Tag: live longer
Healthy Grilling: Decrease your cancer risk when cooking on the grill this season…
by Aprilanne on Jul.19, 2010, under California Living, Diet Day News, Food & Wine, Healthy Living, Healthy Recipes

When it heats up outside use our healthy living guidlines when cooking on the grill!
When things starts heating up outside it’s our cue to fire up the grill and start cooking outdoors! Now while I’m not aiming to be a total killjoy here - it is important to report that the process of cooking meat, poultry and fish on the grill has been proven to cause the formation of carcinogens known as HCAs (Heterocyclic Aromatic Aminies) and PAH’s (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons). We all love to BBQ, and cooking on the grill is a quick, easy, and fun way to prepare meals - so here are a few steps you can take to decrease the cancer risk when grilling:
1. Use fruit marinades such as orange, lemon, lime, etc., and anti-oxidant rich herbs and spices such as cumin, rosemary, oregano, etc., and marinating meats and poultry at least an hour before cooking to reduce carcinogenetic damage up to 90%!
2. Using fresh foods such as garlic, onions, rosemary, tomatoes, etc. that contain antioxidants to protect one’s DNA from the carcinogenic damage caused by the Heterocyclic Aromatic Amines HCA’s and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons – PAHs formed when grilling meats, poultry, and fish.
3. Cooking in tinfoil to prevent the fat drippings and subsequent production of PAHs that are deposited back onto the food by smoke and flare-ups.
4. Using smaller cuts of meat so they take less time to cook; flipping frequently to promote faster cooking and prevent HCAs from forming.
Ultimately you are in control when it comes to the foods you eat and prepare for yourself and your family so do take a few extra moments when grilling to include some of the ideas above to protect yourself and loved ones from the carcinogens created when grilling meat, fish, and poultry. Carcinogen byproducts are not formed by the way when grilling vegetables - so be sure to include lots of great roasted veggies such as colorful peppers, onions, tomatoes, eggplant, and zucchini and enjoy them all completely guilt free! Enjoy - Aprilanne
This information is offered to provide general good living tips and guidelines and is not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent, or cure any disease or illness. Please check with your doctor or health care provider before starting any new heath regimen. Yours in good living, Aprilanne
Aprilanne Hurley, CN is a Certified Health Professional specializing in Public Nutrition Education and Weight Management in the Lifestyle. Please forward your personal health and nutrition questions to Aprilanne @ info@insidelooktv.com.
Aprilanne’s Grilled Pizza Recipe
Check out CA Living’s Insider’s Guide to Paring Wine and the BBQ on CAInsider.com NOW! And try marinading your meat in the Olive Salsa Verde
Tasty & Good For You - Crab Cioppino offers Winning Ingredients for Better Health!
by Aprilanne on Apr.29, 2010, under Diet Day News, Food & Wine, Healthy Recipes, Nutrition News, Tiburon, CA

CA Living features Sam's Anchor Cafe Crab Cioppino
Originally crowned the ultimate “brain food,” Omega 3 Fatty Acid rich fish such as salmon, trout, and halibut to name a few offer numerous health benefits due to their Omega 3 Fatty Acid properties.
According to the Harvard School of Public Health – in addition to providing protection against heart disease and possibly stroke, higher does of omega-3 fatty acids are used to treat depression, and “new studies identifying potential benefits for a wide range of conditions including cancer, inflammatory bowel diseases and other autoimmune disease such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.”
Omega-3 fats have been linked with health benefits such as lowering the risk of heart attack and may reduce irregular heart rhythms. Omega-3 fats work to prevent disease by regulating blood clotting and the contraction and relaxation of artery walls. They also lower blood pressure and heart rates, improve blood vessel function, and at higher doses, lower triglycerides and may ease inflammation.
Since our bodies don’t produce Omega-3 fatty acids we need to rely on food sources containing them for numerous normal body functions, such as controlling blood clotting and building cell membranes in the brain. It is however, always recommended that you seek to get your omega-3 from foods choices and not from supplementation. Note of caution about supplementation - always, always, I repeat - ALWAYS check with your doctor or health care provider before taking a fish oil supplement.
So what foods can you find Omega 3-fats in? Omega 3- fats are found in fish such as salmon, tuna, and trout, herring, halibut, and sardines, as well as Omega-3 eggs that have been fortified with DHA. Omega-3 fats in the form of ALA’s (alph-linolenic acid) can also be found in flaxseeds, walnuts, and soybeans. ALA can be found in olive oils, canola oils, and in dark green leaf vegetables such as kale, spinach and Brussels spouts, as well as in some animal fats such as grass-fed animals.
What about the health concerns regarding mercury and other environmental contaminants found in some fish species? According to JAMA - The Journal of the American Medical Association, “Overall, the health benefits of eating fish greatly out-weight the potential risks - especially when guidelines are used to reduce the small chance of being affected by these risks.” “For men and women not of childbearing age, it is not clear that mercury exposure from typical levels of fish intake has any adverse health effects. In contrast, fish intake has significant benefits for reducing the risk of death from heart disease, the number one cause of death.” Pregnant and breastfeeding women should “avoid the 4 types of fish that are higher in mercury content: shark, swordfish, king mackerel, and golden bass.” In light of these cons however - research shows there are a multitude of beneficial health benefits associated with Omega-3 Fatty Acid rich fish and food sources and everyone should really strive to include two servings of fatty fish a week into their diets. So why not start today?! Try making the Authentic San Francisco Crab Cioppino Recipe we are featuring on the link below -compliments of Sam’s Anchor Cafe in Tiburon, CA (which also includes antioxidant rich tomatoes, garlic, rosemary, and olive oil) - and you’ll discover a great tasting way to get more “fish” into your family’s diet - Enjoy! Aprilanne
Sam’s Anchor Cafe Authentic Crab Cioppino Recipe on CAInsider.com
JAMA - Benefits and risks of fish consumption
Sam’s Anchor Cafe - Tiburon, CA
Aprilanne Hurley, CN - Aprilanne Hurley is a Certified Health Professional specializing in Public Nutrition Education and Weight Management. Please forward your nutrition and dieting/weight loss questions to Aprilanne @ info@insidelooktv.com or post below - thank you!
Site Disclaimer: The content on this site is for informational purposes and is not intended to treat or cure any illness or disease. Please consult your Health Care provider prior to starting any new exercise or diet regimen.
Nutrition News - Get Aprilanne’s Top Ten Food List for Health & Longevity!
by Aprilanne on Apr.14, 2010, under Diet Day News, Nutrition News

Aprilanne's Top Ten Foods for health and longevity.
Proven “Top Ten Foods” for Health & Longevity!

Aprilanne's Top Ten Foods for health and longevity.
Watch Aprilanne’s Top Ten Foods for Health and Longevity On-Demand Now!
As seen on CA Living’s “Health & Wellness” Special - below is a list of the Top Ten foods science has proven can make you healthier and help you loose weight when eaten as part of a nutritious diet in moderation and live longer:
1. TOMATOES – TOMATOES ARE A MAJOR SOURCE OF THE ANTIOXIDANT LYCOPENE – LYCOPENE REDUCES THE RISK OF CANCER BY 40 % - NOTABLY PROSTATE, LUNG, AND STOMACH CANCERS AND INCREASE CANCER SURVIVAL – AND HERE’S AN INTERESTING TIP – CONCENTRATED TOMATOES SAUCES LIKE THE ONES FOUND ON PIZZA AND IN PASTA SAUCES HAVE FIVE TIMES MORE LYCOPINE THAN FRESH TOMATOES AND CANNED TOMATOES HAVE THREE MORE THAN FRESH SO –THERE’S NO EXCUSE TO ALWAYS HAVING THIS POWERFOOD ON HAND ANY TIME YOU WANT A LYCOPINE BOOST!
2. OLIVE OIL – IT IS A MAJOR PART OF THE MEDITERRANEAN DIET – SHOWN TO HELP REDUCE DEATH FROM HEART DISEASE AND CANCER – HEART ATTACH SURVIVORS ON A MEDITERRANEAN DIET HAD HALF THE DEATH RATES OF THOSE ON AN ORDINARY LOW-FAT DIET, RECENT RESEARCH SHOWS. THE REMARKABLY LOW MORTALITY RATES AMONG MEDITERRANEAN POPULATIONS IS ATTRIBUTED TO OLIVE OIL – WHICH IS ALSO HIGH IN ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY.
3. RED GRAPES – THIS CATEGORY INCLUDES RED GRAPE JUICE AND WINE. CERTAIN RED GRAPES HAVE MODERATE ANTIOXIDANT POWER WITH PURPLE GRAPE JUICE TOPPING OTHER JUICES IN ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY – HAVING FOUR MORE THAN ORANGE OR TOMATO JUICE – RED WINE HAS ABOUT THE SAME ANTIOXIDANT CAPACITY AS PURPLE GRAPE JUICE OR TEA. FRENCH RESEARCH ALSO SHOWS THAT DRINKING RED WINE IN MODERATION INCREASES LONGEVITY – BUT AS WE JUST TOLD YOU – YOU CAN ACCOMPLISH THE SAME ANTIOXIDANT BENEFITS WITH GRAPE JUICE IF YOU DO NOT WANT THE ALCOHOL.
4. NUTS – RECENT HARVARD UNIVERSITY RESEARCH FOUND THAT EATING MORE THAN 5 OUNCES OF NUTS A WEEK CAN CUT HEART ATTACK DEATHS IN WOMEN BY OVER 40 PERCENT – AND HELPED PREVENT DEADLY IRREGULAR HEARTBEATS IN MEN. ALMONDS AND WALNUTS LOWER BLOOD CHOLESTEROL – AND NUTS ARE HIGH IN FAT – MOST IN THE GOOD TYPE MONOUNSATURATED AND OR OMEGA -3 FATTY ACIDS – SO IF YOUR WATCHING YOUR FAT INTAKE KEEP PORTIONS TO ONCE OUNCE.
5. WHOLE GRAINS THE MORE WHOLE GRAINS YOU EAT – THE LOWER YOUR ODDS OF DEATH A UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA STUDY REVEALS. – MIDDLE AGED WOMEN WHO ATE SLIGHTLY MORE THAN ONE WHOLE GRAIN FOOD PER DAY HAD A 15% LOWER DEATH RATE TAN WOMEN EATING LOTS OF REFINED PROCESSED GRAINS. LOOK TO INCLUDE MORE WHOLE GRAIN DARK BREADS, AND CEREALS SUCH AS ALL BRAN AND OLD FASHIONED OATMEAL INTO YOUR DIET. WHOLE GRAINS CONTAIN ANTI-CANCER AGENTS AND HELP STABILIZE BLOOD SUGAR AND INSULIN WHICH MAY PROMOTE LONGEVITY.
6. SALMON AND OTHER FATTY FISH – THESE CONTAIN HIGH AMOUNTS OF THE TYPE OF FAT – OMEGA 3 FATTY ACIDS – THAT PERFORMS MIRACLES THROUGHOUT THE BODY – FIGHTING VIRTUALLY EVERY CHRONIC DISEASE KNOW – WITHOUT IT YOUR BRAIN CANNOT THINK YOUR HEART CANNOT BEAT PROPERLY - YOUR ARTERIES CLOG AND YOUR JOINTS BECOME INFLAMED. YOU NEED AT LEAST AN OUNCE OF A DAY RO TWO SERVING OF FATTY FISH A WEEK – BOTH RED AND PINK CANNED SALMON – SARDINES – MACKEREL HERRING AND TUNA ARE RICH IN ESSENTIAL OMEGA – 3’S.
7. BLUEBERRIES – ONE OF THE BEST ANTIOXIDANT-RICH FOODS SAY TUFFS UNIVERSITY RESEARCHERS. BLUEBERRIES ARE SO POWERFUL IN RETARDING AGING IN ANIMALS THAT THEY CAN BLOCK BRAIN CHANGES LEADING TO DECLINE AND EVEN REVERSE FAILING MEMORY. – AIM FOR A HALF-CUP OF FROZEN OR FRESH BLUEBERRIES A DAY.
8. GARLIC – GARLIC IS PACKED WITH NUTRIENTS KNOWN TO HELP FEND OFF CANCER, HEART DISEASE, AGING, AND OTHER HEALTH PROBLEMS – GARLIC HAS PROLONGED CANCER SURVIVAL IN TIME AND EXTENDED ANIMAL LIFE SPANS ABOUT 5 PERCENT – WHICH IN HUMANS MAY ADD ABOUT FOUR YEARS - HERE’S A TIP FROM RESEARCHERS AT PENN STATE – LET CRUSHED GARLIC ‘REST ‘ ABOUT TEN MINUTES BEFORE COOKING IT TO PRESERVE IT’S DISEASE FIGHTING AGENTS.
9. SPINACH – THIS SUPER HEALTH PROMOTER IS SECOND AMONG VEGETABLES ONLY TO GARLIC IN ANTIOXIDANT CAPACITY. IT IS ALSO RICH IN FOLIC ACID, WHICH HELPS FIGHT CANER, HEART DISEASE, AND MENTAL DISORDERS. BOTH RAW AND STEAMED CONTAIN HIGH ANTIOXIDANT AND OTHER ESSENTIAL NUTRIENT COUNT.
10. TEA – GREEN AND ORDINARY BLACK TEA PACKS THE SAME AMOUNTS OF ANTIOXIDANTS AND HAVE EQUAL BENEFITS EXPERTS SAY. HARVARD RESEARCHERS RECENTLY FOUND THAT DRINKING ONE CUP OF BLACK TEA A DAY CUT HEART-DISEASE RISK IN HALF. BE SURE YOU MAKE YOUR ICED TEA FROM BAGS OR LOOSE TEA – BECAUSE ACCORDING TO TESTS AT TUFTS UNIVERSITY THE BOTTLED AND INSTANT TEAS CONTAIN MINIMAL ANTIOXIDANTS.
Watch Aprilanne’s Top 10 Foods for Health and Longevity
*This information has been provided as a general healthy living guide - it is not intended to treat, cure, evaluate,or diagnose illness or disease. Please check with your doctor or healthcare provider before starting any new exercise or diet regimen and enjoy!
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We welcome your comments please email us: info@insidelooktv.com
Everyday Veggies get a “sexy makeover” with Silverado Resort’s Chef Peter Pahk on California Living with Aprilanne Primetime…
by Aprilanne on Apr.09, 2010, under California Living, Diet Day News, Food & Wine, Healthy Living, Napa Valley, CA

- Chef’s Peter Pahk’s Oregon Pink shrimp with Organic Tequila Lime Sauce
How many servings of fruits and vegetables do you eat daily? According to the Harvard School of Public Health - if it is less than 5 - 13 servings a day (equivalent to approximately 2 1/2 to 6 1/2 cups of fruits and vegetables daily) you could be cheating yourself of the powerful antioxidant and disease fighting properties a diet rich in colorful fruits and vegetables can deliver.
I realize the idea of consuming 6 1/2 cups of anything can be hard for some people to swallow - yet there are so many great ways to incorporate these food groups into our daily meals to make eating our fruits and veggies fun and tasty - like the Tequila Lime Shrimp Recipe with “sexy” and colorful vegetable garnish featured primetime on California Living below, compliments of Silverado Resort’s Executive Chef Peter Pahk - who gives ordinary vegetables a “sexy makeover” in this somewhat decadent yet surprisingly healthy dish that is easy, nutritious, and delicious - ENJOY - and sign up for RSS feed to be sure you catch all of our Healthy Living Updates and related shows coming on-demand as they happen! Aprilanne
Recipe: Silverado Resort Executive Chef Peter Pahk’s Oregon Pink Shrimp with Organic Tequila and Lime Sauce as seen on California Living with Aprilanne:
Serves 6 as an appetizer
1 pound cooked Oregon Pink Shrimp
1 cup each of Red Beet, Yellow Beet and Cucumber “Confetti”
1 1/2 cups Tequila and Lime Sauce
1 cup chiffonade of Romaine Lettuce
6 Martini glasses
6 Sprigs each of dill and Italian Parsley
6 wedges of lime
For the Kefir Sauce
14 ounces plain kiefer or Greek Style Yogurt
2 ounces organic tequila
Juice of 2 limes (about 1 ounce)
Salt and Pepper to taste
To make the “Confetti” you will need a turning machine - simply set up the radishes, peppers, etc. into the machine and crank away! This is one of the greatest ways you can “sneak” veggies into dishes and it’s fun and easy!!! (Watch Video for more details)
For the Chiffonade of Romaine you will need one head of just the heart of Romaine lettuce. Starting from the stem end, slice as thin a ribbon of Romaine that you can. Reserve
To Serve, place 1 ounce of romaine at the bottom of a martini glass. Hang a few strands of each kind of “Confetti” down the glass…
Spoon about 2 ounces of Kefir Sauce on top of the lettuce and then add about 3 ounces of the Oregon Pink Shrimp on top.. Garnish with the dill and parsley sprigs and lime wedge. To compliment the acid and salt balance of this dish try pairing with a sparkling beverage of your choice and ENJOY!!!
What is what - when it comes to a cup of fruits and veggies?
Harvard School of Public Health on daily vegetable and fruit consumption
Grandma Rose’s Authentic Italian Meatball Recipe
by Aprilanne on Mar.15, 2010, under Food & Wine

Authentic Italian Meatballs and Spaghetti can be yours!
A little background on this recipe: Grandma Rose’s generation did not use measurements in recipes, but rather cooked with their senses, how the food looked, tasted, and even felt, adding more cheese, or spices etc., to perfect the texture, consistency, and flavor of a dish. With this in mind, the following recipe is the official recipe known as “Grandma Rose’s Authentic Italian Meatballs,” compliments of Joe Mack, Grandma Roses’ eldest son, who recommends tasting one as soon as it’s cool enough, “because that’s when they taste the best.”
Get in touch with your “Inner Italian” and give it a try…Buona Fortuna!
2 pounds of chopped beef, veal and pork
2-3 eggs depending on size, slightly beaten
1/2 cup plus of finely chopped onion
3 slices of white bread or 2-3 hotdog rolls, chopped finely - About 1/2 cup of skim milk or more - Very big bunch of Italian Parsley chopped fine/leaves only
1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
Heaping tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1. Soak chopped bread in milk till it is nice and mushy
2. Add eggs, parsley, onions, cheese, salt and pepper and mix well
3. Add chopped meat and mix well using your *hands; there is no alternative
*Fun Fact # 1 -Grandma Rose would never wear nail polish when cooking for fear that it may chip into the food she was preparing..
4. When thoroughly mixed, form into meatballs by rolling in your palms. You should make 18 to 24 meatballs.
5. Place meatballs in lightly oiled, olive of course, cookie tin and bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Do not overcook. The meatballs may be browned in a frying pan; however, the baking is easier and probably healthier.
6. When cool remove meatballs from pan and scrape off any fat that has formed. Did you make more than you need or want to freeze some to enjoy at another time? Try Joe Mack’s Freezing Trick - by laying them out on a cookie sheet and covering to freeze for later use. Check back periodically for additional “Authentic Italian,” Wine Country Cuisine, and “California Living” inspired recipes to try out!
Watch “Making Meatballs with Aprilanne” now On-Demand on Aprilanne.com
Get your “Feel good” endorphin release by Volunteering…
by Aprilanne on Mar.02, 2010, under California Giving, California Living, Healthy Living

Aprilanne and Hilary Newsom filming "Step Out on the Town for a Cause" Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign
Endorphins are those “feel good” chemicals that get released in our bodies when we exercise (among other vigorous activities), are in pain, laugh, and do something nice like volunteer or help out others in need - which has been dubbed the “helpers high.”
HeroesHappen.com recently lauched it’s “Find the Hero in You” - Public Awareness TV Campaign and “Volunteer Match Making” Website to encourage people of all ages “unleash their inner hero and volunteer.”
Click here to go to HeroesHappen.com to watch this Public Awareness Campaign produced promoting Volunteerism featuring Masi Oka - star of hit TV series “Heroes” and program supporter Captain Maggie of the Angel Island Tiburon Ferry on location in beautiful Tiburon, CA!

Get On-Board with Captain Maggie & Crew - the fresh air will do you a world of good!
Oh, and the dose of Negative Ions you will get out on San Francisco Bay with Captain Maggie’s crew will also boost your endorphin production - making you feel happier, more relaxed, and ready for anything you encounter on your mission in Life…Enjoy! Aprilanne
Visit CaptainMaggie.com and get your FREE companion Ferry Ride Ticket!
What is Circuit Training? Your Insider’s Guide…
by Aprilanne on Jan.30, 2010, under Beach Body Workout, California Living, Circuit Training, Healthy Living
What is Circuit Training?
Everyone complains about time these days - the lack of it, that is. Getting in shape and shedding pounds takes precious time, which can be at a premium. Circuit Training may be just the answer. It’s defined as the execution of a selected number of exercises in a determined sequence and time.
Circuit Training provides a one-stop total-body exercise session, combining strength training and cardio in a single workout. It can reduce body weight and inches, burn fat, and build lean muscle. It can also improve your overall strength and endurance and add variety.
Safety Guidelines:
1. Always check with your doctor or health care provider prior to starting a new exercise program.
2. Keep well hydrated during your routine and throughout the day.
3. Stop immediately if you feel pain, or experience shortness of breath and call your doctor.
4. Start each workout with a few minutes of low impact cardio, cool down and stretch afterward:
Performing a Circuit:
Choose three exercises to perform as a circuit. Beginners - perform once with a 2 minute cardio blast such as jogging in place after the second exercise. Add additional cardio blasts (see Intermediate/Advanced below) and add additional circuits as you progress in strength and endurance.
Intermediate/Advanced - Perform a 1 minute cardio blast after the first and third exercise and a 2 minute cardio blast after the 2nd exercise. Repeat your desired circuit (3 exercises - 3 cardio blasts) 3 times.
Your circuit can consist of a total body workout, or upper body, lower body, or core exercises. You can vary the program to add variety.
Do your circuit training 2 - 3 times a week, and remember to schedule a day off between each session to allow the muscles to repair and rest.
CA Living’s Beach Body Workout On-Demand offers a Total Body Workout in just 20 minutes with Circuit Training - no gym or fancy equipment required!
Cardio Blast Options: Run/Jog in place, Jump rope, mountain climbers, etc. (see video on right)
__________________________________
Aprilanne Hurley’s Fitness Career began in the 1980’s, working as a Fitness Specialist with the Elaine Powers Figure Salons (East Coast) teaching “American Yoga,” and “Total Body Fitness.” As she progressed, the role of fitness in her life evolved into a passion for making fitness practical, accessible, healthy and fun for others through TV segments such as:
-”Mission Stay-Fit” - A comprehensive look at ways to get and stay fit.
-”The Stress - Fat Connection,” - A look at the effects of too much cortisol (a stress hormone) in the body, and how exercise counteracts the negative effects of this “stress hormone” on the body.
-Breast Cancer Prevention Special Report” - In Part - 2 of Aprilanne’s Special TV Report on “Breast Cancer Prevention” the focus was on the connection between stress and Breast Cancer, empowering viewers with ways meditation and exercise can be utilized to combat the negative effects of stress, and reduce their risk for diseases such as cancer.
We are looking forward to bringing you more Health & Fitness Special Features in the months to come - after all - “Good health is a big part of good living - California Living.” Aprilanne may be contacted at: info@insidelooktv.com
Your Ultimate Beach Body Workout - you can do anywhere!
by Aprilanne on Jan.30, 2010, under Beach Body Workout, California Living, Healthy Living, Watch Online

Try "The Double Crunch" at home to work on great abs, shoulders, thighs, and chest in 1 move!
The California Living Beach Body Workout is an easy and effective way to get in shape anytime of year ~ and one of the best parts is there is no gym required!
The secret is “Circuit Training” - a workout technique reviewed in our 5 minute video On-Demand below, which includes a step-by-step guide on how to perform 3 great exercises to for great abs, firm thighs, and a total body workout in just 20 minutes! So check it out and start working out for a better, fitter, healthier YOU today!!!
The California Living Beach Body Workout was filmed on location in Bodega Bay, CA ~ located on California’s beautiful Sonoma County Coast.
Is the honeymoon over? Keep at those New Year’s Resolutions and get results!
by Aprilanne on Jan.16, 2010, under Healthy Living

Keep the "Honeymoon Period" going when it comes to your health & fitness goals!
Beware of what in the “fitness world ” is refered to as the “Honeymoon Period” - this is the 6 week time period between New Years Day and Valentines Day. Similar to that blissful period of the Honeymoon in a marriage, in committing to a healthy lifestyle - the beginning is when there is a great deal of energy and enthusiasm. The gyms are bustling, and we are diligently trying to eat right. So what happens? According to numerous studies - by Valentines Day, many people have fallen back into old habits, and the enthusiasm dies down.
The good news is - it only takes about *4 - 6 weeks for something to become a habit and probably less time for us to integrate something so totally that we are no longer aware of it. *Some sources indicated it can take as little as 21 days for an action to become a habit.
So how can you make your fitness commitments last beyond the “Honeymoon Period?” Below are 3 easy Guidelines for Health & Fitness Success:
1. Keep Your Expectations Real:
While it would be nice, there are no magic pills or exercises that will whip us into shape overnight. that said we do have the CA Living:Toned -By -Tonight Workout that will make your muscles look more defined for a big night out On-Demand, and the CA Living Beach Body Workout - a terrific 20 minute total Body Workout On-Demand for you to check out when time - or a lack of it is a factor in reaching your short term fitness goals.
Keep your expectations realistic - aim to loose 1-2 pounds a week. You may experience more weight loss early on - which is natural - yet the healthiest weight loss plans will not shock your body into shedding large amounts of weight in an (unhealthy) short amount of time.
The secret is balance - your fitness goals are just one part of your life - and should not consume your every waking moment - nothing should - that would be a terribly unbalanced and unhealthy way to live. Most of us have jobs, families, and many other daily commitments beyond working out. Sure there are celebrities that lose weight or “get buff” for their next film who work at it 24/7 - but unless your planning to audition to be the next “Rambo” give it a rest! Your results will come - in time! By understanding this and keeping things in perspective you will be able to work towards your goals over a longer period of time.
2. Set up a Goal and Reward System:
It is important to have goals like - “I want to be in a bikini this summer,” - or I want to run a 5K or 10K this spring.” By setting up intermittent goals along the way and rewarding yourself for reaching these goals you will keep your enthusiasm high and have mini-milestones to look forward to achieving.
For example, going 30 days without eating junk food, or going down a size in your jeans are reasons to celebrate! By setting up non-food related rewards such as a day at the spa, a shopping spree (please don’t blame it on me), or a movie night out with your friends (hold the butter & salt please!), you will feel good about your progress along the way and be less likely to throw in the proverbial towel.
3. Work in that Workout!
What happens when we say to ourselves “I’ll get to it - right after I do this…or - I’ll do it tomorrow” - the “it” usually never happens because we did not consciously plan it into our daily or weekly routine. Create a schedule that works for you - three days a week - every other day, 30 - 60 minutes everyday - Making exercise a part of your life means making it work with the rest of your life.
The beauty of exercise is you can combine it with things you love, hiking, biking, rowing, walking - I know it’s easy to say and harder to do - but seriously, try scheduling an activity you love once a week. While the winter weather presents some challenges you can swim indoors, shoot hoops, or even play a game of tennis indoors - in Cali anyway! You can also work with a trainer and create a kick-butt workout at your local gym and combine it with a fun spin or dance class to keep it interesting. Try adding kick boxing, yoga, or Pilate’s to your routine - you’ll challenge your mind and body in different ways and meet new people who share similar interests - a great fringe benefit!
All the best with your goals - Enjoy! Aprilanne
This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any illness - please check with your doctor or health care provider prior to starting any new health or fitness regimen.
Discover the REAL “Fountain of Youth” at your fingertips!
by Aprilanne on Dec.29, 2009, under Food & Wine, Healthy Living

Discover the "Fountain of Youth" at your fingertips @ aprilanne.com!
The search for the “Fountain of Youth” may be over - literally! Man’s quest for the proverbial “Fountain of Youth” can be traced as far back as the time of Alexander Romance (could be as early as the 3rd Century and even further if you count Biblical references) when Herodotus‘ a Greek historian chronicles tales of discovering “healing waters” from a fountian located in the land of the Ethiopians.Other “fountain of youth myths” were introduced to the New World by sixteenth-century historians who “expanded” upon the Spanish Explorer Ponce de Leon’s account of discovering the “Fountain of Youth” in 1513 on what he thought was an island - which is now Florida.Present day - we have access to a plethora of health and beauty products and treatments promising to “take away the years” and halt the signs of aging. Health food stores are brimming with supplements, specialty foods, and “potions” promising anti-aging and longevity boosting benefits to those consuming their contents. Plastic surgery has become an acceptable option to looking younger, and research and drug companies search to create medications to help us live longer. There are as many exercise machines and fad diets out there now as there are shapes and sizes of people trying to loose weight with them.And naturally - consumers snatch it all up with intense fervor as the promise of eternal youth and happiness is worth every hard earned dollar spent - assuming of course, these products actually do deliver on what they promise. Unfortunately, as we have all experienced - this is not typically the case, and all we have to show for our investments are empty promises, deflated hopes, and shattered dreams of attaining that ellusive state of “everlasting youth.”

The secrets to a longer, healthier life - REVEALED!
Now what if I told you - the secrets to living a longer, happier, and healthier life are available to you right now and are literally just a mere click away - and all FREE for the taking? I know, you may be wondering “what’s the catch?” Well - there is no catch. I’m not pushing any magic pills - secret virility potions - fancy creams - or body altering gadgets. Just click here to watch “CA Living’s Top 10 Foods Proven to Enhance Health & Longevity. “ You can also check out other great Health & Wellness info. and a printed version of our Top 10 Foods on aprilanne.com.
The ironic thing is - many, and perhaps even ALL of the foods on CA Livings Top 10 Food List such as red grapes, olive oil, nuts, etc., have been important staples in man’s diet dating back long before the “Fountain of Youth” myths even started to surface - proving that the solution to man’s quest to find the “Fountain of Youth” has possibly been within reach all along.
Of course, for some, having the answers to attain good health, happiness, and enhanced longevity just may not be enough - as it is the very “thrill of the chase,” the richly rooted folklore, and the ongoing search for a literal “fountain of youth” that keeps this age old quest alive.
For these “die hards” - perhaps a check in to see what Magician David Copperfield is up to is in order - as back in 2006 he claimed the “fountain of youth” existed within the boundaries of a few islands in the Bahamas he purchased where reportedly “the waters had magical, life altering healing powers” breathing new life into dead leaves and “near dead” insects…hmmm. Now while I’m always one for giving someone the “benefit of the doubt” folks - let’s keep in mind this guy made his living tricking people with his “illusionary” skills and play it safe for now by calling on the proven super powers of garlic, spinach, tomatoes, and array of other healthy foods available to us right now - no strings attached! Enjoy ~ Aprilanne
Click here to watch “CA Living’s Top 10 Foods Proven to Enhance Health & Longevity”