Over indulge in culinary delights? These foods and health tips will have you feeling back to normal in no time!

As much as we strive to maintain healthy eating habits and exercise all the time, there are days when we give in to our cravings and definitely over indulge (special occassions in the year are especially difficult to resist)! We've all been there before: too much to drink, served too much ham and roast on our plates, couldn't resist round two of dinner helpings, just had to try a bit of every dessert on the buffet table, neglected exercise... Need I say more?

As enjoyable as these occassions are, sometimes the aftermath is less so! Here are a few tips from nutritionist Peggy Kotsopoulos (often featured on Steven & Chris):

Had a little too much to drink? You're probably not feeling your best and this is usually caused by dehydration and loss of precious minerals. Peggy K's first suggestion? Coconut Water! Coconut water is full of electrolytes, so while you are rehydrating, you are also restoring nutrients vital to your wellbeing. Chlorella is another natural and helpul source of phyonutrients that can help your body detoxify and function in tip top shape!

If you've gone back for one too many servings, you may find yourself feeling a little... bloated. Maybe you didn't over eat during your main meal, but maybe you didn't realize how much of the salty appetizers and finger foods you nibbled on. You may be surprised at Peggy's simple solution: celery! Instead of reaching for salty foods, grab some celery because this calorie negative veggie can help get rid of the water retension!

Did all the activity get you feeling stressed? Peggy K suggests adding some maca to your diet! Maca is a peruvian root vegetable that has been shown to help increase your body's resistance to stress! How? Maca is full of nutrients and vitamins including B-vitamins, vitamin C and amino acids and protein (to name a few). "One of my favourite ways to take maca is in chocolate! Chocolate improves your mood and it has magnesium so it's perfect!" said Peggy to Steven Sabados (on the Steven & Chris show). Sounds like a tasty way to take in some nutrients! Another mood boosting snack is the omega-3 and tryptophan-rich Savi Seeds (fruit from the sacha inchi plant common to Peru)! Plus it's full of fibre!

Last but certainly not the least, she suggests bananas. If you're feeling low in energy, bananas are also a tasty source of B-vitamins and tryptophan as well as potassium!

Hope these tips help you feel fabulous and healthy! Don't forget to get your daily fibre!

Image sources: discoverybeachhouse.com, redorbit.com, wikinoticia.com, thehealthyherbivore.com, getridofmommytummy.com

Make smart choices at meal times. Fill up on the good stuff!

How much space does 400 calories occupy in the stomach?

I truly dislike the thought of dieting. But with a looming deadline to fit into a costume that doesn't quite zip up all the way for a performance, I really have no choice but to make a conscious effort to change my eating habits.

What is it about diets that have people dreading them? Hunger? Cravings? Guess what?! You don't need to feel hungry when you are making the change for a healthier lifestyle. And if you aren't feeling hungry, you will most likely have fewer cravings as well! There is no need to fear healthy eating! All we need to do is learn how to make smart choices. If we look for low calorie but dense foods full of nutrients and fibre (think low-GI foods), we'll definitely be better off! Take a look at what 400 calories of various foods look like in the stomach!

Add PGX to your food and the fibre will help you feel full and you won't feel the "diet hunger and cravings." Right now you you can get a free BONUS pack of PGX Singles with purchase of PGX Daily in Canadian stores! Stay healthy everyone; make smart food choices and be sure to get your daily dose of fibre!

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You loved the guilt-free dessert so much that we're excited to bring you another, crazy good low-cal. dessert!

We absolulely believe that just because you're watching what you eat, it doesn't mean you have to deprive yourself of the foods you love. Just love them in moderation.

At only 188 calories this recipe will have you saying rock 'n rollie, bring on the Strawberry Cannoli! 

Strawberry Cannoli

• 1 pint(s)  (12 oz) strawberries, rinsed, hulled and halved
• 2 tablespoon(s) granulated sugar
• 1 tub(s)  (15 oz) whole-milk ricotta cheese
• 4 ounce(s) cream cheese
• 1 cup(s) confectioners’ sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon(s) almond extract
• 1 box(es)  (4 or 5 1⁄4 oz) sugar cones (12 cones)
• 1/2 teaspoon of PGX
• Garnish: chocolate mini chips and sliced strawberries

Directions

1. At least 1 day before serving, proceed through Step 3. Line a colander and a medium-size strainer with a sturdy paper towel; set each in a bowl.
2. Pulse strawberries and granulated sugar in food processor until coarsely chopped. Scrape into colander, top with a paper towel and refrigerate overnight to drain well (this is important). Clean processor.
3. Put ricotta, cream cheese and confectioners' sugar in processor; pulse until smooth. Transfer to strainer, cover with a paper towel and refrigerate overnight.
4. Just before serving: Prop cones upright in tall glasses partially filled with granulated sugar to support cones. Fold drained berries, almond extract and PGX into ricotta mixture. Spoon into a gallon-size ziplock bag. Cut 1⁄2 in. off a corner; pipe filling into cones and garnish. The sugar cones replace the usual pastry shells, which can be hard to make or find in stores.

Enjoy!

Image and Recipe: Woman's Day 

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.

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