Beer Can Chicken

Whole chickens mounted on beer cans allow the liquid to create steam that helps cook the bird from the inside and keep it moist. Plus, it just looks cool.

http://www.menshealth.com/

Squat with Twist

> Holding a dumbbell in each hand, stand with feet shoulder-width apart.
> Squat and bring weights together in front of chest, elbows out to sides.



> As you rise, pivot on right toe, turning to left and pressing weights diagonally overhead.
> Return to squat position.
> Switch sides; repeat. Do 24 reps, alternating sides.

Targets: Shoulders, upper back, butt, and legs
http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/

Hot Drink Smackdown

Most of us drink it every day. In fact, most of us drink it multiple times a day. No, not whiskey, LiLo, we’re talking coffee. And while a few cups can seem innocuous, the reality is that they may just be destroying your diet.

Coffee is complicated. Some studies have shown that it has negative health effects while others tout its benefits. Kind of like Scott and Kourtney’s relationship. But what we do know is that when you add 15 teaspoons of sugar to the drink (think a Starbucks grande Caramel Frapp) it’s definitely no longer a dieter’s friend.

So as you may have guessed, all coffee drinks are not created equal. As the weather cools off and the drinks get warmer, we thought it would be the perfect time for a coffee, tea, and hot chocolate smackdown!

We rounded up all your favorites and ranked them in terms of least calories to most. There are some definite shockers in here! We learned that so much of the disparity comes from the size, the kind of milk used, and the amount of sugar added to each drink.

So before you order a double, grande, full-fat diet disaster, check out our FFF Hot Drink Smackdown below!

How the City Hurts Your Brain

Dodging traffic and weaving through crowds aren’t the only obstacles urbanites face when trying to take their workout to the streets. New research in Belgium shows that people who live in a city and exercise outdoors have higher levels of inflammation and lower scores on cognitive tests than those who exercise outside in the suburbs.

Study participants were split into two groups: Fifteen in an urban location, and nine in a rural environment. Both groups alternated walking and running 3 days a week from noon to 1 p.m. over a 12-week period.
Researchers then gave the subjects a test to measure their response time and attention span. The findings: High levels of air pollution in the city prevented participants from gaining exercise-induced cognitive benefits such as brain plasticity (the ability for the brain to change when presented with new knowledge), comprehension, and mental health. The urban group also had significantly higher blood levels of some inflammation markers.

What’s the deal? Inflammation in the brain may cause mental problems, researchers believe. Luckily, the body has a strong recovery mechanism and inflammation can disappear over time, says Romain Meeusen, Ph.D., FACSM, head of the department of Human Physiology and Sports Medicine at Vrije Universiteit Brussel in Belgium. And exercising is always better than staying sedentary.

To make sure pollution isn’t ruining your health, use Meeusen’s tips before you head outside.

1. Brave rain and wind. These climates blow the fine particles away so you’re not left inhaling them.
2. Avoid rush hour. The more cars, the more pollution from exhaust fumes.
3. Head to the park. The more trees between you and the road, the better.

http://news.menshealth.com/urban-exercise-health/2012/11/25/?cm_mmc=DailyDoseNL-_-1120838-_-11272012-_-WinHerOver-_-body

Sun Salutation

 

Stand in Mountain pose with your back straight, legs and feet together, and arms to your sides (A). Inhale as you raise your arms straight up overhead and bring your palms together (B). Exhale as you extend from your hips to fold your torso forward and move your hands down to the floor (C). Inhale, keep your hands down, but raise your head and chest slightly and gaze forward (D). Exhale, and step back into Plank pose with your arms and legs straight, your hands on the floor beneath your shoulders, your core engaged, and your back straight (E). Bend your elbows and lower toward the floor into a pushup position, keeping your elbows tucked close to your body (F). Inhale as you roll over your toes and, using your arms, press away from the floor and lift your chest into Upward-Facing Dog (G). Exhale as you roll your toes back over and lift and press your hips back into Downward-Facing Dog (H). Take five breaths in Downward-Facing Dog. Inhale and gaze forward as you lengthen back into your legs and bend your knees. Exhale as you step or jump your feet forward to meet your hands. Inhale as you extend your gaze and chest (I). Exhale as you fold forward over your legs (J). Inhale as you extend your arms wide to the sides, lift your chest, come all the way up to standing, and press your palms overhead. Exhale as you release your arms and return to Mountain pose. Repeat two to five times.

http://www.womenshealthmag.com/fitness/yoga-for-weight-loss?cm_mmc=Yoga_Newsletter-_-1106206-_-11272012-_-HeartPumpingYoga-Body

Squash Pecan Pie

Pumpkin Pecan Pie

Instead of having to choose between baking either pecan or pumpkin pie, this fantastic recipe from Deborah Racicot of Gotham Bar and Grill in New York rolls them both into one, and in a unique twist, transforms the pumpkin layer into a light cheesecake filling. If that's not enough to tempt you, consider that there is no refined sugar in the whole shebang, and the cream cheese is low-fat. Note: This treat is best served at room temperature or cold. Factor in lots of cooling-down time before serving.
Makes 12 servings

Ingredients

Crust
2 cups low-fat graham crackers
1/2 cup melted butter
Pumpkin Cheesecake Filling
4 ounces low-fat cream cheese
3 tablespoons maple syrup
1 tablespoon Splenda
4 egg whites
1/2 cup canned pumpkin puree
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Pinch of salt
Pecan Filling
1 large egg
1/2 cup agave syrup (such as Wholesome Sweeteners, available at health food stores)
1/2 tablespoon maple syrup
2 tablespoons Splenda
2 tablespoons almond flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon bourbon
3/4 cup chopped toasted pecans

Directions

To make crust: Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Put the cookies into a plastic bag and with a rolling pin crush them until fine. Place them into a medium bowl. Melt butter and pour it over the cookie crumbs. Mix it well with a spoon until all the crumbs are coated completely with butter. Press the crumbs over the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch pie pan. Bake until golden brown, about 15 to 20 minutes. Let crust cool completely.
To make pumpkin filling: Place low-fat cream cheese in a mixing bowl with a paddle attachment. Add the Splenda and maple syrup. Cream the mixture well, until very smooth. Add the pumpkin puree with the spices and salt. Mix until smooth, scraping the sides of the bowl well. With the mixer on low speed add the eggs. Mix just until incorporated. Pour into the pan and place in the freezer. Allow it to freeze so it is just firm to the touch. That way you can pour the pecan mixture on top and it will remain as two layers.
To make pecan filling: Set oven to 350 degrees F. In a large bowl, using a whisk, place all of the ingredients together. Whisk well. Pour the filling onto the frozen pumpkin filling and place it in the oven. Bake the pie in the oven for 20 minutes. Open the oven door and rotate the pie carefully. Then set the timer for another 20 to 25 minutes. The pie is cooked if the filling does not move when jiggled. Allow the pie to cool completely before serving.
Nutrition info: 279 calories, 5g protein, 31g carbohydrate, 16g fat (6g saturated fat), 2g fiber, 277mg sodium

http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/recipes/desserts/low-calorie/guilt-free-pie-recipes/?page=3