BBQ Survival Tips

With the 4th of July right around the corner I thought that it would be helpful to post some tips on how to survive that summer BBQ. I'm sure we all have plenty of them coming up and they are a temptation for everyone. So here are a few ideas that have helped me through the weekend BBQ feast.

• If you know there are going to be NO healthy options eat before going.


• Bring something with you that you know will be healthy ie, salad, veggie tray, fruit tray. Anything that you can munch on will be a big help for you.


• A great option if the host does not have chicken is to have a burger without the bun. Try topping it with salsa, a staple at almost any BBQ, it will give it a little zip and is much healthier than the ketchup with high fructose corn syrup. Pat and I love to top ours with Peach and Mango salsa it is a staple in our house during the summer BBQ months.


• Stay AWAY from the food & snack table. The closer you are the more tempted you will be to mindlessly eat.


• Be active! If there is a pool jump in and have a swim, play with the kids (they'll have a great time and you'll get a little extra exercise), join the volleyball or bad mitten game. Plus the extra activity will keep you away from that food table.


• Avoid the alcohol. You will consume the extra calories of the drink plus you will be more tempted to snack. If you are going to have a drink make a commitment to yourself to have just one and stick to it.


• Dessert!!!! Try to stay away or bring a healthier option such as fresh fruit or a homemade strawberry shortcake. If you make it you can control the amount and type of sweetener plus you can add other fruit such as blackberries and raspberries. Try a greek yogurt to top it with rather than the whip cream.


• Tell the host that you are trying to make healthier food choices for yourself so they understand and are not insulted by you not eating some of everything or a big piece of desert.

You will be surprised by the number of people that will appreciate you bringing a healthier option to the BBQ. Remember if you do slip it is just one meal/one slip and get back to healthy eating ASAP and you will be fine. Hope everyone enjoys their 4th of July holiday with family and friends.

JULY 2009 CHALLENGE

Pat and I decided to start a challenge July 1 to help keep us motivated and to help everyone on our team to focus on their goals.

The prize will be a Beachbody workout that is apporpiate for the winner PLUS a bonus mystery prize.

Rules:
• You must take your before measurements and pictures. These are for you own benfit but we welcome you to post them if you feel comfortable.
• Make your workout schedule for the month of July and enter it in the WOWY workout scheduler.
• You will earn one point for everyday that you stick to your workout plan and log it in WOWY.
• You will earn one point for everyday that you eat clean and stick to your eating plan.
• You will earn one point for every day you check in and post your status on our thread on the Beachbody message boards at Team Granite Fit.
• In the case of a tie the winner will be drawn out of a hat.


GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE. We are looking forward to the amazing results.

Vicky & Pat

Just Play!

Okay I must admit, I've forgotten how to really do this! I was just saying to Vicky, our son could show us a thing or two about how to play. There are so many benefits from it that they are hard to list. It is a great way to reduce our stress, get some fresh air, all important Vitamin D, and get some exercise too in a fun way...

There is no right way or wrong way to play, just find something you enjoy and cut loose...if you have kids get outside with them.


Don't wait to do it! Play needs to become a part of all of our lives. So turnoff the TV, put on your sneakers and shorts and get outside. What the weather isn't great? When was the last time you went out and played in the rain? I don't know about you, but I used to love running around and splashing in the puddles during a nice summer shower.

No more excuses...like your parents use to say, why don't you go outside and play!


Mark Sisson talked about play at Marksdailyapple

The Battle of the Sweet Tooth

No matter how committed we are to our personal health and nutrition, we all have foods that we crave and at the smell of, have a hard time resisting. For some people it's pizza or fries, but for me it's sweets and chocolate. I figured it would be helpful to let you know how I deal with and kick those cravings to the curb! It's not easy by any means, but these tips can help you win the battle.

1. Fruit - Is a great natural way to have a little something sweet. I have fruit after dinner every night as a dessert. I feel like it finishes off my meal and really settles that craving.

2. Greek Yogurt - If just the fruit isn't going to cut is try some fat free Greek yogurt. It is loaded with protein and if you sweeten it with some frozen fruit or agave nectar it is so yummy! Thaw the fruit in the microwave and it will also create a bit of fruit juice syrup to sweeten the yogurt. Not only will it help that sweet craving, but the protein will help fill you up.

3. Smoothies - Fruit or fruit and protein smoothies are a great treat (homemade, not from those one's at the mall!). I mix yogurt with a little fresh and frozen fruit. Our Family's personal favorite is strawberry pineapple, including our 8 yr old. If it's summer time pop them in little paper cups with a Popsicle stick and freeze. Makes a great treat for a hot day.

4. Shakeology - Chocolate is a craving I battle with daily. I have found that Chocolate Shakeology helps me to settle that craving for the rest of the day. I wake up in the morning looking forward to my glass. I also notice that I have few to almost zero cravings for "unhealthy" foods through out the day if I have my Shakeology in the morning.

5. Cocoa Almonds - We all know that the fat in nuts is good for us. I personally eat almonds daily and I have recently found a sweet little almond treat. Emerald nuts make a cocoa covered almonds, not chocolate but cocoa. The nuts are roasted with a cocoa powder coating. They are a nice afternoon pick me up. My only trouble is wanting to eat more than one serving!

Work with these tips and you will learn to win the battle with your sweet tooth. Also remember that a treat once in a while is okay, go for the piece of cake on your birthday or anniversary but just one and only once in a while (go for something from scratch and not out of a box).

Food, Inc Movie

This looks really interesting....caught it on Mark's Daily Apple. This is one we will be seeing as soon as we can!

Some sage advice from Carl Daikeler, CEO Beachbody

Great post from Carl's blog on "net-iquette" especially for those of who are Independent Beachbody Coaches....take a look, this is one blog worth following!

Carl's Blog

Tony Horton in Atlanta

Here's a quick little clip from Tony Horton down in Atlanta doing what he does best!