I am the change I want to see.

leanmeanworkoutmachine:

1. Apples

1st Choice (Natural State): Apple

2nd Choice (Somewhat Processed): Applesauce

Limit (Highly Processed): Apple toaster pastry

Shopping Tip: While applesauce is a healthy choice, it has fewer nutrients than a whole apple.

2. Oranges

1st Choice (Natural State): Orange

2nd Choice (Somewhat Processed): 100% orange juice

Limit (Highly Processed): Orange drink

Shopping Tip: Many fruit drinks contain high fructose corn syrup and little real juice.

3. Strawberries

1st Choice (Natural State): Fresh strawberries

2nd Choice (Somewhat Processed): Strawberry preserves

Limit (Highly Processed): Strawberry gelatin dessert

Shopping Tip: Gelatin desserts usually contain artificial strawberry flavor, not real fruit.

4. Peaches

1st Choice (Natural State): Peach

2nd Choice (Somewhat Processed): Canned peaches in 100% juice

Limit (Highly Processed): Canned peaches in heavy syrup

Shopping Tip: Fruit canned in heavy syrup has more sugar and calories than fresh fruit.

5. Figs

1st Choice (Natural State): Fresh figs

2nd Choice (Somewhat Processed): Fig preserves

Limit (Highly Processed): Fig sandwich cookies

Shopping Tip: Packaged fruit cookies may contain refined sugar and preservatives.

6. Pineapple

1st Choice (Natural State): Pineapple

2nd Choice (Somewhat Processed): Canned diced pineapple

Limit (Highly Processed): Pineapple cocktail cup

Shopping Tip: Fresh pineapple is higher in vitamins C and A and beta-carotene than canned.

7. Corn

1st Choice (Natural State): Corn on the cob

2nd Choice (Somewhat Processed): Corn tortilla chips

Limit (Highly Processed): Cornflakes

Shopping Tip: Buy tortilla chips with just three ingredients: whole corn, oil, and salt — and eat in moderation.

8. Spinach

1st Choice (Natural State): Spinach

2nd Choice (Somewhat Processed): Bagged prewashed spinach

Limit (Highly Processed): Frozen creamed spinach

Shopping Tip: When buying frozen vegetables, avoid those packaged with sodium-rich sauces. Buy plain and add your own light sauce.

9. Garlic

1st Choice (Natural State): Garlic

2nd Choice (Somewhat Processed): Jarred minced garlic

Limit (Highly Processed): Bottled garlic marinade

Shopping Tip: Minced fresh garlic is cheaper and more flavorful than jarred.

10. Carrots

1st Choice (Natural State): Carrots

2nd Choice (Somewhat Processed): Baby carrots

Limit (Highly Processed): Frozen honey-glazed carrots

Shopping Tip: Baby carrots are healthy but more expensive than regular-size loose carrots.

11. Soup

1st Choice (Natural State): Soup from scratch

2nd Choice (Somewhat Processed): Canned soup

Limit (Highly Processed): Dehydrated soup mix

Shopping Tip: Homemade soup often has less sodium and more flavor than canned.

12. Ham

1st Choice (Natural State): Heritage ham

2nd Choice (Somewhat Processed): Deli ham

Limit (Highly Processed): Packaged deli bologna

Shopping Tip: Heritage varieties of pork are much less likely to contain hormones than factory meat

13. Turkey

1st Choice (Natural State): Whole turkey

2nd Choice (Somewhat Processed): Deli turkey

Limit (Highly Processed): Store-bought turkey meatballs

Shopping Tip: If you buy turkey and other meats at the deli counter, ask for brands free of fillers and nitrates.

14. Beef

1st Choice (Natural State): Grass-fed beef

2nd Choice (Somewhat Processed): Grain-fed beef

Limit (Highly Processed): Frozen beef patties

Shopping Tip: Grass-fed meat is higher in nutrients and lower in fat than grain-fed beef.

15. Chicken

1st Choice (Natural State): Fresh chicken breasts

2nd Choice (Somewhat Processed): Deli sliced chicken

Limit (Highly Processed): Chicken nuggets

Shopping Tip: Chicken nuggets contain very little real chicken.

16. Eggs

1st Choice (Natural State): Pasture-raised eggs

2nd Choice (Somewhat Processed): Omega-3-fortified eggs

Limit (Highly Processed): Egg beaters

Shopping Tip: Pasture-raised eggs may have 35% less saturated fat, 60% more vitamin A, and 200% more omega-3s compared to omega-3-fortified eggs and egg beaters, which come from chickens kept in coops.

17. Cream

1st Choice (Natural State): Cream

2nd Choice (Somewhat Processed): Fat-free half cream / half milk

Limit (Highly Processed): Flavored dairy creamer

Shopping Tip: Flavored dairy creamers are often made with colorings, artificial flavors, and corn syrup.

18. Yogurt

1st Choice (Natural State): Plain yogurt

2nd Choice (Somewhat Processed): Flavored yogurt

Limit (Highly Processed): Flavored yogurt drink

Shopping Tip: Buy plain yogurt and flavor it at home with honey or fresh fruit.

19. Bread

1st Choice (Natural State): Whole grain bread

2nd Choice (Somewhat Processed): Wheat bread

Limit (Highly Processed): Fortified white bread

Shopping Tip: If a whole grain isn’t the first ingredient, you’re missing out on nutrients.

20. Pasta

1st Choice (Natural State): Dried whole wheat pasta

2nd Choice (Somewhat Processed): Dried white pasta

Limit (Highly Processed): Instant noodles

Shopping Tip: Whole grain pasta is higher in antioxidants than white or instant noodles.

21. Rice

1st Choice (Natural State): Brown rice

2nd Choice (Somewhat Processed): White rice

Limit (Highly Processed): Flavored instant rice

Shopping Tip: Brown rice, unlike white, hasn’t had its fiber-rich layers of bran and germ removed.

22. Nuts

1st Choice (Natural State): Peanuts

2nd Choice (Somewhat Processed): Natural peanut butter

Limit (Highly Processed): Processed peanut butter

Shopping Tip: Natural peanut butter should contain only peanuts and a dash of salt.

23. Soy

1st Choice (Natural State): Fresh edamame (whole soybeans)

2nd Choice (Somewhat Processed): Tofu

Limit (Highly Processed): Frozen veggie burgers (containing soy ingredients)

Shopping Tip: Frozen veggie burgers are vegetarian-friendly but are highly processed.

(Source: )

myjournalofhealth:

Be informed about what you’re buying.

The product’s ingredients must be listed in order of quantity, so the major ones come first. When checking a label on bread, for instance, you want to see that the first ingredient is whole wheat, oats, or some other grain. (x)

myjourneytoreachmygoal:

Top 10 Health Benefits of Lemon Water

Lemon is an inexpensive, easily available citrus fruit, popular for its culinary and medicinal uses. Daily consumption of lemon water provides a number of health benefits like:

• Good for stomach
  

  Lemon can help relieve many digestion problems when mixed with hot water. These include nausea, heartburn and parasites. Due to the digestive qualities of lemon juice, symptoms of indigestion such as heartburn, bloating and belching are relieved. By drinking lemon juice regularly, the bowels are aided in eliminating waste more efficiently. Lemon acts as a blood purifier and as a cleansing agent. The intake of lemon juice can cure constipation. It is even known to help relieve hiccups when consumed as a juice. Lemon juice acts as a liver tonic and helps you digest your food by helping your liver produce more bile. It decreases the amount of phlegm produced by your body. It is also thought to help dissolve gallstones.

• Excellent for Skin Care
  

  Lemon, being a natural antiseptic medicine, can participate to cure problems related to skin. Lemon is a vitamin C rich citrus fruit that enhances your beauty, by rejuvenating skin from within and thus bringing a glow on your face. Daily consumption of lemon water can make a huge difference in the appearance of your skin. It acts as an anti-aging remedy and can remove wrinkles and blackheads. Lemon water if applied on the areas of burns can fade the scars. As lemon is a cooling agent, it reduces the burning sensation on the skin.

• Aids in Dental Care
  

  Lemon water is used in dental care also. If fresh lemon juice is applied on the areas of toothache, it can assist in getting rid of the pain. The massages of lemon juice on gums can stop gum bleeding. It gives relief from bad smell and other problems related to gums.

• Cures Throat Infections
  

  Lemon is an excellent fruit that aids in fighting problems related to throat infections, sore throat and tonsillitis as it has an antibacterial property. For sore throat, dilute one-half lemon juice with one-half water and gargle frequently.

• Good for Weight Loss
  

  One of the major health benefits of drinking lemon water is that it paves way for losing weight faster, thus acting as a great weight loss remedy. If a person takes lemon juice mixed with lukewarm water and honey, it can reduce the body weight as well.

• Controls High Blood Pressure
  

  Lemon water works wonders for people having heart problem, owing to its high potassium content. It controls high blood pressure, dizziness, nausea as well as provides relaxation to mind and body. It also reduces mental stress and depression.

• Assist in curing Respiratory Disorders
  

  Lemon water assists in curing respiratory problems, along with breathing problems and revives a person suffering from asthma.

• Good for treating Rheumatism
  

  Lemon is also a diuretic and hence lemon water can treat rheumatism and arthritis. It helps to flush out bacteria and toxins out of the body.

• Reduces Fever
  

  Lemon water can treat a person who is suffering from cold, flu or fever. It helps to break fever by increasing perspiration.

• Acts as a blood purifier
  

  The diseases like cholera or malaria can be treated with lemon water as it can act as a blood purifier.

muffintop-less:

My Rich Chocolate Banana Protein Shake

• 1 Scoop chocolate protein powder
• 1 Small or Medium banana
• 1 Cup unsweetened chocolate almond milk
• 1/4 Cup nonfat, plain Greek yogurt
• 1 Teaspoon unsweetened baking cocoa
• 3-5 Ice Cubes

Blend and enjoy! =) 

thefitty:

justonebreathatatime:

fat-free-me:

This is one of my favorite things to do.

LOVE pita pizzas. :D

(via imgTumble)

(Source: theveganstoner.com)

beautifulpicturesofhealthyfood:

Eat healthy

muscleandhustle:

everybody, print this off now

(Source: easybreezyfitness)

get inspired./a>

(Source: unstoppable100)