Friday, July 31, 2015

Fit Tip Friday - Why choose Brown Rice protein?

I like brown rice protein best in my shakes because I feel less bloated and gassy. That is why I choose Vegan Shakeology.
Excellent Amino Acid Profile
Amino acids are the building blocks of muscle, body tissue, the immune system and hormones in the body (among other things). Rice protein contains all essential amino acids, that is amino acids that cannot be synthesized within the human body, thus need to be supplied by the diet.  As a grain-derived protein, rice protein is especially high in cystine and methionine. Despite differences in the amino acid profile to other protein sources, rice protein has been clinically shown as good as whey at building muscle, strength & aiding in exercise recovery.
Low in Heavy Metals
Not all rice proteins are created equal and the benefits outweigh the negatives. All plant foods have some levels of heavy metals that are naturally occurring including spinach, avocados, peanut butter, asparagus and even kale and lettuce.
Vegetarian and Vegan
Brown rice protein powder provides a supplemental source of dietary protein for vegetarians and/or vegans who cannot use animal proteins. Due to advances in protein extraction methods, brown rice protein can successfully be separated from the grain or starch. 
Allergen-Friendly
Some individuals simply cannot tolerate egg, milk and soy-derived protein due to allergies. For example, the milk proteins such as whey, casein, lactoferrin can cause severe allergic reactions that result in effects ranging from nausea, diarrhea/vomiting to even anaphylactic shock.  Brown rice protein powder is suitable for almost any user. It is a naturally free of gluten and rye, barley or wheat-derived ingredients that some manufacturers add to powders or products. 
Muscle Recovery & Strength
Muscles are structures made mostly from protein. Intense physical training or simply every day activities cause muscle to breakdown. The body uses dietary proteins to provide the amino acids for rebuilding your muscles. While the proteins of brown rice are more slowly digested than whey or egg proteins, brown rice still contains essential amino acids needed to rebuild tissue.  
 Thermic Effect of Protein
Proteins have a “thermic” effect, meaning that they create heat in the body through the process of digestion. Since proteins take a lot of energy to digest, you burn more calories after eating a meal high in protein. In fact, up to 30 percent of protein’s calories get burned through its digestion according to “The Abs Diet” by David Zinczenko. Building a weight loss strategy around lean sources of protein like brown rice powder makes nutritional sense.
Blood Sugar
Dietary protein has another important effect on your weight loss efforts. Blood sugar will spike in response to carbohydrate based foods thereby causing the pancreas to secrete the hormone insulin to facilitate the storage of circulating nutrients. Large insulin spikes that result from high or simple carbohydrate-containing meals (e.g. white rice, white bread or sweets) may trigger fat storage and may lead to insulin resistance according to “The Fat Burning Bible” by Mackie Shilstone. This can also lead to subsequent drastic drops in blood sugar which result in fatigue.  Consuming or combining protein with a meal helps to regulate this blood sugar and insulin effect to potentially prevent body fat storage.

Wednesday, July 29, 2015

Tuesday, July 28, 2015

Transformation Tuesday - Randi - grand prizer winner 2014! Lost 150lbs and gained $107,500!!

Wow!!!  I got to see this on stage LIVE at summit when they announced Randi as one of the winners and gave her the check!  And after the celebration, I saw her in the parking lot with her family, calling everyone.  She very much needed this money and was still crying tears of joy when I saw her! This could be any one of you out there wanting to lose weight.  Winners are voted for!

Her coach also received a check for helping her reach her goals...her coach was her sister!  Neat story...see the rest of it here: http://www.teambeachbody.com/teambeachbodyblog/success-stories/100000-grand-prize-winners-of-the-beachbody-challenge-2015?ICID=CT_BLOG_BEACHBODY_CHALLENGE_WINNERS



Monday, July 27, 2015

Meal Monday - 21 day fix approved Mac and Cheese (with Broccoli and Chicken)

Fixate Cookbook Mac and Cheese with Broccoli and Chicken
4 oz of dry whole wheat pasta
4 tsp butter
2 T unbleached whole wheat flour
1 1/2 cups unsweetened almond milk
1 1/4 cups of sharp cheddar cheese
3 cups of chopped, cooked chicken
4 cups of chopped steamed broccoli
1 ts sea salt
1/2 tsp of ground pepper

Cook pasta according to package directions.
Melt better, add flour whisking for 1 minute.
Add flour, cook, and whisk for a minute.
Add almond milk and cook 1 to 2 minutes until thickened.
Reduce heat and add cheese.
Add chicken, broccoli, salt, and pepper and cook til heated through.


Each serving is 1/2 green 1/2 yellow 1/2 red 1 blue 1/2 T

Friday, July 24, 2015

Fit Tip Friday - How to Blanch Green Beans

It's Friday and its garden season!  I have green beans bursting from my ears!  We couldn't possibly eat them all as I pick them.  So how do I preserve them?  I blanch and freeze them!

First you should wash your beans from the garden.

Then, you want to snip the ends, cut them to a practicaly edible shape, and put them in a bowl.

Have a drink handy because this is not the best job. (this is Yuengling)

 While you are doing that, get your water boiling.


Once the beans are in the bowling water, set the timer for 3 minutes. 

Drain them and immediately put them in ice cold water for another 10 minutes.

Take another sip of your drink...it's been about 10 minutes or so...you earned it!


 After the beans have been in cold water for 3 minutes, drain them and let them dry a little on a pan with a paper towel.  You don't want ice to form on those beans when you freeze them.  Use a food saver or put them in an zip lock bag.  Label and freeze!