Spaghetti & Meat: The Healthy Way


Just for my low-carb day, I made this delicious spaghetti with meat. Instead of using regular pasta noodles, I used spaghetti squash. At the end this meal was not only delicious but low in calories!!!!

Yields 4 portions

Ingredients for Spaghetti Squash:

1 spaghetti squash
1/4 c parmesan cheese
2 tbsp butter
1 tsp garlic powder

Procedure

1. wash and cut the squash lengthwise 
2. poke the outside of the squash multiple times
3. place in a safe bake dish with open side down
4. bake at 400 degrees for 35-45 min or until tender in the center
5. using mittens, remove from oven and turn around
6. still using the mittens, using a fork, remove the pulp of the squash, it comes out as spaghetti noodles
7. add reminder of ingredients

Ingredients for Ground Beef:

6 oz ground beef
1 green bell pepper
1 red bell pepper
1 medium yellow onion
2 tbsp salt

Procedure

1. wash veggies
2. cut veggies into cubes
3. place meat in pan, add veggies and brown
4. add salt
5. cook until done
6. top squash with the meat

Nutrition Facts per portion:

Calories: 158
Carbs: 6g
Fat: 11 g
Protein: 9g
Sodium: 655g
Sugar: 3g
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What Can I Do To Curb My Chocolate Cravings?

Source: The Craving Coachs


The best way to curb chocolate cravings is to enjoy it in moderation and to stick to the healthier dark chocolate that also contains lots of antioxidants.
Craving chocolate is also often an indication of a lack of certain nutrients such as iron, copper, magnesium and potassium. Let’s see what other foods you should be eating to make sure you get enough of these nutrients.

Iron – eat brown rice, whole wheat, liver, dates and beets
Copper – eat nuts (especially cashew), sunflower seeds, chickpeas, liver and oysters
Magnesium – eat peanuts, tofu, broccoli, spinach and soybeans
Potassium – eat apricots, bran wheat, raisins, figs, and baked potato with skin

I understand that sometimes you just have to have chocolate and the idea of eating some tofu or a slice of whole-wheat toast just won’t work. Grab a small piece of quality dark chocolate and savor it. Take your time, really taste the chocolate melting in your mouth and enjoy it without feeling guilty. This should take care of your craving and keep you from binging on a box of Hershey’s bars.
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7 Healthy Ways to Satisfy Your Chocolate Cravings

Source: Fit Day
Many people have a weakness for chocolate and suffer from the dreaded chocolatecravings. Allowing yourself to cave in to these cravings can be detrimental to a healthy diet or weight loss goal. Having a huge bowl of chocolate ice cream or big piece of chocolate cake several times a week is not going to allow you to meet your goals. But, the good thing is that there are some healthier ways to satisfy those cravings and keep you on track.

1. Wait Period

Give yourself 10 to 20 minutes before caving in to a chocolate craving. If, after that time has elapsed, you are still having the craving then have a small piece of chocolate or try one of the alternatives listed below. Usually, however, if you allow yourself this period before giving into a a craving, you will find that after the waiting period your chocolate craving has diminished significantly or even disappeared.

2. Dark Chocolate


Dark chocolate, in moderation, is actually good for you. It is full of antioxidants, which help protect the body from aging, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and heart disease. Try to avoid dark chocolate that contains nuts, caramel, or other fillings, however.

3. Fruit

When you are craving something sweet, fruit is a good alternative to other sweet treats that are full of fat and calories. In addition, fruit is good for your body. Some good choices are oranges, grapes, grapefruit, watermelon, cantalope, honeydew melon, strawberries, blueberries, and bananas. Fruit juices are also a sweet alternative to chocolate.

4. Carob

Carob, while naturally sweeter than chocolate, is much better for you than chocolate. It does not have the caffeine, cholesterol, oxalic acid, and theobromine that chocolate contains. Carob is low in fat and sodium and high in fiber and calcium. Carob is smooth and rich, but for some, it is an acquired taste. Many prefer chocolate to carob initially but, with time grow to enjoy the flavor and benefits that carob provides.

5. Water

Okay, water is definitely not as tasty as chocolate and probably will not satisfy your sweet tooth. However, if you drink plenty of water throughout the day, it is more likely that you will not feel as hungry and will have fewer cravings overall.

6. Cocoa Powder

Try adding a little bit of cocoa powder to different drinks and snacks. It is a good addition to yogurt, cottage cheese, smoothies, shakes, tea and skim milk.

7. Have a Little

Moderation is key. Allowing yourself to have a little chocolate every now and then is really not going to cause a lot of damage. In the larger scheme of things, having a small piece of chocolate once or twice a week is not going to break a diet or cause weight gain. However, do not allow yourself to cave and eat an entire chocolate bar or big piece of cake. You have to be able to have some control if you do choose to include chocolate in your diet. Also, eat the piece slowly, enjoying each bite. This will stop you from not feeling satisfied when done.
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