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Very Wholesome EASY Dinner!

One of my secret weapons that I LOVE is frozen chicken from Trader Joes. I buy the bag of it and keep it in the freezer, it lasts for a really long time! LOVE THAT! So what I did here was I defrosted 2 frozen chicken breast pieces and marinated them for about 40 minutes in Newmans Own Light Balsamic Vinegarette. I cooked the chicken on a skillet w. a lil bit of olive oil until it was completely cooked to my liking.
I made a salad w. mixed greens, baby spinach, fat-free feta, cucumbers and yellow bell peppers.
I also made some brown rice! Which is really really good for you as well.

REACH FOR THESE TYPES OF BALANCED MEALS FOR DINNER!! mmmmmmmmmm soo yummy!

April 2010 Stylist Newspaper COVER MODEL

I am really EXCITED that I have made the Cover of this newspaper!! It is my first "cover" everrr!! Many more blessings to come!! Thanks for all the love and support from everyone x0x0!

More than just pretty colors.... BERRIES!

Most berries are REALLY naturally sweet and require little preparation in order to get the EXTREMELY beneficial nutrients they provide...
So.... no excuses, it's too easy!!

1 cup of strawberries (53 calories) contains over 100mg of Vitamin C! That's about the same as a cup for orange juice (NOTE: we should all know by know that eating whole pieces of fruit is a MUCH MORE efficient way of getting the nutrients than drinking the juice...juice does not make you full but it has the same amount of calories and sugar that we do not want to have too much of)
Vitamin C is really great for your immune system and also for the strength of connective tissue in your body.

1 cup of blueberries also offers, a smaller amount, of vitamin C, minerals and phytochemicals for only 83 calories. There are soooo many antioxidants in blueberries, I keep them frozen in my fridge.

1 cup Cranberries (44cal)

1 cup raspberries has a lot of Vitamin C and potassium (64 cal)


MORE THAN JUST PRETTY COLORS

• The pigments that give berries their blue or red hue are extremely nutritious and healthy for you!
• Berries contain phytochemicals and flavnoids that may help prevent some cancer (plus!!)
• Cranberries and blueberries can help with bladder infections
• Blueberries and Raspberries also contain lutein, which is important for healthy vision!
• The best place to find the freshest berries would be your local farmers market

HOW DO I SERVE BERRIES??

• Top a bowl of berries with a dollop of light-whip topping w. sliced pecans and walnuts on top
• Add slices of strawberries to a bowl of whole grain cereal
• sprinkle blueberries on a salad
• stir fresh raspberries into low-fat vanilla yogurt
• combine frozen berries w. banana and skim milk for a smoothie!
  

2 great things I ripped out of a magazine! :p

I was looking through my new SELF magazine the other day, and I found some really great articles (2 in particular) that I wanted to share with you.

7 FOODS THAT FIGHT FAT

• Eggs (78 cal Each): An egg's not only a nutritional powerhouse, it's also loaded with protein that satisfies. Eat two eggs for breakfast, they'll curb your appetite enough that you'll eat about 330 calories less than usual throughout the day.
• Dark Chocolate (170 calories for 1 ounce): Just one more reason to indulge: nosh on dark chocolate and you'll eat less at your next meal, according to research from the University of Coppenhagen. Why? Compounds in chocolate slow down digestion and make you feel full longer. A small piece of chocolate (aim for the size of a business card or smaller) can also curb your cravings for salty, sweet, and fatty foods.
• Pine Nuts (95 calories for 1/2 ounce, about 84 nuts): The heart-healthy fatty acids in pine nuts boost satiety hormones that make you feel full, according to Korean researchers. The same fatty acids also regulate belly fat!
• Cheese (76 calories for 1 ounce): Go for fresh goat cheese or feta for a dose of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)-- it helps you feel full and burn more fat. Cheeses from grass-fed animals have the most CLA, so buy the ones labeled "grass-fed."
• Skim Milk (86 calories for 1 cup): Most of us think of milk as kids' stuff, but it boasts grown-up benefits. Milk's protein (whey and casein) can make you feel more satisfied than sugary drinks (BOO!!! ELIMINATE SUGARY DRINKS TODAY) CLA in milk fights fat too.
• Oranges (59 calories each): An orange is one of the most satisfying grabs from the fruit bowl-- thanks to all of the fiber. Oranges were the highest-ranked fruit on the "satiety index," a list of 38 filling foods put together by Australian researchers. And fiber fights fat: people who eat more fiber have less flab!!
• Potatoes (161 calories each): High-carb spuds often get a bad rap, but they deserve to be the dieter's BFF (in moderation). Three times as filling as a slice of white bread (ew no more white bread). The resistant starch in potatoes helps your body burn fat too.

GREEK SALAD 3.0
Preparation: 20 mins; makes 4 servings

1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1 small garlic clove, minced
1 tablespoon of honey
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 1/2 heads hearts of Romain, chopped (about 12 cups)
1 cup canned garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained
1 small yellow pepper, diced (about 1 cup)
1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
1 cup chopped cucumber
1/2 small red onion, chopped
1/4 cup kalamata olives
1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese (available in fat free** my fav)
1/4 cup fresh mint leaves (optional, I do not like mint)
2 whole wheat pitas, toasted and halved

1. Whisk together the first 5 ingredients in a bowl. Slowly whisk in olive oil until well combined
2. Place romaine in a large serving bowl. Arrange garbanzo beans and next 6 ingredients (through feta) on top in sections. Sprinkle mint leaves over the salad. Drizzle the dressing over the salad just before serving, and toss. Serve with whole wheat pita halves
Calories: 278, Fat: 14g, Cholesterol: 11mg, Protein: 9g, Carbohydrate: 32g, Sugars: 11g, Fiber: 7g, Iron: 3mg, Sodium: 537 mg, Calcium: 163 mg

"Today a Reader, tomorrow a Leader" -Margaret Fuller

I absolutely LOVE to read...

I thought that I would share with you some of the most
inspirational, motivational, creative, rejuvenating
books I have ever read. Some are just books and others are interactive workbooks! I highly recommend reading all of these books. As for The Bible, I use a book called "TODAY" that my mom gets me from our church in Northern California. It has a message coupled with a scripture for each day. Any devotional bible will do.
Reading is SO important. You will gain knowledge that is impossible to learn in school. I have read all of these books (with exception of the bible) about 4-5 times over and over. Embedding the message in my head seems to keep me focused and on track in my life!