New Workout Playlist!

heyyy

1. "Flux" - Bloc Party
2. "Chillin" - Wale ft/ Lady GaGa
3. "Shooting Star"
4. "Yes"
5. "Don't Trust Me"
6. ""
7. " "
9. "
10. "

School Stress = Eccentric Eating Habits?

With the stress of school-studying for upcoming AP Exams, ACT, SAT, SAT II Subject tests, homework, and extra curricular activities, some people tend to eat to relieve their stress or not eat at all. Either way, it's unhealthy.

Seasonal "Sweets" of Summer

Don't think that "sweets" refers to candy and cookies! I mean... FRUITS! Here is a list of summer fruits that are in season that you should be buying for optimal health:

Why YOU Should Be Eating Wild "Rice"

I just went to Trader Joe's (that place is the best-especially for healthy eaters) to purchase a few items including brown rice, but then I noticed a bag of wild rice staring at me. I decided to pick it up and compare nutrition facts between the two whole grains...

Although eating steamed brown rice has numerous health benefits to it, another whole grain food, steamed wild rice, has even more nutritional value.When comparing the quantity of minerals, folic acid, protein, good carbohydrates, and B vitamins among brown rice & wild rice, I concurred that wild rice definitely wins! Even though 1/2 cup of cooked brown rice contains 2 grams of protein, the same amount of wild rice measures 3.3 grams! Another great fact about wild rice is that the wild rice consists of only 83 calories for 1/2 cup cooked despite the fact that it is quite high in carbohydrates since it has 17.5 grams of it.

Also, the folic acid content in wild rice surpasses brown rice by a million miles with 21.3 mcg for wild rice and a mere 3.9 mcg for brown rice. The niacin content of wild rice is also a shocker (in a good way of course), with l.06 mg for 1/2 cup cooked. Potassium packs an 83 mg punch, and zinc, which is usually available in trace amounts, registers 1.1 mg. While 1/2 cup cooked wild rice offers 1.5 grams of fiber, it contains 26 mg of magnesium, a healthy balance of B vitamins and only .3 grams of unsaturated fat. Small amounts of calcium and iron are also part of the wild rice picture. By the way, here's a shocking fun fact: Wild rice is actually a grass not rice!


*Best of All: It tastes really good & actually tastes better than brown rice!

Bon appetit ;-)

If Brown Rice Is Good For You, Does That Mean Brown Sugar is Good For You Too?

Since brown rice is better for your health due to its high fiber content and whole grain benefit, does that mean that brown sugar is the same way? Well, just because a food is "brown" doesn't automatically go under the "Healthy Food" category. Let's compare brown sugar with white sugar. Should you use brown sugar for all your baked goods from now on? Well, here's the truth... Most brown sugar is just regular refined white sugar that has been added with molasses to obtain its brown hue. Very sneaky, huh?

However, molasses has a very minuscule amount of minerals and vitamins but the quantity is so small that it wouldn't even be considered as having vitamins and minerals. Overall, it has no nutritional advantage over ordinary white sugar. The main difference is the color between the two. They're both sucrose. If you are looking for a "healthy form of brown sugar," then consider searching for unrefined forms of it such as muscovado or demerara. Here are some natural sweeteners that you can consider adding to your baked goods so you don't feel so guilty!

• All-Natural (Organic) Honey
• Evaporated (Organic) Cane Juice
• Granulated Cane Juice (Sucanant)
  
• Stevia
  
• Barley Malt
• Pure (Organic) Maple Syrup (Grade A or B)
• Rice Syrup

Apple Cider Vinegar: Star Secret To Weight Loss?

Ever wonder how celebrities get their tip-top, fit figures? Well, according to Fergie (Stacy Ferguson), former member of the Black Eyed Peas, she takes shots of organic, unfiltered apple cider vinegar before every meal she consumes. Several other celebrities also swear by this diet tactic.

"Two tablespoons. For some reason I've noticed a difference on my stomach. I just trusted [my trainer] on this one. I'm sharing. I'm all about sharing secrets."
~ Fergie

Is this just another one of those silly, media-crazed celeb diet myths?

Well, let's go back to the basics... What is apple cider vinegar? What are the benefits of taking shots of it? Like all other types of vinegar, its main ingredient is acetic acid. It is considered as a "wonder food" due to the fact that it has been known to cure just about any ailment you can think of for centuries. Some small studies have even revealed that it may aid diabetes and obesity. Even though there is no real evidence to back up some claims, it is said to be able to regulate digestion, remove toxins from the body, and turn back the aging clock. It is said to suppress the appetite by making one full and boost one's metabolism.

I honestly doubt that the reason for Fergies's sleek & toned bod is due to taking shots of apple cider vinegar before every meal. She has a very demanding career, so she must work out and eat well. In the end, it's not about one specific, "magical" food item that will lead to weight loss sucess. It's all about eating a variety of healthy, balanced foods and exercising for at least 30-60 minutes (or MORE!) a day. It is as simple as that.

How To Read Nutrition Facts

Have you decided to start caring about what you consume and put into your body? Have you turned a food item to its Nutrition Facts side and just said, "Huh?!" Well, no fear! Help is here! Here's your quick guide on how to read nutrition labels! Hope I eased it up for you! Now you'll know what the label says the next time you go to the grocery store!

• Serving Size This tells you the suggested amount that you should have-make sure you don't eat more than that! In this case, the quantity YOU should have is 1 slice-like I said before, no more than that!
  
• Servings Per Container This tells you the amount of servings there are in the container. For instance, this particular product would serve 20 people. Make sure you don't eat the entire bag!!!
  
• Amount Per Serving This area indicates the amount of nutritional value of the food item.
  
• Calories This tells you the number of calories in ONE serving! Don't assume that the entire bag is 90 calories! Eek!
  
• Calories From Fat There are 9 calories in 1 gram of fat so this tells you how many calories come from there. In this particular food item, there are 0.5 grams of fat in 1 serving, so that means that there are approximately 5 calories coming from fat (If you do the math, it's really 4.5 calories). *Side Note: On food labels, the calories from fat are frequently estimated. They're NOT exact values.
  
• Daily Value
• Total Fat
• Saturated Fat
• Trans Fat
• Cholesterol
• Sodium
• Total Carbohydrates
• Dietary Fibers (Complex Carbs-slower digestion rate)
• Sugars (Simple Carbs-quicker digestion rate)
• Protein

Are Nutrition Facts Really That Accurate?

Source: Yahoo! & ABC

Easy Ways To Suppress Your Appetite

1. Use Smaller Plates
2. Sleep More
3. Eat In Lit Areas
4. Consume More Protein & Fiber
5. Less Flavor Varieties
   

What Ever Happened To Plain & Simple H2o?

What has this world come to? Vitamin-enhanced waters? Water w/ Protein? What's next? Water that feels like you just had dinner so you'll eat less? What ever happened to the good, 'ole, simple H2o? You know, 2 hydrogens & 1 oxygen? I don't mean to get all scientific on you, but get what I mean. All I'm trying to say is that why do we keep adding unknown ingredients into our water? Are we really that bored with water these days? C'mon, it has absolutely no calories!What have you got to lose? Weight? Definitely. Do you even know what's in your protein or vitamin water?

Oscar Night!

Tips & Tricks For Your Tip-Top Shape

I am not a registered nutritionist so I can't tell you what to eat a regular basis. However, I can and will give you an overall synopsis. All of the tips below will help you and are great ideas for committing to a healthier & better lifestyle.

Aim for exercising 5-7 days for 30-90 minutes. You could go for a fast-paced walk, lift weights, run, jog, swim, skate, go bike riding, get some workout DVDs (TurboJam.com, HipHopAbs.com, WinsorPilates.com), play a sport you enjoy (soccer, basketball, baseball), or dance to fun, upbeat music for 30 minutes.

*Here is a list of the kinds of foods you can have at each meal. All you have to do is mix & match: (For instance, in one day you can pick to eat: cereal & fruit for breakfast, an apple w/ raw nuts for a mid-morning snack, a sandwich & veggies for lunch, string cheese & a piece of fruit for a mid-afternoon snack, & grilled salmon w/ steamed veggies & steamed brown rice for dinner.)

*Note: Let's say for breakfast, you choose to eat 1 Kashi granola bar w/ 1 lowfat no sugar added yogurt. For a mid-morning snack, don't choose to eat a Kashi granola bar. Or if you choose to eat an egg-white omelet, don't eat a hard-boiled egg for a snack. Basically, don't eat two of the same thing throughout the way. That way, you'll be eating more servings than you should & you want to eat a variety of foods to fuel your body with different beneficial nutrients. *The Mid-Morning Snack Options & Mid-Afternoon Snack Options can be switched. Whatever is listed under Mid-Morning Snack Options can be eaten during the mid-afternoon & whatever is listed under the Mid-Afternoon Snack Options can be eaten during the mid-morning. For example, instead of having a medium apple & lowfat string cheese in the mid-morning time, you can have it during the mid-afternoon.

BREAKFAST OPTIONS
>> 1/2 cup wholegrain cereal w/ nonfat milk (If you're not used to drinking nonfat milk yet, mix it with lowfat milk and gradually adjust to drinking only nonfat milk.), 1/2 cup blueberries, 2 strawberries
>> 1 multigrain-wholegrain waffle w/ 1 tablespoon honey, banana slices, chopped strawberries, a few raisins, & some blueberries
>> (veggie) egg white omelet: 2-3 egg whites, your choice of veggies (add salsa & black pepper for more flavor; if you like meat, you can add slices of chicken or turkey to your omelet)
>> 1 Kashi granola bar (crunchy or chewy) w/ 1 lowfat no sugar added yogurt (your favorite flavor), 2 strawberries
>> fruit & yogurt parfait: get a glass & fill it with these 3 parts: wholegrain cereal, lowfat no sugar added yogurt, berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries)
>> oatmeal w/ cinnamon, honey, raisins, & your choice of raw nuts

MID-MORNING SNACK OPTIONS
>> 1 medium apple & lowfat string cheese
>> 1 hard-boiled egg w/o yolk & tangerine
>> 1 bunch grapes & lowfat string cheese
>> 5 raw almonds, 5 raw walnuts, 1-2 tablespoons honey for dipping
>> 1 Kashi granola bar (chewy or crunchy)

LUNCH OPTIONS
>> 1 slice wholegrain bread w/ 1-2 tablespoons all-natural peanut butter & all-natural jelly (your favorite flavor) w/ a few banana slices, & a few raisins
>> 1 slice wholegrain bread or tortilla w/ 2-3 slices turkey, baby spinach leaves, lettuce, & tomatoes
>> 1 wholegrain tortilla w/ grilled chicken, baked beans, & salsa
>> 1 can tuna in water, Romaine lettuce, tomatoes, olives, 1 tablespoon sprinkled feta cheese (combine all ingredients) & drizzle w/ 1-2 tablespoon of dressing: vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, & herbs
>> mini pita pizzas: 2-3 mini wholegrain-whole wheat pita breads or 1/2 wholegrain-whole wheat large pita bread, organic tomato sauce, lowfat mozzarella cheese, your choice of veggies (olives, bell peppers, tomatoes, spinach, broccoli, artichokes, mushrooms, etc.), & lean meat (chicken or turkey strips-optional)

MID-AFTERNOON SNACK OPTIONS
>> baked pita bread pieces w/ 1-2 tablespoons all-natural hummus
>> 5 small celery sticks & 1-2 tablespoons all-natural peanut butter
>> 1 cup raw carrots w/ 1-2 tablespoons plain lowfat yogurt sprinkled w/ black pepper
>> apple slices w/ 1-2 tablespoons all-natural peanut butter
>> 1 grapefruit w/ 1 lowfat string cheese

DINNER OPTIONS
>> 2-3 oz. grilled salmon, chicken, or small steak 1 cup steamed mixed veggies (asparagus, broccoli, spinach, etc.), & 1/2 cup steamed brown rice
>> 1/2 cup wholegrain pasta (fusilli, penne, rotini, etc.) w/ 1 cup grilled or steamed veggies of your choice
>> 1 baked sweet potato w/ 2-3 oz. grilled salmon
>> bean salad w/ chicken or tuna: combine baked beans (garbanzo=chickpeas, kidney, etc.) & serve w/ a side of grilled chicken
>> asian stir-fry: combine steamed brown rice w/ shrimp or chicken pieces, bell peppers, & edamame

Imagine yourself at your goal weight and don't beat yourself up if you eat something "wrong." Just keep eating healthy and you will get there. Don't give up! You can and you will do it. For extra motivation, post pictures of yourself when you were more fit. Don't solely focus on losing only the weight, but also on becoming healthier and more fit. If you lay your eyes on only losing the weight, you will get overwhelmed & give up.

Also use affirmations such as, "I am fit, healthy, and look & feel great!" Don't eat mindlessly, be conscious of what you're putting in your mouth and keep yourself busy by going for a walk, talking on the phone, or reading a good book. Take it easy and don't get uptight when it comes to eating and fitness.

Always keep this in your mind... Inch by inch makes a cinch, but yard by yard makes it hard!

So basically, even if you do little things like exercise for only 15 minutes everyday or cut out soda, you will end up with the results you desire & will be satisfied. It's the little things that count, add up, & make all the difference! However, if you make yourself exercise everyday for 2 hours, you won't be motivated or excited to work out & will end up giving up. YOU CAN DO IT!

Drink Water = Healthier & Better You

Just in case you're not used to drinking water, here is a visual demonstration of how to drink water! >>

Here are the top 10 benefits of water (the real stuff, not Vitamin Water or Special K Protein Water)!

1. Due to the fact that water is a natural appetite suppressant, it can help you maintain a healthy weight in the long run. Drink a glass of water when you have a craving-it'll make you full and you'll end up not reaching for that cookie! Also, it has no calories and comes from nature!

2. It helps your skin by hydrating it, making it glow, smoother, softer, & healthier. It can also help you become less prone to dry skin & wrinkles.

3. It acts as a natural cleanser, so it removes excess toxins & waste products from your body & regulates your digestive system.

4. Water helps you feel more energized & keep you going. It makes you feel good!

5. It reduces stress, headaches, & dizziness.

6. Water is a supporter of healthy nails & hair.

7. It regulates the temperature of your body, so you don't become too cold nor too hot.

8. Since sodium causes you to retain fluids, water can help you get rid of excess sodium in your system.

9. It helps delivers necessary nutrients, vitamins, & minerals to your body so it can function properly.

10. It reduces the risk of infection, may reduce the risk of a heart attack, & reduces muscle cramping & fatigue.

The Cheapest & Most Effective Exercise...

WALKING! Yes, walking. The best part about walking is that it costs you absolutely nothing and is a great cardio work out (if you don't walk at a slow pace that is). Here is a list of the top 10 benefits of walking. Get a buddy or two to join you to make it fun! Also, bring your iPod to forget all about it and enjoy the music! Make you have songs your playlist that pump you up and make you feel wonderful!

Aim for 30-60 minutes of brisk walking per day, but even 10 or 20 minutes will get you far if you're short on time! Remember, inch by inch makes it a cinch, but yard by yard makes it hard. So, as long as your walking a little bit, you will benefit from it eventually! Also, carry a pedometer with you to help count your steps (10,000 steps or more would be ideal). By the way, if you have stairs in your home, that's an extra bonus for you! However, as you become more advanced, start jogging to burn more calories!

1. You will have less body fat and will be more toned.

2. It can help manage your weight if you do it a consistent basis.

3. You'll obtain healthier joints and bones.

4. You'll feel invigorated and energetic.

5. You can boost your metabolism if you do it at a persistent rate.

6. The amount of stress in your life will be reduced and will be less likely prone to depression.

7. You will sleep better and be more rested.

8. Your risk for diseases like high blood pressure, osteoporosis, diabetes, and heart disease will diminish. It can also help lower your cholesterol level. (or if you do have diabetes, walking will help you manage it)

9. It can help you develop endurance, strength, and stamina.

10. It helps circulate your blood and is good exercise for your brain!

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Here's a list of fun songs to listen to while your walking!

• "Superstar" - Lupe Fiasco featuring Matthew Santos
• "Our Song" - Taylor Swift
• "Piece of Me" - Britney Spears
• "Radar" - Britney Spears
• "Pocketful of Sunshine" - Natasha Bedingfield
• "Love Song" - Sara Bareilles
• "No Air" - Jordin Sparks & Chris Brown
• "Take You There" - Sean Kingston
• "Paralyzer" - Finger Eleven
• "How Far We've Come" - Matchbox 20
• "Flashing Lights" - Kanye West
• "Good Life" - Kanye West
• "Sensual Seduction" - Snoop Dogg
• "Ayo Technology" - 50 Cent & Justin Timberlake
• "Sexy Can I" - Ray J
  
• "Into the Night" - Santana featuring Chad Kroeger
  
• "Stop & Stare" - OneRepublic
  
• 'Rehab" - Amy Winehouse
  
• "Intuition" - Jewel
  
• "Killa" - Cherish & Yung Joc
• "Push" - Enrique Iglesias
• "Shake Your Pom Pom"- Missy Elliott
• "Ching-a-Ling" - Missy Elliott
  
• "Let It Go" - Brit & Alex
• "369" - Cupid featuring B.o.B.
• "Church" - T-Pain featuring Teddy Verseti
• Ain't No Stressin" - Montana Tucker, Sikora, & Denial
  

Super-Healthy Super Bowl Snacks

It's every football lover's favorite game day... The Super Bowl! Even people who are not football lovers get a kick out of the scrumptious, yet fattening foods offered at the parties.

This year, be kind to your waistline & eat better snacks at today's parties! You can bring your own fruit, veggie, or cheese & crackers platters to share with everyone there!

If you must have everything there, take small portions. Also, substitute when you can. For instance, instead of tortilla chips, have baked chips or baked pita bread w/ hummus! Also, when it comes to eating those buffalo wings w/ ranch, mix the ranch with some lowfat plain yogurt to make it lighter and less rich.

OLD SUPERBOWL

.

.

The Beginning of Your Journey To Weight Loss...

Sure it's always difficult to start something you're not fully adapted too... Meeting new people, learning a new language, or sticking to a healthier lifestyle (this is especially hard for people these days). However, once you make that decision to lose weight, don't think about the foods you'll be taking out of your daily food plan, but rather the foods you will be including and trying. Take a positive spin on everything... For instance, don't cry over the fact that you'll be giving up fried pork rinds or chocolate covered doughnut holes. Be happy about adding colorful apples, peaches, bananas, cucumbers, carrots, & turkey to your food plan. Not only will

Get Ready For Bikini Season!

Bikini season is just right around the corner & if you want to look good in your bikini this summer, you have to do 2 simple things-eat well and exercise. You can't just do one or the other. It must be a combination of both for maximum results! I just want to remind you that you can do it! Take it slow and steady and don't worry so much. Set small goals for yourself. For instance, if you're trying to lose 20 pounds by June. Start off by losing 5 pounds at a time (lose up to 5 pounds every 2 weeks=20 pound weight loss in 2 months). Focus on losing small amounts of weight so that you won't overwhelm yourself with a big number in your mind and it will also appear more achievable as well.

In order to accomplish having the bikini body of your dreams, you've got to eat moderate amounts of fruits, veggies, whole grains, protein, and healthy fats. In terms of exercise, you should basically do a combination of weight training, cardio, and flexibility work outs. There is no such thing as "target exercising" so you can't just work your abs out! You've got you work your entire body from head to toe!

By the way, you can wave goodbye to those crunches, because they're not going to melt off the fat covering your abs. All they do is strengthen them (which is good, but if you want to actually get rid of the fat, you've got lift weights and do cardio exercises)! Cardio exercises are exercise routines that work your entire body and get your heart pumping! Also, when it comes to lifting weights and you don't want to bulk up if you're female, lift no more than 6 lbs. However, if you're male, it's based on your personal preference on how muscular you'd like to look.

Technorati Profile

7 Diet Myths Busted!

1. Don't Eat Past 7:00 P.M. It is said that when you eat late at night before you sleep, all the fat gets stored in your body & blah, blah, blah... But that is all nonsense! It's all about how many calories you consume in a day. However, it is best to eat 2-3 hours before you sleep. At times, people tend to wake up consistently throughout the night due to heavy meals before bed. If you're going to eat before you sleep, make sure it's no more than 200 calories. I'd suggest a Kashi granola bar, an apple and glass of milk, or frozen grapes. Also, if you're going out to eat with friends or family, it's okay to eat at night-just don't over do it! :)

2. Eat 5-6 Small Meals A Day Instead of 3 Big Meals. It doesn't matter as long as the calories are kept to a minimum. For example, if you're going to eat big meals, for breakfast, have oatmeal with a fruit or if you're going to eat small meals, save the fruit for a mid-morning snack. Eating more small meals basically means that you're spreading out the foods you eat when you're eating 3 big meals. In the end, it's based on your personal preference. I personally prefer eating 5-6 small meals since I'm constantly on the move and like to keep my energy and metabolism high.

3. Exercise in the Morning. It is said that your

4. Being a Vegetarian/Vegan=Skinny.

5. Drink Water, Lose Weight.

6.Bananas & Avocados Are Fattening.

7. Sugar-Free Means Fat-Free.

Pack a Lunch with a Healthy Punch!

Don't know what to pack for lunch for school or work? Here are some healthy options with a lot of nutrition to add a punch of energy to your day!

• PB & J Sandwich: 1 slice wholegrain bread (open-faced sandwich, save excess calories), 1-2 tablespoons all-natural peanut butter, 1-2 tablespoons all-natural fruit jam, banana slices, 2 teaspoons honey, serve with a small apple, orange, or grapes & nonfat milk

• Turkey & Veggie Wrap: 1 wholegrain tortilla, 2-3 slices shaved turkey, lettuce, tomatoes, spinach leaves, lowfat cheese (optional), serve w/ carrots & water

• Pita Pizza: 2-3 mini pita breads or 1/2 large pita bread, organic tomato sauce, lowfat mozzarella cheese, your choice of veggies (olives, bell peppers, tomatoes, spinach, broccoli, artichokes, mushrooms, etc.)

• Grilled Chicken Salad: pieces of grilled chicken, leafy greens, Romaine lettuce, tangerine slices, dressing: vinegar & extra virgin olive oil

• Tuna & Bean Salad: garbanzo beans (chickpeas), red onion slices, chives, baby spinach leaves, balsamic vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, mix w/ 1 can tuna in water

• Mediterranean Tuna Sandwich: 1 can tuna in water, combine with roasted bell peppers, olives, feta cheese, & place on 1 slice wholegrain baguette (open-faced sandwich, avoid unnecessary calories)

Get Off The Couch, Crank Up the Tunes, & Move Your Booty!

You don't need a membership to a high-end gym, personal trainer, or fancy equipment to get the body you desire. Just get off the couch and move your body (and your booty)! All you need is some upbeat, fun music and YOU! Just shake what your mama gave you, smile, and just have fun! Don't forget to crank up the tunes by the way! You don't even need to be a professional dancer-as long as you're moving your body and sweating, know that you're burning calories!

You can even get your family and friends to join you! It'll even boost your mood and you'll end up feeling great the rest of the day. The best part about dancing is that not only is it really fun, but you don't even feel like you're working out! It's an aerobic/cardio type of exercise, so you're working your entire body (there's no such thing as target exercising)!

Here is a list of recommended heart-pumping music that will get you going!

• "Dota" - Basshunter
• "Boten Anna" - Basshunter
  
• "Move Your Body" - Eiffel 65
  
• "Gimme More" - Britney Spears
• "Break the Ice" - Britney Spears
• "Temperature" - Sean Paul
• "Shut Up & Drive" - Rihanna
• "The Way I Are" - Timbaland
• "Everytime We Touch" - Cascada
• "Automatic" - Elize
• "Stronger" - Kanye West
• "Outta My Head" - Ashlee Simpson
  
• "Tambourine" - Eve
• "Work It" - Missy Elliot
• "Tomorrow" - Cosmic Gate
• "Wave" - Cosmic Gate
• "Crazy Baby" - Fantasy Project
• "Sexy Back" - Justin Timberlake
  
• "Love Like This" - Natasha Bedingfield & Sean Kingston
• "I Don't Wanna Fall in Love" - Good Charlotte
• "Rockstar" - Prima J
• "Low" - Flo Rida
• "Lean Like a Cholo" - Down
  
• "Get It Shawty" - Lloyd
• "Time To Dance" - PANIC! At The Disco
• "Don't Stop the Music" - Rihanna
• "Cyclone" - Baby Bash
• "Vibrate" - Petey Pablo
• "Gimme That" - Chris Brown
• "Kiss Kiss" - Chris Brown
• "Wall To Wall" - Chris Brown
• "Around The World" - A Touch of Class (ATC)
• "Discovery Channel" - Eiffel 65
• "The Numa Numa Song" - Ozone
• "Snap Yo Fingers" - Lil Jon
• "Ice Ice Baby" - Vanilla Ice
• "Thriller" - Michael Jackson
• "Body Language" - Heidi Montag & Spencer Pratt
  
• "Satisfaction" - Benny Benassi
• "Blue" - Eiffel 65
• "Winning Women" - Nicole Scherzinger & Rihanna
• "Whine Up" - Kat DeLuna & Elephant Man
  
• "This Is Why I'm Hot" - Mims
• "Le Disko" - Shiny Toy Guns
• "Flathead" - The Fratellis
  
• "1234" - Feist

Birthday Buffet? Tell Me What You Think!

Today is my birthday (I'm serious)! Is that a good excuse to pig out by eating cake, ice cream, cookies, chips, and pizza? Tell me what you think by e-mailing me at Info@NutriNerd.com or commenting me. It will be featured on this site. You can be anonymous if you'd like or provide a name with the state you're from.

Get Motivated... TODAY!

First things first. Before you decide to lose weight and approach a healthier lifestyle for yourself, think. Why do you want to do this? Is it to fit into those super-tight Rock & Republic skinny jeans or string bikini? To show off your abs at the next pool party? Are you doing this for your boyfriend/girlfriend/husband/wife? Friends? Family? Kids? YOU?

You should be doing this for yourself most of all, but it's okay to have other motivations as well as long as you're not being pressured. For instance, if your boyfriend is giving you a tough time on your physical appearance in terms of weight, kick him to the curb. You need someone who appreciates you. However, that's besides the point. You got to affirm to yourself that can achieve a healthier lifestyle for yourself

"Decide. Commit. Succeed." - BeachBody

What Work Out Is Fit For You?

Here is a list of really fun, effective workout DVDs that I have succeeded with and know that you will too!

• Turbo Jam turbojam.com
• If you like fun music
  

• Billy's Bootcamp billyblanks.com
• If
  

• Winsor Pilates winsorpilates.com
• 
  

• Core Rhythms corerhythms.com
• 
  

• Hip Hop Abs hiphopabs.com
• 
  

• Denise Austin deniseaustin.com
• 
  

• Yoga Booty Ballet yogabootyballet.com
• 
  

Nourish Yourself To Youth & Better Health

Here is a list of top 10 foods that will help you stay healthy and young:

1. Blueberries
2. Spinach
3. Dark Cocoa
4. Olive Oil
5. Yogurt
6. Wild Salmon
7. Raw Nuts
8. Red Wine
9. Acai Berry
10. Pomegranate

The Do's & Don'ts of Eating Out

Let's face it, we all love to eat out. I mean, who doesn't? You get to enjoy good food with your beloved family and friends, get introduced to a new cuisine of food, and best of all, you're not cooking! However, eating out (especially frequently) can have a huge toll on your weight-not to mention your overall health. Here is a list of "do's and don'ts" when eating out so you don't break your healthy lifestyle! By the way, studies show that you actually eat more when you're with more people so beware! It's understandable why it is so, because food is more enjoyable when it can be enjoyed with others-especially loved ones.



DONT:

• Order food that is fried, crispy, creamy, or cheesy.
• Order dessert.
• Order a soft drink or alcoholic beverage.
• Eat until you're "full" or "stuffed" and don't even want to go for a walk or get out of your seat.
• Order a soup that is cream-based. This applies to pasta dishes as well. Avoid alfredo sauce.
  

DO:

• Order foods that are baked, broiled, roasted, grilled, steamed, or BBQed.
• Share food with someone else.
• Ask the waiter how your food will be prepared.
  
• Ask the waiter to put half your food in a doggie bag before he brings it to you.
• Order water (with lemon for flavor).
• Order a salad, but ask for no dressing or dressing on the side.
• Opt for dishes that consist of mostly vegetables.
• When ordering rice, make sure it is brown, wholegrain, and steamed.
• If you must have dessert, eat a fruit salad or piece of fruit. You could even split a mouthwatering dessert with a friend instead!
  
• Stop eating when you're satisfied.
• Ask the waiter to substitute your side dishes. For example, instead of having fries with your sandwich (take off one slice of bread to make it an open-faced sandwich to save extra calories), ask for a salad, steamed veggies, soup (not creamy), or fruit.
  

To Eat or Not To Eat?

Let's get this straight, people. You have to eat! Don't think that by not eating, you're going to lose weight. In fact, you'll gain weight! Why? Well, by starving yourself, you're slwoing down your metabolism and instead of your body being in the "fat-burning mode," it will be in the "fat-gaining mode." Also, you'll retian water which will make you bloat especially if you avoid hydrating yourself as well.

I Can't Believe It's Not Healthy!

Beware of foods that may sound healthy! Here is a list of foods that you should be cautious of eating. In reality, they're loaded with saturated fat, sugar, and an excess amount of carbohydrates! I even included a healthier & better alternative for you! According to Dr. Mehmet Oz's daughter, Daphne Oz, eating healthy is not about deprivation, it's about substitution!

• I Can't Believe It's Not Butter! (Even though it claims to be trans fat free, it's got hydrogenated oil which is very bad for your body since it can't digest it properly)
• Substitute: Extra Virgin Olive Oil

• Yogurt Raisins (It's chock full of saturated fat & sugar! Besides, the "yogurt" in yogurt raisins has no live cultures! It's basically fake yogurt! Eww!)
• Substitute with: Real Raisins w/ Real Yogurt

• Dried Fruit like banana chips (They're loaded w/ added sugar, oil, & are usually fried)
• Substitute with: Fresh (or Frozen) Fruit

• Special K cereals & their other products (contains high fructose corn syrup & even though it claims to be a healthy cereal, it has no whole grains in it at all whatsoever!)
• Substitute with: 100% Wholegrain Cereal or Plain Oatmeal (for flavor, add honey, ground flaxseed, cinnamon, & raw nuts w/ fresh fruit)-the first ingredients MUST be wholegrain! (such as Kashi)

• Jamba Juice or Juice It Up! fruit smoothies (sure they're full of fruits... but do you know what else they add to them? Fruit juice, syrup, frozen yogurt, sorbet, full-fat milk, & sometimes ice cream!)
• Substitute with: Your own homemade smoothie or ask the "Smoothie Artist" at your favorite smoothie shoppe to substitute those fattening ingredients w/ frozen fruits, water, vegetables, ice, or fat-free milk.

• Baked Chips, Pretzels, & Crackers (They're processed foods & pretzels have extra salt on them & both are poor in nutritional value.)
• Substitute with: Baked Pita Bread or Kashi Multigrain Crackers
  

• Canned Beans (loaded w/ sodium, preservatives, artificial ingredients & chemicals!)
• Substitute with: Homemade Baked Beans

• Canned Soup (loaded w/ chemicals, preservatives, artificial flavors, & a whole LOT of sodium! Make homemade soup instead! You control what you put in it! Besides, it tastes a lot better too!)
• Substitute with: Homemade Soup
  

• Gatorade (it's supposedly good for athletes, but it's loaded w/ carbs & high fructose corn syrup)
• Substitute with: Water (for flavor, add lemon)
  

• Fruit Juice (apple juice, orange juice, etc...)
• Substitute with: Homemade Juice (nothing added, just pure fruit)
  

• reduced-fat foods like reduced-fat peanut butter
• Substitute with: Real Peanut Butter (But it MUST be 100% ALL-NATURAL-the ingredients should read only peanuts or peanuts & salt)
  

• Granola Bars like Nature Valley granola bars (claims to be natural, but it's really not, some flavors include high fructose corn syrup)
• Substitute with: Kashi's TLC (Tasty Little Chewies/Crunchies), they're 100% ALL-NATURAL (for real) & taste better too! The sugar in Kashi products come from nature (such as honey & evaporated cane juice)

• Caesar Salad (sure, it's a salad, but not really since it's got grated cheese, croûtons, & dressing!)
• Substitute with: Your own homemade salad w/ dark, leafy greens, veggies, fruit, raw nuts, & hold the dressing! Mix your salad w/ your favorite vinegar & 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil
  

• Trail Mix (most contain unnecessary ingredients such as M&Ms, dried fruits, & salted nuts)
• Substitute with: Make your own trail mix instead w/ raw nuts, raisins, & little bits of dark chocolate instead)

• Sugar-Free Foods like cookies & JELL-O (these foods will make you end up eating more than their regular sugary forms! You're tricked into thinking that if you eat more, it's okay, but it's NOT! Besides, additives are used which are not good for your body.)
• Substitute with: Fresh fruit or make your own baked goods w/ healthy ingredients-for example, instead of all-purpose white flour, use wholegrain/whole wheat flour, instead of milk chocolate chips, use dark chocolate chips, also make sure the oils you use are not hydrogenated and free of trans fat, these are the hardest fats to get out of your body

• Popcorn (yes, it's made from whole grains, but beware of movie theater popcorn which is loaded w/ oil, butter, & salt!
• Substitute with: Air popped popcorn is best & is very low in calories! Avoid microwavable popcorn since it's full of additives)

• Vitamin Water, Crystal Light, & other flavored H2O drinks (water is not supposed to have calories & artificial flavors in it!)
• Substitute with: Pure & Simple Water! =)

Eat To Live! Don't Live To Eat!

Living to eat can only mean one thing... Obesity! If you live to eat, all you're doing is just eating basically! However, when you're eating to live, you're eating food for health benefits and survival (obviously). All foods have their certain health advantages (well the healthy ones do at least). For instance, fresh fruits are loaded with powerful antioxidants and vitamins that are vital for your health and can fight many diseases such as cancer (blueberries are great for that). Dairy products have calcium for strong bones and protein for your muscles (but keep dairy servings low since some contain a lot of fat-especially saturated fat).