Fitness Fridays Health Club #1 - Grand Opening!

[christa]

Kay: Excellent receipe ideas! Sounds yummy! And sounds like you're really doing great, getting healthy & sticking with it. I know what you mean about cutting back on the "sauces"!!! I was a honey mustard addict, LOL . . . I think I've just about got rid of ALL of it though. I don't think there is a jar in this house . . . unless there is one in the cupboard . . . and I'm pretty sure there isn't. I am finally to the point where I can eat it either plain or with something like fat free sour cream.

Sara: You're right - sweet potatoes are a better choice than regular potatoes. I sub them in my veggie soup - that's about the only time we eat them. But you'll be surprised to know that they are actually higher in calories than a regular potato. Not by much though . . . the benefits come in the form of FIBER. The sweet potato has almost double the fiber and more beta-carotene. Just remember that most of the fiber comes from the skin, so try to eat as much of it as you can . . . that's the best part!!!

[buckner]

Sara: You're right - sweet potatoes are a better choice than regular potatoes. I sub them in my veggie soup - that's about the only time we eat them. But you'll be surprised to know that they are actually higher in calories than a regular potato. Not by much though . . . the benefits come in the form of FIBER. The sweet potato has almost double the fiber and more beta-carotene. Just remember that most of the fiber comes from the skin, so try to eat as much of it as you can . . . that's the best part!!!

Acckk, I meant fiber, not calories. And are you KIDDING me?!?! The skin IS the best part. Of either a sweet potato or a regular baking potato, I'll skip the insides and go for the skin, if need be to choose. :P

[christa]

Acckk, I meant fiber, not calories. And are you KIDDING me?!?! The skin IS the best part. Of either a sweet potato or a regular baking potato, I'll skip the insides and go for the skin, if need be to choose. :P

That's great . . . I just know that most people dig out the insides & scrap the skin for all it's worth & leave it on the plate, never considering that they're leaving behind the most nutritious part of the potato.

The only time I won't really eat much of the skin is if I'm eating out . . . I'm really picky about some things . . . I just like to know that my sweet potato has been scrubbed thoroughly before I eat the skin, LOL . . . but like I said before, I rarely even eat them. Good choice when you're craving something starchy though!

[christa]

As I said before, GO EASY ON THE STARCHY VEGGIES! But as long as we're talking about Sweet Potatoes, here are some of my fav recipes . . . besides just a regular baked sweet potato.

Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Garlic

Ingredients:
2 medium sweet potatoes, washed and scrubbed
1-1/2 tablespoons olive oil
2 large cloves garlic, sliced thin (or you can use garlic powder if you're in a hurry)
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:
Preheat oven to 475-degrees.

Slice sweet potatoes into very thin rounds.

On baking sheet toss with garlic, olive oil, salt and pepper.

Roast in preheated oven on middle rack, stirring occasionally, about 30 minutes or until crisp.


Rosemary-Roasted Sweet Potatoes

Ingredients:
2 pounds sweet potatoes, cut into chunks
1/4 cup toasted pine nuts
3 cloves garlic, peeled and coarsely chopped
1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary, or 1/2-tablespoon dried
2 tablespooons chopped parsley
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Directions:
In casserole dish, combine sweet potatoes, garlic, rosemary and olive oil. Toss to coat.

Bake at 375 degrees for 45-50 minutes, turning occasionally.

Just before serving, sprinkle with pine nuts, parsley, salt and pepper.

Just limit your portions with any starchy veggies that you consume and you should be fine.

[finn's mom]

This thread is really awesome. I'm doing great today, hahaha, but, it's not even noon, yet. Going to work out, though, so, I know I'll feel great when I do that!

[christa]

This thread is really awesome. I'm doing great today, hahaha, but, it's not even noon, yet. Going to work out, though, so, I know I'll feel great when I do that!

So glad you're enjoying it . . . let us know how the workout goes!

[My Peanuts]

Hey guys, I could really use some motivation to get my butt to the gym after work today. I'm really tired from our 4th of July party yesterday and all I can think about is popping a movie in the DVD player and vegging out. I really need to go since I was unable to go yesterday.