What's in your fridge?!?!

Owner of Fly Fitness- Traci, asked me a few questions about what's in the Ianni refrigerator.... What's in yours?!?! Q: Is that mint I see? What do you use it for? What other herbs do you have in there?   A: it is!!! I love putting it on our blueberries in the morning or in hot tea. Mint is loaded with vitamins and minerals and smells so amazing to me. I also love basil to top off our pasta and make fresh dips with and cilantro for Mexican salads and soups. Cilantro is also known to help reduce bloating : ) Q:Behind the mint I see the word "Good". What is that? A: it is a big thing of Good Belly, blueberry acai flavor.   I also have flavored coconut water that   i use in smoothies instead of juice or just plain old water. Q:Tell me about the greens. Is that Kale? Baby Broccoli? A: We try to get as many dark green in our diet as we can.   I have a hard time doing that, so I now put fresh spinach, kale and broccoli in my smoothies with fruit. Tonight I am using the broccolini and makingPersonal Lasagna Rolls with broccolini sticking out. Q: Do always eat organic?   A: Not always, but tend to buy organic or natural. I always look at ingredients and stay away from food with more than 5 ingred or things i don't know or cant pronounce. thx to you Traci, I follow the dirty dozen. Q: I see the wine.   I don't have a comment on this,   I just see it. : )   A: Yes! we are wine members at Chateau Ste Michelle, so we always have a few yummy bottles on hand! Q:What are you going to make with that ground turkey? Do you have a recipe for us? A: The ground turkey will be part of the Personal Lasagna Rolls

A FUN drink w/o the guilt!

The Starbucks grande iced nonfat Cocoa Cappuccino.
This dark chocolate-y drink runs you 150 calories and 2 grams of fat for a GRANDE (16 ounce) size.  Because its ingredients are really simple (nonfat milk, espresso, dark chocolate syrup), you can actually order a larger size and still stick to appropriate calories for a treat.  So happy to learn about the cocoa cappuccino...   They're delicious both hot and cold!!!
Try it and let me know what you think!

The Diva Cup

For Ladies Only!!!!
OK, sounds strange but I'm interested. What do you think?
Click here to watch this short video:
http://vimeo.com/8091361

6 Ways to Fire Up Your Metabolism

6 Ways to Fire Up Your Metabolism

By Monica Ciociola

It can be discouraging when your results don't seem to match the efforts you're putting into getting in shape. But instead of giving up on your fitness program, or worse, diving into the Twinkies^® (trust me, you'll regret it!), try making just a few easy changes to your diet and your lifestyle. Sometimes the smallest things—like getting more protein in the morning or enough rest at night—can lead to the biggest weight loss surprises.

1. Don't skip breakfast. Eating lean protein in the morning will help get your metabolism revved up for the day ahead. Protein from egg whites, for instance, will help stabilize your blood sugar, make you feel fuller, and keep you from overeating later in the day.
2. Resistance training. Working out with some form of resistance—resistance bands, weights, or a stability ball—helps build your muscles. And because one pound of muscle burns way more calories than a pound of fat does, the more muscle you have on your body, the higher your metabolic rate will be.
3. Interval training. Short 10-minute explosive cardio sessions followed by less intense cardio for the same amount of time will rev up your metabolism. 
4. Get your beauty rest. Human growth hormone works directly on cells to increase your metabolic rate by 15 to 20 percent and can only be produced during the hours of deep sleep. So make sure you get a good night's sleep!
5. The magic mix. At mealtime, try consuming lean proteins from chicken and white fish along with complex carbohydrates from fruits and veggies. This magical combination will speed up your metabolic rate as food is transformed into usable nutrients, and you'll build muscle and burn fat during the digestive process.
6. ¡Ay, caliente! Studies show that hot peppers, spices, green teas, and caffeine can give your metabolism a sudden surge by stimulating the release of stress hormones. If jalapeño and cayenne make you wince, turn to our all-natural Slimming Formulasupplement, which contains green tea, for the same metabolism-boosting effect.

Eat Carbs to Loose Weight???

click here: Eat Carbs to loose weight???
interesting article. Let me know what you think?

Skinny Pizza

Roasted Tomato & Artichoke Flatbread Pizza
Prep: 10 min
Cook 14 min
makes: 4 servings

you will need:
naan flatbread @ trader joes
1 pint grape tomatoes (2cups)
1 13 oz can artichoke hearts, drained and quartered
2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoons fresh parmesan cheese
2 cups arugula
1/4 cup shaved parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon lemon juice
salt
pepper

1. preheat broiler
2. toss tomatoes and artichokes with 1 teas oil and arrange in a shallow baking pan. Broil, stirring occasionally, about 4 min or until charred and tomatoes are wilted
3. preheat oven to 450. top each flatbread with 1/2 of tomatoes and artichokes. sprinkle with grated parmesan; bake in bottom third of oven 10 min or until golden brown and crisp.
4. while pizza is baking, toss arugula with shaved parmesan,lemon juice, remaining 1 teas olive oil, salt and pepper to taste.
5. Cut pizza the way you want, and serve with arugula on top or on side!
Enjoy!
nutritional facts:
calories-277
fat- 8g
protein 12g
carbs- 41g
sugars- 4g
fiber- 5g
iron- 3mg
sodium 620mg
calcium- 116mg

*Check out the picture of this 'Oh So Good' Skinny Pizza, on my facebook page- Training For Reigning Fitness

Special Theme Night @ FlyFitness

01/06/11--- "Pedaling To Prince" @ 6:45-7:45pm. Taught by owner and founder of FlyFitness, Traci!
It will be an awesome night and great workout. Come wearing purple!!!
Hope to see you there.
First time free. It's a great night to bring a friend:)