Veggie Chili

Ingredients

1 small onion, chopped

1 large green bell pepper, chopped

3/4 cup chopped celery

3/4 cup dry red wine or water

3 cloves garlic, finely chopped

2 cans (14.5 ounces each) diced tomatoes, undrained

1 1/2 cups water

1/4 cup tomato paste

2 Vegetable Flavor Bouillon Cubes

1 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro

1 tbsp chili powder

1/2 tsp cumin

2 cans (15 ounces each) kidney beans, rinsed

Directions

Cook onion, pepper, celery, wine and garlic in large saucepan over medium-high heat until vegetables are tender.

Add tomatoes with juice, water, tomato paste, bouillon, cilantro, chili powder and cumin; stir well.

Stir in beans. Bring to a boil; cover. Reduce heat to low; cook, stirring occasionally, for 45 minutes.

(Makes 6 Servings)

Healthy Roasted Eggplant Spread

Ingredients

1 medium eggplant

1 large sweet red bell pepper

1 small sweet red onion

1 clove garlic, finely minced

2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice

1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil

Pinch of fresh ground black pepper

Minced fresh Italian parsley leaves for garnish

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Stab eggplant all over with the tines of a fork. Place on a rack in roasting pan and bake in preheated 375 degree oven for about 40 minutes.

Prick onion and pepper all over with the fork as well and place on rack beside the eggplant. Continue roasting for 30 more minutes until vegetables are very soft. Let cool until you can handle.

Remove stem of eggplant, cut in half. Remove as many seeds as possible, then chop. Remove from skin and chop eggplant coarsely and place in a food processor. Cut pepper in half, remove skin, seeds, stem and membranes. Chop and add to the food processor. Coarsely chop onion and add to processor.

Add garlic, lemon juice, oil, black pepper and process until mixture is somewhat chunky. Cover and let stand for 30 minutes to one hour before serving. Garnish with minced parsley.

Warm up with jumping jacks

Video: A fitness model performs jumping jacks as a warmup.

Acai Berry Diet – Aids In Weight Loss And Anti Aging

The Acai Berry is taking the world by storm. Just the mention of the berry causes many people to talk about the benefits they have heard about somewhere. Even celebrities such as Opra claims it is a wonder weight loss diet.

There are studies that show the berry is very nutritional as well as a powerful food. It is from the rainforests of Brazil. It tastes like berries combined with chocolate making it more appealing. It is high in amino acids and fatty acids that are essential in any diet. It can be found in health food stores or online.

The benefits of the Acai berry are it is a great means of detoxing and maintaining a healthy balance on the levels of pH in the body. The levels of pH are responsible for the body’s immune system to function properly. The berry also has a high concentration of antioxidants that fight aging. It has monounsaturated fats, dietary fiber, and phytosterols that promote cardiovascular and digestive health.

When adding the Acai Berry to the diet with a proper diet and exercise, people do lose weight. They are able to increase their health based on the ingredient of the berry. The berry adds to the essential nutrients and fiber needed for a healthy diet. It helps fight of diseases such as the common cold, heart disease and fatigue. With these benefits, it is no wonder many people are using the berry for their dietary needs.

Acai comes in different forms. It is available in whole berries, powders, juices, pills and food items. The easily accessible berry has found its way into many homes for both weight loss and health improvement supplements.

When using any dietary supplement, remember to add exercise to the diet as a standard routine. Exercising increases the benefits of any diet as well increases the body’s ability to function in a healthy fashion. The Acai berry will add to the balance and active life style.

Depending on the location of the product, the prices will vary. It is generally an affordable product. Make sure to verify when purchasing the product the exact quality of the contents. Some companies try to sell a diluted product that does not have the same benefits as the higher quality products. Read the labels carefully to know what you buying.

If your are serious about losing weight and improving your health, the Acai berry is one of the best options on the market. Research proves the berry is an effective method to any diet whether for weight loss or for increased health.

To gain further information on the benefits of the Acai berry, use the internet as a great resource option.

Working Out On A Budget

The gym craze has been alive and well for years when it comes to people who are looking for ways to get fit. In many ways, a gym is an ideal arena for those who require inspiration to get them to move around, as a gym is a little space carved out on the face of the planet that is specifically geared toward fitness. A shrine to good health, as it were. Not to mention, a gym has more equipment and offers more amenities than most average people couldn’t afford to have in their own home. After all, how many people do you know who are able to outfit a house with a gym, sauna, free weight room, cycle room, and juice bar?

So for those who would like to live healthily, a gym membership is often a step in the right direction. There’s only one main problem standing between many people and the gym, namely, the cost. Even the most bare-bones gym isn’t cheap, and if you’re looking to join the gym that offers the juice bar alongside the elliptical machines, you’re looking at a possible investment of several hundred dollars in membership and startup fees.

For most of us who are looking to live on a budget or have monetary concerns that are more pressing, a gym might not be an option. The good news? Living healthily and being fit doesn’t necessarily have to be a huge monetary commitment. It certainly can be, but it’s more important to make a mental and physical commitment to wellbeing, rather than throwing a wallet at a gym. Even the most expensive gym won’t get you fit if you never go.

For those who would like to work out but keep their pocketbooks lined, here are two big tips on getting fit while saving money that we all know, but might not consider seriously enough.

Run outside. Seems obvious, but you don’t need access to a treadmill to get your cardio in. Many people end up preferring to run outside, as it’s a chance to enjoy some fresh air and the great outdoors. If you have knee problems that preclude you from running on cement, try the outdoor track at your local school. It’s totally free and is specifically designed to be kind to you joints.

Body weight training. Instead of relying on expensive weights or gym memberships, try push ups, sit ups, lunges, crunches, and other exercises that use your own body weight as resistance as a way to stay fit.

Anxious? Exercise Can Help You

Going out and exercising in order to relax might sound a little strange to you but bear with me. It has been shown that exercising produces hormones that make your feel good. So it really makes sense to do certain exercises to help you feel better and get you feeling more relaxed.

If you think about it when you are uptight and anxious you are not relaxed you are the opposite, cranky and stressed out. Finding ways to relax is very important to your well being and will make a huge difference in your life.

One of the best exercises for relaxation is to go out walking. Your choice of walking route is important too. Obviously you will start to feel more relaxed if you walk in a park or by a lake, as opposed to walking on busy city streets.

Many experts recommend walking with a dog as therapy. Great if you have a dog but if not you could offer to volunteer at your local pet shelter and walk a dog. This provides you with a reason to go out walking and your new friend will enjoy your visits.

Walking in the fresh air gives you time to think and reflect about your day. As you walk concentrate on feeling the breeze on your face and take in the smells of the trees and plants. See if you can?t hear the birds chirping. All of these things will put a smile on your face and make you feel more relaxed almost immediately.

While walking you should concentrate on your breathing and take some nice deep breathes. As you?re walking pace increases try to think of nothing but your walking and the surrounding sounds. This walking meditation method has been shown to be a wonderful stress reliever.

Other forms of exercise that can help you feel more relaxed are Yoga, swimming, dancing and even going out for a bike ride. All of these activities put you into different surroundings which affect your mood, all for the better.

Music is a great way to relax and taking up a new dance routine is an excellent idea. You could do this at home or by joining a local dance class such as a Zumba class. As well this gets you mingling with other people and provides some light recreation after a hectic day. Why not start a new exercise routine and see if it doesn?t make a difference?

Demonstration of air boxing

Video: A fitness trainer demonstrates an effective exercise for the upper body and core.

Performing squats for 1 minute

Video: Your quads, hamstrings and glutes all get a good work out with this exercise.

Nectarine Fruit Salad

Ingredients

1 tablespoon honey

1/2 teaspoon grated lemon or lime peel

2 teaspoons fresh lemon or lime juice

1/3 cup ginger ale

2 nectarines, pitted and sliced

1 cup seedless green grapes

1 cup fresh raspberries or blackberries

Directions

In a large bowl, combine peel, juice, honey and ginger ale. Add fruit and toss lightly. Cover and refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours.

How to Make Smoked Salmon Dip

Ingredients

2 – 8 ounces packages fat-free cream cheese

4 ounces smoked salmon, flaked

2 tablespoons minced fresh chives

3 tablespoons chopped fresh dill

3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice Dash of Tabasco or hot sauce

Directions

Mix flaked salmon in a bowl with fat-free cream cheese, chives, dill, hot sauce and lemon juice. Stir well. Cover and refrigerate for a few hours to let flavors mix. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with fat-free crackers. (Best with the cracked black pepper kind)