With Help From Arnold, Jane and Richard-Brownies Win LAST Battle

For lunch yesterday, I polished off half a pan of 3-day old brownies. Impressive-yes. But listen, those brownies were delicious! I took a little pitty bite before demoting them from the kitchen department to the waste department. Unfortunately as the sugar kicked in I struggled to intelligently ponder the consequences a defeat such as the one I was about to experience would bring. And gulp, they were gone! With a hefty dose of guilt, a hefty sugar lowwww, and "hefty" swallowing all other adjectives in my vocab...I informed the empty brownie pan that it had won its last battle.
Recognizing that the "health" sphere of my life could use a boost, I'm renewing some of the strategies that have been motivational for me in the past. Here's my list of kickstarts that usually excite me for healthful living. If YOU have useful strategies for those of us whirlpooling in comfortable holiday habits PLEASE share!!


1. I've never tried plastering my fridge w/ celebrities-but this year I couldn't resist these iconic motivators. I'm going for Arnold's abs (and or pecs), Jane's legs, and Richards glutes of course (check him out below!). Permission to borrow them anytime you lack motivation, granted.

2. WATER: Quenching my thirst w/ice cold water (instead of postponing it or substituting for soda/juice).

3. MUSIC: Vacation music always motivates me to do healthy things. I love listening to islandish music when i'm cooking, exercising...etc. Nothing says health and wellness better than Bob Marley philosophies...right?

4. EXERCISE: I usually have to get into a morning routine (before I have time to get distracted, dissuaded, busy, tired, or full). Running is the most exhilirating for me, but in the winter I've found a few other options:
-Indoor track at local community center-bring your stroller & it's cheap!
-Aerobics at home...Studio 5 has a "Holiday Boot Camp" free online video, that is supposed to burn 200 Cal/15 min. scroll down past the video clip w/3 people to "download the video" http://studio5.ksl.com/?sid=5060050&nid=56


5. FOOD: I crave sugar, cheese, and bread endlessly...so I'm listing a few of the healthier snacks that usually prove satisfying: (I'm always trying to add to the list-so please share)

-Fresh fruit in milk (w/ or instead of cereal)
-HEFTY helpings of salad or vegetables at lunch and dinner.
-My sister Bonnie makes killer fruit smoothies w/sugar free Crystal Light!
-Caprese salad (thinly sliced tomatoes & provolone cheese/basil/pepper/olive oil
-Apple slices and Smiling Cow swiss wedges
-Roasted, pureed butternut squash w/lt sour cream, parmesian, nutmeg & s/p.
-Edamame- sounds hippy but is really goood! microwave or boil w/ s/p.
-lettuce wraps (works w/ lunch meat and shredded cheese)
-Odwalla Superfood the drink (really dark green unappetitizing color, but a really refreshing taste w/a lot of good for you foods in it that are sometimes hard to work into meals-my whole family is hooked)

5. Super Foods Rx, by Pratt and Matthews (book)- details the best foods for your body, and best of all it breaks down the contents of these foods, what they do, and why they are so good for your body. Everytime I read it, I am totally excited to EAT.

6. Something I struggle to remember is brushing my teeth after breakfast and lunch, which seriously inhibits my snacking-good for more than just my teeth!

7. Visiting the health food store for ground flax seed, fresh ground peanut butter, dried fruit, raw nuts and coconut, and to sample any other crazy stuff they happen to have on hand.