September 2010 Tips and Recipe

Back to Basics

Happy Labor Day to all. If you were looking for this ezine in yesterday's mail, I decided to give everyone a long weekend and not bother you until the day after Labor Day (taking a little break for myself as well). So instead of this month's ezine coming out on the first Monday of the month, it's on the first Tuesday of the month. Anyhow, back to the ezine tips and recipes.

Summer is almost over and the kids are back to school learning all the basics. This month's ezine is all about getting back to the basics of eating right, exercising right and losing weight.

Weight Loss Tip

The Basics of Weight Loss

When trying to lose weight we tend to try all kinds of crazy diets and methods. From fad diets to long standing weight loss programs, most of these have some basic advise that really help. Here are just a few.

Drink Water Almost every diet pill, weight loss product and programs all say to drink your water daily. Water not only helps us feel fuller it has many health benefits.

Eat a Well Balanced Meal Rather you are counting calories, Weight Watchers Points or just changing to healthier foods, eating the right amounts of the right foods is key to helping you shed those pounds. Make sure to get in your veggies and fruits. Try whole grain foods, low fat items and high protein foods. Basically make sure you are eating a well rounded meal with the right foods from each group. Know your limits. Don't go over you calorie/points as these will add up over time. So try to limit or eliminate the high calorie, high fat goodies. Too much of a good thing is sometimes a bad thing.

Stay Active Almost all weight loss programs will tell you to stay active. If you are not already exercising, now's the time to give it a try. Add a few days a week of some activity and you will start to notice the difference in your waist line as well as your energy level.

Practice Makes Perfect

As with kids in school, they must practice their skills over and over to learn. The same basic rule applies to exercising. Rushing through your routine in order to get in 100 crunches, leg lifts, etc. doesn't mean you are getting the full benefit of your workout. Doing less repetitions the right way will help build more lean muscle than doing a bunch of reps the wrong way. So make sure you are doing the exercise right to get the most from your workout.

After School Snacks

Kids often want a quick snack when they get home from school. While they may want the cookies, ho-ho's and other fun and tasty snacks, this just puts temptation right in front of you. So instead try some healthy (yet fun) recipes so your kids (and you) can have a healthy afternoon treat. Here's a couple of recipes to try.

Recipe #1 Lady Bug Apple Snack

This recipe is so fun for the kids to help make and eat. But it's not just the kids who will have fun. I enjoy eating these tasty treats as well.

What You Need:

• 2 red apples
• 1/4 cup raisins
• 1 tablespoon peanut butter
• 8 thin pretzel sticks

How to Make It:

1. Cut each apple in half and cut out the core of the apple.
2. Place the apples on a plate flat side down.
3. Put dabs of peanut butter on the top where you want the spots for the lady bug.
4. Place a raisin in the dab of peanut butter to make the spot.
5. Repeat the above to create the eyes.
6. Place a raisin on the end of each pretzel stick.
7. Blend until smooth.
8. Press the other end of the pretzel stick into the apple halves to make antennae.

Number of Servings: 4

Nutrition Information Per Serving

Calories 113; Fat (g) 2; Fiber (g)2; Protein (g)2; Carbs (g)23;

WW Points 2

Recipe #2 Ants on a Log

Here's a classic healthy kids snack that has been around for years.

What You Need:

• 5 celery stocks
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 1/4 cup raisins

How to Make It:

1. Cut the celery stocks in half.
2. Spread each stock with peanut butter.
3. Press in several raisins to make the ants on a log.

Number of Servings: 5

Nutrition Information Per Serving

Calories 183; Fat (g) 13 Fiber (g)2; Protein (g)7; Carbs (g)13;

WW Points 4

Exercise 4 Weight Loss 2 Achieve Fitness and Health

Best wishes from your diet buddy