Tag: Healthy Eating

Trying To Lose Weight And The Scales Won’t Budge?

Need to lose weight, but your dieting efforts are producing little to no results. Most of us make dieting/losing weight a big process–a complete change. Sometimes we just have to make a few simple changes to start getting good results.

We know the right foods to eat and despite our good eating habits, the scales just won’t budge. You might just need more activity or small changes in your diet to increase your metabolism. Here are a few easy ways to tweak your efforts and start getting the results you want:

Continue reading Trying To Lose Weight And The Scales Won’t Budge?

My Favorite Fruit–Or Is it A Vegetable?

Summer in the United States begins on June 21, 2018. Is the time of year the children are off from school—we plan fun in the sun activities and vacations. When I think of summer, one word comes to mind—WATERMELON!! It has always been my favorite fruit and I eat it for breakfast whenever possible. AND it is good for us! It contains 92% water and is nutrient dense.

You notice I called it a fruit. Others say it is a vegetable in the squash and cucumber family. In fact, in 20017 Oklahoma made it their state vegetable.

Continue reading My Favorite Fruit–Or Is it A Vegetable?

Weight Loss Goals for 2018–Let’s Be Real!

Okay, let’s be REAL. We are not perfect! Starting a diet or exercise program and expecting perfection is a set-up for failure! I cannot tell you how many times I set up unrealistic goals and because I couldn’t be 100% perfect 24/7, I got discouraged and quit! We need to make lifestyle changes—ones we can live with!!

Here are some ways to achieve your new, realistic goals!!

Tell others your goal—make yourself accountable!! If possible get a buddy and support each other. At one time, I had a friend who went to the gym with me. On days I would have preferred to stay home, I got up and put on my exercise clothes….because my friend was waiting for me. I enjoyed exercising and working really hard because I had a friend who was doing the same!!

Make small changes—in your diet or in your exercise goals. Don’t get overwhelmed by trying to make too many changes all at once. Yes, staying on your food plan 7 days a week is best, but eating right 2 or 3 days a week is a start and much better than eating right 0 days. Exercising 1 or 2 days is certainly better than no exercise. Don’t set yourself up for failure by planning to exercise an hour 7 days a week!!

You won’t be perfect!! When you slip, forgive yourself and start over. Learn from those mistakes. If having Oreos in the house makes you crazy—and they call your name—don’t buy them. Bring in your favorite treats—but only ONE. Stop at the bakery and purchase ONE of your favorite pastries or cookies.

If you have a long term goal, break it up into smaller goals and reward yourself when you reach on of the goals.Love yourself!! Be good to yourself. Be thankful daily for your blessings.

Need some more healthy tips? Check out our blog articles, Shape Up In 2018!  and  Shape Up By Making Small Changes

 

Nourishing Your Body, Mind & Spirit.

Are you an UltaLifer? Learn about the many supplements designed to make you stronger and healthier!

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Family Recipes: Easy Macaroni and Cheese

This recipe was shared with me 30 years ago. I have made it many times and shared it with many friends. It is as simple as making a boxed macaroni and cheese—but so much better. It is so quick to assemble—don’t cook the macaroni! Put in it the casserole uncooked.

 

 

EASY MACARONI AND CHEESE

3 tablespoons butter

2 ½ cups uncooked macaroni

½ teaspoon salt

Dash pepper

½ pound shredded sharp cheddar cheese (I use a little more)

1 quart milk
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Continue reading Family Recipes: Easy Macaroni and Cheese

Family Recipes: Green Bean Casserole 3 Ways

Who doesn’t love Green Bean Casserole with those crunchy onion rings on top. And it is so easy to make!! It originally developed in 1955 in the Campbell’s Kitchens by Dorcas Reilly and a team of home economists as an “easy recipe featuring a few simple ingredients”. Did you know that 25-30% of all Campbell’s Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup is sold in the month of November? Seems like lots of us enjoy this simple casserole for Thanksgiving!

All recipes can be made with canned green beans, frozen green beans or fresh green beans (just snap and cook them until tender before continuing with the recipes). Add milk, french fried onion rings and just a few ingredients for a simple casserole your family will enjoy.

Here is the original Green Bean Casserole:

  • 2 (15 ounce) cans cut green beans, drained
  • 3/4 cup milk
  • 1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
  • 1 (2.8 ounce) can French fried onions
  • salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium casserole dish mix together green beans, milk, cream of mushroom soup, and 1/2 of the can of onions

Bake for 25 minutes in the preheated oven, until heated through and bubbly. Sprinkle remaining onions over the top, and return to the oven for 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

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How about a slight variation to that original recipe? Cheesy Green Bean Casserole

Continue reading Family Recipes: Green Bean Casserole 3 Ways

Family Recipes: Jackie’s Chicken Chili

When I find a great new recipe, I love to share it with our friends. This recipe for Chicken Chili came from my friend’s daughter, Jackie. Since it was shared with me, I have made it numerous times.

I love soups and stews anytime of the year, but especially in the fall and winter. This is one recipe you will love. It is SUPER EASY to make and cooks in the crockpot all day. Perfect for busy days when you still want to server your family a filling, nutritious meal.

 

 

 

Jackie’s Chicken Chili

2 or 3 boneless chicken breasts
15 oz can cannellini beans (drained)
15 oz can black beans (rinsed and drained)
15 oz can corn (drained)
15 oz can chili beans (do not drain)
28 oz can diced tomatoes
8 oz tomato sauce
1 large onion, diced
1 chili seasoning packet (or taco seasoning packet)
1-2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon cumin
Salt and Pepper to taste

Place chicken breasts in crockpot

 

 

 

Combine other ingredients and pour over chicken

 

 

 

Cook on low 8-10 hours. Remove chicken and shred with 2 forks. Add shredded chicken back to chili .

 

 

Serve in bowls topped with sour cream or cheese.

Try it soon! It will be perfect (and to enjoy) to make in these next months that are so busy. Your family will think you worked for a long time preparing this delicious chili for them.

See all of our Family Recipes by going to blog.UltaLife.com. Then do a search for RECIPES.

Here At UltaLife We Believe in ULTIMATE Living-

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Family Recipes: Milk Dud Cookies

Don’t expect to stay on a diet when you make these cookies. They are addictive. One of the best peanut butter cookie recipes I ever made….and it has a surprise in the middle.  Form the dough around a milk dud that melts inside the cookie as it bakes.

It makes up to 8 dozen cookies—but I make my cookies a little bigger so usually get around 5 – 6 dozen. The house smells so good as they bake and my husband cannot wait to test them for me!! He says he wouldn’t want me to give anyone cookies that were not good. What a guy!!

Keep in mind that they dough needs to chill at least 1 hour before you form and bake the cookies.

 

 

1 ½ cups butter flavored shortening

1 ½ cups peanut butter (do not use reduced fat peanut butter)

2 cups sugar (DIVIDED)

1 ½ cups brown sugar, packed

4 eggs

3 ¾ cups all purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 ½ teaspoons baking powder

¾ teaspoon salt

1 package milk duds (10 ounces)

Cream shortening, peanut butter, 1 ½ cups sugar and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add in eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition. Combine all dry ingredients and gradually add to creamed mixture. Chill for at least one hour.

Shape 4 teaspoons of dough around a milk dud (I just use a heaping tablespoon). Be sure milk dud is completely covered. Roll balls in remaining ½ cup sugar.

 

Place 2 inches a part on ungreased baking sheets (even better—line with parchment paper and cleanup of pans will be easy). Bake at 350 for 10 – 12  minutes or until set. Cool for 5 minutes and then remove to wire racks.

 

I think you can see how yummy these cookies look—now you just have to smell them baking and taste them!

See all of our Family Recipes by going to blog.UltaLife.com. Then do a search for RECIPES.

 

Here At UltaLife We Believe in ULTIMATE Living-

Nourishing Your Body, Mind & Spirit.

Are you an UltaLifer? Learn about the many supplements designed to make you stronger and healthier!

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Family Recipes: Two Corn Casseroles

I love corn casseroles and these are totally different! I have made the Jiffy Corn Casserole several times for potluck dinners and there is never a crumb left—and this one is super easy to make. It is more like a spoon bread.

The Corn Pudding is my favorite way to make something special with corn. It is easy and my husband says it is good enough for dessert (not really, but he enjoys it that much). I got this recipe from the newspaper July 31, 1997

Try them both for Thanksgiving, Christmas or anytime.

 

 

Jiffy Corn Casserole

  • 1 pkg. ” JIFFY” Corn Muffin Mix.
  • 1/2 cup margarine or butter, melted.
  • 1 can whole kernel corn, drained.
  • 1 can cream style corn.
  • 1 cup sour cream.
  • 2 eggs
  • Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 1-1/2 quart casserole dish.

Pour margarine or butter and corn into dish. Blend in sour cream. In separate bowl, beat eggs and stir into casserole. Add muffin mix. Blend thoroughly. Bake 35 – 40 minutes or until center is firm

 

 

Corn Pudding

  • 4 Tablespoons sugar (1/4 cup)
  • 4 Tablespoons all-purpose flour (1/4 cup)
  • 2 Tablespoons butter, softened
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 can whole kernel corn, drained.
  • 1 can cream style corn.
  • 1 ¼ cup milk
  • salt and pepper to taste

Mix sugar and flour. Add softened butter and eggs; beat well. Add corn and milk. Season to taste and pout into buttered baking dish. Bake at 350 for 1 hour or until set-up. Stir 4-5 times until it begins to set up.


See all of our Family Recipes by going to blog.UltaLife.com. Then do a search for RECIPES.

Here At UltaLife We Believe in ULTIMATE Living-

Nourishing Your Body, Mind & Spirit.

Are you an UltaLifer? Learn about the many supplements designed to make you stronger and healthier!

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Baked Potato-A Comfort Food

Potatoes are wholesome, inexpensive and delicious! They are rich in Vitamin C, Potassium and Fiber (eat the skin too!).

Potatoes have gotten a bad rap because of all the unhealthy toppings we have loaded on them. So let’s re-think the baked potato. Can we enjoy them with healthier toppings? I have personally found ways I ‘love’ a baked potato and have researched and found other ideas.

Ready to get started? First, scrub the potato (remember you want to eat that skin). Pierce the potato several times with a fork. You can rub the potato with olive oil and sprinkle with a little salt. Then bake at 300 degrees for 90 minutes—or at a higher temperature for less time if you are baking other foods  (425 degrees for 45-60 minutes).  Bake directly on the oven rack or on a baking sheet, or for a softer skin, follow above directions and wrap each potato in foil. You can also microwave your potato. When done, slice into the potato and fluff with a fork—add salt and pepper.

Ready for some topping ideas that are not too high in calories?

  1. Salsa
  2. Watching your cholesterol? Try one of the margarines like Benecol or Smart Balance and a small sprinkle of grated cheese
  3. Low fat ranch dressing and scallions
  4. Reduced fat sour cream—add a little horseradish or chives
  5. 2 T chopped ham and 2 T Brie
  6. Grill or saute some fresh veggies in a small amount of olive oil. Top potato with veggies and sprinkle on some feta cheese
  7. Steam broccoli cuts in a small amount of water (add one chicken bouillon cube to water for extra flavor). Drain and top potato with broccoli and shredded cheese. Put in microwave a few seconds to melt cheese.
  8. Topping your potato with Ground Beef Stroganoff will turn a baked potato into a whole meal. Just add a veggie or salad and you are all set. See recipe for Ground Beef Stroganoff.

Ground Beef Stroganoff

Brown 1 pound lean ground beef with chopped onion, salt and pepper. Drain in colander to remove all grease. Put back in skillet and add one can cream of mushroom or golden mushroom soup. Add ¼ c water and simmer for 15 minutes. Just before serving, add sour cream. You can use up to 1 cup (I I use about ½ that amount). Server won top of a baked potato, on rice or mashed potatoes.

Try some of our suggestions and I believe you will be coming up with your own healthy baked potato toppings!!

 

Here At UltaLife We Believe in ULTIMATE Living-

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Simple Ways To Get Healthy

When we think about getting healthy, we encounter so many rules, restrictions and guidelines that we give up before we even get started. Getting healthy does not have to be such a big deal. Did you know that small tweaks and changes can bring about big results?

Here are a few things to consider. Pick one or two and begin today.

  1. Develop an attitude of gratitude. Look for the good in situations and be thankful for the good things in your life.
  2. Exercise daily. It does not have to be an hour—just do something. The fitness trackers are great because they are motivational. Many cell phones have apps that track steps and activity too.
  3. Get your sleep. Turn down the volume on your phone at night so that incoming messages do not wake you.
  4. Aim for 5 servings of fruit and vegetables daily.
  5. Limit trans and saturated fats—eat more of the healthy fats (see http://ultalife.co/blog/there-are-good-fats/)
  6. Learn to recognize REAL hunger—not head hunger. Eat only when you are truly stomach hungry and quit as soon as you feel satisfied—not stuffed!
  7. Make a list of all your meds and list any allergies. Keep a copy in your wallet and post one on your refrigerator.
  8. Consider adding natural supplements.

There are many reasons you might need to add a quality, natural supplement to your diet. The FDA says that nutrient levels have fallen 81% in the last 30 years. We can eat the exact foods our grandparents ate and be far below in nutritional value.

Meats—the meats we buy in our grocery stores come from animals fed a diet of grain and soy. They have been fattened quickly and unnaturally by hormones and are full of antibiotics.

How about our vegetables and fruits? Surely they are the same!! No, Michael Wald, MD says the soil itself has been over-harvested, meaning that over years of use and turnover of soil, it becomes depleted in nutrition. That means crops growing in depleted soil are also depleted in nutritional value. Vegetables and fruits grown decades ago were much richer in vitamins and minerals

Processed foods. For many of us, processed foods are the bulk of our diets. Think about how your grandmother used to serve meals. Chances are there was not one processed food on the table. Even the richer foods and desserts were made with quality ingredients and contained no fillers, preservatives, artificial sweeteners, synthetic trans fats, MSG or  artificial colors. ALWAYS read the food labels and for the most part, avoid processed foods.

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Here At UltaLife We Believe in ULTIMATE Living-

Nourishing Your Body, Mind & Spirit.

Are you an UltaLifer? Learn about the many supplements designed to make you stronger and healthier!

Click Here to check out all of our great products.