Listener Q&A from Ductz Total Care
Healthy Living Outings!
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What are some things you’d like to do for some outings with a group of Healthy Living readers? ~Lanette |
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I like the idea of a “shopping trip”…learning about easy shopping tips for healthy choices, maybe with certain food focused topics each time. I like the idea of meeting new people with either exercise related trips…hikes, bike rides, even mall walking. How about Healthy Living lunch dates…anyone that’s available can meet for lunch and learn about easy ways to order healthy food in different restaurants around the city. ~Melissa Sedevie
If you’ve got more ideas email me here and I’ll get started on ‘em!
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It’s summer time!!! Time for fabulous margaritas with girlfriends or a cold beer out on the deck after mowing the lawn. It’s about enjoying the weather and it’s about being social. Here’s the crazy part...if you were to take alcohol out of your diet today, you would notice results almost immediately. That one mixed drink you have after a long day of work doesn’t hurt anyone, right? Well...you decide. Here’s the lowdown. Most shots of alcohol are around 100 calories...you get a double plus some lemonade...you’re looking at about 400 calories in one, albeit very well-deserved, mixed drink. Margaritas are off the charts, hitting over 700 calories in some situations. Both of those drinks could be meal replacements if you’re just looking at calories but won’t sustain your hunger or nutrition.
When you drink alcohol, your liver converts most of it into something called acetate. Your body then burns acetate and uses that as fuel instead of fat. That’s one downfall about alcohol. Another is there’s an insane amount of carbohydrates in alcohol and it gets turned into sugar. There are lots of other steps in this process, but the outcome is...you’re hungry! You’re eating junk food in the middle of the night and that’s never good!
I love a great glass of wine with an amazing dinner and more often than I care to admit, give in to nachos and margaritas downtown in an outdoor eating area. We can’t ALWAYS be spectacular. But, if you’re looking to shed some pounds for a big event or you’re wondering why your weight loss has leveled out, alcohol could be a big part of that.
Feel free to drop me an email if you have a question or advice or a great find!
Fitness Tip from Pinnacle
Food for Fuel!
Life would be so much easier if someone would just tell you what to eat to magically make you look the way you want to...stop holding your breath for that. Even if you talk to someone who you think really has a good grip on things, it's still only what works for that person. Remember every body is completely different. There are some basics though...eat enough food throughout the day to feel fulfilled without feeling full. That's when you struggle to stay awake in the afternoon...when you overdo it on lunch. On the flip side, you should never feel super hungry...figure out a schedule and eat healthy snacks to keep yourself from ever getting to the point that you'll eat anything put in front of you. If you're working out, don't forget about food for fuel. It's a huge mistake if you decide you want to lose some weight and cut back on food too much so your body doesn't have enough fuel. Listen to your body...it will tell you what it needs.
Healthy Eating from Brennan's Market
Mmmmm Peaches! 
I think one of the misconceptions about drinks is that, “There can’t be many calories in this...it’s just a drink.” WRONG!! Energy drinks, soda, flavored coffee drinks and even water that we attach the words like ‘vitamin’ or ‘energy’ to and think they’re healthy, have an outrageous amount of sugar, calories and things we can’t pronounce in them. Carry a bottle of water with you at all times. That will keep your stomach full plus you’ll stay hydrated. Both are things that will help you stay fulfilled and not craving a snack whether that’s something you eat or drink. One way I love to feel like I’m cheating, is by heading to Brennan’s Market and picking up a bunch of Chin Drippin’ Peaches. I literally put a cup under my chin to catch all of the juice so that when I’m all done eating the fabulous, refreshing peach, I get to drink the juice in its purest form and it’s so stinkin’ yummy!! Peaches are a great snack for many reasons, they’re full of vitamin C to help you stay healthy and they’re also fat free. Peaches are good for their fiber, potassium and vitamin A too which is good for your eyes. Brennan’s has peaches ready to take out of the market and eat right away. You can also use them in some spectacular recipes like these: Spiced Shrimp with Peach Salsa, Baked Peach Pancakes, Peach and Cream Pops, Balsamic Blueberries and Peaches, Grilled Peaches with Mascarpone and Honey.
