Goodbye Hair Dye, Hello Wheatgrass!

We’ve shared countless benefits of juicing and how important it is to keep a surplus of greens in your diet. It’s not a secret that one of the best things you can do for your body is fuel it properly. Today we want to single out one very special green that has tremendous benefits and nourishes your body in more ways than one: Wheatgrass.

Why is Wheatgrass so special?

-High in CHOLOROPHYLL (nature’s most health-promoting nutrient), which helps to purify the liver and other organs

-Contains 20 AMINO ACIDS

-FIGHTS AGAINST INFECTIONS and improves the body’s ability to heal

-High MAGNESIUM content in chlorophyll BUILDS ENXYMES that restore the SEX HORMONES

-Provides several hundred different ENZYMES NOT FOUND IN OTHER FOODS

-Keeps bowels working properly

-Aids in PREVENTION and FIGHTS AGAINST CANCER and other diseases

Overall, Wheatgrass is a complete food rich in essential vitamins, minerals, complete proteins, fiber, enzymes, fatty acids, phytonutrients, and more!

What might just be the best-kept secret about Wheatgrass is that it has proven to have an incredible ability to restore the natural pigment of hair once hair has started to go gray.

Say goodbye to hair dye, hello to Wheatgrass!

Due to the elevated amount of chlorophyll, which oxygenates the blood and rejuvenates the entire human system, Wheatgrass can actually preserve the natural color of hair.

To get your grays away:

-Drink 1 -2 fluid oz. fresh-squeezed Wheatgrass juice a day

or

-Drink 1 Tablespoon of Wheatgrass powder, 1-3 times a day

or

-Take 7-10 Wheatgrass tablets (500mg) a day

Wheatgrass has seemingly an endless list of benefits! Whether your goal is to be rid of grays or to simply to rejuvenate your body, we hope you give Wheatgrass a chance.

Sweet vs. Savory? Our pick is from Emilie's Pure & Simple Kitchen

Every once in a while we come across a new snack food that’s equally healthy and delicious. 

Whether we’re strolling the aisles at the local Whole Foods, or catching wind of a new product by word of mouth, it’s always exciting to add something nutritious to our cabinets.

Today we're off the sweets and craving something savory. 

We’d like to share a product with you that’ll satisfy a savory craving without any guilt: 

The Savory Cracker, from Emilie’s Pure & Simple Kitchen! 

These crackers are available in 3 delicious flavors and are naturally GLUTEN-FREE, GRAIN-FREE, and LOW-CARB! Our favorite flavor is Savory, but the Original and Dipping flavors are just as impressive. They’re the perfect substitute for the many over-processed, sugar-loaded crackers at the market, and are an easy snack to pack on-the-go, or bring as a hostess gift.

 

Emilie’s Pure and Simple Kitchen is known for 

“pure food made from simple ingredients.”

It really is that simple. 

And tasty!

Head on over to Facebook: (facebook.com/PureSimpleKitchen)

or give the company a call (203-842-8682) 

or email them at puresimplekitchen@gmail.com 

Treat yourself to a something that’ll make your insides happy!

Pilates Platinum's Top Protein Bar Picks

These days, most of us are on the go-- from Pilates Platinum straight to work, or from work straight to class…not to mention daily errands like the market or the bank, and taking care of our families and children. It takes some extra time and extra effort to plan ahead and eat healthy while on the run. Or, it takes little time and little effort with the help of an ultra convenient and healthy secret weapon: a protein bar.

There’s no debating that protein is an essential part of a healthy diet, especially if you’re putting in hours at the gym or Pilates. Protein helps your muscles recover after a workout and keeps you feeling full. Protein bars are a great way to incorporate more protein in your diet when you may not have the time to cook a full meal.

The question is, what protein bars are best?

There are more than 30 popular brands out there, but don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. We recently met with our healthy (and informed!) Pilates Platinum Instructors from all four studios, and had them weigh in on their favorite protein-packed bars and snacks.

Read below to see what types of bars your favorite trainers love. And if you’re not a fan of getting your protein from a bar, our trainers also included their favorite non-bar, protein-filled snacks that keep them going strong all day long.

Top picks from the Pilates Platinum Team:

(The most popular brands lead the list, followed by the runner-ups.)

1. Think Thin
http://thinkproducts.com/products/ 

Favorite flavors: Chunky Peanut Butter, Creamy Peanut Butter

Why they’re so great: A great tasting bar with 0g sugar and 20g-30g protein. A perfect mid-day snack, something to refuel with in between teaching classes all day, or a post-workout treat. Also easy to carry in a purse or gym bag.

2. Quest Bars 
http://www.questproteinbar.com

Favorite flavors: Chocolate Brownie, Chocolate Peanut Butter

Why they’re so great: The only Gluten Free bar with so many flavors to choose from, low in carbohydrates, and very low in sugar.

3. Perfect Food Bars
http://www.perfectfoodsbar.com/collections/perfect-foods-bars

Favorite flavors: Almond Butter

Why they’re so great: So filling that you can eat half of one 30 minutes before working out, and the other half post-workout. Bars are packed with 20+ organic superfoods with no preservatives or refined sugar. Tip: These bars are hard to find- look for them in the refrigerated section at Whole Foods.

4. Vega All-In-One Meal Bars
http://myvega.com/product/vega-one-bar/

Favorite flavors: Chocolate Cherry Almond

Why they’re so great: Plant-based, whole food, non-GMO ingredients, delicious flavors, and only 12g protein for those who don’t want a full 20g.

Other favorite bars include:

METRx Protein Plus in Mud Pie Fusion

(http://www.metrx.com/protein-bars/protein-plus-mud-pie-fusion-85-g)

gnu foods FIBER LOVE bars in Cinnamon Raison

(www.fiberlovebar.com)

DNA Life Bars 

(http://www.dnabars.com)

Larabars 

(www.larabar.com)

Kind Bars 

(www.kindsnacks.com)

Luna Bars 

(www.lunabar.com)

Cliff Bars in Chocolate Chip

(http://www.clifbar.com/food/products_clif_bar)

Pilates Platinum’s favorite NON-BAR protein snacks:

1. “The OG energy bar”

Sprouted Wheat Toast, like Trader Joe’s California Style Protein Bread slathered with Justin's Chocolate Hazelnut Butter. http://www.livestrong.com/thedailyplate/nutrition-calories/food/trader-joes/complete-protein-bread-california-style/, http://justins.com/item/chocolate-hazelnut-butter/

2. Garden of Life Raw Fit Protein

It doesn’t come in bar form, but it’s raw, organic, non-GMO, Vegan, dairy free, gluten free, soy free. It’s a great protein powder for those who prefer to drink their protein. http://www.gardenoflife.com/Products-for-Life/Weight-Management/RAW-Fit.aspx

3. Fruit & Nuts

Cashews, Almonds…any type of nut! Fresh fruit (apples, grapes, cherries) anything you can throw in a bag and snack on later.

4. Chia Pods

Chia Pods are a relatively new fitness craze that you can make overnight in your fridge. You can now also pick some up at Whole Foods. Try the brand, CHIA POD for an energy-boosting breakfast that’s dairy and gluten free. http://www.thechiaco.com.au/products/chia-pod

5. Protein from the Kitchen

Straight protein such as salmon, eggs, some chicken, sushi, and of course veggies.

So there you have it- the best of the best from your favorite Pilates instructors! If you have any favorites to add, list them in the comments section below. We'd love to hear your take on some of the above brands, and add any of your favorite protein snacks to our list!

Eat Farm-to-Table for You and Your Community

Did you ever think that what you eat could not only benefit you but also those around you? Imagine being able to do good by your community just by eating certain foods. These are the realities of eating farm-to-table. Now before your mind fills with visions of ploughing fields and turning in your stilettos and briefcase for garden gloves and a hoe; you don’t need to grow your own food to eat farm-to-table. I’m talking about eating locally grown food.

What’s In It for You?

Eating farm-to-table offers up loads of benefits for those who make the effort to do it. When you opt to eat locally grown food that comes to your table without all kinds of stops along the way, you get the freshest food possible. What this does is give you food that not only tastes better, but is more nutritious too. According to the Harvard School of Public Health, even foods that follow the highest standards when it comes to post-harvest handling still lose some of their nutritional value when they travel to locations farther away.  The longer time they spend in transit, the lower the nutritional value when it finally gets to you. Shopping locally often means that you’re able to buy the food within 24 hours after it’s harvested so you get to enjoy maximum freshness, nutrition, and flavor.

We all know that when something tastes good, we’re a lot more likely to eat it and this goes for adults and children. Fruits and vegetables that are fresh tend to taste as luscious and rich as they look which makes them a whole lot more appealing. And when it comes to fresh fruits and veggies; the health benefits are endless:

·       They’re low in fat and calories making them great for filling up to keep your weight in check

·       They contain antioxidants that have been linked to a lower risk of cancer

·       Diets rich in fruits and vegetables lower blood pressure and the risk of heart disease and stroke

·       Fruits and veggies are a high source of fiber so you can enjoy better gastrointestinal health

·       Orange fruits and veggies can reduce vision problems thanks to beta carotene and lutein

·       Leafy greens are excellent sources of calcium that strengthen bones and protect against osteoarthritis

Choosing to eat locally grown organic foods also give you the added benefits that come from eating foods that haven’t been treated with chemicals and pesticides, which have been linked to all kinds of conditions, some of which include cancer, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s disease. And, the shorter the distance they travel, the less contaminants they risk coming into contact with for food that’s safer all around.

What’s In It for Your Community?

What you eat isn’t just about you. When you choose to eat farm-to-table you’re benefiting your community and even the world. Here’s how:

·       You benefit the local economy and support local farmers

·       You encourage sustainable agriculture

·       You help send the message to governments that locally grown, organic foods that are free of contaminants are people want

·       You help maintain more green space and farmland in your community

·       Your food doesn’t have to travel as far to get to your plate meaning a smaller carbon footprint thanks to less greenhouse gas emissions

Eating farm-to-table isn’t always more expensive, but when you consider all of the benefits for you and those around you, it certainly does justify the extra few cents you might have to spend sometimes. Eating locally gets you a whole lot more bang for your buck at the end of the day.

You can learn more about nutrition and healthy eating by clicking here.

Adrienne is a freelance writer and author who has written extensively on all things health and fitness for more than a decade. When she's not holed-up in her writing shed researching an article or off interviewing health professionals, she can be found frolicking around her beach town with husband and dogs in tow or splashing about the lake trying to master the stand-up paddle board.

References

·       Healthy & Sustainable Food: Local and Urban Agriculture. Harvard School of Public Health. Retrieved on March 19, 2014, from http://chge.med.harvard.edu/topic/local-and-urban-agriculture

·       Vegetables and Fruits: Get Plenty Every Day. Harvard School of Public Health. Retrieved on March 19, 2014, from http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/vegetables-full-story/

·       Klavinski, Rita. (April 2013). 7 benefits of eating local foods. Michigan State University. Retrieved on March 19, 2014, from http://msue.anr.msu.edu/news/7_benefits_of_eating_local_foods

·       Food and Your Bones. National Osteoporosis Foundation. Retrieved on March 19, 2014, from http://nof.org/foods

Yummy Garden Ministrone Soup with Kale!

Today I was inspired by beautiful veggies I purchased at the Farmer's Market on Wednesday and I wanted to share one of my favorite ways to use my fresh veggies to make a dish I can eat all week long. :) This soup includes more than 2 servings of muscle-protecting, antioxidant-packed veggies! It's great to support your healthy lifestyle and refuel you after hard core Pilates workouts!

Originally found in Men's Journal, I've tweaked this soup to make it leaner and tastier, while keeping 16 grams of protein per serving!

Try out my version of this recipe below and let me know what you think!

Garden Minestrone Soup with Kale:

What you need:

- one 14 ½ oz. can of diced tomatoes with juice

- one 15 oz. can of garbanzo beans (rinsed, drained)

- 4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth

- 1 large carrot (chopped)

- 3 celery stalks, more if desired (chopped)

- half of a sweet onion (chopped)

- 3 garlic cloves, more or less, depending on your preference (crushed)

- 2 cups baby kale (or any type of kale!)

- salt and pepper to taste

- 1 handful fresh basil (to throw on top at the end)

What to do:

-Combine all of the ingredients (except for the kale, salt and pepper, and basil) in a large pot and bring to a boil.

-Reduce heat and simmer, covered for about 40 minutes.

-Add the kale and cook for about 10 more minutes.

-Season with salt, pepper, and fresh basil on top.

-Enjoy!!

(This soup keeps in the fridge easily, and is a quick and healthy lunch to bring to work for the whole week!)

Nutritional Info: 282 calories per serving, 5 grams of fat, 55 grams carbohydrates, 17 grams of dietary fiber, 16 grams protein