Drinking on a diet?

During the week, i'm pretty good about eating healthy & don't typically drink on weeknights (unless I have happy hour plans with girlfriends or a dinner date that involves some wine).  

However, on the weekends it's really hard to not overdo it on the calorie intake due to social drinking!  I'm just not willing to give up my social life in the name for saving a few calories, but I am willing to make smart decisions & pick cocktails that are more "diet friendly".  

Oh so good, yet so bad!  

The BAD choices… 

Margarita: 550 calories

Pina Colada: 586 calories

Rum & Coke: 356 calories

Long Island Ice Tea: 543 calories

Cosmo: 340 calories

BETTER choices…

Skinny Margarita: 100 calories

Vodka Soda w/ splash pineapple: 100 calories

Rum & Diet Coke: 65 calories

Bloody Mary: 180 calories

Wine: 120 calories 

Skinny kumquat margarita from True Foods Kitchen.
 Yum!  

Even more reason so cut back on high calorie cocktails… 

"It’s not just the sheer number of calories in these drinks that make them fattening. Recent evidence has come to light that only a small amount of alcohol is converted to fat. Rather, it is converted to a molecule called acetate by the liver. This is an important mechanism the body uses to keep alcohol in the blood stream from poisoning us. However, the body will burn acetate before fat, slowing down fat metabolism. Studies have shown that alcohol consumption can slow fat metabolism by as much as 73%. Thus, consuming alcoholic drinks with high fat content (like drinks with cream) increases the amount of fat that is stored in your body." 

http://www.calwineries.com/learn/wine-and-health/science-of-wine-and-health/calories

xoxo Shauna

The Hangover from HELL

I barley drink anymore, but when I do, I find that my hangovers are getting exceedingly worse!  I refuse to think that it's because i'm getting old… so I tell myself it's because i'm not doing the proper "conditioning".  

I have, however, learned what makes my horrible headaches & shakes subside… hope they help you get through the next rough morning!

1. Fluids.  I drink electrolyte enhanced water from Trader Joe's (like Smart Water, but 1/2 the price) because the added electrolytes are said to hydrate you more efficiently.   I also LOVE coconut water, chock full of potassium & electrolytes & tastes super yummy.  

2.  Milk Thistle.  Milk thistle capsules are found in any local health food store.  Said to help your liver process toxins more quickly, try to remember to take a few capsules at the beginning of your night, before you go to bed, and a couple in the morning.  

3.  Sweat it out.  Although the idea of hitting the gym may be nauseating, it really is the best way to cure a hangover.  Just be sure to drink plenty of water, and muster up the energy to do some cardio.  My workout of choice happens to be spin, but anything that gets your legs moving & your blood flowing.  

4.  Eat HEALTHY.  I know that a lot of people say greasy food is the hangover cure, but whenever I eat fast food or lots of fat & processed food, I feel completely gross.  Add that to a head-pounding hangover, & you quadruple your day-after-dilema.