First Word

We all like to snack here and there -- and there's nothing wrong with a few fun bites. Problem is, you might like to eat in front of the TV. Maybe your preferred snack food is popcorn or potato chips, which we all know aren't the best choices. Well, popcorn without all that "butter" and salt could be a good choice, but let's be honest, no one eats it that way.  So, what is a great, healthy and (of course) crunchy replacement? Red bell peppers!  They are naturally sweet, loaded in high antioxidants, and they most importantly CRUNCH! It gives you the "chip" noise without the unhealthy chip involved. So, cut them up into small, square pieces, place them in a bowl, and crunch away! I personally love bell peppers, and it's such an easy snack food.  

  Nothing is more satisfying and warming than homemade soup on a chilly, rainy day. So, on my rainy day here in usually sunny California, I decided to make a long-time favorite, chicken and rice soup.  I used to think making soup required cooking all day. I have no idea why I thought this way. Turns out broth soup only takes about 60 minutes. Also, soup reheats nicely so leftover taste pretty good.   As is always the case with the Challenge, we never eat anything canned even though some canned soups taste pretty good. However, not a single canned anything doesn't come loaded with preservatives and additives, which makes it a big no-no. After I really delved into the detrimental effects of preservatives and other chemicals added to our foods, it seems that these unnatural additives are even worse on our bodies than I realized. Think about what preservatives are designed to do: preserve. Do you want what amounts to preserved food going through your digestive tract? I f...

  The 352-Day Nutritional Challenge     Introduction            First, I want to say I’m not an expert when it comes to nutrition or dieting. I also want to emphasize this is NOT a diet book – although you will probably lose weight based on eating healthy every day. This book is strictly about eating good foods, period. And finally, what better way to get others to participate than by creating an interactive game and a community of support and shared interests. Accountability is a big deal when it comes to any goal or endeavor, so a game would not only make it fun, but hold players accountable.            I wanted to write this book and share how I changed my eating habits after I turned 50 only to discover my youthful metabolism started to fail me. I have been thin and a size 4 at 5’9” my entire life. Except during pregnancy, I never weighed more than 125 pounds. I alwa...