Happy Thursday!

How you doin? (Please imagine I sound like Joey from Friends.) :)

Yesterday was a busy, but productive day. It started out a little rough when I woke up with a headache, but luckily my head felt better by noon when I had to give a healthy living talk. My workout included teaching a strength training class, dripping every ounce of sweat I had in me out on the stair master for 30 minutes, and then 10 minutes on the elliptical to finish up. Overall, it was sweaty and satisfying!

While on the stair master, I was reading this month's edition of Shape Magazine and came across the ALL TIME COOLEST APP EVER! I'm totally serious; it is beyond cool. It's called Fooducate, and it grades food based on its nutritional value simply by scanning the bar code.

You simply scan the barcode on any grocery item, and it will grade your food and tell you exactly why it received that grade. Check it out! I scanned my Quinoa, and this is what it said.


Is that not the coolest thing you have ever seen? But wait.......it gets better! Out of quinoa and need a good alternative? Simply click the alternatives tab at the top of the screen.


And there's still more! I am starting to feel like an infomercial, but this is so stinking exciting. You can even compare two different products, and it will tell you which one is the better choice. I compared Eric's favorite Spanish rice to Quinoa, and guess who won?


Grocery shopping will never be the same again. Imagine trying to decide between two granola bars with similar calorie, fat, fiber, and protein content. You scan them both into your phone, and it tells you one of them is packed with artificial ingredients and the other isn't. Decision made!

Did I mention this app is free? I couldn't believe it either. Now go download it from the app store, and start scanning! Unfortunately, this app is currently only available for the iPhone. However, I did a little research and found out one should be available for the Android in a few weeks! :)

Q's and A's:
Have you ever used the Fooducate app?
What is your favorite health and/or fitness app?

In health,

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Howdy Howdy!!

How are you this beautiful Wednesday morning? Lovely I hope!

Yesterday, while sitting in class, I began to day dream about what yummy creation I could make with the peanut flour and chia seeds that were sitting in my living room. I picked up some chia seeds at Whole Foods 2 weeks ago and have been using them in everything from oatmeal to smoothies. They are delicious, and when mixed with water, they turn into a jelly paste which really bulks up your oatmeal. You feel like you are eating a huge bowl of oatmeal, but you really only added 60 extra calories with 1 tbsp of chia seeds.

Benefits of chia seeds:

• Their unique gelling action keeps you feeling full for hours!
• They help keep your blood sugar balanced. Both the gelling action of the seed and the combination of soluble and insoluble fiber combine to slow down your body’s conversion of starches into sugars which keeps your blood sugar balanced and prevents energy highs and lows.
• Great Source of Omega-3s
• The combination of complete protein, vitamins, minerals and blood-sugar balancing gel all work together to make sure you stay energized all day long!
• Cut fat in baking by replacing half the butter with chia gel.
• Chia seeds contain age-defying antioxidants.
• Help cub cravings

For more information on chia seeds check out this website.

I am very excited to introduce you to Chia Power Balls! These little babies are packed with fiber, protein, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants!! Oh and they're delicious as well!


Ingredients:
3/4 cups whole oats (uncooked)
3 tbsp. chia seeds
1/2 cup raisins
7 pitted Majool Dates
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp cinnamon
Peanut flour paste- 1/4 cup peanut flour + 1/4 cup water + 1/4 tsp salt (you can sub regular peanut butter)

First, pour oats into the food processor and pulse for a few seconds. Add chopped dates and pulse until thoroughly diced.


Mix peanut flour, water and salt together in a small bowl until it forms a paste.


Add the remaining ingredients to the food processors, including the peanut paste. Pulse until well mixed.


Roll mixture into balls and voila - healthy, energy packed deliciousness! I keep mine in a sealed container in the fridge. They are perfect for on the go snacks, or to satisfy late night sweet cravings. ;) I made 18 medium size balls out of this recipe.


I hope you love them as much as I do! Let me know if you make them.

Q's and A's:
Have you ever tried chia seeds?
What is your favorite way to use them?


In health,

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Howdy Everyone!

How was your Monday? Mine was busy busy! The productive kind of busy that makes you run around all day, and then all the sudden it is 10:00pm and you don't know where the day went! I can't believe it's already March 1st!

Today's workout included a 4 mile run this morning, attending a yoga class at noon, and then teaching my strength training class at 4:00pm. Talk about my ideal workout day! :)

Working at a gym definitely has it's perks. Being able to zip into a yoga class and be back at your desk in an hour and ten minutes is priceless. Unfortunately, a lot of people don't have that luxury, so when I came across this video I knew I had to share! Watch this two minute video and learn how to turn your desk into your own little zen zone! If you are reading this post on your smart phone and can't see the video below, click here.



When I got home from class yesterday at 9:15pm, I was starving! I was craving something a little sweet, but I didn't want to undo all of the calories I burned during my workouts. What's a girl to do? Eat kettlecorn of course! I am in love with Smart Pop 100 calorie pack kettle korn. It curbs your sweet tooth, and the entire bag is only 100 calories. Talk about satisfying!

I hope you have a fabulous Tuesday!

Q's and A's:
Have you ever done yoga at your desk?
What is your favorite healthy late night snanck?

In health,

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