Social media is at it once more, helping us better our lives by linking us with others. Pinterest began as an idea grapevine turned into an organization and planning giant. Countless people have planned weddings, anniversary parties, and baby showers using Pinterest and now we are using the site to attain weight loss goals and live fitter lives. There is even a new diet book on the market The Pinterest Diet: How to Pin Your Way Thin, written by Mitzi Dulan, Registered Dietician. In her book, she suggests using Pinterest to create a vision board of your goals  by creating boards such as Most Satisfying Foods, Workout Plans Board, Daily Inspiration Board, In-The-Know, and Favorite Products. Pinterest is the ultimate social media site for planning your healthy life.

Pinterest offers the power to look for recipes, inspirational and motivational quotes, workouts, and merchandise such as exercise clothes as well as the ability to hold all of the ideas organized in a single spot. It is a replacement for the age-old vision board that many of us pinned to our wall to keep ourselves focused on a goal.  This site allows you to digitally pin pictures of your dream body or inspirational sayings to keep your actions in check.

Pinterest has something for everyone! Searching for a recipe that is Vegan, Paleo, or Gluten-free? Check out this delicious looking Healthy Chocolate Cake recipe by iFOODreal @http://www.pinterest.com/pin/195273333817500880/

Nutritional Info

Servings Per Recipe: 10; Amount Per Serving = 1 slice; Calories: 265.8; Total Fat: 13.0 g; Cholesterol: 37.2 mg; Sodium: 211.1 mg; Total Carbs: 37.5 g; Sugars: 17.3 g; Dietary Fiber: 4.5 g; Protein: 5.3 g; WW Points+: 8

or check out this Mashed Cauliflower recipe by Healthy Recipes @http://www.pinterest.com/pin/89016530108918303/.

Total time: 20 minutes
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes

Ingredients
1 medium cauliflower (1 pound trimmed)
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, soft
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1/4 cup grated Parmesan
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Directions
1. Wash the cauliflower,towel dry, trim outer leaves and cut into florets, or just into chunks. Place in a microwave-safe bowl, add a tablespoon of water to the bottom of the bowl, cover with a microwave-safe plate and microwave on high around 10 minutes, until very tender.

2. Meanwhile, prepare the other ingredients.

3. When the cauliflower is done, carefully remove it from the microwave (bowl and plate will be hot and steam will escape) and transfer to the food processor. Add the remaining ingredients. Process until very smooth, about 1 minute. Serve immediately.

Makes 4 servings.

Nutrition per Serving

Calories 102.9; Total Fat 7.5 g; Saturated Fat 4.6 g; Sodium 407.8 mg; Potassium 350.9 mg; Total Carbohydrate 6.3 g; Dietary Fiber 2.8 g; Sugars 0.0 g; Protein 4.4 g

Health and wellness websites are also jumping on the bandwagon. You can follow sites on Pinterest such as POPSUGAR Fitness, Holistic Ebony, and Health.com. Following these sites can lead you to information that you might not otherwise find when searching on your own. You can search and pin exercises from gym routines to 8 minutes at home at routines. There are even exercise routines for the couch potato to follow during the commercials of your favorite television show.

Pinterest is the ultimate social site to connect ideas as well as people. There is no limit to the number of ideas found and once you start searching it can be difficult to stop. Just Remember to put all those newly found  ideas to use and start living healthier today.

Reference

Dulan, M. (2014, 01 19). How Pinterest can help you lose weight and get fit. Retrieved from Fox News: http://www.foxnews.com/health/2014/01/19/how-pinterest-can-help-lose-weight-and-get-fit/

The post The Pinterest Diet: Pin your way to a healthier you appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

Nearly everyone has more than one special person in their life. Whether it’s a neighbor who lets the dog out, the friend who watches the kids in a pinch or a colleague who makes Mondays a little more bearable, loved ones make our days better. A simple thank you or a small thank you gift can go a long way in showing those people just how much you appreciate them.

A recent survey revealed that most people do have multiple “loves” in their lives. In fact, significant others aren’t the only ones who get Valentine’s Day gifts these days. This survey, which was commissioned by Rich Products, a leading provider to foodservice, in-store bakery and retail marketplaces, showed that Valentine’s Day now extends way beyond that one special person. Forty four percent of people said that they purchase gifts for multiple people on Valentine’s Day. When asked to identify their “other loves,” friends were at the top of the list; and surprisingly, among their favorite gifts were fresh baked goods ranging from cookies, cupcakes and other sweet treats. 

So to sweeten your relationships all year round, small thank you gifts are both welcomed and appreciated. And keep in mind it’s not the size of the gift that matters. Survey results show that good things come in small, personalized packages.

Give the gift of deliciousness

To get started, remember showing your appreciation doesn’t have to be expensive and time consuming. Gifts can be purchased on your weekly (or daily) trip to the grocery store then personalized and decorated with things that you have around the house. You can stock up on these inexpensive supplies at your local craft store. 

Here are some simple, low-cost steps to show someone you care:

Step 1: Visit the bakery department in your local grocery store for a variety of fresh and delicious options. From frosted cookies, to cinnamon rolls, cupcakes and doughnuts, you’ll find a treat to please everyone on your list – and there’s no baking involved.

Step 2: Personalize each gift by selecting a baked good and using basic art or wrapping supplies (think ribbon spools and tissue paper leftover from Christmas) that you have around the house to dress up your gifts.

Step 3: Attach a personalized, handwritten note on a piece of construction paper or cardstock. Cut the paper to size, punch a hole to thread a ribbon through and tie it to your gift.-

Other ideas for a quick and easy do-it-yourself ways to dress up your gift:

• Homemade gift bags: Cut hearts out of construction paper and glue onto a lunch bag.
• Decorative plates: Find inexpensive, seasonal or colored ceramic plates at your local discount store and wrap with cellophane and a bow.
• Sweet surprise: Grab a small gift box, place some tissue inside, add your selected baked good and tie with a colored bow. Make sure that the baked good is secure in the box. You don’t want it to crumble.

For more simple and creative gifting and packaging ideas, visit the Bakery Because Pinterest board at www.pinterest.com/bakerybecause.

*BPT

The post 3 easy steps to sweeten someone’s Valentine’s Day appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.