Seasonal Spotlight: Artichokes

I think artichokes are the most underrated vegetable that exists. It was never a staple in my home, or any of my friends' homes growing up. Most people that I know eat it in dip. I bit the bullet and bought 2 back in May. I didn't know what I was going to do with them, but I knew I was going to do something! I thought artichokes were a summer vegetable for a while, but according to Center for Urban Education about Sustainable Agriculture, they are actually harvested from March through June and September through December. Artichokes are rich in fiber and anti-oxidants, and low in calories....

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Savory Dishes

Being the first of September, you know that Autumn is on it's way.  I've been switching my lunch salads for soups, and iced lattes for warmer coffees every so often. Even my makeup has begun it's transitional phase.  I just cannot get over Autumn.  Hands down it is my favorite season.  I'm stuck in between holding on to these precious last days of Summer (you all know when it's 15 degrees I'll be begging for summer!), and pining for the crisp air, the crunchy leaves, and everything-pumpkin-flavored season. I've had a few personal friends ask for recipes for some of the...

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Keeping a Food Diary

So in the past few posts, I have gone on and on and on about the importance of keeping a food diary.  Keeping a food diary was imperative to my weight loss.  The key with keeping a food diary is to keep it simple, but use enough detail that it becomes useful. It took me a while to find a system that worked for me.  A sample day of my food diary looks something like this: 3:45pm: woke up, weigh-in: ___lbs, 8 oz water 4pm: five strawberries, 1 apple, 1 hard-boiled egg, iced coffee 4:36pm: 24 oz water 5:30pm: 3 chicken tenders, honey mustard, 1c steamed broccoli 7:30pm: salad w/...

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Snack Time!

I don't know about you, but I almost live for snacks.  Seriously, on my days off from work, my bedtime snack is a bit of a production.  Matching plate and mug?  Check.  Comfy pajamas?  Check.  Warm beverage?  Check. One of my friends actually asked me about snacking as I was writing this post.  She said that it was one of her biggest downfalls while trying to lose weight.  In the weight loss world, there are 2 people: snackers, and the anti-snacker.  In case you haven't realized it already, I fall in the former category.  If you don't want...

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Why I Blog

I hear countless times after I tell someone that I blog, "Oh, I'd love to start a blog! I just don't think anybody would read it." Good.  That is one of the best reasons to start a blog. I don't have 100 pageviews every time I make a blog post.  Actually, in total, I have 565 pageviews.  I was tickled to death when I noticed that my post on nail polish was my most-read blog post.  It has 57 page views.  I don't make one single dime from somebody reading my blog.  While it is nice to think that someday maybe I could make money from blogging, part of me...

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My Top 10 Tips for Weight Loss

Hello! I have had an outpouring of people asking how I lost weight.  Did I use a certain diet plan?  Did I cut something out?  Do I eat?  The answer is no, no, and YES!  I feel like I'm constantly filling my mouth!  I wanted to do a post of my top tips for what helped me lose and keep off over 50 pounds.  None of these tips will get you skinny quick, but that's okay.  The little changes really do add up.  Trust me on that one.  It took me a year to lose 50 pounds, and there were months that went by when I didn't lose a single pound.  However,...

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"This Time Next Year, You'll Wish You'd Started Today."

Hello! While my blogging skills have been lacking, my health journey has been going full-force.  I'm sorry for another unannounced hiatus. August 3, 2014 will mark my one-year anniversary of my weight loss journey.  An entire year.  Time sure flies when you're having fun!  This year has had its ups and downs, and plenty of its plateaus.  It has been a time of learning what works, working with what doesn't, and a lot of self-discovery. I initially started this blog as a bit of an online diary documenting my weight loss.  I'm SO glad I did.  I love going back...

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Happy Easter!!!

Hey everybody! Happy Easter! Take this day to enjoy the beautiful weather, some good food, and appreciate the time with your family! xoxo, Rachel P.S.: If you think I'm not eating candy today, you're out of your mind.  I may be a health blog, but I'm not opposed to the Easter tre...

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Spring Things

I just cannot get over this season.  Honestly, it felt like Spring was never going to get here this year.  Now that Spring has sprung, I'm in Heaven!  This is the perfect time of year to try out a couple of new trends.  It's still just cool enough to layer if needed, but it's warm enough that we aren't constantly hiding our outfits under bulky winter wear. My first favorite certainly isn't a "trend."  Actually, it is the exact opposite of a trend.  This timeless classic will always be a hit, and April and May are the perfect months to break yours out...

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Spring Fever

So it has technically been Spring for almost a month now.  But unless you live in Southern California or Cancun, the weather has been less than "Springy."  I don't know about any of you, but between April snowstorms and sub-20 degree temperatures, I'm all Winter-d out for at least the next decade. Since Spring has finally sprung, now would be a great time to discuss a new set of workouts!  I know a lot of my friends don't have access to a gym, or cannot afford one (I'm right there with ya, kids).  However, there is no reason to go to the gym to get a good workout in...

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My Laptop Works!

Hey lovelies!! Great news! My laptop is now fully functional! So, I literally have no more excuses not to blog more.  Catch you all in a day or so. ;) xoxo, Rac...

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Fit Friday: Strength Training

So, I thought Fit Friday was a catchy way to involve a fitness routine into this blog.  As we all know, fitness is a very important part of a healthy lifestyle.  Granted, it is also one of the hardest parts in my opinion.  Working out used to be like pulling teeth for me.  Now, I almost look forward to getting in a run a few days a week.  However, while cardio is particularly important for good cardiovascular health (imagine that), and particularly weight loss, strength training seems to get pushed under the rug. One of the most common myths about strength training...

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Posh Polishes

While beauty isn't a subject that gets touched upon too often on my blog, one of the main points of starting this blog was to discuss my beauty habit, and one of my favorite parts of my beauty routine is nail polish!  If you name the color, chances are good that I either have it, have a dupe for it, or am lusting over it.  My nail polish fixation occurred my second year in college.  I had just gained a bunch of weight back (which seemed to be the story of my life), and I didn't feel pretty in anything I put on (for clarification, you can be drop-dead gorgeous at any...

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Work it.

First things first: for my avid readers, I'm so sorry that it's been...what, 3 months now?  I really have no excuse.  I lost all motivation to blog when my computer charger burnt up.  I am now on a Monday, Wednesday, Friday posting schedule, and I am very hopeful for the upcoming posts. I'm officially 4 pounds away from losing a whopping 50 pounds!!! It has been a hard 6 1/2 months, but honestly, every time I step on the scale, look in the mirror, or catch my reflection in a door, I am nothing but ecstatic for myself.  It's been a lot of difficult work, especially with...

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