When is National Peach Month?

The month of August is National Peach month.

What is this Holiday for?
This holiday is for honoring and enjoying the great flavor of juicy peaches! So go get yourself a few. Eat them right off the tree, sliced in cream, make peach cobbler with ice cream or you can even blend them in delicious slushies. It doesn't matter how you eat them just as long as during this month you celebrate National Peach month by eating them in as many ways as you can think of and if You want Healthier ways & Recipes just ask me of course!

What is this Holiday for?
This holiday is for honoring and enjoying the great flavor of juicy peaches! So go get yourself a few. Eat them right off the tree, sliced in cream, make peach cobbler with ice cream or you can even blend them in delicious slushies. It doesn't matter how you eat them just as long as during this month you celebrate National Peach month by eating them in as many ways as you can think of

Peach Facts
The peach (Prunus persica) is a species of Prunus native to China that bears an edible juicy fruit also called a peach.

It is a deciduous tree growing to 5–10 m tall, belonging to the subfamily Prunoideae of the family Rosaceae. It is classified with the almond in the subgenus Amygdalus within the genus Prunus, distinguished from the other subgenera by the corrugated seed shell.

The leaves are lanceolate, 7–15 cm long and 2–3 cm broad. The flowers are produced in early spring before the leaves; they are solitary or paired, 2.5–3 cm diameter, pink, with five petals. The fruit is a drupe, with a single large seed encased in hard wood (called the "stone" or "pit"), yellow or whitish flesh, a delicate aroma, and a skin that is either velvety (peaches) or smooth (nectarines) in different cultivars. The flesh is very delicate and easily bruised in some cultivars, but is fairly firm in some commercial cultivars, especially when green. The seed is red-brown, oval shaped and 1.5-2 cm long. Peaches, along with cherries, plums and apricots, are stone fruits (drupes).

The scientific name persica, along with the word "peach" itself and its cognates in many European languages, derives from an early European belief that peaches were native to Persia (now Iran). The modern botanical consensus is that they originate in China, and were introduced to Persia and the Mediterranean region along the Silk Road before Christian times. Cultivated peaches are divided into "freestone" and "clingstone" cultivars, depending on whether the flesh sticks to the stone or not; both kinds can have either white or yellow flesh. Peaches with white flesh typically are very sweet with little acidity, while yellow-fleshed peaches typically have an acidic tang coupled with sweetness, though this also varies greatly. Both colours often have some red on their skin. Low-acid white-fleshed peaches are the most popular kinds in China, Japan, and neighbouring Asian countries, while Europeans and North Americans have historically favoured the acidic, yellow-fleshed kinds. wikipedia

• Favorite Peach Dishes
• Peaches & Cream
• Peach Cobbler
• Peach Cheesecake
• Peach Pie

We'll do it the Healthier Way my Friends!


How can this holiday be celebrated? * By growing your own peach trees. * Learn to cook with peaches! * Blog with us about it! - We can all gain insite on healthy ways to use and cook with peaches! * Send Free E-Greeting! - If your ready to get together with your friends don't forget to invite them with these fun Internet Invitations. Have a Perfectly Peachy Party!

P.S. Healthy Tip: Try Peaches & Low fat Cottage cheese its Yummy & Simple

"How eating Seasonally and locally supports you most nutritiously and healthfully"

18 Raw Recipe Tips before you get started on your Recipes

Before you get started on a recipe, here are a few basic points to keep in mind:

Your ingredients should be raw, of course (raw carob powder, raw tahini, raw almond butter, unpasteurized miso, and so on). A few recipes call for items that are not raw . These can be used for flavor, if desired or ommitted.

• Use Organic produce when possible.
• Wash all produce.
• Peel what needs to be peeled (for example, bananas, avacados, jicama, papayas, and any waxed produce); otherwise, leave the peel on (for example, carrots, apples, and unwaxed cucumbers).
• Remove large, hard seeds, such as those as of dates and prunes, and also some smaller ones, such as those of citrus fruits and papayas.
• Remove woody stems, such as those as figs and apples.
• Use pure water in any recipe that calls for water (or for soaking).
• When a recipe calls for soaking nuts or seeds you'll typically soak them in twice as much water as their dry volume. Large nuts are generally soaked from eight to twelve hours. Small nuts and seeds are generally soaked from four to six hours. Rinse nuts and seeds in a colander after soaking, and drain them well and quickly before using them. Discard the nut soak water in the garden or use it to water plants. It is not for consumption. Dried fruit should be soaked in a small amount of water (just enough to cover) until it is tender. The soak water can usually be included to add moisture to a recipe. Certain recipes may deviate from these guidlines.)
• Soaked dates are called for as a sweetener in many recipes; if your using soft dates, however, you do need to soak them.
• It's fine to substitute! Try using almonds for walnuts, raisins for dates, lemon juice for lime juice, and so forth.
• If what you are processing in the food processor or blendor looks like it needs more water, add a little at a time.
• Feel free to omit any seasonings, including salt, from any of the recipes.
• The times given for food dehydration are not exact , as so much depends on the moisture of the food and the surrounding climate. You are the best judge of when something in your dehydrator is ready.
• When dehydrating, keep the dehydrator's temperature set to just under 100 degrees F.
• Consider using raw soups as salad dressings and as sauces for entr'ees or side dishes.
• Be joyous in your food preparation. Pray, sing, chant, and smile!
• It takes only a moment to decorate. Love, good cheer and humor conveyed through beautiful food will inspire others to try it and like it!
• Use your imagination be creative and have fun!

By applying eating seasonally to your life you are doing a great act of eating locally grown foods at the time in which they will naturally ripen. This vary act equates to saving money (food costs less when it's plentiful), and lastly you are supporting your own health (foods are most nutritious when and where they ripen), supporting local farmers and reducing wastes are also key to making a much better effort to our community and your health. I hope you enjoy and have a happy and healthy day!

By, Natalie Pyles

Health & Fitness Expert, Nutrition Specialist, Author, & NSA Speaker

"How to Use Faith in Healing your Unhealthful Habits"

The 4 P's in Preconditioning your mind to Success

Positive thinking is one of the most powerful tools you have access to in life in overcoming major obstacles and adversities in life and day to day living. When you focus your energy and thoughts on positive thoughts how does that make you feel? Have you ever heard the saying you become what you think about most of the time? Well this is true for anything in life you have a much better chance at overcoming poor health, obesity, negative thinking, or whatever your dealing with in life by at least staying more optimistic about things. Nothing lasts forever we are always going through peaks and valleys that is what you call life period! The truth is we all have problems and life is all about solving and finding solutions to our problems. The better we become at using our minds consciously when it comes to our health the better chance we have at staying well through mind, body, and spirit. Basically, the better you can cope with life through constructive choices and habits the better chance you have at achieving lasting health.

Prayer is another powerful tool that will give you so much peace and guidance in life. I realized years ago I am nothing without God. Taking the power of God into your life is one of the most essential steps in preconditioning your mind to success. Forecast that you are going to achieve a certain goal , and then move steadily towards that goal. When you have given yourself a really difficult assignment, you cannot achieve it by yourself. I happen to believe weight loss is one of the biggest obstacles people have to overcome in their life. I see it every day with my clients the things the go through after our sessions together. The choices they have to make in social settings, family environment, and work etc. The demands of today are absolutely overwhelmimg with too many choices and life throwing us in so many directions. I happen to know first hand how difficult weight loss is I had to overcome it myself. Losing 65 pounds as teenager was not easy because it required hard work, and a heck of a lot of faith! Remember this Prayer changes things! We need to use the mighty forces that God has given us and draw upon that power that he has placed in everyone of us. These powers are available to all of us that can ultimately lead us to a life full of success!

Planning is another critical area of achieving your ultimate levels of health and successful living. No matter where you are now successful living and better health can be yours with a good plan. It doesn't matter who you are or how often you've failed . Neither does it matter how old you are. Successful living can always be yours through the transformation of renewed thinking, and amazing success-pattern strategies. Before knowing Jesus I was always chasing the wrong things Fitness competitions, vanity, success, money, and all the things of the world that once I achieved them didn't really fix my inner self. If your reading this right now I want you to listen to me loud and clear until you accept yourself, forgive yourself, and learn to trust yourself and what God can do in your life then better things will begin to happen for you. You need to be ok with you from the inside out and live your life from a loving standpoint. Having a good plan of action that you can maintain for a lasting lifestyle is the only way to long lasting success. That is why I'm always happy my friends because I know where I'm going. Life here is temporary and I choose to follow what is right!

Purpose is the last key element to achieving lasting better health and vitality. Have you ever seen so many people fail every diet, every program, up and down all around. All I can say is WOW! I know I have truely seen it all over the years of being in this business. What I can tell you that is absolutely true is that overweight people want a quick fix. People don't stop to think about what got them there in the first place and how many years it took to put it on. Poor health and poor thinking doesn't happen over night my friends. I have found the most successful people that have overcome weight loss and better living chose a better lifestyle on purpose. Based on their values and principles of life that gave them purpose and meaning they were able to apply it to their every day living. Remember my friends life is not easy and I realize that but don't wait until it's too late apply the 4 P's in Preconditioning your mind to Success and watch just how much your life will get better each and every day. God is always with you and has never left you and he has always had faith in you the question is do you have faith in you? Have a healthy and happy day!

By, Natalie Pyles

Health and Fitness Expert, Nutrition Specialist, Author, & NSA Speaker

Top 20 Fitness Trends for 2009!

American College of Sports Medicine Survey Predicts Fitness Trends

Are You Ready for a sneak peek at the top 20 fitness trends for 2009?

Those trends were ranked in an online survey by 1,540 professionals certified by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM).

Here are the survey's results, reported by exercise science expert Walter Thompson, PhD, FACSM, FAACVPR, Regent's Professor at Georgia State University:

1. Educated and experienced fitness professionals. Certification and accreditation for health and fitness programs and professionals are becoming more common.
2. Children and obesity. Fitness programs to address childhood obesity are a top trend for the third year in a row in the ACSM survey.
3. Personal training. Personal trainers are becoming more accessible to more people, according to the survey.
4. Strength training. Men and women are lifting weights; staying strong while aging is increasingly part of their motivation.
5. Core training. This trend is about strengthening muscles in the abdomen and back to stabilize the spine.
6. Special fitness programs for older adults. This trend includes aging baby boomers, frail elders who want to get stronger for daily tasks, active older adults, and master athletes.
7. Pilates. Done on a mat or special equipment, Pilates trains the core muscles and improves flexibility and posture.
8. Stability ball. These big, inflatable balls (also called Swiss balls or balance balls) are used for crunches, push-ups, and other exercises. Staying stable on the ball is part of the challenge.
9. Sport-specific training. This trend is about athletes training in the off-season to build their strength and endurance.
10. Balance training. In balance training, you might stand on a wobble board or use a stability ball to hone your balance. It's a trend for all ages, Thompson notes.
11. Functional fitness. A functional fitness workout preps your body for daily activities such as running for the bus or lifting groceries -- not just gliding along on the elliptical machine.
12. Comprehensive health programming at work. This trend is about improving employees' health -- and lowering employers' health care costs.
13. Wellness coaching. Wellness coaches support clients in making behavior changes for better wellness.
14. Worker incentive programs. Some employers are giving their workers incentives to make healthy changes.
15. Outcome measurements. This trend is about accountability and measuring progress toward fitness goals.
16. Spinning (indoor cycling). Spinning classes, fast-paced group workouts on stationary bikes, have been around for a while, but they're still going strong.
17. Physician referrals. Doctors are increasingly referring patients to health and fitness facilities, according to the ACSM survey.
18. Exercise and weight loss. Sensible or "sensationalized," most diets now include an exercise component, Thompson notes.
19. Group personal training. Groups of two or three people can often get discounts from personal trainers.
20. Reaching new markets. Thompson estimates that 80% of the U.S. public doesn't have an exercise routine or a place to exercise, which amounts to a "huge market" for the health and fitness industry.

P.S. If you would like a FREE Fit test with any of the latest and greatest Health & Fitness Trends
Call today 480-212-1947 or fax your request to 623-399-4199 or e-mail us at fitnesselementsexpress@yahoo.com

15 Toxic Truths You need to Know About

How better Food choices can make you Win the game of Life

Here are the Toxic Truths that you need to be aware of and remember this is you and your families health so pay attention and be aware.

• Organic foods are really good for you. Foods sprayed with herbicides, pesticides, and other toxins are not. Choose wisely!
• The insecticides or hormones eaten by or injected into cows can be passed into their milk, which becomes your milk. Scary!
• Fat is when toxins are stored in mammals. Therefore, when you eat animal fat, you may be eating their toxins, too.
• Anti-fuels are loser fuels.
• Powered sugar drinks, chips, and boxed pastries that sit on supermarket shelves for weeks on end are mostly labmade anti-fuels. Unreal.
• Artificial, lab-made chips, cheese, and ice cream are fake foods. Get Real!
• Fake foods are sickening.
• Mant fast food shakes are fake shakes loaded with artificial who knows what! Try making your own healthier shake with yogurt, fruit, and nuts. Like a Vanilla Almond shake yummy!
• Fake foods can hang around your gut for a long time! We all know that to be true and we love our Abs!
• How long do you think a fast food burger that your body can't digest sits in your intestines? Longer than a day? No, usually much longer. Ask me I'll give you a really good lean turkey burger recipe no problem.
• Your body can handle the toxins of one bag of French fries. The problems start when you pile on the fries, sodas, fast food burgers, toaster pastries, colored sugared cereals, grilled cheese, chicken nuggets, and chocolate chip cookies day after day. Need I go on! To these poor choices the toxins and physical demands of your sports plus the stresses of your school. This is when your body heads into absolute overload. There is just so much of this magic body of yours can handle until it breaks down on you. "Overload, overdone!" Sometime and somewhere it just says "Enough."
• Would you ever put soda into the gas tank of your car? Are you a Pinto or a Porche? Come on its your choice! Do you think the engine will break? Well guess what soda doesn't belong in your body either.
• It's simple eat more of your friends not enemies. Your friends are clean water, veggies, fruits, nuts, other legumes, grains, fish, and lean meats. The enemies are (simple carbohydrates), hydrogenenated and trans fatty acid processed fake foods.
• Save junk food treats for 1 meal a week as your reward for fueling your body with incredible gasoline for better performance. In the meantime, enjoy fresh foods like a juicy red apple and teaspoon of Organic Peanut butter!
• Crocodiles have lived for millions of years on freshly caught food! Hmmm makes you think doesn't it!

I hope you understand the message my friends its loud and clear take care of you we only have one life to live and our health is very important. Don't wait until its too late start living well. Have a happy and healthy day!


By, Natalie Pyles

Health and Fitness Expert, Nutrition Specialist, Author, & NSA Speaker

How to Make Green a Family Value that Lasts

5 Tips to Use the Outdoors for a Greener Lifestyle

Are you ready to get outdoors? Good lets go have some fun shall we. While it sometimes seemsas though we've paved over most of the world, in fact nearly a third of the land in the United States- Almost 700 million acres- is owned by the public and managed by various agencies in part for outdoor recreation. We've got urban parks, dense forests, alpine meadows, desert canyons, and remote wilderness.

Let's not only save the earth. Let's get out there and enjoy it. There are so many ways you can make Health and Fitness a Green Family value here are some of the common ones. Hiking, running, brisk walking, swimming, and bike riding are all activities that require a minimal investment in gear, keep you fit, and get you outside appreciating and reconnecting with nature which will completely destress you. Doing things from your front door saves you fuel and greenhouse gas emissions. I believe in it so much that I started doing Mobile Personal Training, Lifestyle consulting, and Nutritional Counseling teaching clients to utilize their own environment for sustainable results that last a lifetime.

Another plus: With the average cost of a gym membership running about $50 dollars a month , moving your workout outdoors can save you about $600 a year. Don't get me wrong I grew up in gyms my whole life and they have value too but, I realize they are not for everyone especially when you do have a family to support and would rather be spending time with them. Afterall family is most important and should never be neglected so enjoy Fitness together.

Take the whole family. Childhood Expert Richard Louv wrote a thoughtful book called Last Child in the Woods (2006), in which he laments that today's kids are "alienated" from nature. He thinks depression, anxiety, and obesity can all be lessoned by reaquanting your kids with the grand outdoors. I am a living example of overcoming childhood obesity and depression and would never want anyone to suffer what I went through. There are so many ways for you and your family to live a healthy, happy, Greener lifestyle so I hope you enjoy and get outdoors!

By, Natalie Pyles

Health & Fitness Expert, Nutrition Specialist, Author, & NSA Speaker

New Fitness Elements Sucesses!

Listen To Natalie's Story Today and Congratulations to Fitness Elements Clients! Enjoy!

Click here to download…

P.S. Call in and tell us your story 480-212-1947 we would love to help you or email fitnesselementsnow@yahoo.com for Your Q's & A's today!

How to Shop Green and Spend Less!

2 Local Stores to that You can go shopping to stay lean, mean, and green!


I hope by now with all the media, news, and hype about going green you realize that going green does not have to be more costly and can, in fact, save you hundreds of dollars on your home's overhead expenses. But you might be thinking that the savings stop at your door. Doesn't it still cost more to buy green products at the grocery store -and, for that matter, at any other kind of store?

The short answer is no and here is why: Your spending choices shape the world we live in. How you spend not only determines the quality of your life- what you eat, where you live- it also contributes to the success of your businesses where you shop. And as more and more Americans are choosing greener products, the prices are dropping all the time. That just makes sense, right?

For example, as ordinary Americans have become conscious of shopping for food grown without chemicals pesticides, supermarkets have begun marketing store brands of low-priced organic foods. Safeway introduced its O brand, an organic line that includes 150 products across the store, from bread to olive oil to yogurt. They even deliver your food too! And Whole Foods has a popular brand called 365, which includes competively priced organic and all- natural products. If you would like to learn more I give grocery shopping tours, and a cooking class at Whole Foods once a month to educate the public.

Not only are these products cheaper than name-brand organics, they're also often cheaper than the non-organic alternative. A 15-ounce can of O organic black beans costs $1.05. Whole Foods' 365 label organic beans are 99 cent. Compare that to a can of Bush's Best beans, on the shelf at Safeway for $1.39.

A bag of O pasta costs $ 1.95- just slightly more than a box of Barilla brand pasta, which sells for $1.79. But a bag of Whole Foods' 365 organic pasta costs $1.29- a savings of 50 cents a bag!

If we all begin to shop green and demand envoronmentally friendly products and services, the companies of the world will keep delivering them at more and more affordable prices. I believe it won't be very long before the cost of green products reaches parity with non-green products, and not much longer after that before the green alternatives become cheaper.

In the meantime, shopping green does not have to mean paying premium prices. Even with categories that are still significantly more expansive, like organic produce, there are ways you can come out ahead at the grocery store. So let's go shopping. If you have the willingness to learn how to become lean, mean , and green then I can help educate you for a long lasting lifestyle. Have a healthy and happy GREEN day!

By, Natalie Pyles

Health & Fitness Expert, Nutrition Specialist, Author, and NSA Speaker

2 New Articles for you From Fitness Elements!

How to put some Pizazz in your Pickling

3 Ways to Celebrate National Pickle Month

When is National Pickle Month?

The month of July is always National Pickle Month! This is a Food holiday month and I have put together some ways you can get into the groove and celebrate.

What is this Holiday for?

This Holiday is set aside for people to appreciate the pickle and I will try to put a healthy spin on it for you . It doesn't matter if it's a sweet pickle or a dill pickle, most of us love pickles in one form or the other at least I do and I hope you can enjoy them with me. During this month make it a point to add more pickles in your diet and familiarize yourself with all the different ways pickles can be used in our daily menu or in cooking. Make it fun for you and your family and put some pizazz in your pickling. We already know how popular and traditional it is to serve a pickle along side a sandwich for lunch so make this month fun by planing more juicy pickles on your plate. M aybe you would like to learn to grow cucumbers so you could can your very own homemade pickles. It doesn't matter how you celebrate National Pickle Month at all, just as long as you do! So let's go!

What the meaning of a Pickled Cucumber is and it's Origin?

Pickled Cuc umber
A pickled cucumber, most often simply called a pickle in the United States and Canada, is a cucumber that has been pickled in a brine, vinegar, or other solutions and left to ferment for a period of time.

Origin
Cucum bers were probably first pickled 4400 years ago in Mesopotamia. In India, pickles were well known by the Vedic period.

The pi ckling process was also known to the Ancient Greeks. Aristotle is reported to have praised pickled cucumbers for their healing effects. Julius Caesar's soldiers ate pickled cucumbers as health aids; many other brine-soaked foods were part of daily life in Ancient Rome. Cucumber pickling remained widespread across the Levant and Maghreb regions, where it is still very popular today.

Pickled cucumbers became popular in the United States due to the influence of the cuisine of Central and Eastern European immigrants.

7 Types of pickles to familiarize yourself with

Gherkin
A gherkin is not only a pickle of a certain size but also a particular species of cucumber: the West Indian or Burr cucumber (Cucumis anguria), which produces a somewhat smaller fruit than the garden cucumber (Cucumis sativus).[4] Standard pickles are made from the West Indian cucumber, but the term gherkin has become loosely used as any small cucumber pickled in a sweet vinegar brine, regardless of the variety of cucumber used.

Kosher dill
A "kosher" dill pickle is usually not kosher in the sense that it has been prepared under rabbinical supervision, which would ensure that no non-kosher ingredients were used, and that no utensil in contact with the pickles had ever been in contact with food that was not kosher. Rather, it is a pickle made in the traditional manner of Jewish New York City pickle makers, with generous addition of garlic to the brine.

Polish
Polish style pickled cucumbers (Polish: ogórek kiszony, plural: ogórki kiszone) are a type of pickled cucumber developed in the northern parts of Europe and have been exported worldwide and are found in the cuisines of many countries. As opposed to some other varieties of pickled cucumbers, they are prepared using the traditional process of natural fermentation in a salty brine which makes them grow sour. There is no vinegar used in the brine of a Polish-style pickled cucumber (Ogórek kiszony).

Typically, sm all cucumbers are placed in a ceramic vessel or a wooden barrel, together with a variety of spices. Among those traditionally used in many recipes are garlic, horseradish, whole dill stems with umbels and green seeds, white mustard seeds, oak, cherry, blackcurrant and bay laurel leaves, dried allspice fruits, and — most importantly — salt. The cucumbers are then placed under clear water and kept under a non-airtight cover for several weeks, depending on taste and external temperature. The more salt is added the more sour the cucumbers become. Since they are produced without vinegar, a scum forms on the top, but this does not indicate they have spoiled, and the scum is just removed. They do not, however, keep as long as cucumbers pickled with vinegar.

The concoction produced during the fermentation process is often consumed as a drink (a natural treatment against hangover, rather).

In Poland they are traditionally served as a side dish to vodka.

Lime
Lime pickles are soaked in lime rather than in a salt brine. Vinegar and sugar are often added after the 24-hour soak in lime, along with pickling spices, although this is done more to enhance flavor than as a preservative.

Bread and butter
Bread-and-butter pickles are sweeter in flavor than dill pickles, having a high concentration of sugar added to the brine. Rather than being served alongside a sandwich, they are more often used in fully-flavored sandwiches, such as hamburgers, or used in potato salad.

Swedish and Danish
Swedish pickled cucumbers (pressgurka) are thinly sliced, mixed with salt and pressed to drain some water from the cucumber slices. Afterwards placed in a jar with a sour-sweet brine of vinegar, salt, sugar, pepper and parsley.

Danish cucumber salad (agurkesalat) is similar, but the cucumbers are not pressed and the brine doesn't have parsley. The cucumber salad accompanies meat dishes, especially a roasted chicken dish (gamme ldags kylling med agurkesalat), and is used on Danish hot dogs.

Kool-Aid Pickles (a.k.a. "Koolickles")
Kool-Aid pickles (considered a delicacy in parts of the Southern United States[8]) are created by soaking dill pickles in a mixture of Kool-Aid and pickle brine.

Pickle Fun Facts to leave you with

The m ighty pickle is over 4,000 years old.

The pickle was brought to the New World by Christopher Columbus.Picture of the first McDonald's Restaurant

Like pickles? So did George Washington, John Adams and Dolly Madison. Cleopatra claimed pickles contributed to her beauty.

Americans eat about nine pounds of pickles a year.

Dill pickles are the most popular.

Pickles are mentioned at least twice in the Bible.

If all of the pickles consumed each year were placed end to end, they would reach the moon and back 8.25 times.

How can I Celebrate National Pickle Month?

Make your own pickles! - Hey have you ever tried it? The Internet is packed full of how-to videos on pickle making and recipes galore.

Blog with us a bout it! - We have a blog called "Everyday is a Holiday" so visit our pages and tell us about your favorite cleaning day or your favorite cleaner recipe.

Send Free E-Greeting! - If your ready to get together with your friends don't forget to invite them with these fun Internet Invitations.

I hope you enjoy these fun facts, tips, and a healthful ways to put some Pizazz into your pickling. Have a healthy and happy pickling day!

By, Natalie Pyles

Health and Fitness Expert, Nutrition Specialist, Author, and NSA Speaker

Top 6 Healthy Habit Chefs for your Formula 4 Fitfood Success

Q & A's from your Top Healthy Chefs

What would you say are the most perfect healthy foods and your simplest healthy meal?

Chef Cary Neff, author of The New York Times best-selling cookbook Conscious Cuisine (Sourcebooks, 2005): Miso Soup with tofu, wakame and julienne vegetables. Its high temperature forces the diner to slow down, to enjoy, to take notice of the nutritious sea vegetables and the interesting contrasting textures. It's super simple to make and a wonderful example of healthfulness and mindful eating. The simplest healthy meal is chicken soup. Just make a quick and easy stock from bone-in, skinless chicken breasts, fresh or frozen vegetables, vegetable stock or filtered water, fresh herbs and brown rice.

How do you create your healthy recipes?

Norene Gilletz, chef and author of Norene's Healthy Kitchen (Whitecap Books, 2007) (www.gourmania.com): I start with recipes that are family favorites, then use simple techniques to modify them and make them healthier.

When baking, I use fruit purees, such as applesauce or pureed prunes, to replace part of the fat. I replace part or all of the flour with whole-wheat flour, finely ground rolled oats or ground almonds. Sometimes I add wheat germ or flaxseed. I use canola oil or soft tub margarine in my baked goods rather than butter. I try to incorporate fruit into many of my desserts. And I love chocolate, but I keep portions small, saving the chocolates for a special treat. (You know that chocolate comes from the cocoa bean -- and everyone knows that beans are good for you!)

In cooking, I use small amounts of olive oil, nonstick cookware and nonstick spray. I add lots of vegetables and some lean protein to my pasta, rice (brown or basmati) or whole-grain dishes to add fiber, flavor and volume. I also like to use fresh herbs whenever possible. And I make lots of hearty fiber-filled soups with lentils or beans and barley, plus lots of veggies. Fiber makes you feel full, and soup is a terrific way to help control hunger.


Chef Billy Strynkowski, executive chef for Cooking Light magazine: Sauces are a great way to liven up even the blandest of meals. I always keep a supply of flavored mustards, flavored vinegars, fresh herbs and fresh citrus (oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruits -- for the zest, pulp and juice). Add those to any base, and you've made a restaurant-worthy glaze.

What's the simplest healthy meal you know how to prepare?

Chef Dean Rucker, executive chef of the Golden Door spa and author of Golden Door Cooks at Home (Random House, 2009): Vegetable fried rice. I do it at home all the time for a quick meal. All you need are garlic, ginger, scallions, mushrooms, shredded cabbage, one or two egg whites, a few cups of leftover steamed rice, low-sodium soy sauce and a hot sauté pan with a few teaspoons of grape seed or peanut oil. In 10 minutes or less, you're eating. You can also add whatever vegetables or lean meat you may have on hand.

What are some time-saving strategies for getting healthy fresh foods on the table quickly?

Robin Miller (www.Robin-Miller.com) is host of Food Network's, Quick Fix Meals, and author of the best-selling cookbook Quick Fix Meals (Taunton, 2007): As a mom of a very busy family, I know how challenging it is to fit a family dinner into a jam-packed, busy schedule. I want to serve something that is well-balanced and nutritious, but I also want to make something that can be ready in no time. The following time-saving tips have really helped me get food on the table super fast and avoid the 6 o'clock dinnertime scramble:

Quick Fix Stash: You can assemble a home-cooked meal in just minutes if you plan ahead and have your own "quick fix stash" of stored food. I like stocking up on items like bottled sauces, frozen chopped vegetables and fruits and precooked, recipe-ready protein, all of which will help to dramatically cut down on prep time.

Bank a Batch: Keeping extra meals in your freezer or refrigerator "bank" to withdraw as necessary is a simple solution for even the busiest of days. When I make a dish, I cook double the required servings and stash the rest in my freezer or fridge for another day. That way, when I'm starved for time and my boys are just starved, I can pull out a dinner from my stash, pop it in the microwave and have a delicious dish on the table in minutes.

Prep Your Produce: I always prepare for a busy week by chopping and prepping my produce on the weekends. I chop onions, carrots, bell peppers and celery for salads, soups and stews, and I cut up pears, apples, oranges and grapes for a healthy fruit side salad to serve with dinner. Chopping and prepping produce up to four days in advance and throwing it in the fridge is a simple step that's a serious time-saver.

Are there tricks to cooking healthfully?

Pam Anderson, chef and author of The Perfect Recipe for Losing Weight and Eating Great (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2008): Use evaporated and 2 percent evaporated milk in place of heavy cream. Instead of butter, whisk a little cornstarch dissolved in water into pan sauces to give them body. Substitute one egg and 1/4 cup of liquid egg whites for two whole eggs in omelets and crustless quiches. Drizzle or sprinkle sweeteners over foods rather than stirring them in. (They taste sweeter that way, so you can get away with using less.)

Enjoy Your Healthy Chef Tips!

Your Friend In Health & Fitness,

Natalie Pyles

Discover New culinary trends through the 7 Best Institutes

July 1-31:

National Culinary Arts Month

This month-long celebration is to promote awareness of professional cooks and chefs and their contributions to new culinary trends and dining excellence. So dine out during the month of July and remember to thank your favorite chef!


Want to know more about the culinary arts? Here is a list of some of the top schools for perfecting your skills:

The Culinary Institute of America

For more than 55 years, The Culinary Institute of America’s unwavering commitment to excellence in education has shaped every course in their curriculum. The CIA’s proven degree programs offer the balance of hands-on culinary and baking education, business disciplines, and creativity that will prepare you for success in a wide variety of careers in the food service and hospitality industry.
Source: Culinary Institute of America

The Institute of Culinary Education

The Institute of Culinary Education is one of the oldest and most prestigious culinary schools in the United States and a New York institution. The school is dedicated to providing inspiration and innovation in culinary education, and to that end offers four distinct programs: career training, recreational classes, professional development classes, and special events.
Source: Institute of Culinary Education



California School of Culinary Arts

If you have a passion for food and a willingness to learn, the California School of Culinary Arts, located in Pasadena, California, can prepare you for success. You will work beside industry trained Chef Instructors committed to excellence, graduate from the Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Arts Program in only 15 months, and receive job placement assistance at graduation.
Source: California School of Culinary Arts

California Culinary Academy

California Culinary Academy can provide you with the positive, comprehensive, and challenging hands-on experience you need to prepare for a variety of exciting and rewarding positions in the culinary and hospitality field.
Source: California Culinary Academy

New England Culinary Institute

This is a private, coeducational, culinary institute located in a small-town setting. It was founded in 1980 and is accredited by Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology.
Source: New England Culinary Institute

Le Cordon Bleu

Le Cordon Bleu is dedicated to promoting the advancement of education, training, and the appreciation of gastronomy worldwide. Through its courses, consultancy, publications, bakeries, restaurants, and gourmet and licensed products, Le Cordon Bleu is promoting the art of fine living and fine cooking worldwide.
Source: Le Cordon Bleu

The French Culinary Institute

From faculty to field trips, The French Culinary Institute is the place to acquire the credentials and lifetime experiences that give entrée into restaurants the world over. In fact, their graduates are regularly scooped up by top-rated restaurants right after graduation.
Source: French Culinary Institute
Be sure to visit ClassBrain’s Family Life section on Dining, Drinks, and Recipes for more cooking fun!

Source: Classbrain.com


P.S. Remember Natalie Pyles Fitness, Nutrition Expert, and CEO of Fitness Elements offers FREE cooking classes at Whole foods on a monthly basis. Don't be shy and join us! Call for details today 480-212-1947 or email fitnesselementsnow@yahoo.com for details.

Announcing! YELP and Fitness Elements Exer-Eats Part 1&2 Special Event!

MEDIA ALERT & CALENDAR LISTING

YELP EATS RESTAURANT WEEK 7/20-7/26

Yelp Partners With 15 of the Hottest Valley Restaurants to Offer
$25 Three-Course Prix Fixe Dinners

Yelp is a site that connects people with great local businesses. Yelp Eats is a week-long promotion designed to give consumers the chance to dine at some of the Valley's finest restaurants at a deeply discounted prices. After widespread success in other cities such as Chicago and LA, we are hosting our first ever Yelp Eats! Restaurant Week in Phoenix starting Monday, July 20 through Sunday, July 26, 2009. Twenty five dollars includes a three-course meal (dinner time only) with your choice of appetizer, entree and dessert—many with vegetarian options.

Menu and Website: You can check out brief menu descriptions on the official Yelp Eats! event listing. Restaurants are now accepting reservations, so make yours today.

Participating restaurants include:

• ATLAS BISTRO
• CHEUVRONT RESTAURANT & WINE BAR
• COUP DES TARTES
• DIGESTIF
• EDDIE'S HOUSE
• METRO BRASSERIE
• PASTA BRIONI
• ROARING FORK
• ROKA AKOR
• SAN GABRIEL MEXICAN CAFÉ
• SOL Y SOMBRA
• THE MISSION
• THE VIG
• UN BACIO
• Z'TEJAS (and all Valley locations)

A few reminders:
1. Call to make reservations, and request the Yelp Eats! menu
2. $25 does NOT include tax/tip or additional items and beverages
3. Spread the word. This deal is open to all!

More about Yelp: Yelp.com is a business review site where locals read, write and share reviews about their favorite—and not so favorite—hangouts. From restaurants and bars to doctors and mechanics, users are connected with great businesses. It's like word of mouth—only amplified! With more than 6 million reviews across the US, the UK and Canada, and more than 21 million unique visitors within the past 30 days, Yelp.com has been called "one of the 10 essential sites" by Time magazine. Read up more on what the press is saying!

****Here is a link to our Yelp Exer-eats Part 1: http://www.yelp.com/events/scottsdale-uye---yelp-exer-eats-part-1
****Here is a link to our Yelp Exer-eats Part 2: http://www.yelp.com/events/scottsdale-uye---yelp-exer-eats-part-2


Hopefully you've heard about Yelp Eats already, but if not, check it out here: http://www.yelp.com/events/phoenix-yelp-eats

Gabi from Yelp (link to my profile if you want: http://www.yelp.com/user_details?userid=dIIKEfOgo0KqUfGQvGikPg) and I are going to be hosting a fun event for any of you interested - there are two parts: exercise and eating

Part 1 will be at Coffee bean and tea leaf... and then a walk on the beautiful greenbelt (this part is free)
Part 2 will be dinner at Roka Akor (this part is $25 for a three course meal (with your choice of appetizer, entree and dessert) from Roka Akor.

Also visit... http://rawwholefoodsrevolution.blogspot.com/
For more details and list of special events!

Gabi will answer any questions you have about Yelp and I'll be there to answer questions about eating and exercise - it is possible to eat out and keep it healthy! We hope you'll join us!

New Article Published! Food Lesson 101: Your BBQ Survival Guide

How to Side-Step Diet Sabotage: Healthy Recipe Make-overs Made Easy

The Problem

Have you ever noticed every year it is the same thing over and over again. First, the big New Year's resolution is made to "get in better shape," to start eating better, change your lifestyle for good this year. Then a short time later the goal is abandoned. then, "bathing suit season" rebirths fitness loyalty only to be attacked by backyard barbecues. We reach football season looking more like a linebacker and some how we loose are tight end.

Don't get me wrong we have to attend our get-togethers and stay social that is very important to balance and happiness in life and it's no fun to say no to all of our social events. Non-fitness and healthy oriented people don't understand how "one day will make a difference," but I know you do.

Not only does becoming a food snob bring ridicule, but it certainly won't help make any new friends and it's not any fun. If this is your thinking that is not always true. You can still stay healthy and fit and be even happier in life if you choose.

The Solution

Instead of snubbing burgers and side dishes, why not bring some of your own? You don't have to announce your dishes health superiority either (nobody likes that person). So bring things unannounced and enjoy!

Bringing seasoned burgers stuffed with veggies and mushrooms will make heads turn and taste buds dance. Skip the cheese and use half a bun. These little prepared strategies will save you hundreds of calories.

Chips and dip are always tempting, but they are packed with unforgiving "hip wideners!" Try skipping the dipping and load up on the veggie tray. Mix a tablespoon of guacamole with spicy salsa to use for your dip. The guacamole is full of nutrients and healthy fats, just be sure not to over do it. A tablespoon and ladle are very different. This is where your will power and portion control are key!

Side dishes are a toughie for sure. There are very few good things to say about macaroni and potato salad. Try to make a healthy coleslaw dish loaded with mostly cabbage versus globs of mayo. If anyone asks why you didn't grab grandma's famous fat-back pork and beans, you can tell them while you're running out of the room and will hit it later if you aren't too full, which you will be I promise.


Stay Away from Roadblocks

Don't hang out in the kitchen or at the food table the whole time when your done excuse yourself! If you do, you will not be happy with the end result that is where mindless eating occurs. You won't even realize you are picking at the cheese tray. Instead, suggest heading outside or sitting in the living room.

Once you side-step the temptation of fatty foods, be sure not to fall in the pit of alchohol's empty calories. It is easy to turn "I'll just have one," into "I"ll just have one more."

If it is a 'beer only' crowd and water is not an option, grab a light beer, but don't keep it in your hand. Keep it on the table to pace yourself so you only consume one. And, if anyone asks where your beer is you have an answer.

Another option is volunteer to be the designated driver. This way you can keep the calories off your hips, get everyone home safely, and have a win-win system in place so you won't feel guilty and have long-term success. Good luck and enjoy your Backyard barbecues! Have a healthy and happy day!

By, Natalie Pyles

Health and Fitness Expert, Nutrition Specialist, Author, & NSA Speaker

New Article Published! 21 Ways to Perfect Your Performance In Business, Sports, and Life

How to apply Mental Training as a key role in success by effectively using self-talk and visualization to focus.

Have you ever noticed how you have to perpetually talk yourself into believing that you are good enough and that no one else is better than you to actually take that leap of faith into business, sports, or life goals? Well let me tell you some tried and true strategies that work and will consistently work for you if you are willing to reprogram your limited thinking about you and your life and what is truelly possible for you.

Whether you're training for the Olympics, doing a few laps in the pool preparing for a triathlon, eating less and exercising more to reach your weight loss goals, or trying to reach your sales quotas these rules still apply to achieve your lasting success in any of these areas of your life. When times are tough people tend to go back to old bad habits when they are under too much pressure and huge amounts of stress so try and be very aware of all your surroundings and the environment you allow yourself to be in. You do have a choice so always remember that and stay focused on your core values and beliefs in life and the personal achievment you absolutely deserve.

Here are your 21 tips you can apply starting today to achieve perfect performance in business, sports, and life:

• Set realistic goals
• Clear your mind
• Take a look at your stroke, actions, and where your spending your time
• Trust your mentor
• Cross-train
• See the correct strokes, actions, and where you spend your time (this tip alone will expedite things rapidly in your goal achievment mechanism)
• Prepare for the race and life conditions both mentally and physically
• Tune in to your body through the movement and the dance to create constant flow
• Enjoy yourself
• Shcedule time off
• Learn to relax
• Find your right tension level
• Choose a narrow focus (Remember the things that cause anxiety are the things over which you have no control)
• Beware of overconfidence
• Follow prerace cues (build in a cue system for every race that will work for you or find a coach or mentor that will help you build one)
• Find a Stress Buster Example would be simplicity and a straightforward competitor nothing fancy before a race.
• Think positive thoughts Always!
• Avoid getting psyched out
• Bounce back with relaxation and imagery
• Keep your cool
• Make Plans with a chance to plan for transitions

These are very specific mental tools that have worked for decades with olympic athletes, business owners, great leaders, and anyone who has ever accomplished anything worth living for until that visualized goal was achieved. I hope this helps you and remember don't ever stop setting goals and staying focused on what you want in life especially when times are tough these are just the times you need to buckle down more then ever on the things that are most important. Your health and fitness are absolutely critical for sustainability in a rocky environment. Good luck and God Bless you!

By, Natalie Pyles

Health & Fitness Expert, Nutrition Specialist, Author, & NSA Speaker

Blueberry Tips and Recipe of the Month!

Discover Your Blueberry Cravings!

Healthy Tip: Get a Blueberry Boost

Blueberries top the charts with antioxidants and have been shown to help with brain, eye and vascular health. Packed with phytonutrients, blueberries may also promote healthy aging and benefit short-term memory — helping you remember to eat lots of these little gems!

Blueberries

Selecting

Select firm, dry berries that have a subtle, whitish bloom over a uniform blue-black color. The chalky bloom is a sign of freshness, not mold. Gently shake the carton to make sure the berries move freely. If they don't, it may indicate that they are soft and damaged. When selecting any type of ber

ry, it is important to inspect their packaging carefully to look for signs of spoilage, excessive moisture or mold. Check cellophane-wrapped containers for stains or dampness, which could indicate damage, and make sure the berries are not wrapped too tightly. Look under the top layer of berries in open containers to check for mold.

Storing

Keep ripe blueberries in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to a week. Inspect them right after purchase and discard any soft or damaged ones as well as any debris. Blueberries may be frozen though their taste and texture will be slightly altered.

Using

Don't wash fresh blueberries until you're ready to use them—the chalk-like bloom on the skins helps keep them fresh. When adding fresh blueberries to batters such as pancake batter, dust them lightly with flour and add them last to prevent them from sinking to the bottom of the mix and beco

ming unevenly distributed.

Nutrition Information

Blueberries, both wild and domestic, are increasingly recognized for their health benefits, particularly their high antioxidant content. Because of their small size, wild blueberries have more skin and therefore more antioxidants per pound than domesticated varieties.

Your Blueberry Recipe

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Items to add:

• 1 (12-ounce) day-old baguette, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• 1 pint blueberries, divided
• 12 ounces Neufchâtel cheese, softened*
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 8 eggs*
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2/3 cup milk*
• Maple syrup* (optional)

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Serves 8

Serve this sweet and custardy breakfast bake for breakfast or brunch. It’s assembled the night before, so pulling together a delicious breakfast for guests is a snap. Ingredients with an asterisk (*) are available in the Whole Foods Market Family of Brands.

Ingredients

1 (12-ounce) day-old baguette, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 pint blueberries, divided
12 ounces Neufchâtel cheese, softened*
1/2 cup sugar
8 eggs*
1 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2/3 cup milk*
Maple syrup* (optional)

Method

Place half of the bread cubes in a greased 9- x 13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle with blueberries, reserving a few for garnish.

In a mixing bowl, beat cheese and sugar until smooth. Beat in the eggs, sour cream, vanilla and cinnamon. Gradually add milk until blended. Pour half over bread. Top with remaining bread, then remaining cheese mixture. Cover and chill overnight or up to 24 hours.

Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Cover and bake at 350ºF about 30 minutes. Uncover and bake about 25 minutes longer, or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. Sprinkle with reserved blueberries. Let stand 5 minutes. Serve with maple syrup, if desired.

Nutrition

Per serving (about 8oz/240g-wt.): 260 calories (100 from fat), 11g total fat, 6g saturated fat, 9g protein, 28g total carbohydrate (1g dietary fiber, 23g sugar), 235mg cholesterol , 135mg sodium

New E-mail CourseThe 9 Great Lies of Weight Loss and Fat Loss Lesson 1 http://the9greatliesofweightloss.blogspot.com/ Enjoy!