Fitness Friday

I am sure you have all heard the saying "we are what we eat". Well, it is true! Our bodies are machines and if we don't properly fuel ourselves, we will eventually "run out of gas" or even worse, our plug our engine!

When choosing which foods to eat, I want you to think how long it would take for ______ to decompose or rot if I threw it outside? If it doesn't decompose or rot quickly, chances are it won't go through your body very quickly either. The longer it takes food to travel through your body, the more likely your body is going to absorb and store that food as fat and carbohydrates(sugars)- which leads to weight gain.

Many of the foods we choose to eat are processed- you can tell processed foods because they have a long shelf life. Take a moment and think about your local grocery store. What types of foods do you see in the middle isles? What do you see on the outer isles? The inside isles are mostly composed of processed foods- crackers, cereal, cookies, chips. The outside isles have the fresh food-produce, dairy, bakery, deli, fresh meats. Challenge yourself to do 70% of your grocery shopping in the outside isles. Your body will thank you!

Choosing foods that keep your digestive system "moving" are imperative to good health and feeling well. I understand that planning, shopping for, and preparing fresh foods is a bit more difficult and time consuming, but it is so important to take care of our bodies. Healthy eating habits should not only benefit ourselves, but our children as well. You are the example to your children of the importance of eating well and making good food choices. Childhood obesity is a growing problem among our nation and I believe proper habits start at home.

The great thing is, is that we DO have control over our bodies and our appetites. We have more control than we give ourselves credit(or accountability) for , so choose wisely!

I found this article on Yahoo and wanted to share it with you to remind you of 10 SUPER FOODS that are good to eat and good for you too!

"As spring swings into gear, there's no better time to give your body a healthy, fresh start! Plus, if you're thinking about lowering your weight "eating clean" is a great first step. Add these 10 foods to your grocery cart and you'll get three terrific benefits:
1. Lots of super-healthy liquids to flush out the body while pouring in nutrients.
2. Fiber to keep your GI tract fit.
3. Foods that energize cleansing enzymes in the liver, your body's built-in detox center.

The top 10:
1. Green leafy vegetables
Eat them raw, throw them into a broth, add them to juices. Their chlorophyll helps swab out environmental toxins (heavy metals, pesticides) and protects the liver.
2. Lemons
You need to keep the fluids flowing to wash out the body and fresh lemonade is ideal. Its vitamin C, considered the detox vitamin, helps convert toxins into a water-soluble form that's easily flushed away.
3. Watercress
Put a handful into salads, soups, and sandwiches. The peppery little green leaves have a diuretic effect that helps move things through your system. And cress is rich in minerals too.
4. Garlic
Add it to everything -- salads, sauces, spreads. In addition to the bulb's cardio benefits, it activates liver enzymes that help filter out junk.
5. Green tea
This antioxidant-rich brew is one of the healthiest ways to get more fluids into your system. Bonus: It contains catechins, which speed up liver activity.
6. Broccoli sprouts
Get 'em at your health-food store. They pack 20 to 50 times more cancer-fighting, enzyme-stimulating activity into each bite than the grown-up vegetable.
7. Sesame seeds
They're credited with protecting liver cells from the damaging effects of alcohol and other chemicals. For a concentrated form, try tahini, the yummy sesame seed paste that's a staple of Asian cooking.
8. Cabbage
There are two main types of detoxifying enzymes in the liver; this potent veggie helps activate both of them. Coleslaw, anyone?
9. Psyllium
A plant that's rich in soluble fiber, like oat bran, but more versatile. It mops up toxins (cholesterol too) and helps clear them out. Stir powdered psyllium into juice to help cleanse your colon, or have psyllium-fortified Bran Buds for breakfast.
10. Fruits, fruits, fruits
They're full of almost all the good things above: vitamin C, fiber, nutritious fluids, and all kinds of antioxidants. Besides, nothing tastes better than a ripe mango, fresh berries, or a perfect pear.

Ultimate Detox Recipe:Toss dark, leafy greens in hot, garlicky oil for a cleansing and delicious dish...Easy Wilted Garlic-Sesame Salad 4 servings, about 65 calories each
1 tsp. olive oil
1 clove garlic, minced
1 lb. spinach, stemmed, or
1 lb. Swiss chard, stems sliced, leaves torn or
1 lb. mixture of spinach and watercress
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
1 tsp. sesame seeds for garnish
Warm oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic and stir until lightly browned, about 45 seconds. Add greens (do in two batches, if necessary) and toss until just wilted, 2 to 4 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper."