There is never any shortage of news about new diet products, food plans, or obesity studies.  The new book by Dr. Alan Hirsch, The Sensa Weight-Loss Program, reviews many of the reasons why Americans have been struggling with weight over the past few generations, but a new study by United Health Foundation, Partnership for Prevention, and American Public Health Association reviews the potential percentage of obese Americans in the year 2018.  The startling report states that if we continue along our current path, 43% of Americans will be obese.  That’s nearly half!

As we all know, being overweight isn’t just a number on a scale or a bigger pair of jeans – it’s a concern with serious effects on health and our wallet.  The same study reported that Oklahoma is projected to spend $3.2 billion in obesity related health care issues!

While I am not a scientist, I am an American who LOVES food.  And even though there seems to be a new diet product or plan on the market every day, the obesity rate isn’t declining.  Even if we jump on the latest diet plan that involves cookies, frozen meals or fat-blockers, the problem remains the same:  They aren’t realistic.  I know I don’t want to give up dinners at my favorite restaurants or thanksgiving with all the trimmings.

Whether it’s with Sensa alone or adding a little extra exercise to your routine, we have the ability to change those predictions for 2018!   So a big congrats to all of you who are taking the steps towards a healthier life for you and America!

-Kim

It’s finally here, the final countdown to the Twilight Saga: New Moon Movie midnight showing. Movie theaters nationwide will be filled with squealing teenage girls to hyperventilating moms tonight when Rob Pattinson, Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner take over the big screen. “New Moon” made Fandango history this year as the fastest-selling pre-release title in their 10-year history.

I would be lying if I said I wasn’t part of the craze; it’s one of my guilty pleasures that I don’t feel that guilty about.  Movie stars, TV personalities, comedians, rock stars (well, rock stars are another story) never did anything for me until Robert Pattinson came to the screen. I would like to believe that it is his lovable character Edward Cullen that I first fell in love with but I am not so sure about that. Stephanie Meyer is a phenomenal writer and has reinvented the wheel when it comes to fictional work in my mind; but Robbie P. has taken Edward to a whole new level that no one knew could be reached. The one great thing about him and Edward is that he seems to be just as fantastic in real life as he is in the movies. Countless interviews, articles and one encounter (I happened to be dining at the same place one magical morning ) would lend me to believe he is one of the most genuine actors out there, let’s hope it stays that way.

But let’s be real for one second, Edward would be no where without his Bella and Kristen Stewart age 19, does a phenomenal job alongside her co-star. Many people either love her or hate her, but not many are in between. Even though Kristen has been working in movies for the better part of a decade, and Twilight was her breakthrough to stardom, she hasn’t lost sight of her indie-movie roots. Shortly after the vampire frenzy started Kristen made time to do promotional tours for Adventureland, a comedy-drama she filmed right before Twilight. The thing that sets her apart from the Miley Cirus’ and Vanessa Hudgens’ is her unique personality and opinion. For instance, showing up in a Oscar de la Renta gown to the New Moon Movie premiere, instead of her beat up converse and tube dress; she wanted to shake things up a bit and surprise some people. Similar to her other co-star, Taylor Lautner, who has everyone’s eyes on his new abs.

Taylor, 17, has stepped up in the fight for Team Jacob this time around. He started his career at the age of 11 all the way from Michigan . His family moved to Los Angeles in hopes of furthering his career; good move Lautner family! I think many fans will be impressed with the mental and physical growth Taylor has gone through since Twilight. He has held himself very well throughout the Twilight craze and has that “mid-west” no one can deny.

All I can say is that in 12 hours I will be in heaven…

Ciao!

JeJe

OH! I almost forgot, DON’T FORGET to bring your Sensa Sprinkles to the movie theater!

Now that the holidays are here we are all looking for quick easy meals that are both hearty, healthy and make us feel comfortable.  This recipe is for the classic Italian lasagna, which will be sure to impress your most discriminating out of town guests this holiday season. It will also keep your Sensa weight loss program on track.

The gourmet lasagna recipe below includes a few healthy eating tips by using reduced calorie and low fat classical ingredients. These ingredients will be sure to rival the popular brands of lasagna from your local grocer’s freezer section with higher fat content and countless preservatives.  Try pairing it with a healthy mixed green salad with low fat Italian dressing and a slice of garlic toast to balance out the flavors.

Impress your friends and family with a taste of Italy that will make everyone feel comfortable and satisfied, but before you get too comfortable remember to sprinkle.

Yield: 6-8 servings

Ingredients:

2 Jar’s (25oz) of Marinara Sauce (Tomato Basil Preferred)

1 lb lean ground beef

1/2 medium sweet white onion, diced

1/2 large green bell pepper, seeds and veins removed, diced

1/2 lb dry lasagna noodles (requires 9 lasagna noodles – unbroken)

1 lb Ricotta cheese

1 1/2 lb Mozzarella cheese (low fat), shredded

3/4 lb freshly grated parmesan cheese

Oregano, pinch

Salt, to taste

Pepper, to taste

Garlic Salt, pinch

1/4 cup Parsley diced (fresh flat leaf preferred), for garnish

1-3 Garlic Cloves, minced

1/2 Cup Olive Oil

Directions:

1.  In a large skillet or stockpot brown lean ground beef in with garlic, onion, and green pepper until lightly browned and cooked through.  Season with salt, pepper and garlic salt.

2. Add tomato basil sauce to mixture and bring to a simmer while stirring frequently for 15-30 minutes.

3. Cook 1 lb lasagna noodles in a separate stockpot until al dente.  Season water with salt and olive oil to prevent noodles from sticking. Drain in colander and place in cool water filled pan to keep from drying out and sticking together.

4.  In dry lasagna pan, ladle one cup of sauce and spread along the bottom of the pan. Apply a layer noodles lengthwise until pan is coated. Ladle in sauce into center trough of 3 noodles. Apply a layer of shredded mozzarella cheese on top of lasagna sauce. Place 1 Tablespoon of ricotta cheese every 2 inches in center of noodles on top of mozzarella cheese, sprinkle grated parmesan cheese in thin even layer on top of ricotta cheese. Apply second layer of noodles, repeat three times topping with noodles and the remainder of sauce. Cover the lasagna pan with aluminum foil and Bake at 375°F for 45 minutes. Allow to cool before serving.

More recipes for the Sprinkle diet will be here before you know it.  Eat and sprinkle SENSAbly

-The SENSAble chef

I would like to start off by introducing, my name is Cassandra and I am currently interning at Sensa while attending FIDM. I am thrilled to be able to be a guest blogger and would like to share with you one of  my exercise tips!

We all know how difficult it can be to stay active and try to keep the excess weight off your midsection as we are just too tired or too busy to keep up with our exercise and weight loss routine. Fortunately, there is way to keep motivated to exercise and have a great time doing it. Adding an exciting dance can be addition to your workout routine, especially one like Tahitian dancing.

flickr: raymundopelayo

When you are dancing, you aren’t dreading for the clock to save you because you’re having so much fun doing it, it gives you energy you never thought you had. Tahitian dancing is a great way to get your cardio going and to break a good sweat which can help trim the waistline. Many people are familiar Hula dancing which is known for its graceful and elegant movements, and Tahitian dancing is like its spunky step sister with its rhythm making, hip shaking moves. Since you dance in place for the most part it is easy on your joints, and builds muscle strength while working out your abs. You will be surprised to find how easy it is to burn calories and have fun all in one exciting workout.

There are several dance studios that offer a Tahitian dance classes a few times a week, and it is relatively inexpensive. It is not something you have to be committed to if you just want to dance on occasion to spice up your exercise and weight loss routine. It’s great because there are various simple techniques that you can learn fairly quickly and practice at home. The challenge is just reaching out of your comfort zone to try something new, but once you hear those drum beats and your hips follow you’ll wonder how you’ve missed out for so long. So if you find yourself dreading your current exercise routine, or simply want to have fun while exercising, check out your local dance studio and give Tahitian dancing a try.

If you would like to learn more check out Tahitian dancing.

Yours Truly,

Cassandra

Hi guys!!!!  I hope everyone is happy, healthy and sprinklin’ away!!!!  So speaking of healthy, I’ve been thinking of small healthy eating tips that me and my family can do to stay fit.  Here are some ideas…maybe some of them will work for you

1. I try and drink green tea whenever possible.  There are some great bottled varieties available now at the grocery store but you can always try the good ole tea bags too.  Oftentimes, I’ll put a mint tea bag in there with the green tea bag and it’s sweet so I use it to stave off hunger pangs or cravings late in the day (not that I need it all that often with the Sensa).  BTW there is a ton of research that says green tea is really good for you and could accelerate weight loss…you know I’m game for that.

2.  Instead of lettuce on sandwiches, in salads, on tacos etc…use spinach.  As far as I’m concerned spinach is one of the best foods on the planet for you so I try to get as much in my system as possible.

3. When you go out to restaurants order a cup or bowl of vegetable soup right before dinner.  That way you get an awesome serving of vegetables and the heat tricks your stomach making you feel more full so you don’t eat as much.

4. For dessert or snacks for the kids, I have been making really healthy smoothies full of anti-oxidant rich berries.  I just throw a bag of frozen blueberries, strawberries (or whatever you have…anything really works) in the blender with some soy milk…and the kids go crazy for it.

5. Try juicing.  You can get so much from one glass of juice…spinach, carrot, apple and beet are some of my favorites!  Plus juicers aren’t that expensive.

6. Plus you can save some of the pulp from the juicers and add it into sauces and the kids don’t even know!

7. For snacks I have been noshing on some dried mango…really good.

8. I have been using a lot of garlic in my cooking…I stink but I’m healthy.

9. Two words: FISH PILLS.  It is amazing what researchers think the diseases these supplements can help prevent.  Read up on it and I’m sure you’ll be convinced.

10. Exercise, exercise, exercise.  I know I hate it too but doing it will not only keep you looking good, but it will keep your mind sharp, your heart healthy and give you tight buns that you can bounce a quarter off of (I’m still working on the quarter part .

Finally doctors say one of the most important things you can do for long-term health is keep your weight down.  And the best way to do that????  Yeah, you know it…..SENSA!!!!  So don’t forget it…use it on everything you eat and let me know if you try any of these tips and like them.  Good luck and keep sprinkl’in’!!!

xxoo,

Dayna

Source: flickr.com user jlewis581

I’m sure it happens to everyone, the days are shorter and colder and the holiday spirit wants to keep you snug in a blanky all winter long with hot cocoa in one hand and fresh baked cookies in the other. Before you know it your husband is pinching that extra belly fat and you defensively call it your “festively plump” stage. After all, how can we not gain these extra ten pounds with all of the goodness shoved in our faces? My mother use to put a sticker over her mouth while cooking Thanksgiving dinner to halt all temptation of snacking. As a child I would tease and laugh, but now I see where the woman was coming from…it was a desperate place. So to help you avoid desperate measures here are a few tips that should help you get through this holiday season without packing on the pounds.

#1 Portion Control – I know, I know – the joy of the holiday season is forgoing control and indulging. We can still indulge, but indulge in the different aspects of the holiday (family, friends, gift giving) more and the social eating less. When you sit down for your meal remember the plate method: A quarter should be protein, (like turkey) a quarter should be starch (stuffing or mashed potatoes) and half should be vegetables. And of course don’t forget to sprinkle your SENSA so you feel fuller faster and longer!

flickr.com user JoshuaCGillespie

#2 Choose Healthy Recipes – With obesity being an epidemic in this country there are plenty of healthy recipes that can cut your calorie intake in half. This is definitely an option when you are hosting Thanksgiving dinner. Instead of basting your turkey in its own fats and oils choose a recipe with less fat and calories, here is one of my favs Wine Roasted Turkey and it has about half the calories! And while I’m on the subject of cooking here are a few tips that will reduce the calories in your food: Bake the stuffing on the side instead of inside the turkey so it does not absorb the fat from the turkey. Also you can roast your turkey upside down on a rack, so the juices go into the turkey breast and the fat drips to the bottom of the pan.

#3 Be Active – Instead of turning on the football game and parking your butt in front of the remote and onion dip, play a light game of football yourself. Or while the turkey is roasting take the dog for a walk.

And lastly start the day with breakfast, this will help with your temptation to overindulge when the Thanksgiving meal is ready!

Happy Holidays everyone and if you have any personal tips that you use or a great recipe, please share in the comment box!

By for now,

Missy

I’m sure for most of you colder temps have rolled in and begun to threaten your regular exercise and weight loss routine. Defend yourself from winter weight gain by training for a Turkey Trot!  Plug in your zip code on active.com under the ‘Things To Do Near You’ section to search for upcoming races in your area.  Turkey Trots usually offer a few different distances, my recommendation for you is to register for a fun 1-mile or 5k option.  Invite your friends and family to train and race with you too, the support will help you stay motivated.  I know when I’m meeting someone for a workout I certainly won’t miss it, unfortunately when it’s just me sometimes the snooze button wins.

Now, I know some of you are thinking “I don’t run,” and that is absolutely okay, truly, you don’t need to be a runner, you don’t need to be fast, all you need is a little determination, willingness to try something new and be in a place where walking is healthy for your body.  Trust me on this one, you really won’t be the slowest one out there, and keep in mind that everyone else is too busy focusing on their own race to notice anyone else’s pace.  Besides the two people that get the most cheering during a race is the person who wins the darn thing, and the final person to cross the finish line.  The experience of crossing a finish line is a very special and unique feeling, it is so empowering, you gotta try it!

by flickr user, philms

First things first, make sure you have good shoes, head to your local running store to get fitted for the right kicks.  Second, you always need to be conscious of how your body feels, and listen to the signals of any stages of possible injuries no matter how small it seems, let me know if anything comes up.  Third, don’t listen to the negative voice in your head saying you can’t do this.  Now you are ready for the most challenging part, the first step out the door.

I have put together a basic training program for you to follow generally, but take rest days when you need them!  I highly recommend that you only walk, you can definitely get those arms and feet moving fast though to get your heart pumping.  I would prefer it if you didn’t listen to music so your mind is focused on how your body feels, but if you must please only put one headphone in so you can still hear your surroundings!

Walking Training Schedule:
- Choose two days during the week (like Tuesday and Thursday) and one weekend day for your workouts, yes only 3 days a week, but feel free to supplement with any cross training and/or strength training.
- During the two weekday workouts start with 10 minutes, and each workout add 5 minutes.  So, 10 min, 15 min, 20 min, 25 min…
- On the weekend workout you will go a bit longer, start with 1 mile, then 1.5 miles, and finally 2 miles.
- This will get you through the next three weekends of training, the fourth weekend at the end of November should be when your Turkey Trot is!

Have fun, remember to breathe and enjoy your post race turkey, you earned it, just make sure your Sensa shaker is within reach!

Gobble, Gobble,
Kardio Kate

As active as I am within my daily life, going to the gym is not on the top of my list. I definitely don’t have an extreme weight loss workout that I do regularly. But, as I get older and have my sister’s chirping in my ear that it’s all downhill after 25; I decided to jump in the ring before my metabolism could get the best of me… (or so I thought). A neighbor mentioned this new workout called YAS, a Yoga and Spinning class; an exercise that will help you achieve a healthy body weight.

YAS is the new, extreme weight loss workout everyone is buzzing about in Los Angeles. Kimberly Fowler, founder of YAS, relied on yoga to battle many injuries and illnesses throughout her life. In her second year of law school, she was hit by a car during a bike race leaving he severely injured, a year later she was diagnosed with a terminal brain tumor and later was involved in a near-fatal rock-climbing accident. Instead of giving up she pulled out her yoga mat and strapped on a pair of spinning shoes to beat her fate.

Feeling inspired by Fowler’s story and creation of Yoga for Athletes I decided to go to an 8:15 class last night, of course I dragged my neighbor with me. Thirty minutes of spinning followed by thirty minutes of yoga, should be a piece of cake right? As soon as we walked thru the door you could feel the energy; the instructor insisted that we sit closer to the front so he could help us out and be active with the rest of the class. We were briefed quickly on the techniques of spinning and the different stages of the class; eager to start we hopped on our bikes and the music began to play. He started of slow and I thought, “hey, this isn’t too bad” boy did I speak too soon. We went through four cycles of stage one – four. Stage one is a steady pedal, stage two is standing up pedal with more resistance, stage three is a lowered bike stance with a shorter more resistant stride and stage four is an uphill bike where your resistance is at its greatest. The thirty minutes couldn’t have ended sooner; I never knew biking could be so strenuous. I was relieved to move from the spinning room to the yoga studio where we practiced thirty minutes of stretches and meditation. All in all the class was amazing and perfect for someone who is looking to change up their regular gym routine. Once I recover from last night’s class I will be back soon! Currently YAS in only in two locations in Southern California, Venice and Silver Lake but they are franchising and will be popping up nationwide.

Check out this quick video about Nike and Kimberly Fowler! 

Ciao!

JeJe

The SENSAble Chef

And my series on healthier comfort foods continues with another great winter recipe that will not wreak havoc on your waistline or your diet plan.  We all love to eat a little grilled cheese every once in a while, but resist because we know that there are a plethora of calories, some visible and others hidden, including butter and mayonnaise that are often used in restaurant-style grilled cheeses common on most restaurant menus year round.  The fats in butter and mayo aid mainly in appearance to provide a visually appealing grilled exterior but can be eliminated in my version of the “lower calorie” and “healthier” grilled cheese alternative that is included below by utilizing alternative cooking methods.

Simplicity was the key in developing this recipe, since most of us are busy with our fulltime jobs but we want to eat something satisfying and hearty at the end of a long day but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen. My suggestion for Sensa healthy eating tip is to pair this savory grilled cheese with your favorite brand of tomato soup and you will have a satisfying SENSA approved meal that you can eat more often instead of passing on grilled cheese altogether.  Make one up for yourself and snuggle up this winter to tasty goodness.  A few sprinkles of SENSA and you will be transported back to those nostalgic childhood memories of grilled cheese without all of the guilt.

Yield: 1-2 servings

Ingredients:

2-4 slices of whole grain/whole wheat bread

2-4 slices of low fat/reduced fat Swiss cheese or mozzarella

1-2 roma tomatoes, sliced (optional)

2-4 basil leaves, washed and dried (optional)

1 can of tomato soup (Campbell’s, Whole Foods 365 brand or Trader Joes equivalent)

Directions:

1)   Bring pot of store bought tomato soup to a simmer before preparing grilled cheese.

2)   Place slices of wholegrain bread on a cutting board or plate and top each slice with a slice of cheese.

3)   If you are using optional toppings, which I recommend,  place tomato slices and basil on the bottom portion of the bread and place the top portion on top(cheese layer then top bread layer) and set aside.

4)  Once soup is close to done, put the sandwiches in a toaster oven or on a cookie sheet of an oven preheated to 350 degrees.  Bake/Toast for 7-10 minutes or until cheese layers are completely melted.

5)  Place soup in a bowl and slice grilled cheese on the diagonal(on the bias)

6)  Plate up grilled cheese beside the soup and enjoy.

More recipes for the Sprinkle diet will be here before you know it. Eat and sprinkle SENSAbly

-The SENSAble chef

Hi all,

We’re excited over here in Sensa land to announce the upcoming launch of Dr. Alan Hirsch’s newest book,  Sensa Weight-Loss Program: The Accidental Discovery That’s Transforming the Way People Lose Weight launching Nov 3rd.  The book delves into the science behind Sensa so that you can get a thorough understanding of how the product came to be. It also explains how one’s ability to taste and smell is part of your satiety system, which is the fullness center in your brain which signals when you should stop eating. With an exercise plan and recipes included, this book is a perfect complement to the Sensa system. If you’re interested in purchasing you can pre-order at  Amazon.com, Barnes&Noble or Powells Books.

Sensa Weight-Loss Program Book

Whether you’re a veteran Sensa user, or still considering if it’s the right program for you, this book is sure to offer you some food for thought. No pun intended.

xoxo,

Miss T