Get Ready to "Squash" Those Cravings!

I found this recipe on the weekend and had to share it with you! This is a super simple way to make a tasty guilt-free dessert and make use of plentiful pumpkins!

1 cup nonfat vanilla yogurt, strained
1 cup pumpkin puree
1 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1 PGX singles packet

I suggest adding some cinnamon, ground nutmeg and ground ginger to taste if you lke it spicy!

Mix everything together in a large mixing bowl until completely combined. Churn the mixture in an ice cream maker for a few minutes until it is a smooth, cool consistency. Don't have an ice cream maker? No problem! Just place the bowl in the freezer and stir mixture every half hour until it reaches desired consistency.

Image & recipe: My Fitness Pal

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day but skipping it could be inadvertently packing on the pounds! Does your morning meal include a cup of coffee with side order cream and sugar? A slice of toast as you rush out the door? Having breakfast is not only a great way to ease into the day but it's great for your digestive system and metabolism.  

Here are the top 5 reasons you shouldn't skip breakfast:

1.  Rev Up Your Metabolism: Skipping meals can cause your metabolism to slow down. 

2. Energy Boost: Researchers found that people had more enegry throughout the  day when they ate a high-fiber breakfast compared with people who ate a high-fat breakfast. 

3. Memory Boost: According to a study high-energy foods for breakfast boosts short-term memory! 

4. Eat Less:  Those that ate breakfast were found to eat less later in the day according to researchers, compared with people who skip their morning meal.

5. Better Blood SugarLevels:  Breakfast-eaters are more likely to have good blood sugar levels and have less sugar highs and lows later on in the day.

Share your favorite healthy breakfast in the comments below!

Image source: MedicsIndex

No matter how good the intentions, it can be difficult to curb cravings for sweet or salty foods. The occasional indulgence is no cause for concern but frequent cravings could be a sign of unbalanced blood sugar. Instead of reaching for a high-calorie sugary treat try these alternatives:

• Are you hungry or thirsty? Drink a big glass of water. Your body loves it.

• Too hungry, too often? Fill up on fibre! Soluble fibre fills you up and makes you feel fuller, longer.

• Sugar craving? Grab a piece of fresh fruit or blend a frozen fruit smoothie; naturally sweet nutrition.

Salt and crunch craving? Skip the chips! Crunch some celery or an apple slice. Sprinkle with salt if you like, or better yet dip it in natural peanut butter! You’ll get some crunch, some salt and some fat and protein too!

Stay satisfied, eat healthy and lose weight by spreading your caloric intake throughout your day.

Although eating healthy, nutritious food is half the batltle with weight loss, sometimes one of the biggest challenges people face is figuring out portion and calorie control. With many of us, overeating may happen by accident: waiting too long before eating something and then ravenously consuming more than our body needs; or eating too fast in general.

So, we thought that we would put together a quick guide with 5 simple ways to help you spread your calories throughout your day, enabling you to intake less calories total and, ultimately, shed those pounds!

5 Ways to Spread Your Calories

1. Have a good breakfast with adequate protein and fibre (if your breakfast is lacking fibre, sprinkle on some PGX!)
   
2. Have a small healthy snack mid-morning
3. Have a healthy lunch
4. Have another healthy snack in the afternoon (a serving of plain yogurt with bran cereal, for example)
5. Go head and "spoil your appetite"; eat a high volume, low calorie snack to reduce your appetite before your dinner

And don't forget! When purchasing PGX Daily products, look for the ones with a BONUS pack of PGX Daily Singles!

Image source: http://passport-toa-healthy-me.com/page/2/

5 Tips and Links to Keep You From Gaining Weight Over the Summer Weekends

It's easy to get caught up in the hustle and fun of the summer but with longer days and more socializing there's usually more BBQ's and dining with friends. Often these social events can lead to eating foods that you usually wouldn't even think about indulging in. Being caught up in the moment and not planning ahead can leave you with a couple extra pounds by the end of the summer.

Here are 5 helpful tips to keep you on track with your diet and some healthy recipes to bring with you to BBQ's and dinners. Not only will the host love you for bringing along a dish but it will also be your sneaky way of staying fit and healthy.

1. Don't Skip Meals: If you skip meals during the day it will only lead to you binge eating later. You will be grabbing anything and everything to gain some energy by the time you arrive at the event. Ensure that you have a protein packed breakfast to start your metabolism.
2. Drink Lots of Water: Not only is it summer and your body requires more water but it can control cravings and leave you feeling full. Try to drink a glass of water when you first arrive at the event to keep you stomach full.
3. PGX Travel Packs: Packing these small pill packs in your purse or bag and taking them before a meal can keep you feeling full and satisfied. This will help you avoid going back for seconds.
4. Eat Before Leaving Home: It's a good idea to have a small snack before you leave the house to control your cravings when you arrive at the event. Try having a small plate of veggies and hummus.
5. Choose Wisely: Don't rush when you are in line at the BBQ. Make smart choices about what you are eating. It may seem simple but choosing a green salad over mayo packed potato salad can make a huge difference by the end of the summer.

• A smooth Avocado Hummus Dip is great to take as a nutritious snack/appetizer
• 25 baked alternatives to potato chips and french fries. I recommend the beet chips! yummy and a bit sweet
• Are you in charge of the Salad? This Cucumber, Mango and Watermelon Salad is an amazingly fresh side dish.

How do you avoid the Summer Weekend Weight Gain? Share your tips here in the comments or join the chat on Facebook and Twitter.

Image source