Mini Challenge April 22 - 30
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mycrazy8splus1
Posts: 1,558 Member
exercise: let's kick this thing into high gear! Try out kick-boxing or some other martial arts based workout. If you find a good one on Youtube please share!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=75&v=P8XPikj6HFQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBICAHaq5Cg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ju0BiOoZEjE
Non-exercise:
find fun alternatives for desserts.
1.Chocolate-Dipped Strawberry
Combat chocolate’s not-so-healthy side by using it as a semi-sweet jacket on superfoods, like strawberries! Dip and let set in the refrigerator until the chocolate coating has hardened.
2. Choco-Nut Popcorn
Pop a small bag of natural popcorn and top with 1 tablespoon melted peanut butter and a dusting of cocoa powder. Crunchy and the perfect amount of sweetness! Not sweet enough? Try swapping peanut butter for Nutella.
3. Frozen Chocolate Banana
This is the perfect frozen sweet treat with some extra nutritional punch! Bananas are a great source of vitamins C and B6, and are also packed with fiber and potassium. Peel a banana, cut into two equal halves, and freeze. Once solid, take out and roll in melted dark chocolate. While the chocolate’s still melty, roll in whichever crunchy topping you like—sprinkles, nuts, and granola all work well! Return to the freezer until the chocolate is set (at least an hour). Enjoy!
4. Yogurt Parfait
Top 1 cup Greek yogurt (plain or vanilla) with your choice of toppings: crumbled graham crackers or granola, nuts, and fruit are all healthy choices. Add some shaved chocolate if you must!
5. Fresh Fruit
Can’t get more simple than this. Any piece of fresh fruit should offer enough natural sugar to fill those cravings. Plus, it’s definitely the healthiest choice and you get added nutrients and fiber!
6. Dark Chocolate
Sorry, friends—not any old chocolate bar will send you to healthful heaven. But dark chocolate (think more than 70 percent cacao), which lacks all the added fat and sugar of classic milk chocolate, can actually be a healthy treat in moderation. Dark chocolate is packed with antioxidants and can even help regulate levels of the stress hormone, cortisol.
7. Chocolate Milk
Not only is chocolate milk a great way to fit a hint of sweetness into your day, research shows it’s actually an effective post-workout recovery drink, too!
8. Smoothie
It’s easy to find an easy, healthy smoothie recipe for breakfast, a snack, or dessert.
9. PB&J
Half of a classic sandwich on whole wheat bread (grape, strawberry, or whatever type of jelly you like) provides an excellent amount of sweetness with a little dose of protein and fiber to boot. Chose all natural sugar free butters and jellies when you can.
10. All-Fruit Popsicle
There’s no added sugar in these sweet and cool treats. Simply puree watermelon chunks and some lime juice, freeze, and enjoy. If it’s not watermelon season, try any other juicy fruit: Pears, peaches, or berries with a touch of apple juice for base will all make great pops.
11. Cafe Mocha
This is the perfect way to get a kick of caffeine and a serving of dark chocolate all at once. Opt for low-fat milk and stick to a small size to keep the calorie count low.
12. Banana Ice Cream
This one-ingredient ice cream is the perfect after-dinner treat. If you’re feeling fancy, try mixing it up and adding in a peanut butter swirl or a few teaspoons of cocoa powder for some chocolate flavor.
13. Nutella Yogurt Dip with Fruit
This is a healthier take on chocolate fondue. Instead of pure chocolate, mix Nutella with Greek yogurt and use as a dip with some fresh fruit or low-sugar cookies or crackers.
14. Cereal and Milk
You can make this one as healthy or unhealthy as you like. Opt for a high-fiber, whole-grain cereal if you're going the healthy route and sweeten with a bit of honey or cinnamon. Of course, if you feel like going the "naughtier" route, there's always chocolate chex.
15. Sorbet
Especially during warmer months, keeping a pint of healthy homemade sorbet on hand is the perfect way to fill sugar cravings without overdoing it on the white stuff. This super-simple plum sorbet doesn’t use any sugar—just 3 little tablespoons of honey per quart (and we promise there’s no lack of sweetness!).
Check out this link for the entire list. http://greatist.com/health/healthier-dessert-recipes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=75&v=P8XPikj6HFQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBICAHaq5Cghttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ju0BiOoZEjENon-exercise:
find fun alternatives for desserts.
1.Chocolate-Dipped Strawberry
Combat chocolate’s not-so-healthy side by using it as a semi-sweet jacket on superfoods, like strawberries! Dip and let set in the refrigerator until the chocolate coating has hardened.
2. Choco-Nut Popcorn
Pop a small bag of natural popcorn and top with 1 tablespoon melted peanut butter and a dusting of cocoa powder. Crunchy and the perfect amount of sweetness! Not sweet enough? Try swapping peanut butter for Nutella.
3. Frozen Chocolate Banana
This is the perfect frozen sweet treat with some extra nutritional punch! Bananas are a great source of vitamins C and B6, and are also packed with fiber and potassium. Peel a banana, cut into two equal halves, and freeze. Once solid, take out and roll in melted dark chocolate. While the chocolate’s still melty, roll in whichever crunchy topping you like—sprinkles, nuts, and granola all work well! Return to the freezer until the chocolate is set (at least an hour). Enjoy!
4. Yogurt Parfait
Top 1 cup Greek yogurt (plain or vanilla) with your choice of toppings: crumbled graham crackers or granola, nuts, and fruit are all healthy choices. Add some shaved chocolate if you must!
5. Fresh Fruit
Can’t get more simple than this. Any piece of fresh fruit should offer enough natural sugar to fill those cravings. Plus, it’s definitely the healthiest choice and you get added nutrients and fiber!
6. Dark Chocolate
Sorry, friends—not any old chocolate bar will send you to healthful heaven. But dark chocolate (think more than 70 percent cacao), which lacks all the added fat and sugar of classic milk chocolate, can actually be a healthy treat in moderation. Dark chocolate is packed with antioxidants and can even help regulate levels of the stress hormone, cortisol.
7. Chocolate Milk
Not only is chocolate milk a great way to fit a hint of sweetness into your day, research shows it’s actually an effective post-workout recovery drink, too!
8. Smoothie
It’s easy to find an easy, healthy smoothie recipe for breakfast, a snack, or dessert.
9. PB&J
Half of a classic sandwich on whole wheat bread (grape, strawberry, or whatever type of jelly you like) provides an excellent amount of sweetness with a little dose of protein and fiber to boot. Chose all natural sugar free butters and jellies when you can.
10. All-Fruit Popsicle
There’s no added sugar in these sweet and cool treats. Simply puree watermelon chunks and some lime juice, freeze, and enjoy. If it’s not watermelon season, try any other juicy fruit: Pears, peaches, or berries with a touch of apple juice for base will all make great pops.
11. Cafe Mocha
This is the perfect way to get a kick of caffeine and a serving of dark chocolate all at once. Opt for low-fat milk and stick to a small size to keep the calorie count low.
12. Banana Ice Cream
This one-ingredient ice cream is the perfect after-dinner treat. If you’re feeling fancy, try mixing it up and adding in a peanut butter swirl or a few teaspoons of cocoa powder for some chocolate flavor.
13. Nutella Yogurt Dip with Fruit
This is a healthier take on chocolate fondue. Instead of pure chocolate, mix Nutella with Greek yogurt and use as a dip with some fresh fruit or low-sugar cookies or crackers.
14. Cereal and Milk
You can make this one as healthy or unhealthy as you like. Opt for a high-fiber, whole-grain cereal if you're going the healthy route and sweeten with a bit of honey or cinnamon. Of course, if you feel like going the "naughtier" route, there's always chocolate chex.
15. Sorbet
Especially during warmer months, keeping a pint of healthy homemade sorbet on hand is the perfect way to fill sugar cravings without overdoing it on the white stuff. This super-simple plum sorbet doesn’t use any sugar—just 3 little tablespoons of honey per quart (and we promise there’s no lack of sweetness!).
Check out this link for the entire list. http://greatist.com/health/healthier-dessert-recipes
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