October 31, 2010

Grey Sky Films Celebrates 10 Years

Energy in Motion was invited to Grey Sky Films 10 year anniversary celebration! Grey Sky - You do amazing work and we are so glad we found you! Congratulations!

Check out the Director of Energy in Motion, Tiffiny Twardowsky on their video...

October 27, 2010

Tips For Eating Out The Healthy Way

Most of us want to be health conscious but, let’s face it, preparing healthy, fresh meals three times a day takes immense amounts of time. It is not often realistic to spend that much time fixing meals after spending a full day at work or taking care of children. Today more and more people are instead eating out for sake of convenience and time. But how do we still maintain a healthy balance when eating out? There are a few simple things we can do to improve our overall health when eating out, whether we eat out once a month or twice a day.

The first thing to take into consideration is portion size. This is a huge problem in eating out that can often lead to weight gain. Most restaurants provide larger meals than you should be eating in one sitting. These meals are also different than the ones you would prepare for yourself in a healthy way. They are often loaded with extra calories, so while you could eat three bowls of whole grain cereal at home and get a moderate amount of calories, one large, rich hamburger might fill your calorie quota for the day. So a basic key to eating out is eating less of your main meal. One way to control this if you are at a restaurant is to ask only half your meal to be brought out and the other half boxed to take home for later. If you are eating fast food, a smart way to go is ordering a kids meal which has more appropriate portions.

However, we all want to be satisfied at the end of a meal and how do we do that if we are not eating tons of food? We can help control our appetite in a variety of ways. One way is to carry around healthy snacks, maybe some good quality granola bars that you can take between meals to help with hunger. Another recommendation is to drink one to two full cups of water before eating your meal. Not only is water important to your health and hydration, it will help you become full faster. You should also consider taking a multivitamin. Often we crave certain foods when we have nutrient deficiencies. It is also just a smart idea to take a multivitamin especially if we are eating out so we can be sure to get in our vitamin and mineral needs. Also ordering a side salad or a healthy soup can help fill you up with less calories before beginning your meal.

One more thing to think about is making healthy choices to start with. Order a water instead of a soda or coffee or alcohol. Water is the best drink for you and helps you cut out needless calories. Most menus now have meals that are marked as low fat, or healthy choice. Go for those meals. Also think about healthy substitutions you can make?soup instead of the fries the meal comes with, or fresh fruit.

There are many simple ways to eat out the healthy way if we just pay attention to what we eat and how we eat it. From multivitamins to drinking water, don’t let your health get out of control because you eat out.

Article Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_1019297_23.html

October 11, 2010

Eat Well at Work: Tips and Ideas to Make Better Choices

The workplace can be a nutritional battlefield with doughnuts in the break room, co-workers’ candy bowls, and afternoon birthday cake. More organizations are coming up with strategies — like healthy meeting guidelines — to help employees make better food choices.

But when it comes to wellness, workplace culture change can happen at a glacial pace — so don’t rely on corporate policies to protect you from nutrition pitfalls. Take charge of your choices to nourish your mind and body — so you can move through your day feeling fantastic and doing your best work.

Create a Plan
Make a habit of meal-planning once a week — simply map out your breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snack ideas for each day. Then, make a shopping list and stock your fridge and cupboards. Download your worksite’s cafeteria menu and decide when to buy lunch and when to brown-bag it. Freeze dinner leftovers for grab-and-go meals — and prepare snacks and lunches the night before. Planning ahead gives you more choices — and saves money.

Rise and Dine
It’s no secret that starting your day with a power breakfast is vital when it comes to all-day energy — and weight management. Skipping breakfast might seem to cut calories, but studies show it actually promotes weight gain and stifles brain function. Not hungry in the morning? Eat dinner earlier and cut back on bedtime snacking.

Choosing a variety of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, low-fat or skim dairy products, and whole grains with your morning meal is your best bet for a high-energy day and reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. Including protein-rich foods like eggs, nuts, seeds, and dairy products starves off hunger more effectively than a mostly carbohydrate meal. Try these delicious, easy-to-fix ideas:
  • Blueberry smoothie with low-fat yogurt
  • Nut butter or sunflower seed butter on whole-grain toast with fruit
  • Scrambled eggs with basil, oregano, tomatoes, bell peppers, whole-grain toast and orange juice
  • Whole-grain hot cereal topped with a sliced banana, 2 tablespoons chopped walnuts or almonds, and skim milk
  • Roll up a whole-wheat tortilla with Neufchatel cheese and strawberries
Sensible Snacks
Skip the vending machines and stock your own scrumptious snacks for long-lasting vim and vigor. Pair complex carbohydrates with protein and a small amount of fat for sustainable energy — and control portions to avoid calorie overload:
  • Whole wheat crackers and low-fat cheese
  • Sliced bell peppers, baby carrots, whole-grain pita slices, and hummus
  • Apple slices with 1 tablespoon peanut or sunflower seed butter
  • ½ turkey sandwich on whole grain bread with low-fat cheese and mustard
  • 1 ounce of almonds with a cup of mixed fruit
Lunchtime Cuisine
Avoid fatty foods and highly processed fare, which can leave you feeling sluggish and wanting more after a meal. Instead, choose foods close to their natural state whenever possible — they’re more satisfying, more nutritious, and more likely to sustain you through the afternoon. Check out these examples:
  • Whole-grain pita stuffed with 1/3 cup homemade egg salad (made with reduced-fat mayo) and vegetables
  • Vegetable soups: mushroom-barley, chicken-vegetable, or potato- broccoli, for example. Pair a bowl of soup with a ½ sandwich and a cup of grapes or strawberries.
  • Whole-wheat burrito with low-fat refried beans and/or lean ground beef and vegetables plus pair of mandarin oranges.
  • Spinach, arugula, and romaine salad tossed with cherry tomatoes, onion, peppers, carrots, and 1 ounce of cubed low-fat mozzarella. Top with 2 tablespoons of light vinaigrette. Add a whole-grain dinner roll with deli turkey on the side.
  • Find healthier restaurant choices with the Healthy Dining Finder.
Sweets for the Sweet
It’s OK to treat yourself to a little something sweet as long as you keep the portions — and calories — under control. In fact, a small periodic indulgence may help prevent binge-eating that often results from restrictive eating habits. Tricks and tips:
  • Fill up on fiber while curbing your cravings with fruit and berries.
  • Keep only single-serving portions of chocolate and other high-calorie treats at your work station.
  • Steer clear of the vending machine, with its super-size candy bars and multiple-serving bags of candy.
  • Make some homemade trail mix with dried cranberries or bananas, nuts or seeds, and pretzels.
  • Savor it. Satisfy your taste buds with smaller amounts by eating slowly, fully experiencing the treat’s appearance, scent, taste, and texture.
Additional Resources
ACE FitFacts Reprinted with Permission. Original article: http://www.acefitness.org/fitfacts/fitfacts_display.aspx?DCMP=RSSFitFacts&itemid=3117