2013-05-24T16:05:34-04:00 Tara Gidus http://www.livebetteramerica.aol.com/author/index.php?author=tara-gidus Copyright 2008, HuffingtonPost.com, Inc. HuffingtonPost Blogger Feed for Tara Gidus Good old fashioned elbow grease. tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2012:/theblog//3.1666349 2012-08-09T09:39:11-04:00 2012-10-09T05:12:04-04:00

Tara Gidus http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tara-gidus/
I'm guessing you'd rather talk about the weight loss. So take just 100 calories: It's easy to shave that much out of a day and hardly even notice. Here are a few ideas:

• Choose a 6-ounce carton of light yogurt in place of your usual 3/4 cup ice cream snack.



• Fill 2 corn tortillas in place of a 10-inch flour one when you make soft tacos or burritos.



• Enjoy a "spritzer" instead of your usual 2 glasses of white wine. During your next night out, fill each glass half full with wine, then top it off with clear diet soda.



• Ask for sugar-free syrup and fat-free milk in your decadent coffee drink. My fave is a sugar-free, fat-free hazelnut latte.

If you're thinking "So what? How can 100 calories matter?" Here's why it does: If you skim 100 calories out of each day for a year, it could result in the loss of more than 10 pounds!

The math goes like this: 3,500 calories equals a pound. Consuming 100 calories less than you need, every day, for 365 days, results in 36,500 fewer calories each year. Divide that by 3,500 and you get just over 10 pounds.

I bet many of you have great ideas for easily cutting 100 calories. So please comment and tell me! In the meantime, try leaving a few bites behind.]]> tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2012:/theblog//3.1665812 2012-07-24T13:23:26-04:00 2012-09-23T05:12:09-04:00

Tara Gidus http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tara-gidus/
How do we reconcile a nutritious weekly menu with the freedom to be spontaneous in the kitchen?

Here are my favorite tips for making quick, satisfyingly fresh meals -- without too much forethought.

• Go herbal. Keeping fresh herbs on hand or in your garden is a fantastic way to freshen up all dishes. Basil is by far my favorite topping for salads, pasta, eggs, and the list goes on...



• Be casual in your meal prep by cooking one-pot meals. Pack all vegetables, grains, and protein in one dish with slow cooker, casserole, and soup recipes. Less mess = less fuss.



• Keep your pantry and freezer stocked with the basic building blocks for healthy dishes: salad greens, plain, fat-free yogurt, whole grain pasta and reduced-sodium broths and soups are great staples to have handy at all times. (See more pantry essentials.)



• Add lemon juice, balsamic vinegar, or lime juice to your meals to brighten up food and add freshness. My favorite: squeezed lime wedge over plain nonfat Greek yogurt and fresh berries!



• Build your repertoire of healthy recipes by perusing cookbooks, magazines, websites, and cooking shows for inspiration. Check out the Live Better America Healthified collection to get started.



• Sometimes I create a menu plan for "main dish" items, but allow myself to be spontaneous with the sides. Maintain a list of potential sides and then choose what you're in the mood for on the spot.



• Develop a list of your favorite casual meals that can be ready in 10 minutes or less, and stock your pantry with the ingredients. Some of my standbys are grilled panini, pastas, green salads with shredded chicken, and leftover soups freshened up with plain nonfat Greek yogurt, chives, and parsley.



• Pick up produce at the farmers market or through a local CSA. Using seasonal and local items livens up the meal experience.



• Planning your meals in advance can take the stress out of grocery shopping, but you can still allow yourself some flexibility with the nights you prepare them. Adjust and re-adjust your schedule depending on your mood and energy level.



• Go meatless and limit your prep work and cleanup time. Draw inspiration from Live Better America's vegetarian dinner recipes collection.

How do you stay spontaneous in the kitchen? Jump in the conversation by sharing your famous tips and tricks with us in the comments!]]>