Yearly Archives: 2013

Recipe: Banana Chai Protein Smoothie

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If you are in the mood for a sweet and spicy smoothie, this is the recipe for you!

Cozy up after your workout with this nutritious protein smoothie from Alive Magazine!

There is something especially appealing about chai teas during the cold winter months. I don’t know what it is. Maybe it’s the warming, spicyness of the aromatic herbs that mix together to create the chai blend…Or maybe it is its exotic origins of the far and warm east that gives chai its appeal. Whatever it is, chai tea is my favourite tea for the cold weather!

But even in cold weather, we need to keep our bodies moving and exercising! So why not go, workout, sweat and then recover with a tasty and nutritious Banana Chai Protein Shake?! With all the flavour kick of chai and the health power of protein, post workout, you really can’t go wrong with this recipe. Try adding some PGX Daily Singles (2.5 grams or 1 stick per shake) and get your fibre in there as well!

Get this Banana Chai Protein Shake recipe and all the nutritional facts for this smoothie from Alive Magazine.

Enjoy!

 

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Tasty Tuesday: Quinoa Greek Salad

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2013 is the Year of Quinoa. Celebrate with this delicious quinoa salad recipe!

If you read our blog yesterday, you know that quinoa a staple in my diet. And so, with 2013 being named Year of Quinoa, I thought I would share my favourite quinoa recipe with you: Quinoa Greek Salad! Best enjoyed as a side dish or on its own as a vegetarian meal, this salad is simple, good for you and, best of all, delicious!

Please find ingredients and directions below. Enjoy!

Salad Ingredients:

  • 1 cup uncooked quinoa
  • 1 cup diced cucumber
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes
  • 1/4 cup sweet onions
  • 1 cup diced peppers (colour of your choosing)
  • pitted olives
  • 200 grams feta cheese
  • 2.5 grams PGX* per individual serving

Dressing Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 1/4 cup white balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon dried basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper

Directions:

  1. Cook quinoa as directed on package. Let quinoa cool after it has been cooked.
  2. Dice cucumber, onion and peppers, and depending on size, halve cherry tomatoes. Mix into quinoa.
  3. Add pitted olives and crumbled feta cheese.
  4. Drizzle olive oil and white balsamic vingar over salad and sprinkle on dried basil, salt and pepper.
  5. Mix thoroughly.
  6. Optional: Taste and adjust ingredients according to your preference!
  7. Dish out servings and add 2.5 grams (*1 stick of PGX Daily Granules) of PGX to each individual serving. Be sure to drink an extra glass of water after you’re done enjoying your salad!

 

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Pets & Your Waistline

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How to turn caring for your canine into caring for your waistline.

We’ve all been there: you arrive home from work and all you want to do is flop down on the couch, close your eyes and relax. The absolute last thing you want to do is change into your work out gear and head to the gym. But you have goals set for yourself and those goals aren’t going to achieve themselves, at least not when it come to your weight loss goals. You’re at a cross roads.

Cue your MOTIVATION: Your pet!

I can’t even tell you the amount of times that my dog has gotten me off my butt in the evening for a refreshing and energizing run or walk. It’s good for her, for me and for my mood. And the great news is, you don’t have to go for a run; just by walking, you’re burning a couple hundred calories (number dependent on the length of your walk) and staying active, which is the main goal anyway, right? So, if you’re not feeling the gym today, use your dog to get you motivated and moving. He or she will love you for it!

If you’re not a dog person or don’t have a pet, a great alternative to dog walking is starting a walking group with your friends. You get some fresh air, burn some calories and get to be social. Win, win. Or combine the best of both worlds and start a walking group with your friends who also have dogs. That’s what I did. 🙂

Happy dog walking!

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Summer breeze, makes me feel fine.

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The familiar smell of fresh cut grass tells me that spring is in the air, and summer is right around the corner.

With warmer temperatures arriving this week, I’ve noticed that people seem just a little bit happier. I’ve also noticed that the outfits are getting lighter and brighter for the upcoming season. If you’re like me, you’re taking a good look at your wardrobe and thinking maybe it’s time for an update.

No matter your size or shape we have put together some must have pieces that will make you feel a little lighter and brighter this summer.

Beach Dress: I bet you already have one or two in your closet! They are fun to wear and are great for those really hot days. Slip on a light jacket and you’re ready to go from the beach to the office!

Tank Tops: You can wear them under shirts, jackets, dresses, etc. they are very versatile and a great way to quickly freshen up your wardrobe.

Capris/Cropped Pants: If you must wear pants, chose materials that are lighter than denim. You won’t be as hot wearing them. Wear your cropped pants with a kitten heel, pump or wedge to help elongate your leg. They will transition nicely from spring into summer!

What fun clothes do you look forward to wearing in the summer months?

 

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Strawberry Greek Yogurt Smoothie

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This is my all time favorite go-to smoothie.

You can use it as a base and throw in your favorite fruits. Don’t like strawberries? No problem, use some blueberries. Add soy or almond milk

instead!

Ingredients

  • 1 cup Organic Greek Yogurt, plain
  • 1/2 cup skim milk
  • 1 cup strawberries (frozen berries will make your smoothie ice-cold!)
  • 1 scoop Satisfast – Whey Protein Vanilla Powder

Preparation

  1. Add all ingredients into a blender and mix until smooth.
  2. Pour into cups and enjoy!

 

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The Many Benefits of Exercise

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Did you know that exercise does more than slim your figure?!

Read on to discover 24 fabulous benefits of getting your exercise groove on!

We often talk about how exercise will help you control those cravings and lose the weight you want to lose. But there really is so much more to exercise than that! Exercise comes with many benefits, both physical and mental! For example, it makes you strong, physically yes but also mentally. Think about it: when it would be so much easier to just plop yourself onto the couch after work or stay bundled up in blankets early in the morning, and you stll get yourself up and moving? Mental strength!

In my internet searchings for interesting tidbits to share, I came across an article at BC Living, 24 Awesome Benefits of Exercise. Here are 24 awesome (like they said) reasons why we should all get at the very least, 30 minutes of exercise three times a week. If you are like me and looking for some motivation, this article will be a big help!

Until tomorrow everyone! Get your exercise on!

 

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2013: The Year of Quinoa

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This year’s food of choice is (drum roll, please!) … QUINOA!

United Nations name 2013 International Year of Quinoa.

The first time that I ever heard of quinoa was almost four years ago. A friend of mine, who was testing out the paleo diet at the time, was cooking some up one day when I happened upon the package sitting on the kitchen counter.

“What is this ‘quinn-OH-a’ that you’re eating?” I asked. To which he replied (with a visible shake of his head), “It’s pronounced ‘keen-wah’. And it’s really quite good for you.” He went on to explain the many health benefits that quinoa provides. However, feeling foolish at my pronounciation faux-pas, I avoided this “keen-wah” for a substantial amount of time before giving it a try myself. (I can be quite stubborn…) Eventually, however, I tried it, loved it, and currently consider it a stample in my diet. Which is why I’m delighted to hear the 2013 has been declared Year of Quinoa! For once, it would seem that I’m ahead of the curb 😉

If you haven’t already, I highly recommend giving it a try. You can start slow, and sprinkle a little bit it on top of a leafy salad or jump right in and make one of my favourites, quinoa Greek salad (Greek salad with a quinoa base!). It also makes a great side dish or rice substitute.

 

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Healthy Chicken Rice Paper Wraps

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Healthy. Fresh. Light. NOT hot. We love everything about this summer recipe!

With the excitement of telling you about Natural Factors latest (and amazing!) contest, PGX Winners, our weekly Tasty Tuesday post took a back seat this week. But have no fear! Today I bring you a healthy, light and fresh dinner option – perfect for those fast approaching hot summer nights.

If you’re anything like me, when the heat turns up, the last thing I want to do is turn on my oven and eat a hot, heavy meal. So, the next time you’re feeling too hot to cook, try this recipe out,  from all Parenting, and let us know what you think!

 

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It’s Too Hot to Cook!

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Suddenly it’s a heat wave!

Today I’m talking about ways to beat the summertime heat in the kitchen. When the weather is warm the last thing I want to do is turn on the stove and start cooking. Also, not eating out when it’s “too hot to cook!” is one of the best ways you can ensure you can eat well!

Here are a couple of tips to help you beat the heat:

  1. Have a Simple Meal. Just say yes to a simple meal at home when it’s too hot out. Make a salad and add some protein like hard boiled eggs or tuna. A salad is surprisingly filling too! Check out this image showing how much 400 calories occupies in the stomach!
  2. Get Grilling. If you have an outdoor area where you can safely BBQ like a patio or deck, move the party outside and get grilling! One of my all time favourite dishes is this grilled salmon on a plank! 
  3. Blend It. SatisFast combines two exceptional health and weight loss products: clinically?proven PGX (PolyGlycopleX?) and high quality, undenatured whey protein. Available in Rich Chocolate and Very Vanilla. With only 60 calories, SatisFast is a great base for your shakes or smoothies.  Plus, you’ll feel full longer, control your appetite and promote healthy blood sugar balance. My favorite smoothie packs a punch too! I load it up with a banana, 1 cup of berries, and 1/2 cup of organic soy or almond milk.

 

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How to Break a Bad Habit!

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Want to break a bad habit, like that 3 o’clock cookie?

Here’s an interesting video from Charles Duhigg. Learn the power of habits and how to break the bad ones!

So, according to Charles Duhigg, it’s possible to break a bad habit with a little bit of analyzing and of course, will power. But maybe, once you’ve analyzed the what and the why of a bad habit, you won’t need as much will power to quash it!

If it’s snacking habit you are trying to break, don’t worry; you aren’t alone. One way I avoid snacking on cookies regularly is to replace my cookie with something healthier like fruits. Fruit will give me the satisfaction of munching and sweet flavours. Or I try to drink more water. My weakness is the ginger molasses cookie from Starbucks. To help me get over that habit, I try to avoid Starbucks or when I’m there, I get something sweet and spicy like chai tea!

Everyone has their different ways to deal with habits. Charles Duhigg has another way of dealing with bad habits. If it worked for him (he was able to lose weight 12 pounds by kicking one bad habit!), it could work for you and me!

Check it out and tell me what you think!

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