Fight Fat with Fat

 

Maybe it’s just me, but even though I’m busting it during every workout, some of the lean and mean in me is feeling a little soft these days. My clothes still fit and the scale still reads the same number so I’m not that concerned. But today during my personal training session with Lauren I asked her for her number one tip she shares with clients who are interested in improving not only their physique but also their nutrition.

Her number one tip was, “fight fat with fat.”

I had to take a double take as this didn’t make sense until I realized that she wasn’t talking about the delicious butter laden Christmas cookies or fudge. Instead, she meant that in order to fat long term and “lean out” one must satiate their hunger with healthy fats, monounsaturated fat and polyunsaturated fat.

There are many benefits of healthy fats:

  • Good fats help lower cholesterol.
  • Good fats help protect internal organs.
  • Good fats help transport and retain nutrients.
  • Good fats are a source of energy.

I took her advice and did my best to amp up today’s meals with healthy fats. I realized that my breakfast often excludes fat as does my afternoon snack, hence the reason that I’m normally craving another meal just an hour or so later.

Today’s updated meals:

This morning’s bowl of cereal featured 2% milk because the office was out of skim. A little bit of fat helped this bowl of Fiber One stick to my bones.

001 This morning’s snack was an unpictured Clementine along with a pack of delicious lightly salted almonds. I ordered a box of these from Amazon for a steal and am loving them as a office desk staple.

002 My normal spinach and beet salad was updated with walnuts in place of the normal blue cheese. Walnuts provide a healthier form of fat than cheese and also left me more satiated. I added Craisins as well which added a sweet punch, per Lauren’s suggestion.

003 Tonight’s sushi deliver dinner was upgraded with avocado. I tend to steer away from avocado due to it’s high fat content but it is very satiating. I enjoyed a brown rice tuna avocado roll along with a salmon brown rice roll. Paired with a side of Felicity it was the perfect easy Thursday night dinner!

005 Question: Do you have a fear of fat or have you learned to embrace healthy fats? What is your favorite “healthy fat?”

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Making a List and Checking It Twice

Happy Thursday from the land of the blue Christmas tree!

034Finally, after four days of no internet, Bo came home early enough tonight to return the house and our electronics to a perfect state. I did my best to spend some quality time with the Time Warner Cable technical support but gave up after three separate attempts.

The past few days have been pretty hectic due to our compressed party planning schedule and a busy week filled with work meetings and volunteering though the New York Junior League.

I find that the easiest way to conquer a crazy week is to lay out some goals or a checklist for the week. This week I made a Monday through Thursday checklist to keep track of everything we needed to accomplish before Friday.

  • Stick to my workout schedule CHECK
  • Eat a healthy breakfast each morning CHECK
  • Reorganize the house when painters finish CHECK
  • Address and mail all our Christmas cards CHECK
  • Bring all the Christmas decorations up from our storage unit along with party supplies CHECK
  • Buy Christmas tree CHECK
  • Decorate Christmas tree CHECK
  • Set up snow village and other holiday decorations
  • Finalize party menu CHECK
  • Go grocery shopping for party CHECK (via PeaPod)
  • Volunteer at Nazareth House on Tuesday and Thursday CHECK
  • Finish Christmas shopping

As of tonight, the list has been completely dominated!

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002 Overall, the week has gone pretty well. I definitely haven’t eaten as well as I would like considering that I’ll be basking in the Cozumel sun in three short weeks with Bo and our good friends! But, I’ve pushed myself in each of my workouts and done my best to remember some of the tips and tricks my Twitter friends shared earlier this week!

image image I’ve been drinking more water than normal, sticking with my workouts, using the one bite rule when tackling office sweets, and am being especially good tomorrow and Saturday during the day so I can enjoy every bite Saturday night! In addition, we are signed up for the NYRR Jingle Jog early Saturday morning to kick off the day with a sweat!

Question: How do you practice moderation during the holidays? Or, do you think about it on January 1st?

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Eggland’s Best Foodie Night in NYC

Last night I had the great opportunity to participate in Eggland’s Best Seasonal Foodie Event at the Institute of Culinary Education. The evening was filled with delicious seasonal food, cooking lessons from  chef Erica Wides, and lots of pictures.

DSC_0003 IMG_3180 The Eggland’s Best staff was so welcoming and sweet! In addition, they all know how to throw a party. Just from the smiles, bubbly conversation, and laughter you could hear how much fun we were all having throughout the night.

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While we all mingled, there were three different passed appetizers.

DSC_0006 This was by far the most amazing appetizer! It was “egg sushi” or Japanese egg “tamago yaki” maki rolls with shrimp and edamame puree.

Mini baked  truffle egg custards. I found these akward to eat and way too fishy.

The final appetizer was a rostini with Serrano ham, smoked pimenton-deviled egg and roasted red pepper. I didn’t try this one but I saw many others try it and go back for seconds. Therefore, it must have been a winner.

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After the cocktail hour, chef Erica Wide spoke to us about the evenings menu, importance of fresh vegetables, and next steps. Our menu for the evening was as follows:

Eggland’s Best Event Menu

First Course

         Warm salad of asparagus, radishes, morels, baby carrots and sugar snap peas, with slivers of duck prosciutto, toasted walnuts, and a white wine-poached egg, with champagne vinaigrette

Entrée

         Crab and lobster ravioli, with fresh peas, fennel, leeks, golden beets, saffron and chives in a lobster broth with prosecco sabayon (like a hollandaise, but lighter and foamier)

Dessert

         Individual lemon pudding soufflés with mixed berries and rhubarb coulis

         Assorted meringue cookies petit fours

The most exciting part was that we were going to prepare each of these courses.

IMG_3211All smiles with Missy! DSC_0013 DSC_0014 DSC_0018 DSC_0019  I agree with Missy’s comment about the picture below. Why is she holding the sharp knife? 🙂 I had a blast with Megan, Amie, and Missy last night!IMG_3182 IMG_3185 IMG_3187 IMG_3189 IMG_3198 IMG_3200 IMG_3201 IMG_3204 IMG_3207

Healthy Happier Bear

After at least an hour of socializing and cooking, it was time for a few great Q&A session, dining, and more socializing.

Our first course was the warm salad which was also my favorite dish of the evening. I would love to recreate this at home for Bo. He’d love it!

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Our main course was crab and lobster ravioli. I actually only ate one of these as they were a bit heavy for my taste. However, most people finished their serving and raved about them.

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Thank you Eggland’s Best and Weber Chadwick for an amazing event! As always, I had a wonderful time learning and socializing in a great environment!

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