It’s always hard work. It just becomes more natural. May 28, 2009

It’s never fun to break the news to people that watching your weight or living healthy eventually becomes so easy you don’t have to think about it. If only this were true. The reality of our situation is that we live in a culture where it is very, I repeat VERY, difficult to maintain a healthy weight. It’s time to accept the fact that high-calorie, unhealthy foods are available to us multiple times every day. Most food options at restaurants are really high in calories. Birthday cake will always abound at work! So what are you going to do about it?

My encouragement to the people I work with is: if weight loss feels like really hard work then you are doing the right thing! Isn’t that encouraging?! That’s why I think no one should lose weight alone. But anyways, healthy choices may not become easier (i.e. I will always and forever love cookies more than broccoli) but they do become more natural. Your goal is to find the tools that help healthy behaviors “stick” and happen more regularly. For instance, if food journaling works for you, guess what! It will work forever. So don’t stop. If exercise helped you lose weight (this is a must for everyone) then you need to do it forever. So find something you enjoy.

Here’s an interesting article I came across today about yo-yo dieting that inspired this post. It’s good to admit your weaknesses and then find strategies that work for you to change. This article gives several people’s strategies for long term success.  Please don’t let it discourage you. Instead, let it motivate you to find what you need to do to be healthy every day of your life.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/weightloss/2009-05-26-yo-yo-diet_N.htm

Black Bean Salad May 26, 2009

This Memorial Day I was determined to bring something tasty and healthy to a cookout we attended. Sure chips and hotdogs are yummy, but I wanted something fresh that wasn’t a typical salad. So I brought a black bean salad. This is certainly not my original idea. There are many versions out there and you can certainly come up with your own. This recipe, however, turned out delicious and was the only side dish completely eaten at the party. I’d say that’s a pretty good sign.

I think a few touches take this from good to great. First, fresh lime juice and zest will always provide a stronger flavor than lime juice from the bottle. Second, grilling the fresh corn adds a different dimention of flavor that corn from the can does not. Lastly, there is a bunch of color in this salad that makes it visually appealing. This is very important as most people eat, to some degree, with their eyes.

Hope you had a healthy holiday! Enjoy!

Jenna’s Black Bean Salad

2 cans of black beans, drained and rinsed

2 ears of sweet corn

1 cup cherry tomatoes, sliced to form circles

1 avocado, diced

1/2 sweet onion, diced

1/4 cup chopped, fresh cilantro

1 tsp olive oil

Juice of 2 limes

Zest from 1 lime

Salt to taste, about 1 tbsp

1. Strip husk and silk from corn. Rinse and then spray lightly with olive oil. Grill on hot grill for about 2 minutes per side, until grill marks appear. Let cool then cut off kernels from husk.

2. In a medium size bowl add oil, lime juice, zest and cilantro. Mix together and let sit for a minute.

3. Add beans, tomatoes, corn, and onion to bowl and mix to combine. Fold in avocado and salt. Let sit in fridge for at least 1 hour before serving.

Serves 10.

Supplements Continue to be Under Scrutiny May 18, 2009

Check out this interesting article that summaries some of the issues in the supplement industry. The Hydroxycut incidence has created quite a stir.

http://www.nutraingredients-usa.com/Industry/Supplements-and-DSHEA-under-mass-attack/?c=r/qtYdnCKMgDAdFAG

Just FYI I post these things about supplements not to completely bash every product. On the contrary I think many are useful and important. I take a few myself. However, there marketing and formulating strategies are deceptive and sometimes dangerous. My thinking is you should know why you are taking a supplement and as much about that product’s formulation as possible. Just be smart!

Grilling Fruit May 14, 2009

Grilling fruit is a simple and delicious way to try something different. Grilling caramelizes the sugar naturally found in fruit and offers a slightly different flavor. It’s very delicious.

The best part about grilling fruit is that it is so simple! Large fruits works best one the grill. I like to grill pineapple & melon. All you do is slice the fruit in thick slices and lay them on a hot grill. They only stay on long enough to heat them and create grill marks. Flip the fruit to cook on the opposite side. Both types of fruit I mentioned take about 2-4 minutes per side depending on how hot your grill is.

Grilled fruit is an excellent dessert, side dish or topping. We had grilled pineapple on our salads tonight. I have also served it on top of grilled chicken and just as a side with dinner.

Happy grilling!

FYI: corn on the cob is also fantastic when it is grilled. Just spray it with a little olive oil and cook on all sides (about 2 minutes per side) till you get grill marks.

What’s on your mind? May 12, 2009

I have to be honest that I have been having a mental blank lately about what to post on my site. Some weeks, I have too many ideas than I have time to write. Lately, for whatever reason, not much is coming to mind. So….please let me know what is on your mind! What nutrition issues leave you scratching your head? What’s the latest food buzz in the news that you are concerned about? I guess what I’m asking is, “help me, help you.” =)

I know something good will come soon. In the meantime, keep the questions coming.

Have a healthy week!

Dinner on the Grill May 5, 2009

Last night I made our whole dinner on the grill. I love to grill, especially now that it’s summer and the produce is awesome. Here’s the menu

Grilled chicken breast (filleted to make them thin and cook faster) rubbed with Monterey Chicken seasoning

Grilled sweet corn (just spritzed them with a little olive oil)

Grilled honeydew (nothing added)

That’s it. A super simple meal that tasted great. What else do you cook on the grill?

Uh Oh Hydroxycut! May 4, 2009

As of May 1st 2009, the FDA has issued a consumer warning urging consumers to discontinue their use of Hydroxycut products. “Liver injury” has been reported in several cases with some leading to serious illness and one case of death.  Hydroxycut has issued a recall of their products.

Hmmmm. I know people hate when you say it, but I have to! “I told you so!” There is no telling what is exactly in Hydroxycut or any other fat burner/diet supplement! These products WILL NOT be taken off the market until something like this happens – they have enough reported cases to cause serious concern.

So please just consider for a moment that weight loss supplements are not a safe venture for anyone! Weight loss is about blood, sweat, and tears. It takes hard work and committment, not a pill.

Wise up people and check out the story for yourself.

http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2009/NEW02006.html