Healthy Living - Low-Calorie Summer Drinks

Summertime is here and let me tell you, I love a good Margarita or Mojito on a regular!
Unfortunately, they don’t like my waistline!
Since I am not going to stop drinking them, I decided to look for ways to make low calorie versions so I can keep my small waistline but still enjoy my summer favorites.
I found these tips at Shape.com and I want to share them with those of you who indulge as I do.
These low calorie alcoholic drinks will let you indulge without ruining your waistline.

Frozen Strawberry Margarita

What's in there: 564 calories, 16 g sugar in 12 oz.

Just because there's fruit in the name of this one doesn't mean it's good for you. Most restaurant or club versions are made with sugary syrup that can be detrimental to your waistline. I read that just one of these slush delights has more calories than two bags of Skittles.

Make it healthier: Order a plain margarita (oh no!) on the rocks to save up to 300 calories. Also ask for one with no salt! That dusted rim may provide more than 2,000 milligrams of sodium, which is nearly your entire daily allowance. Want to mix up a batch at home? Skip the sugary mix and use fresh lime juice instead. If you are like me and you love strawberry margaritas, skip the restaurant versions and whip up some at home by making it with plain margarita mix, but add fresh strawberries and whip cream. Blend them together in a blender with ice and enjoy. So delicious!

Mojito

What's in there: 242 calories, 25 g sugar in 8 oz.

This Cuban cocktail (a blend of rum, sugar, mint leaves, lime juice, and club soda) can harm your waistline and sap your energy, since sweet drinks may up your risk of having a hangover.
Make it healthier: Ask the bartender to cut back on the sugar by a third and add a few extra splashes of club soda to lower the calorie count.
At home, swap the sweetener for a low- or no-cal one, like stevia or use raw sugar. (I am not a big fan of artificial sweeteners, so I would use raw sugar instead)

Why not try one this weekend during your Memorial Day celebration - I sure will!

Happy Memorial Day!

Spa Water at Home - Cucumber Water

O.k. ladies, listen up. We all know we need more water in our system to promote healthy hair, skin, nails, and proper bodily functions. But for many, the thought of drinking bland water is not on the top of their list. Well, I was in Austin, TX all last week at the Hyatt Lost Pines Resort & Spa and let me tell you, it was divine. I was there on business, but I did find time to take in the sights and the spa. I also purchased some funny looking shoes that look like toes, but I will blog about those on a later date. (Got to keep you coming back!)

Now back to water - I had this water at the spa while I was in the steam bath and it tasted great! I was filtered water, but instead of using lemons they used sliced cucumbers. It was refreshing and I was told it is better for your system. I have attached the simple recipe and I want you to try it and let me know what you think. Get yourself a mask, a robe, and a steamy bathroom and you can have the luxuries of a spa right at home. Don't forget the scented massage lotion and your man to make the setting complete!

Cucumber Water Recipe
In order for the water to really take on the cucumber juice, you need to prepare it the day before you are going to drink it. If you prepare the water at the last minute, cut the first cucumber in three or four pieces. Then, squeeze the cucumber pieces to release all the juice.
Ingredients:
• 1 cucumber, sliced and unpeeled + 9-10 cucumber slices for decoration
• 1 1/2 to 2 liters of water
• 3 mint sprigs + 2 mint sprigs for decoration (optional)
• Ice cubes
In a pitcher, mix the water, cucumber, and 3 mint sprigs. Let it rest on the fridge for 24 hours. Before serving, remove the cucumber slices used to flavor the water. Then stir with a spoon, add some ice cubes, 9 or 10 fresh cucumber slices and the remaining 2 mint sprigs. Enjoy this refreshing drink.

Healthy Drinking!

Healthy Living - Slim Your Waist!

Well, we all know this is the time of the year when resolutions are made to lose that extra baggage we call weight gain. If you are like me, this time of year is when you eat the most and really find the need to up your aerobic activity. My problem area is my middle (tummy) and I have to work extra hard to keep it in check. Below are some ideas I found on http://www.ehow.com/ that will help if your middle is your problem area too. I left out the one about doing back bends because I am too old to even try those anymore so I could not even suggest them with a straight face. If you are not as vertically challenged as I am, then by all means be my guest and add those to your list of to-dos.

Another benefit to slimming your waistline is the fact that you are cutting down your chances of developing diabetes, which is a silent killer among African-American women.

You will also look fabulous in your clothing!

Step 1 - Burn fat!
The benefits of exercise aerobically are the most important. Good exercises for the waist are walking, swimming and rowing. But anything exercise that burns fat is beneficial.

Step 2 - Do abdominal exercises!
Perform exercises like crunches, but do them with a twist. Lay down on your back with your knees bent and slightly apart. Cross your arms at your chest. Lift your head and upper shoulders off the ground, moving your right elbow to your left knee. Move back to center, and then move your left elbow to your right knee. This is much better for your back and neck than regular crunches. But remember, you must lose some weight first or you will only build up the muscle underneath the fat. This will cause your midsection to appear even bigger.

Step 3 - Lift your legs!
Lie on one side, supporting your head with your hand. Raise the upper leg slowly, keeping it straight. Hold, and then slowly lower it to the ground. Repeat on the other side. When this move becomes easy, try lifting both legs up together.

Step 4 - Twist your torso!
Stand with feet apart and clasp your hands behind your head. Twist at the waist to the left, and then back to center. Twist to the right and back to center. Each time, twist a little farther. Another method is to place a broom handle behind your neck and drape your wrists over the stick. Twist from left to right, concentrating on each movement.

Step 6 - Bend to the side!
Standing straight with your feet apart, hold a three- to five-pound dumbbell in one hand while bending your waist in the opposite direction. Repeat on other side. (This really works)

Step 7 - Touch your toes!
Stand in a wide stance. Reach one hand toward the opposite foot, keeping legs straight.

Step 8 - Change your diet for the better! Try to rid your routine of processed and fast foods and incorporate more fresh produce in your diet. Eat only one serving of meat a day and fill the rest of your meals with whole grains, fruits, and veggies. Cut out soda and high fructose juices. Drink more water - at least 64 ounces daily.

Also, as you get older, you should actually limit the amount of dairy you consume. It is o.k. to continue eating it, but your body does not need it as much as it did when you were younger and for some, it causes bloating. If you must have dairy, incorporate organic choices instead of regular store brands. (No hormones)

By following these simple steps, you will not only slim your waistline but you will slim your entire body.

Next time I will discuss weight training to strengthen muscles and core.

Keep Moving & Happy Healthy Living!

Healthy Living - Hormone Free Meat

Ladies, this one will be brief but to the point!

How many of you have had or know someone who has had issues with fibroids? I'm sure all of you have a story or two. Well, this is caused from eating foods, especially chicken and beef, that has been processed with the use of hormones and steroids. Women already have hormones and if you have an overage of hormones, it forms inside your bodies as fibrotic cysts. If left untreated, these cysts can become cancerous.

So ladies, I know it is more expensive, but if you can, buy organic meat. Look at the labels and make sure no hormones or steroids were used. To make sure and play it safe, but your meat from a natural food store.

We buy natural products for our hair, so we should use the same frame of mind when it comes to our bodies!

Happy Healthy Living!

Healthy Living!

I want to make sure I cover all of the basis for my readers to keep you coming back for more. We always talk about hair, makeup, and fashion, but none of that is any good if the body is not properly taken care of. We have to keep the canvas clean!

With that in mind, I have decided to post weekly healthy living ideas that any diva can use.

My very first one will be now:

Green Tea!

I know you have heard over and over how green tea is good for you, but there are some truths to this phenomena, believe me.

I drink green tea daily, especially in the winter months. I read where drinking hot water helps kill the virus that causes H1N1. If you drink hot water w/green tea, you get two benefits at one time. Antioxidants such as polyphenols in green tea can neutralize free radicals and may reduce or even help prevent some of the damage they cause. You can go to http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/green-tea-000255.htm to read the long list of benefits from drinking green tea. It is also said to fight the agents that cause numerous types of cancers.

As with anything, there are always side effects. Even though they are slight, you should still educate yourself before trying out this tea. You can find them listed at http://www.amazing-green-tea.com/green-tea-side-effects.html

I have been drinking it for years and at 41 years of age, I rarely have a cold(I have not had one in over a year), my allergies are very slight compared to before I started drinking green tea, and my weight stays pretty even(considering I can't get to the gym three times a week due to school).

My favorites are Tazo Green Tea The Vert and Bigelow Green Tea brands. I only sweeten mine with Sugar in the Raw Natural Cane Sugar (1 tablespoon) but you can add more to your liking.

Try it and tell me what you think!

Happy Health!