Spring break NO crash diet

02/29/12 12:13 PM

By Anne McCaslin Parker, annep@smu.edu Spring break is JUST around the corner! Many of you are probably going somewhere warm. With a beach. It all sounds so lovely and great until you remember that you will have to wear a dreaded BATHING SUIT. While you want to feel good (who doesn't?) in your little suit, there is absolutely NO reason for you to starve yourself between now and then. If you want to eliminate sweets, processed food, white carbs, etc. be my guest. But, the last thing you should be doing is a crazy crash diet. Why? It does not work. Plain and simple. Your "crash diet" will crash and burn before you know it. You will find yourself binging in no time which will leave you even more miserable (and bloated!) than before. So, what should...

Beat the bloat Monday

02/27/12 11:40 AM

By Anne McCaslin Parker annep@smu.edu Monday morning rolls around and you feel sluggish and just plain swollen from the weekend. Too many beverages, junk food, extra snacks or lack of exercise is definitely what leads to this after-the-weekend feeling. Don't sweat it! You can easily fix it with a few quick things and should be feeling better in no time: 1. Do some kind of activity. Sweat. Walk around. If you are feeling stuffed to the brim, just try to get out and get your heart pumping. You will feel so much better. 2. Drink fluids. Stay away from soda, but fill up on water or green tea. Peppermint tea is also a great way to settle that feeling in your stomach and help to release some of the water weight sitting in your belly. Avoid alcohol for the next few...

Oatmeal Recipes

02/19/12 23:15 PM

By Anne McCaslin Parker annep@smu.edu Does anyone else love, love, love oatmeal? There is nothing better than a warm bowl of oats to get your day started. Oatmeal has so many added benefits. It is a great whole-grain source and is filled with fiber. Not to mention it is good for your heart, helps lower cholesterol and regulate blood sugar, beneficial for weight loss and honestly the list just goes on and on. However, I know a lot of people are not huge fans of oatmeal and that is okay. There are PLENTY of ways to spice up your standard oats. 1. Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal- Everyone loves a PB and banana combination!! Make you steel cut oats with a splash of almond or skim milk, water and stir in some PB while it is still warm. Slice up a banana and you have all...

Perfect On the Go Breakfast

02/17/12 09:07 AM

By Mary Katherine Smith mfsmith@smu.edu   I don’t know about you but I absolutely hate when I am sitting in class and my stomach starts growling.   I think back to my morning and wish I had taken the time to actually get up and make breakfast. Sometimes there just isn’t enough time to fit in a filling breakfast so recently I have been trying to make my own smoothies and refrigerate them for the morning.   My absolute favorite smoothie I have been making is called “The Green Monster” and I admit I was a tad skeptical at first because of it’s green appearance but it is actually DELICIOUS and even better really simple to make.   I found this recipe from Angela originally but have modified it to...

Fitness Date Ideas

02/12/12 19:18 PM

By Anne McCaslin Parker annep@smu.edu Can you believe that it is already Valentines Day? In addition to the healthy Valentines recipe ideas I gave you, there are plenty of fun fitness activities to do with your sweetheart. Don't skip out on your workout just because it is the number one day of the year where you can eat endless amounts of chocolate and it doesn't count.  1. Go on a bike ride. Who doesn't love going on a bike ride? It is a great way to catch up, talk and enjoy being with each other while getting in a pretty good little work out. 2. Find a new hiking trail. Pack up a romantic picnic and hit the trails. It will be a blast to explore together and hiking burns plenty of calories and is a great workout. 3. Try your partner's...

Just Do It

02/10/12 10:18 AM

By Macey Meriggi mmeriggi@smu.edu Insane does not begin to describe it. With the onset of a new semester, we often find ourselves making promises to restructure our lives in certain ways. For some, we make promises to ourselves or those around us that we will stay on top of our school work during the new semester and strive for excellence. For many, keeping in mind that Spring Break is right around the corner, we make resolutions to change our health related habits. This semester has already made me realize that these types of changes in our lifestyle coincide with each other more than we tend to anticipate. I made a commitment to myself that I would complete Shaun T’s Insanity Program and so far, so good. Although I made a commitment to change my diet...

Guiltless Valentines Treats

02/08/12 22:11 PM

By Anne McCaslin Parker annep@smu.edu As Valentines Day is fast approaching… so are all of the sweets and goodies that fill the holiday! I am NOT telling you not to enjoy yourself. On the actual day of Valentines, everyone knows calories don’t count. BUT, if you don’t really want to blow your healthy eating surrounded by all of the goodies leading up to the special day…I found a few healthy treats for you to go ahead make in preparation for next week’s festivities. Try to make a few of these for you and your sweetheart to enjoy together this weekend. I PROMISE your loved one will have not have even the slightest clue that it is guilt-free. 1.     True Love Chocolate Cake- With only 238 calories per slice…...

February Fad-Floating

02/07/12 07:25 AM

By Mary Katherine Smith mfsmith@smu.edu Just last week my friend and I decided to hop on board the latest trend- float (or drift) spas.  We arrived at Adrift Spa (on Preston Road beside Northwest highway) not sure what to expect but excited about the weightless hour-long float ahead.  We were welcomed at the front and escorted to change into a robe and then off to the massage chairs. After our fifteen-minute prep in these state-of-the-art chairs we proceeded to the bath.  We chose a couple’s float so we could stay together for our first experience (I was nervous my claustrophobia would set in).  There are various options such as music selection (we chose Zen) and light color (we tried aqua). The float bath is just a mere 8 or so inches...

Staying healthy in your budget

02/05/12 15:00 PM

By Anne McCaslin Parker annep@smu.edu            As a college student, I know it is hard to stay healthy on a budget. Who wouldn’t rather go to McDonald’s and only spend $0.99 on cheeseburger over a $12 Whole Foods salad. However, sometimes you have to weigh (literally) the benefit that healthy food vs. greasy fast food has on your body. Health.com has 31 ways to stay healthy on a budget. Here are a few: 1. Download free health apps- There are so many health and fitness apps for you phone out there that you almost have no excuse not to just at least have one! 2. Use coupons-This really does do the trick. You may feel silly at first using them but trust me, every penny at the grocery store adds up...

Healthy Super Bowl Recipes

02/03/12 11:03 AM

By: Anne McCaslin Parker annep@smu.edu Does anyone else love to celebrate Super Bowl Sunday? I know I definitely do and it is not even that I really care who wins or loses, it is just such a fun time to get together with friends or family! If you do not want to wreck your healthy eating, dont! Just because it is a gathering with a lot of food and drinking involved doesn’t mean you can not participate. Go to the party, bring your own appetizer and light beer. But, don’t miss out on the festivities just because you know junk food will be involved. The Super Bowl comes once a year and if you have a bite of your favorite football-watching treats, I promise you will not gain 10 pounds J GO have fun! Here are a few “Healthy Super Bowl”...