EAT THE RAINBOW!

by Christine Lusita | | Lifestyle

Eating the rainbow is filled with a pot of gold benefits!
Red foods contain Lycopene, an antioxidant known to maintain heart health. Examples: strawberries, raspberries.

Orange foods are rich in beta carotene and lutein, which help maintain healthy eye function. Examples: carrots, pumpkins.

Yellow foods contain fiber, iron, potassium, and folate, as well as other nutrients that help with the heart, skin, eyes, bones, digestion, and immune system. Examples: Golden beets (great for kidney health when juiced), yellow dock (eliminates toxins, improves blood health), and dandelion (helps with indigestion and weight control!).

Green foods are great sources of folate, which promotes healthy pregnancies and metabolizes amino acids for healthy cell division.Examples: spinach, broccoli.

Purple and blue foods contain antioxidants that help protect cells from damage and reduce risk of stroke, cancer, and heart disease.Examples: blueberries, blackberries, eggplant.

This is an excerpt from The Right Fit Formula.

Raspberry Chia Bowl

by Christine Lusita | | Recipes

Raspberry Chia Pudding is perfect for a high fiber meal or snack.

  • 2 c. unsweetened almond milk
  • 2 tsp. raw honey
  • 1⁄2 c. chia seeds
  • 2 c. fresh raspberries (reserve 8 for garnish)
  • Fresh mint leaves for garnish

Combine almond milk, honey, chia seeds, and raspberries in medium bowl; mix well.

Cover and refrigerate 4 hours or overnight, mixing after 2 hours. Place chia seed mix- ture in small serving glasses or bowls; gar- nish with raspberries and mint leaves.

 

EMOTIONAL RESCUE!

by Christine Lusita | | Lifestyle

Let’s face it: A robot would be great at a weight loss program! After all, what drives ordinary mortals to consume TV, wine, and Cheetos? It’sfeelings, of course. So if a bout of anger, boredom, or anxiety is pushing you toward the Hershey bars, try these quick fixes to put you back on track.

The feeling: Boredom
Leads to: Mindless perusals through the cabinets and fridge.
Quick fix: Find a project! Write a thank-you note, have a “job jar,” do a crossword. And if it’s really bad, you have permission to play on your phone!

The feeling: Anxiety
Leads to: A hookup with the candy drawer.
Quick fix: Soothe it! Go for a half-hour run, take a hot bath, meditate.

The feeling: Depression/Sadness
Leads to: Secret eating, overeating, or bingeing.
Quick fix: If it’s an ongoing mental health issue, get clarity. Seek a good therapist and work through it. If it’s the ordinary blahs, put on some music and move through it. Go for a walk/run. Or watch what a friend of mine calls “mindless shit” for a half-hour—some silly YouTube videos or an old sitcom. (I’m addicted to reruns of SATC and Friends.) Just do it without the ice cream!

The feeling: Anger
Leads to: Impulsive eating. (Watch Bette Davis in All About Eve try to resist a jar of chocolates when she’s fighting with her beau.)

This is an excerpt from The Right Fit Formula