Viva la Vinegar!!!!

Good morning Foodies!   

I have to share with you my NEW obsession: balsamic vinegar!!!  OMG! There are sooooo many different ways to use this stuff it's crazy!  It works great as an oil free marinade, salad dressing component and even as a sweet, slightly tangy syrp.  Balsamic vinegar is an amazing substitute for oils and it has some great health benefits as well (check out http://recipes.howstuffworks.com/the-health-benefits-of-vinegar3.htm for more info!).  I use this stuff like it's going out of style.  Everyday I find a new, creative way to use it and the amount of flavor it adds to food is ridiculous!  Below are a few of my "impromptu recipes" using balsamic vinegar.  Don't worry, there is very little cooking involved for those of you who are stove-challenged.

               Sauteed Bananas
               1 banana
               1-2 packets of Stevia, Splenda or Truvia
               Cinnamon (to taste)
              1 cap-full of balsamic vinegar

              Cut or break banana into small pieces and combine with the other ingredients.  Turn stove to 
              medium-high heat and coat skillet with a layer of non stick cooking spray.  Pour banana mixture
              into the skillet and sautee for 1-3 minutes.  Use this a topping for a bowl of oatmeal, mix in with
              non-fat Greek yogurt (once it's cooled of course), or eat all by itself.

This is a simple, yet filling snack that will wake up those taste buds and take your breakfast or afternoon snack to a whole 'notha level.  Another recipe of mine that is soooo simple it's pathetic is my Mixed Berry Salad.  The ingredients are: 5-6 small strawberries, cut into pieces (or 3-4 large berries), 1/4 c. of blackberries and blueberries, 1 or 2 cap-fulls of balsamic vinegar and 2 packets of your sweetner of choice.  Mix all ingredients together and eat!  This little salad, if you will is so light and refreshing and healthy!  Who woulda thunk it?!  Vinegar and fruit?! Soo delish!  Try mixing balsamic vinegar with mustard, a pinch of salt, pepper, and garlic powder for a delicious oil-free salad dressing.

Lastly, swimsuit season is fast approaching and it's time to start getting those bikini bodies ready!  Be sure to eat a clean, balanced diet, drink plenty of water and try to get in at least 30-45 of solid cardiovascular exercise in 4-5X per week as well as some resistance training 3-4X per week.  It's ok to lift weights ladies!  Don't be afraid of bulking up.  Muscle mass looks sexier and make you appear slimmer than simply just losing body fat.  Execessive cardio will begin to eat away are your muscle tissueand you will eventually look like a walking zombie or what I like to refer to as being skinny fat (LOL).  Check back soon for more recipes, cool spots to hang at around town and health and fitness advice.  Feel free to leave comments and/or ask questions!

TTYL Foodies!