Resolutions, anyone?

If you've got 'em, I want to hear them!

I'm really not one for resolutions ordinarily. I think that the word carries a certain stigma that you'll drop off what you say you'll resolve to do within a few weeks. However, that being said, I do think the new year is a time to refocus on goals, and revive motivation toward accomplishing fitness challenges.

So, I'm going to try to make a few this year:

• I resolve to get back into the habit of logging everything I eat on Myfitnesspal.com! While I log onto the site everyday, and usually log my breakfast and lunch, I've started to not log dinners or close out for the day. It's a bad habit and I'd like to break it and get back into my logging routine.

• I resolve to floss daily! I floss a few times a week, but I really should do it daily

• I resolve to cook more! Life has been very busy, but my recent Indian/tofu experience made me remember just how much I love to cook. Plus, I feel better about what I'm eating when I cook it myself.

• I resolve to get back to the gym! Between college, and getting all the paperwork sorted for my apartment, there was a period of months that I wasn't working out on a regular basis -- and it sucked! Now that I have a gym at my disposal, I need to get excited and motivated about using it!

• I resolve to have a bedtime! I get up early, so in theory, I should be going to bed early. Nope, doesn't normally happen. Even though I've graduated, I'm still living my college hours -- and it's really a disservice to my body. In the new year, I want to be asleep by 11, so that I'll have a good 8 hours of sleep when I get up at 7. 

Anyone else want to share?

Calories: Infographic

Seeking Advice: Weight Watchers?

Hey fellow Fitness Enthusiasts!

First of all, Happy Holidays to all. I had a lovely Hanukkah with my friends and family. And per tradition, my  family celebrated Christmas by having cheese fondue. Usually. we make it from a mix. This year, however, we made homemade fondue from a recipe. It was different than previous years, but also quite good.

Second, I turn to my readers for advice. As you all know, I lost twenty pounds by using the free online fitness/nutrition logging website, myfitnesspal.com. Now, I love MFP, and clearly, I have advocated the website several times on this blog. However, I have been plateaued for several months, and I'd like to break this plateau.

I've been thinking of joining weight watchers. Can anyone give me some of their experiences with the weight watchers program? Pros? Cons? Anecdotes? I'd love to hear them all.

Wishing everyone a continued happy and healthy holiday season,

Stephanie

Chocolate Cures Coughs

Apparently, Professor Lupin's home remedy does have some validity! 

According to a recent study by the British National Health Service, theobromine, a chemical compound commonly found in chocolate is very effective cough suppressant -- and is believed to be more effective for treating coughs than codeine!

The study says that unsweetened dark chocolate has the highest concentration of theobromine -- eating just two ounces will help with that cough. Sweetened dark chocolate, though, requires six ounces.

Milk chocolate has the least amount of theobromine. You're going to have to consumer a pound -- twice daily for the cough suppressant effects. 

Alyn Morice, MD, the study's leader adds a word of caution: "Eating chocolate on a daily basis may have other unwanted effects, including weight gain."

.........

Say it ain't so. 

My verdict? It's a fun fact, but I'll stick with Ricola  cough drops.

Portion Sizing Made Easy

Because not all of us carry around measuring cups in our purses.....

Trying my hand at Indian

Hey foodies!

So awhile ago, I reported that I was afraid of trying Indian. Well, I still haven't tried it, but I'm attempting to make it.

I know, I know, I make no sense. Surely my first Indian experience would be better if I tasted food made by someone who actually KNEW what they were doing. But I'm in an adventurous experiment mood, so I'm going to go for it.

Tonight's menu will consist of: Roasted Brussels Sprouts...... not really "Indian" but we all know I'm an addict.... and Pan-seared Tofu and Chick Peas in a canned Tikka Malasa sauce.

I'll let you know how it tastes. Perhaps my attempt at Indian will be a bridge into actually trying the real stuff.


UPDATE:

SO SO GOOD!

I seared the tofu so it had a little crust on it, added the chick peas so that they came to temperature, and then added some tikka masala sauce. Obviously not the most complicated dish, but definitely a nice bridge into Indian food!