic shake well and add to your salad without guilt. Baking, broiling or grilling are better options for cooking your foods. Do not fry or use butter, a little olive oil is healthy and brings out the taste in your meals. Instead of seasoning your meats with salt add some herbs and spices to bring out the flavor.

Your body does need fat, so concentrate on monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats which will both protect your body and your heart. Look for them in fatty fish like mackerel, lake trout, herring, sardines, albacore tuna and salmon and in vegetable oils like olive, canola, avocados, nuts and seeds. If you follow these simple tips of a low calorie high fiber diet you will be able to loose weight and feel great. One more thing to remember is also that there are many other choices besides beef. You can even make burgers and meat loaf from ground chicken and turkey. There are also other game meats such as buffalo and venison which are low in fat and make great burgers as well. Lets' not forget the other white meat PORK, a lean 3 ounce piece of pork is just as healthy. Don't forget we are what we eat!

Diet and Better Health for Spring!

2009-04-15T09:59:00.000-07:00

We should always take care of our bodies but of course it is human nature to eat more in the winter months even in South Florida where the weather is generally nice all year round. Now that spring is here all of a sudden we are so worried about how we will look in a bathing suit or the cute shorts we bought last year at the end of the summer and have not worn because they really never looked as good as expected. This goes for the men also with those extra tires around the waist from all the rich foods and the beer enjoyed. It all boils down to awareness and choices we make about food, exercise and self -control. Yes, there is also emotional eating which many times gets in the way of good healthy eating and an exercise plan. When things get a little bumpy we tend to reach for that chocolate bar or that piece of chocolate cake that we picked up at the store by impulse. The good old comfort foods that we depend on to make everything feel better.
Changing your habits is neither quick nor easy but it can be accomplished. The truth is that it's way easier to make excuses for eating the wrong things and not working out. I can think back to several excuses I use to make to when it came to my own healthier choices. It was either that I was too tired or that I was hurting too much from the previous workout. When it comes to exercising, motivation is very important to get you up and going, stop making lame excuses that will set you back from our intended goal.

You may want to work with a personal trainer until you become more comfortable with your workouts don't feel that you are getting a beating at the gym, it's really not torture its part of living a longer and healthier life. If a trainer is not in your budget than find a friend that can help you stay motivated. Make an effort to form an exercise habit, don't forget that exercise alone wont do the magic combined with a good diet you will see faster results.

Many people ask when is the best time to workout?
There is really no right time to set your workout and as human beings we are all so very different in the way things affect us. Some of us are morning people, for those energetic people that love to get up early and start the day well what better than getting up just a little earlier and get a nice start to your day with a workout that will help you burn calories as the day goes.
If you are a night owl like me I start really feeling great after 4PM so after work or later in the evening would probably be a better choice for working out some of the stress we experience during the day. The bottom line is there is nothing more important than getting a good sweat session even if you are lacking time to do it, a 30 minute workout goes a long way just increase the intensity. The idea is to get it done at least 4 times a week and think of yourself being lean, sexy, healthier and full of energy.