The Easiest Way to Lose Weight.

I've been given the task of losing as much weight as possible. My job has just started a Biggest Loser Competition (Jackpot so far of $350, and growing)! Thankfully I work for a small company, and I am in the lead right now...competition is definitely a huge push for me, I HATE losing. And it's easy for me, because I've figured out what to do..


But when it comes to dieting, most people put it off for days...weeks...even months...or just give up altogether. Because we think that dieting means, expensive foods, feeling hungry all the time, and having to give up our favorite snacks. But it's not that difficult! The secret is to just keep track of what you eat. I've done this, and have lost 9 pounds so far, beating everyone's weight loss of 0-3 pounds! And the best way i've been able to do it is with this program:

This program/app lets you say how much weight you want to lose a week (up to two pounds) and then finds out what you're daily routine is, how many calories you lose just from that routine, and how much you'd have to work out and eat to acheive your goal. The best parts about it for me are:

1. You can add your friends, so it's like you're losing weight with them...big motivator! And no one else has to see what you weigh, it just shows how many pounds you've lost. My log-in is Jloche89 in case anyone wants a friend to help motivate.

2. It's an App on your phone, so you can scan the barcode of items you're going to eat, and it'll tell you how many calories are in the serving.

3. It has a HUGE database...everything i've ever eaten is already in there!

4. I push myself to eat less and workout more.

Keeping track of your weight is one way to eat less, because you constantly get to see what you're taking in. This program allows you to see how many calories each item is, and tells you how much more you can eat to lose a certain amount of weight. The benefits of keeping a "food diary" are numerous, and the end result is so rewarding!

Spring Clean Your Body.

I haven't blogged in so long, finals have been killing me. I don't know about you, but when I have major due dates looming ahead, and hours of work and research and studying to do... I tend to focus on that so much, that I don't focus on what i'm putting into my body. Which made me literally feel like crap! I was tired constantly, it was hard to focus, and I felt myself needing to become energized from food, coffee, or red bulls. 


So I've decided, it's time to give my body a little bit of spring cleaning before Summer hits! Here are a couple of recipes to detox all that bad stuff you may have just put into your body like I just did :/


1. Soy Milk Smoothie: 

Ingredients:
-1 pear, peeled
-1 banana, peeled
-1/4c plain greek yogurt
-1/4c plain or vanilla soymilk
-2 tbsp. flax seeds.


Directions:
Blend all together.


Why This Helps:
Pears are full of water-soluble fiber, which helps you feel fuller on less calories, and, along with the flaxseeds, will help your digestion system immensely.




2. Garlic-y Mushrooms, Chicken and Kale


Ingredients:
-2 chicken breasts, chopped
-1 pound of chopped kale, without stems
-8 ounces of mushrooms (portabello are the best for flavor)
-6 garlic cloves minced
-Olive Oil


Directions:
1. Brown the cut chicken pieces in a pan, then set aside.
2. Using the olive oil, saute the minced garlic and mushrooms in a pan for about two minutes, or until aroma spreads (yummm). Add in the Kale and make sure to stir often, as to not let one side of the kale get overcooked.
3. At the last minute, add in the chicken and and keep cooking until kale has softened (it will reduce a lot), then serve.


Why This Helps:
Kale is an EXCELLENT source of antioxidants and fiber. It's an excellent source of beta-carotene which has been known to be a major player in the battle against heart disease and cancer), and also contains caroteniods (that protect your eyes from UV rays and cataracts).


3. Mediterranean Quinoa


Ingredients:
-1c quinoa
-2c vegetable broth
-1tbsp olive oil
-1 small red onion, finely chopped
-3 cups of chopped kale, without stems
-1/2c pine nuts or almonds
-1/2c kalamata olives, without the pits.


For the Dressing:
      -1tbsp lemon juice
      -1 small shallot, minced
      - orange zest
      -1/3c olive oik
      -salt and pepper


Directions:
1. Rinse quinoa and combine with vegetable broth in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil, lower the heat, and cover then simmer WITHOUT stirring for about 15 minutes, or until the broth has cooked down. After another 10 minutes, fluff the quinoa with a fork.


2. While the quinoa is cooking, heat the olive oil in a pan and then saute onions for about 5 minutes, then add the kale. Cook for about anothe 10 minutes, or until the kale has softened, and then set aside.


3. Combine all ingredients for dressing in a small bowl, whisking the oil in slowly.\


4. Toss the quinoa with the Kale mixtures, the nuts, olives, and the dressing. I know the picture has feta cheese, but if you're detoxing, don't add this, it's a very fatty cheese with lots of sodium, although it's delicious!


Why This Helps:
Kale is an EXCELLENT source of antioxidants and fiber. It's an excellent source of beta-carotene which has been known to be a major player in the battle against heart disease and cancer), and also contains caroteniods (that protect your eyes from UV rays and cataracts).
Quinoa is an excellent source of protein and fiber, to help your digestion system as well.

"And what is a man without energy? Nothing- nothing at all."-Mark Twain