A connected group of individuals who help, encourage, and fight for their fellow fitness brethren.
A group of people championing the ideas of pushing yourself past your limits and demanding excellence out of everything you do.
A group of people feeding into the power of being connected via some form of strength and desire to succeed.
A connected family progressing through the trial and tribulations that life may produce yet overcoming them ten fold and stronger than yesterday.
A group of people never settling for meritocracy, but working together as one to uplift and motivate the fitness masses.
Never working alone…but as one unit…crushing goals and aspirations…navigating to that next level sh*t…
When you finally feel like you have found your purpose in life….BOOM
When you have a purpose to live for and fight for every singe day….BOOM
When camaraderie supersedes any means of selfishness or feeling alone….BOOM
Knowing that you are not alone on this road to success. Even though you can not see those working just as hard as you, they are there every day grinding and pushing as hard as you RIGHT BESIDE YOU…BOOM
What does it mean for YOU to be apart of such a big movement?
http://www.infinitelifefitness.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/ifl_logo_web-300x225.png00adminhttp://www.infinitelifefitness.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/ifl_logo_web-300x225.pngadmin2014-09-01 06:00:572014-08-28 23:23:56...Legion Of Boom...
I don’t know about you…but there are just some things that I can not give up. BUT the key to reaching your health and fitness goals is FINDING A BALANCE. You may not have to completely give up on the things that you enjoy the most. All you have to do is slightly alter them.
I came up with a zucchini lasagna that taste JUST AS GOOD as the real thing…minus the pile of noodles that come along with a lasagna. Not only does it taste just as good…there are fewer calories and MORE protein!
What you will need:
1 lb lean ground turkey (or lean beef or any other chopped up lean meat)
1 LARGE zucchini (or enough zucchini to cover the various layers that you want)
What you will do:
Pre-Heat your oven to 350 degrees
Cook and season meat in a pan and set aside for later step
wash your zucchini (some people have even skinned the zucchini…so you can do what you prefer)
you can slice the zucchini into long thin strips OR you can cut your zucchini into round slices such as I did:
Next you HAVE to grill or saute your zucchini. Zucchini is a vegetable that retains a lot of water. If you do not pre-cook the zucchini when you cook the lasagna it will become a watery/soupy dish.
After you cook your zucchini pieces start to layer your dish:
Now layer your lasagna with the other ingredients:
This is when you can get creative and mix up how you put together your layers. I wanted to have a total of two layers on my lasagna so I just cut all ingredients in half and mixed them up between the two layers.
This dish can make approximately 8-10 servings.
I was able to make this dish, separate the squares of lasagna out into containers and freeze the extra pieces. This lasagna was AMAZING flavorful. I would have to say having the lime Rotel added a new burst of flavor. I also enjoyed having the tomato past because that also added to the flavor of the meal.
The fun thing about these casserole is that you can mix and match ingredients and add or change anything that you would want.
Another great thing about making a dish like this is that you will be able to set aside portions of this lasagna to have later during the week. With the added cottage cheese and lean meat, this dish is packed with protein while still leaving you feeling full and satisfied.
Meal preparation is KEY when it comes to helping you stay on track with healthy meal planning and eating. If you have food prepared and ready to eat you are more likely to make healthier meal choices during meal time.
Alright ladies (and possibly gentleman) I know that some of you are fashionistas outside AND inside of the gym. It is perfectly fine if you would like to look stylish why busting a sweat at the gym. I will be honest and say that some days I do feel that way…and others I don’t LoL. On the days that I am feeling stylish I will dress cute to the gym. Not to impress anyone but just because that is how I am feeling that day. And the other days you will see me sporting the random articles of athletic clothing that are not in the dirty clothes hamper.
I was lucky enough to have Bolder Band Headbands send me some to try their very stylish accessories that can be worn inside AND outside of the gym. They are called Bolder Band Headbands. I have tried several different types of head bands over the years and hands down these are by far one of my favorites.
Overall Comments:
90% of the time I am wearing some sort of headband but I always have an issue of them falling off or even falling apart after me using them so much and washing them. I have put these to the test and they pass with flying colors. Bolder Band Headbands come in a variety of colors and styles which is awesome because you can buy a few and they can match various outfits. They are very soft and the material is very stretchy yet durable. I have A LOT of hair. So I need something that will stretch especially on the days when I decide to wear my hair BIG and crazy. These worker perfectly and did not slip or fall off. And when I washed them (I did hand wash them and hang them to try) they looked and felt as if I had just taken them out of the package.
Quality for Price:
Looking on the Bolder Band Headband website these range from $14-$15 which is a very reasonable price for headbands. I know that when I have purchased some from the local super store or drug store they have been very similar to that price. They also offer some deals where you can get free shipping when you place a minimum purchased order. So I know you are asking, “Are these bands worth $15?” and my honest answer would be YES. I would (and plan on) buying more to give away as gifts to friends. They are so cute and they have so many different styles to choose from. I like that you can get away with wearing it at the gym and also use it as an everyday accessory.
Ranking Scale: (on a scale from 1-5)
Price: 4.5
Overall Quality: 4.5
Quality for Price: 5.0
Overall Appearance: 5.0
Overall Ranking: 4.75
**NOTE: Please make sure to note my product review disclaimer that can be found HERE***
I rather enjoy these bands and like I said I plan on getting more. The only reason they did not get a complete 5.0 rating is (1) they do not currently offer a deal if you purchase more than one. It would be awesome to get a deal like…if you buy 4 you get one free or if you buy “x” amount they will be $10 each…or something like that. (2) I also think it would be cool to have a variety of widths in the bands. I know that some days the thinner bands look better depending on my hair style…and sometime I need wider bands. TO have that variety would be awesome! But other than that I do not have anything negative to say about this product or the company and I highly recommend it!
If any of you are like me…you may LOVE to eat bread and bread like products. Bread is my one weakness so once you find out the nutritional value (or the lack of nutrition) that is found in your favorite bread, it makes you cringe just thinking about indulging in more than one service size. I had to find an alternative to help satisfy my bread craving as well as fit into my macronutrients.
What you will need:
1 pack of baking bread yeast (NOT the quick rise yeast, just the regular yeast)
2 cups of wheat flour
1 cup (84 g) of vanilla Protein (I used 1st Phorms Vanilla Ice Cream Protein. You can use other brands but i have found this brand to work the best for me when it comes to baking and cooking with it)
1 tablespoon of wheat gluten
1 tablespoon of dry milk
dash of salt
1 tablespoon of olive oil
1 tablespoon of honey (you can also use maple syrup, agave nectar, or sugar. YOU NEED regular sugar to help feed the yeast. It is NOT advised that you use artificial sweetener for this recipe)
1 1/2 cup of water
Bread making machine or bread pan
What you will do:
the type of bread machine that I have and use is an Oyster 2lb express bread maker
Add all of the wet ingredients first!!
You will then add together all of the dry ingredients
You will make a small well in the middle of the mixture and then add the yeast (look at picture 1)
For my settings i chose: 1.5 lb loaf & light crust.
I pressed the start button and just let it sit!
My bread maker kneaded the dough and baked it. Once the bread was ready the machine cut off automatically.
I let the bread cool and then removed it from the pan and cut it up into my desired sizes.
You are more than welcome to play around with this recipe. This is just how i learned how to make mine and it seems to work very well. My bread is very dense yet flaky. It is very filling for me and a great snack to grab when you are on the go!
http://www.infinitelifefitness.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/ifl_logo_web-300x225.png00adminhttp://www.infinitelifefitness.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/ifl_logo_web-300x225.pngadmin2014-06-11 06:00:232014-06-11 00:36:06...Infinite Life Fitness Recipe: Protein Bread...
As the warmer months are quickly approaching, this is the perfect time of year to meet up with new and old pals and grab some drinks. Making good food decisions during these times are very important and one way to help out your festive food/drink decisions is to make your favorite cocktails but in a healthier way! Let’s be honest…everyone will want to enjoy a few treats throughout their weight loss journey to just relax and let loose. But there is a way to still enjoy a few of your favorite drink and still stay on track with your healthy eating!
Thanks to Fitness Magazine here are some great low cal drink recipes
Pomegranate Martinis
Flavored martinis have gone the way of the pom’. Pomegranate syrup can be found in the coffee or baking aisle of well-stocked supermarkets.
Start to Finish: 10 minutes
Makes: 8 servings
1/2 of a medium orange, cut into wedges
Sugar
1 1/2 cups vodka or gin
1/3 cup pomegranate syrup (grenadine)
3 tablespoons dry vermouth
Ice cubes
Small pomegranates (optional)
1. Rub orange wedges around rims of 8 martini glasses. Invert glasses into a dish of sugar to coat rims; set glasses aside. In a small pitcher, combine the vodka, pomegranate syrup, and vermouth. Place ice cubes in a martini shaker. For each drink, add 1/4 cup of the syrup mixture; shake. Strain into one of the prepared martini glasses. Garnish with a small pomegranate, if desired.
Nutrition Information per serving: 146 calories, 0g protein, 11g carbohydrate, 0g fat (0g saturated), 0g fiber
Orange Martinis: Prepare as above, except use 3 tablespoons frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed, in place of the syrup. Omit garnish.
Apple Martinis: Prepare as above except use 1/3 cup frozen apple juice concentrate, thawed, in place of the syrup. Garnish with fresh orange peel curls.
6 large lemons (1 1/2 cups juice)
3 medium limes (1/3 cup juice)
3/4 to 1 cup honey
6 cups water
2 cups fresh or frozen raspberries
Ice cubes
Lemon and/or lime slices (optional)
1. In a 2-1/2-quart pitcher, combine lemon juice, lime juice, and 3/4 to 1 cup honey. Add water and raspberries. Cover and chill for at least 2 hours or up to 24 hours.
2. Just before serving, gently stir to combine. Pour into ice-filled glasses. Add lemon and/or lime slices, if desired.
Nutrition Information per serving: 101 calories, 1g protein, 28g carbohydrate, 0g fat (0g saturated), 2g fiber
Lemonade Tea: Add equal parts freshly brewed iced tea and Tangy Citrus Lemonade to ice-filled glasses. Sweeten to taste with additional honey, if desired.
Frozen Lime Margaritas
Start to Finish: 10 minutes
Makes: 10 servings
12-ounce can frozen limeade concentrate
2/3 cup tequila
1/2 cup light orange juice or orange liqueur
4 cups ice cubes
1/2 of a medium lime
Coarse salt
Orange slices (optional)
1. In a blender container combine limeade concentrate, tequila, and orange juice. Cover and blend until combined. With blender running, add ice cubes, one at a time, through opening in lid, blending until mixture becomes slushy.
2. Cut a thick lime slice; cut slice in half. Rub slices around rims of eight glasses. Dip rims into a dish of coarse salt to coat rims. Pour mixture into prepared glasses. Garnish glasses with orange slices, if desired.
Nutrition Information per serving: 122 calories, 0g protein, 22g carbohydrate, 0g fat (0g saturated), 0g fiber
Strawberry Margaritas: Prepare as above, except blend half of the mixture at a time adding 1 cup frozen unsweetened whole strawberries along with 2 cups of the ice cubes. Repeat with remaining mixture, 1 cup additional frozen strawberries, and remaining 2 cups ice cubes. Continue as directed, substituting coarse sugar for the salt on the glasses. If desired, garnish each glass with a whole strawberry.
Make-ahead directions: Prepare as above through Step 1. Pour into a 1-1/2-quart freezer container. Cover and freeze overnight. To serve, use a large spoon to scrape across frozen surface and pile into salt-rimmed glasses.
White Wine Spritzer:
Try diluting your drink with club soda or sparkling water. This in the end means that you get more glasses for fewer calories. These are about 100 calories per serving. Dry wines are better because they usually contain fewer calories.
Vodka Cranberry:
It has about 65 calories, but the cranberry juice also helps to flush the alcohol you consume out of your system. Try to request the light cranberry juice for the lower calories. For an extra zesty flavor (without adding calories) squeeze a lime wedge in your drink.
Vodka and Diet Red Bull:
Request to have it made with the sugar-free Red Bull. It’s only about 75 calories.
Here are some more mixers that you can choose at the bar that carry small calorie content (Thanks to WebMB):
Diet soda or diet tonic: 0 calories
Orange juice (6 oz): 84 calories
Cranberry juice cocktail (8 oz): 136 calories
Light orange juice (8 oz): 50 calories
Light cranberry juice (8 oz): 40 calories
Light lemonade (8 oz): 5 calories
Coffee, tea: 0 calories
Lemon or lime juice (1/2 oz): 10 calories
Consider mixing up a pitcher of your favorite crystal light drink and use that to mix in with your hard alcohol! This option adds zero extra calories, taste great, and will keep you from racking up the extra calories and sugar for the day.
So feel free to treat yourself EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE to a nice cocktail with your friends or just at home after a long day. The key is to be smart and to enjoy these things in moderation!
Need a quick guide to some health tips that may be helpful to you and your health goals? Well look at these Ready-to-use lists that will be provided for you!
Top Rules to Healthy Eating and Living
Try not to skip meals! If you wait and let yourself get too hungry you are more likely to make bad food choices (by eating the first thing that you are able to get your hands on) Try to pack a light snack in your bag, purse, or desk just in case you are caught in a need to eat bind!
Try not to go to the grocery store on an empty stomach! Those cravings you have suppressed may take over your better judgement allowing you the chance to purchase unhealthy food options
I can not stress this enough but WATCH YOUR PORTION CONTROL when it comes to preparing your meals and snacks. Achieving your health and fitness goals greatly depends on your eating habits! So you have to be knowing of what you are consuming and how much you are consuming.
Try to cook your meals and take them to work. This will allow you to be more mindful of what you are eating AND it will allow you to save money in the long run!
If you do have a bad meal do not stress out too much!! You still have your other meals to worry about. You can still eat healthy your other meals/snacks that you have that day.
Start keeping a food journal. This will allow you the chance to see what you are eating and keeping track of what you are consuming. It will also allow you to see what you are eating too much of or what you are lacking and you can add/subtract things from your next weeks food menu.
PLANNING IS KEY! Try to plan out your meals for the week! And if you know you are going to a restaurant try to look and see what they have on their menu and find their healthy options so you can know what is safe to order before you get there.
Restaurant tips: shy away from the bread/chip basket! Those are extra calories just waiting to jump in your mouth! If you do only have one or a handful of chips. When you get your entrée cut EVERYTHING in half. You can have the other half for your lunch or dinner the next day. Restaurant portion sizes are traditionally twice as big as the recommended portion sizes. Order sauces and dressing on the side. What to drink? WATER!
Watch your favorite shows DURING your workout! You can DVR it or watch it online. This will help you to pass time and it will allow you the chance to catch your favorite shows without feeling guilty!
Like I said there are just some quick tips to go by for those who need a remainder of what they should be mindful of when they are setting their health and fitness goals.
Remember optimal health goals should be planned for losing about 1-3 pounds a week. If you lose more than GREAT! But if you are in that range you are doing great!
Tired of trying the same quick snacks that you have gotten accustomed to eating? Well no worries! There is a WIDE variety of snacks that you can try that are not expensive, quick to grab, and yummy that will satisfy your cravings until your next meal!
These are some good snacks that you can keep in your purse, desk, or lunchbox that you can snack on to help keep you on track with your healthy eating habits.
1. Watermelon (serving size is about 1 cup cut into cubes or balls that can be created by scooping out with an ice cream scoop)
2. Cubed Apples and Cubed Cheese (suggested serving size is 1 cup)
3. Craisins (suggested serving size 1 cup. Also great to have on a salad or in yogurt!)
4. Goldfish Crackers (suggested serving size about 55 pieces)
5. Roasted Asparagus (you can also try four spears spritzed with olive-oil spray and topped with 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese, baked for 10 minutes at 400°)
6. Turkey Roll-Ups (Four slices smoked turkey rolled up and dipped in 2 teaspoons honey mustard you can also add low fat swiss cheese to add a little more taste)
7. Strawberry Salad (1 cup raw spinach with ½ cup sliced strawberries and 1 tablespoon balsamic dressing)
8. Oatmeal (try to stay away from the flavored oatmeal those add a lot of sugar. you can get plain oatmeal and add brown sugar or honey to add some flavor. you can even add fruit or yogurt!)
9. Banana Smoothie (½ cup sliced banana, ¼ cup nonfat vanilla yogurt, and a handful of ice blended until smooth)
10. Lime Sherbet (1/2 cup suggested serving size ) with sliced kiwi or any other fruit
11. Apple Chips (dehydrated apples! My favorite are Fiji apples or honey crisp because those retain the best flavor and sweetness)
12. Black Beans (mix 1/4 cup black beans with 1 tablespoon salsa and 1 tablespoon Greek yogurt for an added twist! Can eat this plan or on ONE piece of whole wheat bread)
13. Lettuce wrap (try two slices honey-baked ham with 2 teaspoons honey mustard rolled in a lettuce leaf)
14. Pecans (try five pecans roasted with 2 teaspoons maple syrup and 1 teaspoon cinnamon this could also go great on a salad!)
15. Chocolate Covered Strawberries (dip 5 strawberries in 2 squares of dark chocolate)
16. Honeyed Yogurt (½ cup nonfat Greek yogurt with a dash of cinnamon and 1 teaspoon honey)
17. Tropical Juice Smoothie (¼ cup pineapple juice, orange juice, and apple juice, blended with ice)
18. Turkey and cheese wrap made with a whole wheat tortilla (Add mustard for flavor and don’t be afraid to add lettuce and other veggies)
19. Fruit and Cheese Kabobs ( You can alternate chunks of fresh fruit and cheese cubes and thread them on a bamboo skewer for a fun and healthy snack)
20. A couple of hard-boiled eggs with carrot, celery sticks, and hummus (roasted red pepper hummus of a low-fat cream cheese or peanut butter)
You can also check out past post for more snack options:
So there should be No excuse as to why you can not snack on HEALTHY things during the day as opposed to a bag of chips of your favorite candy bar. Those are good to have every once in a while BUT if you want to reach your health and fitness goals you have to dedicate yourself to eating things that are beneficial to your body.
Any day is a great day to start obtaining your own health and fitness goals!!
Just because you want to eat healthy and lose weight does not mean that you have to cut out ALL things that are yummy! Reaching your goals is all about a balance. You have to figure out when the proper time is to have the items that you crave and love. And the other battle is figuring out foods you can add to your diet to help take the place of unhealthy treats that you would usually have. And in all honesty, some of these healthy recipes taste just as good (or BETTER) than the unhealthy version!
Today I would like to share with you a recipe that was made by my close friend Melissa. When I tasted these they were MOUTH WATERING! So it was an easy choice for me to try to make them and have them stored in my freezer as a quick and healthy sweet treat.
What you will need:
¾ cup peanut butter (preferably all natural peanut butter)
1 tbsp honey
¼ cup melted coconut oil
3 scoops vanilla protein powder (you can even possibly use peanut butter protein powder or possibly chocolate!)
What you will do:
get a small Tupperware container (or a glass or regular baking pan. Use something that you can easily mix all of the items together and also place it in the freezer)
Mix all of the above ingredients into the same container
After mixing them together very well make sure to spread it out evenly throughout the container.
Place container in the freezer and allow it to get HARD (the time will this will vary!! The best way to monitor this is by sticking a tooth pick in the corner or middle. If the tooth pick easily slides in, the fudge is not ready. But if the tooth pick does not go in easily your fudge is done!)
After it is frozen, cut the fudge into desirable pieces.
It is advised to keep them stored in the fridge or freezer! If not they will become room temperature and somewhat melt. Keeping them in the fridge or freezer also extends it shelf life and allows you to keep the fudge for a longer period of time.
*** You can also add other things to this fudge if you like. This can include things like nuts, chocolate chips, pretzel pieces, or any other types of goodies. BUT remember to not add too much because the more you add, the more you risk making this healthy alternative into an unhealthy sweet treat. But it is fun to get creative and just have fun when making this recipe.
This is a perfect treat to grab when you have a sweet tooth and want to grab something small. This treat will guarantee to satisfy! You can even get your family member to enjoy it (and they will not even know that it is healthy! 😉 )
http://www.infinitelifefitness.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/ifl_logo_web-300x225.png00adminhttp://www.infinitelifefitness.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/ifl_logo_web-300x225.pngadmin2014-04-25 06:00:192014-04-25 13:11:38...Infinite Life Fitness Recipe: Peanut Butter Protein Fudge...
I have been getting some request from some “Fitness Newbies” who wanted some general tips to help them out with some of their fitness goals.
Well instead of writing out some long post (because i honestly have TONS of tips for newbies) I decided to share some YouTube videos that I thought would be a little more helpful.
I will also be sure to make more post in the future on some great fitness tips to help those out who are needing the help and advice.
Warm Ups:
I have said this MANY times…it is wise to warm up/stretch before your workout. You can create your own warm up…but i can see how that would be hard for those who have never had to do this before…so here is a suggestion…
It is SO important to learn the CORRECT way to do these from the start! If not…you will do them wrong until someone sees you and corrects you! And, you also need to do them correctly in order to get the best results out of this exercise
I know that some people are on a tight budget and just can not afford to purchase a gym membership. THAT IS OK! There are so many things you can do IN YOUR HOME that will still allow you to get an amazing workout!
There have been some request for some Yoga tips…to be honest I bought an amazing DVD that I watch and follow. I got into yoga because a college friend of mine taught the classes here in town. She moved away so I had to find other alternatives (until she makes a DVD 🙂 )
I hope these videos explain and show you some things better than I can explain them by writing them down in this blog. Please keep sending me your questions…comments…and suggestions! I am here to help YOU GUYS! So please take advantage of the advice you can receive!
Its about to be the start of a new month and some of you may have plans to do some grocery shopping. When you look at your grocery list do you ever wonder what are some healthier snack options that you can pick up at the store to help start to eat healthier? Well you are in luck because today’s post will have MORE healthy, QUICK, and AFFORDABLE options that you can pick up on your next trip to the store.
Having low calorie healthy snacks during your day will help you to lower the calorie intake you have for that day. The ultimate goal is to manage how many calories you are eating so that you can balance that with a great workout. The key to shedding those extra pounds is to eat things that will be beneficial to your body, fill you up until your next meal, and knowing the right portion sizes so that you are not overeating and consuming extra calories. If you do these things plus incorporate a great calorie burning workout several times a week you should be bikini ready just in time for the summer!
Don’t forget, you would like to make your snacks about 300 calories. You don’t want to use most of your calorie intake on your snacks! A snack is suppose to be a filler to help you in between meals when you feel that you are hungry.
Here are some more great healthy snack ideas that are easy, quick, and not expensive! Thanks toSixSistersStuff.comfor sharing some of these amazing ideas of snacks that you can grab on the go!
1. 1 cup of Cherry Tomatoes (can mix these with one serving size of crackers to make a great filling afternoon snack!)
2. Small Green Salad with light dressing (suggested serving size is about a handful of lettuce. Try a light vinaigrette dressing. Try to stay away from the creamy thick dressings. Those carry the most calories)
3. Mango smoothie (frozen mango, mango Greek Yogurt or plain Greek yogurt, and a small amount of orange juice or any other juice that you like. Try to use no more than one serving size of juice and make sure that it is 100% fruit juice)
4. Kabobs (thread low-fat meat, low-fat cheese, pineapple and cherry tomatoes onto a stick. You can always substitute other fruit/veggie options)
5.one slice of WHOLE WHEAT bread topped with peanut butter and banana slices (make sure it is whole wheat bread. this is one of the best options when consuming bread products)
5. Grilled Pineapple (throw them on the grill or a skillet on med. heat for two minutes or until golden. The best option for these is the whole round cuts and not the chuncks)
6. Baked Apples (one tennis ball-sized apple, cored, filled with 1 teaspoon brown sugar and cinnamon, and baked until tender. You can also cut the apple into desired sizes and sprinkle the toppings onto the slices. Makes for a less messy version)
7. Strawberries dipped in fat-free Cool Whip (suggested serving size is 1 to 2 cups of strawberries and 2 tablespoons of the Cool Whip)
8. Low-fat tortilla (or whole wheat tortilla) topped with egg salad, shredded carrots and cucumber slices (you can also top is with egg whites, feta cheese, cottage cheese, or any other type of low fat topping that you like)
9. Parfait (build your own with Greek yogurt or plain yogurt, fruit, and granola. Make sure to not use to much granola! some granola can pack a lot of sugar)
10. Bowl of bran flakes with 1/2 cup skim milk and berries
11. Guacamole with you choice of veggies (suggested serving size is 1/4 cup of guacamole)
10. Triscuit’s Thin Crisps dipped in cottage cheese or hummus (this is MY personal favorite afternoon snack. i spread low fat laughing cow Swiss cheese on my crisps which is also just as good!)
11. Cashews (suggested serving size is 1 ounce. It is also good to mix this in with cottage cheese, low fat yogurt, or anything else)
12. Pretzels (suggested serving size is about 17 pretzels)
13. Sun Chips (don’t forget portion control! Read the serving amount on the side of the bag but it is usually about 1 ounce which is usually about a handful of chips)
14. Cheesy Breaded Tomatoes (Two roasted plum tomatoes sliced and topped with 2 tablespoons breadcrumbs and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese)
15. Sugar Snap Peas (a great snack if you sprinkle your own spices on it. If you dip it into a veggie dip make sure it is low in calories and stick to the portion size)
16. Steamed Veggies (steam non-starchy vegetables in a microwave safe bag and sprinkle with 1 tablespoon of Parmesan cheese or 1/4 cup pasta sauce)
17. Laughing Cow Light Cheese Wedges ( you can spread this on crackers, veggies, or even fruit)
18. Snack/Granola bar (around 150 calories or less, like Kellogg’s All-Bran, Kashi TLC Trail Mix, or Fiber one Bar)
19. Baked chips (about 7-10) with salsa (you can make your OWN healthier version of baked chips by toasting whole wheat tortillas! Check out THIS post for the recipe)
20. Protein Bar (great snack after your workout. Make sure to get a bar with low sugar. Be careful to get a bar that is also tasty. Some bars do not taste very well and can leave a bad taste in your mouth.)
21. Sweet Potato Fries (one light-bulb sized sweet potato sliced, tossed with 1 teaspoon olive oil, and baked at 400° for 10 minutes)
22. Snack Wrap (I like a slice of turkey, Swiss cheese, baby spinach leaves, and cranberry relish wrapped up in a tortilla)
23. Pumpkin Seeds (2 tablespoons pumpkin seeds, sprayed with oil (just a spritz!) and baked at for 400° for 15 minutes or until brown. Sprinkle a tiny amount of salt on top)
24. Bean Salad (a handful of lettuce, 1/2 cup of your fav beans, top with feta cheese or some other topping makes the perfect pre-lunch snack!)
25. Peaches and Cottage Cheese
26. Chopped Red, Green, or Yellow Peppers (dipped in fat free dipping sauce or sprinkle with spices for a lower calorie snack)
27. Tuna with Triscuit crackers (yes DRY tuna is a great option but i always like to add a little relish or mustard to give it more of a taste)
28. Cooked and Cubed Chicken Breast (you can season it or toss it into a salad for a great snack or healthy meal option!)
29. Homemade Popsicles (puree watermelon, strawberries, mango, banana, etc and freeze in popsicle molds or use your ice cube tray as an alternative. You can also use small disposable cups and peel off the cup and enjoy the frozen treat!)
30. Quesadilla (whole wheat (or corn) tortillas w/cheese (or not) melted in microwave – adding on tomatoes, beans, corn, olives, avocado or guacamole or whatever sounds good. This can be a great snack or a great meal option depending on how much you add to the quesadilla!)
So keep these options in mind when making your grocery list and getting ready to make your next grocery purchase. The key to reaching your health and fitness goals is sticking with a consistent healthy diet AND working out. You will need to do both in order to see the results that you want! If you fail to do one or the other it will hinder your progress (or you will not see any progress at all!!) Work hard…and you will start to see the hard work pay off!
Stay tuned for even MORE healthy, quick, and affordable options!
