Sweet and Sour Crock-Pot Chicken

Archives for June 2014

Here's one of my family's favorite slow-cooked recipes. It takes me only a few minutes before we head out and it feels GREAT to know that a healthy dinner is waiting for us after a long, busy day!

sweet and sour chicken recipe

 

Many weight loss plans are derailed due to a lack of planning and crock-pot meals turn into an INSTANT quick fix to a ravenous appetite. Something about sunshine and chlorine that really works up an appetite! This one is sure to satisfy the whole family and keep you on track with weight loss goals. Enjoy a cup of the mixture with 1/2 cup of rice/quinoa or steamed veggies per serving.

 

Yours in Health,

Danette

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If you’re trying to lose weight, you may think your refrigerator is the enemy, but it’s easy to turn it into your ally in helping you to achieve that optimal shape. The key is organization!

Shifting the food around in your fridge can actually retrain your brain to lose those stubborn pounds by helping you to crave healthier foods rather than those that can sabotage your diet. I know it sounds rather simple, but it really does work!

First things first.

Ideally, you should get rid of all junk food and unhealthy temptations that can cause you to get off track. If family members object, see if you can get everyone in the household engaged in living a healthier lifestyle. Did you know that dieters who have support from a partner at home have been found to lose more weight than those who don’t?

I know, easier said than done, right? So, why not make it a fun competition that includes an attractive reward? It might just be the motivation needed to get everyone on board. If that’s just not an option, don’t worry, there is an alternative: use your crisper drawers to store potential diet saboteurs.

While they’re generally intended for your produce, these bins are much better for holding those calorie-laden foods like desserts. Keeping temptations out of sight has been found to cut snacking by half! Out of sight, out of mind.

But what about that produce?

Those fruits and veggies will be fine outside of the drawers – in fact, there’s a much better place for them anyway.

Store your fresh produce on the second shelf – it should be the first thing your eye catches when you open the refrigerator door. The more convenient it is to get them, the more likely you are to EAT them – and, the more fruits and veggies you consume, the better chances you have of reaching your weight loss goal.

s54^v2-336x280Your top shelf should be filled with healthy, low-calorie beverages like 100% veggie juice, iced herbal tea and water. Staying hydrated is a great way to naturally curb your appetite, but try to avoid diet sodas at all costs. They may be calorie-free, but they actually cause you to eat more!

That’s because artificial sweeteners trick the body into thinking that calories are on the way, and when they don’t come, the metabolism is slowed, throwing off the body’s ability to regulate appetite.

Use your third shelf to store protein-filled foods like lean meats, eggs, plain Greek-style yogurt and low fat cheese.  Eating two ounces or more of protein at each meal helps to curb cravings and in-between meal hunger as well as helping you to maintain a healthy metabolism.

Use your freezer wisely too.

Frozen berries are ideal for smoothies, helping to satisfy that sweet tooth in a healthy way that doesn’t sabotage your diet. You can also fill it with frozen veggies, individually-wrapped chicken breasts or fish fillets (wild-caught salmon is great!), that make it EASY to quickly put together a healthy meal.

If you’ve got a busy schedule – and really, who doesn’t – making at least some of your meals ahead of time and storing them in the freezer eliminates the excuse of not having a good choice when those hunger pangs suddenly hit.

Did you ever think your refrigerator could be so helpful in getting that number on the scale to move in the right direction?

Yours in health,

Danette

P.S. Let me know what you think below. And tell me if you have any refrigerator hacks of your own!

How many of you remember going to the mall with your parents as kids? Now, do you remember the Orange Julius kiosk? Me too! It was always a unique frothy reward after a long day of shopping. Today I'm going to share a blast from the past with a healthy twist!

My Orange Julius Smoothie recipe tastes just like the ones you remember but with more protein for a great way to start your day! And no, there are NO raw eggs as that old urban legend might have you believe.

Danette May Smoothie Recipe

This smoothie will not only make you reminisce about Mall Days of yore but it's great for your skin and even better for your health than retail therapy!

 

Yours in health & happiness,

Danette

P.S. Want more delicious fat-burning recipes you can make in 10 minutes or less? Check out over 120 of my favorite 5 ingredient fat-burning recipes on the next page:

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I think we all know how hard it is to lose weight. In the beginning, we’re usually pretty motivated, but after a while, even when we have the very best of intentions, we tend to get off track when stress gets in the way and are lured in by the temptation of fattening or sugary treats.

Once we give in, instead of getting quickly back on track, we give up on that ultimate goal and end up back at square one. Remember, everyone is bound to give into temptation every once in a while.

The problem isn’t a single splurge, but that it often becomes an excuse for a major food binge. You might think, well, I’ve already blown it so I might as well finish off the container of Ben & Jerry’s, right?

How many times has that happened to you? Faced with so many not-so-healthy food choices, how can you stay motivated to achieve your weight-loss goal?

There are many ways you can increase your odds of success.

One of the most important things you can do is to not let yourself get so hungry that you can’t control your eating. That’s a major trigger for overeating and ruining all of that hard earned effort.

Keep healthy snacks on hand so that when those hunger pangs hit you’ll be ready. Raw, unsalted almonds and walnuts are ideal for keeping your metabolism burning at its max and for conquering hunger pangs – but as they’re also high in calories, stick to eating only about what will fit in the palm of your hand.

Remember, skipping meals is never a good idea.

You may want to prepare some of your meals ahead of time so you don’t end up stuck without a healthy option and reaching for a candy bar or chips instead.

It may be a cliché, but breakfast really is the most important meal of the day as it will kick start your metabolism and help you burn calories more efficiently. Research has shown that those who eat breakfast consume fewer calories throughout the day – and are less likely to overeat at other meals.

If you can, find someone else, or even a group of people with similar goals who can help provide inspiration and support. There are lots of online support groups that can make a significant difference in whether or not accomplish what you’ve set out to, like the one on my online personal training site, Forever Fit Challenge

Food-Journal-150x150Another great trick is to write everything down that you eat in a food journal – it acts as a great motivator to encourage you to eat fewer calories and dieters that do this have been found to lose TWICE as much weight as those that don’t! Easy, right?!

Rewarding yourself whenever you’ve accomplished a “mini-goal” can also help keep you motivated for success.

Every time you reach a certain step – say, you’ve lost five pounds, or even better, an inch off your waistline, it should be celebrated with positive reinforcement. Of course your reward really should be something other than food, maybe a new piece of jewelry or a trip to the spa – whatever motivates you!

By following these tips and tricks, you’ll be much more likely to stay on the path to a new, beautiful – and healthier you!

Yours in health & happiness,

Danette

P.S. Please leave your comments below. I love hearing from you!

If you're like me and don't want to sacrifice good nutrition but might want to take advantage of an extra 30-minute snooze, I have the solution.

My 2 girls really love these and I can feel good about them reaching for these since they're loaded with protein and a much better way to start the day than one of those sugar-coated toaster pastries.

On Sunday's I just whip up a batch of these to keep on hand for the week and OH, How my girls love these!

Only 5 ingredients for the Chocolate Apple Protein Bars– yes, that says chocolate 😉

Chocolate Protein Bar Recipe

 

 

Nutritional Information: 1 nutrition bar (3 oz. protein, ¼ cup carbs, 1 tbs. fat, minimal fruit)

Move over Kool-Aid Mom, Protein Bar Mom is in town!

By the way, if you want more delicious, fat-burning recipes you can make in 10 minutes or less check out the next page:

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Our planet naturally provides us with many AMAZING things that can enhance our good health and fitness, and maca root is one of the MOST EXCEPTIONAL, particularly for women.

Never heard of it? That’s probably because this plant grows high in the Andes Mountains in South America– and nowhere else! While most of us here in the U.S. have never even seen it, maca has been used for centuries by the indigenous people in that region.

This unique plant grows at an altitude of 14,000 feet above sea level and is able to withstand extreme conditions, including intense sunlight, freezing temperatures and strong winds – not exactly ideal for growing vegetation.

The maca root is distinguished as being the highest growing food plant in the world, which may be the reason that it has so many nutrients, it’s truly in a class by itself!

One of the most common problems I hear women talk about is a lack of energy.

Maca is known to help increase those energy levels to help you GET THROUGH that busy, stressful day.

energyIt can also help to ensure that you have enough fuel in your tank to squeeze in a workout too, which is why you might sometimes see it referred to as Peruvian Ginseng.

Maca’s energy enhancing properties as well as numerous other benefits are thought to be attributed to its numerous vitamins and minerals – it’s packed with B vitamins and is also rich in vitamins C,E, and minerals like calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium and zinc.  

Taking maca is practically like taking a multi-vitamin, but even better as it comes straight from the earth!

Many athletes are discovering the benefits of maca root supplements for increasing endurance and performance. When taken along with regular exercise, it even has the ability to increase muscle mass. It’s considered to be an excellent alternative to anabolic steroids among athletes, but unlike anabolic steroids, maca contains no harmful chemicals that might interfere with healthy endocrine function.

Of course, you don’t have to be an athlete to reap those benefits. Maca can help ANYONE who desires to achieve a smaller waistline and a more fit body.

Maca is an adaptogen, which simply means that it improves the body’s ability to defend itself against mental and physical weakening, preventing all types of illness. It helps to promote quicker muscle recovery in addition to boosting muscle mass – and, does wonders for stamina and endurance!

For women, maca is particularly beneficial.

crampsHave you ever been left practically unable to move, let alone exercise, due to painful cramps?

I probably don’t have to tell you that for many, symptoms associated with menstruation can make it difficult to even want to get out of bed in the morning!

Surprisingly, maca can even help ease those awful aches and pains, allowing you not only to get through the day, but also through your workout.

Research has shown that it can help to alleviate menopause symptoms too!

Maca can quell symptoms such as mood swings and hot flashes due to its balancing effects on hormones.

Unfortunately, unless you leave in or near the Andes, you can’t just go to the market and buy maca root. It is available at many health food stores and online in capsule, tincture and powdered forms. Maca root powder is thought to be the best way to use it as you’ll be getting the pure, organic form of the plant.

macapowderIt has kind of a malty, nutty flavor and can be added to a cup of coffee, smoothies, juices, or even mixed into soups and stews.

Start off with just a small amount, perhaps one teaspoon, and gradually build to around a tablespoon.

Many people notice the effects within the very first week or sometimes even sooner – you might be surprised at the difference this amazing Peruvian root can make in helping you to achieve your fitness goals and melt fat.

Yours in health,

Danette

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I know, this sounds way too good to be true, but a number of health experts have touted yacon syrup as the latest and greatest thing when it comes to losing weight.

While many supplements aimed at weight loss severely miss the mark, yacon syrup actually does have some legitimate research behind it to back these claims.

If you haven’t heard about this sweet tasting syrup yet, odds are, you will soon.

After Dr. Oz featured it on his television show, calling it a “metabolism game changer,” it’s become extremely popular here in the U.S.

Of course, just because a TV doctor recommends something doesn’t mean it is sound advice, so we’ll delve a bit deeper into what’s behind these claims.

The syrup is extracted from the roots of the yacon plant which grows in the Andes Mountains of South America.

It’s been eaten and used for medicinal purposes for centuries in many South American countries. People there have long believed it has powerful healing properties, including helping to improve diabetes, digestive and kidney disorders.

yacon-syrup-benefits The yacon root looks something like a sweet potato.To make the syrup, juices from the roots are extracted, filtered and evaporated in a chemical-free process similar to the way maple syrup is made. The result is this sweet-tasting syrup that has a consistency and color like molasses.

Yacon syrup contains about 40 to 50 percent fructooligosaccharides. These compounds are actually sugar molecules that are connected in a way that makes them unrecognizable by the digestive system.

Although these sugars stimulate taste buds, they cannot be digested.  As the majority of yacon syrup isn’t digested, it has just one-third of the caloric value of sugar, or 20 calories per tablespoon, making it a good lower-calorie alternative to sugar.

But that’s not the main reason it’s believed to help with belly fat.

Yacon When the fructooligosaccharides reach the large intestine, they feed the friendly bacteria in the digestive system, which are a key part of good health.

Having more of the “right” kind of bacteria is linked to a lower risk of diabetes, stronger immunity and improved brain function.

When the bacteria digest the fructoolighsaccharides, they also produce short-chain fatty acids which offer potent anti-obesity effects in addition to helping lower levels of the hormone ghrelin, helping to decrease the appetite.

What you probably want to know is, can this syrup really help you lose weight?

At this point, there has only been one study conducted on humans, but the results were extremely promising.

 Participants included 55 obese women – 40 of the women took yacon syrup, while the others were given a placebo.  

Waistline-150x150   After a period of 120 days, the women who had the yacon syrup lost an  average of 33 pounds and 3.9 inches off their waist – a rather dramatic improvement!    The women who  took the placebo generally didn’t experience any change in weight or waist  measurements.

Yacon syrup is not the only food that contains fructooligosaccharides, although it is believed  to have the highest amount. The compounds are found in smaller amounts in a number of plant   f oods, like garlic, onions and artichokes.

Yacon can be taken as a tea or used as a sugar substitute, but it’s important to make sure that you buy 100 percent yacon syrup with no additives or other substances – and, consuming too much can cause diarrhea and cramping.

So, what’s the catch?

Yacon is not a magic pillthere is no magic pill when it comes to getting in shape. You still have to eat healthier, consume fewer calories and move more, but yacon may be able to provide an extra boost to achieve your goals that much quicker.

Yours in health,

Danette

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