Tasty Tuesday Treat #76

Having learned early from my beach loving family, a perfect summer day is spent gazing at the ocean and soaking in the sun.  During those hours, conversations are shared, good books are read and simple beach bites are enjoyed.

Yesterday, before plopping down into the sand, I prepared a new beach bite that was a spin off of this roasted sweet potato sandwich.  Rather than lathering on thick pesto and crumbled blue cheese, I made a ricotta/honey spread that acted as my "mayo."  For my next layer, I added 1/4 of a cup of roasted sweet potatoes, topped with thinly sliced green apples and some roughly chopped kale.  

I can honestly say that it was love at first bite!

((Photo Source:  http://www.twopeasandtheirpod.com/roasted-sweet-potato-sandwich-with-apples-pesto-kale-and-blue-cheese/))

Mindful Monday Inspiration #76

((Photo Source:  Unknown))

Fitness Friday Fact #76

Recently I decided to subscribe to Barre3 so that I could do my Barre workouts at times that were convenient for my schedule.  Of the classes that I have streamed thus far, I have been incredibly impressed by the variety of workouts and the physical outcomes that I have experienced.

Today, at the end of my 60 minute sweat session, I learned about a modification to one of my most favorite yoga poses; pigeon.  The instructor called the move seated half pigeon and it had my hips feeling equally as opened as if I had performed the tradition pose.  

If you are not yet a Barre3 subscriber, check out these four variations to pigeon pose.  Your tight hips will certainly thank you!

((Photo Source:  http://www.peanutbutterrunner.com/four-pigeon-variations-to-stretch-tight-hips/))

Thursday's Trend Alert Dirt Report #75

Across the board, Registered Dietitians agree that one of the BIGGEST weight lost mistakes that an individual can make is "steering clear of healthy fats."  Since the 1970's, people have missed out on this macronutrient because it was deemed "unhealthy."  Rather than indulging in a handful of nuts or a slicing into an avocado, those who lived their life by the "false fat claim" made a habit of munching on sugar-rich, refined-grain products, simply because they were labeled as "low in fat", aka "HEALTHY."  

Knowing now that moderate amounts of fat in a diet aid in satiety, raise good HDL cholesterol, prevent belly fat build up and boost brain function, the FDA "re-evaluated its definition of what counts as a healthy food."  Stemming from a complaint made by the maker of KIND bars, the new definition includes healthful fats, like those found in nuts, as part of a good diet.  

With fats "fine tuned", the FDA has recently moved onto another vittle villain, SALT.  The verdict is still out, but stay tuned to hopefully see another HEALTHY victory!  

((Photo Source:  http://www.justsimplyhealth.com/nuts-benefits/))