Life Update #2

Hello friends! Sooo, I’ve been trying to get back into my photo-taking, blog-writing routine, but it just hasn’t seemed to be working. This is probably due to the fact that no one wants to see a plate of 5 rice cakes slathered with Nutella or a Goliath-sized bowl filled with granola and milk. Kidding… not really.

There have been few things worth blogging about lately, so I figured rather than writing 5 paragraph-length posts, I’d combine them into one. I've decided to label this type of post "Life Update," because often times, the subject matter is entirely to broad to create a cohesive title. What a smarty-pants I am, right?

So, here'goes. Life Update #2. Over the past few days I…

Got coffee with my husband.

Artfully-presented coffee and sexy husband. What more could a girl ask for?

 Went to see the last of the Harry Potter series! Finally. It was… magical. How I’m going to miss that attitudinally-challenged, circular-spectacle-wearing wizard!

Had a lovely dinner out with my hubs.

Lamb shanka (of which I was only able to eat one), onion rings (of which I did not eat any), baked potato, and measly salad. The meat was falling off the bone and roasted in a red wine sauce. Oh, My, ggggaaaawwwwsh.

Went to a cooking class. 

Funzies

 That was yesterday, and it was awesome. The class was put on by my cousin-in-law who sells a device called the ThermoMix. I’ve raved about this Holy Grail of cooking appliances before on this blog, because it is definitely the most amazing gadget ever created! For our wedding gift, this cousin-in-law of mine got one for us. I will be receiving it soon and getting a personal demo on all the magnificent things it does. Get ready to see some dazzling creations soon!

Back to the cooking class… The guest chef was the owner of the Green Peppercorn, a fancy schmancy restaurant in Sandton. His passion for food and mind-blowing combinations were inspiring. In the span of two hours using the ThermoMix, he made 10 different dishes that served 8-10 people. I would have taken photos of the food, but who wants to see bites of food in mini Styrofoam cups? Not me. Not you. But I can tell you what he made:

Fig and raspberry daqueri

Raspberry and rosemary smoothie

Broccoli and zucchini soup

2 ciabattas, one plain and one sundried tomato flavored

Babaganoush

Butternut polenta

Curry butter chicken

Gluten-free chocolate cake

Vanilla custard to top the cake

Raspberry frozen yogurt

The food was amazing, but a total tease. Enough to get a good taste but keep you wanting more. Gah. Afterward, SAM and I got a creamy cappuccino. Perfectly delicious. I wasn’t disappointed.

Today is a chill day. This morning, SAM and I walked. Then I soaked up the warm winter sun, after which I was informed that we would be getting another cold front soon. Curses! Now, I am gladly recapping the interesting bits of my life for you wonderful people. And later, I plan to Skype my madre, work on some job possibilities, and possibly nap. Sounds good to me. 

Low-Calorie Goodness

Happy Tuesday Everyone! In case you haven't noticed, I am a health/fitness website junkie. I am always looking for something new to spice up my fitness routines or broaden my food horizons. Lately, I have been looking for some new low calorie snack ideas. In reading these websites, I can’t decide if the writers are idiots, or if they just gear their writing toward a stupid audience. Here is a list of stupid low-cal snack ideas. In case you are interested. I am guessing you’re not… but here it is anyway:

• Lettuce- Every website that has suggested this does not have a measurement listed. Probably because you can eat a pound and not get fat. Or full for that matter.
• Celery- who eats celery plain? Disgusting.
• 1 oz. marshmallows- that’s 4 large marshs if you’re wondering. Sounds nutritious
• 2 strips of bacon- that’s like .009 oz. of meat. Are we feeding mice here?
• 9 Lifesavers- that is a pack. No one should be eating that many Lifesavers in a sitting.
• 30 Altoid mints- Seriously?
• 3 level tbs margarine- Come. On.
• 4 oz. wine- I love a good glass of wine, but as a snack? This is ridiculous.

On a side note, further angering me are these articles about why it’s OK to eat desserts and otherwise unhealthy foods over the holidays. Now, I am all about cheating on holidays, but these people go a step further than that and misinform the reader. Some articles are saying things like, "It has nuts and fruit, so it's healthy!" WRONG! It’s definitely ok, and possibly even necessary, to eat desserts over the holidays. Duh. However, don’t be fooled into thinking you are nourishing your body while you are eating a slice of pumpkin pie. Hello.

I realized after reading these crap (not “crappy”, because they are, in fact, CRAP) ideas that I cannot depend on people to come up with things for me. I just have to do it myself. There is no need to sacrifice nutrition, taste, or a full stomach for the purpose of losing weight or staying trim. So, I would like to share a thoughtful list of low-cal, gluten-free snacks.

These are not only low-cal, but decent size portions. I don’t know about you, but 4 small gluten-free crackers just doesn’t cut it for me

• 1 boiled egg with 10 baby carrots: 130 calories.
• ½ cup fat free cottage cheese with 1 tbsp strawberry jam: 120 calories
• 1 ½ cups of sliced apple with 1 tbsp peanut butter: 185 calories
• 1 cup celery with 2 tbsp cream cheese: 90 calories
• 3 tbsp almonds: 160 calories
• 1 cup Rice Chex with 1/3 cup almond milk: 130 calories
• Biochem Sports 100 Calorie Protein Bar by Country Life: 100 calories
• 6 oz. non-fat plain yogurt with ½ cup sliced banana: 160 calories
• 2 tbsp hummus: 70 calories (have ½ -1 cup of veggies with this and you’re at 130 cals tops!)
• ½ cup chickpeas: 105 calories
• 1 wedge Mini Babybel Cheese Light/Laughing Cow Light wedge: 50/35 calories (pair this with anything!)
• 2 slices turkey breast meat and a dill pickle: 70 calories
• 1 slice Bob’s Red Mill gluten-free breadwith 1 tbsp fat free cream cheese and 2 slices of tomato: 175 calories. Substitute ½ the butter with canned pumpkin or applesauce for an even lower calorie bread!

Obviously, there are about a million other things I could come up with, but these are the ones that I eat most frequently. A lot of things can be mixed and matched. If you are ever curious to know what the calorie count for your food is, visit Calorie Counter. It has a HUGE database with name brands and everything. Great resource. Now get snackin’!

Poppin' Pills

Hello fellow healthy people! We all know that we should take our vitamins. But, I’m not gonna lie- I don’t take mine as regularly as I should. You get busy and realize, “Crap. I forgot my pills…” Or you just say, “I don’t feel like swallowing a million pills today…”

There are about 50 different supplements that could help me be healthier, make me have a Super-human physique or whatever. But let’s be practical. I do not have the time, money, or room in my stomach for that many pills or liquids. SoI have come up with a list of supplements that I think are the best bang for your buck, time, and space in your stomach.

BUT WAIT! Before we get to this list, I have to add a plug for my favorite natural supplement, beauty, and hygiene company. COUNTRY LIFE! Its really great, practical, and diverse. Check it out!

Anyway, without further ado, I give you...

Best Supplements of All Time 

(All of these are gluten-free).

5. Dolphins Pals DHA Gummies for kids

(I like to leave out the “for kids” part)



Ok so these are probably not the most suitable omega oils for an adult to take, but come on.    They are possibly the most delicious supplements that I have ever tasted (and I have tasted A LOT of supplements). I actually have to limit my intake of these a day. Otherwise, I would eat the whole bottle… My sister and I fight over the red ones.

4. Stress Sheild

This stuff is a life-saver. My mom calls them  "Happy Pills". I take 2 when I’m feeling a little crabby or stressed, and it calms me right down. I can focus better and think more clearly when I have these on hand.

3. Enzymes

I seriously CANNOT live without these. Since I am gluten-intolerant, eating out is somewhat of a mission. It’s ok when you go to large chains that have allergy specific menus, but places like Bubba’s Barbeque Shack and Ping Pong's Chinese Cuisine are less sympathetic.

**On a side note, if you can’t get a restaurant to comply with your allergy needs and they don’t seem to want to understand, I have a phrase that will change everything. Just say, "I WILL DIE and my family will sue you."  It solves everything :D

Gluten-Zyme
Helps to break down proteins often associated with wheat and gluten


Pancreatin

• Taken after meals
• Breaks down protein, fat, and carbohydrate

This one is great because I sometimes forget to take my enzymes before I eat.

*Vegetarians- see Maxi-Zyme

2. Buffered Vitamin C

 

Everyone should have a good Vitamin C in their cupboard to fight of any bugs that are flying around. This one has Calcium Carbonate and Magnesium Oxide to “buffer” the acidity of the high dosage of Vit C for those of us with sensitive tummies.

And the #1 Supplement of All Time….

Green Vibrance!!!

Now, if you take nothing else, you really need to consider green superfood drinks. I have tried several different superfood drinks and this is my favorite. Taste-wise, it’s the top of the list. Mix it with about 4 oz. of your favorite fruit juice or in your protein shake and you are good to go!

First of all, Green Vibrance is #1 Selling Superfood in the Nation. It has tons of benefits for your body. The major ones are:

• It's Organic!!
• Immunity building
• Supports digestion  which helps with nutrient absorption- It has 25 Billion probiotics per serving! I don’t have to take probiotics if I take this stuff!
• Improves circulation for better cellular function
• Increases energy
• Detoxification- Get rid of all that crap in your body (no pun intended)
• Brain and heart  health
• Lots of antioxidants

And, according to Vibrant Health’s website, “some consumers swear they look younger.”

Supplements are an extremely important part of a healthy lifestyle.  If you don’t currently take them and are considering it, talk to a homeopathic practitioner or regular M.D. If you already are taking supplements, you are AWESOME! Keep your eyes open for new products. Always do research and compare benefits and prices. And above all, don’t burden yourself with too many, or you will simply not take them. Make sure to ask yourself:

• What am I currently lacking in my diet?
• Am I going to take this?
• Is there anything better out there?
• What can I afford?

Well, there’s your little nutrition class of the day. I hope you feel informed.