Caught up in the DRAMA?

Is your life like a soap opera? Do you often think, "I could really star in my own reality show with all this BS that is surrounding me..." Are you caught up in the DRAMA, that you're calling YOUR LIFE? Then it's time to STOP, BREATHE and REEVALUATE what your placing importance on.
DRAMA "a way of relating to the world in which a person consistently overreacts to or greatly exaggerates the importance of benign events."

This isn't the theatre, this is your LIFE! Live it with purpose! And the best way to do that is to look outside of yourself and see how you can help another person. The "one good deed a day" concept will set you free of that selfishness that has you only focusing on yourself and your needs. And in time, all the good you give to the world will come back to you tenfold! BUTonly if you do good things, not for your own personal gain, but to simply bring more light to the world. Fill your heart, your world, YOUR LIFE with goodness, not drama.

 HOW TO GET STARTED ON THE "ONE GOOD DEED A DAY" CONCEPT:-

Call an old friend, and LISTEN

Buy two cups of coffee this morning, and give one away

Donate those clothes that are gathering dust in your closet, to someone in need

Be happy, truly happy for someone when they tell you about the good fortune in their life, never envy the goodness someone else is receiving.

SIMPLE ACTS OF KINDNESS that's all it takes to hang up your "drama queen" sign and bring HAPPINESS into YOUR LIFE

AND check out the "One Good Deed" a day book, now in bookstores. A memorie by Erin McHugh that follows her through a year of good deeds, and how that changed her life. It might just change yours, for the good!

Eat your OATMEAL....COOKIES, that is!

Happy Friday B-fitters! I adore the weekends, as I am sure you do, too! It's so nice to unwind and have a little time to yourself and with your loved ones. And one of my favorite things to do on the weekend is make cookies! I have some cookie monsters in my house, so I am always looking for the next best yummy creation to make them! Of course, a cookie is a cookie is a cookie, that is even if the recipe is lowfat, well you have to still eat in moderation. But I do believe that you CAN make your cookies and EAT them too!! (and I am a cookie dough girl, myself!) So here's a great recipe, (thanks to Gina at skinnytaste.com)  for lowfat oatmeal cookies, 'cause you got to eat your oatmeal, right?

ENJOY!-FoodieGIRL

Low Fat Chewy Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies



Servings: 15 • Serving Size: 2 cookies •
Calories: 190 • Fat: 6.3 g • Protein: 2.6 g • Carb: 34.2 g • Fiber: 2.0 g • Sugar: 19.3 g


1 cup all purpose flour

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

2 tbsp unsalted butter, room temperature

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup unpacked brown sugar

1 large egg

1/4 cup unsweetened apple sauce

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

2 cups quick oats

3/4 cup dark chocolate chips



Directions:



Preheat oven to 350°; line two baking sheets with parchment paper or use a silpat.



In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. In a large bowl, with a mixer, cream together the butter and the sugars on medium speed.



Add the egg, followed by the applesauce and vanilla extract.



Working by hand, stir in the flour mixture and the oats until just combined and no streaks of flour remain; stir in the chocolate chips.



Drop heaping tablespoonfuls (approx 1 tbsp each) of the dough onto prepared baking sheets, flattening each cookie slightly (I forgot to do this). Bake for about 10-12 minutes, or until cookies become light brown at the edges.



Let cool on baking sheet for 3 or 4 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.



Store in an airtight container so you don't eat them all in one sitting!



Makes about 30 cookies roughly 1 tbsp each.

Egg whites, not as plain as you think!

Egg whites.....a great source of protein and they come in a convenient box (see above :) and whatever brand you buy, you know you have a quick go-to power-packed protein punch in your day. But are you more the yolk type? That's ok, let's take a collective breath and mantra together "Everything in moderation". BUT that doesn't mean you should shy away from the egg whites forever......why you ask? Well, because they can be used in a variety of ways, not just scrambled! And here's how......

Use egg whites in your recipes to lower the fat content. Conveniently on the side of the box they label how to measure for recipes.

Smoothies! Yes, these boxes of egg white are pasteurized so you can use the liquid egg white in a smoothie! Extra protein boost in a smoothie and you won't even know it's there!

Put the egg whites in a mug and top with your favorite toppings, cheese, lowfat turkey sausage, or ham, whatever tickles your fancy, and microwave for 1 min (and maybe a 1/2) and you have an egg white scramble! Pop onto your favorite piece of multigrain bread (toasted) and you have a power-packed breakfast on the go!

Making your own breaded and baked chicken cutlets or nuggets? Dip chicken into whole wheat flour, egg whites, panko bread crumbs and bake! 375 degrees 20 minutes. And you have yourself a lowfat crunchy treat!

It's all about the JOURNEY

You've heard that saying before, right?
"It's not all about the destination, but the steps you take along the way..... the journey, if you can sit back and enjoy it, can be so sweet!"
And ain't that the truth! But living in the moment can be difficult, especially when we cloud our lives with so much "busy". But remember the "busy" around YOU, was created by YOU. So if you can take a step back and reassess what's most important in your life, you can then give yourself permission to be free of unwanted stress and activities that are clouding your Ch'i (your life energy) We all want good Ch'i, right? ;)

So learn to say "no" to things that don't support your health journey, that's mind, body and soul! And take those steps on your journey that will provide you with strength and focus, not bog you down with unwanted stress. You are the creator of your own paradise, and that destination can be found only in the journey, your journey!
This one's for you! Take a listen and be inspired.....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfUYuIVbFg0

Breakfast is on the GO!

I am always running out the door in the morning, but I never forget about that most important meal of the day, BREAKFAST! Without breakfast, I would crash mid-morning and end up falling off the healthy wagon at some point during the day; overeating on something less than good for me! And that's what happens to everyone! And did you know that people who eat breakfast are 10X more likely to stick to a healthy lifestyle of eating well and exercising, and maintaining their healthy weight? Yep that's true! 
SO, stop making excuses, you have to eat something for breakfast! And here is any easy way to start.......
These are my go-to breakfast biscuits when I need to pop something into my bag as I'm running out the door. Easy to eat in the car, it's a must have for this FoodieGIRL.

BELVITA BREAKFAST "CRISP" BISCUITS

Biscuits specially designed for breakfast.

In flavors like chocolate, cinnamon/sugar and blueberry, you're going to love them!

 "Belvita is a range of biscuits specially designed for breakfast. Made with wholegrain, rich in cereals, a source of fibre and containing a selection of vitamins and minerals, these delicious crunchy biscuits have been scientifically proven to slowly release carbohydrates over 4 hours*. Belvita Breakfast gives you energy for the whole morning."

CHECK OUT ALL THE GOOD FOR YOU GOODNESS ON THE Belvita WEBSITE:

http://www.belvitabreakfast.co.uk/

Back to School!~The Snack List

WOW! Back to school already?! Well, whether you're starting back this week, or in just a few, I've got ya covered on a list of "go-to" snacks for both you and your little people, as you all work hard on being healthy and staying energized throughout the day. Knowledge is power, but FOOD will provide the FUEL!

Lowfat Yogurt... *or go "greek" great, provides a lowfat, high protein snack that will definitely keep everyone satisfied and on the move!

Granola bars (low sugar)

Goldfish (staple for most kiddos!)

Make your own snack mix, include nuts, dried fruits, and/or dark chocolate for a little antioxidant power

Veggies and fruit ( cut it up the night before and put into baggies, for a quick on the go item to pop into your bag, or their lunchbox)

Smoothies (measure out those ingredients so you don't make a calorie bomb, but great way to sneak in veggies, into a fruit smoothie, or some extra protein by adding yogurt, or peanut butter (or any great nut-free alternative spread, is wonderful, too!)

Popcorn (lowfat and delcious!)

Back to Nature (great brand of all natural snacks, found on your health food or vegetarian aisle of grocery store) they have wonderful, cookies, crackers and chips that provide a crunch without all the "bad for you" junk of it's competitors ;)

NEED more ideas, and some LUNCH one's too? This is my favorite website for just that.......
http://www.healthy-kids-snacks.com/

Taking a moment for you! (with a slice of banana chai bread)

What am I craving today? Well a cup of hot tea and a slice of banana bread! I love that moment in the day when I can just sit and reflect, even if just for a few minutes, and reboot my mind. Sure it's hard to find a moment in the day for yourself, life is busy! But it's so important to take time for yourself, even if that time is just 10 minutes, short, it will provide your body and mind with a much needed boost to finish the day, positively and strong! So however you relax, a power nap, meditation, a cup of tea and a slice of banana bread, take that moment and savor the good around you. It's all apart of your B-FIT4U health journey! 

BANANA CHAI BREAD!
(my favorite tea and dessert bread all in one, and lowfat!)

Ingredients


1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour1 tablespoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt3/4 cup white sugar1/2 cup lowfat cream cheese

2 eggs

3/4 cup mashed bananas

1/4 cup brewed chai tea

Directions

1.In a medium bowl mix together flour, baking powder, and salt.

2.In a separate bowl mix sugar, cream cheese, and eggs until light and fluffy. Mix mashed bananas and Chai into cream cheese mixture. Add flour mixture and mix until smooth.

3.Pour mixture into a greased 9x5 inch loaf pan.

4.Bake in a preheated 350 degree F(175 degrees C) oven for 60 minutes. Cool on rack. Remove from pan after 10 minutes.

Nutritional Information
Amount Per Serving Calories: 164
Total Fat: 2.9g
Cholesterol: 41mg

DID YOU KNOW?
Pair with a green tea to help boost your metabolism! Green tea is also full of antioxidants, and studies have shown it can lower cholesterol and fight cancer. So drink up that tea!