Despite your best efforts, you’ll probably find yourself loading up on chocolate for your children’s Valentine’s Day party at school. We all remember those little Valentines with a little piece of chocolate or candy attached to it that each child hands out to their classmates. As fun as they are to give and receive, you’ll probably be the one putting them together the night before. And with all that candy in front of you, it wouldn’t be so bad to have just one, right? Or a couple? They’re so small, they won’t matter…this kind of thinking is never good. Keep healthy snacks around if you think you’ll be tempted and save the snacking for the weekend. And make sure left over candy doesn’t linger in your house.

Instead of putting the focus on food and gifts, make a plan to do something fun and meaningful with those you love. Luckily Valentine’s Day is on a weekend, so there are a variety of activities or special outings you could plan. Spending quality time with family and friends is the greatest gift – make it special even if it is as simple as a meal at home together. Make it more about what the holiday means and less about what you buy or give to each other. When it inevitably does come to gift giving, you may not be able to control what you receive but there are so many gifts other than a box of chocolates that are just as thoughtful and romantic. Putting in a little bit of time to give a gift that is truly meaningful like a photo album or that certain thing they’ve had their eye on will be so much more special and worthwhile. Even if you choose to make Valentine’s Day your cheat day, try not to make it a cheat weekend.

Holidays tend to make us feel like the rules don’t apply because we want to live in the moment. There’s nothing wrong with embracing a holiday, just keep in mind that that doesn’t always have to mean eating what you want and not caring until Monday morning. Just remember – the best parts of any holiday won’t disrupt your weight loss plan.

~ Love to Live Healthy with Josephine Fitzpatrick

Innovation Weight Loss and Fitness

This first recipe is simple, easy and can be made with a wide variety of ingredients. All it takes is a heart shaped cookie cutter and you can make Fruit Kebabs with watermelon and strawberry for a festive treat, or any fruit of your choosing for an adorable snack. You can keep the heart shaped theme going with almost any food – potatoes for a festive side and even carrots and cucumber to dress up a salad.

  

Another incredibly easy and tasty recipe is Raspberries and Chocolate Chips. Just place a dark chocolate chip inside each raspberry for a sweet and simple treat. Get double the antioxidants from the combination of raspberries and dark chocolate, as well as vitamins and minerals from both ingredients.

Raspberries and chocolate come together again for this next recipe: Raspberry Chocolate Truffles. These treats will taste decadent despite their healthy ingredients. In a food processor combine the following: 6 dates, 1/3 cup raspberries and 2 tablespoons of water. After the mixture is well-chopped (about 30 seconds), place it in a small pan and simmer over low heat for about 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Add 1/3 cup melted coconut oil and 1/2 tsp of vanilla to the mixture. Put the mixture back in the processor and add 3 tbsp of cocoa powder, process until smooth. Refrigerate for about an hour then scoop out 2 tsp sized portions and shape into balls. Place cocoa powder on a plate and roll the balls in the cocoa powder.

This next recipe combines healthy ingredients for a sweet treat: Chocolate Peanut Butter Quinoa Cups. For this recipe, combine 3 tablespoons of cacao powder, 1/3 cup of coconut oil, 1/2 cup of peanut butter (or any other nut butter) and 1/4 cup of honey (or maple syrup or coconut syrup) in a small sauce pan on low heat. Pour this mixture over puffed quinoa in a large bowl and stir until everything is mixed together. Spoon into muffins cups and freeze until hardened (about 10 minutes). You can add a fresh raspberry on top of each one as a festive garnish.

For those vegans out there, this next recipe is made without dairy, and is also gluten free. This recipe for Strawberry Lemon Rice Crispies is a tasty treat that kids will love. Melt 2 tablespoons of coconut oil and 10 oz of marshmallows (you can use the brand Dandies for the vegan option) in a saucepan. Add 2 tablespoons of beat juice for color (optional) and the juice and zest from one lemon into the pan. Remove from heat and add rice puffs and 3/4 cup dehydrated strawberry pieces to the mixture. Press into a 9×9 square pan and let cool.

Valentine’s Day isn’t complete without Chocolate Covered Strawberries. We recommend using dark chocolate chips in our recipe. Melt the chocolate on the stove with a double boiler (two pans that fit together – putting water in the bottom and chocolate in the top pan), or boil water in a sauce pan and place chocolate in a glass bowl into the pan. Dip each strawberry in the chocolate then place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. For extra flavor and crunch, finely chop any nuts of your choosing and place in a bowl. After dipping strawberries in chocolate, dip them in the bowl of nuts.

~ Love to Live Healthy with Josephine Fitzpatrick

Innovation Weight Loss and Fitness

8031 Jericho Tpke Woodbury, NY 11797

469 7th Ave Manhattan, NY 10018

1. Get a check up. In general, you should be getting a check up at least once a year. If it has been more than a year or you can’t even remember the last time you saw your doctor, now is a great time to get yourself checked out and get the right tests done to make sure your heart is healthy. Ask about blood pressure tests, cholesterol tests, diabetes screening and seek counseling if you need extra guidance. Learn about prevention for conditions you may be at risk for. Keep cholesterol and blood pressure in check. Cholesterol is one of the major controllable risk factors for heart disease and heart attack. When there is too much LDL (“bad”) cholesterol circulating in your blood, it can slowly build up in your arteries and create plaque that can narrow your arteries. If a clot forms, it can block a narrowed artery and a heart attack or stroke can happen. High blood pressure can damage your heart and arteries by placing too much pressure on them. This can cause microscopic tears in the walls of your arteries. If you are already at risk for heart disease, or take medication for blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes, follow the instructions carefully. Manage your symptoms and medications carefully with your doctor.

2. Eat right. Having a healthy diet is great for your weight loss but can also help prevent heart disease and improve heart health. Reduce trans fats and steer clear of foods high in sodium. Look for foods with protein, fiber and Omega-3. Omega-3 fatty acids help reduce inflammation in the body and can prevent damage to bloods vessels that can cause heart disease. Salmon is a great source of Omega-3 (as well as many other vitamins and minerals) which makes it such a smart choice for heart health. Look for protein in legumes such as beans, peas and lentils. They are great for your heart because they have no cholesterol. Nuts such as walnuts and cashews are also extremely healthy sources of protein. Fruits with antioxidants like blueberries help remove free radicals (harmful molecules that can contribute to heart disease) with their powerful antioxidants. Spinach is probably the healthiest food for your heart with Omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, vitamins and fiber. It has a particularly high amount of folate, which is important for building and maintaining healthy cells – especially red blood cells needed for heart health. Ground flaxseed is also high in Omega-3 and fiber and can be added to yogurt, oatmeal and even mustard for an extra healthy meal or snack.

3. Don’t smoke and limit alcohol use. Alcohol can increase the risk of high blood pressure and heavy drinking can weaken the heart muscle. Smoking is also a risk factor for high blood pressure as well as heart failure and coronary artery disease which can lead to heart attack.

4. Exercise regularly. Check with your doctor first to know how much activity is good for you, but exercise is the best way to build a strong heart. Walking is the simplest way to get your blood pumping. Swimming, cycling, skating, and jumping rope are also great ways to move you body and step it up a little more. A class like Zumba can be a fun way to get your heart pumping, just make sure you can handle this cardio workout. Weight training and resistance bands will help you stay in shape and can increase “good” cholesterol. Yoga is also a great heart healthy activity that combines stretching, breathing and relaxation – something that is important to our last heart heath tip.

5. Limit stress. Identify your sources of stress such as anxiety, aches and pains, trouble sleeping, and fatigue. Learn techniques to reduce stress, like deep breathing, meditation, guided muscle relaxation and yoga. Get plenty of rest as often as you can. Clear your mind of nagging worries and let go of things you can’t control. Spending time stressing about other people or situations you can’t control will just take away all your energy and stress your body. Take 10 minutes to get some air and take a break every day. Most of all, take care of yourself.

This month we will revisit Heart Health and provide more tips and ideas for getting your heart healthy and strong.

 

 

This is why quick fixes never work. They are only made to give you immediate results, not lasting, healthy changes. Patience may be the hardest part of working towards a goal, but if it was easy, everyone would be doing it. Changing your habits not only takes time, but it also takes a lot of strength. Not just the physical strength to exercise, but also mental strength to stay on track and motivate yourself. It can be exhausting to constantly have to think about what to eat, when to exercise and to keep yourself from going back to old habits, but the strength you build and the amazing things you accomplish because of it will be just a rewarding as reaching your goal weight. Fad diets and quick weight loss solutions make you drop pounds but they don’t improve your lifestyle the way getting healthy does.

If you’re feeling stuck with your resolution, try breaking it down and making it more specific. Instead of just saying you want to lose a certain amount of weight or you want to “get healthy”, make it more precise. Try making tangible goals, like working out 3 days a week or cutting back on a certain food or drink you consume often. The more vague a goal is, the harder it is to achieve. It may seem like the more open-ended an objective is, the easier it is to accomplish because there are so many ways it can be fulfilled, but this will actually work against you. The same way that you decide the road to take before you drive anywhere, you need direction to be able to follow through on your resolution. Always have a plan, get as specific as possible, and stick to it!

2015 is only just beginning…Make it count!

~ Love to Live Healthy with Josephine Fitzpatrick

Innovation Weight Loss and Fitness8031 Jericho Tpke Woodbury, NY 11797

469 7th Ave Manhattan, NY 10018

 

You can still follow your fitness routine even if you can’t get outside or get to the gym. Get in an at-home work out – there are so many options online or on TV for any type of exercise you are looking for. Try searching YouTube or OnDemand for a workout video, search online for blogs or websites with at home workout routines or flip through a fitness magazine to get ideas. If your family is home as well, get them involved. It’s a terrific way to be active and spend time together. You could also try playing a fun game together like charades, Celebrity or Cranium. You’ll fight boredom by being active and you’ll get a good workout from laughing as much as moving your body. You can also use your time to cook up something healthy. If you don’t normally cook it’s a great way to kill time and it can be an entertaining activity for kids. Find something fun to make like zucchini linguini or spaghetti squash, or something where they can add their own toppings like egg white muffins or veggie pizza.

When it is safe to go outside, there are so many fun winter activities that are also great calorie burners. Sledding, building a snow man, having a snowball fight, building a snow fort and making snow angels are just a few perfect options for families and smaller children. Ice skating inside or outside, or a game of pick-up hockey are great for older kids and teenagers. If there is a lot of snow, head to a park or bike trail and try snow shoeing or cross country skiing. Both activities are great for enjoying the outdoors and can burn 500 or more calories in an hour. You can even burn calories just from shoveling your driveway or side walk. But be careful not to overwork yourself – strenuous activities like shoveling snow can increase your risk of heart attack. When the temperature drops, our blood vessels narrow to prevent our bodies from losing too much heat. It’s our body’s natural reaction to cold temperatures outside, so when this affect is combined with increased blood pressure from demanding activities, it can put people with heart conditions and people involved in strenuous exercise or activities at greater risk. Here are some ways to prepare yourself before going outside:

• Warm up with stretching or light activity before beginning any laborious activity
• Layer clothes beneath a windproof and/or waterproof outer shell to maintain body heat
• Take breaks to give your muscles (especially your heart) a rest
• Try to always have at least one other person with you during any activity to ensure you are not alone should an emergency occur

Winter is a wonderful time of year that offers so many unique ways to enjoy the outdoors – and indoors! – with your family and friends. Be safe and enjoy the snow!

~Love to Live Healthy with Josephine Fitzpatrick

Innovation Weight Loss and Fitness8031 Jericho Tpke Woodbury, NY 11797

469 7th Ave Manhattan, NY 11730

Co-workers may mean well when they come by with that box of donuts or plate of cookies they baked last night, but you have to rise above being tempted in the workplace. The last thing you need is to start rewarding yourself with food when you complete a task or feel stressed at your job. Getting personal at work can be uncomfortable, but there are nice ways to turn down unhealthy food and unnecessary snacks. Just let people know that you don’t have room or just ate, or if you feel the need to take what they are offering, only take a bite or two. So next time your coworkers are passing around birthday cake slices at an office party, have a plan and get through the day without the extra eating.

If you don’t find temptation at work, you will most certainly find it at home with your kids and family. You may plan to eat healthy when you come home but your kids probably have something else in mind. They want what they want, and they want dessert too, and you won’t hear the end of it until they get it. Maybe they want to go out for dinner to their favorite place where you know you don’t have many options. It can be hard to juggle your own eating habits with your family’s. You feel like eating healthy doesn’t seem like a priority when you’re eating with other people. This can be especially hard when you’re at a relative’s table when food is personal. If you do feel the pressure to eat, use the tasting method. Just take one spoonful. And remember that when it comes to family meals, it’s about more than food. Don’t focus on what you’re not eating, focus on the time you spend together.

Your family and coworkers may understand your choices, but your friends may be your biggest obstacle. They want you to indulge and enjoy things with them. They want to go out for drinks or meet up at a cafe for coffee. When you find yourself in a social situation where eating or drinking certain foods is part of the get-together, you have to do the best you can. Don’t just give up because you think the situation is out of your control. Look for healthy alternatives or go for something that you know is a good choice. Meeting up isn’t an occasion to fall off the wagon. You can also plan accordingly when you have the time. If you know you’re meeting up with a friend for coffee, keep it simple (no sugary syrups or whole milk) and make it one of your snacks.

Navigating social situations is part of daily life so it will also be part of your weight loss. It can be tiring to combat your own temptations, and then to add someone else telling you that you should treat yourself to whatever food you want isn’t helpful. They may think that one meal or snack isn’t a big deal, but you work too hard to spoil your resolution. Make it something you are proud of and include the people around.  If they really want the best for you they will understand.

~Love to Live Healthy with Josephine Fitzpatrick

Innovation Weight Loss and Fitness

8031 Jericho Tpke Woodbury, NY 11797

469 7th Ave Manhattan, NY 10018

1. Eat what is in season. You may have your go-to meals and snacks but with the changing seasons you should change up what you eat a little bit. It’s a good idea to take advantage of what fruits and vegetables are in season to get the most benefits from them. Instead of a tropical fruit smoothie, try something dense and green with kale or something rich in flavor and antioxidants with pomegranate. Both of these foods are in season this time of year and can be used in salads and snacks as well. Beets are also a great choice and very versatile – they’re excellent for juices and in salads. Believe it or not, salads will warm you up just as much as soups or stews. As long as your body is provided with something to burn for heat, it’s up to you what you choose to eat. Some other great options if you’re looking for something different are nuts and seeds. Try heating them in the oven for a delicious, warm snack.

2. Warm up with hot drinks. After a long, cold day you don’t always have to turn to food to warm you up, especially when you don’t really have an appetite and you’re just looking to have something. Hot drinks like water with lemon or tea will not only feel good, but they’re good for you. Lemon and ginger in tea or warm water can help boost your immune system in cold and flu season by flushing out toxins, warm you from the inside out and they’re great for weight loss. They’re also a better alternative to coffee or hot chocolate, which have a much higher amount caffeine and sugar.

3. Keep a level head. Remember that cravings are psychological. Your brain may try to convince you to eat certain things when you’re cold, but that doesn’t make them necessary. By definition, a craving is just an intense, urgent or abnormal desire or longing. Your body needs fuel, but even in these cold months dense foods don’t always have to be high in calories or carbs.

Cravings are always hard to manage but especially more so this time of year. But when you are able to satisfy hunger with something healthy instead of whatever you are craving, you won’t derail your weight loss.

~Love to Live Healthy with Josephine Fitzpatrick

Innovation Weight Loss and Fitness

8031 Jericho Tpke Woodbury, NY 11797

469 7th Ave Manhattan, NY 10018