Ideas for changing up breakfast!!!

My love for the incredible egg, my goodness I could go on and on... This topic will be on changing up ideas for a quick and simple breakfast in just a couple minutes. Yes you can fix a quick breakfast faster than you can toast a bagel. 

Eggs have more than just a stellar nutritional profile. When scrambled, the inexpensive protein powerhouses cook up super-fast and work well with just about any flavor combo you can imagine. Here are a few tips to make the easy scramble or omelet.

Cut up any veggies you want, including things like mushrooms. I even do a few days worth the night before, put them in a plastic container with an inch of water and microwave for 3 minutes. Drain off the water and add to a scrambled egg plus an egg white. Then an easy omelet and I also add 2% slice of cheese for that added yummyness. I top with salsa, and even change that up using red or green.

The choice today was red onion and yellow peppers, I added 2 points worth of taco meat (from last nights dinner) and topped with green salsa. Be creative, I have even added chicken from the night before. I also use MorningStar farms veggie sausage. 

Last put not least, scrambles aren't just for breakfast. Make them for lunch and dinner!!

Mulling over what today's topic should be, I was looking at a past blog "Wine and Health".  I quickly realized I never addressed Wine and Losing Weight.  Me of all people, I love my Chardonnay!! How could I possibly overlooked this topic. 

As I pondered the thought and started my research...could the last 7 pounds not come off because of wine?  Could I have hit a plateau because of wine? I was now anxious to research the topic.

I drink white but have always heard red is better for your heart. Personally, I would not drink any wine if red was the only option. But, I needed to know which one is better than the other. The answer is "NO", okay that is a relief. Here is why: On average the difference between a typical 5-ounce serving of white wine and red is between 5-10 calories. So while drinking white wine will be marginally better the difference is minuscule. A glass of the popular white wine, Chardonnay, has about 120 calories while the same size glass of Cabernet Sauvignon will typically be 127 calories.

Okay in my research I stumbled upon an article in Cosmopolitan Magazine. I have to quote it directly because I couldn't stop reading or really even digest what I was reading. I had never this before. So here goes.

" Happy Hour Does Your Body Good...
The evidence is impressive. Researchers kept tabs on nearly 20,000 normal-weight women for 13 years. Over time, the women who drank a glass or two of red wine a day were 30 percent less likely to be overweight than the nondrinkers (they tracked women who drank liquor and beer too, but the link was strongest for red wine). That’s not surprising, since vino has other benefits. "It’s rich in antioxidants that reduce cholesterol and blood pressure,” says Jana Klauer, a New York City physician specializing in nutrition and metabolism.

One reason wine may contribute to a healthy weight is that digesting booze triggers your body to torch calories. “Women make smaller amounts of the enzyme that metabolizes alcohol than men do, so to digest a drink, they have to keep producing it, which requires the body to burn energy,” says Dr. Klauer. That means you’re likely to see more of a benefit than your guy since his body doesn’t have to work as hard to digest a glass of the grape.

Alcohol also may burn calories due to a process called thermogenesis, says Lu Wang, MD, PhD, the lead study author and member of the division of preventive medicine at Boston’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Alcohol raises your body temperature (one reason some people get red cheeks when drinking), causing the body to burn calories to create heat.

...But That’s Not All
The study also showed that women who drank moderately ate less. While researchers can’t say why, it’s possible that they were more likely to slow down and savor their food and drink.

If you combine all these factors, drinking wine could lead to taking in fewer calories while your body is burning energy, meaning you’re less likely to gain weight, says Dr. Wang. Awesome, but you don’t want to replace food with wine—you’ll miss out on key nutrients and wind up schnockered. And keep in mind that wine has calories: about 125 for 5 ounces. “That’s why drinking isn’t a weight-loss strategy on its own,” says Dr. Klauer. Overdoing it is linked to health risks you don’t want to take, like breast cancer. “But having a glass,” says Dr. Klauer, “along with a healthy diet and exercise, seems to be a marker for a healthier lifestyle.” Hey, we’ll salud to that."

Do you see why I couldn't stop reading? All I can say is drink your wine. But remember to count your calories/points. Everything in moderation. Also, don't skip meals!!

Wow, My first Buddy Up Blog was all about having support in my journey..since that blog my entire life has changed.

When my son went off  to College and a month later my Cousin ( commonly referred to as CUZ)  moved in, my Son journey's began alone at college and my Cuz's journey began. The Cuz lost 74 pounds and my Son's changed too. Wow, so much changed....

The love of my life and I met, he can eat well let's see. One day he consumes at least six regular pepsi's, at least 2,000 calories of chocolate and absolutely anything he wants to eat ....FREE no points. WE hate those people. Not really he is the best.

Wait back to the buddy up!! I haven't gained any but stuck....yuk!! I hate being stuck!! Well where is my buddy!! Will is doing his back on track and doing well. BTW he is updating the website. CUZ, I know would love for me to cook for him again. 

Okay, the buddy thing again, as TR (my love) says I switched lanes without a turn signal...back in my lane. My dearest friend back in my hometown 2,000 miles away sent me a message this morning.  She lost with me, and 2,000 miles we still were buddies and weight in every Saturday. 

Lost track of doing that and she put some back on....  Yeah, I have my buddy again, back on the bike and we are weighing in and checking in every Saturday morning....WOW, accountability!!! It works...it so works. 

Remember Foodies, YOU CAN DO IT!!!!

Whether it's Memorial Day weekend or a cookout with friends, BBQs, and other potluck dinner parties can be tough when you're trying to eat clean. Trust me, I know how difficult it can be to maintain a healthy food plan when you're faced with creamy potato salad, BBQ spareribs, double chocolate brownies, and margaritas.

However, it IS possible to make good choices when attending food-centered get-togethers. Here are some my healthier picks for your holiday BBQ:

Grill lean meats for example make sure you using 93/7 hamburger, bulk it up with fresh mushrooms minced. I also add ff feta to my burgers. Use 2% cheese to save calories/points. Add lettuce and tomato to help fill you up. 

As long as that grill is hot throw on fresh veggies. I take a cheese slicer and cut zucchini longways (about 1/4 thick) spray with olive oil cooking spray, Salt and Pepper and grill them up. Asparagus or corn is always a family favorite too.

Fresh fruit salad is also a great side dish, and refreshing in the summer heat. I add Tropicana Trop 50 and mix in my fruit. It will stop bananas from turning brown besides adding flavor. 

Raw vegetables like baby carrots, grape tomatoes, broccoli, jicama, and celery are easy to take along and dip in a light ranch dressing or in hummus.

Deserts are no problem, there are many on the website. So make one and bring your own. Don't forget how delicious fruit is sliced and grilled too. Peaches and Pineapple actually get sweeter once grilled. 

So enjoy your summer and grill up!! Remember YOU CAN DO IT!!

When I read a sentence "do carrots make you fat?" I about fell off my chair. Why would anyone ask that question. After further
research I learned that this rumor was believed to have been started by the "South Beach Diet" due to the glycemic index. Again another blog so back to Carrots.

I don’t think anyone can argue that carrots are an excellent source of nutrients. Carrots are incredibly rich in both alpha-carotene and beta-carotene (which converts into vitamin A in your body) plus they have a ton of fiber, lots of anti-aging and disease-fighting phytonutrients, a hefty dose of potassium and even a sprinkling of calcium and magnesium.

With that rumor set aside lets concentrate on the positive:

“Good for the eyes” is one of the few we got right. Carrots are rich in beta-carotene, which is converted into vitamin A in the liver. Vitamin A is transformed in the retina, to rhodopsin, a purple pigment necessary for night vision.  Vitamin A and antioxidants protects the skin from sun damage. Deficiencies of vitamin A cause dryness to the skin, hair and nails. Vitamin A prevents premature wrinkling, acne, dry skin, pigmentation, blemishes, and uneven skin tone.

t’s all in the crunch! Carrots clean your teeth and mouth. They scrape off plaque and food particles just like toothbrushes or toothpaste.  Carrots stimulate gums and  trigger a lot of saliva, which being alkaline, balances out the acid-forming, cavity-forming bacteria.  The minerals in carrots prevent tooth damage.  Maybe this is why Mitzi our 15 year old dog has healthy gums and body, she eats carrots with us daily.

From all the above benefits it is no surprise that in a Harvard University study, people who ate more than six carrots a week are less likely to suffer a stroke than those who ate only one carrot a month or less.

Studies show that diets high in carotenoids are associated with a lower risk of heart disease.  Carrots have not only beta-carotene but also alpha-carotene and lutein.The regular consumption of carrots also reduces cholesterol levels because the soluble fibers in carrots bind with bile acids.

Vitamin A and antioxidants protects the skin from sun damage. Deficiencies of vitamin A cause dryness to the skin, hair and nails. Vitamin A prevents premature wrinkling, acne, dry skin, pigmentation, blemishes, and uneven skin tone.

Okay let us review, Lowers risk of Heart disease, stroke and lowers cholesterol. Great for your eyes, awesome for your skin for various reasons. Oh let us not forget 1 medium carrot is only 25 calories. 

The subject on Carrots I now officially put to rest!! Eat your carrots Foodies!!!