8 Superfoods For Summer

Wondering what to snack on this summer? Here are eight of our favorite summer superfoods! All of these fruits and veggies are in season all summer long. That means they're not only available locally, but they're at their peak of deliciousness!

And, as always, go organic when you can. Organic foods will help you avoid pesticides and herbicides, and often contain higher levels of nutrients than their nonorganic cousins.

Blueberries

There's not much in nature that's naturally blue, but these tiny berries are! They're also one of the richest sources of antioxidants. Studies suggest that 1–2 cups of blueberries a day could help reduce cholesterol, and a diet high in blueberries (2–2-1/2 cups of blueberry juice made from fresh blueberries) may improve memory. Oh, and we almost forgot to mention . . . they're high in proanthocyanidins, a component that may help reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

Avocados

Buttery avocado is a dieter's dream. It tastes rich and creamy (in fact, in some parts of India, it's known as "butter fruit"), thanks to its high concentration of monounsaturated fats. But, don't worry—not all fat is bad for you. A study conducted at the Reina Sofia University in Spain revealed that avocado's high monounsaturated fats, when consumed as part of a reasonable, balanced diet, may help reduce belly fat! And, that's not all. Monounsaturated fats help lower LDL cholesterol, as well as decrease the risk of breast cancer, heart disease, and stroke.

Lemons

Lemons not only bring out the flavor of food, but they're also great for digestion. It has been recommended to combine lemon juice and ground flaxseeds to aid digestion, thanks to the pectin in the lemon juice and the fiber in the flaxseeds. But, they do much more. They also contain a compound known as limonin that stays in the body up to 24 hours after consumption and can help cancer cells from rapidly growing, and their high levels of vitamin C—one lemon contains 1/3 of your recommended daily allowance (RDA)—can help protect the body against osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, and help you absorb iron. So, go ahead, squeeze it on everything!

Raspberries

In need of fiber? In just one cup, these little jewels contain 30% of your daily dose of fiber and 60% of your RDA of manganese, a mineral critical for building strong bones and cartilage. They're also a great post-workout snack, due to their high levels of ellagic acid, a compound that reduces inflammation. However, don't get too excited about their ketones, the chemical that gives them their unique scent, just yet. While it's been touted as a "miracle fat burner," the scientific jury is still out on whether the supplement works for people as well as it did for mice.

Watermelon

Watermelon and summer were made for each other. Clocking in at 92% water, this classic summer snack is one of the most refreshing ways to hydrate on a hot day. And, while we don't suggest you skimp on the sunblock, its beta-carotene and flavonoids have been shown to reduce the risk of sunburns and skin damage caused by UV-B rays.

Also, did you know that its red hue isn't just for looks? It comes from lycopene, a powerful antioxidant most often associated with the tomato, known for fighting inflammation in the body and promoting cardiovascular health. And a final fun fact about this fruit packed with vitamins A and C: The black seeds are a good source of protein, zinc, and iron. They're not very tasty raw, but try them toasted like pumpkin seeds.

Strawberries

As a kid, our favorite treat was strawberries . . . blanketed in powered sugar. But, while that snack is undoubtedly sweet, we've come to love these berries without their fattening topping, which is great because a single cup of them provides 100% of your vitamin C for the day and a mere 47 calories! Additionally, these little fruits contain the antioxidant anthocyanin and other phytonutrients that can reduce inflammation, and their ellagitannins may be responsible for helping to decrease the risk of type 2 diabetes when they're eaten 3 times a week or more. For the fruits with the most flavor, choose smaller berries over larger ones. Another easy way to check sweetness is to cut them in half—easier done at the farmers' market than the supermarket. The redder the center, the sweeter the taste.

Tomatoes

This staple of Italian cooking actually originated in Mexico. It's also one of the easiest fruits to grow in your backyard or on your patio. This shiny, bright red globe is a nutrient-packed powerhouse that has been attributed with the ability to prevent prostate cancer, breast cancer, and promote heart health. They can help you absorb calcium, thanks to all that lycopene, as well as vitamins A, C, and E. To get even more benefits from tomatoes, cook them in heart-healthy olive oil as the lycopene is fat-soluble.

Cucumbers

Pickled or raw, these crunchy veggies are great for you! Cucumbers contain three types of the polyphenol lignan, a compound that may reduce the risk of heart disease and guard against a variety of cancers. Enjoying a pickle with your sandwich isn't only tasty, it could also improve your immune system's ability to ward off disease.

Resources:

1. http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice
2. http://archinte.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/158/1/41
3. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17384344
4. http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice
5. http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice
6. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7948931
7. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21291369
8. http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminC-HealthProfessional/
9. http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice
10. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1020374
11. http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice
12. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16987435

"I did 5 Beachbody programs and lost 142 pounds!"

A big shout out to Thomas! He's just won $500 from Beachbody and only because he was ready for a life change! Congrats!!

I’ve been overweight most of my adult life. I never cooked healthy, ate healthy, or cared about what I consumed. I just ate it because is tasted good, not because it was remotely good for me. So my poor diet, combined with battling various health issues for more than a decade, took its toll on my body and by the time I was in my late 30’s, I ballooned to over 400 pounds. For years, doctors told me I needed to lose weight, and that if I didn’t, I probably wouldn’t make it to my 50th birthday. So when my father-in-law passed away from complications due to being overweight, I got the wake up call I needed. 

My greatest challenge in losing weight was getting motivated and staying motivated. I’ve done tons of diets before, but when I’d go off them, I’d gain back more than I had lost. I did Atkins and ate meat and cheese all the time, but felt deprived of other foods. I did Weight Watchers, but it was a temporary fix. The biggest problem with all those “diets” was that they didn’t motivate me to move, it was mostly about eating. And I knew that for me to lose weight and keep it off, I needed to get involved in a program that helped me with nutrition AND exercise, not just one or the other. 

Thankfully, I found Beachbody. Through the support of my amazing Coach, all the various programs, and through the support of millions of people online, I was able to get focused and stay focused long enough to shed 142 lbs. So how’d I do it? Well, I started with Power 90 because I needed a program that was not as advanced as P90X, but just as effective. Once I powered through that program, I did the Power 90 Master Series, P90X and Rockin' Body. Now I’m in the middle of TurboFire and the weight keeps melting away.

Today, I am healthy and happy and can do things that I couldn't do before, like: I can go on amusement park rides with my daughter. I can run 5k's (I even look forward to running a marathon one day). I can buckle my seat belt. I can walk without being in pain. My pacemaker had to be adjusted because I lost so much weight. I no longer have problems with gout. I don't have to gasp for air when walking a short distance or climbing stairs. I buy clothes at normal stores. And I no longer get strange looks from strangers.

But more than anything, I’m so proud of myself for losing 142 pounds and for finding the strength inside me to keep going when things got tough. No longer do I live to eat, but now, I eat to live. Thanks Beachbody—because of you guys, I’ll definitely be celebrating many, many, many more birthdays. 

FOCUS T25 Is Finally Here!!

25 MINUTES. 5 DAYS A WEEK. 100% RESULTS.

The only thing standing between you and the results you
want is TIME.

Shaun T experimented for the last year to design a program that delivers the same kind of results you'd expect from an hour-long program, in under 30 minutes. He's pulled out the rest to give you everything you need, nothing you don't.

The result is FOCUS T25—and the name implies the intent: If you focus your intensity for 25 minutes, and you do it 5 days a week, you WILL get results.

Finally, you can get it done in less time. In fact, these 25-minute workouts are all you need. Whether you're looking to get started and want a workout you can fit into your busy life, or you're tired of workouts taking up 1.5 to 2 hours of your day, FOCUS T25 is the answer for you.

Plus, you get the FOCUS T25 Workout Calendar to take out all the guesswork, Shaun's Get It Done Nutrition Guide, your 5-Day Fast Track meal plan, valuable 24/7 Online Support, and more.

9 "Healthy" Foods That Can Fool You

There are dozens of foods we fool ourselves into thinking are healthy when in truth they do nothing but pad our hips and arteries. Here are 9 of the worst offenders on your grocery store shelves.

1. Yogurt

It starts out as good stuff. Fat aside, there's the calcium and protein you find in all milk products, along with probiotics, which make it easier to digest for those with lactose issues. The only problem is that straight yogurt can be pretty bitter, so manufacturers load the stuff with sugar and masquerade those carbs as fruit in an effort to make the whole thing more palatable. Have a look at most flavored yogurt and you'll find the second ingredient to be sugar or high-fructose corn syrup. One container of Yoplait® Original Strawberry has 170 calories, with 5 grams of protein and 33 grams of carbohydrates, 27 of which are sugar. Oddly enough, these are the exact same nutrition facts for Yoplait's other, less healthy-sounding flavors, including Key Lime Pie and White Chocolate Raspberry.

Solution: Buy plain yogurt and flavor it yourself. You'd be amazed at how far a handful of raspberries or a tablespoon of honey will go to cut the bitter taste.

 

2. Wheat Bread

 

Whole-grain wheat is better for you than refined wheat. By keeping the bran and germ, you maintain the naturally occurring nutrients and fiber. But, for some reason, manufacturers constantly come up with new ways to lead you back to the refined stuff. One of their latest tricks is to refer to refined flour as "wheat flour" because, obviously, it's made of wheat. But just because it's wheat-based doesn't mean it's not refined. The distracted shopper can mistake this label for "whole wheat flour" and throw it in his cart. Another loaf of cruddy, refined, fiberless bread has a new home.

Solution: Slow down when you read the label. That word "whole" is an important one.

3. Chicken

Just because you made the switch from red meat doesn't mean you're in the clear. Three ounces of raw chicken breast, meat only, has 93 calories, 19.5 grams of protein, and 1.2 grams of fat. Three ounces of dark meat (wings, thighs, and legs), meat only, has 105 calories, 18 grams of protein, and 3.6 grams of fat. It may not seem like much, but it adds up.

Solution: Go for the breast, and while you're at it, ditch the skin. It's nothing but fat.

4. Frozen or Canned Fruit

 

Any food swimming in juice or "light syrup" isn't good for you. Furthermore, most canned fruit is peeled, meaning you're being robbed of a valuable source of fiber. Frozen fruit is a little trickier. Freezing preserves the fruit itself, but some manufacturers add sugar during the freezing process to preserve color and taste.

Solution: Read the ingredients list! You want it to say fruit, water...and that's it.

5. Canned Vegetables

"What?!" "There's light syrup in canned string beans too?!" Nope. Actually, they add salt to preserve it. A half-cup serving of canned string beans has approximately 300 to 400 milligrams of sodium.

Solution: Many companies offer "no salt added" options. If you can't find one to your liking, go frozen instead. Many of these don't contain salt. Your best option?  Buy what's fresh and in season.

6. Peanut Butter

Grind up peanuts, maybe add a little salt. How hard is it to make that taste good?

Apparently, it's so difficult that many companies feel compelled to add sugar or high-fructose corn syrup into the mix. Why? I don't know. Some manufacturers, such as Skippy®, are up front enough to admit this and call their product "Peanut Butter Spread," but many others still refer to this sugary concoction as good old "peanut butter."

Solution: Read the label. (There's a theme emerging here.) Considering real peanut butter has one ingredient—two ingredients, max—it shouldn't be too hard to figure it out.

7. Juice

 

The range in the nutritional value of store-bought juices is massive. On one end, you have "fruit drinks" with barely any actual juice in them. On the other end, you have fresh-squeezed, 100% preservative-free juices like Odwalla® and Naked Juice®. But no matter which you choose, it's important to remember that it's never going to be as healthy as whole fruit. And if you're trying to lose weight, it's a flat-out bad idea.

First off, it's been stripped of fiber, so you absorb it faster, which makes it more likely to induce blood sugar spikes. Secondly, you consume it faster and it's less filling, so you're more likely to drink more.

There are a few instances when juice is okay. For example, a home juicer can make predominately veggie-based drinks that are loaded with vitamins and minerals and lower in calories. If you're using this as part of a supervised juice fast, or you're trying to target a particular nutrient while concurrently not trying to lose weight, go for it. Otherwise, it's simply not worth it.

Solution: If you must buy it, go fresh-squeezed, but you're usually better off just skipping it entirely.

8. Canned Soup

As is also the case with canned veggies, you're entering a sodium minefield. Half a cup of Campbell's® Chicken Noodle Soup has about 37% of the recommended daily allowance—and who eats half a cup?

Solution: Read those labels carefully. Most companies make low-sodium versions.

9. Fat-Free Salad Dressing

Dressing by definition is supposed to be fatty, and thus, highly caloric. You use a little bit of it, and in doing so, you get a healthy hit of the fats you need for a nutritionally balanced diet. Unfortunately, people prefer to buy fat-free versions so they can drown their greens while avoiding excess fat. Nothing's free. All this stuff does is replace the fat with carbs and salt, so you've basically gone from pouring a little healthy unsaturated fat on your salad to dumping on a pile of sugar.

Solution: Make your own salad dressing. One part vinegar and one part olive oil with a blob of Dijon mustard makes an awesome vinaigrette. And here's another trick: Make your salad in a sealable container, add a tiny bit of dressing, and shake it up. It'll coat so much more than tossing will.

 

Source: http://www.teambeachbody.com/about/newsletters/-/nli/289#292587512

 

Egg White Breakfast Burrito

Ingredients:

1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp each finely chopped red, yellow & green bell pepper
1 tbsp finely chopped red onion
3 large egg whites (1/3 cup)
1 (8-inch) whole wheat flour tortilla, warm
1-2 slices bacon, cooked, chopped
2 Tbsp. fresh tomato salsa

Heat oil in medium nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. 

Add bell peppers and onion. Cook, stirring frequently, for 3 to 4 minutes or until soft.

Add eggs. Cook, over medium heat, stirring frequently, for 2 to 3 minutes, or until eggs are set.

Top tortilla with egg mixture and back. Roll tortilla burrito style and serve with salsa.

Nom Nom Nom. Quick, easy & healthy.

My P90X Results

I wanted to come in and talk about something that has completely changed my life. Beachbody products. First of which is P90X. Now I've attempted P90X on several different occasions but I lacked the motivation I needed to successfully complete the whole 90 days (1 of those occassions, I found out I was pregnant with Bryce a week after starting).

This time I still lacked the motivation from others that I needed but I had the drive and the confidence to know that I can and WILL succeed!

It probably wasn't a good idea to start day 1 of P90X on December 23, 2012 (2 days before Christmas in case you didn't catch that) but I still made the best of it and did what I could. I did miss a few workouts but where I would have normally given up and called it a "scheduling conflict", I didn't. I made each day up and picked up where I left off each time I missed a workout or ate horribly.

I finished P90X offically on April 11, 2013. 2...TWO! days before I was scheduled to run in my first run ever...the Ukrops 10k. I finished 2 weeks off schedule due to the missed days that threw me off but dammit.....I DID IT! With lots of sweat and cursing out Mr. Tony Horton...I.DID.IT.

I ended up losing a total of approximately 20 lbs and 10 inches overall.

P90X DAY 1

P90X DAY 90

I am really proud with my results thus far and I am excited for what the future brings. I am currently on Day 8 of Insanity! I know, I know...crazy right. I just love the felling I get AFTER I finish a workout (It's the before and during that I'm not a big fan of). That adrenaline rush is addicting!

• This is Beachbody’s lowest price EVER for the Insanity Challenge Pack.
• Summer is just two months away and there’s no better time to get in the best shape of your life!
• Insanity burns hundreds of calories per hour by using a breakthrough in applied sports science called MAX Interval Training, with no weights or equipment!
• Shakeology helps you “Dig Deeper” during workouts, simplifies your nutrition plan, reduces junk food cravings, and accelerates your fitness results! 

Join me today in doing Insanity!!

Peanut Butter Banana Bread...Healthy-fied!

Nothing irks me more than someone thinking that "dieting" consists of eating cardboard and tofu all day every day. No. You can eat REAL food and lose weight and overall lead a very healthy life. Cutting out foods you love will only cause you to want to cut someone. Or shoot them...if there's chocolate involved. Enjoy what you love but also learn to modify it to fit YOUR dietary needs.

So here we have Peanut Butter Banana Bread.

Who doesn't love a slab of peanut butter on their banana? Well. I didn't. Until I made this bread. Now I'm all over it! Ha!

Peanut Butter Banana Bread

1 cup brown sugar
2/3 cup peanut butter
2 egg whites
1 1/2 cups mashed banana (about 4-6 bananas)
1/3 cup non-fat yogurt
1 2/3 cup white whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 1 lb loaf pan.
In a large bowl, beat sugar and peanut butter until fluffy. Beat in egg whites on low speed until blended well then add bananas and yogurt. Beat until mixed well.
Stir in remaining ingredients until just combined. Be careful to not overmix.
Pour into loaf pan and bake for 60 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the center of the loaf comes out clean.
Leave in pan to cool for 5 minutes then remove loaf to cool on a wire rack.


Tips & Tricks :

• Loaf can  keep in the refrigerator for up to 1 week if wrapped well in aluminum foil.
• Add 1/2 cup of your favorite nuts for added taste and crunch.
• Try replacing sour cream for the yogurt for a creamier taste!

Whole Wheat, Oatmeal & Banana Pancakes

 These pancakes....were probably the best pancakes I've had in a long time.

 Recently being really SERIOUS about finally ridding myself of my baby weight (Bryce is 2 for heaven's sake), I'm always looking for healthier alternatives to my favorite foods. So here we have...pancakes. Made with whole wheat flour and oatmeal, your toilet will truly love you. I kid.


  WHOLE WHEAT, OATMEAL & BANANA PANCAKES

1 cup oatmeal (quick or old-fashioned)
 1 3/4  cup whole wheat flour
 1/4 cup brown sugar
 2 teaspoons baking powder
 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
 1/2 teaspoon salt
 1 egg
 2 cups milk
 2 tablespoons oil (vegetable or olive)
 1-2 bananas, mashed




   

 Place oatmeal into blender and blend until it resembles coarse flour. Whisk together blended oats, whole wheat flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda & salt in a bowl. Set aside. Whisk together the egg, milk, oil & vanilla. Stir in mashed banana(s).

   

 Pour egg mixture into the flour mixture and mix until just incorporated. Let batter stand for 5 minutes. Heat a lightly oiled pan over medium high heat.

 

 Drop batter by spoonfuls onto pan & cook until bubbles form and edges are dry. About 2 minutes. Flip and cook until browned on the other side. Repeat with remaining batter.


 

 Not perfect IHOP looking pancakes but they sure are good! Can be served with your favorite syrup or alone for a quick morning breakfast.  

Approximate Nutritional Facts per pancake:

Calories : 124*
 Carbs : 21g
 Fat : 4g
 Protein : 4g
 Sodium : 84

 *Calories were calculated using whole milk and vegetable oil. Try using skim milk  and olive oil for an even lower cal version.

  Other tips and tricks to try : Instead of banana try using apple sauce and cinnamon (any other fruit combination will be great as well. I will do blueberry next!). Big batches may not be eaten all in one sitting so freeze cooked pancakes in individual servings to be reheated in the toaster at your convenience.