As you all know I’ve been trying very hard to stick to my diet and get some weight off!  Well, so far I’ve lost 13lb, nearly a stone and I have to say I’m quite proud of myself.

It hasn’t been easy the last couple of weeks with starting a new job as a care worker and having a totally different routine to work around but I’ve managed quite well considering.

I find myself totally addicted to yoghurts at the moment.  If I find myself in a hurry they are just really easy to grab out the fridge and, this got me wondering – why are they so good for us?

Did you know that if you have some plain, live yoghurt after a course of antibiotics it will help to restore normal flora back to your gut.  It is also great for yeast infections and you can treat infected areas with yoghurt.  Anyone that suffers with thrush may already know this one!

Yoghurt is basically made from milk or cream which is cultured with active live cultures.  Active live cultures are good bacteria that are necessary to help the body to function at its best.  The good bacteria prevents the growth of harmful bacteria that can cause infections and diseases.  It keeps the yeast levels in our bodies more balanced and has also been know to help prevent urinary tract infections.

And, since it is made from dairy products it is also rich in calcium which, as we all know is great for bone and teeth health.  Calcium is especially important for those of us seeking to prevent bone density loss and osteoporosis.  It is also a great source of protein which give the body energy.

It is so versatile and easy to get into your diet from smoothies made with fruit pulp to frozen deserts to adding to curry dishes.  And babies from 6 months old absolutely love yoghurts and they will definitely thrive from eating them. 

In many middle eastern homes it is made freshly at home from a culture handed down, perhaps even over generations, but western tastes may prefer to buy a new culture every few weeks or so. Just add a pint of finger warm pasteurized milk to a small pot of live, plain yoghurt. You can use full cream or semi skimmed milk. Stir in a large tablespoon of dried milk powder. You then cover it and leave for about 8 hours in a warm place.

So, if you really want to look after your insides on a daily basis and keep your system topped up with good bacteria, eat a yoghurt (or in my case 2) a day!  You will definitely feel the benefits.

I have to say that at the moment, pasta is one of my favourite food items.  While im having a go at doing my Weight Watchers programme from years ago, pasta is one thing that I can eat and really fills me up!  As long as its not the filled pasta (no tortellini then!) I can eat it freely so I tend to grab it for quick easy meals.

Have a go at this lovely recipe for Tuna & Lemon Pasta, its fab and I really love it! x

Ingredients:

• 350g pasta shells
• 200g pack trimmed fine beans , cut into short lengths
• 200g can tuna in oil (or brine/spring water if being good!) 
• grated zest of a lemon
• 1 heaped tbsp small capers
• generous pinch of chilli flakes
• olive oil for drizzling

Method:

Ok, so this may sound a bit weird but just lately I cannot get enough of  fresh pineapple (and no, I’m not pregnant!)  But, since I’ve been sticking to my diet I have been eating quite a bit of it.  It may sound strange but my skins looking healthier and more luminous, my cold seems to be disappearing and I generally feel well.

I suppose it might just be coincidence but I decided to find out just a little bit about pineapples!  It turns out that they are incredibly beneficial to our health! 

As we all know, pineapple is a tropical fruit.  It is one of the most heavenly fruits to eat as it can satisfy my sweet craving and stops me diving for the chocolate.  It contains a proteolytic enzyme, bromelain, which helps in the digestion of protein and therefore can prevent blood clot formation.

Did you know that 1 cup of fresh pineapple pieces contains 73% of the manganese the body needs for the day?   Manganese, which is a trace mineral, is needed to build bone and connective tissues. Put it together with glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate it can help people mild osteoarthritis in the joints.

Other nutrients included in a pineapple are Calcium, Potassium, Fiber and Vitamin C They have virtually no fat and cholesterol. Vitamin C is the body’s primary water soluble antioxidant, against free radicals that attack and damage normal cells. It is also a good source of vitamin B1, vitamin B6, copper and dietary fibre.

The ample supply of Vitamin C within a pineapple is a widely known antioxidant that protects the body from free radical damage and boosts the immune system. (Hence why my cold might be disappearing!!)  Vitamin C helps build and repair bodily tissue and promotes healing.  It also helps to decrease the severity of cold and flu symptoms.

Pineapple is good for your gums (no false teeth for me with the amount I’ve been eating!) 

So, now that I’ve re-discovered this fantastic tropical fruit which just happens to come from a lovely warm climate, then why not treat yourself to one, have a slice for breakfast or maybe even a smoothie and enjoy the added benefits of such a fabulous exotic flavour.

2 Medium Sized Ripe Bananas, 2 Cups Skimmed Milk, 1/2 Cup Skimmed Dry Milk Powder

1/3 Cup Wheat Germ, 1/2 Cup Fat Free Plain Yoghurt, 1tsp Vanilla Essence, 2.5 tsp of Low Calorie Sweetener

Blend all ingredients together and divide into four glasses.  For a little bit of extra zing try adding  just a pinch of ground cinnamon!

Calories per Serving  :  190 Cals

Fat : 2 g

This is a great way to get the day started, it is low in calories and fat which is definately worth trying.

Interesting facts about the Banana!

Bananas are one of the most nutritious fruits available year-round. Bananas are a versatile fruit that can be cooked, baked, toasted or eaten raw, and make a nutritious addition to a variety of recipes. Mixed with other fruits in a salad or smoothie, used to top hot or cold breakfast cereals, as an ingredient in baked goods or just peeled and eaten as a snack, bananas are a healthy food choice for both kids and adults.

Banana Nutrients

Bananas make for a nutritious and healthy food choice because they are a good source of fiber, are low in sodium, cholesterol, calories, and contain almost no fat. Because bananas are loaded with potassium (422 mg per medium banana), bananas are a great post-workout snack for those who strength train or engage in cardio exercise to help replace potassium lost through sweating. Bananas are also a good source of Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, Manganese and Folate.

Bananas provide trace amounts of calcium, zinc, copper, iron, vitamin E, and selenium. In addition, bananas also contain fructo-oligosaccharide, a resistant starch that acts as a prebiotic. Prebiotics promote a healthy gut and help the body more easily absorb nutrients from food.

As you can probably tell ….  I go Banana’s for a Banana!

We are all forever being told that we should exercise more, eat less and keep our BMI down to reasonable levels….

I never really worried too much about it until I asked my husband to buy me a Wii Fit Balance Board for my birthday!  Boy, was I in for a shock.

I’m not the slimmest of people (definite exaggeration!) and have always struggled with my weight.  In the past I have been known to loose 6 stone and went from 16.5 stones down to 10.5 stones.  I’m not doing too bad at present but did find myself back up to top side of 14 when I received my birthday present!

I had no more excuses, the Wii Fit Plus & Board is the perfect way to have fun and achieve your fitness goals without even having to go out!

There are over 60 exercises and fun activities which are specially designed to burn calories, improve strength, tone up your muscles and develop better balance and posture.

Each time you step onto the board your BMI is assessed and when you begin you are invited to set some realistic goals to reduce or maintain your BMI.  Every time you exercise your progress is monitored so you can see how you are doing.

With so many activities to choose from, you can keep your exercise routine different and interesting every day without getting bored.

My BMI is down much lower now and my weight (thanks to Weight Watchers also) is 12st 10lb which is a huge improvement and I feel so much better.

Why not ask for one for Christmas, I’m glad I did!!