Eating Healthy With Vega, Gluten-Free and Diet Snack Box

With the many choices we have in dining and the many ways that we can now get our food, it is just normal that we expose ourselves to so many processed foods and snacks. It is a bit of a challenge too for busy people like us to prepare our own meals because of time constraints.

Food preparation must not be laborious and so is maintaining a healthy lifestyle. We can do portion control or order salads instead of greasy food. We can also include mini-exercise routines during break time to keep to our healthy lifestyle and eating goals. But, we can also snack healthily with Urthbox' Subscription box for vegan, gluten-free and diet snacks.

$10 Off Any Variety and any Size UrthBox, including Vegan, Gluten Free and Diet Snack Box Options

Who says nibbling snacks should be a guilty pleasure?

Health Benefits of Pineapple

Photo credit: wiki-fitness.com

To be honest, pineapple is the least fruit I want to eat because it can make my tongue very itchy and there's always no guarantee that what I'll buy from the supermarket is sweet. So, I always pass this up when I buy my fruits in the produce section.

Thinking of its health benefits, I must admit that I do have to consider having pineapple regularly as it packed in nutrients with very little calorie. It is also cholesterol-free and fat-free and is very rich in Vitamin C which helps in lowering your risk in heart disease, cancer, gout, cataracts and stroke.

Since it is packed with vitamins and nutrients, it is good in improving your immune system and strengthen your bones and connective tissues because of its manganese level which is a trace mineral that helps in building and strengthening bones and tissues.

Include pineapples in your snacks or meals daily for a more healthy and nutritious diet.

Keep Goals For A Healthier You

January 2014 is almost coming to an end. Have you already kept your promise to live a healthy life and engage in regular exercise for a healthier you? It is okay to start things slow but the fact of the matter is that, you have to start somewhere and commit to it.

Honestly, I am still baby steps when it comes to exercise. I have started eating with portion control though. At least, I am heading to something that will provide a better and healthier life for me.

As soon as you are able to embark on your journey to a healthy lifestyle, remember to do the following to meet your goal in the long run:

1. Write your goals down

It is best to see your goals set in stone; in this case, in paper! Make it a point to write your before and after measurements so you know how you are progressing as you go along.

Be realistic in your goals. You cannot write, for example, "I will lose 10 kilos in a week." I don't want to be sarcastic but you will lose weight that fast is something is terribly wrong but make it achievable. Have a decent goal like try to lose 2 kilos per week.

2. Be specific

Be specific as possible with what you want to become with this journey. You cannot just say, "I want to be sexy or well-built." That is easier said than done but what are the "specific" ways you will do to achieve those?

3. Keep a journal

Document your process and review them so you know which one is working and which one is not. This way, you can gauge how far you are now with your desire to live a healthy life and how near it is to reach the target. This will help motivate you in the long journey to a healthier you.

4. Do not deny yourself

I remembered what my nutritionist told me when I consulted few years ago. She said, if we are embarking on a healthier lifestyle, it is still a healthy way to enjoy the other foods that we used to eat but do so in moderation and not as frequent.  Do not cheat nor deny yourself of that small piece of pie. If you have been working out really hard and has committed to a regular diet and exercise, it is not bad to reward yourself with a food you like. You can also reward yourself with a weekend free of exercise, just laze around and enjoy a little quiet time doing your favorite hobby. Be kind to yourself.


I hope these tips will help you on your track to fulfill a commitment to be healthy and fit not just for the whole year of 2014 but as a permanent lifestyle. Good luck! I also need that!

How To Stay On Track With Your Diet and Weight Loss Goals

New Year is upon us and that goes for a lot who have made resolutions to live a healthier lifestyle, lose the unhealthy weight and be slim and trim.

I may not have any New Year's resolution this year but I do have a goal I want to achieve and that is to be back on track on healthy eating and regular exercising just like how I was few years ago before I fell from the healthy wagon.

This 2014, let us strive to achieve our goal to a healthier body, soul and mind. Here are simple tips that can keep our weight loss goal in check and our diet on track.

1. Have a food journal
It helps to keep tabs of what you eat day in and day out. That way, you get to have a clearer picture of what bad foods you have eaten that can derail you from achieving your healthy diet. Seeing what works best and now can stir you away from cheating on your healthy diet.

2. Place a picture of a "slimmer" you and make it your inspiration
I have a picture of myself on my healthy weight few years ago tucked in my wallet so wherever I go and when I am tempted to eat something really bad, I pull the picture out and stare closely for several minutes. It might be an odd practice for some but it works like a charm to me. I have that picture as a reminder of the reason why I am doing all these. If I cheat myself now, I am just prolonging my agony and the more I am fooling myself.

3. Change your perspective about those yummy, sinfully bad foods/treats

Photo credit: beachbody.com

Yes, that cupcake over there in the counter that has a dollop of marshmallow icing in your favorite color at that can be tempting and such an eye-pleaser. Do remember that, while it may taste very, very nice, the amount of calories you will ingest eating that delectable treat can be equivalent to a run on the treadmill for an hour. 1 cupcake - that's all it takes to ruin all your diet. You can stay away from those yummy treats for the interim because you haven't achieved your goal yet. But once you have, it is not bad to treat yourself to a yummy dessert but only when you know when to treat it as a delicacy and nothing more.

4. Stay away from fast foods
One of the culprits why we get off the healthy wagon is our inability to prepare our own food due to time constraints. Please, let's not make that an excuse this 2014. It is so 2013! Yes, you can make time and you have to. If you want to be healthy then stay away from processed foods that are brimming with sodium and bad fats. Wake up a bit earlier than usual so you can prepare your meal. A little sacrifice will go a long way in your weight loss goal.

5. Have enough R and R
Rest and relaxation are two of the reasons why healthy people stay slim and trim. These people know when to get out of stress that produces cortisol which makes your body store more fat. Learn to meditate and filter the outside noise. Practice Tai Chi or go to a spa for a retreat. Just keep those nerves calm.

There are still plenty of ways to keep our goals in weight loss and proper dieting. It takes determination and the belief in one's self to achieve all these goals for worthy reasons. Your health and you are worthy reasons enough to take living a healthier life seriously. We only live once then live it healthily.

Avoid The Holiday Binge-Eating

photo credit: oxypowder.dk

It's party season and you may be one of those very sociable people who has so many invitations for holiday parties, Christmas parties, New Year's Day parties and even your own family and friends' circle parties. It cannot be avoided but you will be in one or many of those parties mentioned above. And you know what is in a party? Not just merriment and cheers but also loads of delectable food and tasty cocktails for you to eat and drink respectively.

Holiday season is one of the biggest pitfalls of those who are on diet or at least, trying to cut back on their calorie intake. It is quite a feat to stay in a healthy eating habit during this time because of the delicious temptations around. Do not worry! These simple tips will help you avoid the holiday binge-eating phenomenon.

Be conscious of the food you will eat

The holiday season is not your ticket to throw your proper eating habits to the wind.  There is nothing wrong about eating but try not to over-stuff yourself. Fill your plate with healthier selections like steamed vegetables, salads, roasted or grilled entrees and fruits as dessert.


Eat only what you can

While every dish on the table looks sumptuous, it does not mean you have to eat or taste all of them. If you are curious and just would like to have a bite, then get a small amount and not a plate-full.


Pick out the food that you want in very small servings

You have been making a beeline in the desserts section and been battling it out with your will-power to resist it. Hey, do not punish yourself as you will only make your cravings worse. Go ahead, pick a sliver of the pie or a very small serving of that yummy pudding but that is it.


Say not to second servings

So that roasted duck was tasty or that pot roast was divine and you think you didn't even have enough serving. Stop right there. You have already eaten and do not even attempt to get a second serving. Move on to the healthier options of fruits and salad greens if you like to satisfy your craving.


Choose water or tea over cocktails or sugary juices

Drink plenty of water or sip hot tea instead of cocktails or sugary juices. Water does not contain sugar nor any bad calories so don't pile those calories by drinking more bad drinks. Besides, it is nice to come home remembering what happened to that nice party than coming home drunk and waking up with a major hang-over.



The holiday season is a wonderful time to socialize, see old friends and get-together with families but it also means, you have to make healthier choices with your food selections come eating time. Don't beat yourself up by not attending those parties because of your fear of binge-eating. Enjoy the moment but be responsible "eater" and "drinker."

Have fun and enjoy the holidays!

What The Snack Girl Says About Weight Watchers

Lisa, the Snack Girl, writes about healthy eating, particularly in the area of healthy recipes, simple snacks and products that she believes have helped her win the battle against her insatiable love for delicious but unhealthy foods such as donuts, when consumed in large quantities.

Anyone considering joining Weight Watchers so that they too can find out if it works for them may want to visit Weightlosstriumph.com where they will be able to get a discount coupon of their choice to defray the cost.

Recently, Lisa decided to sign up for a free subscription to Weight Watchers. You can read about her story, but the following are some of her thoughts about this weight loss program.

Lisa with her husband and two boys

Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Emphasized

Lisa was especially impressed by the fact that Weight Watchers emphasizes the use of fresh fruits and vegetables in the diet. You can eat as much of these as you like, because for the most part they are not counted on the PointsPlus calorie calculator. This is great news for those who fear going on any diet plan will leave them feeling hungry all the time. By filling up on fruits and vegetables, there is no room for hunger pains.

Although Lisa was encouraged by the amount of information and resources offered by Weight Watchers, she would have liked to have found a little more support from the “program leader” assigned to her efforts. When she did ask questions, the answers were short and to the point rather than offering her someone with which to relate. In her opinion, unless the individual has a support system of their own, such as a friend who is also following the weight loss program with them, they may be setting themselves up for failure.

Actual Weight Loss Through Valuable Insight

According to Lisa, the best part of the Weight Watchers PointsPlus program is that it actually helped her lose weight, four pounds.

Like others who have decided to join Weight Watchers, Lisa believes that she gained a lot of valuable insight into weight loss that she may never have learned anywhere else. For one, she learned the beer is loaded with calories and that if she wanted to reduce the size of her waistline she would need to cut back on her consumption of this beverage.

Something else she learned was that she needed to stop eating as many snacks. However, when those snacks are fruits and vegetables, like grapes, apples, celery, tomatoes, and broccoli, she is able to eat as much as she likes. The only thing is that you should keep track of any dressings, dips or sauces used with them. This is all just common sense, but Weight Watchers helps you understand how to eat healthier as you watch the pounds disappear.

Lisa was not Keen on Journaling

Although Lisa was able to learn a lot from her experience with the WW PointsPlus program, she quit because she is not all that interested in keeping a journal. Of course, she admits that this in not the program’s fault, but rather her own.

Tips For Waist Loss (and Weight Loss too!)

Dieting is not the only key to lose those stubborn belly fats and affect your weight loss. One does not have to undergo strict diet to achieve their weight loss goals. A smart diet and commitment to regular exercise or activity can help burn the fats and whittle the middle part of the body which is very crucial to one's health.

Here are some tips to note to lose inches on the waist and drop the weight for health's sake.


Walk regularly and try to achieve at least 10,000 steps every day. Invest on a good pedometer for this activity.


Stretch after walking. Stretching keeps the muscle limber, flexible and it helps prevent injury.


Ditch the bad food in your cupboard and refrigerator. Stock up on green, leafy vegetables and fresh fruits. Try to limit your intake of processed fruit juices. Try to drink the fresh one or do some juicing.


Limit your sugar intake. Try substituting white sugar with honey if you want to sweeten your drink. Use table sugar sparingly for your cooking.


Cut back on trans fat and white flours. Stick to olive oil and consume whole grain rather than the processed white flour.


Enlist a buddy or other family members to support you on your weight loss goals. It is always nice to exercise and eat healthy when you know your friends and family know what you are going through and understand the importance of your lifestyle change.



Write it down. Note all the food you eat, how long you have exercised, what activities you have done for the day.



Engage your core. Do strength training and light weight lifting to tone your muscles.

Fat Belly and Me

Love handles. Muffin top. Jelly belly. Fat tummy. Those are just few terms we call our ever expanding mid-section. Most women pushing their mid-30s to 40s are prone to developing fats around their belly area due to hormonal changes, metabolism issues, sedentary lifestyle and bad eating habits.  Men are not immune from this but they can burn more fats than most women do.

I have been desperately trying to lose weight especially in my mid-section. I look like I am pregnant who is about to deliver any time soon. I have been asked several times about my "due" date. Initially, I was confused and not sure on how to respond but later on, I just went with the flow. Deep inside, I am hurt and really offended. So, the reality is, I am fat and I just can't lose weight the way I used to before.

I tried most diet pills, diet fads and exercise regime known to men and I would always fail. My friends who are bigger than me are now smaller. I used to be the petite one and now it is the opposite of that. I hate having my picture taken nor being in parties because my friends whom I have not seen for long are surprised to see a rounder version of me. Each time I have to explain why I can't lose weight, why I am this and that, etc. I am just tired of the cycle. Until one fine day, I just don't feel like going out, meeting people nor seeing myself in the mirror.

I used to "not" bother about my appearance because back then, I was the envy of my colleagues. I had a flat abdomen, toned arms and a proportionate body for my height. I noticed that as soon as I turned 35, my body seem to caught up with my age and so did my girth! Now that I am turning 41 in a couple of days, I can't even bear myself to measure my waistline. I shudder at the thought of seeing 41 inches on the measuring tape.

This getting fat thing has to stop soon or I will keep expanding until I float in the air like a big, hot air balloon! I'm just tired of getting teased, asked why I am fat, cornered by my family to lose weight, etc., etc. Of course I am trying my best to lose weight. The weight just won't come off. I'm not sure why. I already saw several doctors and each time, they would say the same thing - exercise and portion control. My thyroid is normal too. My blood sugar level, aside from the hypertension and bad cholesterol, is also normal.

I did all that. I cut back on so many things. I am regularly exercising now for an hour but I am still not seeing the numbers go down. My clothes are still tight but I don't feel tired easily these days. Could it be that my stamina is building up? Am I building muscles? I hope so.

I want to give myself that gift, that slim and healthy body that I used to have. I am conditioning myself to do that because it will be the greatest gift I can possibly give myself - a healthy me. Wish me luck as I venture to the "no pain, no gain" zone. There's no easy way to lose weight and get rid of that belly fat for good but to eat healthy and exercise regularly. I know it's not easy but I'm doing it anyway. It's now or never.

Weight Loss Dilemma

Again, I got stuck in a very long rut. My friends are losing weight but I am gaining more.

I can't blame anyone but myself because I have allowed it to happen. I used to have a strong will-power and deeply motivated but it is not working these days. I know what to do but I can't seem to push myself.

I have been bugging my other "round" friends to join me in my quest for weight loss for good health and they just keep saying tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow. I am tired waiting for the day when I can actually have a buddy system or a support group to back me up on my endeavor.

Where do I actually start? I don't want to end up fat and miserable. There's nothing wrong when you are plump but if you are having health issues then that is something worth changing. I can't stay like this because it's not making me healthy. I have to start somewhere and I need to do it soon.

Low Purine Diet

I will not advocate any form of diet as long as it has the doctor's approval. And I found myself committing to a low purine/low salt diet due to my health conditions. I have to lose weight to be able to bring the bad numbers down and increase my good cholesterol.

Low purine diet is usually given to people who are suffering from gout and high uric acid levels. Unfortunately, inspite of my still young age, I am predispositioned to have some sort of health conditions that are detrimental to one's health if left untreated and controlled. This is the reason why I agreed to follow the diet even if I am craving for something tastier.

The food allowed in this diet is mostly low-fat and low in purins. There are some vegetables that need to be eaten in moderation. The diet encourages eating small portion of white, lean meat like chicken and turkey. Water is to be taken at least more than 8 glasses per day and a regular exercise regimen is encouraged to aid in weight loss.

My Hypertension

I was diagnosed with hypertension last year. I didn't realize I had it until my nape ached for more than a week. My knees were painful and I felt nauseated and light-headed at the same time. 

My triglyceride was very high for my age and I was put into strict DASH or Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension. My food for more than a month was either steamed, grilled and less seasoned than usual. My taste buds actually adapted to the bland tastes of my meal but it really helped lower my triglyceride. 

The doctor also advised me to exercise regularly (which I am failing to do right now!) and be active no matter how mundane it seems. Losing weight was also one of the tasks I had to commit myself to because I cannot carry any heavy weight around my stomach area.

Avoiding stress is also a must. I cannot get mad nor get upset over silly matters. It is a big make-over on my perception in life. I want to be healthy so I have to commit. It's not easy having hypertension. 

Health Nut - Quick Heart Health Check

This measure won't take 5 seconds of your life. For only 2 seconds, you can find out if your heart (and even arteries) is healthy.

Try sitting down and legs stretched in front of you. Now, do this - touch your toes. Did you manage to reach your toes?

Well, you're lucky if you did because that means your vessels are still limber and elastic because if they are, it is better to maintain blood pressure at normal. However, if you can't even go past your legs then it's high time to hit the running tracks, exercise and proper and balanced nutrition eating habits.

Burn the Fats Now

I strayed for a while with my diet regimen and exercise due to work load. It has been a whirlwind of stress and cumbersome load in the office that I find it hard to spare extra time to stick to my regular exercise routine. My eating habits was also affected by the temporary manic schedule I had. I am back on track now.

The need to keep moving is my constant goal every week. I started power-walking in the park every Friday morning since 2 weeks ago. I also do jumping jacks for at least 2 minutes every other day. A lot of my daily routine before has changed as well. I started using the stairs again. I asked my hubby to drop me off a block away from the office so I can walk. I use the rest room which is far from my room. I am back to eating salads and grilled stuff.

Although my weight loss went into a plateau last month, I am working hard to jump-start my metabolism before winter comes. Otherwise, it is going to be very difficult to sweat it out. I know there are other means to aid my weight loss like taking lipo 6 hers and other weight loss supplements and following low-sodium diets to keep the water retention at bay.

My goal is to lose more weight. I have lost 4 kilos so far and have not gained since then but, I have also not lost anything after that. So I am kind of in a balance right now. I need to tip the scale towards weight loss and I will do that to burn the fats. All I have to do is focus, commit my time and self to this healthy cause and surely, success will be sweet!

Not Fat, Just ROUND!

Try as I might to dispel the thought that becoming rotund runs in our genes. Both of my parents are slightly round, my sister is also in the "fat" side, my brother is like a walking Buddha and one of my niece is like a ball.

So there, we are a family of round people. I used to be skinny prior to reaching mid-thirties. I even fit on pre-teens clothing until I was about 35. Then boom! All those unwanted fats started to creep in from nowhere and next thing I knew, I was wearing XL-sized clothes.

I tried every imaginable diet out there but fell flat. I even checked websites upon websites about diet pills that work , starved myself, went vegan for a while and did the no-food after 6 fad too. Some worked, some didn't so I was back to square one.

I know better now. I am regularly exercising since I already lost 4 kilos. I don't want to stop now and fall back to my bad routine of eating chips and being sedentary. I just want to move and move and lose more weight the healthy way. It may take time. I am not in a rush as long as I do it the healthy way.

Diet Plans

I have not progressed with my weight loss. No matter what I do, I am stuck on my weight. I am really in dire need of diet aids to jump-start my metabolism. I just feel that my metabolism has stalled since I reached my late 30's. That is not really good.

I have been prancing around, cutting back on white bread and unnecessary carbs in my diet. I run and use the stairs. I skip rope. I am fairly active now. So far, my weight has not budged at all. What gives?

I am beginning to wonder if something is wrong with me or I just need to re-evaluate my diet plan.

Magic Weight Loss?

I hope there is a magic to a quick weight loss so I can show the world my "new" body. Not that I am ashamed of it but I made a promise that I will not post any recent pictures showing my round torso until I get my desired weight back.

I exercised the other day to awaken my sleeping metabolism, you know, to give it some boost so it functions as it should be. However, I only ended up with a sore back and legs and achy joints.

I wonder what I will do to really speed the weight loss without doing extreme diet and exercise. I don't want to end up with injury and hyper-acidic tummy.

Health Nut - Weight Loss Tracker

We exercise and keep our diet on check but do we actually track our achievements or at least keep our goals on a tab?

There are a number of tools to assist us and keep us in line with our set goals to lose weight. Some weight loss tracker can help us maintain our motivation and sticking to out set goals. It also helps us to monitor our weight loss progress.

Apart from weight loss tools available in the Internet, we can also keep our progress by keeping a journal which I have been doing for years now. At least with my journal, I know exactly when I fall of the track and when.

Clean Up Like Crazy

What does a dateless person do on a Valentine's Day while enjoying a much deserved rest and relaxation? Check Facebook? Play flash games? Walk the dog? Laundry? Press clothes? Sleep all day? Well, tempting as they may seem (they are honestly in my list of things to do for the whole week), I have to clean the house for the coming of spring!

I chanced upon some old clippings of diets that work stashed in my important documents file. I was surprised to see the dates on the articles I have clipped and printed. I realized how long I have been planning to put this weight loss goal in motion and always end up from scratch.

I am keeping the articles I printed for future reference. And when I say future, I hope that is the "near future." Meanwhile, I better get back to my cleaning duty before hubby comes home.

Diet Pills

My desire to lose the pounds for good is gaining momentum. I have been thinking about it day in and day out that I am seriously considering on taking conjugated linoleic acid. I read somewhere that CLA or conjugated linoleic acid can boost ones metabolism, aid in burning fats faster, suppresses appetite, builds muscles and acts as anti-oxidants.

The myriad of options available in the market to aid one's weight loss program is available. I just have to make up my mind and heart to actually give this a go.

I Will Lose It

I am so happy that I lost around 2 kilos the past week. I have been very diligent with my portioned-eating and food-journal activity. I also engage in regular exercises like walking our dog and running. I have also incorporated short bursts of mini-exercise in the office. During break time, I sprint towards the loo rather than just walking. When my bosses see me and ask why, I just tell them I am desperate to reach the loo fast!

Drinking tea has helped as well in cleansing my body of toxins. I drink tea instead of sodas and never use sugar. Some of my friends who lost weight fast have included apidexin in their diet. I am considering the intake of supplements but I want to check with my doctor first.