Pre-side note… I had taken an awesome photo of my very yummy healthy pizza and I can’t find it anywhere! I still want you to have the recipe though so I’m still posting this.

What you need:
- 2 sprouted corn tortillas (they’re super tasty and don’t get hard when you bake them…they fall apart a little bit but messy food adds to the satisfaction, right?) – I like the ones by Food Life
- marinara sauce (I like the one by Sauces ‘n Love)
- toppings (I use whatever I have…mushrooms, spinach, sliced tomatoes, broccoli, and zucchini are my typical pizza staples)
- goat cheese

Put all the ingredients on the tortillas and place in a toaster oven (or regular oven if you’re patient) at 375. It will be ready in about 5 minutes. Enjoy!

Don’t you just love to say that word? Del-i-cata Squash. It just rolls off the tongue beautifully, doesn’t it? It sounds Italian, so let’s just pretend it is. Because everything is better when it’s Italian, right? I mean c’mon, you have Italian men, food…you get the picture. Plus, delicata squash is just so beautiful.

Just look at those gorgeous, vibrant, yellow rings!

Yea. It’s definitely Italian.

Delicata Squash is one of those things that you don’t mess around with. It’s simple in all of it’s own beauty. Not the “Simple Plan” type of simple, but more of like, the “I can ride a bike with no hands” type of simple. Well, maybe not all of us can do that. But seriously, this is the easiest recipe that you could possibly ever make. All you need is some olive oil, salt, and fresh ground pepper and…

BAM…Roasted Delicata Squash!

This squash is so pure and simple. After roasting, the flesh is tender and sweet and the low-maintenance recipe really allows the flavor of the squash to shine through under the seasonings. The first time I tried this recipe, I immediately thought of french fries.

Yep, they definitely taste like french fries. Just healthier. No joke.

Roasted Delicata Squash:

Ingredients:
1 (1 lb.) delicata squash (about 1 medium squash), ends cut off, stand the squash up and slice the squash in half right through the middle (vertically), discard the seeds, and slice in 1/2 in. slices.
1 T. olive oil
salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:
1. Preheat the oven to 400 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Toss everything together on the baking sheet. Level the squash to be in a single layer.
3. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until the squash are soft and tender and slightly golden.
4. Serve warm.

Serves 2.

P.S. Because delicata squash is soooo awesome and has an ah-mazingly thin skin, you don’t have to worry about peeling the squash, it is totally edible!

P.S.S. I am having my FIRST GIVEAWAY this FRIDAY, February 3rd. You don’t want to miss out!

MANGIA!!!

Head over to Chelsy’s blog to enter her Larabar giveaway!!

Ingredients:

- 1 acorn squash
- pre-made polenta
- chopped avocado
- mixed greens
- artichoke hearts
- goat cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cut acorn squash into big chunks. Put squash into a baking dish and drizzle with olive oil, sea salt, and fresh pepper. Bake for 30 minutes or until tender.

In the meantime… slice up 1/4-inch thick polenta slices. Drizzle a bit of olive oil in a frying pan and cook polenta over low-medium heat. Season with sea salt and fresh pepper.

Place mixed greens on a serving dish with avocado and artichoke hearts. Add cooked acorn squash and polenta, top with a bit of goat cheese and enjoy!

How do you eat your acorn squash?

So what’s so good about them?

- Possibly THE best source of beta-carotene which converts to Vitamin A in our bodies. One serving gives you 90% of your daily needs! To bring out all of the beta-carotene, be sure to serve your sweet potatoes with a healthy fat like olive oil.

- Antioxidant Power. Substances on sweet potatoes, called sporamins, help protect cells from oxidative damage.

- Anti-Inflammatory Benefits.

- Unlike their close relative, the regular potato, sweet potatoes will NOT wreck havoc on blood sugar levels. In fact, sweet potatoes help control blood sugar levels.

Ways to serve ‘em up:
- Puree cooked sweet potatoes with bananas, maple syrup, and cinnamon. Top with chopped walnuts for a healthy breakfast or snack.
- Leftover baked sweet potatoes are perfect to take on the go.

- Quick lunch (I just enjoyed it! – see right): Top sprouted corn tortillas with roasted sweet potatoes and zucchini (I used leftovers from last night’s dinner), artichoke hearts, and goat cheese. Put in a toaster oven at 375 for 5 minutes…yummy!
- Or, for a heartier option, try guest blogger Chelsy’s Sweet Potato Cornbread!

Notes and Tips:
If this series gets too intense, come down to your forearms.
To make this harder, sit against a wall.
Keep your spine still throughout these exercises – use your abs for support!
Work up to 15 reps per movement.

1. Lift and Lower, Parallel, Internally Rotated, Externally Rotated
Toes pointed, knee facing up, lift leg as high as you can and then lower to a hover. Inhale to lower, exhale to lift. After 15 reps complete 15 1-inch movements. Repeat this with knee pointing in (internal rotation). Repeat this with knee pointing out (external rotation).

2. Cross and Kick
Cross leg over bottom leg, then kick out to side. Inhale to cross, exhale to kick. Repeat 15 times.

3. Side pulses
Hold working leg out to side. Lower an inch, lift an inch. Inhale to lower, exhale to lift. Repeat 15 times.

Ouch! Repeat on other side then stretch, stretch, stretch.

©MauroPilates2012

It’s been about 6 months now since I’ve learned that butter is a good thing to include. Since then I’ve read numerous articles supporting this like The 20 Health Benefits of Real Butter, Recent Studies and Age Old Wisdom Point to the Health Benefits of Butter, and Have some butter with your veggies! 

Health proponents of butter say that butter gives the following benefits:

- Fruit and vegetable consumption won’t lower the risk of coronary heart disease unless consumed with high fat products. Read fascinating studies about this here. In other words, butter PROTECTS against heart disease. How? Because butter is high in both Vitamin A and E, both of which support the entire cardiovascular system. Here’s an interesting fact: “At the turn of our century, heart disease in America was rare. By 1960, it was our number one killer. Yet during the same time period, butter consumption had decreased - from eighteen pounds per person per year, to four…since the early 1970′s, Americans’ average saturated fat intake has dropped considerably, while rates of obesity, diabetes, and consequently, heart disease, have surged.” (20 Health Benefits..) There are a lot of people who are anti-fat, even the good kind, like avocado and I’m yet to understand. Side note: avocado is good for you!

- Things like margarine and polyunsaturated fats have a negative effect on immunity while butter is known to be an immune booster. This is directly related to the length of the fatty acid chains and if you’d like to know more about this, I recommend reading the above articles. Numerous studies indicate that the only correlation betweyen butter and cancer is that butter will help to prevent cancer.

- Butter HELPS with weight loss! Yes, it’s true.  It’s again related to the length of fatty acid chains…the longer the chain (think butter substitutes), the harder it is for your body to digest and the more your body stores as fat, whereas the shorter the chain (think butter), the more quickly your body digests it and very little is stored as fat. In fact, these fat storages are used for muscular energy…hmm.. could this be a good pre-workout food? Yes! Athletes love medium chain fatty acid foods for quick bursts of energy. And short-medium chain fatty acid foods are known to “stimulate thermogenesis (the process in which the body generates energy or heat by increasing its normal metabolic, fat-burning rate)” (Natural News).

- Protects against calcification of joints (think of it as an anti-stiff food!).

- Promotes intestinal health.

- May promote fertility in women.

- It is one of the few foods that contains high amounts of absorbable iodine which is directly related to thyroid health.

- Protects against tooth decay and helps with healthy bone growth.

The best kinds of butter? Raw or Pasture Butter.

No idea at all.

I think we all have that food vice (or vices!) that we all know we could be better about. But what does that even mean? Does it mean completely cut it out or be better about portion control or what? If you know me, you know I’m absolutely terrible at portion control – I love eating! But I know that to get to my goal, something needs to change: the amount of chips I’m consuming on a daily basis. It’s become slightly obsessive – tortilla chips, chips with sea salt, barbecue chips, it doesn’t matter what type, if it’s GF, I’m on it. And guess what? Consuming chips is one of the top reasons people gain weight.

This brings me to my 50-Day Challenge. I am going to reach my goals and one way I’m going to trim these last few pounds is by cutting out chips until the end of February. Every time I crave them I’m eating carrots instead and I’m going to journal how it’s going right here on my blog. It’s going to be tough – it’s hasn’t even been 24-hours and just to take the picture of these chips I began salivating at the thought of them. No one will know.. But I didn’t do it! I added carrots to my lunch and on with my day I went.

Who wants to join me on a 50-Day ‘No Chips Challenge’? It doesn’t have to be chips–pick something specific to you. What are your “chips”?

This seminar was instantly attractive to me, because like most females, I have an area I have a love/hate relationship with: my problem area. A seminar that can tell me why it’s there? I’m in!

They began by asking each of us to list the top 5 things we crave and to be as specific as possible. I invite you to do this exercise before reading on. My list?
- cucumber rolls
- roasted potatoes (with rosemary and salt)
- french fries
- potato chips (Kettle Brand Sea Salt Flavor)
- cupcakes (gluten-free from Delish)
- warm vegetables (steamed broccoli and kale)

What is the primary theme in the above list? CARBS. White ones.

Their theory is that there is a direct correlation between our cravings, our body structure, and the way we digest food – in other words, certain people can’t properly digest certain foods and vice versa. Everyone is 98% the same and 2% is different. One difference? Digestion. These things can help to indicate not only what body shape we are prone to but what health concerns and enzyme deficiencies are likely to be present. Read on to find out what body type you are and what foods this theory recommends you avoid.

Type 1: Para

Cravings: Starch + Sugars
Preference towards vegetarianism.
Health Concerns: Thyroid dysfunction, eczema, headaches, fatigue, low blood pressure, mineral deficiency, hypoglycemia, brain fog, mood swings, depression, cold hands + feet
Body Shape: Hourglass – gains weight evenly. Small, defined waist. Widths of clavicle and hipbone are equal. Well defined high and “perky” butt.
Personality: Party waiting to happen.
What they need: PROTEIN!
Nutrition for Balance: Prone to gluten sensitivity because of overdoing starchy foods. Avoid sugars and starches. Include complete protein at every meal. Healthy fats in moderation.

Type 2: Estro/Testro
Cravings: FAT (think: butter, pizza, fried foods, savory foods, spicy, ethnic foods, fried foods, creamy sauces/dips/gravies, rich and high in fat, ice cream..)
Health Concerns: dysfunctional reproductive system, gallbladder stress, gallstones, liver disorders, high cholesterol, PMS, arthritis, urinary problems.
Body Shape: Gains weight below the waist in hips and thighs. (Width of clavicle is more narrow than width of hips.) Sloping shoulders, “low slung” rear end.
Personality: Nurturing and kind. Think: assistants, teachers, and nurses.
Nutrition for Balance: AVOID: fried foods, heavy rich sauces and spices. Consume healthy fats in moderation, include complete protein at every meal. Eat plenty of whole grains, fruits, and veggies.

Type 3: Supra
Cravings: Protein
Health Concerns: Adrenal stress, kidney dysfunction, acid reflux, indigestion, gas, constipation, stiff joints, gout, back problems, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure.
Body Shape: Gains weight in upper body (stomach, back, and shoulders). Width of clavicle is broader than hip bone width. Flat rear with strong, muscular legs. Older women gain weight in bust area.
Personality: Sees world as black and white. Type A Personality (think: lawyer or CPA). Judgmental, stubborn, and easily agitated when out of balance. Eat veggies to mellow out!
Nutrition for Balance: AVOID: high protein meals, high fat meals, salt. Consume healthy fat in moderation, whole grains, fruits, and veggies. Consume fruits and veggies with lower sugar and water content. This type is most healthy and happy as a VEGETARIAN.

Type 4: Neuro
Cravings: DAIRY (milk + cereal, mac + cheese, quesadillas, grains + cereals)
Health Concerns: Compromised immune system, IBS, diarrhea, chronic allergies, chronic digestive problems, pituitary disorders, chemical or environmental sensitivities. Usually end up becoming gluten and dairy sensitive or intolerant.
Body Shape: Gains weight evenly. Can be wiry or soft and plump. Width of clavicle, waist, and hip bone are equal. No distinct rear end. Slow to mature as teen. Body shape has not changed much, looks young for their age, has trouble gaining muscle. Large head in proportion to body.
Personality: Artistic, analytic, shy.
Nutrition for Balance: AVOID: dairy and high fat foods. Try going gluten-free for 30 days. Consume healthy fats in moderation. Eat a complete protein at every meal. Consume whole grains, fruits, and veggies.

Take aways: Every body needs: lean protein, healthy fat, whole grains, veggies, fruit, and water. But every body needs different amounts! Remember: we are all different from each other by 2%!

Other interesting tidbits from the seminar?

- It’s possible to be a combination of body types but measuring bone widths determines the dominant type. The secondary body type will be expressed when out of balance.
- Our bodies will literally “pad” the organs they’re trying to protect. We may see it as our “problem area” but our bodies are talking to us the only way it knows how and that is to bring attention to the area! Notice where you have extra padding – it could be a great clue to dietary changes you might want to consider.
- 25% of women take pills for anxiety or sleep. Personally, I have a hunch this percentage is even higher but please remember that there isn’t always a “quick fix” for a problem. Again, our bodies speak to us as it can and if you aren’t sleeping or you have high anxiety there might just be an underlying issue that a pill is covering up. It could be worth delving into.

My personal takeaway?? Eat less carbs and more protein!

What are your thoughts on all of this? What are your problem areas? Have you ever heard of a nutrition approach like this?