Confessions

I have a confession, "My name is Candydiva04 and I'm a French Fry-aholic!" According to every TV show I've watched this is where you all say "Hi Candydiva" ;)

As a french fry addict I just had to share this photo when I saw it on Google +, because its something I would have done (in my fatter days), but only dream of doing now, lol. So imagine my surprise when a friend explained that  McDonald's is offering a deal in Japan where you can order any size fry for ¥150.  That's approximately $1.60 US dollars.  So kids are buying lots large and extra large fries and taking pictures with them.  Which is whats going on in this photo.  Its like the unhealthy version of planking or the "Harlem Shake".

Before any of you french fry lovers start booking plane tickets to Japan, might I suggest you try this healthier alternative first?

Crunchy Green Beans with Curry and Toasted Coconut

Read More http://www.bonappetit.com/recipes/2011/12/crunchy-green-beans-with-curry-toasted-coconut#ixzz2Mh1EoQNu

Recipe & image source here

Ingredients

• 1 pound green beans, trimmed
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon curry powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
• Kosher salt
• 1/4 cup toasted unsweetened flaked organic coconut

• ingredient info

  Unsweetened flaked organic coconut is available at natural foods stores and specialty foods stores. (I got mine at the local baking supply store)

Preparation

• Preheat oven to 375°. Place green beans on a rimmed baking sheet; drizzle with oil and sprinkle with curry, cumin, and coriander. Season with salt and toss to coat. Spread out in a single layer and roast until beans are crisp and beginning to shrivel, 30–35 minutes. Toss beans with coconut and serve.

Read More http://www.bonappetit.com/recipes/2011/12/crunchy-green-beans-with-curry-toasted-coconut#ixzz2Mh153hz4


Whew, that felt good, I might have to make a confession more often!! I plan to try this recipe tonight, maybe with some black bean burgers.  I'll let you know how it works out!

Admitting it is the first step,
Candydiva04

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Cheers!

"They" (you know... them, those people who say things) say that on average, a person should drink eight 8-ounce glasses every day. That's about 2 quarts. However, the overweight person needs one additional glass for every 25 pounds of excess weight. The amount you drink also should be increased if you exercise briskly or if the weather is hot and dry.  If you're like me, you're probably thinking that's A LOT of water and "ain't no body got time for that!"  But like working out you should make time to drink water, and eventually you'll see its easier than you think.

Why should you make time to drink water (instead of say a shot of tequila, a diet soda or a glass of sweet tea)  well there's the obvious, there are no calories, sugar, carbs or fat in water.  You can quench your thirst without adding to your caloric intake.  Its very easy to add an extra 300-500 or in some cases 1,000 calories to your diet in your beverage choices alone. But if you already knew that here's a few more reasons to drink water.

• Water suppresses the appetite naturally and helps the body metabolize stored fat. Studies have shown that a decrease in water intake will cause fat deposits to increase, while an increase in water intake can actually reduce fat deposits. 
• Water helps maintain proper muscle tone by giving muscles their natural ability to contract and by preventing dehydration. 
• It also helps to prevent the sagging skin that usually follows weight loss - shrinking cells are buoyed by water, which plumps the skin and leaves it clear, healthy, and resilient. 
• Water helps rid the body of waste. During weight loss, the body has a lot more waste to get rid of - all the metabolized fat must be shed. Again, adequate water helps flush out the waste.
• Water can help relieve constipation. When the body gets too little water, it siphons what it needs from internal sources. The colon is one primary source. Result? Constipation. But, when a person gets enough water, normal bowel functions returns.

If you're anything like me, you struggle with drinking water.  The tricks that work best for me are to add lemon juice to my water, keep a big bottle of water (shown on right, I even bought a brightly colored one to make sure I can't forget about it or lose it) with me everywhere I go and to make an effort to drink one glass every hour on the hour while at work. By the end of my work day, I've consumed all 64oz of water and any water I drink after that is a bonus.  But if those don't work for you here are a few more tips and tricks you can try.

• Keep a large cup full of ice at your desk and keep re-filling it with water. The key is drinking with a straw – you take bigger gulps and drink more at a time 
• Chug a full glass several times a day. Go drink one right now. No sipping over time. Just drink it down right after you fill it up. 
• Freeze peeled pieces of lemons, limes, and oranges and use them instead of ice cubes – it’s refreshing and helps get in a serving or two of fruit. 

• After each trip to the restroom, guzzle an eight-ounce glass to replenish your system. 
• Get fizzy with it! If you simply must have carbonation,  try getting a home seltzer maker like a Soda Stream and make your own fizzy H2O!  Add a dash of lemon or a splash of O.J. and you’ll have a super refreshing drink! 
• Fill up a large cup with crushed ice or ice cubes and snack on them (like candy!) throughout the day. 
• Make  it a game, challenge a friend or co-worker to see who can drink more water in the course of a day. 
• Drink two full glasses at each meal, one before and one after. Also, drink one glass before each snack so you don’t eat as much. 
• Not ALL your water has to be COLD... Drink some of it HOT. Have a nice warm cup of tea instead. But be sure it’s decaf since caffeine actually robs you of water (it’s a diuretic). 
• Add drinking two glasses of water to your daily skincare regimen. Drink, cleanse, moisturize, then drink again. 

Cheers!
Candydiva04

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Comfort Zones

Just a little reminder!

Happy Monday,

Candydiva04

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