Vacation Motivation

  I have found that as we get older it takes longer to see the results of our hard work.  I've heard it so many times from my clients, but I can now tell you first hand now how true it is.  Since the summer is now more than half over, and bathing suit season has an end point that I can even see is approaching, it's starting to get tempting to slow down on the workouts and ease off the intense dietary restrictions (well somewhat intense).
  What to do?  What sets a person apart to succeed or fail?  Accountability, appointments, and planning all take time but will be the difference for many.  Knowing that you have to "report in" will keep you in line, as well as writing it all down, planning in advance how you are going to navigate to "buffet", and plan a workout or walk in your day so it doesn't slip by.
  Put it into action!  Make a plan today, sign up for a class or a training session, log in your food intake, and keep reviewing your goals, your WHY. The more healthy good foods you can incorporate into your diet, the better you will feel.  Today I worked out with my trainer, I went to the store to pick up extra fruits and veggies, and I'm planning a healthy dinner for the family.

Lynn's Meatloaf:
2 stalks celery, chopped
1/2 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
10 oz firm tofu, drained
1/4 c walnuts, finely ground
12 oz vegetarian meat crumbles
1 1/4 c quick-cooking oats
3 T soy sauce
2 T ketchup (additional for topping)
1 T Dijon mustard
2 t dried parsley
1/2 t each thyme, sage, rosemary
Ketchup to taste
Preheat over to 375.  Spray a loaf pan.  Saute the celery, onion, and garlic on high heat in sprayed skillet for 5 min until tender.  Remove from heat and cool.  Mash the tofu in a large bowl.  Stir in the cooked mixture and remaining ingredients, and combine well.  Spoon the mixture into a loaf pan.  Top with a layer of ketchup.  Bake for 55-60 min, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
* From The Engine 2 Diet, Rip Esselstyn

Carena Lowenthal, MS, RD, CDN
(917) 882-5033
carena@carenalowenthal.com

Changes, fluctuations and balance

"Change is good" is something we hear often.  If it's so good then why is it so hard?  Fear of the unknown can cause anxiety and having to learn something new takes effort, so in many ways the comfort of doing it the same way appears to be the easy way.  Easy is good, so why must we have challenges?  Is is during these challenges that we grow, become excited and renewed, and become better versions of ourselves.
My balance had been off for a few months for various reasons, we all have our ups and downs right?  But lately I've been getting back into the groove, if you will, and it's been an amazing, eye opening experience.  I know and preach about how it's not a diet/ it's a lifestyle, and I also say how Nutrition 365 is about making good choices everyday.  The reality is that life gets in the way sometimes.  You get tight on time, motivation or money, and something slips.  You stop going to the gym, you start eating more junk food/ sweets/ processed food, you go to too many happy hours, whatever it is.  Then before you know it, your lifestyle changed and your clothes don't fit, you have less energy and don't feel well.  Getting and being healthy is a lifestyle and that is why Nutrition 365 works.  No one is perfect, so don't expect perfection; be realistic and realize that it will take some work.  The rewards pay off tremendously in so many ways, so be consistent and enjoy each moment and each milestone.

Summer Breakfast Smoothie:
1/2 banana, 1 peach (no pit), 1/4 c. berries, 2 raw kale leaves, a squeeze of fresh lemon, 1 c. plain non-fat yogurt, 2 t. ground flax seeds, 1 c. or more water, 2 ice cubes - blend and enjoy!

Carena Lowenthal, MS, RD, CDN
(917) 882-5033
carena@carenalowenthal.com
www.eatingwell365.blogspot.com

Vacation 2013

Vacation 101:  How Not to Undue All Your Hard Work

1. Resist the Urge to Splurge
While on vacation, you know that by being away from your home, you are technically eating “out” at every meal for as many days as your vacation is long.   Don’t think that you can splurge on every meal, and still maintain your weight loss.  Eating “out” in most cases provides more calories, grams of fat, and sodium, and less fruits and vegetables than you may have had if you had prepared your own meals.  So choose lower fat, higher fiber foods, consider splitting an entree with your partner, or order 2 appetizers instead of an appetizer and a main course.
2. Ask for Your Food Your Way
Ask how foods are prepared.  Questions like “Is it fried?”  or “Can I get that broiled with no sauce/ or sauce on the side?”  will help identify ingredients and calories.  “Can I have a salad or steamed vegetables instead of the potatoes?”  “Do you have brown rice, whole wheat pasta?”  You get the idea.  If you don’t ask, you won’t know.  Restaurants are more interested in pleasing the customers now and understand the healthy requests.  Often items are even listed that highlight lower calorie, lower fat, “heart healthy” options.
3. Enjoy the Scenery/ Enjoy the People you are with/ and Enjoy the Food
Remember the reason why you are on vacation.  Is it to enjoy the beautiful beach, the city, the country, the mountains, to spend time with your family, or is it to eat?  Most often it’s some combination.  Sure you want to have enjoyable meals in new places with whoever you are on vacation with, but you did not go on vacation just to eat (unless of course you are in Italy, and your favorite thing ever is a good bowl of pasta).  Have small portions of your favorite food, practice moderation.  Skip the bread basket if you are having dessert, or skip dessert if you have a piece of bread.
4. Walking and other Physical Activity
I love a good walk, as I’m sure you do too.  If you are on a beach vacation, go for a walk on the beach, listening to waves crashing as you feel the water on your feet. If you are somewhere that you can go for a bikeride, play a game of tennis, go for a swim (laps/ not drinking cocktails at the pool bar), then do so.  It will be fun and help offset all the extra foods and drinks you are likely to consume.
5. Choose Your Extra’s Carefully
Realistically, can you have that one extra treat a day?  Maybe you can sacrifice the french fries for the ice cream cone (single scoop), or maybe you can safely add a croissant with eggs and cheddar cheese for breakfast but then have a salad for lunch.  Limit your “extra” to one a day and you won’t feel deprived, you will feel like you made a wise choice.
6. Water
While at home we know to drink 8 glasses of water a day, so why change this when we are away.  Too often we are surrounded by sodas, ice teas, lemonades, coffee, and alcoholic drinks, and then we forget to drink out water.  Bring a water bottle with you and keep filling it up when you can.  It will keep you hydrated, less hungry, and less likely to fill up on high calorie drinks.  Order seltzer instead of a drink or water with lemon or lime.  If you do drink alcohol, remember the limit of 1 drink for woman and 2 for men - tops.
7. Fill up with Fruits and Vegetables First
Make an effort to get at least five servings of fruits and vegetables a day, just like when you are home. It will make meals seem more filling and satisfying. It will provide enough fiber in your diet to help keep your intestines regular. And it will keep your levels of antioxidants and important vitamins high so you are less likely to get sick.  If you are having trouble finding fruits and vegetables on menus, stop by a local fruit stand or grocery store, and grab a few apples, peaches, cherries, berries, or string beans.
8. Eat When You're Hungry and Don’t Overdue it
When you are on vacation the meal times may be more (or less) structured and you may have to be flexible to other’s schedules.  Try and listen to your stomach.  If you are at dinner but aren’t really hungry, then order light.  If you are starving for breakfast and everyone is still sleeping, see if you can find some fruit to munch on till everyone wakes up and is ready to eat.  And when you are full, then stop eating.  It doesn’t matter that there is still half a portion of your meal left if you are full.  It’s better to leave it on the plate than for it to sit in your stomach and then travel to your fat storage cells, your thighs, your butt, etc.
Have a great week, vacation, and summer!
Carena Lowenthal, MS, RD, CDN  917-882-5033 carena@carenalowenthal.com
www.carenalowenthal.com  eatingwell365.blogspot.com