Girl Scout Cookies vs Protein Bars

The other day I struck up a conversation with a lady in the local grocery store. We were standing by the protein bar/protein shake section and she was raving about the chocolate mint protein bars.  "They taste like Girl Scout Cookies," she said. She also had mentioned that she ate them instead of Girl Scout Thin Mints, alluding to the idea that the protein bar was way healthier than the Thin Mints.

So I looked at the nutrition facts for both.  Here are the facts for Girl Scout cookies. Four cookies are 160 calories, 7 grams of total fat and 11 grams of sugar.

 For the Clif Cool Mint Chocolate bar you have 250 calories per bar, 5 grams of total fat, 22 grams of sugar and added caffeine. The company says chocolate and mint are a match in Heaven; add a little caffeine and you are flying to cloud nine. Sugar/caffeine buzz with a crash to follow! There is nothing wrong with a treat and if you are exercising your brains out and need a protein boost then grab the clif bar, it will definitely keep you going. But if you are planning on couch potato/channel surfing, go with the Thin Mints (and stick to the four!).

Plus you help out a great organization and a bunch of really cute girls! (who will probably be your kid's boss in 15 years)

Cold Season is Here

It is that time of year where it seems everyone around you is sniffling, coughing or sneezing. How do you keep healthy when you are surrounded by germs?

Foremost is keep drinking plenty of fluids, I always add lemon, lime or orange slices in my water for an extra Vitamin C burst.

Next is get plenty of rest, keep your body at low stress during cold and flu season and a good night's sleep keeps your stress level low. I also recommend power naps during your lunch break, 15-20 minutes in the middle of your day really helps! (I like to find some sunshine to catch some rays with my zz's)

 Also remember to power up! Eat a healthy breakfast in the morning, cut your sugar intake and definitely cut the sodas at lunch. Load up on the veggies at dinner, this time of year is a great time for root vegetables, sweet potatoes and turnips are my favorites. 

Last is to take time to listen to your body. If you feel a cold coming on, along with everything above, I really am a believer in hot lemon juice with either agave or honey. To me it is the go to comfort food (drink) along with herbal teas. I also recommend probiotics, they are great in keeping your insides healthy, and if you have read that the more expensive ones are better, you have heard right. I have found it does make a difference, not that I suggest you buy one brand over another, buy what you can afford, but check your labels and ask your doctor,  ruse practioner or pharmacy what they recommend.

Stay healthy!