Ingredients:
1 cup FAT FREE plain yogurt
1 cup rhubarb sauce (see recipe below)
1 cup shredded coconut flavored jicama (see recipe below)
1 tsp. Apple flavoring (Spice Barn)
1/4 cup Xylitol
1 cup 5 grain whole oats
1 cup organic wheat bran
1 cup organic finely milled whole wheat flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cream of tarter
2 tsp. cinnamon/xylitol mixed
1/2 tsp. salt
Procedure:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. In a large bowl, add yogurt, rhubarb sauce, and coconut jicama (drain off excess liquid from jicama), stir to combine.
3. Next, add whole oats, wheat bran, whole wheat flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, cinnamon/xylitol mix, and salt. Mix well until combined.
4. Spoon batter into 12-14 individual silicone muffin cups or 12 cup silicone muffin pan and place on baking sheet. Dust muffin tops with additional cinnamon/xylitol mixture.
5. Bake for 30 minutes, remove from oven and allow to cool.
6. Pop muffins out of cups and place in a large ziplock freezer bag. Keep refrigerated or frozen until ready to use.
Eat & Enjoy!, Betsÿ
Note: When reheating from frozen state, just pop 2 muffins in the microwave for 45 seconds to 1 minute each and they are ready to eat!
ADDITIONAL RECIPES:
Rhubarb Sauce:
4-6 stalks of fresh rhubarb (sliced)
1/4 cup xylitol (you can use any sugar substitute)
1/4 cup water
Place ingredients in a small saucepan, cook until rhubarb softens and breaks apart while stirring often. Finished sauce should resemble cooked applesauce, set aside to cool.
CoConut Jicama:
1/2 half of medium sized jicama
1 cup Torani Sugar Free Coconut Syrup
Cut ends off of jicama, then cut in half. Set one half aside. Using the other half, carefully strip away the outer peel, then shred. Place shredded jicama in small storage bag, add 1 cup sugar free coconut syrup, securely seal and place in refrigerator for 24 hours. Occasionally turn bag so that the syrup will be evenly distributed over the jicama.
Monday, August 27, 2007
It just keeps getting better!
OMG ...it just keeps getting better! LoL
Okay, I think I'm going to have to change the name of my restaurant from "Betsy's Bistro" to "Betsy's Bistro & Bakery" ...since I'm becoming so successful at making my sugar-free baked goods!
My newest muffin recipe simply tops the rest, ...not sure if it's the apple flavor or the coconut but it's scrumptious. I had a feeling it was going to be good when they were baking and everyone started coming into the kitchen to find out what the wonderful cinnamon aroma was. LoL
Okay, I think I'm going to have to change the name of my restaurant from "Betsy's Bistro" to "Betsy's Bistro & Bakery" ...since I'm becoming so successful at making my sugar-free baked goods!
My newest muffin recipe simply tops the rest, ...not sure if it's the apple flavor or the coconut but it's scrumptious. I had a feeling it was going to be good when they were baking and everyone started coming into the kitchen to find out what the wonderful cinnamon aroma was. LoL
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Field of Lavendar
Okay, so I decided to use a photo depicting a field of lavendar for my background image. I needed to find something that I felt would be theme related, ...diet, weight loss, food, hmmm, I really love purple, so I thought what about herbs and of course, ...I couldn't help but think of lavendar. So, lavendar it is!
I've recently ordered some new products that fit into my healthy lifestyle. I can't wait for them to arrive! I prefer to buy in bulk, so I needed to address the storage issues that come with buying lots of things. And, as much as I love pretty things, it's best if they can be functional. So, I bought a set of new "see through" canisters, ...not only do they look pretty sitting on the counter, but I don't have to open each one to see what's in it!
My husband built me a set of custom indoor window boxes above my kitchen sink when we built our kitchen. The other day, it occurred to me to plant herbs in place of the straggly plants. So, off to the nursery we went and I purchased lots of fresh herbs, ...now I am so pleased with my boxes, I love the idea that I can just snip a little herb whenever I want and add it to a recipe. I need to replace the batteries in my camera, then I will post a picture of them.
Okay, it's really late and I need to go to bed, ...I have a lot of things jotted down to add to this site, hopefully, I'll find some time to do that tomorrow!
I've recently ordered some new products that fit into my healthy lifestyle. I can't wait for them to arrive! I prefer to buy in bulk, so I needed to address the storage issues that come with buying lots of things. And, as much as I love pretty things, it's best if they can be functional. So, I bought a set of new "see through" canisters, ...not only do they look pretty sitting on the counter, but I don't have to open each one to see what's in it!
My husband built me a set of custom indoor window boxes above my kitchen sink when we built our kitchen. The other day, it occurred to me to plant herbs in place of the straggly plants. So, off to the nursery we went and I purchased lots of fresh herbs, ...now I am so pleased with my boxes, I love the idea that I can just snip a little herb whenever I want and add it to a recipe. I need to replace the batteries in my camera, then I will post a picture of them.
Okay, it's really late and I need to go to bed, ...I have a lot of things jotted down to add to this site, hopefully, I'll find some time to do that tomorrow!
Friday, August 24, 2007
Heavenly Peach Bran Muffins
Ingredients:
1 cup FAT FREE plain yogurt
1 cup rhubarb sauce (see recipe below)
1 cup finely diced peach flavored jicama (see recipe below)
1 cup 5 grain whole oats
1 cup organic wheat bran
1/2 cup organic finely milled whole wheat flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cream of tarter
1 tsp. cinnamon/xylitol mixed
1/2 tsp. salt
Procedure:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. In a large bowl, add yogurt, rhubarb sauce, and peach jicama, stir to combine.
3. Next, add whole oats, wheat bran, whole wheat flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, cinnamon/xylitol mix, and salt. Mix well until combined.
4. Spoon batter into 12-14 individual silicone muffin cups and place on baking sheet.
5. Bake for 30 minutes, remove from oven and allow to cool.
6. Pop muffins out of cups and place in a large ziplock freezer bag. Keep refrigerated or frozen until ready to use.
Eat & Enjoy!, Betsÿ
Note: When reheating from frozen state, just pop 2 muffins in the microwave for 45 seconds to 1 minute each and they are ready to eat!
ADDITIONAL RECIPES:
Rhubarb Sauce:
4-6 stalks of fresh rhubarb (sliced)
1/4 cup xylitol (you can use any sugar substitute)
1/4 cup water
Place ingredients in a small saucepan, cook until rhubarb softens and breaks apart while stirring often. Finished sauce should resemble cooked applesauce, set aside to cool.
Peach Jicama:
1/2 half of medium sized jicama
1/2 cup Torani Sugar Free Peach Syrup
Cut ends off of jicama, then cut in half. Set one half aside. Using the other half, carefully strip away the outer peel, then finely dice. Place in small storage bag, add 1/2 cup sugar free peach syrup, securely seal and place in refrigerator for 24 hours. Occasionally turn bag so that the syrup will be evenly distributed over the jicama.
1 cup FAT FREE plain yogurt
1 cup rhubarb sauce (see recipe below)
1 cup finely diced peach flavored jicama (see recipe below)
1 cup 5 grain whole oats
1 cup organic wheat bran
1/2 cup organic finely milled whole wheat flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cream of tarter
1 tsp. cinnamon/xylitol mixed
1/2 tsp. salt
Procedure:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. In a large bowl, add yogurt, rhubarb sauce, and peach jicama, stir to combine.
3. Next, add whole oats, wheat bran, whole wheat flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, cinnamon/xylitol mix, and salt. Mix well until combined.
4. Spoon batter into 12-14 individual silicone muffin cups and place on baking sheet.
5. Bake for 30 minutes, remove from oven and allow to cool.
6. Pop muffins out of cups and place in a large ziplock freezer bag. Keep refrigerated or frozen until ready to use.
Eat & Enjoy!, Betsÿ
Note: When reheating from frozen state, just pop 2 muffins in the microwave for 45 seconds to 1 minute each and they are ready to eat!
ADDITIONAL RECIPES:
Rhubarb Sauce:
4-6 stalks of fresh rhubarb (sliced)
1/4 cup xylitol (you can use any sugar substitute)
1/4 cup water
Place ingredients in a small saucepan, cook until rhubarb softens and breaks apart while stirring often. Finished sauce should resemble cooked applesauce, set aside to cool.
Peach Jicama:
1/2 half of medium sized jicama
1/2 cup Torani Sugar Free Peach Syrup
Cut ends off of jicama, then cut in half. Set one half aside. Using the other half, carefully strip away the outer peel, then finely dice. Place in small storage bag, add 1/2 cup sugar free peach syrup, securely seal and place in refrigerator for 24 hours. Occasionally turn bag so that the syrup will be evenly distributed over the jicama.
Thursday, August 23, 2007
In the Editing Room ...
Yep, I am in the editing room again, trying out a new look!
I'd rather have a background image in place of the grey background color, just haven't figured out how to change that yet?
Hmmm, ...gimme a minute and I'm sure I will find it! LoL
I'd rather have a background image in place of the grey background color, just haven't figured out how to change that yet?
Hmmm, ...gimme a minute and I'm sure I will find it! LoL
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Weighing in on my Progress 08/20/07
So, the scale isn't budging this week, but my measurements have moved again! I lost 2.5" this past week, bringing my total inches lost to 11.5" ...Woo Hoo! I'm loving it!
| Monday, 08/13/2007 |
| B - (2) Zucchini Muffins, 8 oz. ff milk S - none |
| Tuesday, 08/14/2007 |
| B - 8 oz. Watermelon Juice, Strawberry/Apple Chips S - Ham & Cheese Omelette L - Corned Beef, Mashed Cauliflower, Cheese Stick, Pickle S - HB Egg, Iced Coffee Cooler D - Mozz. Marinara S - none |
| Wednesday, 08/15/2007 |
| B - (2) Breakfast Muffins, 8 oz. ff milk S - none L - Salad Bar (L2), Water S - Apple D - Mozz. Marinara S - Iced Coffee Cooler w/sf Vanilla Ice Cream |
| Thursday, 08/16/2007 |
| B - (2) Breakfast Muffins, 8 oz. ff milk S - 8 oz. Peach fruit Chiller L - Club Salad w/Oil+Vinegar S - HB Egg, String Cheese D - BLT Salad/Baby Spinach Leaves, Water S - Hot Pork Rinds, Water |
| Friday, 08/17/2007 |
| B - (2) Breakfast Muffins, 8 oz. ff milk S - String Cheese L - Egg Salad in Lettuce Cups, Diet Peach Tea S - Laughing Cow Cheese Triangle, Beef Stick, Diet Peach Tea D - Pepperoni bites, pickle S - Strawberry Fruit Chiller |
| Saturday, 08/18/2007 |
| B - (2) Breakfast Muffins, 8 oz. ff milk D - none |
| Sunday, 08/19/2007 |
| B - (2) Breakfast Muffins, 8 oz. ff milk S - Western Omelette, Water L - Tossed Salad w/Ranch, Cheese, Bacon, Water |
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Betsy's Honey BBQ Sauce
Ingredients:
1 can Hunts tomato sauce (29 oz.)
¼ cup Worcestershire sauce
¼ cup White vinegar
½ cup Whey Low Gold (brown sugar substitute)
¼ cup Sugar free honey (Honey Tree)
Procedure:
1. Using a medium size saucepan, add all ingredients and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered for about 20 minutes or until sauce thickens.
Eat & Enjoy!, Betsÿ
1 can Hunts tomato sauce (29 oz.)
¼ cup Worcestershire sauce
¼ cup White vinegar
½ cup Whey Low Gold (brown sugar substitute)
¼ cup Sugar free honey (Honey Tree)
Procedure:
1. Using a medium size saucepan, add all ingredients and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered for about 20 minutes or until sauce thickens.
Eat & Enjoy!, Betsÿ
Yep, it tastes as good as it looks!
Okay, I admit it, ...this post is a little bit of a tease, but hey it's really about sharing and what better way than with pictures!
I played around and came up with a new recipe, Betsy's Honey BBQ Sauce. And, I used it on grilled chicken last night and it was delicious! Here's a photo to make your mouth water!
I played around and came up with a new recipe, Betsy's Honey BBQ Sauce. And, I used it on grilled chicken last night and it was delicious! Here's a photo to make your mouth water!
You will find my BBQ recipe under the "In the Kitchen with Betsy" category, ...all of my recipes and any shared by others will be listed there. Most of my recipes are created with ingredients found in your local grocery stores, but some of them may not carry the ingredients listed. I can only share my experiences with the ingredients that I choose to use. If you substitute an ingredient for one that I have used, please be aware that the outcome of your finished recipe may be different than mine.
Speaking of cooking, my daughter Karen and I thought it might be fun to create a little cooking video to share with you. Or perhaps, create a mini talk show where I can share my hints and tips with you? Hmmm, ...oh yes, my wheels are turning! LoL
On to other news, ...I'm still updating my blog. Under "Weights & Measures" my weight progress chart and my measurement chart is now up to date. I am still waiting on my Doctor's office to fax my bloodwork results and I will add those to that chart. I decided since I keep a food journal that I will update my Menu's once a week with the last seven days of menu's. If I find I'm able to add them sooner, I certainly will.
On to other news, ...I'm still updating my blog. Under "Weights & Measures" my weight progress chart and my measurement chart is now up to date. I am still waiting on my Doctor's office to fax my bloodwork results and I will add those to that chart. I decided since I keep a food journal that I will update my Menu's once a week with the last seven days of menu's. If I find I'm able to add them sooner, I certainly will.
I haven't had time to play around with the template, and I'm anxious to find some time for that. You all know me, ...I don't venture too far away from my graphics, ever! LoL
I'm off to post my recipe then am heading to bed, ...Good Night to all you "HealthySiZers" !
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Daily Menu's: Week of August 6th - 12th
| Monday, 08/06/2007 |
| B - (2) Breakfast Muffins, 8 oz. ff milk S - Betsy's Iced Coffee Cooler L - Grilled fish, w/tomatoes, onions, balsamic vinegar S - Apple + Water D - Salad w/Raspberry dressing (L2), (2) Mozz. Sticks, Mashed Cauliflower, diet Peach tea S - SF candied pecans (L2), diet peach tea |
| Tuesday, 08/07/2007 (TOM) |
| B - (2) Breakfast Muffins, 8 oz. ff milk S - ThinkThin Protein Bar (L2) + diet Peach Tea L - Veggie platter (spinach, brussel sprouts w/balsamic vinegar) S - Strawberry/Apple chips D - L/O Veggie platter S - None |
| Wednesday, 08/08/2007 |
| B - (2) Breakfast Muffins, 8 oz. ff milk S - None L - Salad w/Pizza toppings, diet coke S - None D - None S - ThinkThin Protein Bar (L2) + Water |
| Thursday, 08/09/2007 |
| B - (2) Breakfast Muffins, 8 oz. ff milk S - Tomato Juice L - Mozz. Marinara, Orange SF popcicle S - ThinkThin Protein Bar (L2) + Water D - L/O Mozz. Marinara S - Betsy's Iced Coffee Cooler |
| Friday, 08/10/2007 |
| B - (2) Breakfast Muffins, 8 oz. ff milk S - (2) Mozz. Cheese Sticks L - BLT Salad w/Water S - SF Cherry Popcicle D - Chicken fajita's w/Water S - Betsy's Iced Coffee Cooler |
| Saturday, 08/11/2007 |
| B - (2) Breakfast Muffins, 8 oz. ff milk S - Strawberry/Apple Chips, Water L - Ham & Cheese Omelette, bacon, Water w/lemon S - Apple D - Grilled chicken salad w/sf honey mustard salad dressing S - none |
Sunday, 08/12/2007 |
| Brunch - Scrambled Eggs, Bacon, & Sausage S - (2) Mozz. Cheese Sticks D - Baked Cod Fillet, side salad w/ranch, green beans S - Apple + Water |
Monday, August 13, 2007
I'm on my weigh to becoming a "HealthySiZer!"
Good Morning "HealthySiZers" ...yep, it's not really about which program you follow, but about eating to be healthy and reaching your ideal body size and I'm on my weigh!
Today was my official weigh-in day and drumroll ...I lost 3 pounds this week! Yay!!! Gotta love those 7's! My measurements stayed the same, I'm okay with that since TOM is here. I have been steadily loosing inches without my weight dropping, so having my weight begin to drop again and my measurements stay the same is really a good thing!
Okay, update on my muffins ...one word, yuck! LoL
Although I like zucchini, it did not replace nor satisfy my need for the rhubarb in my muffins.
So, the search continues ...I must find rhubarb!
Today was my official weigh-in day and drumroll ...I lost 3 pounds this week! Yay!!! Gotta love those 7's! My measurements stayed the same, I'm okay with that since TOM is here. I have been steadily loosing inches without my weight dropping, so having my weight begin to drop again and my measurements stay the same is really a good thing!
Okay, update on my muffins ...one word, yuck! LoL
Although I like zucchini, it did not replace nor satisfy my need for the rhubarb in my muffins.
So, the search continues ...I must find rhubarb!
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Finally figured it out!
I spent the better part of three days trying to figure out how to put a table in a post! It was sooooo frustrating, but, in my true form, I persevered until I reached my goal. Okay, I have my weight progress and measurements listed and I still need to fill in my bloodwork. I just had a physical so I will call my Doctor in the morning to retrieve my numbers.
I added a ticker, loved the purple colors, I'm not familiar with 3fatchicks but appreciate that they offer to use the ticker for free with a link back. It's lets me see my progress at a glance.
I also updated my Success Story post and brought it up to date. I haven't figured out how to add a flag to let everyone know that a post has been "updated" yet, hoping that is an option and that I'll figure it out soon.
Being new go Google Blogs, I have to say, it is really easy to navigate. However, one thing is buggin me, ...I have my settings set to "quick edit" and when I view my blog on one of my computers, the little pencil/tools icons appear next to my posts. Yet, when I view my blog on my other computer, it's not there? I've even tried logging off and logging back on to see if that would help to reset it, but it didn't? Ughhhh!!!
Tomorrow is my official "weigh-in" day but I couldn't resist and weighed myself today. Woo Hoo, I am down 2 pounds!!! I will weigh-in again in the morning to be sure it's accurate and will also take my measurements. I am so glad that I decided to track my measurements this time, it really makes all the difference.
I have eaten all my Breakfast Muffins and have not been able to locate any stores that carry rhubarb in my area? I'm not panicing yet, but, I am feeling a little anxious about not finding any yet! LoL Kenny is going to ask a friend at work to see if he can locate some at a Farmers Market out in the country for me. I have my fingers crossed (xx)that he will be successful. In the meantime, I decided to try a variation using Zucchini and will bake those in the morning, I'll let you know how those turn out!
I'm off work tomorrow, so I'm going to head to bed now, I don't want to sleep my day away cause I stayed up too late!
I added a ticker, loved the purple colors, I'm not familiar with 3fatchicks but appreciate that they offer to use the ticker for free with a link back. It's lets me see my progress at a glance.
I also updated my Success Story post and brought it up to date. I haven't figured out how to add a flag to let everyone know that a post has been "updated" yet, hoping that is an option and that I'll figure it out soon.
Being new go Google Blogs, I have to say, it is really easy to navigate. However, one thing is buggin me, ...I have my settings set to "quick edit" and when I view my blog on one of my computers, the little pencil/tools icons appear next to my posts. Yet, when I view my blog on my other computer, it's not there? I've even tried logging off and logging back on to see if that would help to reset it, but it didn't? Ughhhh!!!
Tomorrow is my official "weigh-in" day but I couldn't resist and weighed myself today. Woo Hoo, I am down 2 pounds!!! I will weigh-in again in the morning to be sure it's accurate and will also take my measurements. I am so glad that I decided to track my measurements this time, it really makes all the difference.
I have eaten all my Breakfast Muffins and have not been able to locate any stores that carry rhubarb in my area? I'm not panicing yet, but, I am feeling a little anxious about not finding any yet! LoL Kenny is going to ask a friend at work to see if he can locate some at a Farmers Market out in the country for me. I have my fingers crossed (xx)that he will be successful. In the meantime, I decided to try a variation using Zucchini and will bake those in the morning, I'll let you know how those turn out!
I'm off work tomorrow, so I'm going to head to bed now, I don't want to sleep my day away cause I stayed up too late!
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Bloodwork Results
| DATE | 02/01/96* | 02/16/2004** | 3/09/2007** |
| AGE | 31 | 39 | 42 |
| WEIGHT | - | 157 lbs. | 178 lbs. |
| Overall:Under 200 | 183 | 147 | 165 |
| HDL (Good):40-99 (Normal Range) | 48 | 60 | 51 |
| LDL (Bad):100/below | 115 | 79 | 95 |
| Triglycerides:150/below | 99 | 38 | 97 |
| Glucose:70 - 105 (Normal Range) | 86 | 76 | 84 |
| Thyroid:.35 - 5.50 (Normal Range) | - | .90 | .77 |
| Calcium:8.4 - 10.2 (Normal Range) | 8.7 | 8.4 | 8.9 |
| Sodium:146 (Normal Range) | - | 141 | 140 |
* Low-fat/No-fat Diet (1200 calories/day)
** Somersize
Blood Type: A Positive
Thursday, August 9, 2007
Chatter Box!
Yes, I'm a chatter box at times, so it only made sense to add a "Chat Box" to my site.
It is located near the bottom of my page, so while visiting me, please take a moment and leave me a message, ....cause "tag" your it!
It is located near the bottom of my page, so while visiting me, please take a moment and leave me a message, ....cause "tag" your it!
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
And, the Winning name is ...
Looks Aren't Everything!
How did I come up with the name ...Looks Aren't Everything?
Well, whenever I am brainstorming names for new domains, I write them down on paper. I then play around with spellings and see if any of them seem to fit what I'm looking for.
As I was making my list, I came up with quite a few names that I really liked, but after a quick domain search, I learned that many of them were already taken. So, after compiling 14 names and circling those that were available, I just couldn't decide. Nothing really jumped out at me. Finally, I asked myself, what am I looking for?
I just kept thinking is has to be something about eating healthy foods, and feeling fit because looks aren't everything, ...and then the feeling came over me, this is it! I then moved the words around and there you have it "Looks Aren't Everything" ...eating healthy and feeling fit are!
Now, I had my name, ...what did I want to do with it?
Create a website, a blog, or a forum? I create websites at Crayon Box Creations, so that was a simple choice, however, I was intrigued with the idea of creating a Blog and loved the idea of an interactive forum. So, I jumped in with both feet and bought the domain name, then surfed over to Google to create a Blog with the same name, next I put the forum idea on hold, I have enough on my plate for now.
So, welcome to my Blog, Looks Aren't Everything, where I share my weight loss experiences and provide support to those who follow a way of eating (woe) that promotes a healthy lifestyle through the reduction and/or elimination of refined sugars, high starch vegetables and simple carbohydrates.
I follow the Suzanne Somers Weight Loss Program called Somersize. If you are interested in learning more about food-combining, please visit: http://www.somersize.com/ . This program works for me, however, it doesn't matter what plan or program you choose to follow, whether your goal is to loose weight or to maintain your ideal weight, ...Looks Aren't Everything is all about eating healthy and living better.
Sunday, August 5, 2007
Skip the Soda ...
Skip the Soda, ...go for Water!
Most of us have heard the, ...drink 8-8 ounce glasses of water per day, but, ...that may not be enough?
There have been recent studies to indicate that to receive maximum benefits you should drink a percentage of your body weight. To figure out how much your body needs, divide your body weight by two. (Example: If your body weight is 150 lbs., ...you would divide 150 by 2 which equals 75.
Therefore, you should drink at least 75 ounces of water per day. While this is just one example, there are plenty of other methods of figuring out how much water to drink per day.
When losing weight, the body uses water to flush the fat from our systems, ...yes each time you urinate. ...your body is releasing not only the waste but the energy that produces fat. It also keeps the body hydrated, when your body begins to experience dehyration, it triggers a response, ...which you may interpret as being hungry, ...when instead you may just need a glass of water.
When exercising be sure to hydrate often, ...don't wait until you are thirsty. A good rule of thumb is to drink a glass of water before your exercise, then every 15 minutes if you are working out and working up a sweat.
But won't I become bloated if I drink all that water?
Quite the contrary, ...not drinking enough water will cause you body to retain water and hense the bloated feeling will occur. When you body is supplied with plenty of water, it uses what is needed and releases the rest. You should experience a feeling of being refreshed not bloated, if you are getting enough water.
Most of us have heard the, ...drink 8-8 ounce glasses of water per day, but, ...that may not be enough?
There have been recent studies to indicate that to receive maximum benefits you should drink a percentage of your body weight. To figure out how much your body needs, divide your body weight by two. (Example: If your body weight is 150 lbs., ...you would divide 150 by 2 which equals 75.
Therefore, you should drink at least 75 ounces of water per day. While this is just one example, there are plenty of other methods of figuring out how much water to drink per day.
When losing weight, the body uses water to flush the fat from our systems, ...yes each time you urinate. ...your body is releasing not only the waste but the energy that produces fat. It also keeps the body hydrated, when your body begins to experience dehyration, it triggers a response, ...which you may interpret as being hungry, ...when instead you may just need a glass of water.
When exercising be sure to hydrate often, ...don't wait until you are thirsty. A good rule of thumb is to drink a glass of water before your exercise, then every 15 minutes if you are working out and working up a sweat.
But won't I become bloated if I drink all that water?
Quite the contrary, ...not drinking enough water will cause you body to retain water and hense the bloated feeling will occur. When you body is supplied with plenty of water, it uses what is needed and releases the rest. You should experience a feeling of being refreshed not bloated, if you are getting enough water.
Friday, August 3, 2007
"HOT" August Tips on Exercising!
Exercise!
If you are not participating in some kind of exercise routine, ...now is the time to start one!
Here are some tips to get you started ...
1. Start slow. I know you want to see results, but if you start out too fast you risk injury and/or burn out. Take it slow. You will feel better and your body will give you longer lasting results.
2. Find your Groove. If you know you like to walk, ...start a walking routine. Again, start out slow. Be sure to wear proper "walking" shoes and comfortable attire. Nothing worse than having to give up your new routine due to hurting legs, toes or feet. If the weather is nice, choose an outdoor location. Be sure to breath properly as you walk and take in the fresh air. If not, ...any local indoor mall will do!
3. Pick up the Pace. Don't forget to add a little cardio to your workout and a little bit of weight training! Now, don't turn and run, ...I'm not saying to become the next Mrs. America (although if that's your goal, ...you go girl!). Really, cardio/weight training strengthens your heart and muscles and in turn, ...continues to burn more calories and fat once you have completed your workout. It takes more calories to maintian muscle mass than it does to maintian fat. You don't need to join a gym (unless of course you want to) to do cardio and/or weight lifting exercises. Some cardio exercises include: jumping rope, climbing stairs, an aerobic workout (many popular tapes are available) and for weights, ...try starting with something light, like a 2 lb., 3 lb., or 5 lbs dumbell. Work on your arms to stregthen your biceps. Don't worry you will not end up looking like Arnold, ...but you will achieve a more sexy and shapely definition.
4. Whatever mode of exercise you choose, ...focus on it with your full attention. It won't do you much good to do 30 reps the wrong way. Doing 10-12 the correct way will guarantee perfect results. Don't use momentum when you are weight lifting. Keep the lifting and lowering movements slow and controlled. If you find you are "swinging" the weights or working out too fast, ...you may be using too much weight or doing too many reps. Be sure to pay attention to this and adjust as necessary.
5. Mix it up! One of the first problems you may experience with a new exercise routine is boredom. So, knowing that this can happen you should "mix up" your routine from time to time to avoid this from happening. When walking, go in the opposite direction, ...or add some intensity by choosing a location with lots of hills, etc. Same with the weights, try mixing up your routine. If you always do legs, abs, arms, ...try switching to your arms first, then your legs, and lastly the abs. As long as you are still working out, ...your body will continue to benefit and your mind will be pleased with the new changes.
6. No pain - no Gain. Well, this is true to an extent. If you find you are feeling a little sore in the beginning, that is to be expected especially if you are not used to working out. But, if you find after several days or weeks of working out...you are experiencing pain you may have over-done it and injured yourself. A good rule of thumb, ...after a workout you should feel that you are close to the point of fatigue. If you feel any pain prior to that point, ...then you need to stop and rest.
If you are not participating in some kind of exercise routine, ...now is the time to start one!
Here are some tips to get you started ...
1. Start slow. I know you want to see results, but if you start out too fast you risk injury and/or burn out. Take it slow. You will feel better and your body will give you longer lasting results.
2. Find your Groove. If you know you like to walk, ...start a walking routine. Again, start out slow. Be sure to wear proper "walking" shoes and comfortable attire. Nothing worse than having to give up your new routine due to hurting legs, toes or feet. If the weather is nice, choose an outdoor location. Be sure to breath properly as you walk and take in the fresh air. If not, ...any local indoor mall will do!
3. Pick up the Pace. Don't forget to add a little cardio to your workout and a little bit of weight training! Now, don't turn and run, ...I'm not saying to become the next Mrs. America (although if that's your goal, ...you go girl!). Really, cardio/weight training strengthens your heart and muscles and in turn, ...continues to burn more calories and fat once you have completed your workout. It takes more calories to maintian muscle mass than it does to maintian fat. You don't need to join a gym (unless of course you want to) to do cardio and/or weight lifting exercises. Some cardio exercises include: jumping rope, climbing stairs, an aerobic workout (many popular tapes are available) and for weights, ...try starting with something light, like a 2 lb., 3 lb., or 5 lbs dumbell. Work on your arms to stregthen your biceps. Don't worry you will not end up looking like Arnold, ...but you will achieve a more sexy and shapely definition.
4. Whatever mode of exercise you choose, ...focus on it with your full attention. It won't do you much good to do 30 reps the wrong way. Doing 10-12 the correct way will guarantee perfect results. Don't use momentum when you are weight lifting. Keep the lifting and lowering movements slow and controlled. If you find you are "swinging" the weights or working out too fast, ...you may be using too much weight or doing too many reps. Be sure to pay attention to this and adjust as necessary.
5. Mix it up! One of the first problems you may experience with a new exercise routine is boredom. So, knowing that this can happen you should "mix up" your routine from time to time to avoid this from happening. When walking, go in the opposite direction, ...or add some intensity by choosing a location with lots of hills, etc. Same with the weights, try mixing up your routine. If you always do legs, abs, arms, ...try switching to your arms first, then your legs, and lastly the abs. As long as you are still working out, ...your body will continue to benefit and your mind will be pleased with the new changes.
6. No pain - no Gain. Well, this is true to an extent. If you find you are feeling a little sore in the beginning, that is to be expected especially if you are not used to working out. But, if you find after several days or weeks of working out...you are experiencing pain you may have over-done it and injured yourself. A good rule of thumb, ...after a workout you should feel that you are close to the point of fatigue. If you feel any pain prior to that point, ...then you need to stop and rest.
My TEN Steps to becoming a Somersize STAR
1. Short, Long, and In between: Ask yourself, ...What do I want to acheive by Somersizing? Then establish reachable, realistic goals, ...by creating short term, in-between, and long term goals. Remember, by choosing Somersize you have chosen to give up "dieting,"...and that means the end of the yo-yo game. Set small goals that you feel are easy to reach and know by doing so they will add up to your long term goal!
2. Today's not my Birthday? Who's present is this? Why, ...it's yours! Today is the day that you reward yourself for the little changes that you are doing that are bringing about a big change. Maybe, you have reached your first small goal, maybe you have gone 5 days without any refined sugar, ...whatever your acheivement is, don't forget to reward yourself along the way.
3. Writer's Cramp: Grab your pen and paper and start writing. Or, ...get your fingers warmed up and start typing! You are about to begin a journey that will help you down the path to Somersize Success. It's called a "Journal." Keeping track of your meals, moods, eating times, etc., ...creates accountability within yourself.
4. Patience, ...good things come to those who wait! Oh the dreaded, ...plateau! Sometimes you will be going along, following the program without any cheats and all of a sudden you stop losing weight. Oh, I know it's frustrating, ...but please be patient. It is happening for a reason. Your body is adjusting and it is necessary for your body to take it's time to adjust to insure that the changes you have made will become permanent.
5. Label, labels, labels! Yes, they are everywhere, ...and they will become one of your best friends. Read those labels! With the new "low carb" sweep that has hit our nation, ...many labels have changed. So, some of your tried and true brands may change an ingredient to seek out the "low carbers" so please don't "assume" because you bought something in the past that it is going to remain the same. And, ...with Somerzing, be sure to always check the "ingredient" portion of the label . Even when the ingredients show no refined sugars, the "nutrition" portion of the label may show sugar or carbohydrate grams because of the effect of "natural sugar's" which are sugars that are not added but occur naturally.
6. Buy a spare tire! Planning, ... is the ultimate key to success. Know that setbacks are inevetable and at some time they will occur. Use this knowledge and plan for them, ...by doing so you will minimize their effect.
7. Eat & Enjoy! One of the greatest benefits of Somersizing, ...is the delicious meals! Rich, creamy sauces, fresh steamed or crunchy vegetables, whole grains, ...non-processed foods that are intended for your body. How many times have you heard Suzanne say,...it's awesome, incredible food that will rock your world, ...and you can eat it for the rest of your life? So, go on, ...eat and enjoy!
8. Get ready to change a flat tire! Is a birthday party or celebration coming up? Will you be eating out in a "new" restaurant? Whatever is in the works, ...get ready to grab your spare tire. You can find ways to "Somersize" the food choices, ...or you can schedule a "planned" cheat and then just jump right back on the "Somersize Wagon." Choose what makes you feel comfortable and then allow yourself to enjoy yourself.
9. Family: Yours, Mine, & Ours! When preparing meals, choose a menu that will easily allow you to "Somersize" the meal for the entire family. You will find by avoiding the "yours, mine, and ours" syndrome that you will increase your level of success and improve your families sense of nutrition without them even knowing it!
10. Support Network: Reach out and find someone to be your Support Buddy, ...not only does it keep you both accountable, you each will benefit from the support of this friend to help you through the "thick n thin" process of loosing and maintaining your ideal weight!
Betsy Carter
"Disclaimer" - Betsy Carter is separate from Suzanne Somers and her Somersize product/services. There is no association, sponsorship, or affiliation between Betsy/Betsy Carter and Suzanne Somers/Somersize. Any references, views or opinions shared are expressly my own, Betsy Carter.
2. Today's not my Birthday? Who's present is this? Why, ...it's yours! Today is the day that you reward yourself for the little changes that you are doing that are bringing about a big change. Maybe, you have reached your first small goal, maybe you have gone 5 days without any refined sugar, ...whatever your acheivement is, don't forget to reward yourself along the way.
3. Writer's Cramp: Grab your pen and paper and start writing. Or, ...get your fingers warmed up and start typing! You are about to begin a journey that will help you down the path to Somersize Success. It's called a "Journal." Keeping track of your meals, moods, eating times, etc., ...creates accountability within yourself.
4. Patience, ...good things come to those who wait! Oh the dreaded, ...plateau! Sometimes you will be going along, following the program without any cheats and all of a sudden you stop losing weight. Oh, I know it's frustrating, ...but please be patient. It is happening for a reason. Your body is adjusting and it is necessary for your body to take it's time to adjust to insure that the changes you have made will become permanent.
5. Label, labels, labels! Yes, they are everywhere, ...and they will become one of your best friends. Read those labels! With the new "low carb" sweep that has hit our nation, ...many labels have changed. So, some of your tried and true brands may change an ingredient to seek out the "low carbers" so please don't "assume" because you bought something in the past that it is going to remain the same. And, ...with Somerzing, be sure to always check the "ingredient" portion of the label . Even when the ingredients show no refined sugars, the "nutrition" portion of the label may show sugar or carbohydrate grams because of the effect of "natural sugar's" which are sugars that are not added but occur naturally.
6. Buy a spare tire! Planning, ... is the ultimate key to success. Know that setbacks are inevetable and at some time they will occur. Use this knowledge and plan for them, ...by doing so you will minimize their effect.
7. Eat & Enjoy! One of the greatest benefits of Somersizing, ...is the delicious meals! Rich, creamy sauces, fresh steamed or crunchy vegetables, whole grains, ...non-processed foods that are intended for your body. How many times have you heard Suzanne say,...it's awesome, incredible food that will rock your world, ...and you can eat it for the rest of your life? So, go on, ...eat and enjoy!
8. Get ready to change a flat tire! Is a birthday party or celebration coming up? Will you be eating out in a "new" restaurant? Whatever is in the works, ...get ready to grab your spare tire. You can find ways to "Somersize" the food choices, ...or you can schedule a "planned" cheat and then just jump right back on the "Somersize Wagon." Choose what makes you feel comfortable and then allow yourself to enjoy yourself.
9. Family: Yours, Mine, & Ours! When preparing meals, choose a menu that will easily allow you to "Somersize" the meal for the entire family. You will find by avoiding the "yours, mine, and ours" syndrome that you will increase your level of success and improve your families sense of nutrition without them even knowing it!
10. Support Network: Reach out and find someone to be your Support Buddy, ...not only does it keep you both accountable, you each will benefit from the support of this friend to help you through the "thick n thin" process of loosing and maintaining your ideal weight!
Betsy Carter
"Disclaimer" - Betsy Carter is separate from Suzanne Somers and her Somersize product/services. There is no association, sponsorship, or affiliation between Betsy/Betsy Carter and Suzanne Somers/Somersize. Any references, views or opinions shared are expressly my own, Betsy Carter.
ISO Cream Whipper
Do you love homemade whipped cream?
This product is a dream, just add fresh cream, a sugar substitute, and some flavoring, ...shake it up and enjoy!
Here is a link that is helpful: http://www.easywhip.com/dispensers.html
This product is a dream, just add fresh cream, a sugar substitute, and some flavoring, ...shake it up and enjoy!
Here is a link that is helpful: http://www.easywhip.com/dispensers.html
Food Journal Keeping
Keeping a food journal is one of the best ways to keep track of your daily intake of food. It not only keeps you accountable, but it provides you with menu's and food ideas that work! When I started Somersizing, I wrote everything down. It enabled me to look back and see where I may have been eating "hidden cheats" and/or perhaps indulging in too many choices that contributed to a slower weight loss, a stall or even a weight gain.
Personally, I prefer to use a personal organizer. In the beginning, I used a blank journal by Flavia. It was a small binder type organizer that had daily dates with enough room to write down all of my meals for each day. In January '07, I switched over to the "Somersize Day-to-Day Journal," it makes my record keeping even simpler.
If you prefer to use an online tool, ...then try FitDay.com. They offer a free service that lets you track your food intake as well as an area for exercise. Both, provide you with a resource that will help you to achieve your nutrition, weight loss/maintenance and exercise goals.
Personally, I prefer to use a personal organizer. In the beginning, I used a blank journal by Flavia. It was a small binder type organizer that had daily dates with enough room to write down all of my meals for each day. In January '07, I switched over to the "Somersize Day-to-Day Journal," it makes my record keeping even simpler.
If you prefer to use an online tool, ...then try FitDay.com. They offer a free service that lets you track your food intake as well as an area for exercise. Both, provide you with a resource that will help you to achieve your nutrition, weight loss/maintenance and exercise goals.
What is Food Combining?
Beginning as early as the 1850's, ...some of the first people to discover "food combining" were two American Doctor's, ...Dr. Herbert M. Shelton (1888-1987) and Dr. William Howard Hay (1866-1940).
Using scientic methods, ...they realized that the body utilizes food (nutrients) in various ways. By ingesting proteins, carboyhydrates, and fruits together, it created a halt in the digestion system resulting in numerous intestional problems such as, ...gas, bloating, fullness, food allergies, constipation, moodiness, fatigue, obesity, and diseases.
Being Nutritionists, ...and knowing the anatomy of the human body they begin to look at the body in a scientific fashion. The body's normal digestion system consists of an Acid and an Alkaline process.
They experiemented and did extensive research with several different nutrients. They discovered that when separating foods according to an Acid or Akaline base, that the body would utilize the appropriate digestion process and therefore, use just an Acid or Akaline base to digest the food. Digestion was greatly improved and the intestional problems diminished and/or dissappeared completely.
They continued to do research and found that other benefits became apparent. They found that by "food combining" that the body was able to regulate it's hormones and that the body was able to shed itself of stored fat cells.
Increased energy and better sleep are just a few more reasons to "food combine." One of today's more recognized names, and who utililizes "food combining" as part of her weight-loss program called Somersize® is Suzanne Somers. Many more people today realize the benefit of "food combining" and it has become a favorable part of a healthy lifestyle.
Using scientic methods, ...they realized that the body utilizes food (nutrients) in various ways. By ingesting proteins, carboyhydrates, and fruits together, it created a halt in the digestion system resulting in numerous intestional problems such as, ...gas, bloating, fullness, food allergies, constipation, moodiness, fatigue, obesity, and diseases.
Being Nutritionists, ...and knowing the anatomy of the human body they begin to look at the body in a scientific fashion. The body's normal digestion system consists of an Acid and an Alkaline process.
They experiemented and did extensive research with several different nutrients. They discovered that when separating foods according to an Acid or Akaline base, that the body would utilize the appropriate digestion process and therefore, use just an Acid or Akaline base to digest the food. Digestion was greatly improved and the intestional problems diminished and/or dissappeared completely.
They continued to do research and found that other benefits became apparent. They found that by "food combining" that the body was able to regulate it's hormones and that the body was able to shed itself of stored fat cells.
Increased energy and better sleep are just a few more reasons to "food combine." One of today's more recognized names, and who utililizes "food combining" as part of her weight-loss program called Somersize® is Suzanne Somers. Many more people today realize the benefit of "food combining" and it has become a favorable part of a healthy lifestyle.
Betsy's Iced Coffee Coolers
Ingredients:
1 cup cold water
1 cup ice cubes
2 tbl. Torani (Sugar-Free) Coffee flavored Syrup
1 tbl. heavy whipping cream
Procedure:
1. Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until slushy.
2. Pour into a tall glass and serve.
Eat & Enjoy!, Betsÿ
1 cup cold water
1 cup ice cubes
2 tbl. Torani (Sugar-Free) Coffee flavored Syrup
1 tbl. heavy whipping cream
Procedure:
1. Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until slushy.
2. Pour into a tall glass and serve.
Eat & Enjoy!, Betsÿ
Daily Menus
This is the format I follow when posting my menu's:
B - breakfast
S - snack
L - lunch
S - snack
D - dinner
S - snack
B - breakfast
S - snack
L - lunch
S - snack
D - dinner
S - snack
Disclosure Policy
This policy is valid from August 3, 2007. This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me. This blog accepts forms of cash advertising, sponsorship, paid insertions or other forms of compensation. For questions about this blog, please contact BetsyATlooksarenteverythingDOTcom .
The owner of this blog is compensated to provide opinion on products, services, websites and various other topics. Even though the owner of this blog receives compensation for our posts or advertisements, we always give our honest opinions, findings, beliefs, or experiences on those topics or products. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely the bloggers’ own. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer, provider or party in question.
The owner of this blog would like to disclose the following existing relationships: PayPerPost, Blogsvertise, Smorty, TextLinkAds, SponsoredReviews, LoudLaunch and PayU2Blog. These are companies, organizations or individuals that may have a significant impact on the content of this blog.
To get your own policy, go to http://www.disclosurepolicy.org
The owner of this blog is compensated to provide opinion on products, services, websites and various other topics. Even though the owner of this blog receives compensation for our posts or advertisements, we always give our honest opinions, findings, beliefs, or experiences on those topics or products. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely the bloggers’ own. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer, provider or party in question.
The owner of this blog would like to disclose the following existing relationships: PayPerPost, Blogsvertise, Smorty, TextLinkAds, SponsoredReviews, LoudLaunch and PayU2Blog. These are companies, organizations or individuals that may have a significant impact on the content of this blog.
To get your own policy, go to http://www.disclosurepolicy.org
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
