Let's Start Fresh!

Now that summer is right around the corner, I find myself NEEDING to rid the house of all the clutter! Not only my closets, but our kitchen too! Ya know how it goes...snacks brought over by our parents for the kids, the high-calorie impulse buy I had to grab at the store because I was starving(Ha)...and so on!

Our family is ready to start FRESH and I'd like you to do it with us!

Celebrity Nutritionist Carrie Wiatt M.S., Author, Educator and Founder of Diet Designs® Custom Culinary Concierge programs is here to help! Crafting healthy meal programs for current and former clients including Fergie, Jennifer Aniston, Julia Roberts, James Franco, and Donnie Wahlberg she is offering your readers (viewers) her easy tips and tricks for cleaning out the fridge and pantry to ensure the foundation for healthy eating is set. Start with the fridge… · To prevent food borne illnesses, check the temperature of your refrigerator. It should be set at 40 degrees or less. Your freezer should read 0 degrees or less. Temperatures above these levels can increase the risks of illnesses. And always check dates and labels, especially on dairy products. “When in Doubt, Throw it Out!” · Trying to get more calcium and protein into your diet by eating yogurt? Throw away fruit-on-the-bottom yogurt and stock up on low fat, low sugar varieties. Nonfat, plain or Greek yogurt sweetened with 1 tsp agave or honey is a healthy option. · Get rid of high calorie sauces like BBQ, mayonnaise, cheesy sauces, dips and the likes. Replace them with low calorie, light and low sodium versions. Instead, incorporate “free” condiments such as chili sauce, horseradish, vinegars, fresh salsa, Bragg’s Amino Acids, and seasoning blends into your meals. But if you crave indulgent condiments, eat only 2 tablespoons per day. · Stock the refrigerator with low calorie beverages. Swap your once-a-day soda habit with an occasional better-for-you ginger ale or Hansen soda. Sip on healthier beverages like flavored teas. Add excitement to water with cucumber, mint, or a slice of lemon, orange, or even cherries when in season. Or try Diet Designs delicious Pomegranate tea recipe: o Use 5 bags of green tea with chamomile (we use Celestial Seasonings Chamomile Green Tea), 8 ounces pure pomegranate juice (we use Pom Wonderful) and 4 cups boiling water o Add tea bags to boiling water. Steep for five minutes. Remove tea bags, add pomegranate juice and enjoy! Move onto the freezer… · Dig into the freezer and trash sodium-laden, high calorie frozen meals as well as any full fat frozen treats there to satisfy the late night sweet tooth. Instead, substitute with whole fruit sorbets (Ciao Bella is a favorite!), low-fat ice cream or frozen yogurt. Make your own frozen treats by freezing a few handfuls of grapes or ½ a banana with ½ ounce melted dark chocolate. · Freezing leftovers? Prevent freezer burn, by tightly wrapping food and the containers in plastic wrap, removing as much extra air as possible. Finally the pantry… · Still hanging on to salty snacks, chips, and cookies? Ditch anything full of dyes, hydrogenated oils, added sugars, and preservatives. Substitute these with healthy snacks such as black bean chips, “Kind” and “Kashi” granola bars, brown rice crackers, plain popcorn, or raw nuts, such as almonds and pistachios. Go even further and choose snacks that come from the refrigerator to satisfy cravings. Fruits, vegetables, and low fat dairy products are great options for between-meal snacks. As always, remember to keep an eye on your portion size. Don’t eat directly from any bag or before you know it, you’ll quickly overindulge! · Stock up on fiber-rich and whole grain products, such as rolled oats, quinoa, brown rice, whole grain pasta, and barley. Other great items to keep on hand are low sodium canned beans to add protein and spices to pack your meals with flavor. Keep a few low sodium soups like butternut squash or tomato for a quick low calorie lunch or appetizer prior to dinner. Now that you are done cleaning…DONATE! · Anything you do not eat (if not out-of-date and safe to eat) should be donated to a local food bank, shelter, church, etc. Either drop these off or call for FREE pick-up.

Disclosure: I received this article to share with my readers...that's it! ENJOY!!