I adore Pinterest. It is so full of wonderful healthy snack ideas. And with the colder face-stuffing weather surfacing, healthy snacks are a MUST for a woman like me who craves treats every fall and winter. While browsing Pinterest a couple days ago, I came across a recipe for frozen Greek yogurt bites with banana. Not only did I try this recipe out, I dolled it up with some cinnamon and honey. The turn out? Cool, creamy, healthy and delicious!


   This is a very easy recipe! Just mix it all in a bowl until it's creamy, but the bananas shouldn't be completely smashed.Then spoon the mixture into a muffin tin lined with baking cups. Finally, cover the pan with plastic wrap and put it in the freezer for two hours. Then wala! A delicious, healthy treat! They can also be added to smoothies! Enjoy!

It's Sunday, and that means it's time to sit back, relax and enjoy a healthy breakfast with loved ones. Why not whip up a healthy brunch? This Spinach and Eggs Diablo is not only a quick meal to make, but it's an easy recipe to follow!

What you reed:

2 over easy or poached eggs
One piece of wheat bread (or English muffin)
A handful of raw spinach
A slice of pepper jack cheese
Wing sauce or hot sauce (I used wing sauce)
Fresh ground pepper



Set your oven to 350, then lay the spinach over the toast. Top the spinach with a slice of pepper jack cheese, then put it in the oven until the bread is toasted the way you prefer. When it's done, take it out of the over and place the eggs over it. Finally, drizzle with wing sauce and add fresh ground pepper to taste. I prefer to serve mine with a little fresh fruit for extra energy to aid me in my weight loss journey.

Enjoy!

Scales aren't always reliable when determining weight loss. Have you ever noticed how we usually weigh more at the doctor's office than we do at home? I often find scales to be as discouraging as the mirrors in a brightly lit dressing room. Those of us trying to live a healthy lifestyle can all relate- the digital flicker of a few numbers can impact how we feel about ourselves. One day I'm down a pound, and then I'm up four pounds the next! This happens to many of us, which can give us a sense of failure, even when it's not!

When we step on a scale, our weight in the morning always differs from our weight in the evening. We have to consider water weight, C02 levels after waking in the morning, food consumed, etc. Also, muscle weighs more than fat, so if you're working out, you may be losing fat, but gaining muscle. These are factors our scales can't read, but our eyes can.


When we look in the mirror, we view the little details our scales fail to project. We can see muscle definition, how our jeans loosen around our waists, and the slimming of our different body areas. These small, subtle changes are definite PROGRESS that our eyes can see, and it's fuel for motivation, rather than scale-driven disappointment.

Scales are needed for weight averages and other medical diagnostics. Monthly weigh-ins are also very useful when tracking your weight loss progress. But using a scale to weigh yourself daily or even weekly can throw you off your game. That's why I prefer mirrors and do not own a scale at home. Real results are results we can see. Besides, we're human beings, not numbers.

It's FOODIE FRIDAY, so here is a recipe I made last night that was not only super healthy and fantastic for weight loss, but it was so delicious! It is a very easy crock pot meal to whip together as well.

Ingredients:

4 chicken breasts
1/2 cup of lemon juice
3 garlic cloves
Fresh dill (as much as you'd like)
Salt & pepper to taste



All you do is put everything in the crock pot and cook it on high for two hours, then low for an additional two hours. Or-- cook it until the chicken is tender- whatever's easier for you and your crock pot.

I added fresh green beans by placing them on top of the chicken so they would steam, and let them cook for 20 minutes. You could do that with asparagus, broccoli or anything else you'd prefer.

It's a quick, low fat crock pot chicken recipe to put together that's perfect for a busy, healthy lifestyle.

Bon Appétit!

When we sit down to dinner, or grab a burger at the nearest burger joint, we don't stop to think about how a pound of beef could harm the planet. Until I watched the documentary, Vegucated, I didn't realize the amount of water and energy even used to make a pound of beef. The answer? Between 1,700 and 2,000 gallons according to various sources. And that is just the water! You still have to factor in energy and Co2 emissions. According to The Independent, "Livestock are responsible for 18 per cent of the greenhouse gases that cause global warming, more than cars, planes and all other forms of transport put together."

Another sad reality is the fact that many Americans consume too much protein. The average woman only needs between 50 and 60 grams of protein a day. A very active person doesn't need much more. One 4 ounce chicken breast contains over half that. When you add yogurt, milk, cheese, nuts, legumes and any other meat a person may eat through out the day, you get protein overload. Maybe the three-meal meat staple is to blame for this. For decades Americans have enjoyed bacon for breakfast, a meat sandwich for lunch, and another portion of meat for dinner. This made sense back in the 1930's when small farms were abundant and many people had to eat what they could just to stay healthy during war time. People also expended more energy back in those days due to the lack of technology we have now. Labor was much harder.



Like with many foods, it's all about moderation. I could never personally quit meat, so I'd never suggest that to anyone. I do suggest meat in moderation, though, and that's how I try to maintain my health. I only eat meat once a day, usually at dinner. The above photo is two night's worth of steaks for my family of three, and by three, I mean my boyfriend and teenage son. Rather than serving up a plate full of meat with a few side items, we bulk up on veggies with meat as a side. I'm taking care of my body and shrinking my environmental footprint by only enjoying a small portion of meat with dinner, so it's a pretty win-win way to meal plan. I've also noticed more energy since I started eating less meat. Maybe you would to! If not for yourself, at least try it for our children's future.