In The News: More Research That Suggests Drinking Water Before Meals Helps With Weight Loss!

Haven't we all heard time and time again to "drink more water!".... and especially before meals because it will help us eat less?  Well a recent study has investigated just that!  The research published in the journal Obesity, involved 84 obese results, 41 randomly assigned to the intervention group and 43 to the control group. All of the participants received a weight management consultation, where they were counseled on how to adapt their lifestyle and improve their diet and levels of physical activity.  Those recruited for the intervention group were asked to preload with 500 ml of water before each meal.  The results showed that those drinking the water lost almost 3 pounds more than the control group by the end of the 12 weeks follow up. These are exciting results that such a simple measure can make a reasonable difference for those trying to lose weight.  Check out the summary in the study HERE!

Recipe Redux Post # 37, Super Easy Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Chicken

The theme for August Recipe ReDux is “Back To The Dinner Table,” meaning we were challenged to share our healthy recipes that encourage our families to eat dinner all together. One of my favorite things to do on Sundays is throw some ingredients in a slow cooker that transforms them into a delicious dish for our family to enjoy that evening, and also provides leftovers for the start of the week.  This super easy slow cooker bbq chicken is just the ticket.  Just a few simple ingredients to combine together, then set it and forget it for 4 -5 hours and viola, you have got your main dish all ready!  We like to eat this chicken with some corn, simple sautéed kale and a salad.  Then later in the week it is great in tacos, atop salad or in sandwiches. I hope you will give it a try and also check out the many great family favorites developed by the awesome Recipe ReDux group.

Ingredients:

3 pounds chicken breasts

2 cups BBQ sauce (we love Trader Joe's Carolina Gold)

1 cup low sodium chicken or vegetable broth

2 teaspoons brown sugar

Directions:

Add all the ingredients to large slow cooker  and cook on low for 4- 4.5 hours. Break up chicken with fork to shred and then cook for another 30 minutes.

 Makes 8 cups, 14 servings

Serving size  1/2 cup   Calories 150   Protein 18  g Carb 14  g Fiber 0  g Sugars 20  g Fat   2 g Saturated fat 0 g Sodium 470  mg

An InLinkz Link-up

Gabby Eats: Power Cookies

I was really excited to develop this recipe with Gabby because what parent and child do not LOVE baking cookies together?! 

I gave her full reign in terms of what to put in and she chose the peanut butter oat base with the cranberry, coconut and chocolate chip mix ins.  Although this combo was a bit off the beaten path, it came together deliciously. We kept the added sugar fairly low and let the other ingredients carry the recipe, which worked out great. In fact, aside from snacking and dessert, these cookies can even be nice treat for breakfast on occasion as well. Check out this recipe and many others developed by Gabby and I in the new eCookbook we just published for charity!

  

Ingredients:

2 cup rolled oats (old fashioned, not quick, use a gluten-free oats such as Bob's Red Mill if you are on a gluten-free diet)

1 teaspoon baking soda

¼ cup unsweetened shredded coconut

2 eggs

½ cup creamy peanut butter

3/4 cup packed brown sugar 

½ cup butter, softened

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup chocolate chips

1/3 cup dried cranberries

cooking spray

Directions:

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Combine the oats, baking soda, and coconut in a small bowl.  In a large bowl, beat together the peanut butter, brown sugar, eggs, butter and vanilla. Add the dry oats mixture to the wet ingredients and mix well. Stir in the cranberries and chocolate chips. Drop onto a baking sheet coated with cooking spray(spacing dough at least 2 inches apart)and bake for 19-20 minutes until lightly browned.  

Makes 2 dozen cookies

Serving size 1 cookie Calories 150 Protein 3 g Carb 17 g Fiber 1 g Sugars 11 g Fat 9 g Saturated fat 4.5 g Sodium 95 mg

Gabby's Shot: