Kitchen Shape Up

Want to get healthier by eating at home, but just don't have the time or effort? Or think you don't? Follow these tips (provided in part by Health Magazine) to shape up your kitchen, and yourself.

1. NO SODA
I gave up soda years ago. I honestly didn't think I could do it, because my family ran on it. You think you need need need it, can't live without it: but it's just like any other addiction that isn't healthy for you. And yes, while Diet Soda has no calories - it doesn't have anything good for you either. It's still full of sugar and causes bloating. IF you need the caffiene - try replacing your soda with Iced Green Tea - it's antioxidants can help boost metabolism and burn more ab fat when combined with exercise. If you don't like Green Tea - try this recipe: 2 Quarts of Brewed Green Tea (8 cups) with orange, lemon and lime slices. If it's not sweet enough for you, try adding some nectar honey :-)

2. Cheese it Up
Don't buy fat-free cheese if you're a cheese lover and don't want the calories. It tastes like crap and you know it. Replace your fat-free cheese with organic 2% varieties (feta, cheddar, etc). Fat free cheeses don't contain the polyunsaturated fatty acids found in full-fat or reduced fat organic dairy products that have been shown to diminish belly fat. Remember, cheeses are still high in fats so don't go crazy on the cheese platter - self control is a must.

3. Ground Turkey!!!
You've seen my recipe for Turkey-Turkey burgers - if not, please go here. In general, you should stock up on lean ground turkey and lean turkey breast instead of regular turkey which can include the skin (more saturated fats!!). Other lean meats you can stock up on are pork tenderloin, skinless chicken breast and top round roast. Don't think you're routine will get boring just because you've eliminated fatty meats (and red meat :-( ). Adding the right spices and side dishes will help compliment lean meats and provide for a tasty and satisfying meal.

4. Add some Spice!
Use fresh salsa's, cayenne pepper hot sauce, and other hot spices on your meals. Capsaicin (the zing) has been shown to boost metabolism (small amount of studies) AND it's calorie Freeeeeee! If you don't like spicey things, I can't help you here (not yet anyway).

5. Pre-Pack your Fruits and Veggies!
So you've gone shopping for the week, you've got a head of broccoli, four peppers and some asparagus and you're thinking - if only these would cut themselves... Well, since you've been productive, continue onwards and cut away. Pre-cut all your veggies (or separate your fruits) and put them into fridge/freezer safe Tupperware. Then, by tomorrow you've got a side dish or two for all your meals and your main work will be the dishes instead of prep time. Don't  forget you can freeze those fruits and bake'm later to make a delicious dessert. Yummy!

Other things you can do to help skinny your kitchen are to keep your knives easily accessible, invest in a steamer (goes in the pot, costs about $10), get a blender (make shakes, soups, dressings), declutter, ditch the stools and ad a speaker for your i pod or other music playing needs - because shaking it to cooking will help you burn more calories and make the daunting boredom of cooking (if you're that person) so much more fun. Just remember to put a timer on when you're cooking and make it loud if you're playing music. Furthermore, you can do "fun things" like squats in between baking sessions, kitchen counter push-ups, stationary lunges AND i you're mixing, a fun forearm burn!