SUPER SNACKS FOR THE WEEK

Here a some more snacks to help you eat right during the upcoming week!

CRAVING SALTY?
* Try air-popped popcorn drizzled with a little olive oil and some sea salt. Absolutely delicious and so much healthier than chips!

CRAVING CREAMY AND CHEESY?
* Try Annie's brand mac & cheese (look for whole grain organic) made with non-fat yogurt. I make half of the pasta in the microwave (cover with water and cook 4 minutes for al dente) and save the rest for future dishes. All natural, low calorie, and great for cheese cravings.

CRAVING CHOCOLATE?
* Try fresh berries dipped in fat-free sugar-free instant chocolate pudding made with fat-free milk or soymilk (berries covered in some light whipped cream are also pretty delicious). You can buy the pudding at any local supermarket and the berries add sweetness to the bitter of the chocolate. Low fat and calorie and satisfies the craving! You can also go all the way and make a parfait with the pudding, berries, and angel food cake. I'm drooling just thinking about it...

KNOW YOUR NUMBERS

I recently read an article in Natural Health Magazine that explained those numbers you see on produce at you local supermarket.

To decode your delectables, use the following:

* If the number starts with a 9, it's organic

* Starts with a 3 or 4, it's conventional produce

* Starts with an 8, it's genetically modified

Happy shopping!

CALORIE BLASTER

HERE is an article with 6 ways to burn 600 calories! Do six of the workouts over the next week and you can lose an entire pound. Simple and effective!

Pictured in this post is my favorite workout from the article... probably because you don't need a gym or equipment to do it. Whatever you have at home, including a pair of running shoes, will work for this one.

Great way to mix-up your workout routine when you've hit a plateau!

REGULAR IS BETTER

HERE is an article citing studies that show sporadic, intense, cardiovascular exercise can be dangerous in unfit people.

The overload of free-radicals created by intense cardiovascular exercise (heart-rate at 85% capacity for more than 10 minutes) on an unfit body can cause serious chemical damage.

A snippet:

" "If you are into high intensity exercise, you should work your way up to it and not simply just plunge in."

The research team used two groups of volunteers, giving one group a mixture of antioxidants, and the other a placebo.

After a week of taking the tablets, the groups were put through their paces on a treadmill and went through routine medical tests.

Blood analysis revealed that the exhaustive aerobic exercise caused damage to important DNA and lipid molecules.

"Cellular damage was induced by the exercise. But we found that the group who were on the antioxidants had been protected to some extent," said Dr Davison.

"Natural antioxidants can be found in a balanced diet consisting of foods such as broccoli, spinach and berries.

"A key lesson is: if you are involved in strenuous aerobic exercise, make sure your diet is rich in antioxidants -- because they will protect against damaging your health." "

Moral or the story: Start slow and eat a balanced diet! If you are going to train for endurance events, keep a regular workout schedule and stick to it.

SAY NO TO POST-WORKOUT PILLS

HERE is an article with new research that shows taking vitamins after a workout might be a bad thing!

The basic science: taking antioxidant vitamins after exercise negate the effects of free-radicals, things that cause oxidative stress on the cells of our body. Free-radicals have been linked to many diseases, like cancer, but apparently the free-radicals produced during a sweat session may increase your body's sensitivity to insulin, which is a good thing!

I guess as the saying goes, "all things in moderation".

Free-radicals in excess create disease. Free-radicals in small amounts, like from moderate exercise, can be beneficial.