Eating Healthy on a budget ;)

People complain all the time that eating healthy is expensive. The reality is that healthy eating can be cheap and quick too. Difficult economic times do not mean that we have to sacrifice our health — or budget –  when it comes to food.  With careful planning and a little effort, healthy eating can fit into  a budget, but preparation and planning are key.  Be thoughtful, kind, and respectful to your body. PLAN AND PREPARE. Plan meals ahead of time that will stretch you a month long. What works for me is buying chicken in bulk, large bag of frozen vegetables and berries that last me the month- along with my natural herbal products.  This is what works for me and I am just giving an example of how I choose to live  a healthy lifestyle and not burn a whole in my wallet. Although it may seem a lot up front- I average out my costs to at most $12-15 a day for breakfast, lunch, snacks  and dinner. That’s extremely good considering people will go out for lunch at that price, plus tip, and even more for dinner. It’s important to shop when you are not hungry and go strictly to the aisles you know where your items are at on your list. On a day you are not busy pre cook some chicken (or your preferred protein) that will last you 3-4 days so all you have to do is heat it up and prepare with whatever you are having on the side. Throw on some legumes/beans, stir fry vegetables, brown rice,etc to make it a balanced lean and mean meal.  All these in bulk are budget friendly.

For example of a daily menu: PRICE BREAK DOWN PER SERVING

Breakfast:  Peanut butter cookie shake shake: Herbalife cookies n cream formula 1- ($1.21),  chocolate protein powder($1.48), 1 TBSP PEANUT BUTTER ($0.21) 1/2 banana ($.010)  (cinnamon ($0.02) water and ice PRICELESS

Snack: gala apple- $0.69  ALMONDS ($0.30) toast ($.15) avocado ($0.24 ) cottage cheese($0.47 )

Lunch : TUNA SPINACH SALAD SANDWICH.: spinach ($0.24) TUNA ($0.69) Sweet Spicy mustard ($.07) bread 2 pieces ($0.33) Red Onion ($.02) Mushroom slices($0.24). Kale Chips-HOMEMADE ($0 .40)  carrots and hummus (~$0.89)

Snack: Peanut butter  Protein bar ($1.34) peach ( $0.88)

Dinner: Chicken breast(1.99) sweet potato ($0.69) stir fry vegetables ($1.23) sauces : honey mustard:~ $0.11 sirracha ~$ 0.13)

Dessert: Banana ($0.19) chocolate chips ( $0.13) PB ($0.21) herbalife cookies n cream formula 1(1/2 serving) ($0.61)

TOTAL FOR THE DAY: $15.26 —–> a lot of good nutritional stuff for this price

Example of a power salad I made for cheap cheap cheap: 

TIPS:

• Choose your meat wisely and buy in bulk. You then can freeze it properly and use it at your convenience.
• Or Consider Going Meatless:  Skipping meat, even once or twice a week, can help save money, since meat is usually the most expensive part of a meal. I read  even at current prices, you can save $210 per year by swapping out 1 pound of sirloin ($5.99) with a 14-ounce block of tofu  ($1.96) once a week for a year.
• Discover Great Ways to Use Canned Fish:  Canned salmon and tuna provide omega-3 fats, which help keep your heart healthy by lowering triglycerides and blood pressure. The difference: canned fish is really cheap. At just $3.68 per pound (just over 3 cans at $1.15 each), canned tuna is a delicious, healthy and cheap option for dinner. Get creative.
•  Grains and legumes are inexpensive and pack a nutritional power punch.Plus, they add a heaviness to a meal that most people rely on meat for.
• Buying bulk can save a lot of money. You can purchase grains, pastas, dried fruits, nuts and flours in the bulk isles of your grocery or natural foods store. You can choose the amount that works for you (bulk doesn’t mean you need 25 pounds of rice at a time!), and bulk food sections give a lower price per quantity ratio while saving on packaging.
• Seasonal foods not only taste better, they are more nutritious and they don’t need to be shipped in from half a world away!Seasonal foods will often cost less as well. Think ahead and stock up on fruits and vegetables in their natural season in order to can or freeze them for the off season.
• While it may seem like some processed foods are cheaper, the real steal is on the nourishment they provide. Empty calories still leave us hungry for real food. When we spend money on real, whole, organic, herbal and fresh foods, it is essential that we shift our old ways of food shopping.

Small shifts in the way we feed ourselves and families can help us find that sweet spot between staying responsible with our budgets, and feeding ourselves  healthy, organic, herbal,and vital foods/ supplements. Think of all your food items you purchase as little treasures you are going to store in your chest box full of gold!!!!!

For questions on meal planning and fitness evaluations email me at ablifestyle3@gmail.com

Its Mind over Matter

So I have been posting a lot of body workouts that you can take and use to tighten those muscle fibers. But some people struggle with even putting on their nike’s tying them and getting out the door. I practice, I preach on having a balanced mind, body and spirit lifestyle. One of the most important things first is your mind- if your mind isn’t right- then how are you going to function or focus on a workout? How are you going to crush goals if you can’t self motivate and dedicate yourself to them?

There is no magic pill, no secret technique or approach that can solve this problem for you. It will take time, hard work and persistence to get yourself where you want to be. But there are several things you can do (and think) that can make all that hard work a little easier and greatly improve your chances of success.

No doubt about it, sticking to a weight loss or exercise program day after day can be tough. And without the proper support and motivation, any inroads made in terms of losing weight or adopting a fitness routine  could be for naught. Weight loss is really a mind game. When you think about it you can always feed the hunger center of your brain the correct, healthy foods, and it will feel “full.” It’s the emotional side of you that your brain must overcome. And that’s not easy. I even have days where it’s tough.

As you implement your lifestyle change, you have a chance to begin to make better, healthier choices in your life selections. Take it slowly and consider following the lead set by the “successful lifestyles.”

Smile and laugh out loud several times a day. It keeps you grounded, and helps you cope with situations that would otherwise make you crazy. Read a funny story, watch a sitcom, or tell jokes to bring out those happy feelings.

Meditate, pray, or otherwise find solace for at least 10-20 minutes each day. Contemplation is good for your soul, helps you cope with the demands of daily life. I started doing this every day. Take the time to really visualize what it is you want and how you want your day to go.

Have a positive attitude. Do your best to look at life as if “the glass is half full.” You must believe in yourself, have good support systems, and think positively (“I think I can, I think I can…”) to succeed.

If you give it some thought, I bet you’ll agree that losing weight is not really your goal. Sure you want to lose weight and it’s important to you. But why? Is it because some number on a scale is really that important and meaningful in and of itself? Probably not. If you’re like most people, you probably want to lose weight because in your mind that will make it easier for you to live the kind of life you want to live. Keep that vision in mind every time you you take a step towards your goal.

These are good steps to and questions to ask yourself:

1. What do I want my life to look like in (1, 5 or 10) years? Explain what you want to be doing, the roles you want to take on, how you want to see yourself, etc.
2. What would my ideal days look like? Explain why you’d look forward to getting up in the morning, the first thing you’d do every day, who you’d spend time with, the good experiences you want to have each day, how you’d face challenges in your daily life, etc.
3. What personal values (love, human connection, security, independence, comfort, interest, excitement, contribution to society, family, career success etc.) do I want my daily life to express and reflect? Include how you’d rank these values if you had to choose between them at any given moment.

These are just tools you can use to get your mind right and get yourself thinking. Write yourself a vision statement to get yourself from where you are to whee you want to be.  DO not get down on yourself!!  Focus on what you can CHANGE in your life as “fit.” It’s also a good idea to include pictures  that will remind you of your goals and vision on tough days. Use your Vision Statement regularly to remind yourself why you are committed to your goals. You against YOURSELF!!

Stay up, Stay Positive

A milkshake for under 200 calories?

taste like a milkshake for under 200 calories.

*2 SCOOPS FORMULA 1 Cookies n cream

*1 scoop protein drink mix Chocolate ( I use Herbalife)

* 8 0z water

* Ice

* Cinnamon

* 1 tsp Cookie Butter… yummmm be careful with this one

And that’s it! Simple and so nutrtious

Directions: IMPORTANT:

PUT IN WATER- FILL ICE TO WATER LINE. Must do this so the thickness of consistency is perfect. Throw in the rest of the ingredients and blend until smooth!! I topped mine with a little fat free whipped cream! Holla! party in my mouth!

 

Questions on any of those ingredients e mail me: ablifestyle3@gmail.com

 

 

Core Workout

Ab and core workout. Can’t stress enough why it’s important to work your whole core. It’s the foundation to your body. Having a strong core plays an important part in all our lives. What is the core? It is a group of muscles that make up our mid-section, which consist of the abdominals, oblique’s and lower back. The core is responsible for stabilizing everything we do and for our posture.

By keeping a strong core, it can help us stand up straighter, eliminate lower back pain, have good muscle tone, have improvement in physical performance,  and help prevent injuries and support our body to function at a higher energy level. People with a weak core have that hunched over look on their back from being sedentary and sitting hunched over at a desk all day. This contributes to bad posture- which leads to back pain and damage to the spine.

Building a strong core does not happen overnight but with consistency and time you will develop a good strong foundation. If you have a strong core it will allow your body to retain that lean healthy look even as we age

See all those muscles! That’s why abs are made in the kitchen. Everyone has a 6 pack- just some and most are hidden by a layer of fat! Today work your core and ab muscles to strengthen them- but eat your way to a healthy, tight, lean body! Recipe for a yummy shake HERE.

CORE AND AB WORKOUT: I do a lot of reps. Adjust to your level. Some can start at 20. Each time increase

WARM UP:

Jump Rope for 50

High knees-50

Kick your BoOtY 50

Ski Jumps 50 (jumping side to side like you are skiing down slopes)

TWICE THROUGH

Do each circuit 2 times though. Circuit one go non stop. Rest 1 min Repeat. Same thing for Circuit 2

CIRCUIT 1:

* Mountain Climbers- 60

*Dumbbell Russian Twist- 60 ( I use 25 pounds) Use a weight that fits you. Holding the dumbbells out in front of you, bring them down to your right side, only moving your arms. (Twisting at the spine is a big no-no!) Bring them all the way to the left, keeping your spine rigid. Repeat for reps.

*Plank Knee to Elbow- 60

* Dumbbell windmills- 20 Holding a dumbbells out in front of you, bring them down to your right side only moving your arms. (Twisting at the spine is a big no-no!) Bring them all the way to the left, keeping your spine rigid. Repeat for reps.

CIRCUIT 2:

* Up and Down planks-40 Be in Plank position and push up on one arm and back down with the other. Repeating

* Dumbbell Wood chop- 20 each side. Stand with feet shoulder-width apart and a dumbbell out in front of you. Squat down,  rotating right to bring the dumbbell down to your right foot. Bring the dumbbell back up, keeping you arms out in front of you. Rotate into left lunge with your arms going overhead to the left side. Repeat for reps. 

*Overhead Dumbbell Side bend – 20 ( 10 each side) 

1. Hold a pair of dumbbells over your head, in line with your shoulders, with your arms straight.
2. Without twisting your upper body, slowly bend directly to your left side as far as you can. Pause, return to an upright position, then bend to your right side. Alternate back and forth with each repetition.

* Leg Lowers. Lay on back- legs up and maintain a strong core. Lower legs to where it feels comfortable ( I go right above ground without touching). Some people only go 45 degrees. Lower for 40.

I will finish with a quick cardio sesh: 20 burpees, 20 jump ropes, 20 side to side hops, 20 high knees. Repeat 3 times!

Weight loss mistakes to avoid!

Many dieters tend to make similar mistakes when trying to lose weight. But being aware of these mistakes—and making small physical and mental changes—will help you lose the weight and keep it off for good. You will then find in that process the transition of a lifestyle change rather than a dreadful ”diet.” Here’s how:

Slower is Better
The first mistake dieters make is having unrealistic weight loss expectations. A lifestyle I live is set up for me to maintain my weight and stay healthy. A lifestyle change I could help set up for others is safely losing between half a pound and two pounds per week. Studies show that individuals who rapidly lose weight are more likely to gain it back. So if you’ve lost a few pounds this month—excellent! Don’t discount that because you see someone on T.V. losing 15 pounds in two weeks.

Everyone is Different

While some people lose a lot of weight in the first few weeks, others might not lose any weight for a few weeks. Although this can be frustrating when you’re doing everything right, it’s not a reason to give up. Sometimes it just takes a little while longer to see the results of your hard work reflected on the scale. Remember eating right and exercising regularly have positive impacts on your health in many other ways, such as more energy, less stress, better sleep, and reduced risk of many diseases. You’ll receive those benefits, regardless of the number on the scale.

Weight Loss is Rarely  Constant from Week to Week
Many people lose a lot in the first few weeks, and then their weight loss slows down considerably. It’s totally normal to have weeks when you lose more than expected, and weeks when your weight remains the same despite your consistent efforts. Our bodies are very complicated and don’t always cooperate with the estimates of how much we should expect to lose. People rarely lose a consistent amount of weight each week. Measuring your weight loss on a monthly basis can be a more accurate gauge of how well you are doing. But always ALWAYS stay on track, even if you derail a little.

Eating Less Isn’t Always Better
A lot of people assume that the less you eat, the faster you will lose. One of the biggest mistakes dieters make is not eating enough. Your calorie range is based on your current weight, goal weight, how aggressive your goal is (whether you want to lose weight quickly or slowly) and how much exercise you are doing. Your recommended calorie range might seem like a lot of food—especially if you are accustomed to fad, restrictive diets.  I have a great program I can help anyone get to their goals-MAINTAIN, LOSE , OR EVEN GAIN MUSCLE WEIGHT. 

But if your body is not getting enough nutrients and calories (especially if you eat less than your recommended CALORIE range), your metabolism will slow down. This is called “starvation mode” because your body thinks it is experiencing a famine, so it starts holding onto every calorie you give it, making weight loss much slower or impossible, and weight gain more likely. That’s why it’s so important to eat within your calorie range. If you aren’t, you could be doing more harm than gooD. What’s great about the program I could help set your goals is by providing your body the lack of nutrients, vitamins and minerals a lot of people miss out on through food. It’s easy, manageable, and only ranges out to $5-$6 a day to get YOURSELF HEALTHY. Now that’s a good investment. WHO SAYS BEING HEALTHY WOULD BE COST EFFECTIVE? YES THERE ARE WAYS AROUND IT.

It’s never ever to late to jump on the band wagon to a healthy  lifestyle. Set goals and start a manageable plan to get you on your road to success.  

AMAZING BENEFITS of APPLE CIDER VINEGAR!

Apple cider Vinegar

This stuff is soooo good for you! I want people to read about some of the benefits I researched for it. Over the centuries, vinegar has been used for countless purposes: making pickles, killing weeds, cleaning coffee makers, polishing armor, and dressing salads. It’s also an ancient folk remedy, touted to relieve just about any ailment you can think of.

In recent years, apple cider vinegar has been singled out as an especially helpful health tonic. So it’s now sold in both the condiment and the health supplement aisles of your grocery store. While many of the folk medicine uses of vinegar are unproven (or were disproved), a few do have a medical research backing them up. Some small studies have hinted that apple cider vinegar could help with several conditions, such as diabetes and obesity.

So does consuming apple cider vinegar make sense for your health? Or is vinegar best used for cleaning stains and dyeing Easter eggs? Here’s a rundown of the facts.

Apple cider Vinegar (ACV) is made from nutritious organically grown apples and retains many of the fruits’ beneficial components because raw apple cider vinegar is not pasteurized. And in its two fermentation processes, it produces enzymes and life giving nutrients that make apple cider vinegar the powerhouse it is. So what can it do for YOU AND ME?!! Beneficial ingredients in raw apple cider vinegar  give it its power to make us feel better, look better and feel energized. Just look at some of the beneficial ingredients in raw apple cider vinegar:

• Potassium – helps to prevent brittle teeth, hair loss and runny noses.
• Pectin – helps to regulate blood pressure and reduce bad cholesterol.
• Malic Acid – gives ACV the properties of being anti-viral, anti-bacterial & anti-fungal.
• Calcium – helps create strong bones and teeth.
• Ash – gives ACV its alkaline property which aids your body in maintaining proper pH levels for a healthy alkaline state.
• Acetic Acid – It appears that this acid slows the digestion of starch which can help to lower the rise in glucose that commonly occurs after meals.

A Few Benefits of Raw Apple Cider Vinegar

• 1 tablespoon of Raw Apple Cider Vinegar mixed in 4 ounces of purified water after a meal has been used as a natural REMEDY FOR HEARTBURN and as a replacement for toxic heartburn medications.
• Raw Apple Cider Vinegar may help improve bowel irregularity, thereby removing toxins from the body at a faster rate.
• Helps clear up skin conditions and blemishes giving a smoother texture and complexion.
• Raw Apple Cider vinegar may also help with joint pain and stiffness.
• Apple Cider Vinegar helps to break down fats so that your body can use them rather than store them. For this reason, many diets include ACV in their regimen.

You need to make sure that you use only the natural, organic variety of apple cider vinegar; the sparkling clear variety will have practically no health benefits. Propagators of this wonder drug claim that the best way to have this vinegar is first thing in the morning. You can mix two tablespoons each of apple cider vinegar and honey in a glass of water, and drink it. This solution may taste slightly acidic, and may not seem to be the best way to start your morning, but once you know of the immense benefits that follow, it will not feel all that bad.

Many find that following this routine first thing in the morning helps in eliminating constipation, which is one of the prime causes of many diseases. Constipation is also the cause of headaches – leading to a bad mood, deprived sleep, and a lethargic feeling the whole day, at times. Once this problem is solved, all the other symptoms vanish immediately, making you fresher and extremely active whole day long. Following this morning regime helps minor skin rashes vanish and the skin texture also improves, leaving you radiant and glowing naturally. Having that chilled glass of lemon juice can be substituted with a few tablespoons of apple cider vinegar and water. Some prefer the taste as is. If the taste is too acidic for you, you can add honey to give it the sweet tinge. Adding honey will only improve the health benefits of the solution.

You can also enjoy the benefits of this wonder vinegar in several other ways. You can use apple cider vinegar while preparing salads by substituting the oil that is poured over a salad with it. Not only will the salad have a tangier taste, it will be much healthier as well. You can also use this vinegar to pickle an assortment of fruits and vegetables. Marinating beef, pork, lamb, fish and a variety of meats is almost a daily process for meat eaters. If you make apple cider vinegar the prime ingredient in the marinade with an assortment of herbs and spices, it will not only help in flavoring and tenderizing the meat, will also add a whole lot of nutrients to your diet.

While there are no serious side effects of apple cider vinegar, it being a vinegar can deteriorate your dental enamel and cause yellowing of teeth. Similarly, lack of information about its ill effects on the health of pregnant women and children only means it is better kept away from them. Though there have been cases wherein people have complained of upset stomach and nausea, such cases are very rare. All in all, apple cider vinegar is considered to be the safest of all vinegars available, and diluting it with water only makes it safer for your use.

I use this! Tastes great on salads!!!!!!!!!!

Back to healthy eating after overindulging! MOVE FORWARD!!

How to Get Back to Healthy Eating After Overindulging! I CAUGHT YOU!!!!!!!!!!

No but really we all indulge. That’s just part of LIFE. wE ARE HUMAN. jUST PUT IT BEHIND YOU AND MOVE FORWARD!

It’s distressingly common that a healthy diet will seem completely satisfying (or at least doable) until some sort of interruption comes along. Then, after a holiday or trip, you feel like your diet is ruined, and you don’t want to give up your favorite foods all over again. If healthy eating is important to you, the attempt to get back to healthy eating after overindulging should be just as important. Luckily, it’s doable. Here’s tips to help you get back to a healthy lifestyle! ESPECIALLY AFTER VALENTINES DAY! lots OF CHOCOLATE YUUUM

1
Recommit to healthy eating. Realize that although mistakes were made, you have all the same reasons that you did before to value healthy eating.
2
Start right away. It’s always easier to think you will get back to healthy eating after overindulging as long as you can do it next week, but next week it will seem just as hard as it does today. If you absolutely can’t bring yourself to start eating healthy right away, set a firm date to return to your plan.
3
Make sure you have plenty of healthy food options that satisfy your cravings. For example, if you’ve got a sweet tooth, try to keep fruit in the house. Doing this will help you feel less deprived as you start to get back to healthy eating after overindulging. OR CHECK OUT MY RECIPE PAGE- LOTS OF HEALTHY ALTERNATIVES FOR HEALTHY DESSETSMy healthy chocolate peanut butter cake. Yes these are my two favorite things

4
Consider a diet plan that includes the occasional indulgence. For example, if you allow yourself to eat any treat you want on holidays, or even once a week, realizing that this has happened won’t make you feel that you have failed at healthy eating. Maybe it would be better to eat healthy food all the time, but the important thing is to make a constant effort and not become discouraged.
5
Maintain a positive attitude. Beating yourself up about what you’ve already done is unlikely to help anything. If you have trouble staying positive, remind yourself that you got back on your diet plan when it was tough, and you are now facing the challenges of healthy eating fair and square.

If you think you’ll be in a situation that will tempt you to overindulge again, for example an upcoming holiday season or vacation, try to make a plan ahead of time about what indulgences you will allow and how you will stay healthy during this time. Maybe take a bath in your favorite indulgence…

haha I do want to do this one day

FOR A COUPLE HEALTHY SNACKS TO GET YOU BACK AT IT………….

Or try one of these easy snack ideas for 250 calories or less to keep your blood sugar level:

• 1 small apple, 12 almonds + ice water with lemon =170 calories

• 1 cup baby carrots + 1/4 cup hummus = 157 calories

• 1 cup strawberries + 2 Tbsp. non-fat plain yogurt =70 calories

• 1 cup cantaloupe + 2 small gingersnaps = 113 calories

• 1/2 cup nonfat cottage cheese + 1/2 cup fresh mandarin oranges = 122 calories

• Hard-boiled egg, sliced, on 1 slice whole-wheat toast with 2 tsp. Dijon mustard = 141 calories

• 1 small apple + 1 Tbsp. natural creamy peanut butter = 172 calories

10 most nutritional FOODS!!!! **

***The ten most nutritious foods are nutrient dense, meaning they have more nutrients per calorie than other foods. Such foods are often rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that help protect against illness and disease. They are also either low in fat or a source of healthy fats; high in protein, which aids in muscle growth and repair; and high in FIBER, which maintains normal digestive functions-all leading to keep a healthy body for a healthy lifestyle. Start incorporating these into your diets and see how you feel after eating them. Changes are in the drop of your hands. Remember…you use your hands to put what you eat in your mouth..

Salmon

Salmon is considered a super food because it is high in protein, a good source of iron, low in saturated fats and rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids are essential for a healthy heart and cardiovascular functioning. The American Heart Association recommends consuming fatty fish such as salmon twice a week. A typical 3-oz. serving of Atlantic salmon has 175 calories, 10 g of fat, 0 sugars and 19 g of protein.

Eggs

Eggs are a rich source of vitamins and minerals, including choline, which aids in brain development and memory. They are also high in protein, low in carbohydrates, and contain healthy fats. The yolk contains much of the fat and is also a source of iron. A typical egg has 75 calories, 6 g of protein, no carbohydrates and 5 g of fat. If you are monitoring your fat intake, try including more of the egg whites in your DIET versus the whole egg.

Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are rich in antioxidants, which play a role in the prevention of heart disease and cancer. It is also a source of vitamins and minerals, such as calcium, iron, potassium and vitamins C and E. A typical large sweet potato has 162 calories, no fat and 6 g of fiber.

Quinoa

Quinoa is a grain alternative to refined, processed breads such as white or wheat bread. It is gluten-free and thus appropriate for people with food allergies or intolerances. Quinoa has more protein than other grains, and is a source of iron, riboflavin and magnesium. Just 1/2 cup of cooked quinoa has 5 g of protein, 5 g of fat and 5 g of dietary fiber.

Yogurt

Yogurt is a rich source of calcium to help strengthen bones. It is also rich in active bacterial cultures that contribute to a healthy digestive system and may help prevent yeast infections. Avoid sugary yogurts with fruit on the bottom, opting for plain varieties instead. Add berries and natural honey to control the amount of added sugar. A typical 1-cup serving of plain, skim-milk yogurt has approximately 140 calories, no of fat, and 14 g of protein.

Beans

Beans are high in dietary fiber and protein, but low-in fat. The fiber in beans helps to keep blood sugar levels steady, keep cravings down and lower overall calorie consumption. Include a variety of dry beans or low-sodium canned varieties in your diet, including navy, black, red, pinto and kidney beans. A typical 1-cup serving of boiled black beans have only 1 g of fat, 15 g of fiber and 15 g of protein.

Blueberries

Blueberries are rich in antioxidants which help to fight free radicals that contribute to illnesses such as cancer. Such antioxidants may also prevent cataracts, glaucoma, heart disease and ulcers. Blueberries are low in calories, have no fat and are low in sugar compared to other fruits such as melons. A 1-cup serving of blueberries has only 84 calories, no fat and 4 g of dietary fiber.

Walnuts

Walnuts are considered a super-food due to its many health benefits including protection against cancer and heart disease, maintaining cognitive function, and providing protection against inflammatory skin diseases such as psoriasis. These nuts are a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, which is considered a “good” fat. A 1/4-cup serving of walnuts alone provide 90 percent of the daily quota of omega-3s recommended.

Spinach

Spinach is a rich source of vitamin C, calcium and antioxidants that aid in the prevention of disease. It also contains carotenids, which may assist in preventing macular degeneration, poor eyesight that may lead to blindness. Spinach also contains nearly 200 percent of the daily value required of vitamin K, which helps in reducing bone loss.

Oats

Oats are low in fat, and high in dietary fiber which assists in healthy digestion and waste elimination. Heart-healthy oats help keep blood glucose levels even thanks to their low-sugar and high-fiber content. This makes them a healthy grain alternative for diabetics or people who are trying to lose weight. A 100 g serving of raw oats has only 1 g of saturated fat, 11 g of dietary fiber and 17 g of protein.

EAT EAT AWAY!!!!!!!!! and remember to always SMILE 

100 WAYS TO CUT 100 OR MORE CALORIES

1. Spread 1 tablespoon of all-fruit jam on your toast rather than 1 1/2 tablespoons of butter.
2. Replace 1 cup of whole milk with 1/2 cup of nonfat milk.
3. Eat 2 poached eggs instead of 2 fried eggs.
4. Replace 1/2 cup of granola with 2 cups of Cheerios.
5. Instead of using whole milk and eggs to prepare 2 slices of French toast, use nonfat milk and egg whites.
6. Snack on an orange and a banana instead of a Snickers candy bar.
7. Munch on 35 pretzel sticks instead of 1 ounce of dry-roasted peanuts.
8. Replace 1 cup of sweetened applesauce with 1 cup of unsweetened applesauce.
9. On your lamb-and-vegetable kabob, replace 2 of the 4 chunks of meat with fresh whole mushrooms.
10. Dip an artichoke in 1 tablespoon of low-fat mayonnaise instead of 1 1/2 tablespoons of regular mayonnaise.
11. Steam your asparagus rather than sauté it in 1 tablespoon of butter or oil.
12. Instead of a 5-ounce glass of wine, opt for cherry-flavored sparkling water.
13. For a chewy snack, have 1/2 cup of dried fruit rather than 9 caramels.
14. Replace 3 slices of bacon with 3 slices of Light & Lean Canadian bacon.
15. Eat a Lender’s egg bagel instead of a Sara Lee egg bagel.
16. Select 1 cup of home-style baked beans instead of an equal serving of baked beans with franks.
17. Replace 2 biscuits with 2 dinner rolls.
18. When making a sandwich, use 2 slices of Roman Light 7-grain bread instead of Pepperidge Farm wheat bread.
19. Eat 1/2 cup of steamed fresh broccoli instead of 1/2 cup of frozen broccoli in cheese sauce.
20. Make a burrito with 1/2 cup of fat-free refried beans and 1 ounce of nonfat cheese instead of the same amount of traditional refried beans and cheese.
21. Replace an apple muffin with a high-fiber English muffin.
22. Reduce a typical serving of chocolate cake (1/8 of a two-layer cake) by one-third.
23. Switch from 1 cup of whole-milk hot chocolate to 1 cup of steamed 1% milk flavored with a dash of almond extract.
24. Replace 1 cup of caramel-coated popcorn with 2 1/2 cups of air-popped popcorn.
25. Switch from 1/2 cup of yogurt-covered raisins to 1/2 cup of plain raisins.
26. Snack on 1 cup of nonfat plain yogurt instead of 1 cup of custard-style yogurt.
27. Top your celery sticks with 2 tablespoons of fat-free cream cheese instead of 3 tablespoons of regular cream cheese.
28. Replace 2 fried-chicken drumsticks with 2 roasted drumsticks and a cup of peas and carrots.
29. Instead of eating 5 chocolate-chip cookies, savor the taste of 2.
30. Lighten your 2 cups of coffee with 2 tablespoons of evaporated nonfat milk instead of 2 tablespoons of half-and-half.
31. Replace a 12-ounce can of cola with a 12-ounce can of diet cola.
32. Thicken your cream sauce with 1 percent milk and corn starch instead of a roux of butter and flour.
33. At the appetizer tray, choose 4 fresh raw mushrooms instead of 4 batter-fried mushrooms.
34. Use 2 tablespoons of fat-free sour cream instead of regular sour cream (on baked potatoes or in stroganoff). If done twice in the day, 100 calories will be cut.
35. Reduce the size of your steak from 4 1/2 ounces to 3 ounces.
36. Grill a cheese sandwich with nonstick cooking spray instead of margarine.
37. Replace 1 cup of chocolate ice cream with 2/3 cup of nonfat chocolate frozen yogurt.
38. Snack on 2 ounces of oven-baked potato chips instead of regular potato chips.
39. Instead of topping your salad with an ounce of croutons, get your crunch from 1/4 cup of chopped celery.
40. Instead of 1 cup of macaroni salad, eat 3 1/2 cups of spinach salad with 2 tablespoons of low-calorie dressing.
41. Cut the peanut butter on your sandwich from 2 tablespoons to 1 tablespoon.
42. Serve your turkey with 1/4 cup of cranberry sauce instead of 1/2 cup.
43. Order a sandwich on cracked wheat bread instead of a croissant.
44. Complement your hamburger with 1 1/4 ounces of oven-baked tortilla chips instead of a side of fries.
45. Split an apple Danish with a friend rather than eat the entire thing.
46. Order 2 slices of cheese pizza instead of 2 slices of pepperoni pizza.
47. Grab a Dole Fresh Lites Cherry frozen fruit bar instead of a Sunkist Coconut frozen fruit bar.
48. Snack on 1/2 cup of fruit cocktail canned in water instead of 1 cup of fruit cocktail canned in heavy syrup.
49. Switch from 1 cup of fruit punch to 1 cup of sparkling water flavored with 2 teaspoons of concentrated orange juice.
50. Instead of eating garlic bread made with butter, spread baked garlic cloves on French bread.
51. Rather than snack on 1 cup of grapefruit canned in syrup, peel and section 1 small grapefruit.
52. Dip your chips in 1/2 cup of salsa instead of 1/2 cup of guacamole.
53. Switch from 1/2 cup of Frusen Gladje butter pecan ice cream to Breyers butter pecan ice cream.
54. Use 1 tablespoon of mayonnaise in your tuna salad instead of 2 tablespoons.
55. Hold the tartar sauce on your fish sandwich, and squeeze lemon on it instead.
56. Replace 3 fish sticks with 3 ounces of grilled halibut.
57. In sandwich spreads or salads, use 3 teaspoons of dijonnaise instead of 4 teaspoons of mayonnaise.
58. Use 2 tablespoons of light pancake syrup instead of 2 tablespoons of regular syrup.
59. Top your pasta with 1 cup of marinara sauce instead of 1/2 cup of alfredo sauce.
60. For each serving of pasta salad you make, reduce the oil or mayonnaise by 1 tablespoon.
61. Replace 1/2 cup of peaches canned in extra-heavy syrup with 1/2 cup of peaches canned in water.
62. Prepare 1/2 cup of steamed peas and cauliflower instead of frozen peas and cauliflower in cream sauce.
63. Cut back on sampling during cooking. The following tastes have 100 calories: 4 tablespoons of beef stroganoff, 3 tablespoons of homemade chocolate pudding, 2 tablespoons of chocolate-chip cookie dough.
64. At an Italian restaurant, snack on a large breadstick instead of a slice of garlic bread.
65. Eat a 3/4-cup serving of pudding made with skim milk rather than a 1-cup serving of pudding made with whole milk.
66. Choose 1/2 cup of brown rice instead of 1 serving of frozen rice pilaf with green beans or 1 serving of frozen Oriental rice and vegetables.
67. Compliment your sandwich with 3/4 cup of split-pea soup instead of 1 cup of chunky bean and ham soup.
68. Replace 3 tablespoons of strawberry topping on your ice cream with 3/4 pint of fresh strawberries.
69. Pass on the second helping of mashed potatoes.
70. Eat 3 grilled prawns with cocktail sauce instead of 3 breaded and fried prawns.
71. Make a pie crust with 1 cup of Grape-Nuts cereal, 1/4 cup of concentrated apple juice and 1 tablespoon of cinnamon, instead of using a traditional graham-cracker crust. You’ll save 100 calories per slice.
72. Replace 8 sticks of regular chewing gum with sugar-free chewing gum.
73. Snack on a papaya instead of a bag of M&Ms.
74. Substitute 3 ounces of scallops for 3 ounce of lean beef in your stir-fry.
75. Rather than spread 4 tablespoons of cream cheese on two slices of raisin bread, dip the bread in 1/2 cup nonfat apple-cinnamon yogurt.
76. Munch on 1 cup of frozen grapes instead of an ice cream sandwich.
77. Rather than drink a strawberry milkshake, make a smoothie of 2/3 cup of low-fat milk, 1/2 cup of strawberries and 1/2 a banana.
78. Replace 2 brownies with 2 fig bars.
79. Eat 2 meatballs instead of 4 with your spaghetti.
80. On a hot day, quench your thirst with a glass of ice water with lemon or mint instead of a can of light beer.
81. Eat 1/2 cup of black beans instead of 3 ounces of roast beef.
82. Replace 1 1/2 tablespoons of I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter spread with 1 1/2 tablespoons of Nucoa Smart Beat margarine.
83. Choose 1 serving of vegetarian lasagna instead of lasagna with meat.
84. Eat 2 Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain bars instead of 2 Kellogg’s Pop-Tarts.
85. Drizzle 3 tablespoons of low-calorie French dressing on your salad instead of 2 tablespoons of blue cheese dressing.
86. Replace 1 large flour tortilla with 1 six-inch corn tortilla.
87. Eat a turkey sandwich instead of a chicken salad sandwich.
88. Choose 4 1/2 ounces of tuna packed in water instead of 4 1/2 ounces of tuna packed in oil.
89. At Burger King, have a Whopper Jr. Sandwich with regular fries instead of a Whopper With Cheese Sandwich.
90. Order your Quarter Pounder without cheese.
91. At Jack in the Box, eat a regular taco instead of a super taco.
92. Fix 1 cup of turkey chili with beans rather than regular chili with no beans.
93. Use 1 cup of fat-free cottage cheese instead of regular cottage cheese.
94. Order a sandwich with barbecued chicken instead of barbecued pork.
95. Replace 1 cup of corn with 1 cup of carrots.
96. Reduce your helping of turkey stuffing from 1 cup to 2/3 cup.
97. Have a single scoop of ice cream instead of a double scoop.
98. Replace 2 ounces of corn chips with 2 ounces of SnackWell’s wheat crackers.
99. Eat 1 hot dog at the baseball game instead of 2.
100. Shred 2 ounces of fat-free cheddar cheese on nachos instead of regular cheddar.

BUILD A HEALTHY MEAL TO BUILD A HEALTHY BODY