Archives for July 2014

July 31, 2014 by hiaprilw

This is one of the questions I get asked more than any other when it comes to exercise.

The media has done a good job of making people believe that working out at different times of the day may impact their fat loss. Some sources say that morning is the best time while other sources say that it really doesn’t matter.

So with all this conflicting information, which is the truth?

Well, it all depends on YOU. What is your life like? Do you start your day early? Or are you a night shift worker who sleeps like an owl during the day and stays awake all night. The time you wake up will determine which the best time is.

However, you should know that any time is a good time as long as you exercise. Do not skip your training just because you cannot work out at an ideal time. As long as you put in the effort and sweat it out, you’re good.

The bottom line is, there has been no conclusive evidence to show which the best time to exercise is.

Ideally, you should exercise when you just start your day. This will create the best fat burning effects. If you work out too close to bedtime, once you sleep, your metabolic rate will drop. This will slow down your body’s fat burning.

If you work out an hour after you wake, your body will be in fat burning mode for the rest of your waking hours. That’s pretty much the best gauge of when is a best time to train. It’s dependent on the way you live.

There are two factors to be aware of

First, it would be best if you could train at the same time daily. All things being constant, you will be able to track your progress and constantly see if you are beating your personal best. If you train at different times of the day, you may not know if any improvement or lack of improvement is due to your training time or performance.

The second factor is the motivation factor. Some people are grumpy and moody when they just wake up. That would not be a good time to train. Find out which part of the day you’re feeling positive and motivated to train hard. Then go do it. On some days, you may not be in the mood for the whole day. On those days you still go do it. The discipline will pay off.

Exercise is meant to be fun and rewarding. But in some cases it can be tiring and getting yourself through a work out can be a real drag. Everybody goes through that. The key point is to still go for your workout even when you do not feel like it. That’s what will ensure you become a lean fat burning machine.

Lastly, the key to any successful weight loss program is your nutrition. Your nutrition is way more important than your exercise. This will guarantee fat loss more than the time you choose to train.

Yours In Health,

Danette

PS – Please feel free to share this article with your friends and leave your comments below.

July 31, 2014 by hiaprilw

It's easy to see why chia seeds are so popular. The protein packed wonders can be sprinkled on almost anything and just wait until you taste what they do in a pudding!

These little seeds are bursting with so many health benefits. They help you lose weight, balance blood sugar, add healthy omega 3’s, and have age defying antioxidants. You can feel good about eating pudding for breakfast.

CHOCOLATE CHIA

PUDDING

2-4 servings

INGREDIENTS:

3/4 cup chia seeds
2 cups unsweetened almond milk
1-2 scoops of Cacao Bliss or 2-4 teaspoons raw cacao
1 teaspoon 100% pure maple syrup
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1-2 servings of stevia according to the package (choose natural stevia)

DIRECTIONS:

1. Mix all ingredients together in mason jars and let chill in the refrigerator for 50 minutes or overnight is even better. The chia seeds will swell and absorb the milk turning it into a pudding.

Note: For a very creamy pudding, blend all ingredients in a blender and chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes or overnight.

This is the perfect snack to make ahead of time and keep on hand for cravings. These are so filling and delicious. This is a MUST try recipe that I am always excited to share.

Yours in health,

Danette

P.S. Please leave your comments below and let me know what you think of this recipe!

Like this recipe? Click to the next page to see 120+ fat-burning breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack recipes…

You might also be interested in:

Creamy Cacao Dark Chocolate Pudding

Chocolate Pudding Pops

Creamy Cacao Sweet Potato Pudding

July 28, 2014 by hiaprilw

Coffee is one of the most consumed products in the world. And it can also be one of the WORST products for your health and fat loss…

First things first

Make sure you always drink organic coffee. If it doesn't say “organic” on the package, stay away! If it's not organic, the coffee plant can be absolutely covered in pesticides and other harmful chemicals that are not only dangerous to your health, but the toxins and chemicals can make it virtually impossible to burn body fat.

Secondly, you should already know this, but you must absolutely stay away from artificial sweeteners and creamers. These are also chock full of chemicals that will harm your health and fat loss.

What you should use

Creamers: Use full fat cream from grass fed cows. Yes, this has fat, but it's good fat that your body needs for optimal health and for fat loss. Don't fall for the media hype that all fat is bad.

Sweeteners: Stick with stevia or a natural sweetener such as raw honey, 100% maple syrup, or coconut sugar.

And lastly, if you follow the above advice, I would stick with no more than one cup per day.

Yours in health and happiness,

Danette

PS Please leave your comments below and let me know your thoughts.

July 28, 2014 by hiaprilw

I hope you can take some of my morning ritual that I've shared and incorporate into your day to get inspired to achieve your personal goals. Please leave your comments below…

July 23, 2014 by hiaprilw

Eggs are nearly an ideal food. Most people know they are high in protein but may be interested to learn that eggs help keep blood sugar steady as well. Let's not forget how quick they are! Add the iron rich spinach and you have a world class breakfast to give you the energy you need to power through your day.

You may not have time to whip up a fresh egg scramble every morning so you'll love that this quiche will reheat quickly if made ahead of time. Sometimes I prep the garlic, onion and spinach the night before and then, in the morning, I add the eggs and let this bake while my family and I get dressed for the day. I love showing up to brunch with this quiche too!

Yours in health,

Danette

July 23, 2014 by hiaprilw

More and more people are becoming overweight not just in the US but all over the world. The best way to lose weight and keep it off is by eating right and exercising regularly. But many people are looking for the quick-fix miracle that will help them shed their pounds right away. One of the biggest buzz words in terms of weight loss is conjugated linoleic acid, otherwise known as CLA.

CLA is often referred to as the “good fat” that we need in our bodies.

It's mostly found in meat and dairy products of those animals that are able to feed on grass. The reason that this is creating a great deal of interest is because the results of clinical studies have shown that CLA actually lowers body fat in overweight people while maintaining muscle tissue.

It has also been discovered that CLA increases metabolism, decreases belly fat and can improve muscle growth. Conjugated Linoleic Acid also lowers cholesterol and triglycerides and improves the immune system which is something everyone could use. The fact that these acids increase metabolism is a very exciting find, especially for the many who suffer from thyroid problems like hypothyroidism. Thyroid problems can also be the culprit which leads to belly fat. So again, CLA can solve a lot of problems in that area.

CLA is much more common in grass-fed animals than in those who feed on grain. So to get your dose of CLA, you need to make sure you are getting meat from grass fed animals. I like grass fed bison since it is so lean. If you are a vegetarian you can look at supplements containing some synthetic form of CLA It's important that, if you do decide to go with the supplements, you get one that offers at least 3400 milligrams per day. This will give you a level that will be effective.

So CLA really is appearing to be somewhat of a miracle for some people.

However, you cannot lose weight simply by getting the recommended daily amount of CLA. Using it in conjunction with healthy eating and sleeping habits and regular exercise is the most effective way to lose your “bad fat”.

Try to drink a lot of water, eat a lot of fruits and vegetables (especially the most brightly colored ones), whole grains, and Omega-3 fatty acids (from oily fish, nuts of flax seeds) every day.

Also, do not skip meals and make sure you get enough sleep. Skipping meals can backfire and studies have proven that people who aren't sleeping enough tend to be hungrier and overweight. Regular exercise does not have to be strenuous. If you can make a commitment to walking for 20-30 minutes three to five times per week, then you are doing regular exercise.

The combination of your daily dosage of conjugated linoleic acid, healthy eating habits and physical exercise will get you the results you will be proud of.

Yours in health,

Danette May

July 17, 2014 by hiaprilw

Fat-burning Blueberry Muffins RecipeOne of the things I love most about these muffins, besides the taste, is the shock value. When friends stop by and see muffins on my counter they always rib me and say…”I really thought you practice what your preach! Are those MUFFINS I see?” Imagine their reactions (100% of the time it ends with us sharing a muffin) when I tell them that these are not just ANY muffins, these are my fat-burning muffins. They have the right combination of lean protein with healthy carbs and fats to make them fondly known as “muffins that won't give you ‘muffin-top.'”

What's better is they taste every bit as good as their unhealthy counterparts BUT these muffins really satisfy your hunger and won't cause you to have cravings later like processed or sugary, white flour muffins will. Here's the recipe:

Nutritional Information: (2 muffins = 3 oz. protein, 1 tbsp. fat, ¼ cup fruit)

They're great to keep on hand for a portable snack or an impromptu Sunday morning brunch…or bring these to a party and watch the looks on YOUR friend's faces when they find out that eating healthy, whole foods will not only help them lose weight but will taste DELICIOUS!

For more delicious, fat-burning recipes you can whip up in minutes go to the next page:

July 16, 2014 by hiaprilw

There is a saying – “Abs are made in the kitchen, not the gym.” What that means is that 80% of your success at weight loss or getting lean is dependent on your diet.

When people think of weight loss, they think they need lots of cardio, moderate amounts of resistance and little attention to diet. Their priorities are all skewed. The majority of the attention must be given to diet. Moderate amounts of resistance training and just 2 to 3 days of cardio a week.

Weight loss is a simple concept. Putting the concept to practice requires Herculean amounts of self-discipline. The 7 foods listed below will sabotage your weight loss efforts. There is absolutely no doubt that you have everything to gain and nothing to lose by giving these foods a pass.

The problem is that many people love these comfort foods and hate giving them up. Sugar is addictive. The more sugary foods you eat, the more you’ll crave. So, by eliminating them slowly, you’ll slowly condition your body to crave for these foods less and less.

The day will come when you won’t crave for these processed junk foods. When your body becomes healthy, its tastes will change. That’s why fit people are constantly able to make wise food choices.

Once you have gotten over the hump of ditching these foods, the rest is easy.

1. Doughnuts are probably one of the unhealthiest foods on the planet. They consist of nothing more than refined carbohydrates and sugar. They are high in calories, fats, carbs and other preservatives. Continued consumption of doughnuts will lead to weight gain digestive problems.

2. Fast food. Enough said.

3. Chips are just about everybody’s guilty pleasure. Ah… the joys of crunching on them while watching a movie. Chips have high levels of trans fats due to the hydrogenated vegetable oils that are used to fry the chips. This will lead to weight gain and cardiovascular disease.

4. French fries. It has been said that French fries are more deadly than cigarettes. There may be some truth in this. High in trans fats and carcinogens both of which can cause cancer.

5. Bagels are another crowd pleaser. It has a very high glycemic index. It causes insulin spikes this creates inflammation in the body along with other health issues. Acne, body aches, clogged arteries, mood swings, etc. are all side effects of unstable insulin levels… and of course, weight gain.

Skip the morning bagel. It’s better to skip the bagel than go for a 30 minute walk. That roughly gives you an idea of how detrimental it is.

6. Microwaved popcorn. All the rage these days. Convenient, tasty and fun. Yet, they contain carcinogens and diacetyl. Both cause cancer.

7. Cereals are another fat gain culprit. Most cereals are not good for your body despite being marketed as “healthy natural foods”. There is hardly anything natural about cereals. They are highly processed foods that can harm you in the long run.

Just avoiding the unhealthy foods is half the battle won. Always remember the long term effects. Don’t give in to unhealthy pleasures in the short term which may lead to suffering in the long run.

And now that you know the 7 foods to avoid, here are 7 foods you SHOULD eat for fat loss:

=> 7 Foods That BOOST Your Metabolism

Yours in health,

Danette

July 9, 2014 by hiaprilw

Our diets have changed more radically over the last 30 years than they have for centuries before. There is a food revolution that has secretly taken place and most people are not even aware of it. Most of today’s food causes toxic inflammation in the body because they contain ingredients that are not good for you.

The reason these ingredients are used is due to the fact that major food companies are more interested in the dollar than their customers’ health. It's more important today than ever to be knowledgeable and make wise food choices.

Our diets these days are too rich in Omega-6 fats and low in Omega-3 fats. The reverse is supposed to be ideal!

If you want to increase your overall health and energy level, and prevent health conditions like heart disease, cancer, depression and Alzheimer's, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, ulcerative colitis, and a host of other diseases, one of the most important strategies at your disposal is to increase your intake of omega-3 fats and reduce your intake of processed omega-6 fats.

Yes that is the key term here: processed. Just as I have been saying for many years, the problem with saturated fats really wasn’t the healthy saturated fats (such as organic eggs and meats) that were causing the problems, but the heating and processing that damaged the oils.

Omega-6 is found in almost all processed foods found on supermarket shelves.

If you’re planning to lose weight and be healthy, you will need to restore balance to your body. With fewer aches and pains, your workout sessions will be better. With a higher metabolic rate, your fat loss will be faster. The less toxins in your body, the less fat cells required to bind these toxins to keep you safe.

The best way to restore balance is to consume foods rich in Omega-3 fatty acids and decrease consumption of Omega-6 rich foods. This is easier said than done… but it can be done.

The ideal ratio of Omega-3 to Omega-6 fats intake should be 1:1. Research has shown that currently, the average American diet is at a 1:25. Now you will understand why obesity is becoming an epidemic and a whole range of health issues that have never been seen on such a large scale before are emerging.

Important steps you can take to reduce consumption of Omega-6 fats

• Eat organic foods
• Eat cruciferous vegetables
• Avoid processed food products
• Do not consume foods cooked in processed vegetable oils
• No Junk Food

Restoring balance will mean consuming foods that have Omega-3 fatty acids. The best way to do this is to purchase fish oil and krill oil supplements.

You may have read that you can get Omega-3 fats from fish like salmon and sardine.

That’s true but our ratio is so unbalanced that you will have to eat pounds and pounds of fish to restore the balance. It is much easier to get a high quality fish oil or krill oil supplement like Omega Krill 5X.

Adding a fish oil supplement to your diet will do wonders for your health and as a result, you’ll automatically find yourself losing weight once balance is restored.

Yours In Health,

Danette