Category Archives: Health

Lucille Roberts Progress: The Flu has Struck!

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It’s been a while since I’ve posted a fitness update.

Suffice it to say that February was much, much harder than January. I came down with the flu, could barely get out of bed and really had no energy. You would think this would have helped me lose weight but it didn’t. I totally believe in feeding a cold! Add to that the fact that I was laying in bed these past few weeks and well… I gained some of the 7 pounds I lost.

Sigh.

I’m now struggling to get back into my exercise groove.

I’m planning to start attending the gym again this week. I’ve even convinced a friend to attend with me! Yay!  I think exercise classes are much more fun when you go with a friend. You can motivate each other and goodness knows I NEED the motivation right now.

I’ve also started taking the LiveRite Shake. The LiveRite Shake is a weight loss nutitional supplement, It helps you control cravings and I totally need that right now. I selected the vanilla bean flavor but they have other flavors as well. It comes with a recipe plan and I can grab more recipes from the Lucille Roberts Blog. It can even be added to café! How cool is that?!

The shake will jumpstart my weight loss, helping get to where I should be at this point. Combined with the Lucille Roberts classes,  I’m hoping to lose at least 20lbs by summer.

For those of you who started a fitness program this year, how are you doing with your fitness goals? Let us know in a comment!

 

Smart Mom, Fresh Mouth #healthyhabits

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I’ve been told I have a smart mouth. In fact, my mamá/ mom stressed this while I was growing up! I can still hear her now, “¿Que tu te crees?! Siempre tienes una repuesta con esa boquita fresca.” [Translation: What do you think? You always have an answer with that fresh mouth!] See? She even sought out my opinion when I was a little girl!  Yup. I had, and still have, a smart, fresh mouth.

As a smart Mom, I make sure I stay up to date on technology. I keep abreast of the latest styles and trends, both online and off.  I monitor my children’s eating habits, try to make sure they get the recommended amount of sleep and a slew of other things. In my eyes, I was a very smart Mom.

However, recently when I joined the makers of LISTERINE® and REACH® in a chat that supports the American Heart Association’s My Heart. My Life.TM initiative, I discovered I wasn’t tan inteligente/so smart. In fact, I wasn’t nearly as smart as my mother used to tell me. Me quede con la boca abierta/ I was left with my mouth open and it wasn’t a pretty sight since you could see all my fillings!

Sadly, those fillings were cause by cavities that I could have easily avoided if I just would have known better. Although I’m not one of the 75% of American adults who suffer from gum disease, I am one of the few who believed that brushing alone would remove the germs from my mouth. I hate to admit it but I didn’t start flossing until my 20s. It just wasn’t something I was taught to do. Now I know better and so I’ve taught my boys the three steps.

  • Brush
  • Floss
  • Rinse

With children, its even more important to get them into the daily habit.  It will give them a life long habit that will benefit them in the long run. Brushing alone only removes 75% of germs. Worse, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, over 50% of children between the ages of 5-9 have a cavity or filling! Scary, huh?

According to Dr. John Dodes, DDS (general dentist), you can avoid issues by:

  • Cleaning the entire mouth.
  • Making sure you are brushing AND flossing correctly.
  • Avoiding sticky foods.
  • Going to the dentist at least twice a year.

In addition to the above, you should make sure you use products that will keep your mouth healthy. In my home we use Listerine.My sons don’t like the original Listerine flavor but I find they enjoy using the newer versions, like Listerine Total Care Zero and Listerine Smart Rinse. These do not have the original’s harsh alcohol taste. The Listerine Smart Rinse has fluoride, which is perfect for the tween, since we drink bottled water that does not contain fluoride. It also provides him with 12 hour cavity protection and strengthens their teeth!  The teen uses the Total Care Zero. It gives him total care, strengthens teeth, restores enamel, kills bad breath germs, cleans the whole mouth and no alcohol!

My sons don’t realize the significance of healthy teeth now, but I do.

A bright smile and healthy teeth can not only help them find a mate and job, it can also affect their health. Knowing this I need to make sure they get into the habit NOW because my Mom didn’t raise no fool. In fact, although I’m sure she wasn’t using it in the same context I am, she was right when she said I had a “boquita fresca” / fresh mouth!

 

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To learn more about the American Heart Association’s My Heart. My Life.™ initiative, visit www.MyHeartMyLife.org.

To hear more about improving your oral care routine and see an educational message from professional snowboarder Gretchen Bleiler, visit www.Listerine.com. (Coming Soon!)

And shop smart for your oral care products at www.Walmart.com.

Disclosure: Latina On a Mission (“LOAM”) received products and compensation from Johnson & Johnson and The Motherhood as part of its participation in the Oral Care Challenge. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this post are ours. compensation

7 Slow Cooker Tips from George Duran #ConAgraFoods

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George Duran
Last week I had the opportunity to join a virtual cooking class with Chef George Duran. We learned some great slow cooker tips and even saw a demonstration of the Fiesta Chicken with Rice and Beans. Click here to see the video and read The Motherhood’s recap.

During the chat, one item stuck out the most for me. I have to admit it boggled my mind when I read the comment. It seems you can make cake – yes CAKE - in a slow cooker! Am I the only one that thinks this is crazy cool?! Please tell me I’m not!

I’m not sure if the idea of a slow cooker cake appeals to me because I haven’t eaten dessert since I became a Lucille Roberts Ambassador or because it came from George Duran’s lips. Sigh. In the end, it doesn’t matter because I cannot let that cake, or any other cake for that matter, touch these lips or it’ll definitely they’ll definitely land on these hips!

What I can focus on are George Duran’s 7 tips noted below. They will make this busy Latina’s life so much easier.

 

  1. Slow cooker recipes can be made up to two days in advance.
  2. To make clean up easy, spray your slow cooker with PAM. Use PAM before adding ingredients and the slow cooker washes out easily.
  3. Fish does not cook well in a slow cooker.
  4. Try sauteing beef before adding to the slow cooker. By searing the beef, you caramelize the outside and add a lot of flavor to your dish.
  5. Fresh vegtables can get mushy in a slow cooker; as a result, you should add them at the very end.
  6. Consider using canned ingredients, versus fresh ingredients, in your slow cooker. They have a richer taste and retain more of the nutrients.
  7. It doesn’t matter what slow cooker brand you use, as long as the design, size and options work for your needs.

 

Not sure what to make in a slow cooker? Go to readyseteat.com for fast and easy slow cooker recipes.

 

Let’s talk! Do you have any slow cooker tips you can share? Leave them in a comment!

 

Disclosure: As a host of the cooking connections class, my time is compensated. As always my opinions and love for cooking are solely my own.

Virtual Cooking Class with George Duran and The Motherhood #ConAgraFoods

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ready_set_eat_logo
We’re having a virtual cooking class called Game Day and Slow Cooker Recipes. The class is part of the Cooking Connections series on The Motherhood. Details below. I hope you can join in the yummy fun!

 

When:

  • Thursday, February 2, at 1 p.m. ET. It will last 30 minutes.

 

Where:

The Motherhood – here is the link to the page where the class will be held: http://www.themotherhood.com/talk/show?id=62363

 

About the class:

Get ready – and hungry – for Game Day! Cold weather and football puts us in the mood for some tasty slow cooker recipes. Join us to share your favorites and be inspired by suggestions from others! Celebrity chef George Duran will host a live video demonstration of a slow cooker recipe from website Ready Set Eat while we all chat and ask questions via text.

The class is sponsored by ReadySetEat.com and ConAgra Foods, and it is hosted by TheMotherhood. You can get and share suggestions for crowd-pleasing halftime recipes during this class and turn to recipe website ReadySetEat.com for more quick and easy meal ideas.

I hope you’ll join me and the other co-hosts listed below.

  1. Migdalia, Latina On a Mission, http://latinaonamission.com (ME!)
  2. Johanna, Momma Cuisine, http://mommacuisine.com
  3. John, Stay at Stove Dad, http://stayatstovedad.com
  4. Liz, Thoughts of a Mommy, http://thoughtsofamommy.com
  5. Melanie, The Coupon Goddess, http://www.thecoupongoddess.com
  6. Robyn, Robyn’s Online World, http://www.robynsonlineworld.com
  7. Sarah, Sarah’s Cucina Bella, http://sarahscucinabella.com
  8. Shari, Earth Mother Just Means I’m Dusty, http://www.dustyearthmother.com
  9. Silvia, Mama Latina Tips, http://www.mamalatinatips.com
  10. Yoly, Cuponeando, http://www.cuponeando.net

 

Disclosure:  As a host of the cooking connections class, my time is compensated.  As always my opinions and love for cooking are solely my own.

 

Heart Smart Your Family’s Shopping Cart

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Grapes

 

How heart smart is your shopping cart?

 

As a parent, and consumer, I want to believe I am making heart healthy choices for myself and my family. Yet, reality is that most consumers don’t.  

Many families avoid heart-healthy foods because they think they won’t taste good or are too hard to make or cost too much. . The good news is that this couldn’t be further from the truth! You can “heart your cart” with foods that are simple to prepare, convenient, affordable and sabroso/delicious!

Diane Henderiks, R.D., provided me with some simple and inexpensive ways to “heart your cart”.

  • Make your own salad dressing by mixing balsamic vinegar and Welch’s grape juice.
  • One 4 oz glass of 100% grape juice equals 1 serving (1/2 cup) of fruit – with no added sugar. *Welch’s 100% Grape Juice is a great option!
  • Instead of purchasing bread crumbs, pulverize oatmeal down to  powder, mix with flour and use mixture to bread chicken.
  • In sangria recipe, substitute wine for Welsch’s grape juice. Heart healthy and festive!
  • Red wine, salmon, oatmeal or olive oil are heart-healthy foods.

 
Let’s talk! How do you “heart your cart”? Share your tips in a comment below!

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To save your wallet, while saving your heart, click HERE to obtain printable grocery coupons.

To find Welch’s products and heart-healthy resources, including shopping tips, videos and recipes visit welchs.com/rewardyourheart.

*To learn more about the Concord grape’s health benefits go to www.GrapeScience.com

Run. Jump. Squat. Repeat!

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Sneakers

Run. Jump. Squat. Repeat!

Run. Jump. Squat. Repeat!

BREATHE.

The past few weeks have been intense as a Lucille Roberts Ambassador. My body has done things it hasn’t done in ages. Honestly, after my first training session with my Lucille Roberts’ Trainer, I didn’t think I would make it. I was bright red, gasping for breath and dripping more sweat than I thought a body could produce! But you know what? I DID IT!

I’m now on my 4th week of training and feel more energized than I’ve felt in the past 2 years. I no longer take power naps. I’ve lowered my coffee intake. I have energy. In sum, I. Feel. GREAT!

When I joined the Lucille Roberts Blog Ambassador program, I wanted to make a change in my life. As a single mom of a two boys, a teen and tween, my life was, and is, hectic. Working from home, exacerbates the situation. I was losing myself. It was no longer Ms. Latina, the woman. I had become Ms. Latina, the mother, business owner, babysitter, chef, tutor, cab driver and a multitude of other titles. I no longer took the time for myself. I was overwhelmed, harried and looked downright frumpy.

Lucille Roberts has given me my mojo back!

I no longer drag myself down the street.

I sashay.

Swaying my hips from side to side, I walk with my back straight and my head held high. I am  Beautiful. I am determined. I am part of a Sisterhood, the Lucille Roberts’ Sisterhood and I am fierce.

I kick arse. Albeit, not as high as I did years ago, but my kicks will one day reach further than they do today.  Till then, I know I am in good hands. Lucille Roberts is providing me with the tools. I am not alone. I am part of a sisterhood!

Let’s talk! Do you prefer to workout alone, with a trainer, or in a group? Let us know in the comments!

 

Disclosure: I am a Lucille Roberts Ambassador. I am given access to the gym and their services so that I can provide an honest review of the same. The aches, pain, lost weight and opinions expressed herein are all mine.

10 Nutrition Tips That Have Worked For Me

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Scale

Every Thursday at the Lucille Roberts Gym I meet with a nutritionist and weigh in.  I have to admit it’s the most stressful and rewarding day of my week.

At the beginning of the session, the nutritionist obtains my stats using the Ironman Glass InnerScan Body Composition Monitor. It tells us my weight, body fat , body water and muscle mass weight. It also tells me my metabolic age (how old my body believes it is). My metabolic age is 50. I’m hoping to lower this as much as possible by the time March rolls around.

Having a nutritionist work with me has helped me considerably. Every week, she’s given me some ideas that I have been able to incorporate into my lifestyle. She’s also made sure to go at my pace. My body and lifestyle are unique – as are yours; as a result, the nutritionist can’t hand me a one size fits all nutrition plan. It won’t work. Taking into account my lifestyle (stressful), my job (sedentary) and my current fitness level (sedentary), she was able to give me tips on how to jack up my metabolic rate.

Below I’ve noted a few of her suggestions. Keep in mind these were her suggestions to me and may not work for everyone.  

 

  1. Eat a hearty breakfast. It curbs cravings throughout the day.
  2. Drink at least 8 glasses of water a day.
  3. Drink green tea instead of coffee.
  4. Sleep at least 7 hours a day.
  5. 5 egg whites or 1 whole egg. Your choice.
  6. Load up on fiber. It fills you up without bulking you up.
  7. Eat Greek yogurt vs. regular or lowfat yogurt.
  8. No mayo. It adds unnecessary calories.
  9. Do not eat after 8 pm.
  10. Measure. Don’t guess.

Have questions about something found within this post? Read my Disclosure Policy.

 

 

Have you used any of the above suggestions to lose weight? Or, do you have any suggestions that would help us in our weight loss journey? Share them with us in a comment!  

 

Disclosure: I am a Lucille Roberts Ambassador. I am given access to the gym and their services so that I can provide an honest review of the same.

New Year, New Me, 35 Pounds Lighter

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Thanks to my wonderful friend Carolyn,  I am now a Lucille Roberts Ambassador. I’m beyond excited! I know that this will help me meet my resolution.

My workout sessions started today. In fairytale Ms. Latina land, the boys would wake up and get dressed on time, the dogs would behave and I would be able to get my pre-workout during the 20 block walk to the gym so that I can start my 7:30am training session on time. Of course in reality,  Ms. Latina land is very different and I have to fight for my “Me” time.

Is it worth it?

Of course!

Why?

Because I am worth it!

I was invigorated just walking into Lucille Roberts. Seeing the gleaming workout machines, hearing the warm good morning as I passed the check in area and feeling the trainer’s energy invigorated me. I was hyped and raring to go.

Of course, this was before I started my session. My trainer, Diana, went at a pace I could follow but I must admit my legs were like tembleque/pudding and my muscles, or non-muscles in my case, were screaming BASTA/STOP. And this was only after 10minutes, I still had 20 more to go!

Thankfully, I am more determined to lose these 35 pounds than my body is to workout and was able to complete the session. I just hope the next time I’m not so rushed that I don’t wear my pants backward! Yes, Ms. Latina fantasy land…

Let’s Talk! Are you starting a workout regimen this year? How do you incorporate it into your busy life? Share your tips in a comment.

 

Cardio Area

Disclosure: I am a sponsored Lucille Roberts Ambassador; however, all the pain, aches and lost weight is all mine!

Sabroso Saturday: Chewy Peanut Butter Blossoms #SabrosoSaturday

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It’s Sabroso Saturday (Translation: Tasty Saturday)! The day when we share recipes that have helped us stretch our budget, our imagination and our taste buds, without sacrificing our health.

This is a Guest Post by Rachel White of The Digital Latina.

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Put up the decorations, trim the tree, make the coquito and lets bake some cookies!

The holidays just aren’t the same without festive cookies to munch on. Cookies are loved by everyone and they should be shared amongst those closest to you. Baking has always been a part of the celebraciones en mi casa (celebrations at my home). The kids love to get involved in the process as well. They feel so accomplished to see and taste their finished products. A kitchen filled with cookies in the oven is certainly one with lots of love – it’s one of our family traditions.

This Chewy Peanut Butter Blossoms recipe from Hersey’s Latino is super easy to prepare and calls for only 6 ingredients, 5 of which you most likely already have in your pantry. Chewy peanut butter blossoms are beautiful and taste so good. It’s hard to eat just one. They glisten on the outside and are chewy on the inside. Topped with a hershey’s kiss, this cookie will be a sure hit!

Chewy Peanut Butter Blossoms

Ingredients

  • About 48 HERSHEY’S KISSES Brand Milk Chocolates
  • 1 can (14 oz.) sweetened condensed milk (not evaporated milk)
  • 3/4 cup REESE’S Creamy Peanut Butter
  • 2 cups all-purpose biscuit baking mix
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • About 1/4 cup sugar

Directions

1. Heat oven to 375°F. Remove wrappers from chocolates.
2. Beat sweetened condensed milk and peanut butter in large bowl until smooth. Add baking mix and vanilla; blend well. Shape into 1-inch balls; roll in sugar. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets.
3. Bake 6 to 8 minutes or until very lightly browned (do not overbake). Remove from oven; immediately press chocolate piece in center of each ball. Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely. Store in tightly covered container. About 48 cookies.

Variation: CHEWY CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER BLOSSOMS: Add 1/4 cup HERSHEY’S SPECIAL DARK Cocoa to baking mix; proceed as above.

So turn on your favorite holiday tune, tighten up your apron and get ready to make this simple recipe a new tasty tradition in your home. Happy Holidays!

For more Hershey’s recipes visit http://www.hersheys.com/latino/kitchens/.

-Rachel


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Do you have a Sabroso Saturday recipe you would like to share?

If you’re a blogger, add a DIRECT link to your recipe below. If you do not blog but have a Latinalicious recipe that you would like to share, shoot me an e-mail at MsLatina@latinaonamission.comwith “Sabroso Saturday Recipe” in the Subject line. If I’m able to make it at home and my family enjoys it, I will feature it!

Enjoy & have a Sabroso Saturday!
 


Let’s talk! What’s your favorite Holiday Cookie?

Let us know in a comment!

 

Let’s Turn the White House RED!

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Have you heard the news?

The White House may turn red!

Why?

Because it will raise awareness for heart health! How cool is that?!

If you have never heard of Go Red for Women and/or Go Red Por Tu Corazón, it’s a non-profit organization that aims to raise awareness for heart health in women. As a Latina, I’m also more apt to have heart issues. Studies have proven that Latinas are likely to develop heart disease 10 years earlier than non-Hispanic white women. Scary, isn’t it? I know it freaked me out!

In fact, it’s one of the reasons I became a Go Red Spokesperson and why I would love to turn the WhiteHouse red, but I can’t do it alone. We need 25,000 signatures by January 4, 2012 for the White House to consider our petition to illuminate the building in red to honor National Wear Red Day® and American Heart Month.

Won’t you join me?

I really, really hope you will!

Click here to sign the petition and turn the White House RED.

Click here to learn more about Go Red For Women in English.

Click here to learn more about Go Red Por Tu Corazón in Spanish.