Easy Lentil Soup

March 28, 2009

Use this recipe for a light dinner or quick lunch. It’s easy to make, tastes delicious and is low in fat. What’s more it’s full of natural protein. And guess what? Lentils are packed with cholesterol-lowering fiber.
Yield: 8 servings

Here’s what you need…

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 cup finely chopped onion
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped carrot
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped celery
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 pound lentils, picked and rinsed
  • 1 cup peeled and chopped tomatoes
  • 2 quarts chicken broth, fat free, reduced sodium
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground toasted cumin
  • Optional, spoonful of fat free cottage cheese
  • Optional, dried parsley
  1. Put the olive oil in a 6-quart Dutch oven and place over medium heat. Add the onion, carrot, celery and salt. Sauté for 6 to 7 minutes.
  2. Add the lentils, tomatoes, broth, coriander and cumin; stir to combine. Increase the heat to high and bring the mixture just to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover and cook at a low simmer until the lentils are tender, about 40 minutes.
  3. Using a stick blender, puree the soup to your desired consistency. Serve with cottage cheese and sprinkle with dried parsley if desired.

Nutritional Analysis: One serving equals: 240 calories, 2g fat, 35g carbohydrate, 18g fiber, and 16g protein.

Kristy Lee Wilson

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How to Overcome Emotional Eating

March 24, 2009

istock_000006361479xsmallEating is a part of life.  Your body gets its nutrients from food.  Sometimes we can go overboard with our eating habits and it can result in gaining weight.  One issue with food is emotional eating.

The problem of emotional eating may end with the scale but it begins in the mind.  Stress takes its toll on your life.  When your defenses are compromised your health takes a hit and so do your emotions.

Everyone has good days and bad days.  How we deal with the bad ones brings emotional eating into play.  You look for comfort for your hurts.  People who turn to food for comfort find a coping mechanism that won’t judge them, hurt them or tell them ‘no.’ To complicate the issue, eating pleasurable foods can stimulate the release of endorphins just like exercise.  So, after you eat, you feel better.

Emotional eaters use food to relieve stress.  They hide behind the food instead of seeking solutions to the problems.  This is not uncommon when the stressor is something horrible such as physical abuse or a death.

But, how do you know you are using food in this way?  The first sign is obvious.  You will gain weight if you eat too much.  In light of the weight gain, examine other areas of your life:

* Have you been under stress lately at work or at home?
* Has anything traumatic happened in the last year?
* Are you dealing with a problem but haven’t found a solution?

Answering ‘yes’ to any of these questions could mean that you are an emotional eater.  You eat but you are not necessarily hungry at the time.  The foods that you choose are what we term ‘comfort foods’:

* High fat foods like French fries, fried foods
* High carb foods like macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes
* Sugary foods like ice cream, donuts, cookies, cake

There is help for emotional eaters.  The first step is recognizing that you have a problem.  Youíll experience feelings of helplessness and guilt.  The guilt is over potentially ruining your health and the helplessness lies in the fact that you donít see a way out.

Secondly, seek counseling.  There are many types of counselors out there that can meet your need.  Emotional eating has nothing to do with dieting or changing your eating habits but gaining control over your emotions.

A counselor might suggest things like visualization, practicing problem solving skills, relaxation techniques and family support.  Visualization helps you to see your problems in a realistic way and not blown out of proportion.  You will also learn to see food as nutrition for the body and not an emotional crutch.

Thirdly, your family can learn your triggers for stress and be on the lookout for changes in your eating habits.  They can help you be aware of the foods you are eating, assist you in making healthy food choices and exercise along with you.  Proper diet and exercise increases immunity, blood flow and positive thinking.  Yoga enhances the mind/body connection so you don’t eat when you aren’t hungry.

Finding new ways to solve your problems and deal with stress will push food out of the equation.  You’ll feel good about finding solutions which will replace the dependence on food.

Kristy Lee Wilson

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Tip: Slow Down as the Sun Goes Down

March 22, 2009

What do I mean by this? Well just as important as it is to eat a great breakfast to start the day, it is also as equally important to reduce your food consumption as the day goes on. So plan to eat a good solid breakfast, a good lunch, and reduce your meal portions at dinner time. Remember as you get closer to bedtime your body starts to wind down and you will not have the same opportunity at night to burn those consumed meal calories as you did earlier in the day. So eat more early and back down as you reach sun down.

Kristy Lee Wilson

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The Top 5 Side Effects of Exercise

March 19, 2009

istock_000001916934xsmallYour doctor feels like a broken record.

That’s right – he’s sick and tired of telling you how important exercise is to your health because YOU DON’T LISTEN.

He’s sick of explaining how so many of your health problems will improve or even disappear as the result of a consistent exercise program.

He’s tired of tallying your controllable risk factors which include physical inactivity and obesity.

So why does he continue to give you the same lecture?

Because he’s seen exercise change lives.

He’s even seen exercise save lives.

A Doctor’s Perspective

Dr. David Shilling MD has been a family doctor for over 30 years. In that time he’s given a fair number of patients the exercise lecture…with good cause.
He’s seen firsthand the healing power of exercise.

Exactly what kind of healing? Dr. Shilling shared the top 5 benefits that he’s seen patients experience as a result of exercise…

1. Feel Great: The first thing that patients tell Dr. Shilling after starting an exercise program is how much better they feel. “People don’t realize how bad they feel. They get used to feeling bad. Then when they start exercising they feel so much better.”

Your energy levels boost and you feel great.

2. Pain Be Gone: Next patients notice a reduction in aches and pains. Chronic muscle and joint pain that they’ve lived with for years begins to fade. For some, joint replacement surgery is postponed. For others, arthritis pain is reduced.

Your muscles and joints feel better than ever.

3. Goodbye Coronary Heart Disease: While patients can’t feel this healing benefit of exercise, it is the one that saves lives. Exercise removes two of the major risk factors that lead to heart disease: 1) physical inactivity and 2) obesity. Exercise also increases your good cholesterol (HDL) and lowers your blood pressure.

Your risk of heart attack or stroke is reduced.

4. Goodbye Type 2 Diabetes: Patients with type 2 diabetes gain substantial benefits from exercise. Exercise improves the body’s use of insulin, and the related weight loss improves insulin sensitivity. Of course patients with type 2 diabetes need to get guidelines from their doctor before starting an exercise program.

Your blood sugar levels are better controlled.

5. Goodbye Sleep Apnea: Patients with sleep apnea are often caught in a destructive cycle. Their weight promotes occurrences of apnea then inadequate sleep promotes weight gain. Dr. Shilling has seen exercise break this cycle.

Your sleep becomes restful and weight loss becomes easier.

With all of these benefits it’s hard to see why anyone would avoid exercise. What’s your excuse?

  • I know you’re tired…exercise gives you energy.
  • I know you’re in pain…exercise alleviates your muscle and joint pain.
  • I know you’d rather stay in bed…exercise makes your sleep more restful.
  • I know you’re pressed for time…exercise improves your efficiency and extends your life.
  • I know you don’t know where to start…that’s where I come in.

Contact me today and we’ll schedule a consultation where I can show you the fastest and safest way to reap all of the benefits of exercise.

Then the next time you see your doctor he won’t give you a lecture.

He’ll congratulate you.

Kristy Lee Wilson

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Smoked Salmon Salad

March 18, 2009

It’s simple, quick and makes the perfect lunch-to-go. Salmon in packed with protein and those omega-3 fatty acids that your body needs. Notice that this recipe doesn’t call for a creamy dressing, but rather a sprinkle of balsamic vinegar. Try this on all your salads and save yourself from tons of extra calories and fat.
Yield: 1 serving

Here’s what you need…

  • 1 1/2 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
  • 1/2 cup smoked salmon
  • 1/2 of a hard boiled egg
  • 3 cherry tomatoes
  • 1 tablespoon green onion, chopped
  • 1 kalamata olive, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
  • Sprinkle of balsamic vinegar
  1. Arrange the lettuce, salmon, egg, tomatoes, onion, and olive on a plate.
  2. Sprinkle with parsley and balsamic vinegar.

Nutritional Analysis: One serving equals: 170 calories, 6g fat, 5g carbohydrate, 2 g fiber, and 18g protein.

Kristy Lee Wilson

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Upgraded FITNESS Shopping

March 17, 2009

Want to upgrade your FITNESS shopping trips? Here are 3 additional tips:

  1. Don’t go to the grocery store with an empty stomach. Your cart will mysteriously fill with extra, unnecessary foods that will end up crashing your good intentions.
  2. Make a list before you go to the store. You’ll be able to think rationally at home before you’re surrounded by tasty, FITNESS destroying foods.
  3. Plan out your meals for the week ahead of time, then shop specifically for those items. This will cut out the junk, and save you calories and money.
Kristy Lee Wilson

Go FITNESS Shopping

March 16, 2009

istock_000005378791xsmall

Did you know that the grocery store is the source for most of your unwanted pounds?

Well, that and the fast food restaurants, but we’ll leave that for another day.

If you’re like most people then your shopping trips aren’t exactly organized. In fact, your grocery cart is likely to be more fat than fit.

The good news is that with a few small modifications to your routine you’ll be able to turn your grocery shopping trip into an easy opportunity to slim down.

I’ve broken down the process of healthy grocery store navigation with an easy-to-remember acronym – FITNESS.

Come, take a walk with me through your grocery store and we’ll improve your shape and the shape of your family members.

F: First Veggies
Your mom always told you that you had to eat your veggies before dessert-so this will be an easy one to remember. When you start shopping, first go to the produce section. The bulk of your shopping should take place here. Fresh vegetables, lettuce for salads, and fruits are the best things to eat when you want to look and feel great.

Don’t skimp on produce-aim to fill most of your cart here.

I: Is it Wheat?
When it comes to bread you only need to ask yourself one question. Is it wheat? White bread products have been processed and filled with simple carbohydrates – these will easily stick to your body as fat. Wheat breads, on the other hand, contain more fiber and are much healthier. Make it a policy to never purchase white bread, wheat bread is the right choice even for the little members of your family.

Always choose hearty wheat bread products-the more whole grain, the better.

T: Trim the Fat
In the meat section you are faced with a major decision. Do you go with your taste buds or do you go with your health conscious side? I urge you to stick with the latter. These days lean meats are more available than ever, and the benefits to going lean are numerous. When you choose lean meats you avoid extra saturated fat (your heart will thank you for this) and you also avoid the extra calories that come packed into each fat gram.

Want to be lean? Then eat lean meats.

N: Never enter the Junk Food Aisle
I have a simple policy that has saved me from thousands of unnecessary calories. I don’t walk down the junk food aisle. You and I both know that it is nearly impossible to walk past rows of chips, candies and cookies without putting something into the cart. The bright packages stamped with mouthwatering images will give your will power a run for its money. My two cents? Avoid that row altogether and save yourself from the whole ordeal.

Nothing good ever came from walking down the junk food aisle-just say no.

E: Edge around the store
Here’s a really easy trick for healthy shopping. Edge around the store, as in shop the perimeter and avoid the inner aisles. Think about it-the healthiest products are kept around the perimeter of the store: produce, meat, dairy. The inner aisles are where you run into trouble: processed food, baked goods, and sweets. Don’t get me wrong, there are healthy products kept in the inner aisles too, but a majority of the items are waist-expanders.

Shop in a circle-stick to the perimeter of the store, do less shopping in the aisles.

S: Skinny Cow
The dairy section is filled with many healthy items; it is also filled with extremely high fat items. Your job is to pick out all those calcium-rich foods that you love in the low fat and non fat versions. I realize that many people have a prejudice against low milk or yogurt, simply because they’ve always eaten the full fat version. Making the switch to low fat is such a simple way to cut unnecessary fat and calories from your diet, while still getting all the benefits of dairy.

Fat free dairy products are the way to go-you’ll only lose unwanted pounds.

S: Stick with Water
Warning: mini lecture to follow. I’ll make it short and sweet. Drink more water-period. Sodas, sugary juices and calorie-laden alcoholic beverages are responsible for a large number of unnecessary calories in your diet. Don’t fill your cart with these sneaky calories. Keep them out of your kitchen and out of your life.

Looking for a tasty beverage? Look no farther than crystal clear water.

There you have it-your FITNESS shopping plan that will take your cart from fat to fit. I suggest that you write down the FITNESS steps on a note card and take it to the store with you.

Are you ready to take your body from fat to fit? I’ve got what it takes to get you there! No guess work, no fad diets, and no super long workouts.

Contact me today to learn more about my fitness and fat loss programs that will quickly change your life.


Want Antioxidants? Go Blue

March 10, 2009

Blueberries are being called a “super food” by many nutritionists. Recent research has shown that blueberries are the fruit with the highest antioxidant activity. They have even been shown to improve memory and coordination and to slow the development of degenerative diseases.

Snack on fresh or dried blueberries instead of processed sweets – not only are they healthier, you’ll also lose weight.

Kristy Lee Wilson

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Five Quick and Healthy Power Breakfast Ideas

March 8, 2009

Breakfast is truly the most important meal of the day. It gives us the energy we need to get going, wakes up our metabolism and provides valuable nutrition. Sadly, it is also the most skipped meal of the day.

Sometimes it seems that there’s just not enough time in the mornings to eat. We have to make up the bed, get ready for work, get the kids ready for school, and perhaps do some morning chores. But it’s very important that we eat a good breakfast.

Preparing a nutritionally complete breakfast doesn’t have to take a long time. Here are five power breakfast ideas that can fit into any schedule.

1.  Cereal with low-fat milk, sliced bananas and raisins – Eating cold cereal is a quick and easy way to include fiber, carbohydrates and dairy in your morning meal. Add some freshly sliced bananas and a handful of raisins, and you’ve also taken care of one of your daily servings of fruit. There’s no cooking required, and cereal is nice and filling.

2.  Whole-grain waffles topped with fresh strawberries and yogurt – Waffles are a breakfast favorite, and you no longer have to drag out the waffle iron to make them. Frozen whole-grain waffles are nutritious and delicious, and you can warm them up in the toaster in a snap. Instead of syrup, add yogurt and fresh sliced strawberries to make a well-rounded meal.

3.  A bran muffin, an apple and a cup of skim milk – If you’re in a serious hurry, you need foods that require no preparation and are portable. You can find pre-packaged bran muffins in a variety of flavors at any grocery store. Keep some single-serve containers of milk and your favorite kind of apples on hand, and you can take breakfast with you if needed.

4.  Breakfast smoothie – Some people just can’t seem to sit down long enough to eat breakfast. If you’re one of those people, try drinking your breakfast. Make a smoothie with yogurt, milk or fruit juice, and fresh fruit. Just slice the fruit (or use berries), dump everything in the blender, and mix until smooth.

5.  Peanut butter and bananas on an English muffin – In a pinch, peanut butter is one of the most filling things you can eat. Spread some on a halved English muffin, top with a sliced banana, and add the other half of the muffin to make a quick, easy and nutritious breakfast sandwich.

Skipping breakfast does not give us a good start for the day. But if we keep some quick and healthy items on hand, there’s no reason that we should have to go hungry in the mornings. We can get the nutrition we need and still be on time for work.

Kristy Lee Wilson

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Healthy Recipe: Healthy Man’s Steak

March 7, 2009
Eggplants offer a host of health benefits due to their many vitamins and minerals as well as important phytonutrients which provide antioxidant activity. When you select eggplants look for ones that are firm and heavy for their size – also avoid ones with discoloration or bruises. Serve your Healthy Man’s Steak as a side to grilled chicken breast for a delicious and well balanced meal.

Yield: 6 servings

Here’s what you need…

  • 2 eggplants, cut into 3/4 inch thick slices
  • Salt
  • 1 Tbsp. olive oil
  • 1 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar
  • 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 tsp. dried oregano
  • 1 small clove garlic, minced
  • Freshly ground pepper
  1. Sprinkle the sliced eggplant with salt and drain in a colander for about 30 minutes.
  2. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Coat a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray.
  3. Rinse the eggplant with cold water and pat dry. Arrange in a single layer on the baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes, turn the eggplant over and bake for 5 more minutes, until golden brown.
  4. Stir together oil, vinegar, parsley, oregano and garlic in small bowl. Season the eggplant with pepper and brush tops with the oil mixture.
Nutritional Analysis: One serving equals: 52 calories, 3g fat, 6g carbohydrate, 4g fiber, and 1g protein.