Even My Kids Eat Brussel Sprouts

      As a kid, I hated brussel sprouts. It was the kind of veggie I had to plug my nose, chew as fast as I could, swallow and chase down with milk. I even hated the smell of them. In an effort to eat cleaner, I decided to give brussel sprouts a "second chance" as an adult. Here are some of the reasons why:

1. The high fiber content of brussel sprouts lowers cholesterol.
2. There is a whole host of antioxidants found in brussel sprouts including, Vitamin A, C, and E, which      in turn help promote bone health, assure a healthy immune system, and lower blood pressure.
3. Brussel sprouts help prevent and fight against certain types of cancer.
4. Brussel sprouts aid in digestion, maintain low blood sugar, and keep you from overeating.
5. Brussel sprouts have been shown to fight inflammation in the body.

These are just some of the nutritional benefits of eating brussel sprouts. Obviously they are good for you, but how did I become a fan of the taste of brussel sprouts and even get my kids to eat them? It's all in the preparation. I came across this fantastic recipe. My whole family likes them now. I'm telling you, if you've never liked brussel sprouts it's time to reconsider and try this recipe out. My sister-in-law, whom also hated brussel sprouts growing up, tried this recipe at our house and called me days later asking for the recipe. She cooked them for family dinner over the holidays and they were a hit!

                                 Roasted Brussel Sprouts

Ingredients:

1 lb Brussel sprouts with ends trimmed and cut in half
2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
1 tsp garlic salt
kosher salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil

2. In a bowl, combine brussel sprouts with olive oil and toss to coat.

3. Spread brussle sprouts in a single layer on the baking sheet

4. Cook in preheated oven for approximately 30 mins, turning frequently until tender.

Serve Warm. Voila!

It's a New Resolution

Like most people do on New Year's Day, I sat down to write my list of goals and resolutions (one of them was to work on this blog). Even as a fitness fanatic, many of my goals centered around getting healthier, eating cleaner, or working out harder. Not surprisingly the #1 resolution in 2012 was to lose weight. In 2013, it will probably be the same. As a fitness instructor, I notice this revived commitment to getting in shape every January, when fitness classes are packed and there are no empty treadmills to use. But I also notice in 6 to 8 weeks, the "Resoluters" have already lost their comitment to exercise. Only about 20% of people keep their New Year's resolutions. The fitness related resolutions seem to be the hardest to keep. Here are some tips on staying committed and sticking to those resolutions.

1. Choose an Obtainable goal-- Start small. Baby Steps. Set achievable goals that can be easily tracked. Don't kid yourself about what is realistic. Saying you are going to quit cold-turkey having your 3 cups of coffee a day might be setting yourself up for failure, but saying you are going to cut back on the amount of caffeine you consume might be more doable.

2. Create a plan of action--Decide when you'll workout each week and write it down. Put it on your schedule or calendar. Life get's busy, it's easy to say "I ran out of time today." Just remember that someone who is busier than you is probably at the gym getting in a workout, while you are making excuses for why you aren't.

3.  Enlist Friends--Don't go it alone. When you join forces and workout with a friend or partner, you are more likely to stay commited. You have someone who you are accountable to, so you are much more likely to stick with it. Plus it's fun. Many of my best friendships developed from walking, running or hitting the gym together.

4. Reward Yourself--Once you've stuck to your guns and finished what you accomplished, reward yourself. Come on, you've earned it. Extrinsic rewards can be highly motivating, pretty soon the pride and confidence you feel from reaching your goal will be satisfying enough.

5. Don't beat yourself up--Hey, we're human. Chances are your going to eat somthing you shouldn't have, relapse into your coffee habit, or miss a workout or two. Be patient. Focus on making a lifestyle change and work at it everyday. You WILL have setbacks, but be patient and don't quit.