Farewell My Friend...

...you will be missed.

It is true, as much as I am an advocate of healthy foods, I love sugar. I find it hard to pass up at least a taste of any delicious dessert (especially when I am pregnant). But it is time to take a break from the sweet little monster. As much as I love it, I don't love how it has been making me feel these days.

Sure this fat chocolate cake is calling my name...
...or how about a slice of this decadent tart?

But I am overcoming one of my biggest weaknesses and giving up sugar at least for a month. I need to to cleanse my taste buds of it. And I need my body to understand it doesn't need it everyday. Don't worry Mr. Sugar, I will eat you again, just not now.

Thank you Chelsy for being my inspiration.

I don't believe anyone should have to give up any kind of food forever, but we do need to eat in moderation and sometimes we must put our body through a little bootcamp nutrition training in order to achieve this.

I am admitting this outloud to all of you so that I have a crowd to keep me accountable.

Yesterday was my first day. It wasn't too bad. And I feel pretty good.

Good luck to me and to any of you who want to join me in the journey.

Feel the Burn!...

Click here if you have not read the first part of this article.

SPF will protect you from painful summer sunburns, but this F stands for fat-burning foods. Some of these foods will surprise you, but all 5 are guaranteed to please your palate.

Grapefruit The vitamin C contained in this super fruit helps the body process fat faster by stimulating the carnitine amino acid and consequently, the body’s fat-burning capacity. Vitamin C can dilute fat, helping the body get rid of it faster. Have a glass of grapefruit juice or half a fresh grapefruit with breakfast and kick start your day.

Chilies Studies are now showing that the chemical compound capsacin found in chili peppers speeds up your metabolism. It’s also a thermogenic food which means that your body will burn extra calories for 20 minutes after you’ve eaten them. Click here for more surprising foods that will boost your metabolism.

Bison Leaner than beef, but containing just as much protein, a bison burger (or bison hot dog!) is the perfect meal for your next summer barbecue. Eating lean protein helps to boost metabolism, lose fat and burn extra calories.

Berries The perfect summer dessert, berries are packed with fiber, which keeps you full and satisfied on virtually no calories. It also moves food through the digestive system faster, so less fat is absorbed. A 1 cup serving of raspberries contains 8 grams of fiber and only 60 calories!

Chilled Soup While soup might not be the first thing you think of when your stomach rumbles on a hot summer day, its satisfying combination of liquids and solids makes this meal choice an excellent appetite suppressant. Aim for broth-based soups stocked with vegetables for a low-calorie meal or appetizer. Two cups of this watermelon gazpacho contains just 85 fat-free, salt-free calories, and lycopene and phenolic compounds that help lower your risk for many cancers. And who doesn’t crave watermelon during the summer?

The Dollar Tree...

Click here if you didn't read the first part of this article yesterday or check out Dr. Oz's Ultimate Summer Slim-Down http://www.doctoroz.com/.

Money may not grow on trees, but plenty inexpensive staples of a healthy diet do! Putting the P in SPF is price. You don’t have to spend a lot to get great payback on your health – so load up on these dietary stapes that you can’t afford NOT to eat.

Green tea Dr. Oz’s go-to beverage, green tea costs an average of 31¢ per bag. This polyphenol-packed tea is low in caffeine and offers countless health benefits. Enjoy over ice to beat the heat.

Plain yogurt This digestive health aid won’t break the bank at 75¢ per cup. Mix with fruit and granola for a high-calcium, fiber-rich snack or breakfast.

Quinoa Pronounced “keen-wah,” 1 serving of this grain, at 80¢ per cup, provides half your daily iron needs. Click here for a deliciously creamy berry and quinoa parfait recipe.

Black beans At 42¢ per cup, drain and rinse for a whopping 15 grams of protein. Toss with some cooled quinoa and fresh mango for a surprisingly delicious summer salad.

Snap peas At 28¢ per cup, you can net nearly half your daily veggies for a little more than a quarter. Plant your own for less than $1 and pick, snap and enjoy all summer long.

Enjoying Seasonal Fruit

Dr. Oz's Ultimate Summer Slim-Down

Get the help you need to tighten your waistline and purse strings this summer with Dr. Oz’s Ultimate Summer Slim-Down. By Memorial Day, 80% of Americans have abandoned their New Year’s resolutions to lose weight and get healthier. However, it’s not too late to turn it all around.
(www.doctoroz.com)

Dr. Oz’s Ultimate Summer Slim Down begins with those 3 magic letters of summer: S.P.F. Right now, we’re not talking sun protection factor – we are talking about an easy way to remember 3 healthy eating secrets, the first of which is eating in Season. Summer is a season of produce aplenty, and here are 4 foods that are inexpensive, fresh, low in calories and packed with nutrients:

(Click on Bolded Words for fun recipes that incorporate lots of produce)

Apricots These juicy fruits can be eaten on the go, added to steel cut oats in the morning or salads at lunch. They contain only 20 calories each and provide 25% of your daily vitamin C needs.

Okra In most areas, okra is in season from May through October. One cup contains about 30 calories and is a rich source of vitamin B6, folic acid, and vitamins A and C.

Cucumbers Synonymous with summer, 1 cucumber contains only 15 calories and contains silica, which improves the health of your skin. Dip cucumber in a probiotic yogurt for a digestive health boost or serve in a fresh cucumber and tomato salad. After all, tomatoes are a summer favorite rich in vitamins C, A and K. Click here for another recipe.

Just in case I am not the only one who didn't know what farina was you can click here.

Peaches A good sources of carotenes, potassium and flavonoids, peaches contain only 70 calories and provide 2.6 grams of fiber. Flavonoids help strengthen blood vessels, prevent cells from oxygen damage and are a powerful anti-inflammatory.

Check back for the rest of the article tomorrow or check out Dr. Oz's Summer Slim-Down at www.doctoroz.com