5-Ingredient Dinners

With school back in session, coming up with a dinner idea while carpooling, packing lunches, and helping with homework is harder than ever! These 5-ingredient meals will help you get dinner on the table in the midst of the confusion. And the best part? You probably already have most of the ingredients on hand. 

Grilled Steaks Balsamico

Photo: Tina Cornett

Ingredients
2/3 cup balsamic vinaigrette
1/4 cup fig preserves
4 (6- to 8-oz.) boneless chuck-eye steaks
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. freshly ground pepper
1 (6.5-oz.) container buttery garlic-and-herb spreadable cheese

Preparation
Process vinaigrette and preserves in a blender until smooth. Place steaks and vinaigrette mixture in a shallow fish or a large zip-top plastic freezer bag. Cover or seal, and chill at least 2 hours. Remove steaks from marinade, discarding marinade.

Grill, covered with grill lid, over medium-high heat (350° to 400°) 5 to 7 minutes on each side or until desired degree of doneness. Remove to a serving platter, and sprinkle evenly with salt and pepper; keep warm.

Heat cheese in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring often, 2 to 4 minutes or until melted. Serve cheese sauce with steaks.

Related: Fire Up the Grill! The Ultimate Grilling Guide

Chicken Parmesan Pizza

Ingredients
1 (10-oz.) package frozen garlic loaf
1/2 cup canned pizza sauce
6 deli-fried chicken strips
1 cup (4 oz.) shredded Italian three-cheese blend
2 Tbsp. chopped fresh basil

Preparation
Preheat oven to 400°. Arrange garlic bread, buttered sides up, on a baking sheet.

Bake at 400° for 8 to 9 minutes or until bread is lightly browned. Spread pizza sauce over garlic bread. Cut chicken strips into 1/2-inch pieces, and arrange over pizza sauce. Sprinkle with cheese and basil.

Bake at 400° for 8 to 10 minutes or until cheese melts. Serve immediately.

Related: Don't Call Delivery—20 Homemade Pizza Recipes

Turkey Scaloppine

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Ingredients
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 1/4 tsp. Cajun seasoning, divided
1 1/2 lbs. turkey cutlets
2 Tbsp. olive oil
1 cup dry white wine

Preparation
Combine flour and 1 tsp. Cajun seasoning in a shallow dish; dredge turkey cutlets in flour mixture, shaking off excess.

Cook turkey in hot oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat 1 to 2 minutes on each side or until done. Transfer turkey to a serving platter, and keep warm.

Add wine and remaining 1/4 tsp. Cajun seasoning to skillet; cook 1 to 2 minutes or until liquid is reduced by half, stirring to loosen particles from bottom of skillet. Drizzle sauce over turkey. Serve immediately.

Related: Cooking with Cutlets—8 Speedy Recipes

Pork Chops with Herb-Mustard Butter 

Ingredients
4 (1/2-inch-thick) bone-in pork loin chops
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1/4 cup butter, softened
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
2 Tbsp. honey mustard
1 tsp. chopped fresh sage

Preparation
Sprinkle chops evenly with salt and pepper, and place on a wire rack in an aluminum-foil-lined broiler pan.

Stir together butter and next 3 ingredients in a small bowl until blended. Top each chop with 1 rounded Tbsp. butter mixture.

Broil 5 inches from heat 8 to 10 minutes or until a meat thermometer inserted into thickest portion registers 155°.

Related: 10 Budget-Friendly Pork Chop Recipes

Barbecue Shrimp

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Ingredients
1 1/2 lbs. unpeeled jumbo raw shrimp (2 1/25 count)
1 large lemon, cut into wedges
1 (0.7-oz.) envelope Italian dressing mix
1/2 cup melted butter
1/2 cup loosely packed fresh flat-leaf parsley

Preparation
Preheat oven to 425°. Place shrimp and lemon in a 13- x 9-inch baking dish. Stir together dressing mix and butter. Pour butter mixture over shrimp, stirring to coat.

Bake, covered, at 425° for 25 to 30 minutes or just until shrimp turn pink, stirring once.
Remove shrimp mixture from oven, and sprinkle with parsley.

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3 Tasty, Healthy and Easy Smoothie Recipes

By SHAPE blogger Renee Woodruff

I know the end of summer is fast approaching, but who doesn't love a refreshing smoothie? Read on for three healthy and easy smoothie recipes that taste delicious, no matter what the season!

1. Lemon-lime smash-up: 
Ingredients: Lemon juice, lime juice, coconut water, avocado, agave syrup and spinach blended together. This is so refreshing and delicious! Because avocadocontains "good" fats, it keeps you full, so you don't gush through the shake and then have hunger pains an hour later. 

Tip: I add more lime than lemon for this one, but more amounts of coconut water than either citrus juice. If you want to sweeten it up, just add more agave syrup!

RELATED: The Top 30 Most Hydrating Foods

2. Banana almond cinnamon delight: 
Ingredients: Frozen banana, 1 tablespoon of almond butter, 1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon. You may add a little agave syrup if you'd like it more sweet. The banana provides a lot of potassium for sore muscles (this is good for runners!), and the almond butter provides some fat and protein to keep you satiated for a good period of time. 

Tip: For those that are kitchen rookies like myself, make sure you peel the banana before you freeze it! 

RELATED: 20 Fun Tips To Make Water Taste Better

3. Vitamin blast:
Ingredients: This one is a doozy of ingredients but you will feel so healthy after you drink it! Mix any combination of berries, half of a frozen banana, one-fourth of a cup of frozen mango, one-fourth of a cup of beet juice, one-fourth of a cup of carrot juice, the juice of one lemon, a handful parsley, a handful spinach and agave nectar together.

Tip: For nutritional add-ons to this already healthy blast, add vanilla protein powder (I use Terra's Whey) and dehydrated berry-green powder (Kendra loves Amazing Grass). Both are available at Whole Foods in large containers and also individual packets, which is great for sampling and experimenting (something I know all too well)

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Healer's Best Friend

Are you a dog lover or a cat friend? If you are, then you have first-hand knowledge of the benefits of having animals in our home and lives. But what if you aren't? What might you be missing out on? How about lower overall stress levels, reduced risk of heart attacks, improved memory function, or a better balanced lifestyle!

Owning a dog gets you walking every day. Owning a dog gets you to play every day. Owning a dog gets you an enormous amount of unconditional kisses and love every day. Who wouldn't want that kind of life? I know I do, which is why I own two dogs and a cat! My dogs are large dogs: Tucker, the black lab mix, weighs in at 90 pounds; Aine, the brown and tan Dobie mix, weighs in at 78 pounds. That is a lot of love; so much love, in fact, that they will knock me over just to cover me in kisses after I've been away for even just a few minutes. Not feeling well? Got the flu? Make room for Aine and Tucker (insert your dog's name here) while you recover. They become magnets, offering without condition their love and energy to support you to get better quickly. Their motive? You + better = walking and playing.

So what makes pet therapy successful in supporting individuals during difficult times? Animals have boundless love and do not make judgments toward their humans. And while you do not have to feel compelled to say anything while interacting with them, if you need or want to chat, then they are all ears! Aine and Tucker are both working toward their certification as Pet Therapists. Their goal—yes, it their goal—is to support individuals during times of difficult change and transition. Of course, their interaction with their clients will be combined with life coaching and Reiki work to make sure the client's mind, body and spirit are working together towards success.

So what type of training does it entail to become a pet therapy dog? Aine and Tucker have gone through three levels of dog training and are working on their first designation of being a Good Canine Citizens through the American Kennel Club. Here are some of the tasks they need to be able to do:

 

1. Accepting a friendly stranger: allow a friendly stranger to approach and speak to the handler
2. Sitting politely for petting: allow a friendly stranger to touch while out with the handler
3. Appearance and grooming: welcome being groomed and examined by another, such as a veterinarian, groomer, etc.
4. Out for a walk: handler is in control of the dog
5. Walking through a crowd: can move about politely in pedestrian traffic and is under control
6. Sit and down on command; staying in place: respond to handler's commands to sit and down while remaining in place until released
7. Coming when called: will come when called by handler
8. Reaction to another dog: behave politely around other dogs
9. Reaction to distraction: confident at all times when faced with common distracting situations
10. Supervised separation: can be left with a trusted person and will maintain training and good manners

 Once dogs have been awarded this designation, they move on to training for the certification of Pet Therapy. One of the main organizations is Therapy Dogs International (www.tdi-dog.org), which is a volunteer organization dedicated to regulating, testing and registration of therapy dogs and their volunteer handlers for the purpose of visiting nursing homes, hospitals, and wherever else therapy dogs are needed. To date there are over 19,000 registered dog-and-handler teams with TDI. I love animals, and when I lost Tito to bone cancer in 2006 it was like a piece of me passed away with him. The grief and pain was unimaginable, but when Aine arrived just a few weeks later the benefit of her presence cannot be described in words. If you have ever experienced depression or a deepened sense of sadness for a prolonged period of time, the best medicine to support you to get back into life is allowing the healing kisses from a pooch to cover you head to toe. The pooch will thank you for the opportunity, and so will your heart. Until next time, embrace your inner wisdom. Namaste,Karen

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What the Puck? Health Benefits of Women's Hockey

WHY NOT TRY WOMEN'S HOCKEY?

By a Hockey Mom and Cardiologist

Let's go Bruins! I was watching the game with my family and friends and S C O R E Bruins are in the Stanley Cup finals! I realized how many people of all ages love hockey. I also realized it's a growing women's and family sport. I personally love my yoga. My husband says that the ice is his yoga. My boys were born with skates practically and both play hockey intensely in the North East, competing in Canada frequently.  Our cat is named Puck after the game the family seems to love.

So why not explore the health benefits of hockey for the ladies??

First off, hockey is available 12 months of the year and a game or lesson takes 45 minutes and done, perfect for a busy lady.  It is a great cross training sport and has a "P90 X" effect in that you use different muscles in every shift of the game. 

Hockey is a burst energy sport in that you are on the ice for 45 second to 90 second shifts and off. Your heart rate stays high for the game and about 30 minutes afterward you're still burning calories.

Because of the skates you are able to use your big muscles in your legs to burn a lot of energy... and just take the skating stride alone—great for toning the legs and butt!

Your upper body gets a terrific work out with the stick handling and shooting, all while balancing your core.

All in all , depending upon your fitness level you can burn 400-500 calories per session in a quick paced game.

Second, hockey is a social sport and has many mental health benefits for women.  The sense of team provides a social network, plus a great workout.  Many studies have shown a great reduction in stress when people play team sports.

Also, the equipment is the great equalizer for body types.  Many women (including yours truly) can put on running shorts or a bathing suit and think "UGGGGH" I am so exposed! Not in hockey gear. Hide that extra cellulite while you work it off; self consciousness be gone!

Lastly, imagine your significant other in the stands for a change watching YOU!! Hockey can be a family sport and all levels can enjoy the game.

My current status, I can only skate forward and do rudimentary crossovers. Maybe I will have my boys coach me a bit and pad up. I bet in the hot summer 45 minutes on the ice can be terrific. Lets go Bruins! S C O R E !

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5 mistakes most grillers make

By Hilary Meyer, Associate Food Editor, EatingWell Magazine

There's no cooking method more primal than grilling. Cavemen were doing it, so how hard can it be? The answer is, not that hard, but these days we probably like our food to be slightly more succulent than what cavemen were eating, and that's where some skill comes in. To avoid grilling disaster, there are some pitfalls to watch out for. (Grill smart with our 13 Must-Know Grilling Tips.)

Here are 5 common mistakes most grillers make and how to avoid them.

Mistake #1 – You run out of gas or charcoal.

Ok, duh. I know. But I've done it before, and it spells disaster. Dinner isn't dinner if it's half cooked! It's easy to forget to check that tank of propane while it's nestled underneath the grill. To avoid this common mistake, have an extra tank or bag of charcoal on hand or, at the very least, remember to check your supply before you start your grill.

Mistake #2 – You don't preheat your grill.

Just as you would preheat your oven, you need to preheat the grill too. Getting the grates nice and hot helps to prevent sticking, gives your food those lovely classic grill marks and ensures that your food cooks at the proper rate.

Mistake #3 – You get flare-ups.

It may look fancy, but flames licking your food contributes an off flavor. To avoid flare-ups (like when you're basting, for example), have an area on your grill set up for indirect heat. That is, have one burner turned off or, if you're using charcoal, a charcoal-free spot where you can move your food when it's dripping. When the flames have been tamed, you can move your food back over the direct heat if you need to.

Mistake #4 – You keep the lid open.

Just as you would never bake with your oven door open, you should keep the lid on your grill closed as much as possible. Unless you're cooking something that's very quick and easily burned, closing the lid helps food cook faster and more evenly and helps regulate the heat.

Don't Miss: How to Turn Your Gas Grill Into a Smoker

Grilling Recipes and Sides to Try:
Potato Salads That Won't Pack Pounds
Grilled Eggplant & Portobello Sandwich and More Quick Grilling Recipes

Mistake #5 – You don't turn the food enough.

Every grill, including charcoal grills, have "hot spots" or places where the heat is stronger. You don't have to hover, but in addition to, say, flipping burgers, moving them around on the grill will keep everything cooking at a similar rate and will help prevent burning.
Don't Miss: Grilled Vegetable Guide

What's your biggest grilling mistake?

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10 Foods That Are Healthier Than You Think

Figuring out what to eat can be tough. Some foods may be marketed as "healthy" but they're hardly that. Other foods may have a bad reputation (dark meat, anyone?) and you're passing them up. Here are 10 foods you may be avoiding unnecessarily.

1. Avocado
So it may seem weird for a fruit (yes, avocados are fruits) to contain fat, but avocados are one of the few produce items that do. Their heart-protecting monounsaturated fats are actually one of the things that makes them so healthy. Eating these green guys can help lower your risk of heart disease and stroke — so have some of that guacamole!

2. Spaghetti and Meatballs
Thanks to the iron and protein from the beef, lycopene from the tomato sauce and energy-producing carbs from the pasta, this dish a healthy trifecta. If you stick to modest portions and lean beef, you can enjoy its benefits without overdoing it. Limit yourself to three ounces of meat and a cup of cooked pasta per serving.

3. Bananas
Often bashed for their high sugar and carb content, bananas are a ridiculously healthy fruit that everyone can enjoy. A small banana has the same calories, carbs and fiber as an apple. They also come packed withvitamins C and B6 and good-for-your-heart potassium.

4. Peanut Butter
I always hear "peanut butter is fattening!" Sure, it contains fat, but 30% of your daily calories should come from healthy fats, so why not add peanut butter in as an option? The nutty spread is also a great way to get protein, fiber and vitamin E. The same goes for whole peanuts or nuts such as almonds and walnuts — they're a great way to get your daily dose of healthy fats.

5. Coffee
Along with adding a little pep to your step, coffee is teeming with antioxidants. Research has linked drinking the brewed beverage to a decreased risk of type-2 diabetes and improved mental health as you age.

6. Corn
Some folks frown on corn because it's a starchy vegetable. Well, it is starchy — because it's actually a grain! One cup of corn kernels has 5 grams of protein, 4 grams of fiber (that's more than 25% of the daily recommendation) and energy-producing B-vitamins. You can also eat corn is a wide variety of ways —polenta, tortillas and popcorn are all healthy whole-grain options.

7. Burritos
Yes, burritos can be a healthy choice. When filled with vegetables, rice, beans and small portions of meat, these Tex-Mex treats can cover all your nutrition bases in one tortilla. Opt for 8-inch, whole-wheat tortillas and lay off the sour cream and loads of cheese to keep the calories and fat in check.

8. Chicken Thighs
Dark meat chicken has a bad rep for being fatty and artery-clogging when it's actually the skin you should be avoiding. Dark meat, like avocados, is high in healthy monounsaturated fats. Thighs are also more affordable than skinless chicken breasts, so they're an all-around smart addition to your weeknight dinner routine.

9. Potatoes
Yet another veggie shunned for its starch content, potatoes are a nutrition powerhouse! A medium potato has 165 calories, 5 grams of fiber, 4 grams of protein, 10% of your daily iron and 70% of your daily vitamin C needs. Craving greasy French fries? Make some oven roasted "fries" and save more than 300 calories and 20 grams of fat.

10. Eggs
Eggs do contain some cholesterol, but that doesn't mean they're a total no-no. According to the American Egg Board, healthy individuals can eat up to two eggs per day without significantly affecting blood cholesterol levels. Eggs are also full of vitamins A, D and the antioxidant lutein. Don't skip the yolks; there's just as much protein there as in the whites.

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What’s for Dinner? Sustainable Sushi You’ll Love

You'll probably always need to book weeks—even months—in advance for a seat at Masa, but these days, sushi is coming under new scrutiny. For many environmentally conscious eaters, the tide is turning against sushi as its popularity is leading to the decline of many of our favorite items on the menu.
 
Presently, 70 percent of the world's fisheries are being over-harvested, resulting in the depletion of the fish that we love to eat as sushi—fish such as yellowtail, Atlantic halibut, bluefin tuna, Asia farmed tilapia, Atlantic salmon and red snapper.

What are some environmentally sound choices you can make when dining on sushi? 

Black Cod. The most ocean-friendly kinds of Black Cod come from Alaska and British Columbia. Also known as sablefish, black cod is harvested at a sustainable rate. This heart-healthy fish contains comparable levels of omega-3 fatty acids to salmon, and makes for a delicious and slightly sweet slice of sashimi. 

Albacore Tuna. Order fresh albacore tuna during its peak season, which occurs from June to late fall. The most sustainable types come from British Columbia and the United States, and are protected by the US/Canadian Tuna Treaty, which ensures albacore tuna fishing doesn't exceed sustainable levels. A popular and tasty selection, albacore tuna is high-protein, low-carb and loaded with omega-3. 

Alaska Wild Salmon. Unlike many other fisheries around the world, salmon harvested in Alaska is protected by the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) of Alaska, a pact that conserves the salmon resources in the North Pacific Ocean. This species of salmon is known to enhance brain function and regulate cholesterol levels. It's also void of added chemicals, preservatives, pesticides, growth hormones and antibiotics. Alaska wild salmon roe is AOK too.

Ready to put your newfound sushi knowledge to the test? Download a free pocket sushi guide from the Monterey Bay Aquarium, which outlines the best and worst seafood varieties to consume in different parts of the country. Remember to ask your server about the origins of the fish on the menu.

Or simply dine at a sustainable sushi eatery (and forget keeping tabs on which fish to eat). Tataki of San Francisco, Calif. is the original Mecca of sustainable seafood, while Mashiko of Seattle, Wash. is a newer but equally delicious establishment. (We couldn't locate any wholly sustainable sushi restaurants in the Big Apple, though we'd love to hear about them, dear readers, if you know of any!)

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Supermarket Shockers & Swaps: Kid Food Edition!

Think you're making smart choices when it comes to shopping for yourself and your kids? Read on, and check out Hungry Girl's guilt-free swaps...

Cereal: Cap'n Crunch vs. Kashi Honey Sunshine

Sure, Cap'n Crunch doesn't appear to be super-sugary. But looks can be deceiving -- 12 grams of sugar per serving is actually pretty high for kids' cereals these days. A much better option is Kashi's Honey Sunshine cereal. Each 3/4-cup serving has HALF the sugar and packs a nice amount of fiber (5 grams) and protein (2 grams). Not to mention, it's all-natural and features seven whole grains. And the taste is very similar to Cap'n Crunch. Go, Kashi!

More from Hungry Girl: Family-friendly recipes!

Fruit Drinks: SunnyD Tangy Original vs. Capri Sun Roarin' Waters 

SunnyD is just a juice drink -- how bad could it be? While it's a better pick than most regular sodas, every 8-oz. serving contains a whopping 14 grams of sugar! You're WAY better off buying Capri Sun Roarin' Waters. Each pouch has half the calories (30) and nearly half the sugar. It's totally kid-friendly (you get to stab a straw into your juice pouch!), but it's also perfect for parents on the go.

Bread: Arnold Country White Bread vs. Pepperidge Farm Goldfish Sandwich Bread in Soft White

The problem with Arnold Country White Bread is that the two slices it takes to make a sandwich amounts to 240 calories and 3 grams of fat -- and that's before you load the sandwich with deli meats and cheese! You're much better off going with Pepperidge Farm's new Goldfish Sandwich Bread in Soft White. Not only are these bread slices adorable (they look like smiling goldfish -- CUTE!!!), but they're also a smart pick nutritionally. Each "slice" is actually two adjoining pieces (just like those trendy, flat sandwich rolls), with just 120 calories and 2g fat, plus 3g fiber and 3g protein. Nice!

More from Hungry Girl: Everything you need for awesome bagged lunches!

Fruit Snacks: Fruit Gushers vs. Funky Monkey Snacks

Just because Gushers have the word "fruit" in the name, don't let that fool you into thinking they're good for you. They're "fruit flavored" and full of added sugar. Instead, buy freeze-dried fruit (100 percent real fruit!), like Funky Monkey Snacks. These come in fun flavors (such as JiveALime and Pink Pineapple) and colorful kid-friendly pouches. Plus, there's one full serving of fruit in each bag. You'll also find some great freeze-dried-fruit options in the baby food aisle. (Yes, you read that right!)

Crunchy Snacks: Pretzels vs. 94% Fat-Free Microwavable Popcorn

Although pretzels are lower in fat than potato chips, they have very little nutritional value and aren't that filling. So switch out those pretzel sticks for some 94 percent fat-free microwavable popcorn. You'll get tons of fiber (4 to 5 grams) plus some protein (3 to 4 grams) in every serving. Enjoy a single-serving bag solo, or make a larger bag and watch a movie with your family... Guilt-free viewing!

More from Hungry Girl: HG's Ultimate Movie-Viewing Snack Mix!

CHECK OUT THE LATEST COOKBOOK FROM HG...

HUNGRY GIRL 300 UNDER 300: 300 BREAKFAST, LUNCH & DINNER DISHES UNDER 300 CALORIES!

It's meal-mania! 560 pages of easy and delicious guilt-free recipes! Now on shelves everywhere and available online... Click here NOW to order!

Don't miss season 2 of Hungry Girl, airing Sundays at 10am/9c on Food Network!

For a daily dose of guilt-free tips, tricks, food finds, recipes and more, visit hungry-girl.com and sign up for free daily emails!

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Bad foods you should be eating-2

Eggs

The bad rap: A significant source of dietary cholesterol, egg yolks are off-limits for those concerned about heart health.

The good news: Medical experts now emphasize that saturated fats and trans fats are bigger culprits in raising blood cholesterol than dietary cholesterol is. Plus, eggs are super-satisfying: in one study, people who ate a scrambled-egg-and-toast breakfast felt more satisfied, and ate less at lunch, than they did when they ate a bagel that had the same number of calories. Egg yolks contain lutein and zeaxanthin, compounds that research links with reduced risk for age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of blindness in people over 50.

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Are Triple Double Oreos worth 100 calories? We tried them!

After months of anticipation, the new Triple Double Oreos are finally in stores. Affectionately referred to as the "Big Mac" of sweets, it's three layers of cookie, one layer of original creme, and one layer of chocolate creme.

Obviously you know that the calories in all of that sugary cookie-creme goodness add up. But even managing your expectations, the calorie count is staggering: 100 calories and 1.5 grams of saturated fat for just one cookie!

Are Triple Double Oreos really worth splurging on? We got a hold of a package to find out ...

More from The Stir: Eating Jell-O Could Mean You're a Cannibal

The general consensus in The Stir office after sampling them: The overall taste of Triple Double Oreos just isn't good enough to warrant all the extra calories. Here are some of complaints that came up over and over again in our taste test:

• The most common criticism was that the three layers of crunchy cookie made it crumbly and "too hard to eat." And, if you are one of those people who twist off the top of your Oreos and eat them one layer at a time, you'd better quit your day job because you'll be here a while.

• "Too much crunch, not enough creme."

• "The chocolate creme had a chemical taste." Or, "It wasn't chocolate-y enough."

• "Way too sugary."

But here's the thing almost every member of our staff pointed out: A regular Oreo with two cookies and one layer of vanilla creme is practically perfect on its own. And at only 50 calories a pop, it's one of those sweet treats that (provided you can limit yourself) most people don't feel guilty indulging in now and again. Adding all those extra layers -- and, subsequently, the calories -- is unnecessarily messing with a good thing. Why bother? Sometimes you really can have too much of a good thing.

Have you tried the new Triple Double Oreos?

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Are RI'ers Couch Potatoes or Fitness Buffs?

I always think of Rhode Islanders as an active bunch.  I picture bikers and runners along the beaches of Newport or along the river in Providence. (Yes, they're starting to come back after our awful winter!).  I notice gyms on practically every other corner in the city and the suburbs.  I listen to my friends talk about their yoga or strength-training classes.  But it appears we're a bit lazier than I thought.  

This morning I read an article with a link to the 2010 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Report on Physical Activity.  I clicked expecting Rhode Island to be in the top 10 most active states.  We were near the bottom of the pack, above the national average, but below all of the other New England states.  

The CDC calculated the proportion of adults 18+ who get the government recommended amount of physical activity per week...that's 2.5 hours of moderate physical activity per week or 1.25 hours of intense physical activity per week (or a combo of the two).  

The national average is 64.5.  The Rhode Island average is 66.3. 

What about our kids?  The CDC recommends students in grades 9-12 get an hour of moderate and/or vigorous exercise daily. Rhode Island high-schoolers ranked above average, but again no where near the top of the list.  The national score is 17.1 and the Ocean State score is 24.1.  

Wondering what state is the most active?

Adults #1 Vermont 73.3

Students #1 Oklahoma 29.4

Wondering about the laziest state? It's Tennessee, where only 51.8% of adults get enough physical activity.

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The Day I Unleashed My Inner Vixen

Have you unleashed your own inner vixen? She's waiting!

Recently I began writing a book about my personal experience with weight loss. It was such an amazing experience that I had to share it with others who have also struggled with emotional eating and obesity. I work as an Admissions Representative at a university. It's a stressful job with long hours sitting behind a desk. I'm married with one son, own a house with a two-car garage and have a dog, named Charley.

Here's my story: After nine years of working at the school, the hours grew longer and my butt grew wider. I got to the point where I found myself grossly overweight and deeply depressed. Then one Memorial Day a few years back, the depression turned to despair when I saw a photo of myself on the beach.

 

I was humiliated and disgusted with what I saw. I remember falling to the floor and sobbing. How could I have let myself get this way? I was successful in all other areas of my life; why wasn't I successful at losing weight? That day I started searching inwardly for an answer; later that week the answer came while at work.

I had asked my assistant to do a project for me. She said she couldn't because she was scheduled to go to the gym for a class. When I asked her where she worked out, she suddenly became very quiet and shy. She seemed almost embarrassed to tell me. After pressing her further, she eventually pulled up their website to show me. She was going to a pole-dance fitness class! It was at a women's-only alternative fitness center called Vixen Fitness.  I was intrigued. How cool was that?

After she left my office I shut the door and picked up the phone to call them. I set up a private lesson. The girl on the phone was very helpful and sweet. When she told me to put on shorts and wear high heels for my lesson I thought I was going to die! However, I did as instructed. To help set the mood; I brought in Bon Jovi's "Slippery When Wet."

You see the 80s were my decade when I was healthy, happy and single. Those were the days of the hair metal bands and Tawney Kitaen was the video vixen. So I thought it would be fun to rock out to a few 80's tunes. Little did I know that this lesson would change my life the way it did.

The lights dimmed down and the song went on as I followed the instructor through the routine. After just a few minutes swinging around that pole and letting my hair down I had a sense of freedom that I hadn't felt in years. I looked in the mirror and didn't see the fat girl that was in the beach photo earlier that week. I saw a beautiful, sensual woman that I hadn't seen in 20 years. I saw the person that I really was: beautiful, loving, strong, and sensual. It was an epiphany.

The woman that I longed to be was staring at me right there in the mirror. She was my inner vixen. And I did not want to let her go. After years of running around between work and my son's sports practices, cooking and cleaning, and everything else that goes along with day-to day living, I realized that I had put my own needs and desires last on the to-do list. I made a decision that day to be the woman I desire to be. What I discovered was that the fat was not the problem. It was the result of not loving myself. Once I learned how to be true to myself the weight just started coming off. That day I set a plan in motion to dress like her, walk like her, talk like her, think like her and be like the confident and sexy woman that I knew I was.

Since that day I've lost 45 pounds! I have also partnered with the Orlando based fitness center that helped bring back my sexy, Vixen Fitness .  I've also been writing my book, which is appropriately called A Vixen's Guide to Weight Loss  and I'm continuing on my weight loss journey. I'll be starting a 90-day fitness program based on the theory of muscle confusion.  It's called V-90Fit, which we're starting soon at Vixen Fitness.  Wish me luck!  Or better yet, come take the classes with me and together we can reach our goals!  Until next time, Love, Hugs and Pink Lipstick Kisses!

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