Great 10 minute ab workout

My abs are getting stronger and stronger and this video really REALLY challenged me. Push yourself to do the harder alternatives!

Although I've been slacking on the eating healthy 24/7 kick, I decided it's time to jump back on the bandwagon. I haven't gained any weight(thank the Lord), but I can feel my laziness taking over again. So, seeing as Wednesday is pay day, I've assembled a grocery list:

-apples(natural breath freshener; keeps you full)
-green beans(almost 1/2 your daily serving of fiber in one cup)
-lean chicken cuts(protein)
-natural peanut butter(protein...and delicious.)
-whole grain/oat/wheat bread(carbs; whole grains)
-carrots(natural sugars; loaded with betacarotene)
-bagged spinach(cheaper; packed with vitamins and iron)
-strawberries(natural teeth whitener; TONS of vitamin C)
-pineapple(fruit with least amount of pesticides; loaded with magnese to strengthen bones)
-cottage cheese(great for diets-low in fat and carbs, high in protein to keep you fuller longer)
-low fat plain yogurt(calcium for strong bones)
-brown rice(healthy carbs; filling)
-broccoli(tons of fiber and vitamins)
-plain oatmeal(fights cancer cells; lowers cholesterol; fiber;protein)
-blueberries(highest capacity of antioxidants in fruit-ideal for help with weight loss)
-watermelon(keeps you looking younger; boosts immune system; prevents blindness(for real!); tons of water! which we all need)

I'm not a big sit down and have a huge meal type of person, I'd rather consistently snack all day. ...Can you tell I love fruit?

Needless to say, this grocery list is still under revision. Have a great night everyone(aka my one follower, LAUREN!)

-molly xoxo

Popcorn: A Whole-Grain Snack

In the mood to just eat, and eat, and eat without suffering the detrimental realization that you just consumed an entire days worth of calories? I've been like this lately...thank you summer...and I've found popcorn to completely squash my fears of high calorie intake, as well as my appetite!

Here are just some of the benefits of some plain, natural, or (my favorite) 94% fat-free popcorn:
-excellent source of fiber; increases the feeling of being full and helps to steady blood sugar levels.
-fiber in popcorn, in conjunction with a low-fat eating plan, may help lower fat and cholesterol.
-helps aid in weight control as part of a healthy, low-fat, balanced eating plan. Popcorn can be incorporated as a satisfying low-fat snack, reducing your cravings for other high-fat, high-calorie snacks.


If you're feeling a little festive, here are some things you can add to your popcorn:
-some garlic powder and ground red pepper(spicy)
-2 tablespoons whole almonds add protein, iron and fiber
-1 /3 cup chopped dried fruit adds iron and fiber
-2 tablespoons shredded Parmesan cheese adds protein and calcium
-2 tablespoons soy nuts adds fiber and calcium
-2 tablespoons pumpkin seeds adds protein and fiber
-1 /2 cup dry unsweetened cereal adds iron and B vitamins
-10 pretzel sticks adds B vitamins

Also: 3 ounces of popcorn will supply a growing boy or girl with more than one-third of his or her daily requirement of phosphorous and one-fifth of the daily iron requirement…popcorn furnishes the human body with 2.7 milligrams of iron per 100grams of popcorn (edible portion). That is more than eggs, roast beef, peanuts, codfish, or milk, and is just short of spinach, which has 3.0 milligrams.

Convinced? Hope so! Popcorn is wonderful and delicious. My personal favorite is either the plain kernels popped old-fashioned style or the Orville Reddenbaucher's(sp?) 94% Fat Free Kettle Cooked popcorn. mmmmm.

Hope you're having a wonderful summer!
-Molly Elizabeth