National Nutrition Month

Did you know March is National Nutrition Month?

Most people know that eating well is important for maintaining a healthy weight, having energy and having a healthy life in general, but accomplishing this is a challenge for many of us.

During National Nutrition Month®, the American Dietetic Association reminds everyone that an easy way to focus on eating better is to start with the basics: build your nutritional health from the ground up.

“By starting slowly and giving yourself a good foundation, you can work towards a healthier life,” says registered dietitian and ADA spokesperson Toby Smithson. “Change doesn’t have to be dramatic to make a difference.”

Smithson suggests ways to improve your nutrition from the ground up:
1.Focus on fruits and veggies: “Take a good look at your current diet and you’ll probably realize you’re not eating enough fruits or vegetables,” says Smithson. “Add a serving each day to one meal and increase it every few weeks. Adding more of these foods into your diet is important whether you buy frozen, fresh or organic.”
2.Look locally: From farmer’s markets to community-supported agriculture, you have many options to find new, fresh foods in your area. “This can be a great way to eat well and support your community at the same time,” Smithson says.
3.Make calories count: “Too often, people think of foods as good or bad and that only those on the ‘good foods’ list are okay to eat,” says Smithson. “When you’re choosing between options, focus instead on the one with more of the vitamins and nutrients that you need. Sometimes, foods with fewer calories aren’t always the healthiest options.” To figure out how many calories you need to achieve a healthy weight, visit www.mypyramid.gov.
4.Test your taste buds: A healthy eating plan emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat or fat-free dairy and includes lean meats, poultry, fish, beans and nuts. “Those are the basics, but within this wide range there are always opportunities to try new things and find new favorites,” Smithson says. “Expand your horizons. Try a fish you’ve never eaten before or find a new vegetable recipe. By testing yourself, you might find new healthy favorites to add to your regular grocery list.”
5.Trick yourself with treats: “A healthful diet doesn’t mean deprivation,” says Smithson. “If you have a sweet tooth, have fruit and yogurt for dessert. If you want a snack in the afternoon, have some trail mix or nuts. There is no reason to go hungry just because you’re making healthful changes.”
For more tips on building your healthful diet from the ground up, during National Nutrition Month and all year long, visit www.eatright.org and click on “For the Public.”

Health and Wellness Coaching
Are you taking advantage of a health/wellness coach?
What is Coaching?
•Facilitates insight and clarity through goal setting
•Elicits client-generated and/or collaborative solutions and strategies
•Available to answer any health and wellness questions regarding weight loss, nutrition, exercise, stress, and so on
•Works with the whole person
•Increases accountability and responsibility

Contact me for more information @dianefitcoach.com


Recipe of the Month
Whip up some tasty barbecue sauce with our super-simple recipe. Combine shredded chicken and serve on whole wheat hamburger buns for a yummy main dish. Not only is prep a snap, but the sandwiches are low in fat and a great source of protein.


Pulled Chicken Sandwiches


6 sandwiches
Start to Finish: 25 minutes

Ingredients
1 recipe Barbecue Sauce (see below)
2 cups shredded cooked chicken
6 whole wheat hamburger buns, split
Red onion slices (optional)
Dill pickle spears (optional)

Directions
Prepare Barbecue Sauce. Add shredded chicken to sauce. Heat through, stirring frequently. Serve on split buns. If desired, serve with red onion slices and dill pickle spears.
Barbecue Sauce: In a medium saucepan heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Add 1/4 cup finely chopped onion; cook 3 to 5 minutes or until tender, stirring occasionally. Add one 8-ounce can tomato sauce, 2 tablespoons tomato paste, 1 tablespoon Dijon-style mustard, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, and 1 teaspoon honey or heat-stable granular sugar substitute (Splenda). Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered, about 5 minutes or until desired consistency. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Nutrition facts per serving:
Servings Per Recipe: 6 sandwiches
Calories 254
Total Fat (g) 8
Saturated Fat (g) 2
Cholesterol (mg) 42
Sodium (mg) 539
Carbohydrate (g) 27
Fiber (g) 1
Protein (g) 19
Source: www.hearthealthyonline.com

What have you done to make yourself proud?

O.K., it's 2010...... new decade...... blah blah blah, yada yada yada. We've all heard it before."time to make your new years resolutions." Lose weight, start exercising, be on time,etc. Same old same old. And oh ya, it's a new decade.... so no pressure there!
Take a deep breath...relax..... it's not a big deal unless you make it one. I think it's time to dump the internal voice that shouts in your ear,"this is gonna be the year I'm going to"___________________(fill in the blank). Listen folks, everyday you get a "do over" as Cleveland Clinic's Dr.Roizen puts it. We don't collectively have to make those decisions and take action only at the beginning of the year. Sure for some people it represents a starting point and it can be extremely helpful. However, you can pick any starting point you'd like. If you are alive and breathing and I assume you are if you're reading this blog, then decide for yourself what makes the most sense for you! Every minute of the day we get to choose our thoughts. The light bulb can turn on over your head at any point in your life. But here's something to think about for the New Year. Don't waste your life wondering how great you could have been, or how many people could have been helped by your actions, or what kind of wonderful business you coud have created that put others to work. Don't die "wondering" Don't leave this world with your potential untapped. If you do decide to make resolutions this year, my suggestion is to resolve to do something everyday that makes you feel proud. It doesn't have to be a grandious gesture............God is found in the details of life. I guarantee it will change how you feel about yourself. If you make this a goal, write it down, place it where you'll see it often as a reminder--by the way --this works for all goals--it will heighten your awareness and you'll start seeing more opportunities to take action steps to do the things that make you feel proud.
And lest you thought I forgot, true to my nature as a wellness coach (see title of my blog) it's still my duty to remind you ---no excuses!-30 min of cardio today!!!! "whack" that's the sound of my whip cracking.