As strange as this one sounds, I encourage you to give it a try.
Bean sprouts with meat sauce
Yea you read it right!
This is a fast meal and respects the better me healthy eating platform.
Ingredients
Medium size package of extra lean ground beef
1 can of crushed tomatoes
1 can of tomato paste
2 large cloves of garlic pressed
2 large bay leaves
1 cinnamon stick or cinnamon powder
1 large onion cut into strips
1 large package of bean sprouts
Salt and pepper to taste
Add the ground beef to a pot and cook it until it's crumbly. Add all the remaining ingredients EXCEPT the bean sprouts and onions. Let your meat sauce simmer. If you're using the cinnamon powder be sure to just add one shake of it to the sauce. It can easily over power the taste of the sauce. Otherwise if you use the cinnamon stick; just add it during the simmering phase. If you prefer to use your own favorite meat sauce, go right ahead.
In a separate pan, add a touch of canola oil and fry the onions and bean sprouts. Don't over cook them. They should remain a bit crispy. The bean sprouts tend to release a lot of water so you will probable want to drain them before serving.
Place the bean sprouts on a plate as you would any noodles and add your meat sauce and sprinkle a little parmesan cheese and enjoy it.
Wall Street has its economic stimulus package; why shouldn't you have a personal stimulus package of your own?
In the spirit of the economic fiasco; here's your big three!
#1 Don't wait for a miracle fat loss product that will bail you out of this over consumption predicament. With our healthcare system in about as good of shape as Bernard Madoffs financial future; you better step up and do everything in your power to stay healthy. Practice a preventative lifestyle by including more fruit and vegetables in your diet. Try to cut back on processed food and avoid sugar to the best of your ability. Read your food labels; you'll be shocked how many food items contain sugar.
#2 If you move as much as a Chrysler on a show room floor; you better rethink your activity levels. It's time to start putting your body to use. Don't confuse athleticism and activity. Not everyone enjoys sports and lifting weights- it doesn't mean you can't find activities that are conducive to a healthy lifestyle.
Just start by taking stairs instead of escalators, go for long walks, or think about taking a dance class. Sometimes people avoid going to the gym because popular fitness magazines push 3-5 training days per week. I say any exercise helps, and just going to a gym twice per week is enough to make a tremendous difference in your fitness.
#3 No worrying in the world is going to change the fallout that we're experiencing caused by those who've demonstrated total disregard for the welfare of society and its hard working citizens. It's imperative that you reduce your financial stress, so I encourage you to build a responsible budget and stick to it. If you use spending money as a means to be happy; you may want to look inward to discover what gives you meaning that money can never buy. If you can't find it, it's time to start challenging your belief systems. There is no shortage of books to get the ball rolling. There are Authors such as Eckhart Tolle, and Krishnamurti that have written wonderful books that encourage self actualization, but they may be somewhat advanced. Some better beginners books would be; The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz, and anything by OSHO.
Take care of yourself; a better me can weather any storm better than a body and mind that's unhealthy and unchallenged.
Once you're clear on what you want as far as your fitness goals go; you'll be able to establish which approach will best get you there.
Weight loss is one of the most common goals and there certainly is a lot of conflicting advice on how to go about doing it.
My best advice is as follows:
-The weight loss industry is very profitable. Their target market is generally people who are looking to cut corners and speed up their weight loss goals. Let me tell you; there is no Holy Grail. I would even go as far to say that these products are responsible for your failed attempts in the past.
Stop looking for a fast fix.
-Set your mind up for a plan that's sustainable. This means avoiding a
' too much too soon ' approach. When we overwhelm ourselves with too high of expectations and too much additional activity to an already busy schedule; we can find ourselves tiring out and getting frustrated.
-I recommend that people look at their nutrition before they attempt anything else. Eating is not a new addition to your day. Since you have to eat; you might as well spend the time eating right. There's no excuse for not practicing better eating habits. Failure to do so ignores the one aspect of healthier living that requires no additional strain on your schedule.
-Instead of pasta and bread with your meals, try and replace them with more vegetables and larger servings of the protein portion. When I say protein, I'm referring to chicken, fish, beans, lean beef and lean cuts of pork.
Eat three medium size meals a day following the fore mentioned meal content. Include a snack between each meal. Your daily snacks should consist of fresh fruit, nuts, yogurt, or cut raw vegetables. Avoid processed food as much as possible.
If you follow the advice in this post you will have gradually introduced a new way of caring for yourself. Once you've demonstrated to yourself that you can change this one feature of your life; your success will lead you to consider what else you may be able to include.
If you want to practice a healthier lifestyle but aren't turned on by gyms and yoga retreats; I have a few suggestions.
I was killing some time today in the Indigo magazine section and found myself in the health and fitness section thinking; 'not one of these magazines looks interesting.' In fact, I'd say they were humorous. There was a steroid junkie snarling and flexing to the right - with transcendental spirit worshiping instruction to the left. It was all extremes with absolutely nothing representative of a moderate approach.
These two extremes aren't for everyone. I wonder if I could persuade you to believe that you can be healthy without subjecting yourself to any popular fitness craze.
If you have no really specific health goals but are interested in exploring the middle territory, as I believe about 90% of the population is; keep the following in mind.
- If you want to get ripped and pumped or find a great bowel cleanse; just make a trip to the local Indigo magazine stand. They have everything you need.
- If you eat lots of fruit and vegetables while laying off processed food; you technically should never require a bowel cleanse.
- Eating vegetables with your chicken, beef, or fish- in place of filler foods like bread and pasta will really help to control your weight.
- If you can't stand going to a gym; just move as much as you can. Walk to work, go for light runs or walks, in the winter shovel your own snow, and mow your own lawn the rest of the year. Don't forget to use stairs instead of escalators when ever you have the option.
- As we get older, a sculpted body is impossible to attain without proper eating and a fair dose of exercise. On the other hand, an active lifestyle and good nutrition will provide you with a respectable level of health and a perfectly acceptable look.
If you can't get used to the idea that some natural changes to your physique are inevitable with time; you'd better invest in some lululemons and check out next months edition of 'Be buff or be gone' magazine.
