We are excited to announce three new meals available this week.
Tomato Stuffed with Quinoa
Chocolate Chip Muffin
Portobello Stuffed Mushroom
Come in and try them tokay! You can also place an order with Nora – InnovationNora@gmail.com
~Love to Live Healthy with Josephine Fitzpatrick
Innovation Weight Loss and Fitness
8031 Jericho Tpke Woodbury, NY 11797
211 E 43rd Street Manhattan, NY 10019
We are re-opening this Tuesday September 6th and we have some new foods to share with you!
In addition to the PB & J Strawberry bites, we are adding PB & J Grape Bites and PB & J Raspberry Bites
Please have orders submitted to Nora (innovationnora@gmail.com) by Saturday September 3 at noon.
Or just come in and shop Tuesday morning, we open at 9am. We look forward to seeing you!
The Staff at Innovation
Innovation Weight Loss and Fitness
8031 Jericho Tpke Woodbury, NY 11797
The transition from summer to fall is one of the most challenging and chaotic of the year. We go from vacations and camp, to school, college and busy activity schedules. The weather changes and the sun sets earlier. The days feel shorter when it already feels like there aren’t enough hours in the day to get everything done. This is a time when we are constantly on the go and thinking about the next thing, which can mean hasty decisions and grabbing whatever is fast and easy when it’s time to eat. Now is the time to prepare and make sure we give ourselves a hand. Stock your fridge with healthy food. Cook meals ahead of time. Have snacks on hand that you can eat on the go and during your commute. Look at menus ahead of time when you know you are going out to eat. One of the best ways to fight temptation is to eliminate it – know your weak points. Whether it is late at night, after school or work or right after breakfast, be prepared for when you tend to go off your healthy plan. Stick to your exercise routine or make adjustments around your new busy schedule.
Many college students are already at school. This can be a stressful time for parents and students, whether it is their first year or they are graduating soon. Overeating is a common concern caused by the stress and anxiety of college life. Between studying, homework, classes, professors, time management, sleep schedule, social adjustment, relationships, jobs, moving or commuting, worries about the future, final exams, being homesick, graduation, etc. – students can find it hard to eat healthy, find healthy foods to eat and know what to eat. It will take some time to figure out dining halls and local places to eat, but there are always options. And if you are a member of the Innovation Online Program you can reach out to us at any time and we can find the best food options on campus for you. The important thing to remember is that eating won’t take the stress away, it will just delay it or give you relief for a few moments. Instead of turning to food, try some problem solving techniques such as making a to-do list to prioritize your tasks and work on them one by one. If procrastination is the problem, try working in a new location away from any possible distractions. If you are burnt out there’s nothing wrong with taking a break, a short nap or doing something you enjoy. Exploring your neighborhood and campus is a great way to get comfortable with your surroundings and get your body moving. If you ever need help, reach out to a parent, friend, family member, professor or advisor. Find what works for you and have a healthy and successful school year!
For most younger kids, today is their first day of school. Make them a part of lunch prep – they can help plan their lunches with your guidance. Whether it’s our PB and J bites, a turkey sandwich on white bread or whatever they love, including them in packing their lunch can help them learn about healthy eating and give them confidence and independence. One important thing you can remind them of is that just because they are back to school that doesn’t mean the outdoor fun is over. Spend time outdoors after school and on the weekends as long as the weather is nice. You can pick fruit at a farm, attend a concert or sporting event, see a movie at a theater or outdoors, have a family barbecue or picnic, go to the park or beach one last time, and the list goes on. It’s a great way to connect and regroup as a family as the school year takes over.
There are many of us who wish that summer would never end, and how could we not? It would be great to always be on vacation or away at camp. Living completely carefree and not worrying about the consequences. But the reality is you had your fun and now it’s time to get serious, take care of your health and body both physically and mentally – the only way to do that is to get back on program 100%. There is a great deal to look forward to in the upcoming months and if you start now you will be in a good place in time to enjoy the next Holiday season. The first days of September and the fall season is an exciting time of opportunity, new beginnings and unknown potential. Build a strong and healthy momentum now and make September a successful month for you and your family that will continue through the rest of the year.
~Love to Live Healthy with Josephine Fitzpatrick
Innovation Weight Loss and Fitness
8031 Jericho Tpke Woodbury, NY 11797
469 7th Ave Manhattan, NY 10018
CHALLENGE: FOR THE NEXT TWO WEEKS – I want you to make a serious effort to DO THE RIGHT THING and take all the blame every time you over eat or go off program. So that means – No blaming the kids because they are crazy and out of control. No blaming your significant other because they eat terrible. No blaming the beautiful vacation you are on because it made you over eat and No blaming your friends because of social pressure. FOR THE NEXT TWO WEEKS IT’S ALL ON YOU! You are in control of what you do and what you want because at the end of the day you are the one who is putting the food and drink in your mouth. Remember everyone has something going on in their life. Trust me, I work with thousands and thousands of people all over the world and everyone (even the most perfect in control person) has something going on that could easily let them slip. But they don’t. They don’t because they know once they let it slip it’s just another thing that is not right in their life on top of what they are already dealing with. They have come to understand and realize that when life is challenging, eating healthy and doing the right thing makes every obstacle in their life easier.
Weight loss, feeling healthy and fit is actually the one thing you do have control over. Whether or not you do it is once again on you. So whether you are on vacation, at work, getting kids ready for school, college – You can and will do the right thing and stay on program like so many have done this summer:
FOR EXAMPLE: Quinn from Indiana who has lost over 35 lbs since May and still losing. Or Miggy who is down 20 lbs, and Jaimie hit 30 lbs last week, we have Mary Kate who is down 23 lbs in 4 weeks and Ally who went on two major vacations this summer and is still down 25lbs. The list goes on and on…You see what’s really important here is for you to understand that when you have 6 days clean and 1 day to eat whatever you want – it is more than enough for a social, happy, healthy and fun life and you still lose weight and feel great. If you need anything more than that one day off then it’s on you. If you want to lose weight, be happy and and feel great – THEN DO THE RIGHT THING – BECAUSE YOU KNOW THAT IS WHAT MAKES YOU TRULY HAPPY!
IN ORDER TO BE AMAZING AT WEIGHT LOSS OR ANYTHING THAT
YOU WANT IN YOUR LIFE. YOU CAN’T ACCEPT FAILURE. YOU CAN’T BLAME ANYONE AROUND YOU.
YOU HAVE TO WANT IT MORE THAN ANYTHING. YOU HAVE TO LIVE IT AND BREATH IT
BECAUSE THAT’S WHAT IT TAKES TO BE AMAZING.
YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES – WHETHER YOU CHOOSE TO DO IT
WILL DETERMINE YOUR STRENGTH AND YOUR FUTURE HAPPINESS.
It is already almost half way through August and it is starting to feel like the end of summer is approaching. Even though we will have warm, mild weather through September and maybe even part of October, soon we will be back to our busy schedules. Work, school, college, homework, sports and the holiday season will be here before we know it.
But let’s not get ahead of ourselves just yet. August may feel like we are running towards a finish line, but there is still so much that can be done and so much to reflect on that can help us stay healthy for the rest of the year and beyond.
When it comes to our fitness and body image, summer really exposes our true feelings and priorities. We can’t hide, and we want to feel and look our best in bathing suits and short sleeves. But as the weather changes and we add on the layers, we can feel like it’s okay to let things go a little. We accomplished our goals and had a successful summer, so we may find that our will power and motivation start to disappear. But this just means that it’s time to adjust and re-evaluate. Do you want to stay inside this fall and winter, feeling heavy and bloated? Or do you want to feel healthy and in control, even through the holidays? Decide where you want to be now, not 3 months from now when you are trying to undo all the unhealthy choices you wish you hadn’t made.
The truth is, summer is different from the rest of the seasons. We have more time and are more carefree. We are in a positive mindset, the sun is shining and we feel good so we want to eat good. But as the year goes on and we move into fall and winter, things change. So start now and make a new plan. Your goals can be the same but with changing schedules, seasonal foods and weather conditions there need to be some adjustments. Change up your routine – try new restaurants or recipes, new workouts or classes, or any way you want to switch it up. Or it can be as simple as adjusting your current routine – if you run or walk outside, be prepared to head inside or get the right gear so you can keep going through any weather. If you know you will be on the go all the time, whether you are in the car or taking the train, start to think about meals and snacks you can take with you. It will be one less thing to think about and preparing ahead of time makes it that much easier to follow though.
Make sure to keep it consistent and commit. Food and exercise are the tools that get you there, but at the end of the day it’s up to you to make it happen. Transitioning from summer to fall can be physically and mentally draining, so don’t let your health take a back seat. Finding what works for you and staying healthy year round takes work but it is always worth it.
Eating clean and living a healthy lifestyle is about more than looking good in a bathing suit. It’s about more than being fit for just the few months of summer. It is about making healthy changes that stick and learning to eat, drink and live in a new way that makes us feel happy, healthy, accomplished and in control.
~Love to Live Healthy with Josephine Fitzpatrick
Innovation Weight Loss and Fitness
8031 Jericho Tpke Woodbury, NY 11797
469 7th Ave Manhattan, NY 10018
Enjoy all that summer has to offer with these delicious and clean recipes. They can help keep you on track and are perfect for Father’s Day this weekend or any summer get together.
Red Lentil Veggie Burger
If you’re grilling this weekend, this recipe is perfect. This recipe makes 6 burgers. Lentils are legumes that contain a high amount of nutrients like folate, fiber, iron, protein and many vitamins. To make these burgers you will need:
2 cups water
3/4 cup dried red lentils
3/4 teaspoon salt, divided
1 cup diced onion
1/2 cup finely diced carrot
3 garlic cloves, chopped
2 cups chopped mushrooms
1 teaspoon dried marjoram (spice, optional)
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon lemon juice
3 egg whites
Cooking spray
Burger Toppings
1. Start by boiling the water, lentils and 1/4 teaspoon of salt in a pot. Reduce to simmer and core for 20 minutes. Drain and set aside.
2. Heat a pan with cooking spray and add carrot, onion and garlic. Sautéed for a few minutes. Add 1/2 teaspoon of salt, mushroom, marjoram and pepper. Sautéed for another few minutes.
3. Add this mixture to a bowl and let sit for 5 minutes, then add the lentils, lemon juice and egg whites. Mix then cover and chill for 30 minutes.
4. Divide the mixture into 6 equal patties. Spray pan or grill or foil with cooking spray and cook patties on each side for 5 minutes.
5. Top your burger with ingredients of your choice – lettuce, arugula, onion, tomato, mustard, etc. Enjoy!
Shrimp Scampi
This is a clean version of a tasty recipe that is perfect for summer. This will make 2-4 servings.
You will need:
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
2 medium zucchini, cup into noodles
1 lb shrimp, shelled and deveined
1 tablespoon minced garlic
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/4 cup vegetable stock
1. Start with a warm pan sprayed with cooking spray. Add garlic and red pepper flakes and cook them for 1 minute, stirring.
2. Add shrimp to the pan and cook, stirring occasionally, until they are cooked and pink on all sides. Season the shrimp with salt and pepper then put them in a bowl and set aside.
3. Add zucchini noodles and lemon juice and stock to the pan, stirring occasionally for 2 minutes. Then add the shrimp back into the pan and combine everything. Plate and enjoy!
Seafood Salad on Cucumber
This is a delicious and easy appetizer that only takes a few ingredients. You can make light salad with any type of seafood – shrimp, crab, lobster or tuna – or you can buy it from your local grocery store, or the Innovation Store!
If you make it at home, just add 1 tbsp of light mayonnaise to any protein listed above. You can also add extras like celery, onion or even jalapeño for a little spice.
Simply scoop the salad onto slices of cucumber and enjoy!
Homemade Popsicles
It wouldn’t be summer without ice cream! Here are some healthy and clean alternatives that you can make at home. All you need is an ice cube tray, small glasses, disposable cups or a popsicle mold and some tooth picks or popsicles sticks. After these are blended and poured, let them freeze for a few hours or overnight. Serving size depends on the size of the popsicle.
Pina Colada – Blend 1/2 banana, 1/4 cup unsweetened coconut milk, 1/2 cup fresh pineapple and 3 ice cubes.
Green Watermelon – Blend 3/4 cup cubed watermelon, 1/4 cup frozen berries, 1 cucumber (sliced) and 1 cup chopped spinach.
Skinny Fudge Pop – Blend 1 cup unsweetened chocolate almond milk, 1 1/2 cups vanilla non fat Greek yogurt, 2 tbsp cocoa powder, and 2 small bananas.
Ginger Peach Tea – Steep 8 black tea bags in 2 cups boiling water for 5-7 minutes. Add 3 pitted and pureed peach to a pan with 1/2 cup water and 1 tablespoon fresh chopped ginger. Bring to a boil, stirring frequently. Simmer for a few minutes. Combine tea and peach mixture, then pour into molds. You can even add a couple chances of peach to each one.
~ Love to Live Healthy with Josephine Fitzpatrick
Innovation Weight Loss and Fitness 8031 Jericho Tpke Woodbury, NY 11797 469 7th Ave Manhattan, NY 10018
One of the biggest concerns for people about to start a weight loss program and people trying to reach their goals is hunger. If we could eat healthy and correct size portions and not feel hungry, losing weight would be significantly easier. Many of us enjoy eating healthy foods, but when we are left feeling unsatisfied we go off plan. The physical hunger pangs affect us mentally – we think we need to eat as soon as we feel even a little bit hungry. Fighting these feelings can be some of the hardest moments on our weight loss journey. But often times, over eating and constant snacking are just bad habits we need to break.
When it comes to weight loss and eating healthy, feeling hungry a couple times a day is normal. This doesn’t mean feeling starving or constantly hungry – your meals and snacks should leave you feeling full for a reasonable amount of time. Meals should leave you feeling satisfied and energized for 3-5 hours and they should never be skipped. Drastically reducing your food intake and going to extremes is never good. Under eating can cause you to feel feeble and frail, can deprive your muscle of the nourishment they need and can also cause you to binge. You should never feel weak or lightheaded, but eating as soon as you feel mild hunger isn’t necessary. Feeling hungry lets you know when it’s time to refuel and it also lets you know that you are balanced.
It can be hard to understand, but mild hunger actually is a good thing because it also indicates that you aren’t over eating. Many of us have been over eaters, either eating huge meals or constantly snacking all day, or both. This is unhealthy for many reasons, and feeling hungry lets us know that we aren’t over eating anymore. Eating meals that leave us feeling stuffed will stretch out our stomachs and make it harder to eat the right portions. It makes it so every time we eat, it feels like we haven’t eaten enough because our stomachs are used to eating more. It takes some time, but soon your stomach will adjust. Your body should be able to digest and use up the food you eat, otherwise you are gaining. That’s why even eating too much of a healthy food isn’t good for weight loss. If you are constantly consuming you can’t lose.
A healthy and disciplined eating routine will keep you nourished and keep you from over or under eating. Feeding your body clean foods for fuel and staying hydrated is the best thing for your weight loss. You will feel lighter and fitter, and soon it will show on the scale. So next time hunger happens, don’t immediately feed into it. Try and control it and remember it’s one of the challenges of making a healthy change.
~Love to Live Healthy with Josephine Fitzpatrick
Innovation Weight Loss and Fitness
8031 Jericho Tpke Woodbury, NY 11797
469 7th Ave Manhattan, NY 10018
Dining out or ordering in from a restaurant can help save time and energy on a busy night, but it can also make it hard to find the right dish that fits into your weight loss plan. It can be difficult to navigate a menu full of sauces, pastas, cheeses, breads, and fried foods. But you still have a choice. Don’t think a meal is out of your control because you’re picking from a menu that wasn’t make with your fitness in mind. Here are some tips for eating outside your home.
8031 Jericho Tpke Woodbury, NY
469 7th Ave Manhattan, NY
We are now on UBER EATS 7 days a week for your convenience