Fitness Resources

Author: Mark Mayes

How to Foam Roll Your Calf and Quadriceps Muscles

 man using foam roller for self-massage in gym

miljko/E+/Getty Images

The foam roller has become an essential piece of equipment and excellent massage tool for runners. Using your own body weight and a foam roller, you can perform a self-massage that offers similar benefits as deep-tissue massage such as stretching muscles and tendons, decreasing muscle tension, soothing tight fascia, breaking up trigger points, and increasing blood flow and circulation to soft tissues.

If you don’t have the time or money for regular, professional massages, foam rollers are a convenient, less expensive alternative. They’re especially helpful for long distance runners who are prone to ITB syndrome and tight calves, quads, or hamstrings. I always feel more relaxed and loose after I do a post-run foam rolling session.

If you’re new to foam rolling, I have to warn you – it can be uncomfortable, especially if you have some knots (adhesions or trigger points) along the muscle. Before you get started, review these tips, so you make sure you’re doing it correctly:

Foam Rolling Tips

You should limit your foam rolling to no more than 15 minutes. You’re not going to get rid of every knot in a single session. It’s better to work in short sessions of foam rolling after you exercise several times a week.
Try to roll about 3 to 6 inches at a time, using slow and controlled strokes. Spend about 30-60 seconds on one area and then move on to the next.
Although it’s normal to feel some discomfort and soreness when you’re foam rolling, make sure you don’t roll to the point of unbearable pain. If it’s too painful, just move on to a different section. If you experience bruising, you’re doing it too hard. You may need to start with a softer foam roller (less dense) if you can’t do it without intense pain.
Don’t expect to see results overnight when you first start rolling. But after few days of consistent rolling, you’ll notice that you’re not as tight as before.
Many gyms have foam rollers, so you can use one there and ask a trainer to give you a quick demo. If you’re interested in buying your own foam roller for doing it at home, I highly recommend the Trigger Point Grid Foam Roller – Buy from Amazon.com.
After you’ve finished rolling, make sure you stretch the massaged area right away to take advantage of the increased circulation.

    foam rolling calf muscles

miljko/Getty

How to Foam Roll Your Calf Muscles

Many runners suffer from tight calf muscles. Here’s how to self-massage your calves using a foam roller:1. Start by lying on your back, with your legs extended. Place the foam roller under your calf muscles.

2. Now, engage your core, lift your body, and load your weight onto your arms.

3. Roll in a gradual, slow motion back from your knee joint down to your ankle and continue back and forth like that for a few passes. You may feel more tenderness in certain areas, and you can adjust the amount of tension by using your arms and core to ease pressure off. If you’re brand-new to foam rolling, and you have a lot of knots, you may find that you need very little pressure to feel it working.

4. Be sure to maintain steady breathing as you’re rolling. If you come across a tight spot, pause and linger on the roller. Applying direct pressure like that will help break up the knot. But be careful not to overdo it. You should only hold it in one spot for no more than a minute. You can continue to do a few more short rolls over that section to try to release the knot.

5. Perform calf stretches after you finish.

 

How to Roll Your Quadriceps Muscles

Your quadriceps (front thigh muscle) is another area where runners experience tightness. Follow these steps to roll out your quads:

foam rolling quads

DNY59 / Getty

1. Lay down on your front and place the foam roller under your right thigh. Position your left leg splayed out, away from the roller.

2. Using your arms and right foot, roll yourself over the roller, up and down the front of your thigh.

3. Continue to roll the area from your hip flexor down toward your knee. Don’t roll directly over your knee joint.

4. Once you’ve finished your right quad, do the same thing on your left quad.

5. Stretch your quad muscles after you finish.

More Stretching and Flexibility Exercises

If you want more stretching, see how to foam roll your IT band, and these essential stretches for runners. You can also help your hips with these yoga moves for runners with tight hips. But if your problems are hampering you, check when you should see a doctor for a running injury.

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3 Trendy Foods That Live Up to the Hype

3 Trendy Foods That Live Up to the Hype | The Nutrition Twins | Expert Articles | 7/25/2016

21 Easy Foods to Swap

When it comes to weight management, lowering blood pressure and cholesterol, and decreasing inflammation, making small, incremental dietary changes is the way to go. Trying to make too many changes all at once can be a recipe for disaster—this can cause you to feel overwhelmed and make you want to give up. Instead, try modifying each snack and meal by swapping out one or more ingredients.

BREAKFAST

Breakfast

  1. Instead of a bacon, sausage, and cheese omelet, try a spinach, mushroom, and onion (or your choice of veggies) omelet. You’ll lose the unhealthy saturated fat and sodium and replace it with inflammation-fighting antioxidants and belly-filling fiber.
  2. Instead of a bagel and cream cheese, try a whole grain English muffin with nut butter. Lose the refined carbohydrates and empty calories and fill up on fiber, protein and healthy fats.
  3. Instead of fruit-on-the-bottom yogurt, try plain Greek yogurt and add fresh berries and nuts or seeds. The “fruit” on the bottom is more sugar than fruit. Reduce the sugar content by adding fresh, seasonal fruit and then top with crunchy nuts (walnuts, almonds, etc.) or seeds (chia, ground flax or hemp) for added fiber and healthy fats.
  4. Instead of toasted white bread with butter and jam, try whole grain toast with cottage cheese, cinnamon and banana slices. Replace the empty calories, fat and sugar with fiber, protein and good carbohydrates.

LUNCH

Lunch

  1. Instead of ham and cheese with mayo on white bread, try turkey, avocado and tomato on whole grain bread. Ham, cheese and mayo are full of sodium and unhealthy fats and white bread is just refined, processed carbohydrates. Go for lower sodium turkey for protein, avocado for healthy fats, and tomato and whole grain bread for fiber.
  2. Instead of a hamburger and fries, try a lettuce-wrapped grilled chicken breast sandwich with baked sweet potato. Ditch the high sodium and bad fats for lean protein and a sweet spud.
  3. Instead of egg salad made with mayo, try egg salad made with mustard and mashed avocado. Eggs are a great source of protein, but artery-clogging mayo is no way to go. Mustard adds a lot of tang and avocado is full of heart-healthy monounsaturated fats.
  4. Instead of a Cobb salad (lettuce, turkey, bacon, blue cheese, avocado and egg with creamy dressing), try a grilled vegetable salad topped with grilled wild salmon and a Dijon-balsamic vinaigrette. A Cobb salad is a saturated fat bomb! Lighten up your salad and supercharge your veggies by grilling them and add the all-important protein to keep you fuller for longer. Replace the creamy, high-calorie dressing with a vinaigrette made with extra virgin olive oil (healthy fat), which can help with digestion and absorption of vitamins.

DINNER

Dinner

  1. Instead of a steak and mashed potatoes, try wild Alaskan salmon and roasted garlic mashed cauliflower. The fat and sodium in steak and mashed potatoes makes your arteries shake with fear. Wild Alaskan salmon is filled with inflammation-fighting omega-3 fats and mashed garlic cauliflower is a delicious (and sneaky) way to consume those cancer-fighting veggies.
  2. Instead of spaghetti with meatballs, try spaghetti squash with turkey meatballs and marinara sauce. Spaghetti squash, which tricks you into thinking you’re eating pasta, is all the rage for people trying to cut carbohydrates or go Paleo, and it’s delicious. Top it with turkey for protein and lycopene-rich marinara sauce for long-lasting energy.
  3. Instead of a loaded burrito (chicken, beans, rice, cheese, sour cream and guacamole), try a burrito bowl, which is a bowl layered with brown rice, black beans, grilled chicken, pico de gallo and avocado. Lose the oversized, 200-calorie, refined, processed tortilla and eliminate the high-fat cheese, but keep the flavor with the pico de gallo (chunky salsa) and add creaminess with avocado.
  4. Instead of steak fajitas in flour tortillas, try shrimp fajitas in corn tortillas. Shrimp is a healthier protein choice than steak and corn tortillas have more nutritional value than empty-calorie flour tortillas. Just stick to two tortillas and fill up on the filling.

SNACK

Snack

  1. Instead of hummus and pita, try hummus and sliced veggies. Ditch the processed carbs from the pita and swap them out with fiber- and antioxidant-filled red peppers, carrots, and cucumbers; and pair the veggies with protein and healthy fats, found in hummus.
  2. Instead of cheese and crackers, try string cheese with an apple. String cheese is made from part-skim mozzarella cheese, which is lower in saturated fat than cheddar cheese. Pair it with a high-fiber apple (or fruit of your choice) to get long-lasting energy.
  3. Instead of a granola bar, try a homemade trail mix with raw nuts (almonds, walnuts and pistachios) and dried fruit (apricots and tart cherries). Granola bars (and most energy bars) are often candy bars in disguise, and filled with unwanted sugar. What you need is protein, healthy carbs, and good-for-you fats, which is what you get in nuts as well as high-energy dried fruit. Use about ¼ cup of each for a perfectly portioned snack.

DESSERTS/SWEETS

  1. Instead of traditional ice cream, try making ice cream in your food processor with frozen bananas and top with a few dark chocolate chips. Freeze ripe (peeled) sliced bananas and then pop them into a food processor for a creamy ice cream swap. Add some heart-healthy dark chocolate for a delicious and nutritious dessert.
  2. Instead of a slice of blueberry pie, try cooking fresh or frozen blueberries with cinnamon and topping them with plain Greek yogurt. Get the sweetness from the fruit and cinnamon (no need to add any sugar) and protein from the yogurt and enjoy a creamy, sweet and satisfying treat.
  3. Instead of chocolate pudding, make chocolate chia pudding by mixing ½ cup almond milk with 2 Tbsp. chia seeds and 2 Tbsp. cocoa powder. Stir and let sit in refrigerator for a few hours until thick. The antioxidants found in cocoa powder are good for your heart and the chia seeds give you protein, fiber, and healthy fat, which will keep you full for hours.

DRINKS

Drinks

  1. Instead of a latte, try a café Americano. There’s no need to drink your calories. Just add a splash of milk and a sprinkle of cinnamon and you should be good to go.
  2. Instead of sweetened iced tea, try iced green tea. Green tea contains the thermogenic antioxidant EGCG, but in order to reap its benefits, don’t load it down with inflammation-promoting sugar.
  3. Instead of soda, try mixing plain seltzer water with some tart cherry juice. If you like the crispness of soda but don’t want the sugar or artificial sweeteners found in diet soda, mix club soda with any dark juice (blueberry, pomegranate, tart cherry or cranberry) for a shot of flavor and a dose of antioxidants.
N551281U Rock Girl! Contributor
Tiffani Bachus, R.D.N., and Erin Macdonald, R.D.N., are the co-founders of U Rock Girl!, a website designed to nourish the mind, body and spirit of women of all ages and stages of life. They have just authored the rockin’ breakfast cookbook, No Excuses! 50 Healthy Ways to ROCK Breakfast! available at www.URockGirl.com

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Can You Boost Metabolism at Breakfast?

By Malia Frey – Reviewed by a board-certified physician.
Updated December 03, 2015

Have you heard that eating breakfast can boost metabolism? Are you ready to load up on breakfast foods that help you burn more calories? It might seem logical that eating a meal first thing in the morning gets your metabolism revved up. But researchers who study the importance of breakfast for weight loss don’t necessarily agree. If you’re trying to lose weight, make sure you get your facts straight about breakfast so that you get the weight loss results that you deserve.

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The Importance of Breakfast for Weight Loss.

Do you need to eat breakfast to boost metabolism and lose weight? Not necessarily, say researchers. When it comes to studying breakfast and metabolism, the science is inconclusive. In fact, there’s no research proving that breakfast can boost metabolism.

When members of the American Society for Nutrition met to discuss the importance of breakfast, they looked at studies about meal frequency and weight loss. Their conclusion? Since eating habits are very hard to study, research hasn’t been able to prove that eating breakfast – or any particular meal – can boost metabolism. In fact, they found no data to suggest that how often we eat has any effect on how many calories you burn every day.

A statement released by the International Society for Sports Nutrition reinforced that conclusion. The group said that “Increased meal frequency does not appear to significantly enhance diet-induced thermogenesis, total energy expenditure or resting metabolic rate.” In real terms, that means that eating regular meals does not have a direct effect on the number of calories we burn throughout the day.

 

What Dietitians Say About Eating Breakfast to Boost Metabolism

You might be tempted to dismiss the science because it does seem logical that eating breakfast can boost metabolism. And a healthy breakfast is good for you, right? But even registered dietitians are clear about what breakfast can and cannot do for you if you want to lose weight.

Nutrition and diabetes educator Jill Weisenberger, M.S., R.D., CDE, explains that many people misunderstand the benefits of eating breakfast.

“Eating breakfast doesn’t affect metabolic rate in the way people like to say it does. There are studies to support breakfast eating for weight management, but not for a calorie-burning boost.”

Her opinion is supported by the position statement of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics which is endorsed by the American College of Sports Medicine. In their statement about eating breakfast, they confirm that, while eating breakfast has been associated with a lower body weight, there is no clear evidence to suggest that eating breakfast can boost metabolism.
Should I Eat Breakfast to Lose Weight?

If you’re a dieter, and you’re confused about how to boost your metabolism to lose weight, don’t worry. The science about breakfast doesn’t mean that you should skip your morning meal. Just because eating breakfast may not improve your metabolism doesn’t mean that you should skip the meal entirely.

There are certainly benefits to eating a healthy breakfast, and to eating regular meals throughout the day.

But it’s important to understand the importance of breakfast if you want to lose weight. Breakfast is no more or less important than any other meal. What matters in the end is your total calorie intake for the day. Eat healthy meals that are low in calories to help you curb hunger and avoid binge eating. Then use exercise and an active lifestyle to boost metabolism and lose weight for good.

Sources:

David J. Clayton, David J. Stensel, Lewis J. James” Effect of breakfast omission on subjective appetite, metabolism, acylated ghrelin and GLP-17-36 during rest and exercise Journal of Nutrition July 11, 2015.

McCrory MA, Campbell WW. ” Effects of eating frequency, snacking, and breakfast skipping on energy regulation: symposium overview.” Journal of Nutrition, January 14, 2011.

American Dietetic Association. ” Position of the American Dietetic Association: Weight Management.” February 2009.

Paul M La Bounty, Bill I Campbell, et al. ” International Society of Sports Nutrition position stand: meal frequency.” Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition March 16, 2011.

 

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FREE Fitness Class: Phight Back!

PHIGHT BACK FLYER

PHIGHT BACK FLYER

Fitness Resources is excited to announce a NEW SELF-DEFENSE workout called PHIGHT BACK!

JOIN US for a free introduction class July 23rd at 10:00 am & 11:00 am. Reserve Your Spot 
TODAY! Call to sign up: 614-286-7883

What is the PHIGHT BACK!?
It’s an energetic fusion of practical self-defense techniques, utilizing a variety of music to control the tempo of aggression.
www.phightback.com

Who’s it for?
The workout is for anyone who refuses to be a victim! The class is open to anyone of any size or shape. Whether you are someone that wants to supplement their workout routine or want to learn practical self-defense techniques, this will be a great workout for you!

What is the workout?
The self-defense techniques will consist of Tae Kwon Do/Muay Thai Kicks, American/Muay Thai Boxing, Silat/Kali knife, stick and self-defense techniques. (Training knives are rubber and sticks have foam padding.)

You will learn the proper technique for elbows, jabs, over-hands, hooks, knees, kicks (front, round-house, side, back). All of which will be done with a partner and individual shadow boxing.

You will also be striking focus pads, air shields as well as light contact to your partner. (This is not a full contact MMA workout.)
Music will be playing in the background to control the tempo of aggression and create a great cardio exercise. (You can hear the PHIGHT BACK! playlist on Spotify. Just follow tfrank-1)

Who’s teaching the workout?
Tim Frank will be teaching the class. He has a black belt in Tae Kwon Do, and has studied a variety of combative styles under Guru Jeff Brown in Dayton, Ohio.

What next?
Join us by checking it out for yourself. Reserve a spot, please email to: mayesm@fitness-resources.com

Call to sign up today: 614-286-7883
Sponsored by: Fitness Resources
DOWNLOAD PHIGHT BACK FLYER »

How To Work Out When You’re In A Crunch

Sometimes we just don’t have the time to make it to the gym. For those days were you need to be from point A to Z and it feels like you don’t have enough hours in the day, your body weight comes in handy. You can use your own body weight to workout anywhere and anytime. No extra trip to the gym, no need to buy weights, it’s all you! Make the time in your day with this easy 15 minute workout. Read more for a full routine that’s as easy as 1-2-3, along with tips and trips to help you along the way to your fitness and health goals!

Let us help you with your goals! Contact us for a personal training session to see how we can personalize your workouts and allow you to get the most out of your fitness regimen!

warmup

1 ) Warm Up

You may only have 15 minutes, but warm ups are extremely important for preparing your muscles and increasing your range of motion, allowing you to get the most out of your exercises.

  1. 90 Seconds: Spider Lunge With Twist + Jumping Jacks
  • Start standing tall, then fold forward.
  • Walk your hands out to a high plank, then bring your right foot and set it on the floor on the outside of your right hand.
  • Reach your right arm to the ceiling and twist your torso to the right. Return your arm back to the ground and step your right foot back so that you’re in high plank. Repeat on the left side.
  • Then walk your hands back to your feet and roll up to stand. Do 10 jumping jacks, and start again from the beginning. Continue for 90 seconds.

2. 45 Seconds: Squat To Front Lunge

  • Start standing with feet hip-distance apart. Shift your weight into your heels and sit back to perform a squat, bending your knees to 90 degrees without letting them go beyond the toes.
  • Push through your heels to return to standing and now take a step forward with your right leg, and bend both knees so that you’re in a lunge position.
  • Step back to standing and repeat, starting with a squat, but now stepping forward with your left leg. Continue alternating for 45 seconds.

3. 45 Seconds: Reverse Lunge To Straight-Leg Front Kick

  • Start standing with feet hip-distance apart. Step your right leg back and lower into a lunge, aiming for a 90-degree bend in both knees.
  • As you return to standing, sweep your right leg forward into a front kick, keeping the leg straight.
  • Repeat on the left side and continue alternating for 45 seconds.

 

Plyometrics-High-Knee-Skips

2) Full-Body Workout

Here is where the workout magic happens! This full-body workout will allow you to work the major muscles in your body while also getting that cardio in.

  1. 30 Seconds: 8 High Knees + 2 Drop Squats
  • Perform eight high knees in place, driving elbows back. (It’s like an exaggerated running in place where you’re trying to lift your knees to your hips.)  
  • Then, jump out into a squat with feet parallel, tapping your right hand on the ground between your feet. Jump back together and repeat, tapping your left hand to floor. Repeat for 30 seconds.

2. 30 Seconds: Break Dancers

  • Start on all fours with your hands and toes on the ground and your feet slightly wider than hip-distance apart.
  • Lift your right hand towards the ceiling and kick your left leg through, twisting your body to face the right.
  • Come back to start and repeat on the opposite side. Continue for 30 seconds.

3. 30 Seconds: Burpee Push-Up Broad Jump

  • Start in a high plank and perform a push-up, bringing your chest as close to the floor as you can.
  • Jump your feet to the outsides of your hands. Start to stand up and instead of jumping up, jump forward (distance is the goal).
  • Now jump up and turn around 180 degrees.
  • Place your hands back on the floor and jump feet back to high plank and start from the beginning. Repeat for 30 seconds.

3) Don’t Forget To Cool Down!

This can be incorporated into whatever you’re doing next, maybe walking to your next destination, stretching while you wait for your shower water to warm up, or even stretching before you go to bed.

 

Lower Back Pain? Try these five stretches to help relieve it!

Pain in the lower back is extremely common, especially when you get older. By building strength in the weak areas of your back and stretching out the tight ones, you can treat and even prevent pain. Please make sure to see your doctor if you already experience back pain to make sure you are cleared to do these exercises.

pelvictiltforweb_7559-56aa41435f9b58b7d003476ePelvic Tilt

This move is great for introducing movement to a stiff spine. Begin by lying on your back. Rock your pelvis forward and backward (as seen in image below), which has the effect of flattening your lower back against the floor. This move can also be done by standing with your back against the wall. Do 10-15 rounds of this stretch.

 

sphinx-56aa419c3df78cf772aedd4cSphinx Pose

The position of this stretch emphasizes the curve of the lower back. Roll over onto your stomach, making sure that your elbows are directly under your shoulders. Press into your forearms to keep your shoulders away from your ears. Keep this stretch 5-10 breaths, rest on your stomach for a few breaths, and repeat if needed.

 

1-catcow-56f94bb35f9b5829866e2c25Cat-Cow Stretch (Chakravakasana)

This is a great stretch to expand the actions of the pelvic tilt into the whole spine – from tailbone to neck. Start on your hands and knees, making sure your wrists are underneath your shoulders and your knees underneath the hips. As you inhale, tilt your pelvis back so that your tail sticks up and take your gaze up gently without cranking your neck. As you exhale, tip your pelvis forward, tucking your tailbone and drop your head. Repeat with each inhale and exhale, and continue for 5-10 breaths.

 

childspose-56722a863df78ccc15ec87a8Child’s Pose (Balasana)

Use this position to take a pause and stretch your entire spine. Start on your knees, keeping them as wide as your mat (or shoulder width apart) with your big toes touching. Bring your belly along with your forehead to the floor, stretching your arms in front of you or back alongside of your thighs. Stay as long as you like, inhaling and exhaling deeply.

 

chairtwist1500-5680b7463df78ccc15a85237Chair Twist

This twist is an excellent way to keep your spine flexible. Start by sitting sideways on your chair, with your right shoulder towards the back of the chair. While holding on to the back of the chair, twist your torso to the right. Lengthen your spine on each inhale and twist on each exhale for five breaths. Repeat on the other side.

Exercise Myths Debunked

While working towards your fitness goals, you hear different things all the time about what you should do, what you shouldn’t do, and how different things worked for different people. While it is very important to remember that everyone’s body is different, there are some things that indeed do need to be avoided or incorporated in your workout regimen.
Check out some of the top myths and see how you can incorporate them to meet your fitness and health goals!

 

1. Walking Isn’t Exercise Enough

Walking can improve your cardiovascular factors, such as blood pressure and cholesterol. It’s light on the joints, and can be sneaked in to your everyday routine without you having to take away too much time. Take a walk on your lunch break, don’t look for the closest parking spot to places you visit, or maybe even opt in for stairs instead of the elevator!

 

2. I Need A Sports Drink Post-Exercise

Sports drinks contain a high amount of sugar, hindering weight loss goals and being overall bad for your health. For most, only water is necessary. However, anyone exercising with high intensity for more than an hour or in extreme heath may require a drink containing electrolytes or carbohydrates.
Bonus Tip: Drink coconut water for a natural electrolyte replacement

 

3. I Need To Sweat To Get A Good Workout in

Sweating is the body’s method of cooling itself, and like stated before, everyone’s body is different! Don’t discredit your workout due to the fact that you didn’t break a sweat.

 

4. “No Pain, No Gain”

When it comes to working out, many believe that you need to be sore during the workout to see any improvements. While you should expect to be sore afterwards, you should not feel pain during your workout. If it hurts, stop the exercise, reset and try again.

 

5. “Running Is Bad For Your Knees”

Studies have shown that there is no significant difference in the knees of runner vs. non-runners. However, it is extremely important to wear proper running shoes and to make sure you are running distances that your body is capable of and trained for.

 

How Fitness Resources Can Help

Make sure to be aware of these myths while working to achieve your goals. In the meantime, let us help you achieve these goals! Below are some of the programs we offer.

Eat Clean AND Delicious!

No matter where you are in your fitness journey, what you eat will always have a large effect on your progress. Check out some of these great ways to make those foods you tend to avoid healthy for a stress free summer. Dig in!

 

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Roasted Veggies 

When you come home after a long day, cooking just isn’t an option. But either is indulging in foods that will set you back. The answer: roasted vegetables. You can easily customize these to what you and your body needs, and they are easily packed up for the next day.

  1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit
  2. Mix all the vegetables together with oil, salt and pepper to taste
  3. Spread veggies onto pan
  4. Roast vegetables for 35-40 minutes, removing the vegetables from the oven every 15 minutes to stir around.

 

califlower-crust-pizza-45

Cauliflower Pizza Crust 

Slice by slice, this pizza will leave you guilt-free and even more ready to take on your fitness goals. As an excellent source of potassium and rich in the mineral boron (which aids in building muscle), cauliflower is the perfect replacement to traditional pizza dough.

Ingredients

  • 1 small/medium sized head of cauliflower
  • ¼ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
  • ¼ cup mozzarella cheese
  • 1 egg
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon basil or rosemary, minced (or dry)
  • ½ teaspoon oregano, minced (or dry)
  • 1 cup marinara sauce
  • 1-2 cups mozzarella cheese

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 500 degrees Fahrenheit
  2. Remove the stems  cut cauliflower into chunks. Place into a food processor and pulse it until it resembles the texture of rice. A cheese grater will work as well, as well as finely chopping  If you don’t have a food processor, you can use a cheese grater or chop it very finely.
  3. Microwave the processed cauliflower uncovered  for approximately 4-5 minutes on high. Remove it from the microwave and allow it to cool for at least 5 minutes.
  4. Place it in a kitchen towel and squeeze all the liquid out of it. Make sure to get most of the water out!
  5. Combine the cooked cauliflower, egg, garlic, cheese, and seasonings. Stir until a dough texture forms and spread the cauliflower mixture out onto lightly greased parchment paper or a pizza pan in the shape of a pizza crust.
  6. Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden and crispy. After the crust is golden remove it from the oven and add your toppings (easy way to add whatever foods your body needs)!
  7. Place the pizza back in the oven but this time turn on the broiler, bake for about 2-5 minutes until the cheese melts. Make sure to check frequently.

 

Portobello Bun

By far one of the easiest replacements, a portobello bun will hold your burger together, slash out those carbs, and replace them with nutritious goodness that will give you that extra boost for your workout. This low-calorie option contains more potassium than a banana, along with an average 3g of protein.
*Bonus Tip*
Try wrapping your burger fillings in lettuce or romaine hearts as well!

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Check out full article here! 

6 Simple Ways to Cut Carbs Without Feeling Deprived

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Use Veggie-Based Pasta Swaps

6 Ways to Cut Carbs: Use veggie-based pasta swaps
Spaghetti Squash alla Vodka. Courtesy of Hungry-Girl.com

 

Slashing carbs from your diet can be surprisingly easy. There are plenty of ways to lighten up your carb intake without sacrificing your favorite foods!

Let’s start with pasta. Pasta is delicious, but most pasta isn’t exactly helpful if you’re trying to lose or maintain weight. Enter spaghetti squash, zucchini noodles, and

and broccoli cole slaw. You can save around 160 calories and about 30g carbs per cup with any of these veggie swaps.

Spaghetti squash is the perfect base for classic pasta pals like meatballs and marinara sauce. They have a similar texture to traditional pasta and a mild, slightly sweet flavor.

Zucchini noodles (commonly known as zoodles) are a great replacement for spaghetti or fettuccine. Just use a veggie spiralizer to create perfect zucchini noodles. And when steamed until soft, bagged broccoli slaw is an excellent option. It works well with practically any type of sauce, and there’s practically no prep required.

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Use Reduced-Carb Flatbread or Tortillas Instead of Sliced Bread

6 Ways to Cut Carbs: Use reduced-carb flatbread or tortillas instead of sliced bread

Turn your sandwich into a wrap. It’ll be just as delicious, and portable!

You can easily save around 100 calories and 20g carbs without sacrificing any taste by swapping out two slices of regular bread for a reduced-carb tortilla or flatbread. La Tortilla Factory’s Low Carb tortillas are one choice.

3

Wrap Your Sandwich or Burger in Lettuce or Cabbage

6 Ways to Cut Carbs: Wrap your sandwich or burger in lettuce or cabbage
Another great swap for sandwich bread or a burger bun is to wrap your goodies up in big pieces of lettuce or cabbage. You’ll save significant calories and carbs, plus you’ll add some freshness and crunch to your meal. And if you want to go the cabbage route, just steam the leaves until partly softened. Blot dry, let cool, and store in the fridge.
4

Use Cauliflower as a White-Rice Swap

6 Ways to Cut Carbs: Use cauliflower as a white-rice swap
A newly popular way to use this white veggie is to turn it into rice. It has the perfect texture and flavor and you can have a cup of the stuff for only around 30 calories and 7g carbs, versus a cup of white rice for 200 calories and 40g carbs. Use it anywhere you would use normal rice!

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Watch out for High-Carb Veggies

6 Ways to Cut Carbs: Watch out for high-carb veggies

 

Sure, vegetables are healthy, but some of them are surprisingly high in carbs. A cup of green peas has 21g carbs, and a cup of yellow corn kernels has around 36g carbs. If you’re strictly watching your carb intake, stick with low-carb veggies like leafy greens, asparagus, and green beans.
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Do the scoop

6 Ways to Cut Carbs: Do the scoop

Scoop out the insides of carb-dense foods like bagels and potatoes. You wouldn’t believe how many carbs you’ll save. Plus, you’re making room to add yummy toppings of your choice, like marinara sauce and cheese.

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