Tips

Why is eating healthy so difficult? Why is it that all the good food is either greasy or fattening? I ask myself these questions everytime I want to cheat(with food that is). But eating healthy doesn't have to be that bad. Pick your favorite veggies or fruit and make quick snacks for the week. When you're hungry during the day(this will help avoid reaching for that piece of chocolate or cookies) reach for that healthy snack. I know it's easier said than done but just try it for  a week and see how much of a difference it will make in your weight loss or dropping of inches. So I've decided to list a few things that can help drop some inches or pounds yet taste good as well.

Here is one item that helps the abdominal area. 

Lentils

Lentils are a bona fide belly flattener. Eating them helps prevent insulin spikes that cause your body to create excess fat, especially in the abdominal area.
Eat more There are many varieties of lentils, but red and yellow cook fastest (in about 15 to 20 minutes). Add cooked lentils to pasta sauce for a heartier dish, Zuckerbrot suggests. "Their mild flavor blends right in, and because they're high in protein, you can skip meat altogether."

* Recipe for lentil soup:Add or remove items of your choice.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 cup finely chopped onion
• 1/2 cup finely chopped carrot
• 1/2 cup finely chopped celery
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 pound lentils, picked and rinsed
• 1 cup peeled and chopped tomatoes
• 2 quarts chicken or vegetable broth
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground coriander
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground toasted cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground grains of paradise

Directions

Place the olive oil into a large 6-quart Dutch oven and set over medium heat. Once hot, add the onion, carrot, celery and salt and sweat until the onions are translucent, approximately 6 to 7 minutes. Add the lentils, tomatoes, broth, coriander, cumin and grains of paradise and stir to combine. Increase the heat to high and bring just to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover and cook at a low simmer until the lentils are tender, approximately 35 to 40 minutes. Using a stick blender, puree to your preferred consistency. Serve immediately. 

This is just one thing for you all to try. I know we've been working on eating the "Sacred heart soup"  but I wanted to throw other ideas out there. Remember the diet that may have worked for your friend, may not work for you(and vise versa). Everyone's body is different. I hate when I hear that we need to do this and that yet we all have different body types. You have to do what works for YOU! Don't you all agree?? But don't take my word for it. Log onto: www.self.com for more tips on fat-melting super foods. There is all sorts of great information on this site for all of us to read and learn. So log on and check it out for yourselves.

Have a great and happy Memorial Day weekend. I will see you all on Thursday!!

xoxo

Marisol