Lemon and Lime Water

Water is such an important part of our every day lives; but did you know that adding Lemon or Limes to your water aids in weight loss? After doing some further research, adding lemons and limes not only helps you lose weight, it gives your body natual electrolytes. It is a great source of Vitamin C and antioxidents which helps maintain your body's energy while on a diet and working out. It also gives your skin a natural glow.

You can also add a few leaves of Mint or Cucumbers to your water to give it flavor. We all know drinking water every single day can be a little boring as it has no taste. Now you can enjoy a flavored beverage that gives you positive results.

When adding lemon, limes, mint leaves or cucumbers to your water, leave them inside the water for an hour for more flavor. PLEASE NOTE: Do not replace the lemon and lime cleanse instead of eating other foods as it could lead to muscle breakdown and nutrient deficiencies. Drink up!

-Markesha xoxo

My Fitness Pal

Hey everybody!

I've been using this app for a year and a half and I find it to be very helpful when keeping track of my calorie count. It's called My Fitness Pal. It's a free app that you can use to keep track of your daily calorie count and it has the largest food database. Whatever you eat, I bet My Fitness Pal can locate the brand then apply it to your daily count.

Your calorie count is determined by your weight and age. My Fitness Pal gave me 1200 calories to have per day. Whatever I eat, I add it to my diary and the calories I ate gets deducted from the total I was given. The app also tells you if you have went way over or under your calorie count and what could happen if that continues. When you work out, you can add it to your diary and that tells you how many calories you have burned and also gives you more calories to your total of the day. Thousands of people have joined My Fitness Pal so you can add friends to your page for encouragement and to read their fitness diaries. The app also keeps track of your weight and will compare your weight from the past few months to see if their has been some progress.

I have lost a lot of weight thanks to My Fitness Pal. If you need help trying to lose weight, I highly suggest that you get this app. It's for iPhone and Android users. Don't want to use the app? Don't worry, My Fitness Pal has a website www.myfitnesspal.com.

Share your experience with me. Let me know how you liked or disliked My Fitness Pal. I have spoken to a few people and so far, I have not heard any complaints :-)

-Markesha xoxo

30 Day Abs Challenge

As I was surfing through the Internet looking for some fitness ideas, I came across an article called the 30 Day Abs Challenge. As the weather gets warmer, the less clothes some of us tend to wear and a lot of us want to look good as we roll through Spring and eventually get to summer. Here is a challenge that I think we all should try to get fit. Please consult a doctor first before trying any of these moves. While you are doing the challenge, make sure you are eating clean and doing the following:

• Drink 2.5 Liters of water a day
• Give up ALL sodas, fast food and junk food (Yes, even diet soda)
• Eat clean by eating whole foods instead of processed foods
• Toss the refined sugar or try to avoid any added sugar or sweeteners for the next 30 days
• Eat Smaller Portions (I prefer to eat from saucer plates)

Here is a routine that I found from http://skinnyms.com/fabulous-abs-in-30-days-challenge/ . You can work on your abs any way you want to, but for those who do not know what to do, here are some ideas:

Perform 4 circuits of the following routine; rest 15 seconds between exercises; rest 15 seconds after each circuit is completed. If you don't know what any of these routines are, please visit YouTube or the link above for instructions.

Leg Lifts – 20 seconds
Rest – 15 seconds
Scissors Kicks – 20 seconds
Rest – 15 seconds
Plank – 20 seconds
Rest – 15 seconds
Flutter Kicks – 20 seconds
Rest – 15 seconds
Reverse Crunches – 20 seconds
Rest – 15 seconds
Mason Twist – 20 seconds
Rest – 15 seconds

If you have any questions in regards to this challenge, please feel free to leave your question or comment in the comment section below. I will be posting before and after pictures ;-). Good luck!!

-Markesha xoxo

Angel Hair Pasta with Zucchini and Tomatoes

Hello healthy eaters,

Here is another recipe that I found on skinnytaste.com that I will be trying sometime this week. This is the perfect spring/summer dish that you can try! It's called Angel Hair Pasta with Zucchini and Tomatoes. Feel free to leave a comment if you have tried this dish before. I would love to hear some feedback!

Ingredients:

2 Zucchini (Julienne or cut into ribbons)
4 cloves Garlic (Chopped)
2 Shallots (Diced)
3 Tomatoes (Diced)
4 tsp Olive Oil
Salt and Pepper
Crushed Red Pepper flakes to taste
8 oz Angel Hair Pasta (I prefer to use whole grain angel hair pasta)
2 tbsp chopped fresh Parsley
1/4 cup low sodium fat free Chicken or Vegetable Broth

Directions:

In a large pot of salted boiling water (I use Sea Salt), cook pasta according to instructions.

While pasta is cooking, in a large saute pan, heat pan on medium-high flame, add oil when pan is hot. Add garlic and shallots to the pan and saute about 1 minute. Add Zucchini and season with salt and pepper. Cook about 2 minutes, add tomatoes, crushed red pepper flakes, parsley, chicken broth and adjust salt and pepper. Stir for another minute. Remove from flame.

Drain pasta when done reserving some of the water and toss pasta well with Zucchini. Add pasta water if needed and serve with Parmesan (Optional).

Enjoy friends!

-Markesha xoxo

Karma Wellness Water

Hello Lovers,

So, I walked into the store this morning and I was going to purchase some Gatorade. I stumbled across a 18oz bottle of Karma Wellness Water. I bought the flavor "Passionfruit Green Tea." There are 5 different flavors to this water but I purchased the one that is for your Spirit. I was very stressed today.

When I finally got to work, I tried it and a few minutes later, I felt relaxed. Not sure if it was the water or not, but I like it!! It's only 20 calories per bottle. Love love love!!!!

Each bottle does different things. Here's the information for each bottle:

Passionfruit Green Tea: Spirit- Strengthens the body and helps it recover from stress.
Acai Pomberry: Balance- Enhances your immune system, brain function and mood.
Pineapple Coconut: Vitality- Natural source of caffeine that supports general health and wellbeing.
Raspberry Jackfruit: Body- Vital to muscle formation, energy storage and electrolyte and fluid.
Orange Mango: Mind- Amino acid that supports brain function, clarity and memory.

Here's how it works: First, you feel off the protective seal at the top, push to infuse the fresh vitamins, shake to inflate the health benefits then transform water into wellness. I LOVE the taste of the Passionfruit Green Tea and i'm going to try the other 4 flavors throught the week. It's Spring Water, Low Sodium, Gluten Free, Lactose Free and Vegan. What more could you ask for?? Not sure where you can buy this stuff but I purchased mine at a Holiday Stationstore. You can buy these Wellness Waters online by visiting their website: www.drinkkarma.com . Hope you enjoy!

-Markesha xoxo

Want a flat belly? Lose the carbs!

Hello Lovers,

So many of us want a flat stomach like Beyonce, Rihanna, Brittany Spears and other celebs. Here's a tip that is really obvious, yet we try to ignore.......IGNORE THE CARBS! I'm not saying to get rid of carbs forever, but at least for 30 to 90 days. Instead of eating a Burger with bread, try eating a Turkey Burger with Lettuce to substitute the bread. Add a little Swiss Cheese, a teaspoon of Avocado and a Tomato. You can also make Lettuce Wraps instead of using a Tortilla. Sure, there are whole wheat breads like Pita, Dinner Rolls, whole wheat Tortillas and Flat Breads but try to start by not having any at all. Also, a good exercise like crunches is another way to get those abs forming. Here is a list of carbs to avoid:

Regular Soft Drinks
Commercial Candy (Like Jellybeans & Gummies)
Pancake Syrup
Sweet Pickles, Sauces and Salad Dressings (Replace Salad Dressing with Cottage Cheese)
Flour, Cakes and Cookies
Pizza
Low Fat Crackers, Rice Cakes and Potato Chips
Dried Fruits like Apples, Prunes and Dates
Sugary Cereals
Fructose and Granulated Sugar
Potatoes (Hashbrowns and Fries)

My favorite food is Pizza.....sad!! But if I have to go without it for a while, that is a sacrifice I have to make in order to be healthy. Good Luck!!

-Markesha xoxo