Eating Soy May Reduce Breast Cancer

The soy bean. Some love it, some hate it. Either way, you should embrace it. I recently have been scouring the health news and have found an interesting study. Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research recently conducted a study among Asian women. Women who consumed soy products at an earlier age in life reduced their chances of breast cancer by 58 percent.

Still don't like soy? In case you are new to the world of soy I've taken the time to give you a few everyday products that can be substituted with soy:

Swaps:

This for This

Red-meat burgers Veggie or soy-based burgers (Boca burgers)
Hot dogs Veggie dog
Cow milk Reduced-fat soy milk (I like the vanilla)
Chicken/beef/pork Tofu (it absorbs any flavor)
Chips Edamame

Now, I admit it may take some time to adjust to these changes, but your heart, muscles and breasts will thank you in the long run. Speaking of long run, soy products contain all the essential amino acids of whey protein. See my previous blog, "Protein Enriched Diet" for specifics about different types of protein.

If you have any other suggestions or want to mention specific soy-based products you like, please share!

The BEST Banana Oatmeal Cookies

The best banana oatmeal cookies have just been baked. Incredible.

Here is the recipe

Banana Cookies

3 very ripe bananas, mashed
1/2 c. butter
1 c. brown sugar, packed
4 egg whites
3 c. oats
2 tbsp. flour
1/4 c. milk
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla or banana flavoring
1 tbsp. cinnamon
1/4 c. wheat gern

Chocolate chips and/or nuts (as you wish)
Mix first 3 ingredients together in a bowl. Add egg whites and mix. Add remaining ingredients except nuts and/or chocolate chips. After dough is mixed add nuts and/or chocolate chips.
Batter will seem too liquid but drop on cookie sheet anyway.
Bake at 350 degrees F. for 12 to 15 minutes.

These cookies come out moist and chewy. They just made my top 5 list for best cookies.

Try them out and let me know what you think!

Relationships cause Weight Gain

The first few months of a new relationship are so exciting. The sparks are flying, you think you are in love (for real this time) and you cannot stop thinking about your new flame. Did you think about how this new relationship could cause you to gain weight?

OK, you can't literally gain weight from a relationship, but the restaurant dinners and stops at Coldstone will start to show. A friend forwarded me this story from Kansan.com. According to the story it is possible to gain weight, especially in a new relationship because you attempt to impress the other with dinners and pricey dates. Not only will your bank account begin to dwindle, but your waistline will grow.

Think about it... if you are single you realize that exercising and looking your best (eating well too) will only help your chances to find a date. Then you luck out and you find someone and the relationship begins...the late night gym trips are replaced with a small popcorn here, a Like-It at Coldstone there, before you know it you're having trouble buttoning those tight pants!

The worst part is, the more comfortable you are in a relationship, the more likely you are to slack off on your workouts and dieting. I've been in a relationship almost four years and I am mindful of how often I workout and what I eat - being a certified personal trainer helps too. But, I've found something that will help keep you fit in the beginning or middle of your relationship and could possible boost your libido. This has no negatives... trust me.

First, realize you are a slacker now. It's OK, I forgive you, but now get-up, find your partner and take a trip to the gym. Working out together can bring you closer as a couple and lead to a more exciting work-out in the bedroom. US News wrote 10 Tips for working out with your partner which I find VERY helpful.

Now that you are working out again on a regular basis and your pants are easy-to-wear right out of the wash, change your eating habits. Instead of spending endless dollars on dinner twice or three times per week, stay-in and cook for each other. The act of making something, especially food, with your partner creates a perfect scenario for bonding. Also, it is very important to keep the sparks flying and cooking with your special someone will do just that.

So, get your head out of the clouds and make some changes because if you don't you may spin out of control in losing or maintaining your weight.