It’s holiday celebration time planning!! In our case, planning the month of December. We had a Christmas party to start planning for the kids, one for our friends, a Christmas Eve dinner party to plan, and of course lots of birthday celebration planning to do.

What better way to get in the mood than to make some fresh coffee and bake some goodies to get the mind warm and ready?!

Thanks to House Party and Hamilton Beach, I got the latest BrewStation and it ABSOLUTELY ROCKS! I loved my old coffeemaker but this one is just plain awesome!

• HOT, FRESH Coffee with EACH cup til it’s gone!!
• NO MORE smelly burnt coffee smells when you pour that last cup!!
• NO Carafe!!
• EASY, CLEAN pouring into cup without the worry of dripping coffee from the carafe!!
• AND NO MORE coffee grinds in your last cup of coffee!!

OK, so you say there HAS to be SOME FLAW to it, right? Well, I’ll be honest, there is a slight flaw. It would have been more ideal if there had been a light positioned where the coffee comes out so you can see how much coffee you have if you’re drinking from a dark mug.

I received the Hamilton BrewStation from HouseParty and Hamilton Beach.
No other compensation was received and all opinions are my own.

By Sheri Strykowski

Stoke your metabolic fire and burn calories faster with diet-friendly foods and beverages. Post this list on your fridge next to the photo of you in your “skinny jeans” and make a copy to bring with you the next time you shop for groceries.

Just remember: Calories count, portion control rules and there’s no substitute for a well-balanced diet and regular exercise. So get moving!

Here are the top picks culled from some of the latest research:

1.     Water! A new study seems to indicate that drinking water actually speeds up weight loss. Researchers in Germany found that subjects of the study increased their metabolic rates (the rate at which calories are burned) by 30 percent after drinking approximately 17 ounces of water. Water is also a natural appetite suppressant that banishes bloat as it flushes out sodium and toxins. Drinking enough water will also help keep you from mistaking thirst for hunger. So drink up!

2.     Green Tea! Studies show that green tea extract boosts metabolism and may aid in weight loss. This mood-enhancing tea has also been reported to contain anti-cancer properties and help prevent heart disease. It’s also a trendy drink among weight-conscious celebrities.

3.     Soup! Eat less and burn fat faster by having a bowl of soup as an appetizer or a snack. According to a Penn State University study, soup is a super appetite suppressant because it’s made up of a hunger-satisfying combination of liquids and solids. In the study, women chose one of three 270-calorie snacks before lunch. Women who had chicken and rice soup as a snack consumed an average of 100 fewer calories than those in the study who opted for a chicken and rice casserole or the casserole and a glass of water.

4.     Grapefruit! The grapefruit diet is not a myth. Researchers at Scripps Clinic found that participants who ate half a grapefruit with each meal in a 12-week period lost an average of 3.6 pounds. The study indicates that the unique chemical properties in this vitamin C-packed citrus fruit reduce insulin levels, which promotes weight loss. Note: If you are taking medication, check with your doctor about any potentially adverse interactions with grapefruit.

5.     Apples and Pears! Overweight women who ate the equivalent of three small apples or pears a day lost more weight on a low-calorie diet than women who didn’t add fruit to their diet, according to researchers from the State University of Rio de Janeiro. Fruit eaters also ate fewer calories overall. So, next time you need to satisfy a sugar craving, reach for this low-calorie, high-fiber snack. You’ll feel full longer and eat less.

6.     Broccoli! Study after study links calcium and weight loss. Broccoli is not only high in calcium but it’s also loaded with vitamin C which boosts calcium absorption. This member of the nutritious cabbage family also has plenty of vitamin A, folate and fiber. And, at just 20 calories per cup, this weight-loss superfood not only fights fat but also contains powerful phytochemicals that boost your immunity and protect against disease.

7.     Low-Fat Yogurt! Dairy products can boost weight loss efforts, according to a study in the April issue of Obesity Research. People on a reduced-calorie diet who included 3-4 servings of dairy foods lost significantly more weight than those who ate a low-dairy diet containing the same number of calories. Low-fat yogurt is a rich source of weight-loss-friendly calcium, providing about 450 mg (about half the recommended daily allowance for women ages 19-50) per 8-ounce serving, as well as 12 grams of protein.

8.     Lean Turkey! Rev up your fat-burning engine with this bodybuilder favorite. Countless studies have shown that protein can help boost metabolism, lose fat and build lean muscle tissue so you burn more calories. A 3-ounce serving of boneless, skinless lean turkey breast weighs in at 120 calories and provides 26 grams of appetite-curbing protein, 1 gram of fat and 0 grams of saturated fat.

9.     Oatmeal! This heart-healthy favorite ranks high on the good carb list, because it’s a good source of cholesterol-fighting, fat-soluble fiber (7 grams per 3/4-cup serving) that keeps you full and provides you with the energy you need to make the most of your workouts. Just be sure to choose steel cut or rolled oats, not instant oatmeal, to get your full dose of vitamins, minerals and fiber.

10.   Hot Peppers! Eating hot peppers can speed up your metabolism and cool your cravings, researchers at Laval University in Canada found. Here’s why: capsaicin (a chemical found in jalapeño and cayenne peppers) temporarily stimulates your body to release more stress hormones, which speeds up your metabolism and causes you to burn more calories.

Here’s how these 10 fat-blasting superstars help you lose weight:

• Each of these healthy weight-loss boosters fills you up and keeps you full longer on fewer calories.
• Water-rich fresh fruits, veggies and soup dilute the calories in your food and allow you to eat more without breaking the calorie bank.
• High-fiber fruit, vegetables and nutritious whole grains keep your digestive system on track and steady insulin levels, which prevents fat storage.
• Lean meat boosts metabolism and burns calories because it take more energy to digest than other foods.

And tomorrow is Sunday, the 4th of July. The BIG BBQ pork day (I’m from the South!) along with beer and other side dishes. What am I to do?? I want to enjoy the day and evening with family and friends (and bbq and beer…lol).

Today the kids and I are going hiking and I’ll be drinking my water. I’ll be sure to get in my water tomorrow as well but OMG…all that pressure all around!! I’m afraid that pressure will find it’s way pressing my innards and making me feel even more horrified on Monday!

I’ve become to realize that managing my meals while working during the day is so much easier than outside. I have my mini cooler for the day and at home, I either skip the mini-meal plan or binge eating out…HELP! I literally could look as if I was 5 months pregnant after eating (which thankfully goes back down – to a degree…the next morning, but STILL!!)

New Simply… Go-Gurt is available in two kid-friendly flavors, Strawberry and Mixed Berry.

OUR THOUGHTS…The kids love tubed yogurt and Simply Go-Gurt was a plus in their hungry tummy’s when it came to snack time. Easy to snack while on the go or in the lunch room. No spoon required for the same amount you’d get in a plastic container. Just rip and sip. LOVE IT!! We eat it frozen right out of the freezer for a chilled healthy snack and creamy after it’s defrosted in the lunch box during lunchtime. You know you’ve done a great thing as a parent when your kids are fighting over who get’s the last healthy snack in the fridge! LOL

OUR OVERALL RATING…Thumbs Up!

WHERE TO BUY…At your local grocery store.

The first 30 readers who click on the “Try It Free” tab will receive a coupon for a free package of Simply…Go-Gurt!*

THE GIVEAWAY…Thanks to Yoplait and MYBlogSpark, 1 lucky reader will win the below gift package from Yoplait…Just leave me a comment with how you manage on the go with your family when it comes to snack time. Giveaway runs through the end of April.

Go-Gurt “Simplify Your Life” prize pack includes a pocket Etch a Sketch, weekly planner and a seat back organizer.

I received the above pack from Yoplait through MyBlogSpark for review purposes. Receiving product did not alter my opinion in anyway.

The race is on…the race (at a reasonable pace) to lose weight and get down to a healthier and happier me.

It was on my New Year’s resolutions…

I’m starting things a month behind…

But I’m doing it, OK? OK…

My BFF (I sooo feel like I’m in HS…lol) and I are in a race to weight loss. We figured we needed to stop talking about and just do it! Our first goal is 10 pounds. Whoever loses the first 10 pounds first treats the other to a manicure or pedicure.

Yesterday was the 2nd weigh in Monday for us and I managed to lose 3 pounds while she lost 2. Woohoo!!

What am I doing? I started off the first couple of days doing Weight Watchers with her but to be honest, I hate counting points and I don’t even like counting calories. So now I’m watching what and how much I consume, drinking more water, take the stairs at work (well, down 3 floors at least to start), and trying to stay away from the fast food drive-thru’s.

I have noticed that heavier foods feel way too heavy on my stomach and because I’m eating slower, I don’t THINK I need more food to feel full.

Now if only I can get really motivated to REALLY get moving and exercising! My next step…

~ This Tuesday Toot is brought to you by MommyCommunity.com. ~

This past Sunday, thanks to House Party and DIGIORNO pizza, friends came over for pizza, football, and gathering. Pizza’s of course were baked and ready for when the guests arrived with boxes hidden from sight. All took bites with a look of satisfaction while inquiring as to where the pizza came from. With a smile on my face I of course said “my kitchen, do you like?!” Mouths full and heads nodding, I opened my freezer to show them red boxes of DIGIORNO pizza.

Quite impressed, they just couldn’t believe it was freezer store bought.

Even the kids and my picky pizza DH gobbled their slices and asked for more and more and more.

DIGIORNO TIDBITS…

• They have FIFTY-ONE different types of pizza combinations & crusts.
• They even have 200 calorie portion control pizzas.
• Been around over 10 years.
• They’re on FACEBOOK.
• You can follow their tweets on TWITTER.

~ This Tuesday Toot is brought to you by MommyCommunity.com. ~

]]> http://farrah.tbfreviews.net/2010/01/fresh-tasty-just-like-delivery/feed/ 0 http://farrah.tbfreviews.net/2010/01/start-your-day-right/ http://farrah.tbfreviews.net/2010/01/start-your-day-right/#comments Mon, 18 Jan 2010 04:12:41 +0000 admin http://farrah.tbfreviews.net/?p=550

Before you rush right out the door in the morning, stop and ask yourself: “Did I eat breakfast?” “Do I have something I can eat for breakfast that will get me going?” If you, like most people find yourself short on time and rushing out the door with just a mug of hot coffee in hand, you might want to rethink your mornings.

There are TWO things everyone should start their day with…a glass of water to rehydrate the body after a long sleep and breakfast. There are many benefits to eating breakfast to start your day.

• Better concentration at school and at work.
• Better physical performance.
• Wakes the body and provides fuel to get going without leaving the feeling of sluggishness after a heavy meal.
• Improves the body’s metabolism.

The kids typically start their mornings with a bowl of cereal and I often eat a bowl of cheerios or hot cereal after the morning rush.  These days that would be in the office before my first meetings start. The thing I like best about eating a bowl of cereal for breakfast is that I don’t feel nearly as sluggish, full, and/or bloated as I might after eating eggs, bread, and sausage. While I LOVE to eat a good ‘ol southern breakfast buffet every once in awhile, it’s too clogging to the arteries and leaves me in need of maternity cotton stretch pants. EWWW and let’s not even talk about the stomach pains…

Thanks to the Blogspark community and General Mills, I received 4 free full size boxes of cereal. Our picks? Cookie Crisp, Honey Nut Cheerios, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, and Lucky Charms…All the classics with less sugar than before when we were kids but with the same taste we all love.

General Mills announced awhile back that they were committing to reducing sugar in their cereals and even increasing key nutrients and providing whole grain.

Did you know that ready-to-eat cereal eaters consume less fat, less cholesterol and more fiber than non-cereal eaters?

According to the American Dietetic Association, children who eat breakfast perform better in the classroom and on the playground, with better concentration, problem-solving skills, and eye-hand coordination.

To receive a coupon for $1 off, click here. For more information about kids and cereals, please visit Cereal Health and Wellness.

The opinion above are 100% my own even though product was provided for review.