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#ad: Gluten Free Cooking with Tyson Grilled Chicken Breast Fillets

Posted on March 3, 2014 by Krissyar

#CollectiveBias

You see in the news, on T.V, Facebook and all over Pinterest about gluten free living. Sometimes the press plays it off like a new fad diet, but gluten free living is a life saver for many people. A gluten–free diet is a diet that excludes the protein gluten. Gluten is found in grains such as wheat, barley, rye and triticale (a cross between wheat and rye). A gluten–free diet is used to treat celiac disease. Celiac disease is a condition that damages the lining of the small intestine and prevents it from absorbing parts of food that are important for staying healthy. I’ve had many readers reach out asking for more quick and easy gluten free recipes #CookitGF and with the help of Tyson we’ve came up with a great quick and easy gluten-free chicken taco!

When I see a healthy food frozen I get excited! That means less prep work for me, less time in the kitchen and more time doing other things I love. So finding out that Tyson has gluten-free grilled chicken breast fillets gets me excited. I found them at Sam’s Club, who is actually featuring the gluten-free chicken breast fillets in-store with a demo on March 6th and March 8th; you can find a list of participating stores here.

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What I love about the frozen chicken is all it needs to do is be heated and served. This recipe literally takes minutes and can be used in so many ways. Tacos are always a family favorite, so we like to get creative. I was able to find both hard and soft gluten-free taco shells (yay!) and taco seasoning (yay!). As I was researching I was amazed at how many things we eat on a daily basis includes gluten that you wouldn’t even think about.

I think one of the great things about going gluten-free is the taste is still phenomenal! My little taste tester was more then happy to dig into some tacos after school, even though she was a bit leery because she thought it might be ‘diet’ food. Needless to say Tyson has done it once again!

Posted in Fitness/Health, Recipes | 8 Comments

Great Grapefruit Facts & Basket Giveaway

Posted on February 28, 2014 by Krissyar

One thing I love for breakfast is fruit – especially a fruit salad. I had the opportunity to sample the Scarlett’s Grapefruit recently and I have to admit, it was the highlight of my breakfast for nearly a week (then I ran out). I used a tiny bit of sugar to rid of the bitterness of the fruit, but it was absolutely delicious and fulfilling for a breakfast, as well as a snack. Grapefruit has many great health benefits, which I decided to share with you below. You can also enter to win a grapefruit basket prize pack of your own.

#Scarletts #grapefruit #healthy #breakfast

History

Grapefruits have a rather recent history, having been discovered in Barbados in the 18th century. Many botanists think the grapefruit was actually the result of a natural cross breeding which occurred between the orange and the pomelo, a citrus fruit that was brought from Indonesia to Barbados in the 17th century.
The resulting fruit was given the name “grapefruit” in 1814 in Jamaica, a name which reflects the way it’s arranged when it grows—hanging in clusters just like grapes.
Grapefruit trees were planted in Florida in the early 19th century, although they did not become a viable commercial crop until later that century. Florida is still a major producer of grapefruits, as is California, Arizona and Texas. Other countries that produce grapefruits commercially include Israel, South Africa and Brazil.

Health benefits of Grapefruit

Delicious, grapefruit is very low in calories, consists of just 42 calories per 100 g. Nonetheless; it is rich in dietary insoluble fiber pectin, which by acting as a bulk laxative helps to protect the colon mucous membrane by decreasing exposure time to toxic substances in the colon as well as binding to cancer-causing chemicals in the colon.
Pectin has also been shown to reduce blood cholesterol levels by decreasing re-absorption of cholesterol binding bile acids in the colon.
The fruit contains very good levels of vitamin-A (provides about 1150 IU per 100g), and flavonoid antioxidants such as naringenin, and naringin. Besides, it is a moderate source of lycopene, beta-carotene, xanthin and lutein. Studies suggest that these compounds have antioxidant properties and are essential for vision. The total antioxidant strength measured in terms of oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) of grapefruit is 1548 µmol TE/100 g.
Further, vitamin A is also required maintaining healthy mucus membranes and skin. Consumption of natural fruits rich in vitamin-A, and flavonoids helps to protect from lung and oral cavity cancers.
It is an excellent source of antioxidant vitamin-C; providing about 52% of DRI. Vitamin-C is a powerful natural anti-oxidant and helps the body develop resistance against infectious agents and scavenge harmful free radicals. It, furthermore, is required for the maintenance of healthy connective tissue and aids in early wound healing. It also facilitates dietary iron absorption from the intestine.
100 g of fresh fruit contains about 135 mg of potassium electrolyte. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids, helps controlling heart rate and blood pressure through countering sodium effects.
Red varieties of grapefruits are especially rich in the most powerful flavonoid antioxidant, lycopene. Studies have shown that lycopene protects skin damage from UV rays, and offers protection against prostate cancer.
Additionally, it contains moderate levels of B-complex group of vitamins such as folates, riboflavin, pyridoxine, and thiamin in addition to some resourceful minerals such as iron, calcium, copper, and phosphorus.

A Few Quick Serving Ideas

Grapefruit sections add a tangy spark to green salads.
Instead of your morning glass of OJ, have a glass of grapefruit juice.
Combine diced grapefruit with cilantro and chili peppers to make a unique salsa.
To enjoy a salad with a tropical flair, combine chopped grapefruit pieces, cooked shrimp and avocadoes and serve on a bed of romaine lettuce.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Posted in Fitness/Health | 38 Comments

Fitness Friday: Best Arm Toning Work Outs

Posted on February 28, 2014 by Krissyar

We’ve talked about how lifting weights and doing weight training can help speed up weight loss. But one very important work out you need to do along with getting that weight off, is toning. We’ve all seen the flabby arms of women who have lost weight quickly, and sometimes it looks worse after the weight loss then before. Making sure to tone your muscles while working on losing the weight is very important.

Here’s a list of some great Arm Toning Work Outs: Trainer tip: To boost your calorie burn and see results faster, march or jump in place for 2 minutes after completing each move.

Roll-the-Ball with Uneven Push-Up

Best for: Those who need upper body strength. (Tip: you can use a soccer ball, stack of books, or a medicine ball to create the uneven surface.)
How to do it: Get into plank and put right hand on the ball, left hand on the floor. Squeeze your abs and shoulders as you lower towards the floor, keeping elbows in. Push back up and pass the ball to the other side. Do at least 5 on each side.

Pilates Boxing

Best for: Pilates and Yoga fans who want to burn fat.
How to do it: Standing with feet a hips-width apart, bend your knees and hinge forward from your waist, maintaining a neutral spine. Raise fists to your shoulders and, keeping elbows up, box your right hand forward, clenching your abs. Bring hands to center and switch. Box on each side 20 times.

Clean and Press Windmill

Best for: Those who want to work their legs and gluts too.
How to do it: Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, a free weight between them. Push hips back to lower into squat and grab weight with left hand. Push through feet and rise to standing, lifting weight toward left shoulder and up overhead. Bend at waist to right, allowing right foot to turn out; right hand is on inside of right leg. Continue to bend sideways, sliding right hand down to foot, keeping left hand overhead. Reverse movement to return to squat. Switch sides and repeat.

Hip Heist Push-Up

Best for: Those who want arms like Jillian Michaels.
How to do it: Get into “up” part of a push-up; lower chest and bend elbows to 90 degrees. Lift right hand and left foot, rotating upper body to the right while bringing left knee across body toward right armpit. Pivot on right foot and continue rotating torso until you’re face up. Lift hips until torso is in tabletop position. Lift left hand and right foot, rotating upper body to right, pivoting on left foot until you are back in the “up” part of a push-up.

Biceps and Arm Circles

Best for: Exercisers who want a full-body strength workout.
How to do it: Stand with legs slightly wider than hip-width, a 5- to 8-pound dumbbell in each hand, elbows bent and palms up. Keeping spine straight, squat and circle left hand up and in toward your shoulder in a circular motion (as if beckoning someone toward you); reverse to lower hand. Do 16 reps, then switch sides and repeat.

Triceps Swing

Best for: Eliminating “bat wings”
How to do it: Lie face up with feet on floor, knees bent, a 5-lb dumbbell in each hand. Keep them a few inches off floor. Keeping arms straight, raise left arm over chest while right arm stays over head. Lower to start and repeat. Do 15 reps with left arm, then switch sides. Do 2-3 sets.

Kickback with a Twist

Best for: Firm, sleek triceps
How to do it: Holding a 5- to 8-pound dumbbell in each hand, arms by your sides, stand with your feet slightly wider than shoulder-width apart. Keeping your back straight, bend your legs slightly and lean forward from the waist until your torso is nearly parallel to the ground. Raise your elbows until your upper arms are even with your back. Your elbows should be bent to 45-degree angles with your palms facing each other. Keeping your upper arms still, extend both hands behind you, then rotate your wrists so that your palms are up. Turn your palms back to face each other and bend your elbows to bring weights back toward your body to complete the rep. Do 3 sets of 15 reps.

Get-Up Plank

Best for: Getting a strong back and shoulders.
How to do it: Begin in a modified side-plank position with legs stacked and knees bent. Hold a kettlebell (or a water bottle) in your right hand, with your right elbow bent and weight resting against your forearm. Lift your hips so your body is straight from knees to shoulders, pressing kettlebell up to the ceiling. Do 3 sets on each side.

Split Squat Rotation

Best for: Leg, glute, and arm strengthening
How to do it: Stand with feet together, holding a 5- to 10-lb medicine ball (you can also use a soccer ball or a stack of books) at chest. Step left foot back and lower into squat with right knee bent. Push into right leg, straightening both legs while twisting torso to push medicine ball over right shoulder; return to previous position. Continue for 30 seconds; switch sides and repeat.

Opposite Arm & Leg Lift

Best for: Arm and leg strengthening that stretches your back
How to do it: From all fours, reach your right arm forward; at the same time, stretch your left leg back and flex your foot. Hold for 5 seconds, then release and repeat using the left arm and right leg; that’s one rep. Do 10 to 15 reps.

Bicep Curl with Alternating Lunge

Best for: A firmer lower body and long and lean arms
How to do it: Stand with knees slightly bent, holding a dumbbell or water bottle in each hand. Step forward with your right leg, and lower into lunge position (don’t let front knee go past toes). Simultaneously tighten left bicep and curl left hand toward chest. Repeat on each side.

What are some of your favorite arm toning work outs?

Posted in Fitness Friday, Fitness/Health | 3 Comments

Tips to Help you Stick with Exercise

Posted on February 27, 2014 by Krissyar

It will come as no surprise that statistically people are bigger than they were fifty years ago. Obesity rates have skyrocketed, as high as 79% in some areas of Australia. More and more desk based jobs, along with an increase in fatty foods, have turned this issue into a worrying epidemic.

Despite this, Australians are still seen as some of the most health conscious people in the world. Great weather means that outdoor activity is mutually loved, and is much more common than in countries like the UK or the USA.

Generally, the New Year is a fresh start for many people that want to make 2014 the year they finally get fit. Amazingly, Australia is different from the rest of the Western world in that the most popular month to join the gym is August, as people prepare to get that beach body during the summer months.

Don’t overstretch yourself

Set realistic targets and goals to motivate yourself. Probably the most common problems with newbie exercisers is that they get too eager and pay for a whole array of equipment, shakes and memberships, and then quickly give up the whole idea. It is a mistake to over enthusiastically plan a grueling workout schedule, only to abandon it weeks later because it was difficult to fit into everyday life.

Keep track of your progress

Use something simple as a pen and paper to keep a note of any activity, or alternatively use an app to track workouts and dieting. There are several free ones to get you started on the Apple and Android app stores. Also, joining an online website like the Curves Community is the perfect way to gain motivation from people who have been through exactly what you have.

Make it part of your day

Not having enough time is one of the major excuses for a lack of exercise; full-time jobs and family life can understandably get in the way. Trying to get into a routine, where it is established that certain days are gym days, means that you are much more likely to go. Working out at a time that is best for you, whether it is morning or evening, and sticking to it means it is easier to fit around everyday life. If lunchtime is “gym time” in your head, then nothing can interrupt that.

Grab a friend

Having a workout buddy makes it easier to motivate your get-up-and-go. It also means joining a gym with a bad level of fitness is not so daunting. There are lots of benefits to having a work out buddy, it is also a great opportunity to catch up and be social whilst working on your fitness together.

Don’t waste your money

Gym memberships are a good investment, if you actually make use of them. When just setting out on a fitness journey, perhaps starting with a couple of classes or joining a weight loss community can help you tailor your life to the workout that is right for you.

Curves Complete is a supportive network of like minded women focused on weight loss. With fitness videos, meal plans and coaching they are the perfect support that you need to begin a weight loss program.

http://www.curves.com.au/

Posted in Fitness/Health | 1 Comment

Save Time & Money with Direct Marketing

Posted on February 25, 2014 by Krissyar

Being in the insurance sales business, and really any type of sales, time equals money. Having your sales professional slave away with typing up letters, making mailing labels and following up with postcards later is not a productive way for them to spend their time (or your money!). Recently my agency decided to see how Direct Marketing would effect the production and efficiency of our office. I cannot tell you how handing over the monotonous, tedious work recharged our office and send our production soaring. Having your sales/marketing team working on what they do best versus being a paper pusher, constantly trying to keep up, is key to your agencies success. Whether your marketing to new clients, or keeping your existing ones informed, direct mailings are essential.

There are many benefits to direct mailings such as:

It can allow you to mail and talk about your offers directly with the customers that are interested.

It can be used to experiment with new markets, test new products and collect information for future campaigns.

Direct marketing is more cost-effective than other types of marketing.

It can help build personal connections with your customers and achieve fast sales.

It can allow you to focus on specific groups of targeted customers for better results.

It can provide direct feedback, which in turn helps monitor and review the current marketing strategy.

The results are quantifiable with a more accurate estimate of the conversion rate, thus helping you plan your future campaigns more effectively.

One great direct marketing & fulfillment service provider we found was KD Mailing. From fulfillment services, to direct mail as well as postcards and digital printing, KD Mailing had everything we needed to be a successful marketing company and then some.

Fulfillment Services – Considering its central location, the Chicago area is one of the best places from which to ship or mail products. KD’s Chicago order fulfillment center will expedite your shipments, and save you time and money with simple and sophisticated solutions personalized to fit your fulfillment distribution needs. We operate a state-of-the-art fulfillment center and use sophisticated web-based technology, including EDI technology, to provide you with online tracking access at any time from anywhere. Whether you need someone to manage orders, create sales or continuity kits, or need a supply-chain partner, KD Mailing & Fulfillment has your perfect custom solution.

Direct Mail – Great direct mail works. KD Mailing & Fulfillment can help you create great direct mail and mail just about any type of mailing package from our state-of-the-art, full-service Chicago mailing center. Not only do we provide mailing services, we also provide mailing lists, creative design and printing. We also work with our clients’ creative teams or printers. Our data department uses sophisticated USPS-approved software to qualify your mailing data for the very best discounted postal rates. Our top priority is to help make your direct mail campaign a success. Whether you need to send out first-class business mail, sales letters, not for profit appeals or bulk mail advertising, KD can help.

Postcards and Digital Printing – Postcards are one of the most popular types of direct mail today. They are easy to create, cost-effective and, if you use the right mailing list, very effective marketing tools. KD Mailing & Fulfillment can create your postcards digitally for smaller quantities or on a traditional printing press for larger quantities. Call us today so we can help determine what would be most cost effective for you. KD is not just another online postcard website; we provide end to end mailing service solutions for companies in the US for more than 60 years. One of our experienced direct mail customer professionals will work directly with you on your project, whether it’s 1,000 or 1 million pieces, every step of the way. KD can provide you with graphic design and printing or work with your team of printers and graphic artists. Either way, KD has your individual direct mail solution.

Posted in Money Matters | 5 Comments

All In A Days Work

#ad: Gluten Free Cooking with Tyson Grilled Chicken Breast Fillets