Welcome to my site, where you'll find simple advice and tips on how to live your healthiest, strongest, sexiest life.
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Friday, January 13, 2012
Eating Clean!
Clean It Up-Eat Clean and Green
Eating clean is a simple concept, but the fact is even though American’s are dieting more than ever they are also getting fatter and fatter every day!
Eating clean is a simple concept, but the fact is even though American’s are dieting more than ever they are also getting fatter and fatter every day!
Latest Obesity Statistics
USA Obesity Rates Reach Epidemic Proportions!
- 58 Million Overweight; 40 Million Obese; 3 Million morbidly Obese
- Eight out of 10 over 25's Overweight
- 78% of American's not meeting basic activity level recommendations
- 25% completely Sedentary
- 76% increase in Type II diabetes in adults 30-40 yrs old since 1990
“Eating Clean” is just what it sounds like, a common-sense approach to eating healthy. EC is not a revolution, but an “Evolution.” Back in the 60’s the granola peace lovers were “turned on” by eating healthy, real, whole, unprocessed foods. Now many celebrities and the fitness community are embracing this idea of good, sound nutrition.
There is no need to “diet” and deprive yourself of certain foods, or go on some crazy eating plan that ultimately leads to more weight gain, unstable blood sugar levels and is impossible to maintain. The idea of eating clean is to go to the source....the whole fruit and vegetables, not just the juice. Eat whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy unsaturated fats like olive oil.
Of course it’s not realistic for many people and families to eat completely fresh veggies/fruits/fish/etc. everyday. But you can start to make some gradual changes by incorporating “fresher” choices whenever, wherever you can.
Take a few extra minutes at dinner to make up a salad with some seasonal local veggies chopped into it, use a light healthy dressing like a balsamic vinaigrette or some olive oil and lemon juice.
Choose lean protein. For your carb choose brown rice or whole wheat pastas or grains.
Eating clean is also great for those trying to lose a some weight.
Keep portions in check and make sure you’re drinking lots of water. Stay away from artificially sweetened drinks.
You’ll be helping to reduce excess waste by buying as much local groceries as possible. Good for you, good for the earth!
Eating Clean is eating Green.
Keep it clean, enjoy and have a healthy day.
Laura McDonald
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Spice it Up with No nonsense!
This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of No nonsense for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.
My No nonsense leggings and tights arrived a few days ago just in time to jazz up some of my favorite looks with a pop of color and tons of comfort!
I paired the blue jean style leggings with a cute high-low plaid shirt, added a studded belt and some chunky chains and I was ready to hit the town.
I LOVE these leggings because they are so soft and have the look of jeans but oh so comfy. I can wear them all day long and they also look great with a simple sweater and boots.
A couple of nights later I paired the green tights with my favorite little go-to black dress and wow, what a great,
easy accessory to make a fun fashion statement! I have to be honest, I usually stick to the basic black look for this type of style, but once I added the green tights I was feeling really good, daring and sexy. The green color really added some pizzaz and changed the entire look of my “basic” black uniform.
No nonsense tights and leggings are stylish, modern, affordable and such an awesome way to change up your look and make a statement!
You can also find No nonsense tights and leggings at most food and stores as well as mass retail stores. There couldn’t be an easier way to add some sparkle and style to your wardrobe.
This is really cool, too: There is a new face of No nonsense---Jill Martin! She is stylish yet practical, has her finger on the pulse of the latest trends, and is seen by millions of women as someone to turn to in the event of a fashion crisis.
Keep a look out for Jill, the new brand ambassador. She will be featured in a series of online vignettes that show women how to wear the latest trends that include colored tights and essential leggings. She will also be active on social media, providing fashion tips via Twitter and will be featured in a Facebook contest where a winner and her friend will meet Jill in NYC for a shopping spree and lots of great style advice.
Jill says, “I’ve always been a fan of No nonsense as they are a brand that is available to everyone, is easy to wear and even easier to find. I am really loving the new look of the brand and all the new products,” said Jill Martin. “It’s always exciting when an established company remakes itself and I’m happy to be a part of it. The new tights and leggings are on-trend and very high quality without breaking the bank. They’re just my type of product!”
Start following No nonsense on Twitter (@BeNonsense) and No nonsense on Facebook so you too can be part of this fashion community! I’ll see YOU there and I look forward to seeing your No nonsense creations!
Monday, January 9, 2012
Scavenger Hunt & Road Trip in a Kia Rio!
This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Kia Rio for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.
They say the joy of an adventure is not the destination, but the journey that leads you there. Count me in!
They say the joy of an adventure is not the destination, but the journey that leads you there. Count me in!
I love a good road trip and the challenge of a scavenger hunt. Imagine embarking on your adventure in a sleek, high tech, user friendly vehicle, the Rio Explorer Page! Your prize? Meet a Hollywood Celebrity.
When I heard about the Zip and Dash geocache challenge to Los Angeles in the 2012 Kia Rio 5-door, I wanted to know more and (And I want to go!)
Picture this: You’re on a scavenger hunt accompanied by your best friend. Your challenge is to discover landmarks in L.A. and find hidden clues.
Along the way you must visit 5 locations:
- The Griffith Park Merry-Go-Round--a historic landmark in L.A. that has been running since 1937!
- Amoeba Records--one of the most popular historic music stores in L.A. where you can still find rare vinyl, CDs, tapes and music, even catch a live show!
- Rodeo Drive--(shopping, anyone?) One of the most expensive, swanky, upscale destinations in the world.
- Pinks Hot Dogs--An L.A. favorite serving hot dogs named after Hollywood Celebrities (why not?)
- The Roosevelt Hotel--Smack dab in the middle of Hollywood Blvd where all the action is.
Kia has sent two pairs of best friends on the challenge and the best part is they get to utilize the car’s awesome features to make their way through L.A. in search of Christina Milian! Imagine having these great features at your fingertips: The latest Bluetooth system, an innovative USB input jack, navigation, rear camera display, and the UVO voice powered commands powered by Microsoft!
I think my favorite feature has to be the UVO Technology, which provides cutting edge technology that allows you to personalize your driving experience using the sound of your voice!
The Kia Rio is not only a truly advance car with incredible features, but it’s ricicously safe (gotta love that, too.)
If you watch this you’ll see what I mean! Check it out and let me know what you think!
Now, if I could take this Zip and Dash challenge anywhere? L.A. would be awesome, but how about Chicago? Or San Francisco? Maybe in the Rockies somewhere?
Road trip anyone?
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Thursday, January 5, 2012
5 Simple Stress Busters
5 Simple Stress Busters:
Tackle stress head on! Learning to manage stress better will help you live a healthier and happier life; feel younger and have more energy; enjoy your job, family and friends more; and focus your attention on the things in your life that are truly important.
1. Get moving. This is a no brainer but you have to do it! Regular exercise is one of the best ways to manage stress, lose weight, elevate your mood and feel good. Walking is a great way to get started. If you’re exercising now boost up your routine and challenge yourself for even more stress busting benefits!
2. Clean up your plate. Eat healthier, fresher, cleaner food. Just making a few simple adjustments can make all the difference in how you feel throughout the
day. Eat less packaged foods and more fresh foods and cut down the sugar. This will give you more energy, help regulate your mood and you’ll feel lighter!
3. Get more restful sleep. Good sleep is key to helping reduce stress. Proper sleep can boost your cognition and memory. A nice slumber also helps reduce hormones that cause us to retain belly fat and bad or insufficient sleep can make you cranky and want to overeat!
4. Create balance. Is your day is jammed packed with errands, chores, work, and no downtime? Take a few minutes to examine your daily routine and modify it for better stress control. Making time to do something you enjoy can help you relax!
5. Chill out. Meditation, deep breathing, guided imagery and yoga are all relaxation techniques that encourage you to relax and decrease stress levels. Once you've learned these techniques you can do them on your own at any time throughout your day.
Have a Healthy day,
Laura 
1. Get moving. This is a no brainer but you have to do it! Regular exercise is one of the best ways to manage stress, lose weight, elevate your mood and feel good. Walking is a great way to get started. If you’re exercising now boost up your routine and challenge yourself for even more stress busting benefits!
2. Clean up your plate. Eat healthier, fresher, cleaner food. Just making a few simple adjustments can make all the difference in how you feel throughout the
day. Eat less packaged foods and more fresh foods and cut down the sugar. This will give you more energy, help regulate your mood and you’ll feel lighter!
3. Get more restful sleep. Good sleep is key to helping reduce stress. Proper sleep can boost your cognition and memory. A nice slumber also helps reduce hormones that cause us to retain belly fat and bad or insufficient sleep can make you cranky and want to overeat!
4. Create balance. Is your day is jammed packed with errands, chores, work, and no downtime? Take a few minutes to examine your daily routine and modify it for better stress control. Making time to do something you enjoy can help you relax!
5. Chill out. Meditation, deep breathing, guided imagery and yoga are all relaxation techniques that encourage you to relax and decrease stress levels. Once you've learned these techniques you can do them on your own at any time throughout your day.
Have a Healthy day,
Laura 
Saturday, December 31, 2011
New Year, New Goals, New You!
5 Tips For Successful Resolutions
A Little New Year History:
The celebration of the New Year is the oldest of all holidays dating back to 153 B.C. when Janus, a mythical king of early Rome, was placed at the head of the calendar. The Romans named the first month of the year after Janus, the god of beginnings and the guardian of doors and entrances. He was depicted with two faces, one on the front of his head and one on the back. Therefore he could look backward and forward at the same time. At midnight on December 31, the Romans imagined Janus looking back at the old year and forward to the new. The Romans began a tradition of exchanging gifts on New Year’s Eve by giving one another branches from sacred trees for good fortune. Later, nuts or coins became more common gifts. Although the date for New Year’s Day is not the same in every culture, it is always a time for celebration and for customs to ensure good luck in the coming year.
Other traditions of the season include the making of New Year’s resolutions. That tradition also dates back to the early Babylonians where their most popular resolution was to return borrowed farm equipment! Our more popular and modern resolutions usually include promises like losing weight, saving money or quitting smoking.
OH BABY!
The tradition of using a baby to signify the New Year was begun in Greece around 600 BC. It was the tradition at that time to celebrate their god of wine, Dionysus, by parading a baby in a basket, representing the annual rebirth of that god as the spirit of fertility. Early Egyptians also used a baby as a symbol of rebirth. Babies are still depicted in current New Year’s festivities.
Today—
New Year’s Eve is always an exciting time of year full of hope and renewal. One can truly look away from the past year (and all that we’d like to forget!) and, like Janus, look forward to the year ahead full of new possibilities. Many of us have grand goals as our resolutions which can peter out after a few weeks. The most successful resolutions are the ones that are simple, realistic,and most certainly desired.
Here Are A Few Tips To Making Those New Year’s Resolutions A Reality:
Be Realistic – – – If you’re goal is to lose weight, for example, choose an attainable result. A healthy, realistic goal is 1-2 lbs a week. And have a smaller initial total goal to aim for, say 5 or 10 pounds. Once you lose that weight you can always keep going!
Talk About It – – – The more you talk to your friends and family the more support you’ll get! (And the more accountable you’ll feel.) Find a find a partner or buddy who shares the same resolutions as you. You can motivate and encourage each other, and working with a mate makes the journey more rewarding.
Create A Plan – – – Invest a little of your time researching the pros and cons of your resolution and outline a plan. If you’re going to start working out, plan ahead the days and amount of time you can realistically hit the gym, go for that power walk, bike, etc. Jumping out of the gate with the idea “I’m going to work out 2 hours a day, 7 days a week” is just not realistic and you’re setting yourself up for failure and big disappointment. Keep it specific and realistic!
Reward Yourself – – – Achieving your resolutions shouldn’t be about total deprivation! This doesn’t mean you go nuts and eat a box of chocolates if you’ve had a few good days. Instead, reward yourself with something that doesn’t contradict your goal. Get a manicure, get a massage, go to a movie with a friend, do something for you that is healthy, stimulating, and keeps you on track.
Don’t Give UP - – – After you’ve set your goals, created your realistic plan, gotten your partner and/or support system in place, this is probably the most important tip on the list! We all fall down, fall short, mess it up from time to time. But the only way to succeed is to keep at it. When things get a little off track, take a moment, a deep breath, reach out to a friend, regroup, and get back on track!
Everyday is a new day, and every new day is there for you to do your very best! The experts predict it takes about 3 weeks for a new activity (or removal of an activity) to become a habit and about 6 months for it to become part of your personality, your lifestyle. Don’t give up, keep
track of your progress, keep it simple, work with a buddy, talk about it, make a plan and keep it realistic.
Cheers To You!
Laura McDonald
Let me know what your resolutions are! Let’s talk about the New Year!
A Little New Year History:
The celebration of the New Year is the oldest of all holidays dating back to 153 B.C. when Janus, a mythical king of early Rome, was placed at the head of the calendar. The Romans named the first month of the year after Janus, the god of beginnings and the guardian of doors and entrances. He was depicted with two faces, one on the front of his head and one on the back. Therefore he could look backward and forward at the same time. At midnight on December 31, the Romans imagined Janus looking back at the old year and forward to the new. The Romans began a tradition of exchanging gifts on New Year’s Eve by giving one another branches from sacred trees for good fortune. Later, nuts or coins became more common gifts. Although the date for New Year’s Day is not the same in every culture, it is always a time for celebration and for customs to ensure good luck in the coming year.
Other traditions of the season include the making of New Year’s resolutions. That tradition also dates back to the early Babylonians where their most popular resolution was to return borrowed farm equipment! Our more popular and modern resolutions usually include promises like losing weight, saving money or quitting smoking.
OH BABY!
The tradition of using a baby to signify the New Year was begun in Greece around 600 BC. It was the tradition at that time to celebrate their god of wine, Dionysus, by parading a baby in a basket, representing the annual rebirth of that god as the spirit of fertility. Early Egyptians also used a baby as a symbol of rebirth. Babies are still depicted in current New Year’s festivities.
Today—
New Year’s Eve is always an exciting time of year full of hope and renewal. One can truly look away from the past year (and all that we’d like to forget!) and, like Janus, look forward to the year ahead full of new possibilities. Many of us have grand goals as our resolutions which can peter out after a few weeks. The most successful resolutions are the ones that are simple, realistic,and most certainly desired.
Here Are A Few Tips To Making Those New Year’s Resolutions A Reality:
Be Realistic – – – If you’re goal is to lose weight, for example, choose an attainable result. A healthy, realistic goal is 1-2 lbs a week. And have a smaller initial total goal to aim for, say 5 or 10 pounds. Once you lose that weight you can always keep going!
Talk About It – – – The more you talk to your friends and family the more support you’ll get! (And the more accountable you’ll feel.) Find a find a partner or buddy who shares the same resolutions as you. You can motivate and encourage each other, and working with a mate makes the journey more rewarding.
Create A Plan – – – Invest a little of your time researching the pros and cons of your resolution and outline a plan. If you’re going to start working out, plan ahead the days and amount of time you can realistically hit the gym, go for that power walk, bike, etc. Jumping out of the gate with the idea “I’m going to work out 2 hours a day, 7 days a week” is just not realistic and you’re setting yourself up for failure and big disappointment. Keep it specific and realistic!
Reward Yourself – – – Achieving your resolutions shouldn’t be about total deprivation! This doesn’t mean you go nuts and eat a box of chocolates if you’ve had a few good days. Instead, reward yourself with something that doesn’t contradict your goal. Get a manicure, get a massage, go to a movie with a friend, do something for you that is healthy, stimulating, and keeps you on track.
Don’t Give UP - – – After you’ve set your goals, created your realistic plan, gotten your partner and/or support system in place, this is probably the most important tip on the list! We all fall down, fall short, mess it up from time to time. But the only way to succeed is to keep at it. When things get a little off track, take a moment, a deep breath, reach out to a friend, regroup, and get back on track!
Everyday is a new day, and every new day is there for you to do your very best! The experts predict it takes about 3 weeks for a new activity (or removal of an activity) to become a habit and about 6 months for it to become part of your personality, your lifestyle. Don’t give up, keep
track of your progress, keep it simple, work with a buddy, talk about it, make a plan and keep it realistic.
Cheers To You!
Laura McDonald
Let me know what your resolutions are! Let’s talk about the New Year!
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Vegetarian Chili
Vegetarian Chili
20-30 minutes prep
30-45 minutes cook
6-8 servings
This chili is very hearty, yet so fresh and healthy. I studied a few recipes before I came up with this version, which my whole family loves.
Feel free to add/remove/substitute similar ingredients. Add seasonal, local organic vegetables to the main mix for extra flavor.
Serve a simple green salad on the side and corn-bread...yum!
For garnish
Sour cream (regular or dairy free) or strained plain yogurt
Shredded Cheese (regular or vegan)
Chopped cilantro
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons canola or vegetable oil
- 1 1/2 chopped onion
- 2 tablespoons minced garlic
- 1-2 serrano peppers or jalapeño, seeded and minced, use to taste
- 1 1/2 cup chopped red/green bell pepper (or mixed)
- 1-2 zucchini diced
- 2 portobello mushrooms brushed and chopped into cubes
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 1/4 tablespoons cumin powder
- 1 1/4 teaspoons salt
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon oregano
- Black pepper to taste
- 2 cups fresh corn kernels or 2 cans whole kernel corn (drained)
- 2 cans black beans, drained and rinsed (or you can make fresh beans)
- 1 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed (optional)
- 1 can chopped tomatoes
- 2-3 fresh tomatoes, chopped
- 1 large can tomato sauce
- 1-2 cups vegetable broth (depending on how thick you like)
- Optional: 1 bag meatless ground crumbles (if desired)
- 2 cups cooked brown rice
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro (to taste)
Directions:
Heat oil on medium to high heat in large pot. Add onions, garlic, peppers and serrano/jalapeño peppers and cook, stirring about 3-5 minutes, until soft. Add the corn, mushrooms, zucchini and other fresh veggies you might want to add (not the tomatoes, yet.)
Cook, stirring mixture until veggies are soft (about 5-10 minutes.)
Add all of the DRIED herbs, stir in and cook for one minute. Add in fresh tomatoes and stir well. *Optional: Add the meatless crumbles now if desired.
Then add the canned chopped tomatoes and sauce, beans and stock. Bring to boil, reduce heat and simmer for about 20 minutes.
Adjust seasoning if needed.
Serve over brown rice. Sprinkle on chopped cilantro and top with creams or cheese if desired.
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