Written by Inés de Sequera-22 May 2013
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Carbohydrate-rich foods worse than white bread.

Here are a few treats which we should not indulge in regularly, especially when we are watching our waistlines!

Specialty coffee drinks loaded with whipped cream, movie theatre popcorn, and toasted bagels... Every once in a while these foods aren't so bad. But the key phrase here is, once in a while. These are the kinds of treats that if we were to have repeatedly, we would have some health problems and a growing waistline to contend with!

Shape Magazine has compiled a short list of eight treats that are full of carbohydrates and sugars and generally not good to have on a regular basis. Some of them are very obvious (like those coffee drinks with their mounds of processed whipped cream), while others you may be surprised to find on the list!

Get informed, stay healthy and enjoy these treats, just once in a while... Carbs Without Cause: 8 Foods Worse Than White Bread

Image source: Health Local

Written by Inés de Sequera-11 April 2013
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No more aimless walking in the grocery store. It's time to shop ourselves healthy!

I can't even count how many times I walk over to the refridgerator, stare at its contents and close the door empty handed. From there, I cruise over to the pantry and start inspecting it's contents!

The crave monster has just sufaced and it's forcing me to begin the hunt for snacks! All too often this leads to snacking on things like chips and dip or if nothing else, buttered toast (I swear I could live on toasted bread with butter and I would be quite happy!). So what can one do to prevent this kind of craving grazing? It all starts at the grocery store...

Check out this infographic and learn how to shop yourself slim and healthy! (Click on infographic to enlarge.) Don't forget to add some fibre into your diet! PGX can help control that blood sugar roller coaster for you ;)


Image source: Powerful Infographic

Written by Inés de Sequera-07 February 2013
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Did you know that exercise does more than slim your figure?!

Read on to discover 24 fabulous benefits of getting your exercise groove on!

We often talk about how exercise will help you control those cravings and lose the weight you want to lose. But there really is so much more to exercise than that! Exercise comes with many benefits, both physical and mental! For example, it makes you strong, physically yes but also mentally. Think about it: when it would be so much easier to just plop yourself onto the couch after work or stay bundled up in blankets early in the morning, and you stll get yourself up and moving? Mental strength!

In my internet searchings for interesting tidbits to share, I came across an article at BC Living, 24 Awesome Benefits of Exercise. Here are 24 awesome (like they said) reasons why we should all get at the very least, 30 minutes of exercise three times a week. If you are like me and looking for some motivation, this article will be a big help!

Until tomorrow everyone! Get your exercise on!

Image source: captainchas.com

Written by Inés de Sequera-28 December 2012
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Over indulge in culinary delights? These foods and health tips will have you feeling back to normal in no time!

As much as we strive to maintain healthy eating habits and exercise all the time, there are days when we give in to our cravings and definitely over indulge (special occassions in the year are especially difficult to resist)! We've all been there before: too much to drink, served too much ham and roast on our plates, couldn't resist round two of dinner helpings, just had to try a bit of every dessert on the buffet table, neglected exercise... Need I say more?

As enjoyable as these occassions are, sometimes the aftermath is less so! Here are a few tips from nutritionist Peggy Kotsopoulos (often featured on Steven & Chris):

Had a little too much to drink? You're probably not feeling your best and this is usually caused by dehydration and loss of precious minerals. Peggy K's first suggestion? Coconut Water! Coconut water is full of electrolytes, so while you are rehydrating, you are also restoring nutrients vital to your wellbeing. Chlorella is another natural and helpul source of phyonutrients that can help your body detoxify and function in tip top shape!

If you've gone back for one too many servings, you may find yourself feeling a little... bloated. Maybe you didn't over eat during your main meal, but maybe you didn't realize how much of the salty appetizers and finger foods you nibbled on. You may be surprised at Peggy's simple solution: celery! Instead of reaching for salty foods, grab some celery because this calorie negative veggie can help get rid of the water retension!

Did all the activity get you feeling stressed? Peggy K suggests adding some maca to your diet! Maca is a peruvian root vegetable that has been shown to help increase your body's resistance to stress! How? Maca is full of nutrients and vitamins including B-vitamins, vitamin C and amino acids and protein (to name a few). "One of my favourite ways to take maca is in chocolate! Chocolate improves your mood and it has magnesium so it's perfect!" said Peggy to Steven Sabados (on the Steven & Chris show). Sounds like a tasty way to take in some nutrients! Another mood boosting snack is the omega-3 and tryptophan-rich Savi Seeds (fruit from the sacha inchi plant common to Peru)! Plus it's full of fibre!

Last but certainly not the least, she suggests bananas. If you're feeling low in energy, bananas are also a tasty source of B-vitamins and tryptophan as well as potassium!

Hope these tips help you feel fabulous and healthy! Don't forget to get your daily fibre!

Image sources: discoverybeachhouse.com, redorbit.com, wikinoticia.com, thehealthyherbivore.com, getridofmommytummy.com

Written by Inés de Sequera-08 November 2012
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Can tea help you be healthy? Yes!

So pour yourself a cup and read on to learn the possible benefits of drinking tea...

Whenever you are in desperate need of energy and looking to stay awake, what do you reach for: coffee or tea? For me, it's both. I love coffee but I've never been one to brew an excellent cup of coffee; so unless I'm willing to spend three dollars on a latte or have the time to sip an espresso, I reach for tea.

Did you know that tea can do more than just warm us up on a chilly day? Tea, especially green tea is full of antioxidant polyphenols called catechins. These catechins are what scientists and researchers have linked to anti-cancer activity. I'm not saying tea can cure but if the antioxidants in tea can help fight free radicals then why not give it a swig?!

Many people also say that tea can help with weightloss. Whether that is true or not I think the simple act of replacing fatty snacks with tea can definitely help that particular statement to be true!

Want to know more about how tea can help us on the road to lasting health? Check out Huffington Post's, Tea Health Benefits: 8 Ways It Could Benefit Our Bodies and Time's 13 Reasons Tea is Good for You.

I'm off to give my tea bag his great moment of glory and brew a mug of chai (made from black tea, which is supposedly good for the lungs and reduce the risk of stroke).

Image source: Twinings Tea UK, Facebook Timeline