Tips and Tricks - Week Fourteen

Tips: According to Discovery Healthy Nutrition and Fitness, here are a few healthy snack option ideas (I've abridged the list to the obvious yet available):
1. Carrots — Cut them into sticks and dip them in salsa, light salad dressing, yogurt dip or peanut butter.
2. Bananas — On their own, they're great, but add them to a smoothie, or freeze them for a fun treat, and they're even better.
3. Celery — They're as versatile as carrots and even lower in calories. And they're crunchy enough to help die-hard chip fans get through the munchies.
4. Cucumbers — Slice them up and sprinkle lightly with salt for a refreshing snack.
5. Orange juice/Other juices — If you have Popsicle molds or even just ice cube trays, pour in the juice and pop it in the freezer. In just a few hours, you'll have a cool and tasty refreshment.
6. Peanut butter — Slather on an apple or to add a tablespoon or two to a smoothie for a protein-rich treat.
7. Quesadillas — Use black beans or any other canned beans you have on hand. Add in a sprinkling of cheese, a dollop of salsa and you're in business.
8. Raisins — sprinkle these high iron and fiber-rich gems into plain yogurt or mix with 1/3 cup of nuts for instant trail mix.
9. Salsa — makes a great dip for veggies and also can be used on sandwiches as a low fat spread instead of mayo.
10. Yogurt — If you have plain yogurt in the fridge, you're ready to go. Add some fresh herbs (parsley, dill or thyme will all work), along with a dash of salt and pepper, and you're set.

Tricks: Buy lots of extra measuring spoons and cups! When you're eating peanut butter, for example, scoop it from the jar using a tablespoon making sure to smooth off the top (no heaping!) properly. Eat it directly from the spoon as if it were a lollipop... slowly! Because you're using a measuring spoon instead of a regular spoon, you will know exactly how much you are eating (2 points worth). This will work for anything that can be eaten directly out of a measuring spoon or cup. Why transfer or start in another dish when you can so accurately assess the damage when using the proper measuring tool?