Breaking with the Thanksgiving Tradition
giving your guests the knowhow on eating well
Thanksgiving is such an enriching holiday. It is a time for family, friends and guests to join together for a beautiful meal and give thanks for all that we have. In the spirit of giving we have an opportunity to share more than our table but, also our knowledge of good eating practices. This includes portion control, moderation and healthy choices specifically cutting out refined sugars and high glycemic carbohydrates.
It is hard to believe that when most Americans sit down for their Thanksgiving feast they will be consuming over 300 grams of sugars and up to 4000 calories. It's no wonder some people get depressed over the holiday, because you could put on 2lbs of pure fat in just one sitting. But, we have the power and the ability to change this holiday paradigm by making intelligent choices. Here are a few good tips to impact healthy change.
Meals are very visual. You can change that visual perception and reduce portions by simply using smaller plates. By using smaller plates portions look larger while actually being smaller. Smaller portion equals less calories and less calories mean less fat.
Hydrate! 75% of all hunger pangs can be attributed to being dehydrated. Make sure your guests water glasses are filled. To break things up add sliced cucumbers, a lemon squeeze or even a dash of stevia powder. Water can also have a thermogenic response which means it can elevate your metabolism a bit. You and your guests should drink up.
Put time on your side. Rather than serve all the dishes at once, break them up into a series of courses with at least 10 minutes between. After consuming food it can take up to 10 minutes for your brain to get the message. By waiting between dishes you and your guests will feel fuller by consuming less food and have more time for conversation.
Relish the tray. Start guests off with a relish tray of fresh vegetables such as red bell pepper, broccoli tops, carrots, radishes and more. Make a low sugar dip of sour cream, salt, pepper, garlic and onion power. You can even add a little cumin or curry to spice it up a bit. The more you and your guests snack on veggies the less likely you will be to have a second helping of pecan pie.
Above all enjoy this wonderful meal and the company of friends, family and other guests… maybe even some strangers in need.
Have a sensational week!
Thom King
President
thom.king@steviva.com
Steviva Brands, Inc.
YOUR MIND
Leadership Is Rooted In Action Not Position
Max Steingart
All successful people became successful, because they gave some talent or ability in the service of others. You can contribute in some way to others, no matter how small your talent. You too, can become successful.
No one achieves success without being of service. Successful people don't use others, other people use the successful, for above all success is of service.
Everyone has to be someone to someone to be anyone. Service is the essence of success.
Copyright 2010 www.yourdailymotivation.com
YOUR BODY
Yoga - YoGotta Try It!
Yoga offers many benefits including: improved flexibility, posture, balance, circulation and coordination; increased self awareness; reduced risk of injury for other activities and relaxation and stress reduction. With all this going for it... don't you think it's time you give yoga a try?
Yoga is an ancient philosophy or discipline that originated in India. Most people think of yoga as stretching, breathing or a meditation activity only to be enjoyed by people who eat granola and wear sandals. The truth is yoga has many benefits that can be enjoyed by everyone. The concepts of yoga can be difficult to translate and often refer to concepts rather than concrete definitions.
There are three main types of yoga but there are different ways to practice each type. Hatha yoga is the most popular in the U.S. These are the three types of Yoga:
- Japa refers to the yoga of the mind. It's practiced with meditation and chanting. This type of yoga is more of a spiritual or religious type of yoga and doesn't involve stretching and flexibility.
- Karma yoga deals with healing and emotions and is also practiced through meditation. The emphasis is the effect of a person's actions or conduct and the positive effects towards others. This is also a more spiritual or religious type of yoga.
- Hatha yoga is considered the physical yoga and is usually practiced by stretching and breathing but can also include some chanting. Most people are only familiar with 2 of the stages of hatha yoga but there are actually 8 different stages. The first 2 steps (yama and niyama) deal with ethics, morals and personal conduct. The 3rd step (asana) is the stretching and flexibility portion and the 4th step (pranayama) has to do with controlling breathing. The 3rd and 4th steps are most commonly known in the U.S. The next three steps help you control your senses (pratyahara), concentration (dharana) and meditation (dhyana). The last stage (samadhi) is sort of a combination of the previous stages and results in reaching a new spiritual level.
Although the different styles of Hatha yoga may use the same positions (known as postures or asanas), they can be practiced differently with the emphasis changing from breathing technique (known as pranayama), the alignment of your body or the movement from one asana to another. Below are just a few of the different styles of Hatha yoga named for their founders:
Iyengar yoga focuses on the how the asanas are done, paying close attention to the alignment of the body, strength and flexibility. The goal is to balance and strengthen the body and improve muscle imbalances and posture.
Ashtanga (or Astanga) yoga uses a fast paced series asanas (sort of like "circuit yoga") that are designed to improve strength and flexibility but also to warm up the muscles. This is less relaxing than Iyengar yoga but can be an excellent workout.
Bikram yoga, which is becoming more popular, is done in a warmer room and uses 26 different asanas. This type of yoga is also designed to stretch the muscles and connective tissue (ligaments and tendons).
Just learning the asanas and practicing can improve your flexibility, reduce stress and prevent injuries. Practicing asanas and pranayamas requires concentration and over time this will lead to an increased self-awareness. All of these things are helpful for athletes, people who exercise, a mother of 3, students, busy professionals... basically anyone.
This information and other information is intended for general reference purposes only and is not intended to address specific medical conditions. This information is not a substitute for professional medical advice or a medical exam. Prior to participating in any exercise program or activity, you should seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health professional. No information on this site should be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any medical condition.
YOUR SPIRIT
Living Potential
Sharing Your Gift with Others
The gifts we are born with and those that we work to develop throughout our lives vary in form and function. Some we find use for every day while others are only useful in specific circumstances. Yet many times we overlook opportunities to share our unique gifts with others. It may be fear of criticism that holds us back or the paralyzing weight of uncertainty. Ultimately, we doubt that our innate talents and practiced skills can truly add value to others’ lives. But it is the world as a whole that benefits when we willingly share our gifts. Whether you have been blessed with the ability to awaken beautiful emotions in others through art or industry, or your aptitudes transmit more practical advantages, your gifts are a part of who you are. As you make use of those gifts as best you can, be assured that your contribution to worldly well-being will not be overlooked.
Your personal power is defined in part by your gifts. To use your talents is to demonstrate to the world that you understand yourself and are truly attuned to your capabilities. Your earthly existence provides you with ample opportunity to explore your purpose, to utilize your skills in a life-affirming way, and to positively touch the lives of others while doing so. Yet you may feel that your gifts are not as valuable or worthy of attention as those of others and thus hide them away. However, every gift lying dormant in your soul has the potential to fill a void in someone else’s life. Just as your existence is made richer by the love, support, friendship, aid, and compassion of others, so, too, can you add richness to their lives. Your natural ability to soothe hurt, inspire compassion, bake, dance, knit, organize, or think outside the box can be a boon to someone in need.
As you embrace your gifts and allow their light to shine, you will discover that more and more opportunities to make use of them arise. This is because your gifts are a channel through which the universe operates. By simply doing what you are good at and also love to do, you make a positive difference. The recognition you receive for your efforts will pale in comparison to the satisfaction you feel when fulfilling your innate potential
YOUR RECIPE
Thanksgiving Turkey with Reduced Sugar Apricot Glaze
Serves: 25
Carbs Per Serving: 1 g
Prep Time:> 2-3 hours
Skill Level: Medium
Make a break from the traditional with this amazing reduced sugar, diabetic safe Turkey with Apricot Glaze. This glaze will give your Thanksgiving turkey a delicious, moist and slightly sweet flair making it a huge hit friends, family and guests.
Ingredients:
1 large to medium turkey
2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
6 Tablespoons butter, melted and divided
1 cup sugar free or reduced sugar apricot preserves
3 Tablespoon Fructevia, Steviva Brand Stevia Blend or a dash Steviva Brand Stevia Powder
3 Tablespoon finely minced onion
1 Tablespoon finely minced garlic
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions:
Position rack in lowest third of oven and preheat to 400° F.
Pat turkey dry with paper towels.
Mix the cayenne pepper and the salt together.
Rub one-third of the mixture inside the cavity of turkey.
Brush the top of the turkey with 2 Tbs. of melted butter.
Sprinkle the remaining salt/cayenne pepper mixture on top of the turkey.
Place turkey on rack set in large roasting pan.
If stuffing turkey now is the time to spoon stuffing into main cavity.
Tie legs together loosely to hold shape of turkey.
Roast turkey 30 minutes.
Reduce oven temperature to 325° F. Continue to roast turkey for 1 hour 30 minutes, basting occasionally with pan drippings.
While your turkey is cooking, combine the preserves, onion, garlic, Fructevia, Steviva Brand Stevia Blend or Steviva Brand Stevia Powder, nutmeg, cinnamon and remaining butter in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Cook until the preserves are melted, stirring occasionally.
Tent turkey with heavy-duty foil; roast 45 minutes longer.
Brush 1/2 cup glaze over turkey. Continue to roast turkey uncovered until meat thermometer inserted into thickest part of thigh registers 180° F. or until juices run clear when thickest part of thigh is pierced with skewer.
Continue to brush with glaze for about 40 minutes longer for unstuffed turkey and about 1 hour 10 minutes more for stuffed turkey.
Remove from oven and place turkey on platter still tented with foil. Let stand 20 minutes then enjoy.