Tools to Lose

My favorite online tools that are helping me with my weight loss and healthy living.

SparkPeople - Check out my post to see why this is one of my favorite tools.

Healthy Body Calculator - Ever wonder how many calories or grams of fat you should be eating to lose weight? This calculator figures it all out for you.

Ask the Dietitian - Lots of wonderful information. As well as the Healthy Body Calculator.

Live Strong - More knowledge and knowledge is power.

Skinny Stove - Delicious recipes. 

What are some of your favorite healthy living sites?

The True Definition of Calories

WHFoods: Quinoa

WHFoods: Quinoa

Most commonly considered a grain, quinoa is actually a relative of leafy green vegetables like spinach and Swiss chard. It is a recently rediscovered ancient "grain" once considered "the gold of the Incas."

Grapseed Oil

Grapeseed Oil Cooking and Health Benefits 
Grapeseed Oil has long been the secret of gourmet chefs who love its light, nutty, yet neutral flavor. It has the unique ability to enhance the flavors of ingredients instead of overpowering them and leaves no greasy aftertaste! It makes savory marinades and salad dressings that will not cloud when chilled, so you can use them right out of the refrigerator. Its high smoke point (485 F) makes it ideal for hot food preparation which means you can sauté, fry or bake without any smoking, splattering or burning. Its excellent emulsification properties make grapeseed oil ideal for whipping mayonnaise and creamy dressings that will not separate when chilled.

Grapeseed Oil is an ecologically sound product that is made from the seeds of grapes after the wine is pressed. It is high in vitamin E and is 76% linoleic acid (also known as Omega 6), an essential fatty acid. It is low in saturated fat, contains natural chlorophyll and valuable antioxidants (known as proanthocyninidins). Studies have shown that grapeseed oil has a unique ability that may significantly raise HDL cholesterol (the "good" cholesterol) and lower LDL cholesterol (the "bad" cholesterol). It has also been shown to lower triglycerides, the effect of which may lower your risk of cardiovascular disease and impotency, something that no other food product has been known to do.