What You Will Find In This Issue...

• Diva's Ditties
  
  
• Feature Article: Weight Loss Dieting Success Tips
  
  
• Feature Recipes: Guilt Free Snacks for the Holidays

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December 11, 2008
Volume I, Issue 12.11

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This time of year is notoriously known as the time to put on a few pounds because of all the massive amounts of food offered to us at parties, from family and friends, presented as gifts, etc.

Don't fall into that trap this year. I've got some great weight loss dieting success tips for you this week. I mean wouldn't it be great to start the new year off feeling great and looking great with a goal just to look even better, rather trying to set a resolution to shed all the unwanted pounds that crept on over the holidays.

I'm also going to give you a few figure friendly recipes that taste great and you would be proud to take them to a party and share with friends.

Lori Winders, The Cooking Diva
Htime, Inc.
6350 Lake Oconee Parkway, Suite 102
Greensboro, Georgia 30642
678-318-1751, ext. 104
Info@TheCookingDiva.com

Do you wish to lose weight and keep it off? There are many things you can do to stack the deck in your favor when it comes to losing weight.  The first is to use my “Yeast Free Cooking” manual that is full of healthy, tasty recipes.

Another important tool when it comes to weight loss is keeping a food diary. Most of us have no idea just how much food we consume in a day. When you start to actually right down everything that passes by your tongue, it may amaze you. Not only is it important to write down everything you eat, but also what you were doing at the time you were eating and how you were feeling. Many of us overeat when we are emotional, bored, or nervous about something.

Use the power of your toothpaste to not only clean your teeth, but to avoid eating more food than you should. Think about it, how often do you say no to food just because you just brushed your teeth?  And, your teeth will probably love the extra attention.

If you feel the urge to have a second piece and you know you have already had a normal portion size, wait about 10 minutes and see if the urge to eat passes. While you are waiting for the 10 minutes to pass do some kind of activity away from food.  Odds are you will feel full and pass on seconds.

Water not only nourishes your muscles and organs it is vital to the function of your body systems and can help you to lose weight. Drink at least 8 - 8 oz. glasses of water each day. If you drink a full glass of water BEFORE you eat, you will naturally eat less food.

If you are trying to lose weight ask around and see if you can find a weight loss buddy. Doing anything that is difficult always becomes easier when you have someone to share the journey with that understands what you are going through and can experience the process with you. Support groups can also be beneficial for staying motivated and following a diet plan as well as for learning healthy ways to lose weight.

If you have a habit of eating when you are not hungry, try substituting another activity such as going for a walk, or playing with a child or best buddy, or even read a book.

And by all means don't use food as a reward for accomplishing other goals in life.  We are taught this very bad habit when we are young.  Remember getting a sucker at the doctor’s office, or the bank.  Many times we keep this habit going as we grow older.  If we have a bad day, we reward ourselves with a bowl of ice cream or brownie.  Next time you feel the urge to reward yourself with food, try something different like a relaxing bubble bath, or a nice cup of hot tea.

Another childhood rule to is the instruction to eat everything on your plate. If you are full, just say no to more food. Your body knows what it needs and will tell you when it has had enough food. Knowing portion sizes is also beneficial for achieving weight loss.

Do not eat food mindlessly, pay attention to what you are eating, how it looks and smells and tastes. This will force you to eat slower, enjoy your food more and eat less. Less food eaten equates to less calories consumed, which means a higher possibility for weight loss.

© 2008 Htime, Inc.

WANT TO SEE MORE ARTICLES LIKE THIS ONE?
See Lori's Blog @ www.TheCookingDiva.com

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Online entrepreneur, International best selling author, & speaker, Lori Winders, publishes the popular ezine, "To Your Health." If you're ready to start living a Healthy, Abundant Life full of great taste then get your FR*EE copy now at www.TheCookingDiva.com

Guilt Free Snacks for the Holidays

Here are two great snack recipes that you can make this holiday season to share with friends and family without feeling guilty.

Bodacious Black Bean Dip

Ingredients:
3/4 cup Black Bean Flour
1/2 Teaspoon Cumin
1/2 Teaspoon Chili Powder
1/2 Teaspoon Sea Salt
Dash of red pepper, optional
2 1/2 cups hot water or beef broth
1/2 cup Salsa or Picante Sauce

Directions:
Bring water or broth to a boil.

Mix Black Bean Flour with the cumin, chili powder and salt. Whisk into the boiling liquid. Stir 1 minute while
cooking over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover saucepan and cook an additional 4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add 1/2 cup of your favorite organic, vinegar-free salsa and allow mixture to cool.

Garnish with fresh cilantro. Serve with my Better Than Crackers from the "Yeast Free Cooking" manual or use fresh veggies.

The Diva's Remake of the Renaissance's Turkey Cranberry Points

When we were in St. Louis a few weeks ago, the Concierge's Lounge had the most delicious appetizer for us. This is my healthy remake of my favorite one.

Ingredients:
1 cup of fresh cranberries, rinsed
2-3 tablespoons raw honey or agave nectar
1/2 cup of water
2 tsp cornstarch dissolved in 1/4 cup of cold water
1 turkey tenderloin
poultry seasoning
salt and pepper
firm polenta cut into small triangles or rounds
2 cups extra virgin olive oil for frying

Directions:
In a small saucepan, combine the cranberries, water and honey or agave and cook on medium high heat until boiling. Continue to cook for 8 - 10 minutes. The cranberries should be bursting open and the juice getting thicker. Slowly add the cornstarch water a little at a time until you get a thick "chutney" type consistency. Set aside to cool.

Sprinkle the turkey tenderloin with poultry seasoning, salt and pepper. In a small fry pan, heat a small amount of extra virgin olive oil until hot. Lay the tenderloin in the pan and cook for about 5 minutes on medium high heat or until the turkey releases from the pan (which means when you try to move it - it doesn't stick to the bottom of the pan.) Flip the turkey and cook on the other side for another 8 minutes or until the turkey is cooked through. Set aside to cool at least 5 minutes. Cut or tear into bite sized pieces.

Heat the remaining olive oil in the fry pan. Fry the polenta until pieces are crispy and golden, then remove and drain on paper towels. Sprinkle with salt.

To assemble, take a piece of crisp polenta, top it with a small spoon of cranberries and then with a piece of turkey. Serve immediately.

**Fried polenta is fabulous served alongside dips or your favorite cracker topping, too.

Lori Winders is "The Cooking Diva," along with being an author, speaker, business woman, wife and mom. Her cookbooks, "The Yeast Free Cooking Manual" and "The Crock pot Yeast Free Cookbook" are International hits that have sold in over 14 countries around the world. She is soon to release a new cookbook, "Whole Grain Cooking," which explores the wonderful tastes of not only wheat, but amaranth, millet, quinoa and more.

She has also authored two marriage devotionals with her husband, Tim, which they use in their marriage workshops.

Lori knows what it is like to have food allergies and very limited choices. She has felt the frustration and the hunger! Because she was such a great cook, her husband encouraged her to help others by putting her delicious recipes into book form. And, people have loved it!

Even if you don't have food allergies, you can benefit from a healthy, toxin free diet. Lori's goal is to help you to live the Abundant Life that you were designed to live. So, here's To Your Health!

To learn more about Lori and her products visit her website, TheCookingDiva.com

This month, I am recommending Bob's Red Mill Products.

I have a grain mill in my home, so I am easily able to make fresh ground flours out of any grain, beans, coconut, rice, you name it. This has been a wonderful addition to my healthy cooking. But, since every kitchen doesn't have this luxury, I wanted to give you a tip on the next best thing. Let Bob's Red Mill do the work for you.

Bob's Red Mill Natural Foods produces more than 400 products, including a full line of certified gluten free products and an extensive line of certified organic products. With a wide variety of whole grain products, from flours and hot cereals to baking mixes and grains, Bob's Red Mill has "whole grain foods for every meal of the day."

For more information visit the Bob's Red Mill website.

**If you have a product that you would like for Lori to review and recommend or include in one of her upcoming cookbooks, email her at products@thecookingdiva.com

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