Ninja Niblets: December 14

I apologize for the sporadic postings, but work and my freelance business have been absolutely INSANE. I hope to post regularly again after the new year once these projects die down. In the meantime, here are some ninja niblets to get you through the week.

Current Workout Songs

Good Feeling by Flo Rida

Super Bass by Nicki Minaj

Good Life by OneRepublic

Shape Magazine: Top Diet Trends of 2011

An interesting post of the top 10 diet fads and trends for 2011. The majority of them are ridiculous, some are dangerous (hello HCB diet) and almost none of them seem successful. If you want to lose weight, start exercising regularly and keep a food journal. Cut calories gradually with your journal and you will see results that will last more the than the lifetime of these fads.

Fitness Magazine: 7 Soup Recipes

It’s freezing cold outside and you long for comfort food to warm you up. Soups are a great way to get warm and the majority of them are healthy or with a few substitutions can be made healthy. Try these from Fitness Magazine and eat them with a warm roll or half of a grilled cheese sandwich and you can have a fairly healthy, but very filling meal.

Self Magazine: 100 Calorie Snacks

T’is the season for tons of goodies showing up in work break rooms, mom over baking and cookies on every corner. Try some of these goodies from Self Magazine’s 100 Calorie Snacks and save your waistline during the holidays.

Healthy Recipe: Cheeseburger Pie

I downloaded the SparkPeople app for my iPad to get some new, healthy recipe ideas this past weekend. Last night was a first attempt at their low cal cheeseburger pie. I made some modifications to it, but overall I think it was a decent dish and definitely good on the calorie count.

Spark People: Healthy Cheeseburger Pie

I used 93% lean ground beef instead of ground turkey, because I think ground turkey is gross. I also used 1% cottage cheese instead of non-fat, because again I think non-fat things are disgusting. I added garlic powder, onion powder and 2 TBS of ketchup for flavoring. I think it definitely made a difference for the better. Next time, I might even through in a tablespoon or two of mustard for more a cheeseburger feel.

Overall, it was a good and easy recipe for a quick weeknight meal. The best part is that it’s only 163 calories a serving (mine was probably closer to 200 since I used beef and 1% cottage cheese, but either way not bad).

Ninja Niblets: Quick Links & Tips

Quick post with some helpful links and tips to get your workout or diet going.

Current Workout Songs
Last Friday Night by Katy Perry
Rain Over Me by Pitbull
Lighters by Bad Meets Evil
Pumped Up Kicks by Foster the People

SELF Magazine: 6 High-Fat Foods That Are Good For You

SELF Magazine: Eating in 5 Places That May Make You Fat

Fitness Magazine: Healthy Lunches Under 400 Calories

Ninja Niblets: July 11

A few quick ninja niblets for your enjoyment today…

According to an blurb in Fitness Magazine (June 2011),women who do a full body strength workout with weights score 13% higher on mental attention tests than those who just did bodyweight classes. Learning proper lifting techniques and form stimulates brain function which improves mental skills like memory and concentration. So pick up some weights and get lifting!

ScienceDaily.com wrote that part of the reason you can’t eat just one potato chip or one fry is that the fats produce marijuana like chemicals in your body making you eat them compulsively. These chemicals were not found in sugars or proteins but only in high fats. Craving a crunchy snack food? Try baby carrots, celery or chopped cucumbers instead.