Cheese and Crackers: Bringing Back The Afternoon Snack

LOOSE THE POOCH

Load up on H2O to loose the pooch.  If you don’t take in enough water, your body retains fluids, which can make you look heavier. H2O flushes out your digestive track, relieving constipation and reducing the belly bulge aka the pooch. So how much is enough? 8 to 9 cups daily, more if you are physically active.

  Snack on fennel seeds to relax your digestive muscles. Relaxing the muscles in your digestive track can help relieve bloating

FRESHEN UP

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Prepackages foods and most restaurant meals are loaded with sugar and sodium, both of which cause water retention.  Highly processed foods along with refined carbohydrates are digested faster than other foods, causing you to become hungry a lot sooner.  These foods arte not only high in sugar and sodium, but they aren’t very satisfying either. Skip the sweet and salty processed foods and snack on fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains,and lean meats. You will stay satisfied longer and your body will thank you by performing at its best.

SNACKS THAT PACK A PUNCH

Whole wheat crackers and cheese are a great combo.  With 80% carbohydrates and 20% protein, this is the perfect balanced snack to keep you satisfied till your next meal.

Eat a kiwi to sleep better.  Kiwis are packed with serotonin, a hormone and neurotransmitter that is known to help improve your quality of sleep by promoting REM.

Drink your cherries.Cherry juice will help you sleep longer and sounder because of the high levels of melatonin that help to regulate your body clock.

Go bananas. Just 1 banana has nearly 10% of your daily dose of magnesium, a calming mineral. The peel is even better for you than the banana, but who would actually bite into the peel? Try this instead: cut off the stem and seep the peel in a cup of boiling water for 5 minutes then toss the peel and drink the water.

LISTEN TO YOUR HEART

People who get 10 to 24% of their calories from added sugar are 30% more likely to die from cardiovascular disease than those who consumed less. Eating a diet high in sugar causes inflammation, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. In a recent study of stroke victims, it was proven that vitamin C has an effect on preventing strokes. Each stroke victim in the study was found to be deficient in vitamin C. Bell peppers, mangos, oranges, etc.…fruit's and veggies high in vitamin C are also great for immunity, and protect you from a stroke. Vitamin C helps the body build collagen, a substance that is the key to blood vessel health. Be sure to get enough vitamin C from your diet. ne cup of broccoli contains 78mg of vitamin C, one cup of oranges has 63mg of vitamin C, and one cup of red bell peppers is packed with 118mg of vitamin C.

JUMP AROUND

Jumping rope is one of the best exercises you can do for your body because it engages the whole body. Try 3 sets of 50/75/100 jumps and change your foot movement with each set. Do one set with high knees, one set with side steps, and one step with jumping jacks.

THE GUN SHOW

Your biceps are the biggest muscle in your arm,making them the first muscle people notice.  A push up is the single best toner for your biceps. Be sure to shoot your elbows straight back and not out as you lower to achieve the most tricep activation.  If you need to go to your knees please do so.  Full range on your knees is better than half on your toes.

LET LIGHTING BE YOUR FRIEND

If you are indoors then turn on just one floor lamp and one table lamp.  You want the light to come across the body at an angle.  This creates natural curve enhancing shadows.