My favorite recommended office snacks are:

When I crave for REAL Chocolate, I pick one Kudos Milk Chocolate Granola Bar that has only 100 Calories and 3.5 grams of fat per one snack! I buy the large variety pack that contains 50 bars with different original flavors which last a few months and make sure its handy!!!

When I feel like something salty I grab a bunch of Special K Crackers! You need up to 17 of them in order to reach 90 calories!  They are multi-grains with fiber and dont taste like diet ones!!!  

If I more into crunchy or salty snacks then popcorn is the perfect low calories option (when you choose the right kind!)
Orville Redenbacher- Gourmet Microwavable Popcorn, the  Butter Light kind, is my favorite one since it is low calorie and low fat yet tastes very real and buttery! love it! I simply through it in the microwave for 2 minutes and I get a bag full with diet snack!!!!

These are some manue secrets you need to know:

• Anytime you see the words “Parmesans-Crusted,” or “Orange Glazed” assume the dish has been slathered in sugar or cheese, had given a frying treatment and probably contain nearly a full day’s worth of sodium and half a day’s worth of calories!
  

• In Mexican restaurants, salads are mostly the absolute worst choice from the menu. For example, with burritos and tacos, the amount of high-fat, high-calorie fillers is limited to what will fit in the shells! pay attention!
  

• The top word you should be careful about is the mighty Caesar. Regular restaraunt`s Caesar dressing is normally loaded with many grams of fat and is very high in calories, combine it with cheese and croutons and you turn your light, healthy salad to a complete diet disaster! always ask for a low fat or fat-free dressing!

Good Luck!

My worst enemy while dieting or weight watching is dinning out in wonderful restaurants where some great dishes are simply irresistible! You see, ever since I started dating my current spouse I found it harder to watch what I eat, especially because he loves taking me to those nicest food places, where you kinda feel like you missed something if you order your very ordinary Caesar salad! For me, a person who appreciates great food, it always feels like a battle!  A short consultation with my nutritionist had made me realized the fact I don’t have to feel bad about having a great quality restaurant dinner, as long as I eat right and less during the day! That`s the secret! What a blast!!!  

1. What do I drink when I`m thirsty?

2. Do I normally eat in front of the TV or computer?

3. How often do I eat out?

4. How fast do I eat?

5. Do I always finish my entire meal?

6. How many times do I eat during the day?

The answers to these questions could be very, however each one of us should be as closer as possible to these answers:

We should drink lots of water, whether thirsty or not, or at least drink what is based on water, like green tea or lightly flavored vitemins water. When it comes to where we eat, around the table is your best choice since otherwise we tend to be distracted and eat more then we should. When we eat out, it makes it harder to watch our weight and healthy eating since most restaurant food has extra portion, calories and fat. Try to cook at home more often, eat slowly and listen to your body. You would know when you full and should stop eating. Even if there is still food on your plate! yes my friend, you can save it for later and continue eating once hungry again! This is how you keep your stomach and therefore your metabolism working by eating small meals several times a day.

Good Luck!!!

Make the Right Choice and try this easy making Diet Banana Split Recipe- Only 150 calories and 3 grams of fat per serving!
 

Ingredients:
1 medium banana
1 scoop non-fat vanilla ice cream or yogurt
2 tablespoons low-fat granola
1 spoon light chocolate syrup

Directions:
1. Cut the banana in half lengthwise (from tip to tip).
2. Place the banana halves on the sides of a mid size bowl.
3. Add the Ice-Cream or Yogurt in between the banana`s halves.
4. Top with granola and add the syrup.
5. Serve, Save (on calories!) & enjoy!

I have always wondered – “Who wants to cook for ONE ???”   While knowing it is important for my diet and weight watchers lifestyle routine since home made meals are normally the healthier choice, as I tend to enjoy groceries shopping and cooking, doing so only for myself had always made me buying and making more food then I was suppose to in order to freshly satisfy my single little stomach. More then that, I used to feel guilty for wasting extra foods when throwing away the leftovers while there are millions of hungry children out there.  In a recent conversation with my BFF single gey guy, who usually gets to spend dinner time by himself since working late hours, he confessed to really enjoy healthy meals at home, which help his diet, time and wallet.  I was managed to adopt some of his `single person cooking for himself`secrets and this is the outcome:

•  Save time by planning weekly, for cooking 2-3 different meals, then go shopping.

• While shopping, save money by start thinking in terms of portions, rather than recipes.

• Plan on using leftovers in order to create one extra meal.

• Buy only what you Know you`ll eat during that week, considering products you can take to work as well, like fruits, snacks, yogurt and etc.

• Creat more then one dish that build on similar ingredients and cut the fresh vegetables for two meals ahead in order to ease the next day cooking preparation.

• Use your freezer, however split whatever you are about to freeze into small portions put into ziploc sealed plastic bags. Then, you can defrost the correct amount of food you wish to cook that day. 

• Marinate the meat, pork, chicken or fish in the morning, before you go to work. It takes about 5 minuets and save you many more minuets later, when you are ready to prepare your meal.

If you wish to share more great ideas on how to cook for single person while eating right and saving waste of time and money please add your comment and share it with everybody! 

Thanks! 

Dark circles under eyes usually are not necessarily a sign of exhaustion or serious illness, like most people tend to think. They can make you feel old, unhealthy and tired, and medically defined as round, uniform areas of pigmentation beneath each eye, which can affect both men and women.  What appear as shadows cast by puffy eyelids or hollows under your eyes, thinning skin and loss of fat and collagen, which make the reddish-blue blood vessels under your eyes more obvious, can be a result of many sakes:  Allergies, tiredness, part of aging (The loss of fat and collagen is common as you age), normal lifestyle factors (such as smoking and drinking alcohol or too many caffeinated sodas) and last but not least reason- unfortunately- heredity.  No matter what the cause is, you can still reduce the appearance of dark circles, and in some cases, you may be able to get rid of them altogether!

For prevention you should eat healthy, balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables, take daily vitamins supplement if necessary (especially vitamin K and B12), reduce sodium intake and drink plenty of water. If you are a smoker-  quit smoking! Smoking causes vascular (blood vessel) problems that can not only threaten your life, but also make your blood vessels appear more prominent and bluer beneath the skin. However, the most natural, easy way treating dark circles when appear is to apply cool tea bags, or cucumber slices over your eyes for about 10-15 minutes daily, keeping your eyes closed. It will reduce swelling, discoloration, and puffiness then refresh the appearance of skin around the eyes!

Many of us have sleeping problems and new researches suggests a natural healthy way that can help us sleep throughout the night. Even though conventional wisdom says you’re not supposed to eat right before you go to bed since supposedly it is to be the time all food goes to your waistline.  However according to several new researches bedtime snacks can actually help you sleep better especially if you have insomnia. Exploring the subject, I found a great Web-MD article which explains why bedtime snacks can indeed help you sleep. According to this article it is mostly about our metabolic hormones. If you don’t have enough Leptin, which is the hormone that signals satiety, your body could wake you up. However, the article says that you can’t snack on just anything, and certainly should not eat heavy meals since the digestive system slows down while you sleep, so eating too much can make you uncomfortable.

Choose your snacks wisely- most recommended by experts are light dairy, carbohydrate-rich snacks because it most likely increase the level of sleep-inducing tryptophan in the blood. Good choices include a small bowl of cereal and milk, a few oatmeal cookies, peanut butter toast, or a small muffin. Beware of foods containing caffeine, including less obvious choices such as certain sodas and chocolate.

One of the most important things you can do to protect yourself from many diseases, illnesses and early aging of the skin is to eat right and keep a healthy diet. It is the best natural powerful defense against cancer, diabetes, heart disease or stroke. Whether or not you have a family history of those diseases, what you eat and how much you eat can help reduce the risk.

What does Eating Right mean?!
Making healthy, smart choices whenever it comes to foods, on a daily base. Whether you`re eating inside or outside, gourmet food, or fast food- with today`s variety of ingredients and products, there are always better, smarter choices you can make:

• Eat at least five servings of vegetables and fruits each day!

• Choose whole grains over processed (refined) grains and sugars

• Substitute healthier fats for not-so-healthy fats

• Beware of portion distortion, and help trim down the number of calories you eat.

• Substituting lower calorie and lower fat foods for higher in calories and fats foods to help maintain a healthy diet and weight.

OATS:
Oatmeal or oats crackers have the highest satiety ranking of any food. Unlike many other carbohydrates, oats digest slowly, so they have little impact on your blood sugar, making them the most filling choice.

EGG WHITES:
Dig in to eggs whites. They won’t harm your heart, but they can help you trim inches. A recent study from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge reported egg protein is filling, so you eat less later in the day!

ORGANIC STEAK:
The protein in beef helps you retain muscle mass during weight loss, and since regular beef has reputation, the organic choice would be healthier! The best way to eat beef while dieting is grill or broil top round or sirloin kind, sliced thinly and combined with mix of veggies.

WHOLE GRAIN:
Read the full story about why whole grain is better for your diet:

Don’t you just love chewing cookies plus actually eating right and fresh at the same time?! Another helpful diet secret of mine, or if I may say- a great sweet tooth saver, is keeping a box of Whole Grain baked Figs Newtons Cookies in hand. 2-3 cookies aside my afternoon cup of coffee are healthy, delightful choice for my in between meals craving. Contain only 2 grams of fat , 21 grams of carbs and 110 calories per servings, I cannot resist the real figs fill. Seriously- one of the bests tasty, healthy, real fruits and cookies combination I have ever had! A must try product for any weight watchers, dieting lifestyle or simply healthy living smart choices makers. 

Discover more about the health benefits of figs:

Discover more about Whole Grain health benefits:

Healthy diets almost always contain fish, which have fewer calories and higher nutrition values than other meat sources. It’s also one of nature’s most versatile foods – can be steamed, baked, fried or poached and even great as raw, in the form of sashimi.
Many health institutes recommend eating up to two portions of fish a week, based on several different studies. Eating fish could lowers the risk of death from heart disease by 36 per cent, thanks to the oils in fish, that appear to reduce stickiness of blood, therefore can prevent it from clotting. Fish also contains selenium which thought to have cancer-fighting properties plus omega-3 fatty acids which are believed to raise levels of the brain chemical- Serotonin, which aids in reducing depression. Omega 3 regulate the body’s inflammation cycle as well, which prevents and relieves painful conditions like arthritis and cystitis.

One of the benefits I like the most, from eating fish, is its ability of reducing signs of age! Some dermatologists say that a fish rich diet acts like a facial smoothing-out age lines.
 

Recommended fish: Salmon, Trout, Sardines and Tuna:

Try some of my favorite healthy recipes, taken from MyRecipes.com:

Baked Salmon With Dill Herb:

 
Tuna with Ginger Cream:

Trout with Brown Butter and Pecans:

Sardine and Potato with Romesco Sauce:

The amazing innovated iPhone has a new free application which certainly makes life a bit easier and can help you lose weight or at least watch what you eat and be aware of how many calories you eat during the day!  This IPhone application called `Lose It` which is the most complete and streamlined weight loss application available for the iPhone and would keep you on track by allowing to set your weight-loss goals, establish a “daily calorie budget” and then record your daily food intake and exercise. AMAZING!!! I LUV IT!!!

Thank you Apple!

I have recently discovered Chex Mix Chocolate Bars product while shopping for groceries. I was right near the cereal section, when could not avoid hearing a young lady taking to her friend while pointing on the shelve, saying “Those Chex Mix bars are impossible to resist…” I had to look at the nutrition facts at the back of the pack, and was absolutely amazed! These chocolate chunks, wheat pretzels and corn cereal bars contain only 140 calories, 3 grams of fat, 26 grams of carbs and more important- 8 grams of whole grains and fiber per serving! I felt like I have just found my ultimate new chocolate craving healthy weight watching solution!!! Got home, tried it and guess what- It DOES AMAZINGLY taste like REAL chocolate! and its healthy! very nice. I was extremely satisfied, considering the fact I used to be addicted to “Snickers” Chocolate Bars, which contains 280 Calories, 14 GRAMS OF FAT (yes ladies and gentlemen! 14 grams of fat in ONE (1) BAR!!!!!!  Hello!!! my `Lean Cuisine` yummy Lunch box does not contain THAT MUCH FAT!!!
 

Awareness, people. That’s all I`m saying. Don’t count calories, but DO check the nutrition facts of those foods you eat! That’s how you can watch your weight and keep a healthy lifestyle!

So what exactly is Tofu and why should we eat more of it as part of our weight watching healthy diet rutine, and substitute it with meat once in a while?! Tofu may looks like feta cheese, however it is non-diery and is made by curdling fresh hot soy-milk with a coagulant. Tofu is rich in high-quality protein, a good source of B-vitamins and iron and is rich in Calcium. It is low in saturated fat and contains no cholesterol! Generally, the softer the tofu, the lower the fat content. Tofu is also very low in sodium, making it a perfect food for people on sodium-restricted diets.

In recipes, tofu acts like a sponge and has the miraculous ability to soak up any flavor that is added to it. Crumble it into a pot of spicy chili sauce and it tastes like chili. Blend it with cocoa and sweetener and it becomes a double for chocolate cream pie filling. Cubes of firm tofu can be added to any casserole or soup.

Check ChicShuk recipes for healthy eating: 

Some food can benefits our skin in different levels. However, these following ones are at the top list, and are highly recommended if you wish to keep your natural beauty skin as healthy and glowing as possible, before even applying any type of facial creams or anti-aging products. It is simple-  Stay healthy and look great at the same time! Eat more of these foods:

• Wild Salmon: A prime source of omega-3 fatty acids, which can reduce skin inflammation and prevent redness, wrinkles and future sagging

• Yogurt: (and make sure it is a low-fat one, of course) gives bone boosting and more calcium then a glass of skin milk.

• Oysters: Yes, ladies and gentlemens, Oysters are a top source of Zing, which helps build collagen and speed up skin renewal and repair.

• Blueberries: from my Antioxidants  list, blueberries are full of them, and can prevent long term cell damage.

• Kiwifruit: One of my favorite fruits. It is rich in potassium as banana, however add its plenty of vitamin C and you promote glowing, wrinkle free skin! Luv this one!

• Sweet Potatoes: full with Beta-carotene, which helps smooth the skin.

•  Tomatoes: are major source of lycopene, combined with their anitioxidants can protect against sunburn.

• Walnuts: rich with omega 3 and help fight against skin ailments like psoriasis and eczema.

• Dark Chocolate: last but not least, great news for the chocolate lovers: it is full with antioxidants and nutrients cocoa, which helps boost hydration, smoothness and protection against sun exposure.  (choose chocolates with %60 percent cocoa). 

One of the healthier, lighter and low in calories breakfast I can recommend is a simple, yet perfect combination of Bananas, Peanuts, Whole Wheat bread and Skin Milk. With this nutritious concept of natural healthy carbohydrates, potassium, protein and fiber you would feel not only full, but keep your blood sugar steady so then you would gain an all day energy!

Try this healthy, high in nutrition -

Banana-Peanut butter Sandwich: 

Add a small cup of skin milk and get your ALL DAY ENERGY breakfast, with only 450 calories, 9 grams of fat, 25 grams of protein and 8 grams of fiber !

Ingredients:
1 tablespoons reduce fat peanut butter
1/2 Banana, sliced 
2 slices whole wheat bread, toasted

ENJOY!

 

You may find this surprising,  however, eating dark chocolate holds several Health Benefits AND Beauty Secrets :

A 12 weeks German study, which examined women who downed a cocoa-rich drink daily (equivalent of 3.5 ounces of Dark Chocolate), shows they experienced less dryness. Their skin had better blood flow which pinks the cheeks, and was even more resistant to Sun Damage, thanks to the Antioxidants! WOW… 

Chocolate is made from plants, which means it contains many of the health benefits of dark vegetables. Dark chocolate contains a large number of antioxidants (nearly 8 times the number found in strawberries!), help relax blood pressure through the production of nitric oxide, balance certain hormones in the body and even helps reduce the risk of diabetes.

I guess now we can stop feeling bad about eating Chocolate! (As long as it is DARK…)

No Fat and O Calories Oil?! UNBELIVABLE!!!
Using Pam oil spray has changed my life and considered as my secret weapon MUST HAVE product in my kitchen cabinets!  It works well with most baking and frying, adds no calories or carbs to the food, doesn’t leave an aftertaste and has a long lasting shelf-life.

My favorite cooking secrets using Pam Spray Oil:

• Fried eggs, whether regular or scrambled or make omelets.

• When making grilled cheese sandwiches or panini, spray bread with PAM Butter instead of spreading with butter.

• Spray PAM onto cooked, drained pasta instead of tossing with oil.

• For golden oven-roasted turkey and chicken, spray the skin with PAM before placing in oven.

• Spray your pan with PAM when cooking chicken breasts, pork chops, fish, and more. It will prevent food from sticking to the pan while providing crispness, browning, and flavor.

• Love baked potatoes with crispy skins? Scrub your potatoes and spray the skins with PAM. You’ll never peel your spuds again!

• Spray foil with PAM before covering casseroles and other baked dishes to prevent cheese from sticking to foil.

• Spray gelatin molds with PAM before adding gelatin dessert; after the gelatin dessert sets, it will be easier to unfold.

• When grilling; spray PAM Grilling on the cold grill, tongs, skewers, and grill baskets to Prevent sticking

Discover more about the Benefits of oils and Cooking Secrets:

When molecules in the body oxidize, they can create free-radicals. Those, create a destructive process in our cells, causing the molecules within the cells to become unstable. They may even be a big player in the formation of cancerous cells by a “chain-reaction” effect, causing other cells to become damaged. Because of the inherent instability of free-radicals, they try to attack other healthy cells to get stable themselves. This then causes the once-healthy cells to react in the same way, attacking others in an never-ending attempt for cellular stability.
 

Antioxidants stop the cellular chain reaction of oxidation by neutralizing the free radicals. Once an antioxidant finds its way into the body, mostly through the foods we eat, it slows down, or even prevents, the oxidation of other molecules. Many experts feel that increased antioxidants in the body can also help slow the process of aging, on top of preventing cancers.

Make sure to keep a large amounts of antioxidants on hand and inside your body on a regular base! But How?!

The secret to expose yourself to more antioxidants is simply through your diet: Eat more organic fresh fruits and vegetables! This is the most effective way. By incorporating at least five servings of fruit and vegetables a day into your diet, you may be helping your body reduce its chances of heart disease, neurological diseases, cancer and lowered immunity, keeping in mind that organic, raw, fresh and local is always best.

One of Oprah`s major Diet Secret is not to eat close to bedtime, and another secret is including BLUEBERRIES in her everyday diet routine since they are favorite and most nutritious, anti-aging fruits. 

Discover more about the Secrets Of Blueberries:

I use Light&Fit Dannon Nonfat Vanilla Yogurt which is my favorite choice since its nutrition facts and its flavor. I normally buy the 32 OZ jar since it has basic vanilla flavor and is good for several servings. I can easily say this Yogurt is available in my fridge at all times like any other basics products since it brings a great way to enjoy a light, refreshing meal whenever I need it! With 50% fewer calories than regular low-fat yogurt, 0% Fat. 110 Calories and vitamins A and D  it can be used everydayfor: Smoothies, yogurt parfaits, fruit dips, baking, fruit & yogurt salads or delicious desserts. Dannon Light & Fit also meets the National Yogurt Association Criteria for live and active culture yogurt. 

My secret to control any hunger attack AND to get my boyfriend`s attention was adding some crunchy, rice and wheat flakes with oat and blueberry clusters from “Special K”, plus bunch of fresh blueberries, if available, to the bowl of yogurt.

Kellogg’s® Special K® Blueberry cereal are lightly toasted, lightly sweetened and high in flavor. Recommended for a healthy, reduced-calorie diet and an excellent source of 11 vitamins and minerals, Kellogg’s Special K mixed with Light&Fit yogurt gives me the satisfaction I crave any time of day!

And don’t forget adding some fresh Blueberries!  

To read more about Blueberries click here:

Cherry Tomatoes are available year-round from California, Mexico and Florida. Filled with healthy nutrition like vitamins and minerals, Cherry Tomatoes were first called TV Tomatoes since originally developed in the aim of providing a healthy snack to be eaten while watching TV. With time, the similarity to Cherries determined its final definition as “Cherry Tomatoes”. Filled with vitamins and minerals, however more expensive compare to other types of tomatoes, though totally worthwhile for their size, taste and nutrition and the protection they provide against heart disease and strokes.

In one cup of cherry tomatoes (about 20 of them) there are only 30 calories, 0 fat and 7 grams of carbs!!! You can add them to salads, serve them with dip as an appetizer or enjoy a supper healthy smart snacking choice!  

Discover more about my favorite healthy “Diet Saver” snack:

 Celery sticks dipped in light Ranch dressing: