Healthy Food Links to Get you Started on a Healthier You!

I've been researching healthy foods for a long time.  I wouldn't say I eat healthy all the time, I definitely have a sweet tooth!  But I've been trying hard to make better decisions when shopping and eating out.

I've been choosing apples instead of fries, fish or chicken or salad instead of burgers.  I'll eat a burger occasionally, but not every week!  Here are some links to take you to foods that will help you be Fit for Life!


http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/health-foods/MY01108

http://healthland.time.com/2012/10/01/guide-the-31-healthiest-foods-of-all-time-with-recipes/

http://www.prevention.com/food/healthy-eating-tips/worlds-top-25-healthiest-foods

FUN TIPS TO KEEP FIT OVER 40

Here are some fun tips to help you stay fit!

And, as active as you might be at  40-, 50-, or 60 you are probably not going to be as active as a 20or 30 year old.  That's not the end of the world!

However, if you don't do something, you are well on your way to a loss of muscle mass and strength, called sarcopenia.  The key is to do SOMETHING.  You may not be cut out for the gym right away, or even like it ever!  But do something active that you LOVE!.

Walk in the park, golf, take out your bike, do yoga, stretches, whatever you enjoy.  The key is to enjoy it so that you do it more!  I've found that when I'm least inclined to walk, that if I just DO IT ANYWAY, I feel better once I start and much better when I'm finished.

 An older woman has less estrogen than a younger one, but if you eat healthy, natural foods, drink half your body weight in water and exercise 20 minutes each day, you'll find even these symptoms show up less frequently!  The European diet which consists of lean protein, yougurt, healthy green veggies and natural, non-processed foods is the key to ending many of the hiccups that come with age here in the U.S.  Menopause often brings on heat flashes and bone loss in the U.S., but in Europe, heat flashes are rare!

Of course, eating right, getting in all the vitamins, calcium and minerals you need each day, along with lean protein and fresh fruit and veggies is what will keep you healthy and fit in the long run!  I take my Bod-e Burn first thing in the morning.  Made by Vemma, It's full of protein and all the vitamin's and minerals I need for the day. Then I eat some, oatmeal or occasionally another cereal with fruit.  Then I drink half my weight in filtered water pretty quickly in the morning.  I then reward myself with British Blend, Tender Leaf Decaf Iced Tea, sometimes mixed with Bigelow Earl Gray.  In the winter I also have hot tea:  herbal or Earl Gray.  I drink it, hot or cold without sugar and I love it!

I've heard the Vemma is coming out with a new iced coffee and iced tea, and can't wait to try it!  My son saw it at convention in Vegas in April.  I've been looking forward to it all summer and hope to see it in just a few weeks!

So all you other ladies out there.  Get away from your computer screen and get up and do something, right now.  Even if it is stretching your arms above your head and moving side to side a couple of times.  Start with something, and start today!

Healthy Recipes

Eating Choices

I can choose to eat anything I want.  As a child, we all wanted to be able to eat treats and sweets as much as we wanted.  We'd even eat at times, if we were able, until we got sick!

As an adult, over time, I was eating lots of things I knew were not the best for me.  I was also avoiding lots of foods I knew were good for me.  Vitamins were a hit or miss thing.

When I made the decision to change how I felt and how I looked, not just physically, but my outlook on life too, I started consciously trying to make healthier choices more often...not all the time. I believe life isn't lived by denial of all the things I like to eat.  Just that I have to to provide the vitamins and nutrients my body and mind need if I want to live a happy, healthy and longer life.

In addition to all the vitamins and nutrients I get in the Vemma products I drink each day, I'm trying out new recipes and eating more whole and organic foods.  These aren't the cheapest options, but since I've cut down my portion sizes, and since these foods are more satisfying, I'm eating less and don't need to buy as much!

Here are some places I go to get some great healthy recipes:

http://allrecipes.com/recipes/healthy-recipes/

http://www.foodnetwork.com/healthy-every-week/package/index.html?affiliate=blocker&omnisource=SEM&c1=Healthy_Computer&c2=Google&c3=Healthy&c4=%2Bhealthy%2Brecipes&c5=PaidSearch&s_kwcid=TC|11947|%2Bhealthy%2Brecipes||S|e|9536716224

http://www.cookinglight.com/

http://www.eatingwell.com/ Today's pick is my next Need To Try Recipe!
Let me know if you try it, what you think!  It has 5 stars on their website:

Chicken Salad with Pecans & Dried Cherries

From EatingWell:  July/August 2013

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This healthy chicken salad recipe is sweet and crunchy thanks to the addition of heart-healthy pecans and fiber-rich dried cherries. If you have cooked chicken breast on hand, skip Step 1 and use about 3 cups chopped chicken in Step 3.

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Makes: 4 servings, about 1 cup each

Active Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

NUTRITION PROFILE

Low calorie | Low saturated fat | Low cholesterol | Low sodium | Heart healthy |Healthy weight | Diabetes appropriate | Gluten free |

View Our Nutrition Guidelines »

INGREDIENTS

• 1 1/4 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast, trimmed
• 1/2 teaspoon salt, divided
• 1/3 cup low-fat plain yogurt
• 1/3 cup low-fat mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon honey mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• 1/2 cup thinly sliced celery
• 1/2 cup pecans, toasted (see Tip) and chopped
• 1/2 cup dried tart cherries, chopped
• 1 head Boston or butterhead lettuce, trimmed

MORE HEALTHY RECIPE IDEAS

• Budget-Friendly Recipes for the Holidays
• Healthy Pie Recipes for Thanksgiving
• Easy and Elegant Thanksgiving Tarts
• Healthy Recipes Sweetened with Maple Syrup
• Healthy Duck Recipes

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE

• Port & Dried Cherry Sauce
• Roast Duck with Dried Cherry Sauce
• Pears with Dried Cherries & Port Sauce
• Duck Breasts with Port & Dried Cherry Sauce
• Maple Pecan Tart with Dried Cherries

PREPARATION

1. Place chicken in a medium skillet or saucepan, cover with water and add 1/4 teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to maintain a gentle simmer and cook until the chicken is no longer pink in the middle, 10 to 15 minutes. Transfer to a plate to cool.
2. Meanwhile, combine yogurt, mayonnaise, mustard, pepper and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt in a bowl.
3. When the chicken is cool enough to handle, cut into bite-size pieces. Add the chicken, celery, pecans and cherries to the bowl with the dressing and toss to combine.
4. Divide lettuce leaves among 4 plates and top with about 1 cup chicken salad each.

TIPS & NOTES

• Make Ahead Tip: Prepare through Step 3. Add pecans and cherries just before serving; refrigerate for up to 1 day.

• Tip: Toast nuts before using in a recipe for the best flavor. To toast whole nuts, spread on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F, stirring once, until fragrant, 7 to 9 minutes. To toast chopped, small or sliced nuts, cook in a small dry skillet over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until fragrant and lightly browned, 2 to 4 minutes.

NUTRITION

Per serving: 380 calories; 17 g fat ( 3 g sat , 8 g mono ); 85 mg cholesterol; 23 g carbohydrates; 10 g added sugars; 32 g protein; 3 g fiber; 452 mg sodium; 428 mg potassium.

Nutrition Bonus: Vitamin A (26% daily value)

Carbohydrate Servings: 1 1 /2

Exchanges: 1 fruit, 4 lean meat, 3 fat

Curious? Here is the Science Behind Vemma;

VEMMA SCIENCE

I know I like the way I feel when I take my Verve, Vemma, Next or Bod-e.  Here is a little background of why it makes my body happy!

Product excellence, from concept to consumption, is what makes Vemma an industry leader specializing in premium liquid nutrition. By combining the extensive knowledge of Chief Scientific Officer, Yibing Wang, M.D., Ph.D., with his Eastern (cardiology) and Western (genetic obesity) wellness expertise, and the best experts in nutrition, weight management and fitness, we guarantee results-driven products that are true to what's listed on the label and a brand you can trust to enhance overall health.*The science behind our clinically studied Vemma formula and all Vemma products is our highest priority. To ensure the best quality, we:

• Source only the highest-quality raw ingredients

• Incorporate advances in nutrition and technology

• Adhere to extensive manufacturing and testing standards

• Complete a 30-step quality control process before a product gets released for purchase

To Find out more, check out: 

http://www.vemma.com/science/index.cfm?referrer=303105906&source=mv.com&opportunity=on&website_url=lifefit&cou=USA&CO=USA&

Quotes to Inspire your Life and make it better

Inspirational Life Quotes

When you need inspiration, a lift, a new way of looking at things... looking for wisdom in other people's words can be just the right thing to take you the a better place, a warmer place, a wiser place; a place you are aspiring to get to.  Here are a few to help you get to the next level, to move forward, to live better!

 “Just know, when you truly want success, you’ll never give up on it. No matter hot its harder to give up when you know its everything you want.” – Unknown

 “One of the most important keys to Success is having the discipline to do what you know you should do, even when you don't feel like doing it.” - Unknown

“Accept responsibility for your life. Know that it is you who will get you where you want to go, no one else.” – Les Brown

“In order to succeed, your desire for success should be greater than your fear of failure.”              – Bill Cosby

"Do one thing every day that scares you."                                                                                                ― Eleanor Roosevelt

“When we love, we always strive to become better than we are. When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better too.”                                                                      – Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist

“We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.”                                                                                                                             ― Maya Angelou

Ever wonder what makes you ready to really live?  Is it an event, a person, a time or season of life?  Let me know...

Good Health is Your Number-One Asset!

Good Health is Your Number-One Asset!

Studies show that to maintain good health, high-quality nutrition is key. More so, when the body is given the proper nutrients, it performs at its best naturally. Find out more about nutrition from my website: http://lifefit.vemma.com/.