Congratulations to our Giveaway Winner
Kerry Arguijo
March is one of my most favorite months of the year because I get to celebrate two things: the birthdays of some very special people in my life, and one of my passions?nutrition! And since I am so passionate about nutrition, I?ve got some pretty cool stuff planned for this blog this month! It?s all a bit hush-hush, so you?ll have to check back often to see what?s going on, but I will tell you one thing: There will be a weekly giveaway! :-)? You in? Awesome! Let?s go!
Good nutrition is so important! When you fuel your body with nutrient-rich foods, you?ll feel great (both physically and mentally), accomplish more, and have an all-round healthier body. The reverse is also true?if junky, low nutritional value foods are your fuel of choice, you?ll feel lousy, get less done, and have health issues.
In order to be healthy, our bodies need the right combination of what I like to call the Fabulous Four: protein, carbs, healthy fats, and water. Here?s why they?re the foundation of good nutrition:
- Protein builds and maintains muscle, bone, skin, hair, and pretty much every other body part and tissue in your body. It?s so important for weight loss because muscle burns calories like an inferno, so the more muscle, the more calories burned! Protein also breaks down more slowly than carbs and fat, which burns even more calories and helps you feel fuller longer.
- Carbs are the preferred fuel source for your muscles and organs. They come in healthy versions (vegetables, fruits, grains, and legumes), and not-so-healthy versions (cakes, cookies, soda, doughnuts, candy, and many processed foods). Healthy carbs are also crucial for burning calories, and since they break down more slowly than the not-so-healthy kind, they keep your blood sugar and energy levels steady, and your calorie burning furnace hot so it burns more calories!
- Healthy fats (unsaturated fats) eaten in moderation help the development and function of your eyes and brain and help prevent heart disease, stroke, depression, and arthritis. They also help keep your energy levels steady and keep you from feeling hungry.
- Water is an important ingredient in regulating your bodily functions (digestion, circulation, temperature, and many others), as well as keeping muscle fatigue at bay and for healthy skin. And an adequate water intake is imperative for losing weight! We recommend drinking half your body weight in ounces of water (150 lbs = 75 ounces, for example) every single day.
And since I want to help you have the best National Nutrition Month ever, here are some ideas to help you get started with your own celebration:
- Adopt one new healthy habit each week.
- Be adventurous! Try a new fruit or veggie.
- Host a healthy luncheon or dinner party.
- Try out a new recipe each week. Here are some of our favorites: Garlic Parmesan Chicken, Protein Waffles, Gluten-Free Pasta Perfection, and Sweet Potato Brownies.
- Make a weekly meal plan.
- Try out our Carb Cycling program!
What are you going to do to celebrate National Nutrition Month? Leave your ideas in the comments below and you could win a signed copy of Chris? book, Choose More, Lose More for Life!
?This giveaway is now over. A winner was chosen randomly and announced on Friday, March 7, 2014.
Let the celebration begin! 🙂
306 Responses
I am struggling eating right. I had lost weight and felt great then went through financial struggles and ended up eating cheap unhealthy food and gained all the weight back. It’s been hard, because my husband is not easy to cook for. He doesn’t like much that’s healthy and so now that finances are improved he eats a lot of junk. It’s hard for me not to eat it. My goal is to not eat it this month and also to drink more water. I did cut out all soda so that has helped. Struggling but am determined to get back to were I want to be.
Love the diet, Choose to lose. Now need the up to date book. After 16 days on the plan I feel amazing. I feel healthier and cleaner from the inside out. Loving the results, so my plan for National Nutrition Month is to stay on the plan and feel better every day for the rest of my life 🙂
I will stay focused and commited to my goals and my new healthy way to live. I also registered myself to my first 5k in Montreal 🙂
Heidi you and Chris are so inspirational, thank you! This month I would like to become more familiar with the carb cycling life style!
Dear Heidi, not this month only, we celebrate every month (!) together with my lovely daughter who is sweet 16, we continue to try every receipe you post on your blog! Thanks to the internet we can all the way from the Netherlands! Our love to you and your Powellpack!
Together with my lovely daughter (who is sweet 16!) we try almost every new receipe we read on your blog! Thanks to the internet we can, all the way from the Netherlands! Our best wishes to you and the rest of the Powellpack!
I am in a support group on fb that is working out everyday in March. Everyone is very supportive and motivating!!! I’m learning how to cook more nutritious meals for me and my family. Meal prep are my words for the month….Let’s do this!!!
I’ve started your Carb Cycling program and I’m feeling so great! My sister’s wedding is coming up soon so I want to look good in my bridesmaid dress. I am so excited!
For national nutrition month I will continue practicing carb cycling, continue working out every day, eat avocados more often on my low carb days (because I need to start liking them!), the sweet potato brownies sound amazing so I will definitely be trying those!! And last but not least continue supporting my friend who is trying to start carb cycling like me! 🙂 I recommend it to almost everyone.
Recently I have started making little muffin sized quiches for breakfast for the week. Some eggs, spinach, mushrooms, tomatoes and cheese and then I am good to go. A healthy breakfast option that I can easy take on the go.