These utensils weight 1.5 pounds each.

Here is the description provided by the manufacturer:

“The Product Knife and Fork Lift™ is a combination of utensils and dumbbells that serve as a constant reminder that eating puts weight on and requires exercise to take it off. Lifting food with these utensils is like doing curls with dumbbells. Weight: 1.5 lbs each. Height: 9 inches”

Check out the website for more information: http://www.knifeandforklift.com/index.php

Any thoughts?

Whether you have friends coming over tonight or just watching the game alone, the snacks below are simple to make and are a hit every time:

1. Wrap honeydew slices in prosciutto

2. Pop some plain popcorn in paper bags. Add 1 Tbsp of olive oil, 1 Tbsp of rosemary, and 1 Tbsp of grated Parmesan cheese. Shake vigorously and serve in a large bowl.

3. Popcorn can also be topped with hot sauce. For those with a major sweet tooth (like myself), top the popcorn with 1Tbsp of powdered sugar and a pinch of cinnamon. Alternatively, sprinkle shaved dark chocolate on the popcorn while it is still hot.

4. Edamame…enough said.

5. This is a great time to introduce your friends (and possibly yourself) to some healthy meat alternatives. Gardenburger makes excellent riblets, which are incredibly delicious. Yves makes “chicken” and “beef” skewers. You will be amazed how fast these will disappear off the table.

6. Pizza is also a good option. The best ones are made at home since you can control the ingredients. Even better, you can prepare your pizza with whole wheat crust. If ordering out, make sure to get thin crust with tons of vegetables on top.

7. No party could be complete without a vegetable platter – baby carrots, cherry tomatoes, peppers, broccoli, cauliflower, and celery are all great options. Make sure to serve yours with a healthy dip. Check out our Greek yogurt dill dip in the recipe section.

8. No party is complete without some rich dessert in the end. Bake a batch of NO PUDGE brownies. I bake mine with pistachios – the slight saltiness compliments the deep chocolate flavor.

Finally, remember that alcohol not only adds extra calories, but it also lowers our inhibition so we end up eating more. Stick with low-calorie beer or dry wine. Alternate alcohol and water.

ENJOY THE GAME and, just as importantly, the commercials.

We all have junk food cravings at times. I catch myself passing through the food court and no matter how horrible the greasy options smell, I get a craving and cannot seem to overcome it until I get what I want. Thankfully, there is now a website that provides endless healthy alternatives for your cravings. Some you may already know about, but many will spark creative snacking ideas. Give it a try!

www.cravingconverter.com

I am always curious to see new fitness products introduced to the market.  This exercise tool claims to achieve up to 240 muscle contractions per minute!  So what is “shakeweight” and how does it work ? 

This exercise tool looks like an elongated dumbbell with a spring mechanism that is activated by inertia.  When you begin to move the “shakeweight”, the weight begins to shift quickly back and forth making muscles contract.  The benefit of this tool is that it works opposing (antagonist) muscles.   ”Shakeweight”  is available both for females and males.  I have not personally had a chance to used it, but I have respect for a creative mind.  Check out the “shakeweight” video at:

www.shakeweight.com

https://shakeweightformen.com/ver2/index.asp

Let me know what you think by contacting me @ dan@topbalancenutrition.com

Some ingredients on the food labels may sound utterly confusing and mysterious.  This list may help you decide what you may or may not want as part of your diet:

Acetic acid – acid or vinegar is acetic acid; has many food uses.  Naturally occurring.

Ammonium alginate – used as a stabilizer, thickener and texturizer.  This additive is extracted from seaweed.  Widespread food use. Read more…

Sometimes we all wish our restaurant menus came with a glossary.  Wait no longer, because this list will help you understand the restaurant jargon and guide you towards ordering the healthiest option possible:

Al dente – meaning “to the tooth” in Italian, refers to pasta that is tender, yet firm enough to offer some resistance to the teeth.

A La Carte – (1) a menu on which each food and beverage is listed and prices separately, (2) foods cooked to order as apposed to foods cooked in advance and held for later service.

Artesian water – water that has surfaced on its own from aquifer, rather than being pumped. Read more…

New decade = new ideas.  Check out these fitness trends that have been surfacing around the country: Read more…

Recipes often call for specific amount of certain ingredients, but converting the measurements can get really confusing. Keep this cheat sheet nearby and you will never be puzzled again: Read more…

Going to the movies is a fun past-time for many of us. It is often hard to pass by the popcorn stand on the way to the theater. If outrageous prices were not bad enough, the Center for Science in the Public Interest has released a report stating that a medium combo at Regal Cinemas has 1,610 calories and 60 grams of saturated fat. This equates to the calories in two sticks of butter and the saturated fat in one stick of butter. Just imagine yourself watching a movie at home and eating butter as a snack. Read more…

As we about to turn the page into the next decade we all can share three words that are circulating through our minds: “New Year’s Resolutions.”  Read more…