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Tag: apple picking

FitnessHealthy TipsLifestyle
October 16, 2014By Josephine Fitzpatrick

Take Advantage of the Fall Weather

With this season comes many new opportunities to have a happy and healthy fall. The changing leaves and cool weather are just a few reasons to get outside. Hiking, walking, and biking are great ways to enjoy the outdoors with friends and family, or to take some time for yourself. Activities like these help improve your cardio-vascular health and muscle fitness while lowering your risk of some cancers and heart disease, all while helping you reach your weight loss goals. Whether you head to a state park, bike trail or stay in your neighborhood, take advantage of the beautiful weather! Be sure to stay warm and safe out there, such as wearing weather proof clothing for rainy days and something reflective now that it will be getting darker earlier.

 

So many fun things are in season to share with your family or a group of friends. Check what is offered at farms and orchards in your area and make a day of it. Many places you go will have an abundance of kids games and crafts, as well as activities for any age. Apple picking is a classic, where you can literally eat the fruits of your labor, and a corn maze is a fun way to fit in a healthy walk. Most farms and orchards also feature local and seasonal treats, so one thing to watch out for is temptation. Don’t let these outings lead you astray. Let them be an opportunity to enjoy the season with your family without the regret of eating something you will later wish you hadn’t. And remember, you are on a farm after all – try and find a place that offers fresh vegetables from their own land that you can take home such as cauliflower, eggplant, cabbage, kale, Brussels sprouts, squash and potatoes. So skip the fried donuts and candied apples – you’ll thank yourself later.

 

Another great way to watch what you eat is to pack a healthy picnic. Many places offer space to lay down a blanket or a number of picnic tables. Keep it fresh with raw veggies and hummus for an appetizer. Lettuce wraps are easy make and healthy, such as light tuna, turkey or grilled chicken. Bring your favorite salad and fresh fruit. Remember to stay hydrated, especially if your day is packed with activities. Bring plenty of water, and maybe some juice or lemonade for the kids and tea in a thermos to warm you up.

 

As Halloween gets closer, pumpkin picking is sure to be on your list. And if you really want to get into the Halloween spirit, a Haunted House can be a creative way to get your heart pumping. Again, candy and treats will be everywhere but you have to stay strong. Don’t ruin this month’s weight loss accomplishments with unhealthy snacking. Your self-control is a strength, not a limitation. You have chosen to get fit and you’re sticking with it!

 

~Love to Live Healthy with Josephine Fitzpatrick
Innovation Weight Loss and Fitness
8031 Jericho Tpke Woodbury, NY 11797
469 7th Ave Manhattan, NY 10018
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FitnessHealthy TipsLifestyle
October 13, 2014By Josephine Fitzpatrick

Healthy Halloween Treats

When you’re faced with the constant push of Halloween candy, what can you do to still make the season fun but also healthy? There are so many fall treats and activities that you can enjoy with your family that can also help you stay on track for your weight loss goals. Everyone knows that pumpkin picking is an essential fall outing, but apple picking is also a great seasonal activity for families and groups where the reward is a healthy snack. Kids will love picking them, and it will make eating them a special occasion every time you’re looking for a snack afterwards. When it comes time to carve pumpkins, don’t just throw away the insides. Save the seeds and bake them in the oven for a tasty snack that is also full of antioxidants and minerals, like zinc. And getting them fresh from the pumpkin means no added salt.

 

Another fun snack to make with your kids is Halloween Trail mix. The basic ingredients are Cheerios, nuts, pretzels, raisins and a little bit of Candy Corn, but you can mix it up with whatever flavor Cheerios you like and any kind of nut, or nuts. You can also add some reduced fat popcorn to the mix. Another candy corn themed treat is a Candy Corn Fruit Cocktail. Just cut pineapples and oranges (or Clementine wedges) into bit-sized chucks, and then layer pineapple then orange in a see through cup with a little whipped cream on top.

 

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Don’t let the orange peels go to waste – you can use them to make Jack-O-Lantern Fruit Cups. Just cut off the top of the orange and hallow it out, then carve a face onto the orange like a Jack-O-Lantern and fill with the fresh fruit of your choosing, like strawberries, grapes and blueberries.

 

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Clementines also make perfect mini pumpkins if you peel them and keep them whole then add a piece of celery to the top as a stem. You can keep going with the fresh fruit with banana ghosts – just cut some bananas in half and add two chocolate chips for eyes and one for a mouth on each half near the end of the banana.

 

banana-ghosts-and-clementine-pumpkins

 

A fun savory dish that could be a great dinner option is Halloween Stuffed Peppers. Simply carve a Jack-O-Lantern face onto the peppers and replaced the top after you carve out the seeds and then cook them as usual.

 

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These recipes are all about putting a healthy spin on Halloween snacks, but also about something more than food. Your kids may try something new, and be proud of something that they picked or made from scratch. It’s more than just unwrapping a piece of candy, you’re preparing something together and eating something you won’t feel guilty about. While it is important to remember to eat healthy, it is also important to enjoy this time with your family. And with these ideas you can do both.

 

~Love to Live Healthy with Josephine Fitzpatrick

 

Innovation Weight Loss and Fitness

8031 Jericho Tpke Woodbury, NY 11797

469 7th Ave Manhattan, NY 10018

Read More