Snacking, Summer Vegetable Crepes, Pilates

I'm horrible for not posting anything yesterday! My amazing husband surprised me with a date, which threw off my plans to post!

Another thing, I had my baby in November of 2010, and am proud to say that I am now 6 pounds away from my pre-pregnancy weight! These tips I give you are no joke! Just take heed to that quote at the top of the page. If you don't work, nothing will!

Tip of the Day: Snacking

This is such an easy way to help get those pounds off. Make sure you fit snacks into your day! It will keep you from giving into cravings, and it will keep your metabolism going. Snacks should be 100-200 calories. Some great snacks that I make sure to fit in every day are:

-an apple (On days I'm feeling hungry, I eat it with some peanut butter to make me feel like I'm indulging. Believe it or not, 1 tbsp of peanut butter (natural peanut butter) is good for you!)
-light yogurt or non fat yogurt. (I prefer yoplait lite yogurt. They have so many flavors, and very low saturated fat!!)
-any veggies. Grab a bag of baby carrots next time you hit the grocery store, and bring them to work with you to snack on!
-grapes. Another great fruit that you can snack on through out the day without feeling guilty!

Those are just a few ideas that I personally love, but any fruit/veggies will do of course!


Healthy Recipe: Summer Vegetable Crepes

302 calories a serving! This makes 4.

• 1/3 cup reduced-fat sour cream
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh chives, divided, plus more for garnish
• 3 tablespoons low-fat milk
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice
• 3/4 teaspoon salt, divided
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 cups chopped zucchini
• 1 1/4 cups chopped green beans
• 1 cup fresh corn kernels, from 1 large ear (just take a knife and slice from top to bottom over a bowl)
  
• 1 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
• 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• 4 9-inch “ready-to-use” crêpes, (look in the produce section of your grocery store...they're easier than making them from scratch, but just as yummy!)

1. Stir sour cream, 1/4 cup chives, milk, lemon juice and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a small bowl until combined. Set aside.
2. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add zucchini, green beans and corn and cook, stirring, until beginning to brown, 6 to 8 minutes. Reduce heat to low; stir in ricotta, Monterey Jack, the remaining 1/4 cup chives, the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper. Cook, stirring gently, until the cheese is melted, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from the heat.
3. To roll crêpes, place one on a piece of parchment or wax paper (or leave it on the piece of plastic separating the crêpes in the package). Spoon one-fourth of the vegetable-cheese mixture (about 3/4 cup) down the center of the crêpe. Use the paper (or plastic) to help you gently roll the crêpe around the filling. Place the crêpe seam-side down on a dinner plate. Repeat with the remaining crêpes and filling. Serve each crêpe topped with 2 tablespoons of the reserved sauce and more chives, if desired.

Exercise: Pilates

Besides yoga, another form of exercise I am in love with is pilates. Sorry for the men reading this blog, because this pretty much targeted towards women. I will do a manly workout in my next post! Pilates is a great way to help get a lean body! Here are some of my favorite moves:

-Rolldown
Works core, glutes, and hamstrings
Sit on the floor with your knees bent, feet hip-width apart and flat on the floor. Grab the backs of your thighs and suck in your navel so your torso forms a C. Keeping your back rounded, slowly roll back as low as you can with your feet planted on the floor. Take three deep breaths. Return to start. Repeat twice without resting.

-Double Leg Stretch
Works core, shoulders, back, glutes, and legs
Lie on your back. Bring your knees toward your chest and grab your shins. Brace your abs. As you lift your head, neck, and shoulders off the floor, extend your legs. Hold them about 12 inches off the floor and straighten your arms over your head with your palms up. Bring your knees back up to your chest and grab your legs again. That's 1 rep; do 8.

-Side Leg Circles
Works core and inner and outer thighs
Lie on your right side with your right upper arm on the floor and your head resting on your right hand. With knees straight, bend at your hips so your legs and torso form a slight angle. Raise your left leg 6 to 8 inches and make 8 small forward circles from the hip, raising the leg higher with each one. From the highest point, make 8 more small circles in the other direction as you lower the leg to start. That's 1 rep. Do 3 and then repeat on the other side.

These are all workouts you can do at home, but an even better way to get that pilates body is to go to a class at your gym. If you don't go to a health club type of gym, google pilates studios near you! There are usually always pilates places near everyone!