Happy New Year!

Yes!!!!   It is the last day of January and… How many of you decided to lose some weight at the end of the year?  Others decided to make more money, move to a new place, buy a new car, change the hair color or style, etc.      How are you doing?   Did you start a DIET and already quit?  Did you decide to make more money and still looking for something to do?  So many resolutions.  The best way to make them happen is to write them down, read them and next to them, using a scale from 1 to 10, see how important it is to you.  Then.... just plan and go one step at a time.  But, go ahead and move towards your goal. Everything is possible.

Lets talk about Weight Management.  If you already gave up.... You are not alone. Many people decide to make so many changes before the beginning of the year that become overwhelmed with everything at once.  Good news for you, with a change of eating habits, you'll never be frustrated again about food.

Get ready!  Go ahead and let me know what has happened, what is your "weakness", ohhhh mine was bread!!!   I was addicted to it.  Never was satisfied and wanted bread as many times as possible.  Sounds familiar?

When it comes to finding an additional stream of income, I am glad I found mine.  February is around the corner, ask yourself this:  "What do I want?" go ahead and make a commitment with "yourself" and do it!  Success was and still is my only option.  Make it yours too.

Be back in February.  If one of your goals is to lose some weight.  Join us!   I will be sharing with you my progress with my weight management program and will be posting some pictures too. 

To your continued Health and Wealth,
Maritza
maritza.usana.com

Have you found a Healthy Balance?

Hello! Wishing every one is well and Healthy. Over the last few weeks I have been attending different seminars, including some regarding Diabetes. I am blessed, to be Healthy. Here is what I found out and makes me think. About 90% of the persons that suffer from Diabetes, were very reluctant about changing eating habits and were not open to change much of the refined sugars or flour/grains, would not eat vegetables and if so, very little. Many did not follow a eating pattern and would have a "little something" in the morning and wait all day until dinner time to eat again. Also, when the time came up to discuss what was the regular diet for their kids.... WOW!

Please, keep in mind I am not an expert, nor a doctor. I just have learned and practiced healthy (or "almost healthy") eating habits for over two decades now and enjoy sharing with others. It is so simple, specially if you make the changes gradually. It is so important to teach the children healthy eating habits as well. No wonder the predictions made for this generation is that is will be the one with the shortest life span ever. How are you taking care of yourself? and your family? Are you eating enough fruits and vegetables?

Once you start making these changes, besides noticing an improvement in your health, you will notice a weight loss as well. After talking with so many of my clients, I finally made the decision to begin a weekly live call, using skype, where we will go over a Lifestyle change for you and your whole family.  Live Well!

To your continued Health and Wealth!
Maritza
maritza.usana.com

Who Said Healthy Eating is Boring?

Mmmmm! Simply irresistible! This delicious meal was prepared using Brown Rice, Veggie Protein Sausage - Chorizo Style and Steamed Broccoli, Cauliflower and Carrots.

Eating and Living Healthy is not as complicated or boring as many think. Many of you may be already living a healthy lifestyle and many more problably still eating about anything, others are learning and are beginning to make changes in their lifestyles. Welcome everyone! I like to avoid pre-packaged meals and try to eat as healthy as possible. Yes! I said "try" I do my best, I am the first one to say that I do not always eat healthy, but at least 85% to 90% of the time I do. Every so often there is that craving for something that is "not that good for you" or you are invited to a party. I go and enjoy myself. Even though I don't really like much bagged snacks, I try this or that. Is one day and the best part is that I am not addicted to them! This is the major issue whith snacks, many individuals are addicted to them and must have them on a daily basis. Then.... we ask, how come there are so many obese people here? Mostly on account of "empty calories" and many more times just because the poor habit of planning heathier meals ahead of time. It is better to find a perfect balance than to not do it at all. Besides, I always use a good supplement on a daily basis. Once you get started, you will find out how easy it is to obtain more nutrients through your food. Please, do not forget about the children, teach them young to eat better.

About this dish, I love Chorizo! The sad part is that WOW! talk about fat content and sometimes by just looking at it I think about what would this do to my arteries? Good news, I found this all Veggie Protein Sausage - Chorizo Style with such an amazing flavor! Now I can enjoy my chorizo. I cooked the brown rice with the chorizo and added some fresh chopped onion, turmeric, garlic and sea salt. I cooked it in a rice cooker. The vegetables I steamed and sprinkled with some sea salt. My serving was 1 part rice and 3 parts vegetables, a very satisfying meal that your whole family will enjoy. Want to trick them? Cook it and do NOT even mention that the Chorizo is all veggie. Let them enjoy it and THEN.... let them know. Many times when we tell them what they are eating, the mind works in such a way that right there and then you will hear "yikes! veggie sausage? I don't like it" So.... put it on the table and....... Enjoy!

If you would like the recipe, send me and e-mail requesting the Brown Rice and Chorizo recipe. The supplements I use are of "High Quality" and have used them since 1998.

To your continued Health and Wealth,

Maritza

Enjoy your meal!

"I Don't Know What To Eat"

Hello! Wishing everyone is doing great at eating healthy and losing weight (if that is what you are looking for). Lately I have been talking with many of my Preferred Customers and new business partners. I have noticed, and this is not new, the same issue over and over, specially when they are looking to manage their weight and keep saying to me"I don't know what to eat", "I am so tired of salads", "I feel like a bunny rabbit", "I am ready for a nice hot meal" and so on... What is happening here? You already know that I do not like to use the word "Diet". Haven't you noticed that once you are on a "Diet", suddenly you want to eat everything that is forbidden? Instead, I rather use "Lifestyle change", this way it will be something permanent and it will be beneficial, not only to you, but for you whole family as well.

I have to admit, I have never been a breakfast eater. We all know that breakfast is the most important meal. After you have been resting, regenerating and getting ready for your day at school, work or at the beach, you wake up and should have a healthy breakfast. For many years I have been "drinking" my breakfast. This way I know I am providing much better nutrition than just a plain cup of black coffee and maybe a toast. I like to start my day with a healthy smoothie, I use 11 oz of liquid, sometimes water, or juice, or milk. Who knows the combinations are unlimmited. This is my favorite combination, since I can add any fruits I want and always taste delicious! I add 1 scoop French Vanilla Protein Shake (gluten free). Then add some frozen fruits, some ice and blend. Perfect! Breakfast to go in a cup.

I like to put my bananas in the freezer with the peel and when I am ready just peel with a knife and add to my smoothie. Bananas with blueberries and strawberries, mmmm! this is my favorite. Just use your imagination, add Papaya and Mango, Pineapple and Strawberries, so many combinations. This is a low glycemic smoothie and it is also a perfect snack! I just use half the portions and at times. Share with us your favorite combination here. Add your comment! Don't forget that this can be an awesome snack alternative for your kids as well.

Allow me to share this vegetable soup I prepared last Sunday. A very good friend of mine was visiting and she likes Italian Sausage, well, I used about 3 Tablespoons of it (you do not need to add this). I just used it to add some flavor. For the Vegetable Soup I used:
1 Eggplant --------- 1 Zuchinni Squash --------- 3 Carrots --------- 1 Chayote Squash --------about 4 pieces off a Bok Choy -------- about 2 cups of Snow Peas ------- I even added 1 Artichoke! and some tomato sauce.

To season it I added: 1 crushed Garlic Clove, 1 heaping Tablespoon of a condiment I prepare (Sofrito) with peppers, onions, garlic, sweet condiment peppers, cilantro and recao. Then some Sea Salt and Black Pepper to taste, not much, you don't want it to be too salty. In this case, I had to be careful on account of the 3 Tablespoons of Italian Sausage that was added.

It was delicious! You can eat it without feeling guilty, at the same time it is very satisfying. Try adding some chicken instead of the sausage. What do you think? This is healthy and the glycemic index is not high. At this time, I am not even going to talk about healthier snacks.... will be coming soon.

Share you favorite recipes with us, and please, come back to let us know how did you like this soup. Don't forget to take a good quality supplement, I use the Essentials and drink plenty of water.

Thank you for stopping by and see you soon!

To your continued Health,
Maritza
maritza.usana.com

Do You Weight Yourself Every Day?

This is a recipe for frustration. Haven't you noticed how sometimes even though you don't lose weight, you DO lose inches! Suddenly your pants are not as tight as they used to be. This is why instead of "checking my weight" I "check my pants" : ) This has helped me inmmensly, I keep a pair of pants that are "too tight to wear"; you know, the ones you put on and then can't sit. Those! I try them on once a week to check my progress. Or a pair of pants that are a little too tight and need to lose only a little bit more. The first time I decided to do this for real... After trying one diet after another, losing and then gaining back plus a few extra. Wow! How sometimes we mess up our metabolism. Once I found this system, it has been an eye opener. Even though I have always eaten very healthy, to lose the pounds I would not eat this or that and that guilty feeling every time I ate something "wrong".

Well, to get back to the point, The first time I finally decided to go ahead and change my lifestyle, the pants I took out of my closet would not go any further than my knees. I have to tell you, those pants are GONE now, because they were too BIG on me! My goal is to drop one more size and then is maintain.

Remember, it is completely up to you; you will decide how fast or slow you want to make the changes, as long as they are "permanent". You will begin to live a happier, healthier life. I live my life... and I do NOT Diet.

Share your thoughts and progress with me. What are your goals? Have you experienced "Yo-Yo" dieting before? When you are on a "Diet" and go out, eat something out of your "Diet menu", what do you do after? Just forget about everything and keep eating?

Don't forget to drink plenty of water and to take a high quality supplement. I take the essentials. which are a good antioxidant, minerals, omega on a daily basis, plus a few more every so often : )

Until the next one my friends!
Maritza

Say "NO" to Diets

Hello! If you are here it probably means that you also have been on a "Diet". You know, the ones where you don't eat at all, or eat a lot of "this" and none of "that", where you are constantly thinking of what you "want to eat" but can't, of course. Days keep on going and going and suddenly.,.. AHHHHH! you just can't take it any more and eat everything that is in front of you and.... more. Of course since you already ate everything you wanted the day before, what the heck! Keep on eating everything. See! That is the main reason "Diets" fail.

Once this happens you either feel confusion, disappointment, frustration, or you may be feeling all of them. These emotions are felt by millions each year who start diets that the end result is failure. So, what happens then? We simply give up. Just because we did not achieve the promised result. Now you stopped "dieting" and probably even gained what you lost and maybe... a few extra pounds as well. I will be sharing with you a program that works, is safe and healthy for you. This is only the beginning. Welcome to the journey of finding the new you. Are you ready?

Here are Three Reasons Why Diets don't Work:

1) A Quick Fix By drastically restricting your calorie intake or food choices. Many never exercised before and now are making the time to exercise. Then, what happens? Almost everyone return to their old habits once the goal is achieved. Back to eating the same way as before and maybe since you have not eaten your "favorite food" are indulging a little. The exercise will probably find an excuse for "tomorrow". By doing this, the weight will come back, even if it is a little at a time.

What to do? Have a Permanent lifestyle change in order to achieve sustained weight loss.

2) Fad Diets = Unbalanced Nutrition This is when you disregard the importance of a balanced nutrition by eating only certain types of food.

What to do? Learn how to balance your food in order to give your bodies the variety of nutrients it needs, including proteins, fats and the right type of carbohydrates. Don't forget to have a good quality supplement. You are probably thinking that I am out of my mind. I know, by experience that it is easier said than done. I am admitting here to all of you that I was addicted to carbohydrates! As I keep on bloggin I will share my experiences with you. All I can tell you is that I have done it at my own pace, don't diet, and have never gained the weight back. Everyones experiences will be different, but I am here to help you and support you. As we progress I know many of you will have many questions and it will be excellent to have an excellent support. Lets cheer for each other. I have one more size to drop as well. I will tell you my story on the next blog.

3) The High-Glycemic Trap Eating High-Glycemic Foods can sabotage even the best of diets plans because the resulting spike and subsequent drop in blood sugar leads to a more rapid return feelings of hunger.

What to do? Have a better approach, which focuses on low-glycemic carbohydrates, which help to moderate blood glucose levels, leaving you feeling full and satisfied longer

WOW! It sounds complicated. Don't worry, Even though the program may not sound as easy as it really is. The beginning is the worst. But once you discover a healthier, happier lyfestyle and you look back, you are going to be so happy you did it.

You may request an appointment in order for me to talk to you and we can make the arrangements.

I'll see you in a couple of days here! Wishing you Success!

Maritza
maritza.usana. com
You have One Body, One Life... Why not give it the BEST care it deserves?

My Favorite Weight Loss Products

Hello! Before we keep on going I want to share with you the products that I use. It is completely up to you if you would like to use them. I am here to share my experiences with you so we can support each other with ideas and support. After many years trying to lose weight and going down and then up again, I got tired of the yo-yo dieting. Even though I am not a "junk eater" I learned that I was not eating the right thing. You will find out soon. Today I am here to introduce you to my favorite products, later on I will start sharing my favorite recipes too. The best thing for me is that I do not have expensive special meals to buy.


Weight-management system uses 5-day kit as a jumpstart, then progresses to Transform and Maintain phases Low-glycemic formulas provide a source of sustainable energy to help control cravings* Works as a scientific alternative to fad diets Balanced blend of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats *It is suggested that you take these products to your physician and secure his/ her advice if you intend to change your diet, begin an exercise program, are pregnant, lactating, have allergies, are taking medications, or are under the care of a physician.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The components of the program are foods and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. As with any health or fitness program, a sensible eating plan and regular exercise are required in order to achieve long-term results. Results will vary.Children under the age of 18 should not participate in the program, except on the advice of their physician and/or dietician

To your continued Health and Wealth!
Maritza
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