Happy Snacking!!!

Hello!!

I am sharing a list from SPARKPEOPLE of 18 snacks with real filling power. These snacks are healthy alternatives of real food with filling power. When trying to lose weight the best snack choices focus on fiber, lean protein & water content. Enjoy!!

1. Two tablespoons of whipped light cream cheese rolled into two slices of extra-lean ham.

2. Two celery stalks, sliced into strips and dipped in 2 tablespoons of light guacamole.

3. Three ounces of chilled, pre-cooked shrimp dipped in one tablespoon of cocktail sauce.

4. One ounce of goat cheese spread on 1/2 a cup of cucumber slices.

5. One hard-boiled egg, sliced and sprinkled with salt, pepper and paprika.

6. A half a cup of fat-free cottage cheese topped with 1/4 cup of fresh blueberries.

7. A warm and comforting cup of your favorite broth-based soup brightened up with a squeeze of fresh lemon.

8. One medium tomato sliced and topped with one ounce of fresh mozzarella, salt and pepper and drizzled with a tablespoon of balsamic vinegar.

9. One small whole-wheat tortilla topped with two tablespoons of fat-free bean dip and sprinkled with a two tablespoons of low-fat cheddar cheese.

10. One slice of roasted turkey breast wrapped up with one slice of light Swiss cheese.

11. One cup diced watermelon with one ounce of reduced-fat feta cheese, a teaspoon of chopped fresh mint and a squeeze of fresh lime.

12. A half cup of plain yogurt topped with a drizzle of honey and three almonds, finely chopped.

13. Two celery stalks, cut into strips and dipped in 1/4 cup hummus.

14. One ounce of prosciutto wrapped around a wedge of cantaloupe or 1/2 cup of peach slices.

15. One and a half cups of mixed berries.

16. One cup of jicama slices dipped in 1/2 cup of fresh salsa.

17. Ten baby carrots dipped in 4 ounces 0% Greek yogurt, flavored with 1 teaspoon of ranch dressing mix.

18. One cup of sliced apples with one ounce of low-fat cheddar, sliced thin.

Happy Snacking!!!

The Boss Lady of Proper Fashions

Being able to discover your purpose and do what you love is a blessing. For Bridget Cain, its fashion and being an entrepreneur. She’s been the owner of Proper Fashions Online Boutique for over twenty years. Bridget works hard to provide quality fashions for both women and men. It is her belief that when you step out, you should be proper from head to toe.

You would never know growing up that fashion was in Bridget’s DNA. She’s the only girl in a brood of three boys, born and raised in San Bernardino, California and was very much tomboy. Her mother was known for her couture fashions and could sew a garment without a pattern. There was no way her daughter wasn’t going to inherit her classiness and she worked with Bridget to develop her style, etiquette and business sense. With the support of her mother and her go getter spirit, Bridget became a student of the fashion game and carved out a path that has lead to her over twenty year career.

Her first order of business was to learn how to become a boutique owner. She read various books and fashion publications to figure it all out. Through her readings Bridget discovered that New York City was the fashion capital and she began to go to trade shows, gathering inventory for her store. She started simple, by selling her trendy pieces out of the trunk of her car to begin building her clientele. To add to her level of fashion professionalism, she also earned herself an Associate of Arts Degree in Fashion Design and Institute from Sacramento City College. In 1991 her hard work had finally paid off when Proper Fashions opened its doors at two store front locations in Sacramento.

Because she’s such a savvy business woman, Bridget has involved herself in several fashion related ventures throughout her career. She was once a rep for retired LA Lakers AC Green and his clothing line “My Kind of Man”. The position had her not only rubbing elbows with the NBA’s elite but it also required tons of travel, including weekly runs to the Bay Area. Eventually she transplant to the region, choosing to shut down her physical stores while continuing to sell to her private clientele. When My Kind of Man folded, Bridget bounced back quickly with a lucrative position with Fidelity National Title Company. While it wasn’t a position directly related to fashion it provided her with the level of stability she needed while she was tending to her family. She spent several years with the company and continued to sell clothes, but there was a longing within Bridget to get back in the driver’s seat of her business. Her opportunity came in the form of a round of layoffs at Fidelity.

Being able to fall back on her entrepreneurial skills has always been Bridget’s secret weapon, and her situation with Fidelity was no different. This time around she opened up a storefront in San Leandro. She took her fashions to the online market as well and created http://www.properfashionsonline.com. As of 2013 Proper Fashions Boutique is strictly and online company so Bridget can focus on the expansion of her business.
Bridget has produced over one hundred fashion shows and has been a vendor at more than thirty trade shows. She’s even led a modeling troop called “Shades of Color” where she taught girls how to walk the runway and properly apply hair styles and makeup. Bridget works closely with various organizations including the National Association of Real Estate Brokers, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and the Ora Lee Brown Foundation. Proper Fashions Boutique is huge on giving back one of their favorite causes to support is needy children.

At the end of the day, the overall goal for Bridget Cain is to continuously build on her growing success. She was named the 2013 winner of the Bay Area’s Battle of the Boutiques, and plans to hold on tight to the crown. Proper Fashion takes pride in catering to multi-ethnic women ages twenty two to fifty five. Presently she’s working on her own line of signature jeans that will be designed for real women with dangerous curves. The plan is to continue a heavy online presence and eventually open up another store, while continuing to market herself as a household name in the fashion world…just like mama would want.

GraceFace Network loves you and we’re proud to be on your team!

7 Day Challenge & then some

Hey Ladies!

As I am entering my 4th week of this 7 day challenge, I must say that I feel great!  I have more energy that I have had in a very long time.

I went to a beautiful, elegant banquet on Saturday and did not resist the sourdough roll with butter sitting at my place setting.  I indulged in 2 of the rolls and a glass of punch!!! Although the rolls and the punch were delicious, the fullness and discomfort that I felt afterwards, was not worth it!  I’m now convinced that the 7 day challenge is no longer just about weight loss for me.  It’s about feeling my best and commitment.  I’m not saying that I will never take days off, but I welcome the lifestyle change.  Join me and let’s do this thing together!  Please share your victories and challenges with us!

 

 

 

Live on purpose! Part 1

Hello Beautiful GraceFace!

I hope that this message will be as inspiring to you as it is for me.
Always with love!

Low Cal Summer Treat: Frozen Watermelon Lemon Cream Tarts

Ok ladies! Here’s a yummy sweet treat that we can try while on our 7-day challenge to Fit & Fab. I will be trying it this weekend…..can’t wait!

The Athletic Avocado

It’s officially watermelon season, well, according to me at least! Who doesn’t love watermelon and it’s juicy and refreshing taste? Well I decided I wanted to make something really refreshing since it’s been so hot out, and that watermelon in the fridge was calling my name! I also made a lemon cream mixture to place on top of the watermelon “sorbet” to create a truly creamy, refreshing, satisfying and healthy summer treat! Plus these babies are so low in calories (40 calories per tart!!!) and perfect for “clean eaters.”

Frozen Watermelon Lemon Cream Tarts

• 2 cups watermelon
• 1 cup plain fat free greek yogurt ( can sub in coconut or soy yogurt if vegan)
• 1 1/2 Tbsp. honey
• zest of one small lemon
• 2 Tbsp. lemon juice
• 2 Tbsp. chopped almonds

1. In a food processor,blend watermelon for about 20 seconds, or until smooth.
2. Divide watermelon equally into muffin tins lined…

View original post 79 more words

5 benefits of drinking water

I had to share from fit day.com

I struggle with drinking water but after reading the benefits. I
have to do better.

The benefits of drinking water have been much discussed in the media. Water helps keep you hydrated, which is important because every single cell in your body needs it in order to absorb nutrients and expel waste products. But what are some of the less well known benefits of drinking water?

1) Drinking Water Keeps You Young

Drinking plenty of water is great for your skin. If you don’t drink enough water, you’ll suffer from dry skin, and you’ll be likely to use more creams and lotions to moisturize. However, creams and lotions don’t strike at the root of the problem. Drinking plenty of water keeps your skin moisturized and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

If you don’t drink enough water, your body will try to retain it in order to conserve resources. This retention makes your skin puffy and can even lead to bloating.

2) Drinking Water Helps You Lose Weight

There’s a reason why most diets and fitness programs ask you to drink a lot of water. One of the benefits of drinking water is that it helps you lose weight.

Water suppresses your appetite, so you don’t eat as much. Drinking plenty of water also prevents fluid retention, because your body won’t try to retain water if it’s getting enough.

Drinking water also helps your body burn stored fat. If you’re not drinking enough water, your liver will be forced to help your kidneys detoxify your body. When you drink plenty of water, your kidneys don’t need any extra help, so your liver will be able to metabolize stored fat more efficiently. Drinking water flushes toxins from your body and prevents constipation.

3) Drinking Water Helps You Build Muscle

Another benefit of drinking water is that it makes your muscles stronger. That’s because water carries oxygen to the cells of your body, including those of your muscles. Drinking plenty of water enables your muscles to work harder and longer before they feel tired, and this can help you build muscle.

4) Drinking Water Makes You Smarter

Drinking water can increase your cognitive function. Your brain needs a lot of oxygen in order to function at optimum levels. Drinking plenty of water ensures that your brain gets all the oxygen it needs. Drinking eight to ten cups of water per day can improve your levels of cognitive performance by as much as 30%!

Drinking plenty of water also supports nerve function. It ensures that your body’s electrolyte levels remain high enough to allow your nerves to relay messages to and from the brain in the way they were meant to.

5) Drinking Water Is Good for Your Joints

One of the lesser known benefits of drinking water is that it helps keep your joints strong, healthy and lubricated. Your joints need moisture in order to remain strong and flexible, so that your movements are smooth and pain free.

 

Natural Detox Drink

This natural detox drink  is delicious!  Well, I like it. Lol!!! I drink a glass every night with my dinner.   I don’t have high blood pressure or  diabetes, but I do believe that it has added to my weight loss progress along with my low carb diet.   Try it and let me know what you think.

 

 

Summer Tomato Salad

Super easy and healthy!!

3 ripe tomatoes, cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices (about 2 pounds)
1 Vidalia or other sweet onion, thinly sliced and separated into rings
salt and pepper to taste.

Preparation

To prepare salad, alternate tomato and onion slices on a platter. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Drizzle vinaigrette over salad, and serve at room temperature.
Enjoy!!

Relief from hot flashes through food

My Sister friend stresses the importance of how our diet effects our well being. I am sharing a post she shared on FB this week.
Thanks May Lee!

Ladies should have:
-less intake of meat
-less intake of dairy
-higher consumption of fresh fruits, vegetables & grains
Add more Foods with Phytoestrogens:
**whole grains, chick peas (garbanzo beans), green beans, almonds peanuts cashews walnuts, winter squash, broccoli, collard greens, onions, apricots dates prunes, peaches, berries, seeds pumpkin sunflower sesame

Recipe… : NRG SOUP
Water recipe: 2 peeled cucumbers, 1/2 cup fresh-squeezed lemon juice, 1/2 tomato*, blend
1 c diced tomato , 1 c chopped mint, 1/2 c chopped onion, 1/2 c chopped red bell pepper, 1/2 c fresh corn from cob or frozen thawed, 1 tablespoon minced garlic, 1/2 tbsp minced ginger , 1/2 tbsp habanero chili*, 1 1/2 teaspoon sea salt, 1 medium apple-chopped, 2 cups fresh-squeezed (not from concentrate) orange juice.
Blend all ingredients & serve. By Juliano

Skinny Shake

Skinny Shake

3/4 cup Almond Milk
about 15 ice cubes
1/2 tsp Vanilla
1-2 Tbsp unsweetened Cocoa powder
1/3 of a Banana
Blend.