Category: Weight Loss

Strongself > Blog > Weight Loss

Weight Loss without Exercise…

Posted on by Lenny Variano

It is a fact that in order to lose weight, exercise should be a major component in speeding up your metabolism. However, there are a few tips, though they may sound strange, have been proven to help.

 

 

 

 

 

  • Surround yourself with Blue. Color can function as an appetite suppressant. Many fast-food restaurants use bright colors as part of their décor. Researchers have found that people eat 33% less in a blue room or when they dine on blue plates.
  • Light a Vanilla Scented Candle. The aroma has been shown to dampen dessert cravings. One group of 160 volunteers lost an average of 4.5lbs with this method.
  • Brighter Lights and Softer Music. Dimmer romantic lighting in restaurants encourages the ordering of more food. Soft music encourages slow chewing as opposed to a hectic pace brought on by fast paced tunes.
  • Stick to Wrapped Candy. Having to unwrap a piece of candy takes time and keeping the used wrappers in front of you will serve as a reminder of how much you have already eaten.

Baked Rice with White Beans, Leeks and Lemon…

Posted on by Lenny Variano

Time: 1hour      Servings: 4

 

 

 

 

Ingredients:

  • 4 leeks (about 2lbs.), trimmed and cut into ¼ pieces
  • 1 lemon
  • ¼ cup raw almonds
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 5 teaspoons olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1½ cups uncooked Basmati rice
  • 1 (15oz. can) of white beans
  • 2½ cups boiling water
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan
  • ¼ cup of each finely chopped- basil, mint, chives
  • Feel free to add other vegetables

 

Directions:

  • 1) Preheat oven to 400 degrees
  • Cut strips of lemon zest ¼ thick with a peeler and cut into small pieces
  • Reserve lemon for later
  • 2) In a 9” by 12” pan combine leeks, lemon zest, almonds, red pepper flakes and olive oil
  • Arrange in a layer and roast for 20 minutes until leeks caramelize
  • 3) stir mixture, arrange an even layer in pan and add layer of uncooked rice and then layer of beans-cover with tin foil and bake for 22 minutes.
  • 4) Remove from the oven, let sit for 5 minutes, fluff with fork, squeeze half of lemon over mixture and mix in Parmesan cheese and herbs, salt and pepper

 

            Taken from the New York Times

What about the Numbers on Restaurants Menus?

Posted on by Lenny Variano

In an attempt to help the consumer, starting in 2018, restaurants with more than 20 locations were required by law to post certain nutritional information. This is a plus for those who are trying to be more aware of caloric intake. When Consumer Reports set out to investigate this, they found that most of these restaurants were actually very close in calorie count to what they had posted. The difference they did find was an increased number in the milligrams of salt to what was actually used. If you do decide to use the calorie count as a guide for weight maintenance try to be aware of this when ordering any entrée. It may help to do some of your own research before you decide to eat in a restaurant. Check out their website and also look at reviews. This may help you decide on a healthy option.

Arugula Salad with Peaches, Goat Cheese and Basil

Posted on by Lenny Variano

 

 

 

 

 

Ingredients: 

¼ cup pine nuts

¼ cup extra virgin olive oil

2 tbs. champagne or white vinegar

½ tsp. kosher salt

¼ tsp. black pepper

4-5 ounces baby arugula

2 ripe peaches, pitted and cut into ¼ inch slices

½ cup julienned fresh basil leaves

2 ounces creamy goat cheese, crumpled (about ½ cup)

 

Directions:

  1. In a small saute’ pan, toast pine nuts until golden brown (about 3 minutes)
  2. In a small cup, whisk olive oil, vinegar, salt and pepper
  3. Place the arugula in a large salad bowl, poor dressing to moisten and coat greens, add peaches, basil, goat cheese and pine nuts, toss again

 

Compliments of NYT Cooking at nytcooking.com