Friday! Tips, Tricks and Inspiration

I have been reading a lot of studies lately that show that Omega 3 and Omega 6 are not only good for heart health and fighting cancer, but play a large role in brain health as well.   So clearly I have been actively working to include more of these foods in my diet (need all the help I can get), but it is a lot of information to digest.  I made a short list of foods I enjoy that are high in these foods so I can remember to incorporate them regularly.  If you need some tips on getting in those Omega 3's, their "mystery" is unraveled here. 

So it turns out that if your teen wants to lose weight, you should probably butt out! The trick to teen weight loss seems to be "going it alone."  A handful of studies have shown that teens who took charge of their own weight loss were mores successful than those "helped" by their mothers.  Given teens' need to individuate, it makes sense.  [I'm sorry I lost the link on this one but when I find it, I'll come back and add it here.]

We all know my Friday title is a bit of wordplay, right?  There really are no tricks to lasting weight loss. But we don't want to be tricked, either.  So I bring you what we've all been waiting for, at last!  What you eat doesn't matter as much as caloric intake;  Here is a study to prove the obvious!  It makes sense to me that certain styles of weight loss will be easier for certain personalities and body types.  Pick the type of eating plan you think you can stick with for life, eat less than you do now, and while you're at it, make some choices to enhance your long-term health.

Are you having trouble getting that water in each day?  Here is some inspiration in and a couple of more good reasons to drink that water:  It turns out that dehydration can affect your energy level and your mood as well.  Try getting in a larger quantity of water next time you're feeling low and see if it helps.   Check out the article for more information.

Happy weekend, everyone!

Stop Giving Kids Juice!

Note:  This is a dual post to Bright Weight Loss and Bright Love


Back in the 90's, when I first became "Mama," we all gave our kids juice.  We watered it down, of course.  Pepper didn't have full-strength juice until she got her first juice-box at a party when she was 3.  Kids got their 3 cups of milk and the rest of their beverages were juice.  It was an improvement over Kool-Aid or Soda, right?


Things have changed.  Now we realize that although juice has lots of vitamins and good stuff, it's also mostly sugar, even if it has "no added sugar."  Kids also need the fiber and chewing action of real fruit -- so that's the way to go. 

The Littles consider juice a real treat.  We give them juice on the rare occasions others would give kids soda; birthday parties, holidays, etc.  They get so excited about it!  I almost feel guilty.  Almost.

It turns out that kids who don't know better don't miss it.  Who'd have thought?  The Littles drink lots of water.  Lots.  It's inspirational.

Now I have one more reason to be the mean-juice-withholding-mama.  Turns out most of our apple juice -- my personal favorite in the 90s --  is imported from China.  Their laws regarding pesticide and safe food practices are far less stringent than ours.   It just seems like a bad idea. 

Please stop giving your kids juice.  They don't need it.  In 3 weeks, they'll stop asking.  Just, water, people, please.

Fit Friday: Tips, Tricks and Inspiration

I have a new weight loss buddy and I was explaining some things to her the other day.  It occurred to me that I know a lot about weight loss.  Yet, sometimes I don't use what I know.  So the trick of the week is:  Do what you know how to do.  If you are brand new to weight loss or way too experienced, there are things you know.  Do those things this week.  As for me, I am going to drink my water.  I know it matters, so I am going to do it.  I am down half a pound this week but noticed my ankles were really swollen.  Guess who hadn't been drinking her water?

The tip of the week is for all of we sugar addicts.  Here is an article that shows step-by-step how to break the sugar habit.  

Now for the inspiration.  This is probably the most inspiring video I've seen about weight loss.  I have posted it before but after a lack of self control yesterday, I decided it was time for a re-run.  Turn off the TV, send the kids outside and take the 4 minutes.  It's worth it!!

Snowy Friday Tips, Tricks and Inspiration -- Bronzer and Spark

In the past 6 days, 14,500 PLUS people have joined Spark People in search of support for a healthier life style!  I racked my brain but could not come up with anything more inspiring than that!

SparkPeople is essentially a free weight-loss website.  Not my first.  However, I have never found a site with more helpful articles, more videos, more support, more recipes and all for free.  It includes a calorie counter, a food tracker, an exercise tracker and a way to set your own personal goals.  The online community (organized into message boards and teams) is helpful and kind-hearted.  In 15 months, I have seen no mean-spirited posts.  Please check it out.  The only thing it will cost you is time!  (If you do check it out, please "friend" me.  My Spark name is DreenaMT)

My tip of the week is about water.  We all know we need it but hardly anybody gets it all in during the day.  I have discovered that I can "chug" a full glass or even two when I first get up and I am very thirsty, so it seems easy.  Then I'm 1/4 of the way there!  Try it.

Finally, my "trick" is for my lady friends.  If you are having one of those days where you think your face looks fat  -- even though this is probably in your mind -- you can sweep a tiny bit of bronzer just under your cheek bones and then blend it in a bit with a sponge.  Instantly slimmed.  I swear, EVERY time I do this, someone asks me if I've lost weight.

It's snowing here in Round Rock, Texas; this is a rare event and the kids are chuffed!  I'd better get my warm clothes on - although after getting the 1, 2 and 3 year-olds dressed, I'll probably be well warmed up!