Spicy Asian Lettuce Wraps

Looking for something to eat?

If you like eating wraps then CookingLight has a great recipe for you to try out.

Ingredients:


2 1/2 ounces bean threads (cellophane noodles)
1/4 cup minced fresh cilantro
1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
1 tablespoon chile paste with garlic
2 teaspoons dark sesame oil
2 cups chopped roasted skinless, boneless chicken
12 large Boston or Romaine lettuce leaves

Directions:


Cover bean threads with boiling water. Let stand for 5 minutes or until softened. Drain, and rinse under cool water. Chop noodles.

While bean threads soak, combine cilantro, soy sauce, chile paste, and oil in a large bowl, stirring with a whisk. Add noodles and chicken to soy sauce mixture; toss well to coat. Spoon about 1/3 cup chicken mixture down center of each lettuce leaf; roll up.

Nutritional Facts:

CALORIES 213(21% from fat)
FAT 4.9g (sat 1g,mono 1.8g,poly 1.5g)
PROTEIN 23.2g
CHOLESTEROL 60mg
CALCIUM 31mg
SODIUM 641mg
FIBER 0.7g
IRON 1.7mg
CARBOHYDRATE 18.3g

Sexy Abs Minus the Crunches

Are you one that desires to have those flat abs, like most of us today?

I was at Vision Nightclub this past weekend and one of the television sets behind the bar had a commercial for HipHopAbs. So of course, since my blog is about diet and exercise, I had to write down the site and check it out.

This new way of working out incorporates hip-hop music with exercise techniques to give you those sexy abs.

"Using Shaun's revolutionary Absolute Engagement technique, you'll 'Tilt, Tuck & Tighten' your way to six-pack abs without doing a single sit-up or crunch", stated HipHopAbs.com.

There are a 4 routines that incorporate hip-hop music in order to get that sculpted body you so desire.

The first of four, Secrets to Flat Abs [13 minutes] targets your upper abs, lower abs and obliques all while burning fat. "Just tilt, tuck & tighten and you're on your way to a flat, sexy midsection."

Then there's Fat Burning Cardio [30 minutes] which burns calories and sheds fat with hip dance moves and hot music to listen to.

After that comes Ab Scuplt [25 minutes] which uses more advanced ab moves to get those six-pack abs you've always wanted.

Lastly is Total Body Burn [45 minutes] that incorporates cardio and total body scuplting, along with more ab-defining moves to get the most of your workout.

Along with these discs comes a step-by-step nutrition guide, 30-day workout calendar and 24/7 online support.

Interesting in getting HipHopAbs? Check out the link for payment options and success stories.

Working out doesn't have to be boring... so check it out and tell me what you think.

Check out the YouTube video that gives you a taste of what HipHop Abs is all about. Enjoy!

Walk to Cure Diabetes on March 24

So you can't make the MS walk on March 18 huh?

Lucky for you that on Sunday, March 24, the annual 5k walk-a-thon for diabetes will be held at 9 a.m. at Siemens-Arvida Park of Commerce.

The event, which attracts nearly 3,000 people in Palm Beach County, features children's activities and entertainment, vendor booths and includes breakfast and lunch for participants.

You can either, walk, run, bike, skateboard or even rollerskate for the event [all great forms of excercise].

No fee is required to participate, but donations are always welcomed.

Be a part of this event, by registering here.

Check out Palm Beach Post for additional information.

Bonus: Pets ARE welcomed.

MS Walk in Boca Raton This Weekend

Looking for a fun way to work out and give back to your community?

Well, Boca Raton will be holding its "most visible event of the year" on Sunday, March 18th starting at 9 a.m.

The event, which is held at South County Regional Park at 11200 Park Access Road, brings thousands of individuals together to walk on behalf of those whose lives are effected by multiple sclerosis.

The National MS Society, who puts on this event, is dedicated to ending the effects of MS.

Anyone interesting in joining this event can register here.

Additional information can be found at the Palm Beach Post site or by calling (800) FIGHTMS.

The Latest in Calorie Burning Drinks

I was going through the grocery store last weekend and came across this new calorie burning drink called Enviga. I'm not a big coke person and since this was something new, I decided to give ait a shot. Plus... it had only 5 calories.

I've tried it several times and actually enjoy it. I thus decided to do some reaserch on the new product and this is what I came up with.

Enviga's site stated, "Enviga is a delicious and refreshing sparkling green tea that also contains calcium and caffeine. Drinking 3 cans of Enviga gently boosts your metabolism to increase calorie burning by an amount greater than the number of calories in the product. That's why we say Enviga provides negative calories."

The questions that comes to mind are:

Is Enviga recommened as part of a weight loss program?

"Enviga is one of many helpful things that can be incorporated into an overall balanced lifestyle. Enviga is designed to compliment, not replace, regular exercise, a good diet, and other healthy choices you make throughout the day."

How exactly does Enviga work?

Enviga contains EGCG [epigallocatechin gallate], that when combines with caffeine , increases your metabolism thus increasing calorie burning.

Not only does Enviga increase metabolism, it's a great source of calcium and contains antioxidants, which are needed for good health.

More on antioxidants can be found here.

Look for Enviga in your local grocery store, drug stores as well as convenience stores.

PS. Enviga comes in Peach, Green Tea and Berry flavors.

Yum!

Diet Planner for Those Who Can't Find the Right Foods

Finding the right foods to eat when dieting can be a serious issue for those who are just starting a meal plan. Therefore I searched Fitnessmagazine.com and came across a diet planner that gives suggestions for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Mix and match meals so that you aren't bored and get out of the groove of eating right.

Have fun!

Working Out Kickboxing Style

Kickboxing, if done properly, can be one of the best forms of exercise because it works the body in all areas including cardio, flexibilty and strength training.

A great plus to kickboxing is that it not only gives you one intense work out, but it provides spiritual and mental benefits, all while decreasing stress levels and in one hour, you can lose up to 400 calories.

During kickboxing training you're taught a variety of kicks, punches, jabs, etc. thus providing you with a full body work out.

DrDrew.com states, "because you're constantly moving around the bag, your heart rate stays elevated, which burns fat and calories. And because the kicks and punches involve bending, twisting, and weight shifting, your 'core' or stabilizing muscles in the torso, back and chest are conditioned."

One popular type of kickboxing is called aerobic or cardiovascular kickboxing, which incorporates elements of boxing, martial arts as well as aerobics to provide a full range of physical conditioning and toning.

Prior to joining a kickboxing class there are some suggestions, by kidshealth.org, that one should consider.

• Be aware of your current fitness level - Kickboxing is a very high impact form of exercise and if you haven't been working out for a while, you need to make sure that your body is in the proper condition to take this on. Prepare yourself by taking an aerobics course and working yourself up to the kickboxing level.
• Do some research before enrolling - Observe or try a class before signing up to see if it's the right form of exercise for you. Speak with the instructor and determine at what pace you could go at so as not to injure yourself.
• Find a class act - "Look for an instructor who has both a high-level belt in martial arts and is certified as a fitness instructor by an organization such as the American Council on Exercise."
  
• Comfort is key - Wear clothes that's loose enough for you to move your arms and legs in all directions. Suggested shoes to wear are cross-trainers, because they allow for side-to-side movements.
  
• Start slowly - Start with low kicks and low impact punches until you learn the proper kickboxing techniques.
  
• Drink up - "Drink plenty of fluids before, during and after your class to quench your thirst and keep yourself hydrated."
• Consult your doctor - It's strongly suggested to see your doctor before beginning any new physical activities, especially since kickboxing involves such high impact movements.
  

Want to join a class in your area? Here are some studios that provide kickboxing courses. Check them out and let me know what you think.

• BodyDesign Personal Training Studio - Coconut Grove (305) 333-3084
  
• Taiseikan Shorinryu Karate and Ju-Jitsu - Miami (305) 205-6484
  
• Karate & Kickboxing Academy - North Miami Beach (305) 935-1855
  
• Lady of America - Deerfield Beach (954) 698-6088
  
• All World Kickboxing Karate - Boca Raton (561) 893-9600
  

My sister, mom and I have taken classes at East West Okinawan Karate studio in Lake Worth, which we all enjoyed very much. This studio provides classes for both children and adults in karate courses as well as self defense.

"They are all very friendly and provided steps that were perfect for my level. I always walked out of there feeling great and having had a full work out. I loved it," stated Gloria Sanchez.

Kick away!

West Palm Beach: Adult Walk-A-Bout Club

Looking for a different place to work out? Maybe an event to join?

Well, if you don't mind driving to West Palm Beach next weekend, then you could join the Adult Walk-A-Bout Club at Vedado Park Community Center.

The program, which is designed for anyone who is looking to become fit, consists of walking four laps around the park, which equals 1-mile. The program is all year round and is held on Tuesdays at 6pm.

Want to know more about this event call: 561-835-7035.

Motivate Yourself to a Thinner You

I speak first hand when I say that dieting and exercising can be one of the most difficult things to accomplish especially when having a busy schedule and having issues in accepting your body and the results.

AOL.com posted a few suggestions to help those that have a hard time thinking positive about weight lose.

Stay Positive: If you slip, don' beat yourself up. Instead, make it a point to get back on track right away.

Keep a Food Diary: Write down the foods you eat, when you ate them and how you felt after eating them. By keeping a diary you'll be able to look back and see what foods made you feel certain ways and either keep up with them or let those go.

Set realistic goals: Each week make it a point to change one thing about your diet. Be reasonable with your diet, because if you're too restrictive you'll lose motivation.

Lastly...

Make a commitment to exercise: Do 30 minutes of moderate activity several days a week. After the first week, add 5 minutes to your routine. To lose more weight, work up to 60 minutes a day.

All of this is of course easier said than done, but if you can work yourself up to doing at least one of these things, it'll be that much easier to do the rest.

Think positive and see the difference in your attitude and your progress.

Sushi Lovers and Dieting

I LOVE sushi and have heard from friends and personal trainers that it can be very healthy for you. The question of course is, how healthy is healthy?! I decided to do some research on the raw meal and this is what I came across.

Hungry-Girl.com, posted what she thought about eating sushi when on a diet. This is what she had to say:

"Sushi can be GREAT to eat when you're dieting. It can also be disastrous, if you order poorly. First of all, start off with a nice sunomono salad (sliced cucumbers with rice vinegar -- very low in calories)."

"Avoid mayo-laden items at all costs. Spicy tuna, spicy shrimp, California rolls, baked crab, and "dynamite" typically contain lots of mayo. If you order them, request light mayo or no mayo (if possible)."

"Tempura is a bad idea. It's deep-fried. Do yourself a favor and forget it exists. Sushi pieces are good choices because they're low in fat -- and cut rolls can be healthy as well, if they contain veggies and fish, but no creamy sauces or fried ingredients. If you want to cut your carb and calorie intake, order half sushi and half sashimi (no rice)."

According to iVillage, foods like sushi "are generally the best for preserving enzymes and other nutrients, as long as the foods are fresh."

"Some of the foods obtained at sushi bars are rolled in white rice, which is a pure starch that converts to sugar quickly, has little fiber and has most nutrients removed. Try to go heavier on the fish (sushi style) and lighter on the rolls," recommended iVillage.

Although the rice used in making sushi is not as healthy as brown rice, it is still love in fat. The different types of meats used in sushi are also an excellent sources of protein and minerals.

"Whether you're eating vegetarian sushi or it is mixed with fish, the fresh, uncooked vegetables provide the vitamins and other nutrients you look for in a healthy diet," stated healthguidance.org.

What some suggestions for restaurants to try in South Florida?

• Boca Raton - Sushi Thai Cafe'



• Coral Springs - Sakura Sushi



• Delray Beach - Kyoto Sushi Sake Lounge



• Fort Lauderdale - Heart Rock Sushi



• Miami - Doraku

Check out this link for information on the number of calories that sushi you were planning on eating has in it.

Eat up...

5 Foods that Aide in Weight Loss

As we all know, eating right for each given diet can be quite difficult, especially for those of us that are on a budget or don't have the time to be eating as often as recommended.

iVillage posted a list of the Top 5 Superfoods for Weight Loss that will assist in making dieting that much more successful.

1. Grapefruit. Research shows that eating 1/2 a grapefruit before a meal can help people drop weight. Additional research as to why grapefruits help burn fat was not noted on this site, but a plus to eating them is that their only 39 calories.

2. Sardines. Sounds yucky I know, but according to iVillage, sardines are packed with protein which helps stabilize blood sugar, helps stimulate metabolism and makes you feel full. They are also a great source of omega-3, which helps in boosting moods. Sardines are also cheap, easy to find and free of contaminants, which makes them that much healthier.

3. Pumpkin. Plain canned pumpkin is loaded with fiber and has only 40 calories. "Dozens of studies confirm that high fiber intake is associated with a host of health benefirts, including weight management."

4. Grass-Fed Beef. Great weight loss source, because it's loaded with protein, which stimulates our metabolisms. It is high in omega-3 content, thus providing multiple health benefits.

5. Green Tea. Rich in antioxidants, promotes heart health, aids in digestion and regulates blood sugar levels. Green tea increases the metabolic rate and boosts fat oxidation, thus promoting weight loss.

Give these foods a chance and let me know what your results tend to be.

Celebrity Inspired Work Out

Those that work out constantly eventually become bored with their normal routines and need a little bit of change every once in a while, especially if their bodies have started to plateau.

I know women tend to plateau, as I've experienced it first hand, but men also need a little bit of motivation to help them reach their desired body goals as well. For that reason, I researched the latest work out book titled LL Cool J's Platnium Workout, which can be purchased at Barnes & Noble.

I came across the book when I was at the book store a few weeks ago, checked it out and found it to be pretty interesting. There were some different exercises that seemed to be easy enough to try out at the gym, for both men and women.

LL Cool J, who's admired for his singing and chisled body, release this work out book to help people get into shape, both with their eating habits and exercise regimine.

AOL diet & fitness posted an interview with LL stating that "Fitness drives my entire life. In terms of creative expression, I love my music, but when you talk about fitness, you're talking about loving yourself and taking care of yourself, and that supercedes everything."

The book focuses on three basis foundations which are: food, fitness and flexibility, in hopes of achieving a stronger body, improved blood pressure and lower cholesterol.

There are tips on burning fat, how to gain more results at a faster pace and suggested meal plans.

A plus about this work out is that there's a 21 day trial, which you can sign up and try for free.

Additional information for LL Cool J's work out can be found here.

Enjoy!