Sunday, November 13, 2011

30-minute Fat Blasting Holiday Workout

During this time of year, for most of us, getting our workout in is impossible. I've always believed 'Consistency is the key to success'. Well, for the holiday season that has changed to 'A little is better than nothing'. Below is great workout that takes 30-minutes to zip through.

Warm Up-5 minutes on a cardio piece equipment (ex. Treadmill, bike, elliptical)

10 minutes of interval training (that’s one-two minute's at a super high intensity like running 9mph, walking fast at a 15% grade or taking the resistance as far as you are uncomfortable on the bike or elliptical.  Then recover for one-two minute's. Repeat for 10-minutes)

15 Pushups (knees or toes)


30 Walking Lunges (holding weights over 20 pounds is recommended)


30 Scissors (in Lunge position, jump up and switch legs in mid-air and continue as fast and as deep as you can)




15-20 bent over Rows


30 Squats with weight


30 Jump Squats (no resistance is used. In a squat position jump straight up and land in a deep squat position. Repeat as fast as you can)


End with 10 minutes of Yoga or Flexibility Training to cool down and increase flexibilty to help decrease injury. :)

And there you have it…a quick 30-minute workout that burns a lot of calories.

Happy Healthy Holidays!

Note: for a detailed description of each exercise and hundreds more join www.thebellyfitclub.com

~Kristie

We have added so many delicious recipes and workout programs for the holidays that I know you will LOVE. <3  Check us out! http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Belly-Fit-Club/282572004308#!/pages/The-Belly-Fit-Club/282572004308?sk=app_106171216118819

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Healthy Alternatives on Halloween


On Halloween, if you’d like to help your children to fight childhood obesity and diabetes, you should find healthy alternatives to candy and sweets.

Have you recently read labels on any candy? Just a quick reminder that one tea spoon contains 4 grams of sugar.

Candies not only have a lot of sugar, fat and unhealthy chocolate but also contain artificial sweeteners, and colors with chemicals.

Halloween Alternatives to candy:

erasers, pencils


stickers
trading cards
money
raisins
nuts


pumpkin seeds
cashews
apples
whole grain crackers
carrot sticks

microwave popcorn



I am sure you can add more ideas to this list, so be creative to keep our children healthy and happy.

Love, tbfc


Saturday, September 24, 2011

Get Healthy with Fall Foods

Just because summer's over doesn't mean you need to avoid the produce section. This is a great time of year to up the nutritional value of your meals while enjoying some of the great foods that are in season.  Here are our favorites!

 Apples
 Of course you can eat apples raw. Many people like apple slices with a little peanut butter on them (we prefer Raw Almond Butter). Add diced apples to fruit salads and green salads. Sliced apples and cheese are a European favorite for dessert. You can also cook apples, and not just in desserts. Gravenstein, Pippin, and Granny Smith apples retain their texture the best during cooking. Try braising a chopped apple with red cabbage. To prevent apple slices from browning, simply put them into a bowl of cold water with a spoonful of lemon juice added. To use apple slices in future recipes, freeze them in plastic bags or containers. Whole apples retain a large percentage of their nutritional value for many months if they are stored in the refrigerator.
Try to eat at least three or four apples per week. Some of the healthiest people I know eat one or two apples every day. Now, after all we have learned, we plan to follow their example.

It is, in my view, the duty of an apple to be crisp and crunchable, but a pear should have such a texture as leads to silent consumption. ~Edward Bunyard
Pear Smoothie
2 ripe pears
The juice of 1 medium sized lime
3 kiwi fruits
Blend in Vita Mix until smooth.


 

Fresh Pumpkin Soup


    8 cups chopped fresh pumpkin (about 3 pounds)
    4 cups chicken broth
    3 small tart apples, peeled and chopped
    1 medium onion, chopped
    2 tablespoons lemon juice
    2 teaspoons minced fresh gingerroot
    2 garlic cloves, minced
    1/2 teaspoon salt
    In a 5-qt. slow cooker, combine the first eight ingredients. Cover and cook on low for ...read more @ www.thebellyfitclub.com

 

Vegan Curried Pumpkin Soup


    1 large yellow onion, chopped
    2 garlic cloves, minced
    1 teaspoon olive oil
    1 (15 oz) can Light Coconut Milk
    2 (15 oz) cans cannellini beans (or other white bean – like great northern or navy), drained and rinsed
    3 1/2 cups pumpkin puree or 2 (15 oz) cans
    4 cups low sodium vegetable broth
    1 Tablespoon curry powder
    1/2 Tablespoon sea salt
    1 1/2 teaspoons ground pepper
For Preparation go to www.thebellyfitclub.com

 
Lasagna
Typical: White pasta, tons of cheese, lots of fatty meat.
Twist: Two ways. If you must use pasta, try whole wheat or brown rice. If you don't need the pasta (which will save you hundreds of calories), use long strips of zucchini in its place. Start layering as usual, but try using raw cheeses like ricotta, mozzarella and goat. A little goes a long way. Then pack in veggies like spinach, squash, eggplant, peppers, etc. If using the zucchini strips, it will be harder to serve up, but well worth it.

 

Sweet Butternut Heaven

3 cups butternut squash
1-2 packets stevia
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
2 teaspoons organic butter
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In a mixing bowl, mix all of the ingredients well and then place them evenly distributed in a baking dish.  Bake uncovered for about 35 minutes or until they are soft and brown on the edges.
We love to eat this for breakfast when the weather is cooler. :)

  There’s always room for salad!
Have you had your salad today? Eating salad almost every day may be one of the most healthy eating habits you can adopt -- and one of the simplest.

 

Pumpkin Pie in a Bowl

1 Avocado

2 cups cooked pumpkin or fresh carrot juice warmed
2 tsp Pumpkin pie spice
2 squirts stevia
Mix in blender
Pour into bowl and you have a delicious fall soup.



 Pomegranate

Here are 3 fabulous reasons to eat a pomegranate today:

1. Low in calories, high in nutrition
Enjoy a medium-sized pomegranate for 105 nutrient-packed calories.

You’ll also get a hefty dose of blood pressure-lowering potassium, virtually no sodium, one gram of fiber and about 10% of your recommended daily vitamin C intake.
2. Improves heart health
One study found that drinking a little more than 8 ounces of pomegranate juice every day for three months improved blood flow to the heart in people with coronary heart disease.

Forty-five participants drank either the juice or a placebo beverage that looked and tasted like pomegranate juice. On average, blood flow to the heart improved 17% in the pomegranate group, but declined 18% in the placebo group in merely three months.

Other studies suggest that pomegranate juice might help prevent atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, and even clear clogged arteries.

With atherosclerosis, plaque builds up in the arteries and reduces blood flow, potentially causing heart attack, stroke, or numbness and pain in the arms and legs. 
 3. Cancer fighter
Could a glass a day keep prostate cancer away? Researchers at University of California-Los Angeles tested the theory that pomegranate juice could keep prostate cancer from returning.

Forty-six men who had been treated for prostate cancer drank 8 ounces of pomegranate juice daily. The scientists measured the men’s blood levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA), a marker of prostate health and prostate cancer. The faster these levels double, the sooner a man is likely to see his prostate cancer return. The men’s overall PSA doubling time was nearly four times slower after they began drinking the juice. Research is continuing.

The fruit also shows promise in shielding against other cancers.

Laboratory studies have shown that various components of the pomegranate suppress the growth of human breast cancer cells. Studies with mice suggest that pomegranates could reduce the spread of lung cancer.


It's difficult to think anything but pleasant thoughts while eating a homegrown tomato.

Raw Tomato Soup with Shredded Raw Goat Cheese

Bliss! <3
5 Roma or Holland tomatoes, dices
4 sun dried tomatoes, soaked in warm water until soft and dices
¼ cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
1 clove garlic, diced
2 tbs. fresh oregano, finely chopped
½ cup raw goat cheese (alta dena brand is my favorite)
Sea salt and fresh pepper to taste
 In a large bowl, mix together all of the ingredients except the goat cheese.  Distribute evenly into two soup bowls and top with the shredded goat cheese.  Serve slightly warmed.
To your health and to your LIFE! ~tbfc

Saturday, August 20, 2011

Great Taste with Benefits!

We love Red Beet juice....I had know idea it was THIS good!!! 

The Red Beet is unique for its high levels of anti-carcinogens and its very high carotenoid content. Red beets are high in carbohydrates and low in fat and it is an excellent source of folic acid. It is loaded with antioxidant that helps the body against heart disease, certain cancer especially colon cancer and even birth defects. Betacyanin is the pigment that gives beets their red color; this pigment is absorbed into the blood corpuscles and can increase the oxygen-carrying ability of the blood by up to 400 per cent. Don't throw away the green leafy tops as they can be cooked like spinach and are also rich in beta-carotene, folic acid, chlorophyll, potassium, vitamin C, and iron.

Health Benefits of Red Beets:
  • Beet root is a traditional treatment used for leukemia. Beet root contain an amino acid betaine which has an anti cancer properties. Red beet therapy, consisting of consumption of approximately two pounds of raw, mashed beets daily, has been favorably reported for cases of leukemia and tumors (includes cancer). Research also shows that beet juice can help inhibit the development of colon and stomach cancer.
  • It is believed that red beets when used eaten regularly may help against certain oxidative stress-related disorders.
  • The fiber in red beets help reduced serum cholesterol by 30 to 40%.
  • Beets can help in normalizing blood pressure.
  • Beets helps to keep the elasticity of arteries, when consumed regularly it can help prevent varicose veins.
  • The iron content of red beets, though not high but is of the finest quality that makes it a powerful cleanser and builder of blood. This is the reason why beets is very effective in treating many ailments caused by toxic environment and surrounding.
  • Beet root is recommended for pregnant women because it contain folic acid that can help lower the risk of spina bifida and other neural tube defects in newborn infants.
  • Beet juice helps stimulate the function of liver cells and protect the liver and bile ducts.
  • Beet juice is highly alkaline which makes it effective in the treatment of acidosis.
  • Drinking beets regularly can help relieve constipation.
  • Beet juice and carrot juice when combined is excellent in the healing gout, kidney and gall bladder problem.
  • Red beets can also help in the following problems; Headaches, toothaches, dysentery, lumbago, skin problems, menstrual problems, etc.

Below are some of our favorite juices.

So you're ready to clean house, To cut a trail through the kid's bedroom. Get ready for an aerobic house-cleaning workout.
The Hyper House Cleaner
2 yams
1 beet
1 slice Spanish onion
2 lemons
1 celery
slice of ginger


A sweet and zingy flavor. Choose raw cider vinegar with motherpresent. A great detoxifier
Race Runner
1 lemon
2 radish
1 beet
1 slice Spanish onion
2 sweet potato
1 celery
2 Tbs. cider vinegar


 
Rudolf Breuss's, anticancer mixture has helped thousands of suffering people. This juice blend, during fasting, exerts a death blow on cancer. This was attested by over 24,000 patients who wrote him describing relief from their diseases. His patients were given small amounts of this juice over 42 days. A tea composed of nettle, St. John's wart, marigold, artemisi and monarda was also given. By "starving out" the cancer, Rudolf Breuss reported a 96% success rate for the thousands of patients he treated over 30 years of practice. (Rudolf Breuss died in 1989 at 93 years of age.)
Its composition is: 55% beet root, 20% celery root, 20% carrot, 3% potato, 2% radish.
The Cancer Killer
1 beet
1 carrot
1 celery stick
1/2 potato
1 radish
 
 
This makes a fabulous drink which is best consumed on an empty stomach as it's very cleansing!
The Cleanser
1 small beetroot
1/2 Cucumber
1 cup pineapple chunks

Heres to drinking our BEETS and to our health! :)

~TBFC

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Our Kids Daily Menu

If you're a parent who wants your children to eat more healthful foods or lose weight, you can safely incorporate many of these foods in their lives.  One of the greatest gifts we can give to our children is to expose them to a large varity of fresh fruits, vegetables, raw nuts, nut butters, and other healthly foods at a very young age.  We firmly believe that a child who eats this way and learns the value of health will never develop a weight problem or eating disorder.  Here is an example of some of the foods our kids love.

Our Kids Menu

Breakfast Options:


■1 large bowl fresh fruit, fresh fruit juice, or fresh raw smoothie
■Green Lemonade or Freshly Juiced Carrot and Apple
■1 bowl low sugar organic cereal (Health Valley is a good brand) with Vanilla Almond Milk
■Sprouted English Muffin with Organic Butter
■Homemade French toast-This is one of my daughters favorite meals. Use sprouted Ezekiel bread and whole organic eggs and a little hemp or almond milk. Cook like you would French toast and drizzle organic grade b maple syrup on top. J
■Organic Free Range eggs. However they like them. We put organic RAW goat cheese on top.
■Allies Eggie Bagel: We named this one after my daughter…this is what she always called it, LOL. 2 Ezekiel English Muffins toasted, 1 egg mixed in microwave bowl and mixed with ¼ cup shredded raw cheese and microwave for 1 minute. Spread veganaise on bread and add egg and cheese. J Delicious!



Lunch Options:


■Raw Cheese and Ezekiel Bread Grill Cheese Sandwich
■Raw Almond Butter and Raw Honey on Sprouted Grain Bread
■Ezekiel Tortillas with Hummus, Spinach, and raw cheese. Heat, fold, and cut for cheese quesadillas.
■High Quality Organic Soup with Veggie Bootie
■Baked Chips (Guiltless Gourmet is my families favorite) with Avocado and Salsa



Snack Options:


■Fresh, raw fruits or veggies
■Dried UNSULPHERED fruits
■Raw Nuts
■Lara Bars
■Whole Grain Crackers with Raw Cheese
■Air-Popped Pop Corn with Organic Butter and Sea Salt
■Fresh Smoothies and Fresh Juices



Dinner Options:


■Whole Wheat Pasta with Seeds of Change Sauce
■Brown rice with Organic Butter and Steamed Veggies
■Grilled Fish or Rotisserie Chicken with Veggies
■Sweet Potato Fries
■Ezekiel Pizza (Spread Pizza Sauce on Ezekiel Pita Bread add favorite veggies and sprinkle with Raw Cheese. Cook in oven at 425 degrees until cheese is melted.
■Chicken Quesadillas: same as lunch cheese quesadilla except add chicken



Dessert Options:


■Hot Chocolate Almond Milk with a dark chocolate truffle
■Chocolate Pudding: 2 Avocados, 2 TBS RAW Choco Powder, 1 squirt stevia, 10 dates in mixer until smooth. J
■1 Scoop Rice Dream Icecream

Raw Chocolate Balls


Apple Carrot Celery Juice
Raw Date Balls
Wake Me Up Smoothie

Sweetpotato Hashbrowns




Almond Butter, Banana, Honey, on Toasted Ezekiel Bread


Raw Goat Cheese and Spinach on Ezekiel Bread Grilled


Carrot Juice



Raw Chocolate Icecream
Hummus, Chicken, and Raw Cheese on Ezekiel Tortilla Grilled

We will be bringing you so much more on www.thebellyfitclub.com coming soon. You're going to love the delicious recipes for you and your family. Being healthy never tasted so good!! :)

Friday, May 27, 2011

A Day in the Making of TBFC Website.

For a long time it had seemed to me that life was about to begin - real life. But there was always some obstacle in the way. Something to be got through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, a debt to be paid. Then life would begin. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life.  Preparing for this day would of seemed a burden in the past.  Now, it is my life, our life!  At 5:30 am we wake and set off to live our life yet again, enjoying each moment the day brings.
 This is Sardine Canyon.  A beautiful drive to Salt lake from Logan.  And were off....
PHOTO's TAKEN FOR SITE.  DONE!  Scratching this off the "to-do" list made this day a very good day. :)

20 poses, 340 pictures, and 3 hours later we finish earlier than expected. What to do with the rest of the day? LUNCH anyone? :) 


SAGES (located downtown) is must try for anyone who has an appreciation for beautiful, healthy, organic, high quality food.  <3

Ryan ordered the special, Chile Rojo.  Simply Devine!

My Lunch, Rawtas Raw Pesto Salad.  I devoured this! 

How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives. 

A nice relaxed atmosphere, good company, and good food keeps us at SAGES for 2 hours.:) 

Dessert! <3  The Dark Chocolate Truffle Combo.  Awe....if heaven has a taste, this is what it would taste like. 

Another great thing about driving out of Logan to Salt Lake (besides the food, shopping, sites, and energy) is the availability of stocking up on our favorite foods. Stopping at Good Earth on the way home is a must if we want the luxury of Raw Goat Cheese, Raw Nuts, and Synergy.

A treat in our house.


Ryan's Favorite!

And, Synergy for us both.  One for the Road, and two to save for later. :)

Time to head home....


Today was a good day.  As I think of where our life is going, where we want to go, and how we are going to get there.  A song from Bob Marley comes to mind....

"Life is one big road with lots of signs.  So, when you riding the ruts, don't complicate your mind.  Flee from hate, mischief and jealousy.  Don't bury your thoughts, put your vision to reality.  WAKE UP AND LIVE!

To life!

~Love, Ryan and Kristie Belliston


Friday, May 20, 2011

Yes, the Farmers Market.

Carrots!
We feel there is no better way to get your Veggies than by visiting the Farmers Market.  Here we are getting our Veggies in in St. Petersburgs famous saturday morning market.  What a spectacular way to see the food we all should eat more of.


Baskets full of fresh Egg Plant.  


 Now what a Radish Site.  Radishes are the most beautifying of all foods.  The Radishes rejuvenative properties are found in its high sulfur, silicon, and vitamin C content.  These minerals and vitamins work together to create glowing beautiful skin. 

Cucumbers have a reputation as the best kidney cleanser known.  They are a natural diuretic; thus, they prevent bloating due to water retention, and they help wash the kidneys and bladder of debris and stones. :)  One of the most beautifying and cleansing of all juices combines celery, apple, and cucumber together in the following ratio:
4-6 ribs celery
1 apple
1 cucumber


What Beauty. YES SHE IS!!!