Hydrate w/ Coconut Water!

I love drinking coconut water when I'm feeling dehydrated. It is a must have, especially after a strenuous workout. Coconut water is one of the best drinks to hydrate your body. Drinking coconut water on a regular basis will aid your body in healthy digestion and removal of toxins. This water is naturally 99 percent fat free, low in carbs and sugars. Who needs Red Bull when you have a natural energy drink?

Coconut water is packed with a ton of health benefits, including the following:

• It is more healthful than whole milk (no cholesterol) and orange juice (lower calories)
• It has the ability to raise your metabolism and boost your immune system
• A ton of electrolytes - necessary to replenish after a workout
• Coconut water promotes healthy weight loss, controls diabetes and treats kidney stones
• It also aids your body in fighting viruses that cause the flu, herpes, and AIDS

I recommend fresh coconuts to obtain all of the goodness inside. If you need assistance with opening coconuts, click here. If this is too much work, you can always grab a VitaCoco - which is non-pasterurized (I love the pineapple flavor).

Do you like drinking coconut water?

Get me to the GREEK...

yogurt, that is! I am a huge fan of eating yogurt, but have been converted to eating Greek yogurt in place of my traditional non-fat yogurts. I have to forewarn you that with its thick consistency, Greek yogurt is an acquired taste. If at first you are not crazy about the taste, keep eating, I guarantee you that you'll go back for more! The only brand that I have tried thus far is Chobani and I have had each the blueberry, peach and blood orange flavors. The blueberry is an all time favorite.

Let's take a closer look at Greek yogurt, its origination, the health benefits and some concerns.

According to my research, Greek yogurt is a yogurt that has been "strained in a cloth or paper bag filter to remove the whey, giving it a consistency of yogurt and cheese." If you  have not heard of whey, read more here. Most strained Greek yogurt, unlike regular yogurts, is made from real milk and has no added fat. Strained yogurt is a tradition for countries in the Eastern Mediterranean, hence the name.

Health benefits:

• Greek yogurt is high in calcium. A 6 oz. cup will give you 20% of the federal daily recommended value.
• Greek yogurt is a natural source of probiotics. Eat this yogurt for healthy digestion and to boost your immune system.
• Greek yogurt is high in protein. If you are a vegetarian, Greek yogurt may be more appealing to you, as this is a delicious alternative to obtaining a good amount of protein. A typical serving contains 15-20 grams of protein, which is equivalent to 2-3 ounces of lean meat.
• Greek yogurt is low in carbs. If you are a habitual carb counter, this yogurt is for you! This yogurt has roughly 1/2 the amount of carbs as the traditional yogurts. Also, during the straining process, Greek yogurt loses some of the lactose and milk sugar, which is good for those who are lactose intolerant.
• Greek yogurt is low in sodium. I have recommended this yogurt to those who have high blood pressure or diabetes. The sodium in Greek yogurt is again about 1/2 the amount in regular yogurts.

Concerns:

• Greek yogurt is high in saturated fats. Be sure to check the nutrition labels on Greek yogurt. You will want to select the yogurt that is low-fat or fat free.

If you are buying plain Greek yogurt, research the various ways you can substitute it for other cooking items, such as sour cream, butter and even heavy cream!! 

Tell me about your experience eating Greek yogurt in the comment section below. I hope you enjoy the taste as much as I do.

Almond Milk

I have always been a fan of drinking milk, until I grew an intolerance to lactose. I spent a small time drinking soy milk, then I found that it was not the healthiest choice for my thyroids. At that point, I decided to give almond milk a try and I haven't looked back since!

Almonds are a good source of energy. They are packed with magnesium, which helps the body convert energy more efficiently. Almonds will also help you to manage your weight and provide your diet with healthy fats.

If you are wondering what other health benefits can be achieved by eating (or drinking) almonds, take a look at a list I found on care2.com. I encourage you to pick up a carton of Almond Milk the next time you're at your grocery store! If you are a little fearful of the taste, the vanilla flavor is one that I highly recommend.

Being Healthy in 2013: Tip 4

Don't forget that sleep is essential for living a healthy life! Reenergize with solid rest to maintain healthy weight and to prepare for the day ahead. If you are getting at least 7-8 hours a rest a night, you're in good shape!

Being Healthy in 2013: Tip 3

Be ACTIVE! Make a commitment to get at least 150 minutes of exercise every week. That's only 30 minutes of activity 5 days a week! Be sure to include strength, cardio and flexibility components, such as yoga!

Being Healthy in 2013: Tip 2

Eat from the rainbow... Select simple ingredients such as red tomatoes, green spinach, and golden nuts. Along with fresh meats, dairy, and beans. These foods will not only add color to your plate, but also ensure a nutrient-rich meal.

New Location!

The Mosaic on Hermann Park

As of today, I have an office space! I was so blessed to meet such a great person, who opened up his wellness center for me to conduct nutrition counseling services.

With that being said, if you are in the Houston area, please contact me to schedule an appointment! I would love an opportunity to assist you with living a healthier life through total mind and body.

I am truly thankful!

For more details, please visit the Mosaic Wellness Center website.

Being Healthy in 2013: Tip 1

As you know health & wellness is probably one of the top 5 New Year's Resolutions in the United States. Over the next couple of posts, I will let you know how you can commit to healthy habits in 2013. Its very simple, if you are able to incorporate four tips into your daily routine.

The first tip is to shrink & multiply your meals. Try eating smaller, but frequent meals. This will assist you with burning calories. Gauge your hunger by eating when you feel "moderately" hungry and stop when you are comfortable and not full.

Stay tuned, as I share more tips with you! 

Happy 2013!! Make it a healthy year!

Eating for Nutrient Sake!

I'm not normally the one to be found counting my calories, but I discovered a nice food pyramid on Dr. Fuhrman's website and I thought I would share! I do not plan on boring you with my synopsis of what I soaked up, instead, please click on the doctor's name to learn more about the Nutritarian Pyramid.

Enjoy!

Happy New Year!

My New Year's Day Meal

If you were raised in the South, like me, you're probably aware of what traditions say to eat on the 1st day of every year! Though you have options with your choice of meat, the two staple sides are black eyed peas & collard greens. For your meat, you can eat fish or pork. Since I am not a pork eater, I opted for a parmesan crusted tilapia. The meal is believed to bring about good fortune, as the collards represent folded money, the black eyed peas are to signify coins and fish...good harvest!

I am excited about what this year has to offer!! I hope you had a safe night in OR out!! Cheers to 2013!

If you are interested in this recipe, please contact me at jennifer@food-mood.org.