7 Tips on How to Survive Halloween on the 17 Day Diet
Halloween is right around the corner and pretty soon the ghosts and goblins will be knocking on our doors screaming, “Trick or Treat!” We’ll have candy waiting for them…and almost more scary than that, we’ll have candy sitting around haunting us!
I’m sure it’s been on our minds the last few days…”How am I going to be able to survive the temptations of Halloween?”
For many of us, being on the 17 Day Diet is somewhat of a sacrifice cutting out all sugar and most carbs from our diet. For those who don’t have a sweet tooth, congratulations! You’re one of the lucky few. For the rest of us, here are a few tips to help you survive the spooky Halloween holiday:
1. Buy your candy at the last minute.
If you eliminate bags of candy “just hanging around” your house days prior to the holiday, you won’t have the urge to eat “a piece here or a piece there”.
2. Keep sweet treats hidden.
If you must buy candy prior to Halloween, keep the candy hidden in a drawer until Halloween night. If it’s out of sight, it’s out of mind (just don’t forget to get it ready for the kiddies that night).
3. Don’t be the one at home giving out candy.
Instead, be the parent who takes your children out in the neighborhood trick-or-treating. By leaving the house where the candy would otherwise be tempting you, you’ll be out walking, having fun and keeping yourself preoccupied. You won’t think twice about the candy!
4. Eat a well-balanced meal prior to engagements.
If you have been invited to a Halloween party, make sure you eat a high-protein, high-fiber, low-carb meal. If you absolutely feel it necessary, eat a piece of fruit to take care of your sweet tooth (allow yourself one piece of small fruit after 2pm just for this holiday only).
5. When the holiday is over, get rid of the candy…quick!
You heard it right, don’t keep candy in the house for days on end after Halloween has come and gone. If you can, try to eliminate your candy stash the night of Halloween.
6. It’s mind over matter.
Remember, if you tell yourself you “can’t” have the candy, your body will tell you differently. You’ll end up cheating if you think this way. Instead, tell yourself you don’t “want” the candy. You’ll be surprised how well this method works.
7. It’s not the end of the world.
If all else fails and you end up having a piece or two, tell yourself it’s “OK” and tomorrow is a new day!
Original article and pictures take 17ddblog.com site
6 Dip Recipes That Up Your Super Bowl Entertaining Game
No Super Bowl party spread is complete without a chip and dip combo. But the usual cheesy, gooey go-tos are not only about a football field short of healthy, they‘re also—how can we say this nicely?—a little boring. Need a mental image? Picture Tom Brady walking into your party, taking one look at the bowl of onion dip and greasy potato chips on your coffee table and walking straight back out. As implausible as that particular scenario may be (for starters, Brady will be in Phoenix, playing in the game, and not anywhere near your living room), the point is that we can all do better. Check out our round up of six delicious and nutritious dips that would, hypothetically, impress a certain Patriot quarterback , not to mention your non-imaginary guests. You might just find a new fan-favorite.
Original article and pictures take www.self.com site
Take your go-to lean protein from mundane to mouth-watering–fast—with these five easy chicken recipes
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Don't let the word "fingers" fool you. These savory strips have no place next to the ketchup at the kids' table. Serve them up as a simple supper or a healthy appetizer at your next dinner party.
Craving Italian but not the carb coma that comes with it? A cool sauce of balsamic vinegar, basil, shallots, and EVOO makes this easy chicken recipe a light and fresh pick that's perfect for summer.
Short on time? Grab a small rotisserie chicken, make a quick stop in the pantry, and head south of the border. If you've got jarred salsa, canned corn, and enchilada sauce on hand, you're all set to whip up this easy dinner recipe on the fly.
White meat's not always exciting, so we love when healthy chicken recipes bring color to the table. Here, a golden baked chicken breast is coated with parmesan, breadcrumbs, and lemon zest.
Why wait for delivery? You're four ingredients and 20 minutes away from enjoying a pizza joint staple just the way you want it. Opt for reduced fat cheese, pick whole wheat crust, or add extra veggies—in your kitchen, you're the boss!
5 Diet Tips to Keep Your Food Portions Under Control Learn 5 diet tips to help keep your food portions under control while on the 17 day diet. #17DayDiet
Do you remember as a child your mother would tell you to eat all of the food on your plate because there were starving children in (insert county name here)? Well, as a kid I would listen to my mother and lick my plate clean. As adults those words still affect us today and how we eat. Here are five tips to help you keep your food portions under control and your diet in check:
1. Use the size of your fist as a guide to portion sizes. For instance, a grilled chicken breast the size of your fist is roughly 5-7 oz. This is a perfect portion. A small baked yam the size of your fist is the perfect portion. See, now isn’t that easy?
2. Low-carb and low-starch vegetables are exempt from the “fist” rule, so eat as much raw vegetables and salad greens as you possibly can. These types of foods contain so much nutrients that you must not limit your portions. Besides, filling up on the good “stuff” will keep you so full you won’t have the desire or the room for unhealthy food.
3. Eat your meals using small salad plates. Because we’ve been programmed as children to eat everything on our plate, use a small plate and you’ll have perfect portion control!
4. Break your portions into 5 to 6 small meals a day. This will help keep your metabolism running at full speed, and you’ll eat smaller portions overall because you’ll be less hungry because you’ve been feeding the machine!
5. The most important tip of all: be mindful of what you’re eating. Be a conscious eater. Don’t stuff your face while watching TV. Sit down to a quite, non-interrupted meal and really taste your food. Be fully aware of the types of food you are feeding your body. Remember, you are eating for energy not for comfort.
Original article and pictures take 17ddblog.com site
1. Scrub the inside of your stove with a baking soda-water paste.
Combine a box of baking soda with water to form a paste. Fill any openings in the oven with foil. Avoiding bare metal surfaces and the oven door, spread it all over your oven then let it sit overnight. Use a plastic scraper or spatula to remove the paste, wetting as needed, then rinse with water.
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2. Clean greasy gas burners in a sealed plastic bag with ammonia.
The V Spot recommends cleaning burners with ammonia: Put the burners in a plastic ziploc, add 1/4 cup of ammonia then seal. Place the bag on a baking sheet and put it outside overnight. The burners don't need to soak, they just need to be exposted to the fumes. Wip the burners clean with a sponge, or briefly dunk into dishsoapy water. (BTW, never mix bleach with ammonia because it creates toxic fumes.)
8. Use this lemon/vinegar ice cube trick to keep the disposal clean in the future.
Freeze lemon slices in vinegar. Run a few cubes through the disposal every few days to keep it fresh.
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9. Clean your fridge with baking soda and hot water.
Soap or detergent can leave behind a scent that will affect the food. Get the full clean fridge checklist from Martha Stewart.
EGGS: Middle shelf. MILK, YOGURT, SOUR CREAM, ETC: If possible, bottom shelf where it's coldest, if not, middle shelf. RAW MEAT: Bottom shelf, where it's coldest, and so if juices drip down they don't contaminate other food. VEGETABLES: They need the most humidity. FRUIT: Need a little less humidity than vegetables — keep them in the crisper. DELI MEAT: That's what the shallow drawer is for. If you don't have a shallow drawer, put them on the bottom shelf. BUTTER, CHEESE, CONDIMENTS, PASTEURIZED JUICES: They can go in the warmest part of the fridge, the door. Or the top shelf.
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11. This seems ambitious...
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12. ...but this is doable: Put a turntable in your fridge.
Bon Appetit editor Carla Lalli Music tries to have these items in her freezer (pictured above) at all times: frozen peas, edamame, ground turkey, burger patties, chicken cutlets, ravioli, homemade soup, and homemade meatballs in sauce. "Each night I take a look at my freezer and transfer an item into the refrigerator to thaw for the next day," she says. "Keeping the freezer in rotation means I always have a green vegetable on hand and don't have to worry about meat spoiling in the fridge during the week." Get more smart tips in Lalli Music's post The Working Mom's Top 5 Tips for Making Dinner Happen.
bonappetit.com
The citric acid helps wipe out stains and clean lime deposits. Make sure you run it empty.
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16. Steam-clean your microwave with water and lemon.
Microwave some water with lemon juice for three minutes, then let it sit undisturbed for another five. This will loosen any sticky mess inside the microwave, which you can then wipe off with a wet sponge and dishwashing liquid, then rinse.
cleanmama.net
17. Use a small pastry brush to get crumbs out of the toaster, then clean the tray.
20. Run 1 part vinegar + 1 part water through a brew cycle in your coffeemaker.
Then run just water through the cycle twice or until the vinegar smell goes away.
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21. Soak a dryer sheet in pans to remove baked-on food.
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22. Clean wooden cutting boards with lemon and salt.
23. Then rub them with oil to keep them in good shape.
25. Hose down your trashcan outside or in the bathtub, then use this trick:
Take everything out. Clean inside with water and vinegar. Then put everything back in keeping in mind what you use most. Make sure the ingredients you use the most are the easiest to tech:
-GRAINS (rice, cereal, pasta)
-CANNED VEGETABLES, FRUITS, SOUPS
-NUTS AND DRIED FRUITS
27. Or organize by "zones" like "quick breakfasts" and "lunch on the run."
Better Homes and Gardens suggests organizing your food into "zones" that match the way you cook. So you'd group the following foods together, making sure the zones you use the most often are the easiest to reach.
-ENTERTAINING
-LUNCH ON THE RUN
28. Hang cleaning products under the sink with a tension rod.
29. Reorganize your spice rack, and keep a picture of your spices on your phone for reference when shopping.
30. To clear up counter and fridge space, hang a cork board on the inside of a cupboard for grocery lists and recipes.
31. Maximize glassware storage space with this tray trick.
32. Consider a peg board for storing pots, pans, and kitchen tools.
33. Before you mop, treat yourself to a steam mop.
34. Start fresh with new kitchen towels.
These are what chefs use in restaurant kitchens, so you know they can take whatever you throw at them and/or mop up with them. 6 for $25.
35. Make an easy baking soda air freshener.
37. Assemble a super-efficient kitchen cleaning caddy for next time.
The revolutionary foldable Axon M smartphone by ZTE has an innovative dual-screen design to let you watch, play, or post in multiple apps at once! The only thing it can't do is answer these questions for you.
Original article and pictures take www.buzzfeed.com site
30 Minute Skillet Chicken Caprese for the 17 Day Diet
Here’s a cheesy chicken recipe that is perfect for any cycle of the 17 Day Diet. The combination of chicken, cheese and tomatoes along with the herbs and heat of cayenne pepper, make for a perfectly tasty, yet healthy meal!
30 Minute Skillet Chicken Caprese
Ingredients
1 1/2 tsp herbes de provence
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp paprika
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
3 chicken breasts (boneless, skinless)
2 Tbsp olive oil
3 thick slices low-fat mozzarella cheese
1 cup cherry tomatoes
1/4 cup basil leaves, chiffonade
2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
In a small prep bowl, combine herbes de provence, garlic powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, salt and black pepper.
Season the chicken breasts on both sides.
Set a large oven-proof skillet over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil. When the oil is hot, add the chicken and sear on both sides until golden brown, about 3 minutes on each side.
Place skillet into preheated oven and bake until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees, about 20-22 minutes.
Remove from the oven and top the chicken breasts with cheese, return to oven and broil 2-3 minutes or until melty. Remove and top with tomatoes and basil, drizzle with balsamic vinegar and serve immediately.
Yields 3 Servings
Approved for all cycles.
This recipe is easy to adjust for a family of 4. Add in an extra chicken breast and slice of cheese and increase all other ingredients by just a bit.
3 Reasons Keeping a Food Journal Helps You Lose Weight
When it comes to losing weight, it’s no secret keeping a written record in a daily journal is one of the main ingredients to your weight loss success, especially with the 17 Day Diet.
Sure, you can use the latest app to keep track of food intake, fitness activity and caloric intake, but there’s something really special about putting pen to paper. Yes, an old-fashioned food journal can be one of your best tools for losing weight!
Your brain processes ideas, thoughts, and new information in a different way when writing with a pen and paper as opposed to typing into an app or spreadsheet.
Here are 3 reasons keeping a written food journal helps you lose weight:
1. Keeps You Focused
When you keep a written journal, you’re focused on a single task – keeping track of your weight loss progress. Making journaling a daily habit and a priority, not only keeps you focused on your goals, but also de-clutters your mind so you can use your brain power to focus your energy on the task at hand.
Recording your food intake at each meal keeps you focused on eating healthy, and also keeps you mindful during those times when you get off track.
When you spend your time journaling, you’re keeping your focus on the things that matter most.
It’s super easy to lose track of what you’re doing and how you’re feeling, but if you stick with your daily journal entries, you suddenly have a strategy for success. Keeping a journal will help you reach your goals by staying focused and keeping your healthy lifestyle goals “top of mind”!
2. Keep a Written Record for Review and Troubleshooting
If you don’t recall that piece of chocolate cake you ate last week, along with the trip through drive thru for lunch three times in the same week, it might be a bit more difficult to troubleshoot why you gained three pounds.
Keeping a written log of all of your food intake, even the lunches out or those few pieces of candy, allows for a logical explanation of why you’re experiencing certain results.
I remember a reader coming to me complaining that she suddenly stopped losing weight and she couldn’t figure out why. She swore up and down she hadn’t eaten anything “off plan”, so it really puzzled her to no end.
I had her go back to review her food journal, and come to find out, she noticed she stopped eating as much protein as she had the prior week. We determined that the reduction of healthy protein actually kept her from losing pounds.
She quickly increased her protein intake, continued to log in her journal entries, and within days, she was back on track.
If not for her daily food journal, she probably would have gone weeks eating the same and still trying to figure out why the scale stopped moving.
Keeping a written food log to review on occasion will not only give you clues as to why you’re losing weight so you can keep up the same eating habits, but will also give you the exact data to troubleshoot why your weight loss has stalled so you can quickly fix it.
3. Keeps You Accountable and Successful
OK, maybe the third reason is a two-for-one, but when you hold yourself accountable, you will find success. It’s inevitable.
When you commit to journaling not only your food and water intake, but also writing down your daily/weekly goals, the simple act of “writing stuff down” will give you a greater chance of success. Acknowledging certain actions, goals, aspirations, etc., makes it suddenly “real”.
When you write down the fact that you had a bowl of ice cream for dessert, you’ve held yourself accountable to the fact that you had a bowl of ice cream for dessert. Sometimes we “forget” that we had a slip up here, or a bite of something there, because let’s face it, life’s busy.
When you stop to write every single thing down, you suddenly have become accountable not only to your journal, but to yourself.
When there’s accountability, there’s success. A daily food journal is a great way to hold yourself accountable so you see progress in the written form.
The Simply Me Daily Food Journal is Designed for the 17 Day Diet
Journaling is one of the main keys to weight loss success. If you’re looking to start journaling as part of your weight loss plan, or if you want to try a new food journal created specifically for the 17 Day Diet, check out my new daily food journal called Simply Me. It’s available in paperback on Amazon.
Simply Me is a daily food journal for the 17 Day Diet. This journal takes you on a daily journey for one complete round of Cycles 1, 2 and 3.
Easily keep track of your food intake with daily checklists along with room to record your daily food, water and green tea consumption.
Keep track of your daily fitness activity and optional daily stats such as weight, cholesterol and more.
If you’re anything like me, you have a ton of leftover turkey after the holiday season and you’re looking for fun and creative ways to use it all up while staying on track with your weight loss plan during the holidays!
Don’t let your bird go to waste – it’s super easy to repurpose cooked turkey for a few more meals. If you have more than you can eat a few days after your holiday, place your carvings in a sealed container and freeze for future use.
Here are 3 Healthy Turkey Leftover Recipes to use for your next meal!
1. Shepherd’s Pie
Rather than cook another batch of ground turkey, use your already-cooked leftover turkey in my recipe for a healthy low-carb Not Your Momma’s Shepherd’s Pie. Add your cooked turkey to your onion and garlic mixture to the pan to warm your turkey. Bonus points if you have leftover Thanksgiving veggies such as carrots, green beans and other low-sugar veggies that would be yummy in this dish!
2. Low-Carb Turkey Tacos
Use your leftover turkey meat combined with your favorite low-sugar salsa for a spicy meat mixture using my Cauliflower Tortilla recipe. Add toppings such as shredded lettuce, a bit of cheese (yes, it’s allowed!), sour cream and tomatoes! If you can make these tortillas a day in advance and put them in the toaster to crisp them up the day of, they are perfect this way!
3. Middle Eastern Turkey & Carrot Stew
Use your leftover turkey in this Middle Eastern Turkey & Carrot Stew. Follow the recipe and instead of cooking a new batch of ground turkey, add your already-cooked leftover turkey to your stew mixture to warm up the turkey. If you have leftover carrots from your Thanksgiving dinner, use these up, too!
Do you have a fun idea on how to use your leftover turkey? I’d love to hear from you!
Original article and pictures take 17ddblog.com site
If you stuffed yourself with sweet potatoes over the holiday, no fear! Follow this 17 Day Diet 2-day detox plan to maximize weight loss post holiday feasting. Sign up below for your instant access downloadable PDF for printing.
2-Day Post Holiday Detox perfect for losing those stubbord pounds from holiday feasting. Click here for your free printable download detox plan. #Detox #Cleanse
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Original article and pictures take 17ddblog.com site
The chicken is marinated in an easy DIY teriyaki sauce — crushed pineapple, soy sauce, honey, ginger, and garlic — for as short as 30 minutes, or as long as overnight. Get the recipe.
You'll pound down (or butterfly) the chicken until it's thin and even. Then you'll wrap it around a mixture of spinach and cheese, and bake. It takes a bit of prep — but it's worth it. Get the recipe.
Little sprigs of thyme make everything classy. Get the recipe.
bonappetit.com
Chicken is shredded and piled onto a cauliflower crust with enchilada sauce. (To make this gluten free, just swap store-bought sauce for an easy homemade version.) Get the recipe.
Vegetarian eating isn't for everyone, but if you're trying to eat less meat OR you're going meatless for the long haul, getting enough protein is super important.
Of course, how much protein you need differs from person to person depending on your size, activity level, and whatever your health and fitness goals might be. For these meals, we aimed for at least 15 grams as a good place to start when you're cutting meat (aka a big source of protein) out of your diet.
Also worth noting is that the 400-calorie limit here is mostly arbitrary: The goal is to show that you can be mindful about portion sizes, if that's your thing, but still get the protein you need to function and feel good. You can figure out how many calories you actually need throughout the day here.
Two tacos = 389 calories and 15.9 grams of protein. Nom nom nom.
Photograph by Yael Malka for BuzzFeed / Via buzzfeed.com
Unlucky is the vegetarian who forgets peas as an excellent source of protein. Assuming you split the batch into four servings, this soup has 400 calories and 24.8 grams of protein.
The world looks different for people with color deficiencies. Can you spot the differences in each photo? With Samsung's new QLED TV, people with color deficiencies can see colors vividly.
Original article and pictures take www.buzzfeed.com site
