Drinking enough water didn’t used to be a challenging task “back in the day.”  In the 1900′s there wasn’t 20 different soda choices, Starbucks, various teas, and smoothies.  It’s easy to see why the general public has strayed from our main source of hydration. 

    Some of the best diet advice I ever received was during a program called “Prism.”  This strict whole food diet stressed water, unrefined sugars, and a balanced diet.  It also had support groups once a week and team leaders to help coach you to a better way of eating.  Through this program I got one amazing tip about water that I keep in the back of my mind….  My coach “Jackie” told us that the first thing you drink in the morning sets the tone for the rest of your day.  If you drink coffee you will crave caffine and flavor the rest of the day.  If you drink soda then your will crave sugar and  carbination the rest of the day.  The list could go and on but these fitness tips could help you stay healthy and aid in weight loss.

• Drink water first thing in the morning (nothing before it)
• If you drink coffee, drink the same amount of water to rehydrate your body
• Drink at least half your weight in H2o
• Tired of water??  Drink 1/4 cup of juice with 16 oz of water for flavor
• Find great water recipes to mix it up!
• Drink 2 bottles of water while working out.  This is a great and easy way to consume water while you are hot and thristy.

    Drinking water is partially habit.  In order to estabilish any habit, good or bad, you must give it time and consistancy.  Start your healthy habit now!

Adria Ali

Although both of these sources contain omega fats there is a lot of debate on which one is better for your body.  The vast majority of people understand that the body needs omega fats (healthy fats) to aid in overall nutrition of the heart and the mind.  However, which one of these sources is superior?

Some argue that taking fish oils can be hazardous due to heavy metals and chemicals found in the fish.  However, this can be excluded by taking the right kinds of fish oils that come from cold waters and have proper processing.  My favorite is the Carlson’s brand which can be taken in a pill form or in liquid form (lemon or orange flavor).

For vegetarian, the choice is clear; they take flax.  So, what are people missing out on if they consume flax rather then fish omega fats?  Here are some main differences between the two.

FISH OIL -

• Contains High Levels of DHA and EPA – these have been proven to be the most beneficial in the body because they are the most readily available.  These 2 omega fats have the greatest impact on the heart and brain.

• From DHA and EPA the body can make what is present in flax seed oil, ALA (alpha Lipoic Acid).  This is a smooth process for the body because it is able to convert easily by simply dropping off bonds instead of adding them (chemistry talk

FLAX SEED OIL

• Contains ALA (Alpha Lipoic Acid).  These can then be transformed by the body to create DHA and EPA.

• Although the body has the ability to change ALA into DHA and EPA; elderly people and people with immune problems may have a hard time converting ALA by adding 2 or 4 carbon bonds.

By studying the info above, it’s easy to see that fish oil wins the debate hands down!  Our bodies work hard all day long to process foods, filter toxins, pumping blood and excreting waste.  Using fish oil gives it one less task to do.  By taking flax oils only,  you run the risk of not converting the oils properly to give the body the omega fats that are necessary to aid in brain function, heart function, ward off disease and control inflammation.  Is that a chance you want to take with your body???

Adria Ali

    Sick of wasiting your money on fruit that doesn’t taste good?  ME TOO!  So here are the best ways to pick your fruits to ensure excellent taste and the most antioxidants. 

     Picking fruit can be deceptive sometimes.  Most look for color, fullness, and the texture of the fruit.  However, fruits such as  Apricots, peaches, nectarines, blueberries, cantaloupe, and honeydew all get their sweetness from the sap of the plant.  So looking for these things doesn’t mean you are going to get a great tasting piece of fruit. 

     While some fruits have the ability to continue ripening on your countertops, other stop maturing after they have been picked.  These fruits include, Soft berries, cherries, citrus, watermelon, pineapple, and grapes.  If you try them in the store and they aren’t ripe then they won’t be any better in a couple of days. 

     Here’s some advice from excerpts to help you find the best tasting fruit for your healthy life style….

Melons

      This fruits should smell sweet at the blossom or stem end.  The end should also be tender to the touch.  Another tip is to look at the veins in the skin of the melon.  If the veins are still green then the melon isn’t ripe.  Some chefs actually prefer to chose pale melons over the bright ones.

Peaches And Nectarines

      Touch is the best way to find the right fruit.  Smell can also be a great indicator.  Avoid preaches and nectarines that have any green tint to their skin; this means they were picked before their time.

Cherries

    Look for a deep red coloring.  The stem should be intact and the fruit should feel as though it ready to bust, but not be squishy. 

Berries

     Berries ripeness is dependent on color.  Smell is also an important factor.  For strawberries, avoid ones with white at the top of the berry, this means they were picked too soon.  Look at the leaves of the berry to determine how old they are.  If the leaves are a brownish color then they are probably old.  Look for deep colors as well.

Apples

     Apples should have tight and firm skin.  These fruits should also be firm to the touch and should not have any give.  The apple should also be the right color so make sure you know what color your apples should be. 

Oranges

     Look for bright vibrant colors avoid ones with leathery looking skin which means they are old.

Pears

      Pay attention to touch (must be tender to the touch) and fregrence. 

       Fit Tip Daily could be saving you some cash at the grocery store or farmers market with this article   In return, all we ask is that you keep reading our articles and give us feedback and input when you can. 

Adria Ali

     We thought we would put together some of our favorite recipes that have been featured on the site over time.  These recipes can make your 4th of July low calorie, low fat, and full of guilt free fun. 

Low Glycemic, Low Calorie, Low Fat Pasta Salad

     Ditch the drinks and Make Your Own Flavored Water!

Vitamins And Veggies All In This Tasty Brussel Sprout Recipe

Dairy Free Gluten Free Dessert

Macho Nachos That Keep Your Waist In Check!

Low Calorie, Sugar Free Mixers!

Creamy Zucchini Boat Sliders

    Fit Tip Daily would love to wish you a very wonderful and safe 4th of July.  Eat healthy and stay active!

Adria Ali

1. Always pair your pasta with protein
2. Never use creamy, high fat sauces (such as Alfredo)
3. Portion control is a MUST!  Try to limit your intake to 1 cup cooked
4. Avoid white pastas and opt for whole wheat or brown rice pastas
5. Eat high concentrations of carbs during the daylight hours when you are the busiest.  This way you have time to use and process them instead of storing them.

This is my own personal recipe for pasta salad.  Here’s what you will need

• Trader Joe’s poppy seed dressing
• Trader Joe’s Brown Rice Pasta
• 1 Can of chopped Olives
• 1 Cucumber
• 2 Tomatoes

Boil water and add salt.  Cook pasta until it’s al dente.  Drain pasta and throw it in the freezer or fridge to chill.  Chop cucumbers and tomatoes.  Combine pasta veggies, and 1/4 cup of dressing.  Mix and chill.  If you prefer a sweeter taste then simply add more dressing.

This easy recipe can also be combined with chicken for a more rounded meal.  Keep in mind that this is a “Guilt Free” salad mostly for the fact that brown rice pasta is a “slow processing” complex carb.  Complex carbs release blood sugar in a decreased manner which allows the body to use them more efficiently and prevent them from storing as fat.  Print this article below and save it for the hot months ahead!

Adria Ali

]]> http://fittipdaily.com/guilt-free-pasta-salad-5486/feed/ 1 http://fittipdaily.com/give-your-water-some-zest-with-these-great-recipes-5445/ http://fittipdaily.com/give-your-water-some-zest-with-these-great-recipes-5445/#comments Sat, 22 May 2010 04:51:01 +0000 adreeza http://fittipdaily.com/?p=5445 Even health nuts get tired of always  drinking water with no flavor.  So, we decided to dig up some great recipes to give your water a fresh taste while keeping all the hydrating benefits.

Jillian Michaels Special Detox Water

• One gallon of water (distilled or filtered)
• 4 Tablespoons of Lemon Juice
• 2 tablespoons of 100% cranberry juice
• 2 teabags of Dandelion tea.

Keep in mind that dandelion tea is the main detoxing agent in this recipe and can sometime speed up digestion of food while it flushes toxins out of the body.

1. Cut 10 cucumber slices for one branch of fresh rosemary.
2. Put the cucumber and rosemary in a pitch.
3. Fill the half of the pitcher with ice cubes. Fill with water.
4. Let it macerate in the fridge for 24 hours before serving.

Orange Green Apple Water

1. Slice one orange.
2. Spread some lemon juice on 2-3 slices of green apple
3. Put the apple, the orange, and half a lemon juice in a large pitcher.
4. Fill the half of the pitcher with ice cubes.
5. Fill with water.
6. Let it rest 24 hours in the fridge before serving.

Enjoy their refreshing taste!

Here’s what they have to offer.   Choose from any kind of milk product (skim, low-fat, whole milk, or soy milk).  Then choose the base of your drink, either Mocha, regular, or camel.  Choose your main option as “mocha light frappuccino” or “camel light frappuccino.”  Listed below are the nutrition facts for this drink in a 16 oz drink.

Nutrition Facts Per Serving (16 fl oz)

Calories 140	Calories from Fat 5
	% Daily Value*
Total Fat 1g	2%
Saturated Fat 0g	0%
Trans Fat 0g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 190mg	8%
Total Carbohydrate 34g	12%
Dietary Fiber <1g	4%
Sugars 29g
Protein 4g

Part of losing and maintaining weight loss is knowing how to treat yourself without ruining you whole week.  Using something as simple as this can help you avoid that batch of cookies or that pint of ice cream at the super market.

Adria Ali

1 cup or 8oz of liquid is equal to the size of a baseball

*   1 cup of veggies.

*   1 medium fruit (baseball)

*    1 cup of cereal

*   6 oz of yogurt is equal to 3/4 a baseball

MEATS

*  Chicken and steak – 3 0z is equal to the size and thickness of a deck of cards

*   Fish – 3 0z is the size of a check book

CHEESE

*   One ounce of cheese is equal to 4 dice ( rougly the size of a string cheese)

Peanut Butter / Dried Fruits  / Dressings

*  One ping pong ball is equal to 2 tablespoons of peanut butter / 1/4 cup of dried fruit

*  2 tablespoons of dressing

OILS

*  vegetable oils, olive oils etc.  - One thumbnail is equal to one teaspoon

These are great ways to keep your portions under control.  However, you do have to be honest with yourself!  Don’t visualilze a softball just because your tired and need more carbs to relax.  The best way to get the figure you want is to obey portion control with all your foods (even if they are healthy).  Overindulging in healthy foods can also lead to weight gain.  Eating more often in smaller amount helps to shrink the stomach and lead to weight loss that is maintainable.  One of the best things to do when eating portioned meals is to remind yourself that there will always be more food later.  Some people tend to panic (as if they won’t be able to eat later).  Plan out your meals in your head, know what your eating and when (to the best of your ability).  This way you can be confident in your choices to and control your eating through out the day.

Adria Ali

Ingredients:

2 garlic cloves (sliced thin)

1 small red onion

1 tablespoon of olive oil

1/4 cup of apple cider

1/2 cup Balsamic vinegar

1 1/2 pounds of brussels sprouts … cut with an “x” in the bottom

1/4 teaspoon of pepper

Directions:

Boil Brussels sprouts 6-8 minutes until crisp and tender.  Drain water and cut sprouts into halves.  Heat oil on medium heat and saute garlic, and red onions.  Add apple cider, Balsamic vinegar, and Brussels sprouts.  Cook on high heat, reducing Balsamic vinegar/ cider mixture.  Sprinkle with pepper and plate once the sauce is reduced.  Serves 6.

Calories: 69 / Protein: 1.7 / Fat: 2.6 / Carbs 10.8

This is an easy and tasty recipe to add some variety to your healthy eating plan.

AKA

There will always be that occasion that isn’t planned for.  That outing to the mall that took way too long, your kids game went into overtime, your too tired to cook, or you had to work over time.  In times like these, drive-thus seem easy and alluring.  So, “If your gonna do it,” pick foods that aren’t going to mess up you week of eating healthy.  Here is a list of fit tip approved foods that can keep you on track on the run!