Spring

HAPPY SPRING!!! 

Today is the first day of spring and I couldn’t be more excited!  Bring on the warmer weather!  Springtime is a great reminder that it’s never too late to start something new.  Break of your winter hibernation and get moving!  Here is a PERFECT circuit workout for you! 

Have a WONDERFUL weekend!!!

Breakfast

Breakfast.  It’s the most important meal of the day!  It sets the tone for the rest of our meals and literally “breaks the fast” from our night of slumber.  

 

Some people skip breakfast because they aren’t hungry or they are looking to lose weight.  But this can often do more damage than anything!  People who skip breakfast are more likely to eat larger meals later on in the day or have heavier snacks to ward off the hunger.  Many studies have been done and show that people that skip breakfast tend to gain more weight and give in to more cravings than those that eat breakfast.  And it’s even more important that kids eat breakfast!  Their growing brains need that fuel to perform their best throughout the rest of the day! 

 

So what should you eat for breakfast?  Well first, you want to make sure it’s the right kind of breakfast.  Leftover pizza or sugary cereal will not be as beneficial as other things.  And if you’re like me, you’re short on time in the morning!  So here is a list of some healthy options!

• Oatmeal – Oats are great!  You can make oatmeal a billion different ways.  Add fresh fruit, cinnamon, nuts, dried fruit, flax seeds, chia seeds…. You can mix it up dry with peanut butter, a few dark chocolate chips and honey.  Make it how you like it!
• Greek Yogurt – This is another food that can be made a ton of different ways!  Add fruit, cinnamon, honey, nuts…..You name it!
• Fruits – Grapefruit, bananas, watermelon, cantaloupe, blueberries, strawberries, kiwi, raspberries………..Make a fruit salad!
• Eggs – You can’t go wrong with eggs.  It’s a great protein and you can add all kinds of veggies to it!  Score!
• Cereal – Not Capn’ Crunch or Lucky Charms….but healthy cereal.  There are many good varieties in the stores.  Kashi, Cascadian Farms, Nature’s Path……read the labels!  You’re looking for high fiber and low sugar!
• Whole Wheat or Gluten Free Bread Products – Toast, English muffins, etc.  But skip the butter and jelly and add almond butter or a fruit. 
• Shakes/Smoothies – This is my go-to breakfast.  It’s quick and easy.  Just make sure to pick ingredients and protein drinks that have healthy ingredients and no garbage!  

 

 

 

 

 

So wake up in the morning and fix yourself a nice, big, healthy breakfast!  You deserve it!  Have a wonderful weekend!

Brain Power

We all know exercise is good for us.  But did you know it was really good for your BRAIN?!!  Check it out: 

So get up, get moving and get SMART!  J  Have a wonderful weekend!!!

Bad Breath

Has this ever happened to you?  You decide to go for the onions at lunch and then realize you have a meeting at 2:00?  Halitosis.  It’s real.  And it’s something that can affect all of us at some point!  

 

There are some common causes of bad breath.  Certain medications, bad oral hygiene, respiratory/sinus infections, skipping breakfast, mouth breathing, smoking, illnesses and of course foods (garlic, onions, coffee, sugary foods, alcohol, dairy foods, citric juices and red meat) can all cause bad breath.  Of course the biggest culprit is bacteria.  That’s why it’s important to have good oral hygiene and visit the dentist regularly!  Drinking TONS of water also helps (Is there anything water can’t do?!!) by flushing bacteria away and rinsing out the mouth.  Here is also a list of foods that naturally help to eliminate bad breath. 

I hope everyone has a WONDERFUL, stinky breath free weekend!

Snack Time

I love a good snack.  And even better than a good snack is a HEALTHY snack!  One I don’t feel guilty about.  And as a parent…..I find it challenging to make sure my kids are snacking healthily.  We all want convenience and something easy.  I ran across this blog post on the Mealfit website the other day.  I thought it had some very good information!  7 Healthy Kids Snacks  They list hand fruit, cheese sticks, nut butter, eggs, Greek yogurt, Emergen-C and pepperoni as their go-to snack foods.  They also goes into detail about some of the good and bad for each item.  I have my own favs that I try to keep handy.  Cuties, bananas, seed crackers, hard cheeses, hummus, carrots, Annie’s prepacked snacks, dried fruit and nuts…..And the list goes on and on.  It’s just important to be prepared so you don’t have a snack emergency! J What are some of your favorite healthy snacks?!

Have a WONDERFUL weekend!!!  Stay safe and warm!!!

Valentine's Day!

I’m a sucker for a theme……….And what a better time to “theme it up” than Valentine’s Day?!!  Hearts EVERYWHERE!!!  Papa Murphy’s usually sells heart shaped pizzas and word on the street is …..Sam’s has heart shaped steaks!  And if you’re like me and you are rolling into Valentine’s Day at the last minute……this memo just may help you!  J 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And if all else fails and the above images don’t inspire you……....remember what day it is tomorrow and SHARE SOME LOVE!!!  It’s good for the heart and great for the soul!  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Have a WONDERFUL weekend everyone!!!

Laugh

My last few memos have been serious and filled with a lot of information.  But sometimes you just need to laugh!  Laughing is great for you!  Everytime you laugh, endorphins (the body’s “feel good” chemical) are released! So go ahead……chuckle a little bit!  Your body needs it!   #lol 

Have a WONDERFUL weekend!!!