Monthly Archives: November 2009

Grilled Fruit, Nature’s Natural Candy

Posted by Doug Doug 9,November 2009 Leave a comment
fruit
We are entering the holiday season, a time when sugar-and-fat laden desserts will materialize wherever you go. Wait! Before you forego your fitness goals for another piece of pie, try this simple recipe.

Fruit is nature’s candy – it’s sweet, delicate and delicious. Grilling fruit extracts the natural sugar, making it a warm, tasty treat. Serve seasonal grilled fruit for dessert this holiday season – you’ll lose weight without depriving your taste buds.

Yield: 2 servings

Here’s what you need:

  • 1 mango (or apple, pear, melon, pineapple)
  • 1 banana (or fig, apricot, papaya, peach, nectarine)
  • Dash of cinnamon *optional*
  • Grill pan
  • Non-stick cooking spray
  • Wooden skewers
  1. Submerge wooden skewers in water for 15 minutes. Cut fruit into chunks, thread onto skewers.
  2. Lightly spray a grill pan over medium heat. Place the fruit skewers in the pan. Sprinkle with cinnamon, if desired.
  3. Grill for 5 minutes, or until dark grill lines appear. Flip the fruit over and grill the other side.

Nutritional Analysis: One serving equals: 120 calories, .5g fat, 31g carbohydrate, 3g fiber, and 1g protein

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21 Healthy Snacks while dieting or for better health.

Posted by Doug Doug 9,November 2009 Leave a comment

Small Organic Apple, 1 ounce turkey slices

Protein Drink

Salad Greens with 1 ounce protein (tofu, chicken,tuna,turkey,turkey bacon, etc..)

2-3 ounces white tuna with favorite dressing (1-2x week because of mercury levels) mixed with your favorite dressing (I like bbq, Annies terriyaki or Paul Newman’s balsamic and raspberry vinaigrette.)

Sliced fruit mixed with organic plain Greek yogurt (Brown Cow) or organic yogurt (Wallaby)

Brown rice cake topped with apple butter or raw almond butter

Thin slice low fat cheese, organic carrots

Handful of organic nut and dried fruit mix (1-2 ounces)

Kind bar and an orange

2-3 Wasa Crackers with organic hummus

Chopped up Veggies

2 ounces Grilled Chicken

1/4 cup brown rice mixed with black beans,tofu or lentils.  Top with pico de gallo

Organic low fat oat bar, green tea

Hard boiled egg and small banana or sliced fruit

1 cup Organic Low fat cottage cheese with added pineapple in its own juice.

8 ounces fresh squeezed juic and veggie blend

Handfull of raw, organic nuts

1/2 cup organic low fat cottage cheese with added chopped turkey or turkey bacon slices

1/2 cup of brown rice with chopped up grilled chicken and salsa

1 cup high fiber cereal (Natures Path or organic oatmeal) : 1-2 x week if carb craving.

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Can Hypnosis Help?

Posted by Doug Doug 6,November 2009 Leave a comment

Hypnosis is a state in which a person becomes highly responsive to suggestions.  It is focused concentration, otherwise known as “trance,” when your consciousness is altered through the narrowing of attention. You are actually hyper-attentive in this state. Your imagination can be heightened and you are thoroughly relaxed.  You “tune out” the outside world…yet you are always in complete control.  If you are profoundly relaxed and have trust, you will accept your own beliefs without judgment.  It is not like sleep at all….more like daydreaming. 

 Hypnosis uses the power of your subconscious mind to keep you on track and break all those unwanted habit patterns that are holding you back. Being in a state of deep relaxation we can create desired changes in behavior to encourage both physical and mental well-being.  Habits and stress reactions (like eating when your nervous) become subconscious behavior…and hypnosis can change or get rid of your habit at the subconscious level.

 You are actually in a form of Hypnosis when you are driving, reading or watching a movie. 

 What are the benefits of Hypnosis? 

Hypnosis was approved as a successful modality by Pope Pius XII in 1956 and by the American Medical  Association in 1958.  Hypnosis aids in memory retention, helps manage pain and has been shown to be very effective in reducing, in some cases eliminating, blocks & habits.  It can help build self-confidence, overcome fears, speed-up healing after surgery, relieve stress & nervousness and improve sports performance.

 Misconceptions

  • Loss of Consciousness - Many people think that when you are Hypnotized you are unconscious. NEVER!  A Hypnotized person will be even more awake during Hypnosis than before it.
  •  Reveling Secrets -  NO WAY!  Client is aware at all times – there is nothing you would say under hypnosis that you would not say out of Hypnosis.
  •  Fear of NOT coming out of Hypnosis -  CAN’T HAPPEN!  You are the one creating your own experience.  You induce your trance and will revive yourself whenever you feel necessary.

 When to use Hypnosis

Hypnosis can be used to maximize skills, break habits or enhance confidence.  Hynposis can be used successfully for myriad applications

Summary: Hypnosis is worth a try if you can’t control your stress levels, anxiety or make behavioural changes that hinder your weight loss.  Call your local hospital or medical professional for a referral if possible.
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Genetics can be unfair.

Posted by Doug Doug 3,November 2009 Leave a comment

So, there I was the other day in the seat getting my hair cut.  The hair stylist walks up and says ” I’ll be cutting your hair today.  My name is Maria.”

Yes, she was 5’5″ and a complete knockout. Fit, slender and an angelic face.  Naturally, we talked and I asked, ” You obviously workout! “ 

All of the sudden, three of the hairdressers surrounding my chair busted out laughing saying ” Ya right!”.  ” She eats meatball subs, Mcdonalds blah, blah, blah….”.

To add to the shock factor, she was 41 and looked no older than 28.  I’m still blown away.  I was ready to pull my phone out and take a pic but really didn’t want to be arrested.

The moral of the story:genetics is a key factor in the way you look and can be unfair to most of us.  However, don’t get discouraged if your body doesn’t change overnight.  Just keep your eye on your goal and try to en corporate various ways to getting fit; yoga, boxing, pilates, resistance training, plyometrics, dancing, hiking,….and the list goes on.  Anyone can look their best if they try!

Motivation Tip:  Sometimes I don’t feel like running, lifting etc.. and I think to myself ,” What if I could never run again?  Do a curl again? Wrestle again? “  That question always puts adrenaline into my body and makes me want to take advantage of that moment I have to do the things I like to do.  Ask yourself, ” What if I could never _____ again?”  This is fitness related by the way, lol.

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