ZUMBA CLASSES

I am still teaching. If you or anyone you know is interested in attending my classes, please feel free to contact me by either replying to this post OR emailing me. I will give you further details.

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DON'T BREAK THE BUDGET!

6 Ways to Eat Healthy on a Budget

By Nina Sutton

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By Nina Sutton | Shine Food – 

You don't have to break the bank to eat healthy. With a little bit of planning and creativity, you can buy the freshest foods and create the healthiest meals -- all while saving money.

Woman buying meat

Buy in bulk

Buying in bulk is almost always cheaper, says registered dietician Meghan Martorana. "Wholesale stores such as Costco, Sam's Club and BJ's Wholesale Club are great for buying in bulk."

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Latham Thomas, healthy lifestyle expert and chef, agrees: "Whether you buy from a health food store, supermarket or food co-op, buying from the bulk bins is a great way to stretch your dollar. Many stores have bulk sections where they store whole grains, beans, legumes, seeds, nuts, dried fruits and spices." Stocking up on bulk foods also saves on packaging (good for the environment!) and gives you control over how much you purchase and how often to restock.

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Choose seasonal produce

"Fresh fruits and vegetables can be costly," says Martorana. Choose fresh produce when it's in season -- it'll be cheaper and more nutritious, and it will taste better, too. "For example, purchase strawberries in the summer months and butternut squash in the fall and winter months," continues Martorana.

"You can talk farmers down on their prices," adds Thomas. "If you end up with more produce than you need, you can always freeze, can, pickle or share it."

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Make it once, use it twice (or more!)

"When you make a meal," says Martorana, "double the recipe to make extra and freeze it." Or use it later in the week as leftovers or as ingredients in other recipes.

"Freeze leftover veggies to toss into your next soup, pasta or marinara sauce," recommends Holly Clegg of The Healthy Cooking Blog. "And if you don't want the same meal twice, take leftover chicken and turn it into another meal with a quick chicken lasagna or chicken tortilla soup." Even leftover steak can take center stage, continues Clegg, in a Chinese beef stir-fry or as a pizza topping!

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Don't shop on an empty stomach

Make a grocery list and stick to it. Shopping on an empty stomach can lead to buying less-healthy, easy-to-make foods that will satisfy your immediate hunger. "Try resisting temptation by eating a snack or meal prior to shopping," suggests Martorana.

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Buy cheaper meat to slow cook

Use less-expensive cuts of meat for slow-cooked meals such as casseroles or stews. Add extra vegetables and beans to make the meals stretch with more servings, says Martorana.

"Low-priced cuts of meat like chuck and sirloin contain more marbling," adds Colette Heimowitz, vice president of nutrition and education for Atkins. "This makes them flavorful, tender and juicy -- best for slow cooking soups, roasts and braises."

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Eat vegetarian at least once a week
Eating one meatless meal a week saves money and encourages more vegetable proteins and grains like beans and brown rice, says Sarah Ludmer, senior nutritionist for Del Monte.

"Vegetarian proteins such as beans, tofu, eggs and cheese can be far less expensive than meat," explains Martarano. "Try beans in a pasta and vegetable dish, add tofu to a stir-fry, use eggs in a baked frittata or try low-fat cheese and fat-free refried beans in tacos."

Many stores that sell healthier/local foods don't take coupons. The prices of the healthier options are already higher. How do you stay on a budget while still eating healthy?

SKINNY SECRETS

10 Habits of Skinny People

By Sarah B. Weir, Yahoo! blogger | Healthy Living – Tue, Apr 3, 2012 5:00 PM EDT

Simple strategies for healthy weight loss. Has your pattern of weight loss started to resemble the ups and downs of a yo-yo? Shedding pounds and keeping them off comes down to more than jumping on the latest diet bandwagon. In fact, as many as 80% of dieters who reach their goal weight through dieting end up regaining as many or more pounds within two years. Overall lifestyle choices have a greater impact on maintaining a slim figure for the long haul than cutting calories, and science has identified many habits that skinny people have in common.






1. Daily weigh-in


Many diet plans say only step on the scale once a week, but researchers at the University of Minnesota found that once a day is more effective for preventing long term weight gain.




2. Don't skip breakfast


Your mother was right and the statistics are significant. According to the American Journal of Epidemiology, people who skip breakfast are 4.5 times more likely to be obese.




3. Drink water


Researchers at Virginia Tech discovered that people who drank two glasses of water before eating a meal ate less and lost over 30% more body fat over a twelve-week period than those who didn't drink water. Water is crucial for the metabolic process. It's also a calorie-free substitute for the empty calories in soft drinks. Just swapping a serving of water for one large glass of juice or soda can add up more than a thirteen-pound weight loss over the course of a year.




4. Eat whole grains


Break out the brown rice, whole wheat pasta, and whole grain bread. According to the America Journal of Clinical Nutrition, middle-aged women who consumed the most whole grains were significantly thinner and healthier in general than those who consumed the least



Check out the rest of the article HERE!
Are you a person who has never had to worry about your weight? What habits have kept you on the thin side? I religiously practice drinking lots of water, not skipping breakfast, getting 8 hours rest, and moving at work at least every couple hours. How about you? 

BIGGEST LOSER COMPETITION

Michelle Obama on 'Biggest Loser' to fight obesity

• US First Lady Michelle Obama, pictured …

US First Lady Michelle Obama appeared on Tuesday night's episode of "The Biggest Loser" to promote her campaign against obesity -- and has hosted the US diet reality show's first White House workout.

The six competitors still vying for the title of "Biggest Loser" -- the one who loses the most weight -- got the shock of their lives when they were invited to Washington by the wife of US President Barack Obama.

After having makeovers for the occasion, the six contestants met Obama and were reunited with loved ones -- prompting floods of tears of joy.

"Congratulations, you have shown to millions of Americans that each of us can make positive changes in our lives," Obama said in a video message to contestants.

"It's overwhelming for me," said 43-year-old competitor Mark.

The scenes of Obama working out with contestants at the White House are due to air next Tuesday, according to NBC, which broadcasts the program.

DIET BUSTING FOODS - AVOID THESE!!!

This link will dispel some of the diet food myths that many of us buy into and then wonder why we can't lose weight. Check it out for yourself and see if you have ever thought these foods were actually good for you. It just goes to show that food made at home is almost always better than eating out due to the sneaky calories, fat and sodium that are added in takeout/restaurant foods. Happy dieting!!! 

PINK SLIME GROUND BEEF

GOT BEEF

I hope this does gross you out! It is very informative. We all need to know the facts about our food. Enjoy!  :-)

MARCH 24TH CLASS

I'm teaching again at Premier Fitness in Englewood on Tuesday, March 24, 2012. Class starts at 6:30 p.m. I'm bringing new dance moves. Be there or be square!