My Go To Healthy (and Easy) Snacks

February 24, 2014 By 2 Comments

I love food.  When I was younger, I would go to bed thinking about what I was going to have for breakfast the next morning, and then when I woke up, I would bug Patty about what we were going to have for dinner that night.  I also love to cook!  There is a home video of me (when I was 5) making an english muffin pizza and talking to the camera like I was filming a cooking show. Obsessed much? I think so.

As I have gotten older, and especially with the career path I have chosen (acting), I have had to learn how to make easy and healthy meals and snacks for myself.  I can’t make Macaroni and Cheese and English Muffin Pizzas every night.

What I have learned is that you have to really be prepared and have these easy snacks in your fridge, so that it’s easier for you to make good choices! (Yeah, Yeah, easier said than done.  I know.  It just has to become a habit.)

Inspired by Emily’s Easy Tips to Stay Healthy… Here are my 5 favorite “go to” snacks that I make sure to keep on hand!

HealthySnacks4

First, this is going to sound crazy and not a “snack”, but it is a can of flavored sparkling water. What I’ve realized is that most of the times when I start to feel peckish, I really am just thirsty!  So before I grab food, I grab one of these and drink it straight from the can! There is something about popping open that can and throwing back that sparkling water that really hits the spot. I have tried all the flavors, but Lime is my favorite.  I sometimes have 2-3 a day!

HealthySnacks1

Simple.  Don’t have to explain.  When they are really good, it’s like eating candy.

HealthySnacks5

Easy.  120 calories.  0% fat.  Tastes like dessert.  I love the Cherry Pomegranate and Raspberry flavors.

HealthySnacks2

First, I don’t know what is going on with my thumb in this picture.  Does this thin apple make my thumb look fat?

Moving on.  I only kinda like apples.  They aren’t my fave.  BUT when I slice them up thinly, I love them!  I don’t know why but it really makes a difference.  And if I am really hungry, I have this with a little scoop of peanut butter (duh, who doesn’t love apples and PB)!

HealthySnacks3

Finally, this Sweet and Salty treat!  It’s Gluten Free!  110 calories per bag!  AND Guilt Free!  I love that it is already portioned out for you.  If they sold this in a big bag, I would eat the whole bag in one sitting.  These are good if you need a little bit more than healthy fruit or want to be a little more naughty ;)

And that’s it for now…  I will probably come up with some more ideas when I get bored with these!

  Until then, Happy Snacking!

Filed Under: Allison, Food, health 2 Comments

Red Carpet Worthy Arms

February 22, 2014 By Leave a Comment

When the stars at the gym start amping up their arm work outs… I know there is a red carpet event around the corner.  That’s right!  The Oscars are a week and a day away!!  In honor of the them, I bring you my favorite arm work out.  Tracy Anderson Standing Arms!

In this first video, Tracy really explains each move and goes through them slowly.  This is rare for her!  The last video in this post is more her style… but try this one out first!

This is my favorite!  This video is from her original Mat DVD that I used to do in my dorm room! It is killer. I dare you all to try it. Even the men!

“And you’re done with those!” The Ott girls (including Patty) know this one by heart… including what she says.

And this final video is more like what we do in class!  No explanations. Just going for it!  Try it for fun!

I hope you like them just as much as I do!  And Summer is just around the corner too…  You can use these videos to get ready for all those cute sleeveless dresses and tops that Milly & Grace will have this summer!  You can set a goal and say…I am going to do one of these videos (especially the middle one) every night before I go to bed.  I know you will start seeing results right away!

Filed Under: Allison, Fitness, health, Red Carpet Tagged With: , , Leave a Comment

Tricks for when you are Sick!

February 11, 2014 By 1 Comment

As it turns out, my last post Easy Tips to Stay Healthy was a hit!  So as a follow up, I thought I’d share with you what I do when I’m feeling  sick or run down.

Fire Ciderfirecider

Fire cider is the ultimate cold fighter.  Trust me.  You want to get in on it.  If you are starting to feel run down or feel a cold coming on, take a swig of this stuff every few  hours.  Fire cider is an herbal remedy that has been around for years – these guys just happened to bottle it.  The ingredients are as follows: apple cider vinegar, raw honey, orange, lemon, onions, ginger, garlic, horseradish, turmeric and habanero peppers.  It has antibacterial properties and it aids in fighting and preventing common colds, the flu, sinus infections, sore throat, indigestion, allergies and, as an added bonus, I’ve heard it helps cure a hangover.  To me, when I take a swig, it is equal parts soothing and let’s kick the heck out of this cold.  Be warned this stuff is super spicy!!  I recommend taking a shot vs. sipping.  Some people take a daily maintenance dose but I prefer to pull out the big guns when I feel the slightest hint that I’m getting sick.  I highly recommend.

Wellness Formula wellnessformula

 A defense formula that packed full of antioxidants, herbal extracts, vitamins and minerals that helps boost immunity.  This stuff works miracles if you take it right at the first sign of an imbalance.  Again, some people take this everyday but I prefer to save it for when I really need it.  I take it pretty regularly during times of high stress.  This past November & December, during the holidays and wrapping up my season at Milly & Grace, I really should have been sick and I wasn’t.  I think the combination of the Fire Cider and the Wellness Formula saved me.

Emergen-Cemergan-c

If you haven’t heard of this you must be living under a rock!  Mix this packet of powder in water, sip and know that you are getting like 16 times your daily recommended amount of vitamin C.  I personally like the raspberry flavor.

Brookside ChocolatesBrookside

Acia & goji berries are super foods.  They are known to prolong life and help support your immune system.  So why not cover them in the one thing that cures everything – chocolate?!  Dark chocolate is also full of antioxidants.  So basically, eating these are like eating fruit.  I’ve been through 3 bags this week.

Note: The Fire Cider, Wellness Formula and Emergen-C are from Annye’s Wholefoods on Nantucket.  Brookside chocolate is from Stop & Shop.  For those of you not on Nantucket, I’m sure you can find some of these items at your local health food store like Whole Foods.  Here’s to your good health!!

Filed Under: Emily, health Tagged With: , , , , , , , 1 Comment