Fun, Fitness and Flab

The word fat has been a negative word when used in the context of the western diet. Fats perform a wide range of vital functions in the human body and is one of the three required building blocks of the human diet, along with proteins and carbohydrates. Among their numerous vital functions, consumption of healthy essential fatty acids helps to keep the hair shiny, nails strong and protect the eyes from disease.

Brain tissue contains a high concentration of fatty acids and is particularly high in essential fatty acids which can be sourced from fish and seeds. Keeping up adequate levels of this nutrient is important in maintaining brain function and is vital to brain development in infants. Side tracking and talking from personal experience with my own kids, it's not always easy to get kids to eat the right stuff. I sneakily buy crackers with sesame and poppy seeds on, and my little boy loves them.

Another interesting fact - Essential fatty acids are proven to help reduce the symptoms of PMS and menopause, particularly gamma-linoleic acid, found in evening primrose oil. Fats are also converted into prostaglandin, a hormone that regulates many important functions in the body, such as nerve transmission, heart function and fluid balance.

Another positive....!....Layers of fat are deposited inside the body, forming a protective covering for the body's vital organs, cushioning them from damage and physical shock.

Fat-free eating does not ensure weight loss. Fat in foods delivers a feeling of satiety, the sense that we have had enough to eat. If there is no fat in a meal, we don't feel full up as quickly and therefore tend to eat more calories!

Omega-3 essential fatty acids thins your blood and helps to lower the risk of having a stroke. This is because these fats actually reduce the 'stickiness' of the blood. Your blood vessels use polyunsaturated fats to provide the flexibility that allows them to absorb the pressure generated every time your heart beats. Without that flexibility, hardening of the arteries would occur.

Fats are also required for waterproofing the skin's surface. An adequate intake of essential fatty acids can also prevent skin problems such as eczema.

These are just some of the roles that fat play in the body; there are still more benefits to be gained! Another good thing too....it generates heat...Brill for the Winter period!! Happy eating everyone, but remember to eat sensibly.

Do any of you go to Tai Chi its suppose to be a great all round exercise wonder what others think?

According to scientists latest findinds - if you eat a particular way which runs in conjuction with your body clock and functions, you can actually speed up the proccess of losing weight. The scientists say to eat like a King in the morning; eat like a Prince in the afternoon and eat like a Pauper in the evening. Well it will help, but remember to try to eat healthy meals. Another tip - apparently soup aids loss of weight. Perhaps it's easier for the body to digest? Anyone got any other helpful tips on losing weight???

Low GI MOCHA BROWNIES
15g Carbohydrate per square
Makes 12 squares

You need: 150g good quality plain chocolate
                 100g butter
                 1 tsp strong black coffee
                 1 tsp vanilla extract
                 100g ground almonds
                 85g   fructose
                 4 free range eggs
1. Preheat oven 180 C/350 F/ Gas 4. Grease and base line a 20cm (8in) square tin.
2. Melt choc and butter in bowl over a pan of boiling water.
3. Remove from heat and stir in coffee and vanilla.  4. Add almonds and fructose.
5. Separate eggs.  Beat yolks and add to mix.
Whisk whites and fold in.
6. Put mix into tin and bake 20 to 25 mins.
7. Allow to cool and cut into 12 pieces.

They are so delicious and worth all the effort that goes into making them! Enjoy xx

Roasted Mushrooms with Creme Fraiche & Bacon
2 large portobello mushrooms, 1tbsp extra virgin olive oil, 2 free range eggs, 2 tbsp reduced-fat creme fraiche, 2 rashes bacon ( grilled until crisp), salt & freshly groung black pepper.

Preheat oven to 200C/ 400F/Gas 6.  Place the mushrooms in a piece of foil enough to make a parcel.  Spoon over oil and season.  Fold up into a parcel, on a baking tray and roast 20 mins.

Meanwhile poach the eggs.  Mushrooms are then topped with the poached eggs.  Place a spoonful of creme fraiche on top of each one and then the bacon on the top.  Season and your away in heaven!

Hi

Has anyone considered personal training before??

I am a fully qualified personal trainer looking to take on more clients

Hi everyone.  This next recipe is a cracker.  It's also vegetarian and very nutritious.   The following ingredients are only a guide.  Use the veg you have available or prefer.

Bunch of Celery, Potatoes, Carrots, Mushrooms, Red Pepper, anything you like; 250g Red Split Lentils,  2 Onions, 3 Cloves Garlic, 4 Bay Leaves, Half tube Tomato Puree, 3 Veg Stock Cubes to 2 Pints of Water, Tinned Red Kidney Beans, Chopped Tomatoes and  your regular Baked Beans in Tomato Sauce, 1 Heaped Dessert Spoon Garam Masala spice blend, Half teaspoon Dried Chilies chopped, Heaped teasp of Oregano, Basil and Parsley, Fresh Corriander if you like, 1-2oz Butter or similar, Salt and Pepper to season.  Tesco Bake at Home Bagettes go perfect on the side of the bowl. 

Put all your prepared and chopped veg, garlic, butter, salt and pepper in large top of stove pan. Fry up for about 10-15 Mins.  Lentils on to boil for 30 Mins then drain.( In a seperate pan) Tins, herbs, spices,bay leaves, puree and stock in next.  Cook for about 40 mins or until potatoes cooked, stirring occasionally so it doesn't stick. REM: Bay leaves come out before serving. Add lentils to pan, stir through and transfer to oven casserole dish.  Whilst that is cooking through on about Gas 4/180C for next 20-30 Mins, get your baguettes cooked or bread of choice.  Bang out in bowls with bread on the side et voila! DONE as Gordon Ramsey would say!

  I feel lighter.  I've lost weight since last summer.  I have seen the photos to prove it!

My clothes I put away, because they were too tight, have recently come out of my closet. Hooray! I actually feel lighter though.  I have more energy than I did and I feel my breathing has benefitted too. I have tried to consciously realise when I am full and not just eat everything on my plate.  I'm not concerned with calorie counting or depriving myself of life's little luxuries, but I keep myself busy and walk as much as I can.  I think my stairs is great.  Up down up...down up down...as many times as I can.  I never take the elevator if I'm shopping and if the weather permits I enjoy walks and running around with my 3 year old son.  My scales don't work, so I have to rely on my clothes to judge how I'm doing.  A glass of white wine with my meal and an occasional chocolate chip muffin and I'm a happy bunny.  I love my treadmill for doing that fast walking stuff, but lately I haven't had the opportunity to get on it as much as I would like, but I am happy within myself and so long as it is coming off gradually, I don't mind the journey to a thinner me.  Another plus is that I got my boobs back! Ha ha; when I was a size 8 to 10 before which was after my third child, they were empty and flat.  Anyone know how to lose weight without losing your boobs aswell??? Please let me know...Well it's just a ramble today, nothing prophetic or of great knowledge. I would be interested to know how others are doing and if anyone has any tips for eating healthily or any great recipes for us all to try.  I have a few under my belt, so I will have to get my best recipes out soon.  Watch this space!  Hugs Catzy x

I do yoga and try to keep fit and healthy and find it helps so much with coping with stress especially in these gloomy economic times I am surprised myself just by doing yoga how much more relaxed I am do others find the same

hi iv been a member at gym doing step aerobics since may this year and what a difference it has made to my fitness levels. my body has changed shape for the beter and im loosing weight slowly they say fat turns to muscle so now in total iv lost half a stone. nearly at my metabolic rate . does anyone else do step aeroics i would def recomend it .