Sweet Temptations

My biggest downfall is eating sweets. Every night around 9:00 something in my head tells me I need to eat something sweet and sure enough my body listens. Ice cream, cookies, cake.. doughnuts. ANYTHING! Does anyone have any ideas of how to get past this or any recipes for some healthy sweet stuff?? Thanks!!
Ashleigh

Sugars & Fats

I am reading the book "The Eat-Clean Diet" by Tosca Reno and I came across something that was thought provoking. The sooner North Americans learn to recognize simple sugars and saturated and trans fats as Public Enemies Number One and Two in the same way they recognize germs in the bathroom as being vile, the sooner health will improve and waistlines will decrease. Ridiculous? Think about it! We sanitize, wash, and disinfect germs we can't see without hesitation but we consume, indulge, snack, wolf down and lick at sugars and fats without a second thought.

Hmmmmmmmm!

Beef & Broccoli Orange Stir-Fry

We had Kristin over for dinner last night and I wanted to make something healthy but also something Kristin would like. From the picture of this recipe, I could tell it was something she would like. We all enjoyed it!

Ingredients:

12 oz. soba noodles

Olive oil cooking spray

1 lb. lean round steak, pounded to 1/4" thickness & sliced into strips (I couldn't pound it very thin, so I just cut in in thin slices)

1/2 cup white onion, diced

2 cups fresh broccoli florets, separated into bite-size pieces

1/2 red bell pepper, julienne cut

3 tbsp. low-sodium tamari soy sauce (I just used regular low-sodium)

Juice of 1 medium orange

1 tbsp. orange zest

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 tsp. raw organic honey (not sure what raw honey is, I used regular organic)

2 tsp. whole-wheat flour

Instructions:

One: Cook noodles according to package directions. Drain and set aside.

Two: Heat large nonstick or cast-iron skillet over high heat for 1 minute. Reduce heat to medium-high, mist pan with cooking spray and saute steak for about 5 minutes or until cooked through. Remove steak, leaving juices in the pan.

Three: Mist same pan again with cooking spray. Add onion, broccoli and pepper and saute over medium-high heat for about 5 minutes or until cooked through.

Four: In medium bowl, whisk together soy sauce, orange juice and zest, garlic and honey.

Five: Add steak back to vegetables in pan and pour in soy sauce mixture. Saute steak and vegetables over medium-high heat for about 2 minutes, then whisk in flour to thicken, about 2-3 minutes. Add noodles to pan and cook until warmed, about 3 more minutes. Remove from heat and serve.

Nutrients per 1-cup serving: Calories: 270, Total Fat: 2 g., Sat. Fat: 0 g, Carbs: 51 g, Fiber: 4 g, Sugars: 6 g, Protein: 14 g, Sodium: 520 mg, Cholesterol: 10 mg

Tuscan Minestrone Soup

I'm really trying to eat healthier and looking for new recipes. I tried this new soup recipe for dinner tonight and it was actually pretty good. When we sat down to eat I thought it looked too healthy and wouldn't taste good. With a little cheese melted on top, it was good. Here's the recipe:

Tuscan Minestrone Soup

This classic calls for a classic topping: a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. But if you want to reduce the soup's already low calorie count even more, leave off the cheese - the soup will still taste rich and satisfying.

Serves 6

2 T. olive oil

1 med. zucchini, cut into 1/2" slices, about 2 cups

1 med. summer squash, cut into 1/2" slices, about 2 cups

1 large carrot, finely diced, about 3/4 cup

1 small onion, finely diced, about 3/4 cup

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 tsp. Italian seasoning

4 cups all-natural reduced-sodium chicken broth

1 15-oz. can diced tomatoes

1 15-oz can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed

1/2 cup whole wheat Barilla PLUS or elbow pasta

3 fresh thyme sprigs

salt and freshly ground pepper

1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1/3 cup loosely packed fresh basil, cut into strips

Heat the oil in a Dutch oven over med-high heat. Add the zucchini, summer squash, carrot, onion, garlic, and Italian seasoning to the Dutch oven and cook, stirring frequently, until the vegetables start to soften, about 10 minutes. Stir in the broth and diced tomatoes, cover the mixture, and bring it to a boil. Add the beans, pasta, and thyme, and cook, uncovered, at a low boil until the pasta is done, about 10 minutes. Remove the thyme sprigs, and season the mixture with salt and pepper. Serve in individual bowls and top each serving with the Parmesan cheese and basil.

This was taken from the Bob Greene The Best Life Diet book.

Couch to 5k

Thank you Beth for posting the site for this information. I am starting this week, well, I supposed to start last week, but Nick worked way to much overtime, that by the time he got home, it was too dark outside. I will post a few things weekly on this site, but mostly will be doing it on my own personal blog, I don't want to bore too many people with just routine blah blah.
Anyway, thanks to those who commented with breakfast ideas. I am going to tackle breakfast head on too. I know the body needs fuel after a long rest, so I will take your ideas and add some new ones too. We really need to be posting things on this blog. Success stories keep us going, but mistake stories do too, so come on, let's get blogging, exercising, and just feeling good and happy about ourselves!!!!!!

So, I am saying, "good-bye" to the couch, and "hello" to skinny jeans, better health, and a happier me!!