Vacationing Without Overeating

We're enjoying a blissful vacation in Seattle right now. We're surrounded by the beauty of green everything, plus we're going to a wedding, plus we're catching up on celebrating all the birthdays we missed in July, plus we haven't been up here to visit in way-hey-hey too long. This is so much fun!

So, lots of reason to celebrate. And lots of family time. And lots of food. (Um, yeah, I've never heard of the Wedding Cake Diet)

When you're on trips, what do you do to make sure that it's not just a huge calorie fest? (Especially if you're trying to lose weight.) Do you pack healthy snacks? Do you drink more water? Do you keep a food log? Do you go on morning and evening walks?

What's your secret to healthy eating during vaycay?

Interview with Brooklyn -Part 1-

Brooklyn is a (dare I say it?) SuperMom who manages to balance school, kids, exercise, and eating healthy. She was a blast to talk to--effervescent and energetic. She had lots to share about what works for her in terms of health, fitness and making good nutrition choices. I broke up her interview into two parts because she had so much to share. Part two will be posted soon...

Interviews like the one I had with Brooklyn, are becoming one of my favorite parts of the Queen of Skinnyville blog. These women are so willing to share what they know about healthy living. Their messages are honest, spontaneous and positive. I love it!

Free Printable Weight Loss Journal

So, I created this groovy little Queen of Skinnyville Printable Weight Loss Journal that you can print out every week. You can track your progress and feel oh-so productive and virtuous as you check off the boxes and fill in the numbers.

Be sure to calculate your BMR (Basal Metabolic Rate) before you get started. Don't go below your BMR or it could mess with your metabolism. Eat food and exercise--both in moderation.

Oh, and I think I legally have to tell you: before you get started on a weight loss plan, consult your brother-in-law, Phil, who did two semesters of medical school but then dropped out and joined the Peace Corps and is now working as a bagger at Whole Foods Market on fourth. Or schedule an appointment with your primary care physician.

Click here for the FREE Printable Weight Loss Journal!!

Super Easy Crunchy Granola

When I first started making my Super Easy Crunchy Granola I never added nuts, coconut, cinnamon or dried fruit. I still don't. It's not that I'm a granola purist, I jus' likes my granola nekkid.

My Best Friend's Diet

I asked my friend to track her food and calories for one day so we could post it here on Queen of Skinnyville.

She's a healthy, trim gal who agreed to track what she ate for the purposes of having it posted for the world to see on the intahnet. I hope we're still friends after this.

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TOTALLY SUCKS COUNTING CALORIES!! BUT I did it!

Breakfast: 1 cup grape nuts, 1 cup milk, 1 cup cantaloupe, water (563 calories)

Snack: 1 plum (76 c)

Lunch: 6 carrots, 1 cucumber slice, 1 pita, 4 slices pepper jack cheese, 1 cup mixed fruit(500 c)

Snack: 4 apple slices, 28 mini-mustard flavored pretzels (115 c)

Dinner: 1 cup white rice, 2/3 c shredded bbq/orange chicken, ½ c green beans, 1 pita, 1/3 c watermelon (590 c)

FHE treat: 1 Jumbo marshmallow cooked over a fire(90 c)

NECESSARY INDULGENCE: small handful of chocolate chips (200 c) EEK!!!!! I HATE CHOCOLATE!

Total: 2134

I estimated on some. I wasn’t sure how to count the chicken for sure and the mixed fruit cup, etc. Do you have a a site you like that works well? I just sort of searched the web for numbers that seemed to match what I ate. So, anyhow, I am over by 134. I did good until that stupid chocolate. I LOVE IT! I did take some pics, but I will send those tomorrow.

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Rewards for Being Good

Every book I read on healthy eating, exercise and weight loss says something to this effect:

"When you reach your weight or fitness goal, go ahead and reward yourself with something like a trip to the spa, a manicure/pedicure or a massage."

Maybe it's just me, but I'm not going to spend $50 every time I "be good". Also, the whole mani/pedi/spa/massagy culture is TOTALLY foreign to me. I'm not a high maintenance girl (was the tiara misleading?) and spending that much just to reward myself seems like an anti-reward.

They also tell you NOT to use food as a reward. Phooey. First, how many people are going to work hard then blow it with an entire cheesecake? Second, using food as a reward can fuel the next goal--for example, buying a bulk bag of frozen mixed berries or some other healthy food you've been wanting to experiment with. Or get that super loaded loaf of 12 grain bread.

Rewards can be helpful, but don't feel like you have to book a full day spa trip. You won't see me there...

Interview with Megan

Today I interviewed Megan, a former geologist, and a mother of two daughters. She's a self proclaimed fruit-aholic and she loves her some Michael Pollan (check it out from your library: "In Defense of Food" by Michael Pollan).

Pre-interview she confided that she was a bit camera shy. Can anyone tell me why beautiful people are always camera-shy? Anyway, it was a delight to talk with her and hear what she does to keep herself and her family healthy.

BTW, we filmed this interview at the library right after a magician show. (Hence the yippie-screamies of happy children in the background.)

Kids Running with Hot Cheetos

I sat down to eat my brown bag lunch at the playground when two girls approached me. They were both in my Fitness for Kids class I taught this summer, so they know that I encourage exercise and healthy eating.

One of them said "I want to eat more healthy, but I just don't know all the foods that are healthy..." I looked at her friend who had an adult sized bag of Hot Cheetos (this is why I don't do Google AdWords, folks). She was eating directly from the bag, nursing it while she listened to me.

I began to list off some of my fave "superfoods". I was met with blank stares.

"Are Hot Cheetos healthy?"

Mommies, please teach your children. I don't care what language you teach them in, but please teach your children that Hot Cheetos aren't nutritionally equivalent to carrots, they shouldn't be carried around like an IV drip, and they do not meet the DV for an-y-thing.

Top Five Healthy Convenience Foods (July 2010 Edition)

It's easier to eat healthy when it's, uh, easy. The foods I keep for convenience aren't your typical lasagna-in-a-box or space-yogurt-in-a-tube miracles of modern eatery.

My definition of "convenience foods" is this:

"Food that makes it easier to make healthy choices"

So, here's a list of my top five healthy convenience foods I like to keep on hand during the sultry month of Julio.

1. Huge clear box of organic greens (and purples!)
2. Peaches
3. Almond milk
4. Frozen strawberries
5. Canned beans (any variety)

What healthy convenience foods do you like to keep on hand?

Always Choose Relationships

We try to eat healthy, we make small changes to our diets that we think would be in the best interest of our children and ourselves. We load up on greens until we're blue! But is there a place for pure garbage in a healthy diet?

Today we had two neighbor kids over today to celebrate a belated birthday and to make cupcakes. From a box. With frosting from a can. No reading labels or gettin' all preachy about all the unpronounceables on the box. We made the cupcakes, frosted them, ate them and had a great time. The kids then delivered the rest of the cupcakes to the other neighbor kids.

No one got sick from the hydrometahexadeathane in the frosting or cupcake batter. We just enjoyed the sugar, the mess and the fun. Simple, silly and happy birthday to Tammy.

I met a woman once who bragged that her son's first birthday cake was cornbread with reduced fat cream cheese on top. Oh so healthy, I'm sure, but why???

So, as you journey to living a healthier life, remember, choose relationships first--especially if it involves cupcakes.

Then eat your greens.

McDonald's All-Star Breakfast

Overheard in a McDonald's boardroom meeting: "How about we try to try to cram 99% of the daily value of fat into one big ol' meal." Thus was born the McDonald's All-Star Breakfast...

Wanna see something even funnier? Click on the video to see the ironic place McDonald's chose to put their All-Star Breakfast billboard.

Hmm...anyone know the number of their PR guy?

Does Exercise Have to be Boring?

Sometimes. No always. And I always feel better afterward.

How about you? Do you have the same attitude? Is it hard to get it done? Does exercise have to be boring or do you have ways of making it interesting?

P.S. Watch for upcoming video "5 ways to make your time on the treadmill NOT boring"

The Playground Workout

Don't be a bench warmer at the playground! While your kids are climbing, forming alliances with other playground children and walking up the down slide, take time for yourself and get your workout done. Tight abs and toned arms await! (Remember, park benches aren't just for bird poop and graffiti...)