RockStar Abs Series Part two: Drop it like it's hot SUGAR

Jorge Cruise and Dr. OZ . BELLY FAT CURE!

In my 20 plus years of being in the fitness industry, the question I've probably been asked the most is "How do I get flat abs?" Our RockStar Abs series will give you great tips, workouts and nutritional information so you finally get the abs you want! Part TWO: Drop it like it's hot! Sugar SUGAR SUGAR What you need to know: In part one we talked about HFCS and it's effects on bellyfat, weight loss and health. Now it's time to address sugar. Fact: Belly fat is unattractive as it is unhealthy. Good news: You can get rid of it . It's all about keeping insulin low.    Why?  High insulin causes your body to store belly fat and lock it in place.  Two hundred years ago, the average American ate 2 pounds of sugar a year. In 1970 we ate 123 pounds of sugar a year. Today we average 152 pounds of sugar a year. That's 3 pounds of sugar or 6 cups a week! That's 31 teaspoons a day! ** Remember: 4 grams of equals 1 teaspoon. A typical 12 ounce can of soda contains 40 grams of sugar. That is the equivelent of 10 teaspoons of sugar! Imagine drinking a super large gulp of soda. It's around 64 ounces and it contains 53 teaspoons of sugar! Sugar = Belly fat! Where are the hidden sugars and how do I find out how much to eat? Be a label sleuth!! Names for sugar on labels: Sugar Honey fructose* Glucose maple syrup corn syrup Sorghum Sorbitol Brown sugar Lactose* Dextose Molasses Maltose sucrose   Fruit juice concentrate High Fructose Corn syrup According to Jorge Cruise, best selling author of 'The Belly Fat Cure' we need to keep our daily consumption at 15 grams of sugar a day. *Remember though: This does not include naturally occurring sugars found in fruits (fructose) and dairy products (lactose). For more on the Belly Fat Cure, be sure to visit Jorge Cruise's blog Check back for more RockStar Abs!

**DHHS.gov

RockStar Abs series: Drop it like it's hot

Gwen Stefani and Ryan Reynolds have RockStar Abs

In my 20 plus years of being in the fitness industry, the question I've probably been asked the most is "How do I get flat abs?" Our RockStar Abs series will give you great tips, workouts and nutritional information so you finally get the abs you want! Part one: Drop it like it's hot! HFCS: HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP How many items can you find in your local grocery store that do not contain High Fructose Corn syrup? It's not easy. In fact more and more products are being spiked with HFCS all the time. What is it? It's a sweetner that is made from cornstartch and is very inexpensive to produce. It's used to sweeten food and prolong shelf life. The FDA has deemed that HFCS is HFCS is Not natural. Fact: The U.S Production of HFCS went from 3,000 tons in 1967 to 9,227,000 tons in 2005. ** What you need to know is that HFCS is a very cheap ingredient that is much sweeter than sugar. HFCS helps the processed food industry boost their profits while it boots our fat-storing hormones. Glucose is metoblized in the cells: fructose must be metabolized in the liver. It tricks the body into not releasing insulin and leptin. Those are two hormones that should be released when you are 'done' eating. Studies have also shown that HFCS also increases triglycerides, and high triglycerides prevent leptin from working in the brain. >>You can't tell when you are full.<< HFCS is good for companies because you eat more of their food! The diet food industry is a billion dollar industry. The US is at it's highest obesity rate of all time. If diet foods worked wouldn't we be skinny.. ah but then they would be out of business! Eating HFCS allows you to consume way more food so super- sizing your drinks leads to super-sizing your meals which leads to super- sizing your gut! Studies have also shown that you eat more for the next 24 hours! Do your homework Read your labels. You will be surprised to find out how many foods (including diet foods) contain HFCS. Some items that can contain HFCS diet deserts breakfast cereals Fast food 'healthy' yogurts Soda Applesauce condiments Fruit Juices High fiber crackers Breads of all kinds cough syrup dill pickles cereal bars peanut butter chocolate milk . The list goes on and on. You can find alternatives by eating clean and being a label sleuth. Smucker's makes an Organic Natural peanut butter that contains, just peanuts. There are many many other reasons to kick this franken-chemical to the curb. The correlation between the high obesity rate, Diabetes,and the increased use of HFCS is in itself reason to say no to this poison. We don't need it. Our bodies don't require it. IT HAS NO NUTRITIONAL VALUE. Don't eat it! If you want to take a big step in cleaning up your diet for health as well as weight loss and flat abs, then make your first step to remove HFCS! You can read more about HFCS online or in **Master your Metabolism by Jillian MIchaels Sugar Shock by Connie Bennett University of Florida More resources/studies here!

Yummy Tomato soup

Yummy Fall Tomato Soup

Since the fall season has begun I've been addicted to Panera's Tomato Soup. I wanted to make something equally as yummy for home and I think this recipe is spot on. Plus, this recipe doesn't have HFCS as the Panera version does. It's super easy and fast. I made this batch with Vegetable broth and I embellished it a bit with a tad of half & half just to give it some body. That's your call. I also toasted one piece of Ezekiel bread in the toaster oven and cut it into croutons. YUM Yummy Tomato Soup 　serves 4 1 tbsp olive oil one table spoon minced garlic 1/4 tsp chili flakes 3 small cans diced fire roasted tomatos 3 cups of chicken or vegetable broth 1 tsp basil flakes 1. Heat a large soup pot to medium heat. Add Olive oil, garlic and chili flakes. Cook for one minute. Add tomatoes, basil and broth. Bring to a boil. 2. Puree with your Imersion blender or blend it on low speed in your blender. 3. Optional: 1/8 cup of half/half to the pot. Per serving (without cream): Calories: 103 protein: 5 grams Carbs: 20 grams Fat: 3 grams Fiber: 5 grams sugar: 14 grams, sodium 710 mg Per serving (with cream): Calories: 143 protein: 6 grams Carbs: 20 grams Fat: 5 grams Fiber: 5 grams Sugar: 15 grams Sodium 725 mg Enjoy!

Chipotle Mahi Mahi

Chipotle Mahi Mahi with Mukimame I love it when the Rock Star chefs for me. He's much better than I am. He made this recipe up on the fly and it was spectacular. Prep time was about 15 minutes with the chopping. Ingredients: green onions 2 chopped home grown tomatoes olive oil 2 small onions (sliced) juice from two limes 1 bag of frozen Mukimame red pepper flakes chipoltle pepper spice 2 mahi mahi steaks Put Olive oil in frying pan over low heat. Add onions and tomatoes. Next add Mahi Mahi steaks in and season with lime, red pepper and spices. Steam the Mukimame in the microwave (don't steam it in the bag though) then add it to the pan and cover. We season to taste so we probably use more pepper than most people. This dish is fast, yummy and completely modifiable! Great protein, Omega's and flavor