Beverly Hills Fitness Secrets Newsletter

Can you get thin by eating Thin Mints

You may have heard the buzz lately about Girl Scout cookies. It is that time of year again - when millions of Girl Scout cookies infiltrate homes all around the globe - but this year there has been a widely publicized change in the beloved cookies.

The trans fats have been removed.

That's right, each shiny box of Thin Mints, Carmel deLites and Peanut Butter Patties will be stamped with a "Zero Trans" label. And just like that, the Girl Scouts get major press on how "health conscious" they are...just like the pastries at a certain coffee chain and even a major US city (New York).

So let's address the real issue at hand: Does the removal of trans fats make food

healthy?

 Here's the short answer: No

Sorry to burst your bubble there, but you deserve to know the truth. Yes, trans fats are unhealthy. Yes, trans fats have been proven to be of no use or benefit to your body. Yes, trans fats have been linked to an increase in heart disease.

Bottom line: trans fats are bad.

But simply removing trans fats from an unhealthy food item doesn't magically make that item healthy. A cookie is a cookie is a cookie. It is still loaded with sugar and saturated fat with the main ingredient being empty calories.

I'm not telling you this to discourage you from supporting the Girl Scouts. I'm telling you this to keep you from the disillusion that the media tries so hard to harness you with.

Eating Thin Mints won't make you thin - not even "Zero-Trans" Thin Mints.

So where does this leave you? My desire is that you will approach the "news" about

trans fats and other "health" developments with a discerning eye. Yes, it would be great if scientists created a junk food that really was good for our health and made us thin - but we would be foolish to believe it.

There is only one way to a healthy and fit body, and that is through proper eating and regular exercise. It isn't a trendy solution or a ‘news worthy' discovery, but the fact is that it works every time.

Wouldn't you like to take control of your body once and for all? I have a secret for you...it isn't going to be as hard as you think. Good habits are just as addictive as bad ones. Once you begin your journey towards a fitter, healthier, sexier you, nothing will stop you from achieving your goal.
Contact me today to schedule your fitness consultation. It's the fastest way to getting the results you want.

Take Baby Steps!

When it comes to weight loss, baby steps are better than quantum leaps! Don't force yourself to give up all fats or all carbs, and don't chain yourself to a treadmill for hours on end. Take care to move towards your fitness and weight loss goals with moderation and you will arrive safer and healthier for it!

Great Grain Burger

Burger

If you have gone out for a burger lately then you may have noticed a healthy new trend that's not just for vegetarians anymore. It's the meatless burger. These days you can order a meatless burger almost anywhere, but beware that not all healthy patties are created equal. The best ones are made from scratch from fresh ingredients, like the recipe below.
Yield: 12 servings

 Ingredients
  • 1/2 cup uncooked brown rice  
  • 1/2 cup uncooked bulgur (Look for bulgur in the cereal, rice or organic food aisle of your grocery store)  
  • 1 tablespoon salt-free seasoning blend  
  • 1/4 teaspoon poultry seasoning  
  • 2 cups

water   2 cups finely chopped mushrooms   3/4 cup old-fashioned oats   1 cup (4 ounces) shredded part-skim mozzarella   1/4 cup shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese   1/3 cup finely chopped onion   1/2 cup fat-free cottage cheese   1/4 cup egg substitute   2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley   1 teaspoon salt   1/2 teaspoon dried basil   1/8 teaspoon celery seed   3 teaspoons canola oil, divided   12 whole wheat sandwich rolls   Lettuce leaves and tomato

Instructions
  1. In a sauce pan, combine the first five ingredients; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 30 minutes or until rice is tender. Remove from heat;

cool completely. Refrigerate.   In a large bowl, combine the mushrooms, oats, mozzarella cheese and onion. In a blender or food processor, process cottage cheese and egg substitute until smooth. Add mushroom mixture. Stir in the parsley, salt, basil, celery seed and chilled rice mixture.   Shape 1/2 cupfuls into patties. In a nonstick skillet, cook four patties in 1 teaspoon of oil for 5 minutes on each side or until lightly browned and crisp. Repeat with remaining patties and oil. Serve on rolls with lettuce and tomato if desired.

Nutritional Analysis: One cooked patty equals 126 calories, 4g fat, 15g carbohydrate, 7g protein.
 

 

 Leon Lavigne

Beverly Hills Fitness Group, Inc.

310-927-2162

 

 

 

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