Weight Loss Deliciousness

As part of this year's goals, I am working on whittling down the weight that I gained--booo! Drat those cookies were good! And I thought that I would share a few recipes that include some wonderful metabolism boosting ingredients that combined with exercise are making it a little easier!

I found a "tea" on JoyfulBelly.com that helps improve metabolism and burn fat. I drink it in the morning and make a modified lemonaid to have with my dinner at night. It helps flush out extra water from bloat too!

Lemon & Spice Weight Loss Tea

Pinch of Cayenne Pepper
1 tsp Honey (Raw honey is best)
1/8th tsp Raw Apple Cider Vinegar
1/4 whole Lemon (about 1 to 1.5 tbsp or just use juice :D)
1 C water

Squeeze lemon into cup and add remaining ingredients into hot water and stir.
http://www.joyfulbelly.com/Ayurveda/recipe/Lemon-Spice-Weight-Loss-Tea/299

Personally I go in the order listed as I estimate the amounts and it makes it easier to see how much I actually have in the cup. You can use any type of vinegar but they recommend using the apple cider because of the taste- don't worry, it tastes good!!

A.C. Lem-aide

3 stevia packets
2 count apple cider vinegar
4 count lemon juice
water

In a 20 fl. oz bottle I combine the above ingredients. It's not an exact science which is why there aren't really measurements. I count the slow pour into the bottle and I get about the same amount each time, then fill the rest of the bottle with water.

     

Apple Cider Vinegar has many uses but it is great to drink regularly because it not only helps keep your bones flexible, but is is fermented, and like all fermented foods- sauerkraut, kimchee, pickles, kefir, kombucha, miso, soy sauce and capers-- they help balance the bios of the gut releiving bloating and helping your system run cleaner and smoother.

Blueberry Grapefruit Smoothie

One meal or two snacks

1 C blueberries
2 large bananas (fresh or frozen- if using frozen be sure to cut up)
2 grapefruits, cut and seeded
1 tbsp brown rice protein powder
stevia to taste (for this one I used 8 pkts)
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp ginger
dash of cardamom (optional)
1 tbsp coconut oil
3/4 to 1 C water or brewed green tea, or half cup of water and half cup of almond milk
1 C ice if you want a thicker shake

Place ingredients in blender and blend until smooth.

When I use grapefruit in a recipe, rather than try to peel the darn thing I cut it in half, slice along the membrane between the sections, and then slice along the skin all the way around to free each triangle of fruit from the membranes and rind that hold it in place.
This is a good video if you need to see how it is done.
http://main.kitchendaily.com/2010/09/07/how-to-cut-a-grapefruit/

If you would rather have the grapefruit by itself, it is great with a dash of cardamom on top. Or you can section it out and have it with cinnamon or cardamom and honey-- YUM!!
If you haven't guessed-- I LOVE GRAPEFRUIT!!! 
Fyi-- Meijers currently has a 10lb bag on sale for $3.99 (about 10 grapefruits)

Grapefruit is known as the skinny fruit because it increases the metabolism by increasing thyroid activity and helps to metabolize fat better. It also lowers cholesterol and insulin levels.

You may be tempted to skip the coconut oil- thinking that not eating the fat will help you loose weight faster. This is a mistake because your body needs fat to burn fat- but you need the right kind of fat--saturated fat. Coconut oil is light in taste and is good for burning fats. Cold pressed is best. Other healthy fats to be consumed-- in moderation-- are cold pressed olive oil, flax oil, hemp oil, avocados, nuts and seeds.

Spices that assist in weight loss are: 
Black pepper- helps block fat from being stored (add a pinch to everything!!!)
Cayenne- increases metabolism and body temperature burning more calories
Cinnamon- lowers insulin levels, balances sugars
Ginger- increases metabolism and body temp
Mustard- use it instead of mayonnaise!
Green tea- gives you clarity and an increased metabolism
Turmeric-- I take this as a nutritional supplement for my joints, it really helps relieve the aching, increases your metabolism, and is great for your skin!

New Years Resolutions: My Outlook

Making something a habit- or giving one up- takes time, about 21 days. But even more important than time is the dedication required to maintain an attitude, mindset, or goal. With all the challenges that life throws at us it is very easy to become emotionally drained. We all hit rough patches and with that in mind, I would like to share my philosophy about New Years Resolutions.

They are overrated.

If you really want to change, it doesn't matter what day you start- OR how many times you fail. The real focus- in my humble opinion- is to remember your goal and why it is important to you.

Last October I did Ani Phyo's 15 Day Fat Blast Challenge  and over the past couple months I gained the weight back, I fasted, gained the weight back. There were emotional reasons for my overeating that this year I am going to work to resolve.

I moved to Indiana two years ago with my husband and it has been very challenging ot make friends, and even more so to have a social life. Our society is geared toward activities based around food and the media, it's difficult to not only have friends, but to be able to share a mutual hobby bot based around food or media. I would much rather go rock climbing, hiking, biking, swimming, dancing, roller skating, even playing tennis (I suck!) or got o a fitness class with a friend. Playing games, like Euker or Uno are also fun options! I fear that true social interactions and activities are being drowned out by the media and ease of technology.

My personal goals for this year are to be more balanced and to loose a bit of weight, are ones that I will continually deal with for the rest of my life. Getting it right takes time and no one is perfect. Instead of the pressure of a NYR, give yourself the freedom to decide who and what you want to be, and work toward your goals because they are always changing and challenging. Stay focused and be sure to laugh! Like these dogs!