How to eat Healthy at a Mexican Restaurant
Mexican food can get out of hand really quickly. With all the cheese, sour cream & tortilla chips, it’s easy to pack on the calories. So, how do you stay on the healthy side while still enjoying a festive meal with your friends? Here are a few survival tips when you’re eating at your local Mexican restaurant.
(1) Skip the tortilla chips
Think twice before reaching for a handful of these babies. High in carbs and fat, tortilla chips are a processed carb and not good fuel for you body. To avoid temptation, ask your waiter to take the chips off your table. If your friends want to chow down on them, sip on water or soda water to wane away your hunger.
(2) Stay Away from Mexican Salads
Salads can sound like a healthy option but most Mexican salads are packed with calories and fat. For example, Don Pablo’s Southwest Salad has over a whoppin’ 1,200 calories. They often involve fatty dressings, carb-loaded taco shells, & are topped with cheese and sour cream.
(3) Fajitas and Tacos are your best friends
Fajitas are fully loaded with meat and veggies. Don Pablo’s fajita’s are 483 calories and 46g of protein. That’s a meal that will fuel any workout or late night outing. Taco’s too can be healthy if you include the right ingredients. Soft tacos filled with chicken and veggies will help you stay on track.
(4) Don’t have too many margaritas
Let’s be real. Alcohol is not really “diet” or “fitness” friendly; but who could really stay away from these bad boys.
Some restaurants serve a lower calorie version of the margarita, called the “skinny-girl margarita.” If you’re not that fortunate to have that option, just keep it down to one. Lighter alcoholic options include tequila on ice with lime (100 calories) or a vodka tonic.
(But it’s hard to resist a drink as pretty as this ;) )
Top 4 at Home Workout Dvds
Need a home workout that will kick your booty? Here’s my top 4! From high-intense moves to great toning workouts, these regimens will turn your living room into a home gym quicker than you can say Tony Horton.
1) P90X
Ready to burn those calories? P90X is an all around intense full body workout. Focusing a little more on weights, pull-ups & circuit moves, these workouts are great if you are looking to build muscle and drop fat. Tony Horton is a great motivator, and he’s built an even better home fitness program for all body types. Below is a testament to how well it works (Before & After pics of my boyfriend after 90 days of the program).
2) Insanity
Insanity is not for wimps. This extremely intense and highly cardio-based workout will have you sweating your heart out. But don’t let the moves intimidate you. Take it at your own pace and you’ll see the results you’ve always wanted.
3) Jillian Michael’s 30-Day Shred
Jillian Michaels kicks your butt one more time in this insane, gut-wrenching 30-day workout. She will become your best friend and worst enemy. Are you ready to show Jillian what you’re made of?
Just recently got hooked to this site and I am obsessed. For only $10 a month, you can choose any workout regimens you would like. I am currently taking the inferno challenge, which consists of 30min extremely intense workouts. There are also programs with 15min daily videos or as high as 60min daily videos. If you are looking for something new, this is definitely the way to go.
4 reasons why working out can make you happier
You have all heard it before. The immediate effect of exercise often labeled the “Runner’s High”. But what really is the science behind the “oh-so-good” feeling you get after your workout? Here are a few reasons why your workout might be making you feel good in both the short and long run.
1) Endorphins
Endorphins are released in the brain whenever you engage in moderate to vigorous exercise. When endorphins lock to special receptors, they block transmission of pain signals and also produce a euphoric feeling. The effects of endorphins can be felt immediately after you workout and a few hours later.
2) Antibodies
Exercise leads to increased production of antibodies, which are a special type of protein produced by the immune system. Increased antibodies help your body fight off viruses and keep you healthy in the long run. So yes, hitting the gym a few times a week can save you from being bed-ridden down the line.
3) Increased Overall Mood
A study with over 190 students showed that not only does exercise give students more “pleasure-activated” feelings but they also felt less “unpleasant-deactivated” feelings. Students who did 15 minutes or more of moderate to vigorous exercise were in overall better moods than students that did not.
4) Boosted Self-Esteem
Self-esteem plays an important role in your day-to-day feelings. That’s why something as simple as setting fitness goals for yourself and achieving them can help you boost self-esteem. So next time you feel like skipping a gym session, think about how much better you’ll feel afterwards.
You’re only one workout away from a good mood!
(Click here for my original post from dromo)
Low-carb pizza? It's possible.
Low-carb pizza? Is it possible? Yes it is. Let’s be real, pizza is amazing. Yet if you are trying to stay on the lighter side of your diet, pizza is not the most diet-friendly meal.
I decided to try this awesome low-carb pizza recipe and was delightfully surprised. The crust is made entirely from chopped cauliflower, an egg and mozzarella cheese. It turned out really well and will definitely repeat this recipe! The only downside to the recipe is it uses a lot of cheese but stick to light mozzarella and you'll have a guiltless pizza ;)
Serves 2
Ingredients
- 1 cup cooked, riced cauliflower
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon crushed garlic
- ½ teaspoon garlic salt
- olive oil (optional)
- pizza sauce, shredded cheese and choice of your toppings*
Instructions
To "rice" the Cauliflower: Take 1 large head of fresh cauliflower, remove stems and leaves, and chop the florets into chunks. Add to food processor and pulse until it looks like grain. Do not over-do pulse or you will puree it. (If you don't have a food processor, you can grate the whole head with a cheese grater). Place the riced cauliflower into a microwave safe bowl and microwave for 8 minutes. There is no need to add water, as the natural moisture in the cauliflower is enough to cook itself. One large head should produce approximately 3 cups of riced cauliflower. The remainder can be used to make additional pizza crusts immediately, or can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one week.
To Make the Pizza Crust:
- Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Spray a cookie sheet with non-stick cooking spray.
- In a medium bowl, stir together 1 cup cauliflower, egg and mozzarella. Add oregano, crushed garlic and garlic salt, stir. Transfer to the cookie sheet, and using your hands, pat out into a 9" round. Optional: Brush olive oil over top of mixture to help with browning.
- Bake at 450 degrees for 15 minutes.
- Remove from oven.
- To the crust, add sauce, toppings and cheese. Place under a broiler at high heat just until cheese is melted (approximately 3-4 minutes).
*Note: Toppings need to be precooked since you are only broiling for a few minutes.
5 Ways to Burn Calories Fast
Crammed for time? Barely squeezing your workout in? I’ve definitely been there. That’s why it’s important to get the most out of the little time you have to workout. That’s why I’m pointing out the top 5 workouts that will help you burn the most calories, fast.
1) Stair Run
You don’t even need the gym for this one! Running up and down stairs is not only good for the glutes but it can also help you to burn calories quick. For my weight, running up and down stairs burns about 150 calories for every 10min. Click here to calculate how many calories you can burn in a stair run.
2) Sprint Intervals
We all know running tends to burn a lot of calories. But if you throw in sprinting intervals, that’s where the real burn begins. Science shows that sprinting can burn up to 200 calories per 2.5 minutes. So next time you only have 20 minutes to get in your run, think about how much calories you could burn if you did sprint intervals.
3) Jump Rope
Go a little old school on your workout and grab a jump rope. Jump roping at a brisk pace can burn 120 calories+ per 10 min. Click here to calculate how much you could burn in a short period of time.
4) Boxing
Boxing is an intense full body workout. Got a little anger stored up? Punch out your feelings while burning those calories off. Boxing burns around 225 calories for 30 min (based on 130 lbs weight).
5) Swimming
Swimming is already a great cardio workout that is easy on your joints. Rev up the speed & throw in sprinting sets and you got a quick way to burn a lot of calories. Vigorous swimming can burn up to 340 calories per 30 min. So next time you’re trying to cram in a workout, getting wet might not be a bad idea.
Guiltless Breakfast – Protein-Packed Pancakes
Need something to switch of your breakfast routine? These pancakes will leave you feeling full and guilt-free. It was nice switch up from my usual oatmeal, protein bar, or protein shake breakfast. Definitely worth a try!
Ingredients:
1 scoop whey protein (I used vanilla flavor)
1 cup raw oats
3 egg whites
1 ¼ cup water
1 banana
2 drops vanilla extract
1 ½ tsp baking powder
2 packets sweetener
Calories: around 140 per serving (serves 4)
Mix all ingredients into a blender for about 30 seconds until smooth. Pour batter into a non-stick skillet and cook till golden brown on booth sides.
For Original Recipe Click Here
Go Green - Saint Patrick's Day Smoothies
After an epic spinning class this morning, I didn’t wanted to ruin my workout with crappy dyed green beer. So if you’re trying to have a healthier, green St. Patty’s Day, give one of these three smoothies a shot. They are super yummy and your tummy will thank you later ;).
(1) Kale-Banana Blast
Ingredients:
1 cup kale
1 cup almond milk
1 banana
(2) Kale-Banana Blast with a Twist
1 cup kale
1 cup almond milk
1 banana
1/2 cup arugula
1/4 cup mint
(3) Coconut Green Machine
Juice of 1 lime
1/2 cup coconut milk
1/2 cup coconut water
1/2 frozen banana
2 cups of spinach
Quinoa & Smoked Tofu Salad - Recipe Review
Since Quinoa is super food and so in right now, I decided to try out another quinoa recipe. This dish was pretty easy to make and doesn’t require too many ingredients. However, I would recommend it more as a side and not a main dish. Take out the tofu and you have a great side-dish to any meal! Add more salt or potentially soy sauce to make it a little less bland. (recipe from Fitness Magazine)
Tip: Quinoa is a delicately flavored, protein-rich grain. Rinsing removes any residue of saponin, quinoa's natural, bitter protective covering. Find it in natural-foods stores and the natural-foods sections of many supermarkets.