Ahealthybeat's Blog

Now that’s Possible

ahealthybeat — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 19:30:04 +0000

Yes, I am still gluten free. I’m continuing on and in my 3rd month of the challenge. And that it is!! But isn’t everything in life, there are obstacles to leap over and sometimes we fall, but with a fight, we make impossible Possible. I want to talk about that word, POSSIBLE. What does it mean exactly? It’s a very strong word that leads us to being hopeful and positive with a focus or a goal in mind because believing in possibility allows us to continue. It is possible for me to become stronger. It is possible to decrease my sugar intake, eat better, and in turn feel amazing. Everything and anything is possible in our lives, we just need to erase the word IMPOSSIBLE from our vocabulary. Is there a challenge you’ve been working toward? Keep working, stay focused, grounded, and above all things, never give up!! Now that’s possible!

Fiber. What, what?

ahealthybeat — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 20:44:45 +0000

Ok. I’m in the second month of being gluten free, an experiment I took on with the encouragement of my brother and his girlfriend. I am beginning to realize much more about food and what my body needs and ways to feel completely nourished. Last night a friend of mine told me not to forget about my intake of fiber. Wow, I almost disregarded one major food substance that is so important for our bodies. You see, by taking away gluten, I’m eliminating several whole grains such as whole wheat, bran, and oats (basic ingredients found in most cereals and bread). Our bodies need fiber to sustain energy levels, reduce cholesterol, and decrease the risk of heart disease and diabetes. I better start finding out more info on this!! There are two kinds of fiber, soluble and insoluble, and effects our bodies in different ways. Soluble fiber slows our digestion and lowers our LDL levels (bad cholesterol) whereas insoluble fiber rids our toxins and keeps us regular. If you’re someone trying to increase the level of fiber in your diet, here’s a great website that can help. I was so pleased to see the list of fiber friendly foods!!

Check it out here, http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/high-fiber-foods/nu00582

Want to show your rice off, add dried apricots, raisins, and toasted pine nuts for a satisfying side dish to any meal!

Cook rice as recommended. When the rice is almost cooked through add your chopped apricots, raisins, and toasted pine nuts. Allow the dried fruits to rehydrate for a few minutes, season your rice and serve! And remember fresh herbs are always welcome. Try cilantro here, tasty!!

the new year

ahealthybeat — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 20:18:09 +0000

When I was driving the other day I saw a bumper sticker that caught my eye and stained my brain. It read, Everything in the universe is subject to change and everything is on schedule. I’ve been thinking about this phrase for a bit now and it couldn’t have been brought to my mind at a better time, after all, it is the new year and the beginning of a new decade for possibilities, new hopes and goals, opportunities, and much much more. For me it brings a new challenge and that is to become gluten free. Up to this point, I’m on my second week and boy is it hard. But it’s also very exciting at the same time. Reasons as to why I’ve decided to take on this challenge is because I’m experimenting with how my body will feel without overly processed foods. And of course, if there will be a change in how my heart may feel. But overall, how my entire body will feel. This brings me back to the bumper sticker I saw, this is a change that will occur in my life, maybe one of you will challenge yourself and become part of a change that you too can benefit from! I must say I am very impressed with all the different foods I’ve been finding that are gluten free. The more I discover about leading a gluten free lifestyle, the more it makes sense to me. It is about approaching food in a way that offers you the nutriets and good fats your body needs. It’s protein, vegetables, fruit, nuts, nut butter, many different whole grains, and flours. I attempted two gluten free cookie recipes this past weekend and they were delicious. Using rice flour and quinoa flour added a nice texture and a great health component. Even replacing some regular flour with a whole rice flour or quinoa flour is beneficial! You’ll be surprised how tasty many gluten free products are. I know I was. Another thought I had that leads me back to the bumper sticker is this, maybe it’s time for change to take place in any way that can help us maintain our diets and want to lead a healthier lifestyle. It can be as simple as replacing coffee for tea, or using natural peanut butter, or adding more vegetables and fruit each day to your meal. Whatever it may be, I am determined this year will be full of fascinating discoveries mentally, emotionally, and physically, so join me in making the steps to changing your mood and make cooking fun and exciting. Try something new everyday, cook more at home, and take the plunge to becoming a better YOU!

Cinnamon and Honey

ahealthybeat — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 22:12:33 +0000

Lately, I have been going through a major cinnamon phase, and sprinkle it on just about everything I eat, including chicken. Yes, that’s right chicken. But seriously, cinnamon is a great spice that not only adds a healthy benefit to your body, but it can also enhance the flavor of any food. Studies show that just a 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon a day can lower cholesterol, regulate blood sugar, decrease the growth of cancer cells, fight bacteria, and it even improves our memory. Adding cinnamon to your daily diet is a great way to start your day!! It also can add sweetness to your foods to fulfill that craving, and what an excellent ingredient to pair it with, honey! Try sliced apples, pears, or bananas with cinnamon and honey. One of my favorite snacks to eat is a rice cake with PB or sunbutter with cinnamon or plain yogurt with cinnamon and raisins and almonds with a drizzle of raw honey. This combination would also be tasty in tea too! Give it go, sprinkle and drizzle away for health sake!!

small changes, Big difference

ahealthybeat — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 15:31:34 +0000

It amazes me to learn about how something so small makes all the difference. All it takes is a choice. I recently discovered this in my Uncle. For the past 3 months HE decided to eliminate a few things from his diet. He gave up potato chips, soda, and ice cream, and lost 30 pounds. This is what amazes me. The will power and dedication that we all have to change. It can be the smallest change and the result can be magnifying! It’s an incredible feeling to set a goal and reach it. It’s also an incredible feeling to cleanse your body from time to time and be introduced to new foods and other ways to feed your cravings.

eat the rainbow

ahealthybeat — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 21:25:42 +0000

How do you know which foods are the best to buy for you and your family? I constantly hear about the obesity rate rising especially in children younger than 13 years of age. Most children of that age and younger learn by example, meaning if mom and dad fill the refrigerator with foods high in fat, sugar, heavy carbs, and empty calories, then what choice is there between a healthy snack or a chocolate donut? There is none. The smallest change can help make all the difference in our eating habits, such as becoming a soda free household. Soda is packed with sugar, artificial flavoring, and empty calories. Next time you’re in the grocery store, choose a naturally flavored juice instead. Our grocery store is the place where small steps can be made for a big change. I can not stress more, how important it is to shop the perimeter of your grocery store, this includes fresh produce, lean meats, fish, and dairy products. Check it out, you’ll be amazed how many different varieties of apples there are, or how many kinds of lettuces there are. Our grocery store is packed with foods that taste good because they’re natural, nothing is added, nothing is taken away. Get your kids involved and interested in the food they eat. How will you really know if your child doesn’t like cooked carrots or roasted sweet potatoes unless you try it out?! If more parents are open to changing their diets, their kids will be inspired to do the same. Take advantage of the grocery store and ALL its glory. Open your eyes to all the bright colors, try something new, and make becoming healthier fun for everyone!!

Everything counts

ahealthybeat — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 17:36:29 +0000

Wait, this can’t be right, I’m 12 years old and I can’t run around like all the other kids are at recess, or at least that’s what my doctor’s note would state. I never understood why I had to be on the sidelines of the field or why distance running wasn’t an option or “allowed.” I never wanted to admit that I couldn’t keep up with the rest of the bunch or that my heart just couldn’t sustain itself, as normal. In turn, this made me feel abnormal to everyone else. So I went ahead and took positions like keeping time, pinch hitter, basketball manager, or disc throwing to feel part of the team. I was talking to a friend yesterday about believing in change and believing in creating change within yourself. This is a very powerful concept because ultimately we do choose every day we choose whether or not to take time to care for our bodies. After my pacemaker was implanted, my doctors and cardiologists would tell me stories about how people like me completed marathons, climbed mountains, and grew more active. I wanted to commit myself to a healthier lifestyle and decided to join a local gym. This was one of the best decisions I made. I say everything counts because it does. Exercise isn’t this crazy mind-blowing concept and integrating it in our daily lives doesn’t have to be difficult either. Think about it, do you have 30 minutes in your day to make a change?! I say YOU DO.

You can count on these helpful tips on how exercise can become part of your day

Walk or bike to do errands
Rake leaves
Morning crunches and stretching during the news or while watching T.V.
Make a cd of your favorite songs and dance

beneFIT from breakfast

ahealthybeat — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 13:54:44 +0000

Not one to eat breakfast, try it out, I dare you. First off, this is the most important meal of the day for several reasons: weight management, starts metabolism, better concentration, and provides energy to your body after rest. By eating a healthy breakfast, hunger levels throughout the morning hours will be controlled and food cravings will decrease. Nowadays there are many choices for breakfast. Here are a few of my favorites.

Whole grain toast with Natural Peanut Butter, Not Skippy or Jif. Find PB with the ingredients that list Peanuts and salt. Add sliced banana on top, delicious!

Greek Yogurt, PLAIN. I say plain because it has the least amount of sugar. Try adding your own fruit, berries do wonders!! If you want to add sweetness honey or granola are tasty choices. There are many different brands of granola these days, I find the BearNaked to be a favorite. It’s made with whole grain oats and does not include artificial flavors, preservatives, high fructose corn syrup, or hydrogenated oils.

Three egg white omelet with broccoli or asparagus and a slice of whole grain toast.

my motivation

ahealthybeat — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 22:37:23 +0000

I wanted to start writing this blog to inform readers on healthy living, nutrition, and positive thinking in hopes to reshape the way we view ourselves as individuals and consumers. Throughout our lives we’re faced with many challenges that give us strength and courage to move forward and become stronger. This I know because I was born with Congenital Heart Disease and I’m reminded of my challenges and struggles everyday when I look in the mirror. I have gone through two open heart surgeries, one at 6 months old (Transpostion of the Great Vessels), in 2001, and now I have a pacemaker. Within the past few years I have opened my eyes to life in a completely different light and everyday I’m thankful for that. Since my latest surgery I have begun to truly understand the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle, understanding my body and its function, and what I can do to make myself feel stronger and healthier. We’re all familiar with the children’s book, The Little Engine that Could, well, like the train overcoming its challenge to reach its destination with confidence, we to can reach our goal with positive thinking and tools to allow our body to perform in its best condition. If we push to believe for a positive outcome, then half the job is already done. Stay tuned for recipes and nutrition tips!! Coming soon!!

Hello world!

ahealthybeat — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 17:39:32 +0000

Welcome to WordPress.com. This is your first post. Edit or delete it and start blogging!