Say NO to GMO Candy!

With Halloween just around the corner, it’s almost impossible to stay away from treats. Everything is okay in moderation, right? If you’re going to have a little candy, or let yourself indulge, it’s a good idea to stick to the healthiest option available. Yes, there really is a “healthy” version of most of your favorite candies! Check out this amazing chart created by Vani Hari from FoodBabe (www.FOODBABE.COM).

Here she lists out GMO Candy vs. Non-GMO Candy and it’s an amazing guide to keep your sweet tooth as healthy as it can be!

You don’t have to consume Genetically Modified Candy! There are several (delicious) GMO free substitutes available at local health food stores, online, or even Target!

Thanks Food Babe for making boycotting brands that use GMOs easy!

Have a Healthy and Happy Halloween!

Are you a member of the Clean Plate Club? Time to turn in your membership card!

Before you begin your weekend festivities and join family or friends for meals, we want to share some Clean Plate Club news with you—it’s time to turn in your membership card and get out of the CPC for good! Or, even better, learn to serve up healthy portions and be mindful of how hungry you really are.

Did you know that the average adult woman eats 92% of what’s on her plate? 

That’s regardless of how much is on that plate, too! A review published by the International Journal of Obesity shares that shocking percentage and they found that it’s not just women who are doing the over-plating and over-eating. (Men finish about 90% of the food on their plate.) With portion sizes at most restaurants almost double the daily recommendations, it’s important to know how much is on your plate and what’s going in your body.

It’s vital for your long-term health to consume healthy portions, and there’s no better time to keep your plate in check than the pre-holiday season. Make sure you’re filling up on the good stuff, and balance your meals with vegetables, proteins, and healthy starches. 

Need a hand plating your plate? Use your own-- literally! You can use your hand as a portion guide to help serve yourself without overeating. Try serving yourself only as much as you want to eat so you won’t stress if you lick your plate clean. 

Use hand sizes to help:

Your Palm = approximately a 3 oz. serving of meat

Your First = about the size of a cup of pasta (or other starch)

Your Thumb = roughly half the size of a serving of salad dressing

 

Start making healthy choices now so you’re not upset when the holiday festivities begin.

If you have a success story, or any tips to ditch the Clean Plate Club, please share with us here on the blog, or on Instagram and Facebook by hashtagging #healthyportions and tagging @PilatesPlatinum.

Kitchen Inspiration Found at TheTrueSpoon.com

 Today we want to share with you a blog we recently stumbled upon and just can’t get enough of: The True Spoon

Written by a “nutrient food lover” and registered nurse in Los Angeles, The True Spoon is a true beauty, just like it’s founder Celeste Wilson.

Celeste Wilson, RN, BSN

The blog is dedicated to Celeste’s original, vibrant, and 100% plant-based recipes that’ll keep you in the kitchen cooking (and eating) all fall long.

The goal of The True Spoon is simple—to inspire you to make fun food with trusted ingredients. We like what we’ve seen so far on The True Spoon, and we like the site’s catchphrase  “PLANT STRONG”! (For our vegetarians out there, you’ll love that all of her recipes are completely free from animal products!)

We couldn’t wait to share the first recipe we tried from The True Spoon with you, so read on below for a yummy recipe, and some mid-week kitchen inspiration. We see a new favorite dinner recipes in our future…

Rubbed Kale Harvest Salad

As The True Spoon writes, “bring on the squash, pumpkins, sweet potatoes pomegranates, and apples baby.” Fall produce is in full effect! This lovely recipe utilizes some of the best fall veggies out there to make up a sweet and savory rubbed kale dish.

Rubbed Kale Harvest Salad

from www.TheTrueSpoon.com

Ingredients:

2 large white onions

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

Coconut oil spray

1 acorn squash

2 bunches kale

1/2 cup cinnamon sugar-coated pumpkin seeds (seasonal trader joes)

1 bar dark chocolate (mast brothers cocoa nibs)

1 lemon

1/4 cup vinegar

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon pepper

Pinch of smoked paprika

Recipe:

Slice onions 1/2 inch thick

Put a large skillet on low heat and add olive oil

Place onions into the skillet, reduce heat to lowest setting and cover

Stir onions occasionally and let them caramelize for a million years (2 hours) 

Preheat oven to 200

Cut acorn squash in half and scoop out seeds

Slice squash (skin included) into super thin slices

Place squash slices on to a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper and sprayed with coconut oil spray

Arrange squash slices on to parchment and spray the tops with coconut oil

Place cookie sheet into the oven and cook for 10 minutes then flip the slices and cook for another 10 minutes

Turn oven to broil and cook for another 2 minutes until crispy

Remove slices from oven and set aside to cool

De vein kale, rip into bite sized pieces, add kale to large bowl

Place caramelize onions, vinegar, lemon, salt, and pepper into food processor

Pulse until onion is finely chopped and contents are well combined

Pour caramelize onion vinaigrette onto kale, massage kale until it’s fully coated with dressing

Add pumpkin seeds to bowl

Plate salad

Grate chocolate over salad

Garnish with smoked paprika

Enjoy!

Please contact The True Spoon with any comments, questions, concerns or exciting ideas about plant-based food, and tell her that Pilates Platinum sent you!  Celeste is available for freelance recipe development, food writing, styling and photography.

Reach The True Spoon at: celeste@thetruespoon.com.

Gym Hair Dilemma?

Cute leggings: check.

Cute crop top: check.

Cute ToeSox: check.

Cute water bottle: check.

But, what about cute hair?! What’s the trick to keep your mane in check during a pilates sweat session? We all know how easy it is to leave the studio dripping in sweat, hair matted to your head—throw on a hat and hide under your sunnies.

Well, hide no more! Here are some gym hair ideas to keep you looking fresh before, during, and most importantly, AFTER your workout.

The Top Knot:

Simple, Sleek, Neat, and most importantly, keeps long hair out of your face and off your shoulder. Pull all of your hair up (like you’re going to pull it into a high pony), and tightly wrap it around itself until you’ve created a high bun. Secure with a large (thick) hair tie so that your hair doesn’t move around the top of your head. That’s it! Keep flyaway hairs down with a few drops of hair oil, and if you need to, secure any stray hair with bobby pins.

Check out Alessandra Ambrosio and JLo perfecting the look: 

The Low Side Pony or Braid:

Another favorite for long hair that doesn’t scream, “I just worked out” and transitions perfectly from workout to the office (and even to happy hour). Part your hair down the middle, or slightly to one side. Pull all of your hair low to one side, and braid it all the way to the end. Be sure to secure the braid tight enough that it won’t fall out, but loose enough that it has a sexy, effortless look as it hits your shoulders.

Check out Vanessa Hudgens perfecting the look:

Pigtail Braids/High Buns:

For a look that’s a little more funk and lot more playful, try two high pigtail buns, or two low pigtail braids. Make a simple center part so that your hair is in two large sections. Pull each of the sections of your hair into either two high buns, or low into braids. Secure with a hair-tie and you’re ready to go! It’s a quick, easy up-do that’ll keep your sweat to a minimum and your hair looking put together long after you change out of your Luon.

Check out Kirsten Dunst and Busy Philips perfecting the doubles: 

Other looks we love and can’t wait to try:

The Headwrap, as seen on Jaime Alexander on her way to a boxing class.

This look works great for short-haired ladies who are pumped on pilates. Hairpins and headbands do wonders in keeping strands off your face. Get more inspiration from Jessica Alba, Emma Watson and Kaley Cuoco, below. 

There seems to be an alternative hair style for whatever workout you’re into, or mood you’re in.

Try switching up your look with these easy hair styles that’ll transition your look post sweat.

Who knew it would be so easy to ditch the classic pony 24/7!