Taco Bell is giving healthier options a test-drive with its new Power Protein Menu. The chain is trying two new items made with either chicken or steak – Power Protein Burritos and Power Protein Bowls. Both are loaded with 20+ grams of protein and less than 450 calories. Taco Bell will start its test run  in Dayton, Ohio starting July 25.
More info here.

In the summer, I like to exercise outside as much as possible – soak in enough sun and fresh air to make up for all those dreary winter months. I almost always wear my heart rate monitor to track the calories I burn. But this simple guide from the American Council on Exercise can help you get a general idea of how much you’re burning doing these 7 popular summer activities… so burn, baby, burn!

Walking at 4 MPH
120 pound person burns 4.5 calories/minute
180 pound person burns 6.8 calories/minute

Hiking
120 pound person burns 4.5 calories/minute
180 pound person burns  6.7 calories/minute

Biking at 10 MPH
120 pound person burns 5.5 calories/minute
180 pound person burns 8.2 calories/minute

Jogging – 10 minute miles
180 pound person burns 13.9 calories/minute
120 pound person burns 9.3 calories/minute

Jump Rope
120 pound person burns 9.5 calories/minute
180 pound person burns 14.3 calories/minute

Swimming at a moderate pace
120 pound person burns 7.8 calories/minute
180 pound person burns 11.6 calories/minute

Roller skating
120 pound person burns 5.9 calories/minute
180 pound person burns 8.8 calories/minute

Of course, not everyone weighs either the 120 or 180 pounds shown in these examples, so for more specific numbers based on your weight and the activity you’re doing, check out this Physical Activity Calculator from Shape Up America!

[Photo Credit: stock.xchng]

Yes, this is real. The Krispy Kreme Sloppy Joe debuted at the San Diego County Fair last weekend, and it got me thinking about all the interesting calorie-laden concoctions at summer festivals. I’m not against indulging now and then mind you, just as long as you know what you’re getting yourself into. 

So before the tantalizing sweet and savory aromas lure you, take a look at the calories in some of these fair favorites. Then decide if you’re going to dive in.

Fried Twinkie (2 oz.): 420 calories/34g fat
Fried Snickers (5 oz.): 445 calories/29g fat
Giant turkey leg (1 lb, 3 oz): 1,136 calories/54g fat
Funnel cake (1): 760 calories/44g fat
Cheesecake on a stick (6 oz.): 655 calories/47g fat
Cream puff (4.3 oz): 500 calories/43g fat
Jumbo corn dog (6 oz): 375 calories/21g fat
Source: Calorie King

Do you splurge at festivals? Or stay away from the food? I prefer to sample the healthier local fare they have at some of these events, but have also been known to enjoy a soft serve ice cream now and then. And split a funnel cake, like every five years or so.

Finding out how many calories are in that burger before you order it just got easier. Google is putting nutrition info front and center with new search results that pop up at the top of your computer or phone. It’s easy to use – just ask a question like, “How much protein is in a banana?” or “How many calories are in an avocado?” and get your answer. You’ll find nutrition information about more than 1,000 foods, from the basics to meals. Just type in your question or use Voice Search.
More info here.

Name: Katrina (Sneakers and Fingerpaints)

Age: 32

Where she lives: Tampa, Florida

Height: 5’2″

Weight: 120 lbs

Pounds Lost: 30

How long it took to lose the weight: Between yo-yo dieting and getting down to 112 pounds the unhealthy way, Katrina says it’s taken her about 5 years solid to get it ‘right’

How long she has kept it off: 2 years

Katrina’s weight loss journey started with fat burners and fad diets, until she learned quick fixes are not the answer. Now she’s eating right, running one half marathon after another, and studying to become a Certified Personal Trainer.  Here’s a Weight Loss WooHoo!  to you, Katrina – just FatFighterTV’s fun way of celebrating healthy weight.

Turning point:
I wanted to be the healthiest I could be as I entered my 30s. I also wanted to accomplish goals I’d never tried for before.

How Katrina shed the pounds:
Hard work and eating right. I workout/run 6 days a week and watch what I eat to have a healthy balance of carbs/fat/protein in each meal. If I ‘cheat’ I work it off before or after. I try to have a balance in life to not say I can’t have certain foods or treats.

Tips from Katrina:
Take baby steps! Rome wasn’t built in a day, so be patient with yourself and set attainable goals!

Katrina’s Weight Loss WooHoo!
I was able to run 6 half marathons in 6 months consecutively – I would have never thought I could have accomplished that. Also, I’m now studying for my Certified Personal Trainer exam so that I can help others gain the knowledge [that I wish I had before] to start their health journey.

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Connect with Katrina:
Blog: Sneakers and Fingerpaints
Twitter: @KatSnF
Facebook: facebook.com/sneakersandfingerpaints

See more weight loss success stories here… on the Weight Loss WooHoo! Wall of Fame.

If you know someone who deserves this honor, just let me know here.

Mmmm…. chocolate for breakfast? Yes, please! Especially when it’s part of something nutritious and filling like Chocolate Pecan Praline Oats – one of many amazing oats recipes from Lauren over at Sweat the Sweet Stuff. Check out her blog for lots of creative twists on this old breakfast favorite.

From Lauren:
Like they say, breakfast is the most important meal of the day and I agree! My favorite way to start the day is with a bowl of oats! My special way of making it includes chia seeds and egg whites. It provides you with fiber, protein, complex carbs & healthy fats. It tastes delicious and keeps you full for hours. I hope you include oatmeal in your breakfast rotation. If not you’ll want to start after seeing some these yummy concoctions!

1/2 cup rolled oats
1 tbsp chia seeds
1 tbsp unsweetened dark cocoa powder
1 cup water
Microwave 1 min. add 1/4 cup liquid egg whites,
stir & microwave another 30 sec.

In a small pan on medium add 1 tbsp coconut oil.
Once melted add 1/4 cup pecans & 1 tbsp sugar free maple syrup.
Stir and reduce to simmer for a minute or two and voila! Simple as that!

Top over oats and enjoy!

Recipe republished with permission.

Monthly subscription sample boxes are hot right now, even in the health and fitness world. They’re a great way to try a little bit of something instead of buying a full-size product only to find out you don’t like it. Bestowed is one of the latest samplers to hit the market. My May box had plenty of healthy goodies including Green & Black’s Organic Dark Chocolate, KIND Oats & Honey Clusters with Toasted Coconut, and Arrowhead Mills oatmeal.

Bestowed 411:
A box of 5+ nutrition and lifestyle products delivered to your door every month, chosen by celebrity nutritionist, Heather Bauer.

Cost:
$19.00 per month. Use code 5OFFBSTOWED01 at checkout for $5 off!

Where to buy it + more info:
http://www.bestowed.com/pages/join2

Happy trying-new-stuff!

Disclosure: I received complimentary samples of these products.

Ahhh…Sipping on light fruity drinks outside on a warm sunny day  is something I look forward to this time of year. A few weeks ago, my friends and I tried some ice cold cocktails made with Smirnoff’s new reduced-calorie Sorbet Light vodka. The line comes in three sorbet-inspired flavors – Raspberry Pomegranate, Light Mango Passion Fruit, and Lemon. We tried the recipe below on ice and it was extremely delicious! Enjoy, and please drink responsibly.

1.5 oz. Smirnoff Sorbet Light Mango Passion Fruit*
1.5 oz. Coconut Water
1 oz. Pineapple Juice
Glassware: Martini
Garnish: Pineapple wedge or lime wheel with a cherry

Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass, add ice, shake, strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish.

Per 5 oz. serving: Calories-103; Carbs-7.4 G; Protein-0 G; Fat-0 G
*Per 1.5 fl. oz. – Average analysis: Calories 78; Carbs-1.3 G; Protein -0; Fat-0 G

Disclosure: I received complimentary samples of these products.

There’s just something about being outside this time of year. The fresh air… the mild temperatures… the flowers blooming. It’s the perfect time to quiet my mind as I move my feet.

No cell phones, no music, no words. Just walking and being present. I first learned about walking meditation years ago when I read this awesome book, Wherever You Go, There You Are. There are various ways to practice it. Because quieting my mind is often a challenge, this is the method that seems to work best for me. It’s simple, but not always easy. Try it and let me know what you think:

Just focus on the contact your feet make with the ground with every step you take. Whenever your mind starts to wander (like mine often does), bring your focus back to your feet. See if you can do it for five minutes. Then ten. Work your way up to twenty minutes. Enjoy being in the moment.

Since walking is my go-to exercise, meditation adds a healthy variation to it. My next challenge might be trying it when I go cat strolling. Think it’ll work?

So, I’ve been MIA for a few weeks now. In case you’re wondering where I’ve been…  I just needed to take some time to stand still and think through a lot of things in my life. I will be back soon!