S'mores Shakeology? Yes Please!

S’mores is a classic summertime treat and with summer just around the corner, we created this Shakeology recipe that captures the season’s iconic flavor. There’s a coffee version and a caffeine-free version, depending on your preference. Try either today and tell us your favorite summertime food in the comments.

S’mores Shakeology (with coffee)
Total Time: 5 min.
Prep Time: 5 min.
Cooking Time: None
Yield: 1 serving

Ingredients:
½ cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
½ cup brewed coffee, chilled
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1 scoop Chocolate Shakeology
2 tsp. ground whole wheat graham cracker crumbs, divided use
1 cup ice

Preparation:
1. Place almond milk, coffee, extract, Shakeology, 1 tsp. graham cracker crumbs, and ice in blender; cover. Blend until smooth.
2. Pour into a serving glass and garnish with remaining 1 tsp. graham cracker 

Courtesy of the Team Beachbody Blog

Clean, Guilt Free Salad Dressing!

Most bottled salad dressing is nasty and loaded preservatives! Most contain high fructose corn syrup, added, sugar, excess oils and TONS of ingredients you can't even pronounce. It's SO easy to make your own. This vinaigrette is delicious and so simple to make. It keeps for about a week in your fridge too so make enough that will last you but not too much that will go bad!  

Ingredients

• ¼ cu p balsamic vinegar
• 1 Tbsp chopped garlic
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper freshly ground
• ¾ cup extra-virgin olive oil

Instructions

1. Beat the vinegar in a bowl with the garlic, salt and pepper with a whisk until blended.
2. Gradually whisk in the olive oil, whisking constantly. (You can also put all ingredients in a screw top jar and shake to combine.)
3. Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary.
4. Makes about 1 cup.

Another option is not using dressing at all! You can add some feta cheese and that is strong enough to give the salad a lot of flavor with no dressing needed. Salsa is also a good choice and guilt free! 

25 Ways to Increase Your Water Intake!

25 Ways to Increase Your Water Intake....and drop a few extra lbs while you're at it!

Let's do a simple nonscientific test to see if you are dehydrated right now. Pinch the skin on the back of your hand. Does your skin spring back into shape, like a gymnast sticking a landing? Or does it take its sweet time spreading out and settling? If your answer is the second one, you’re in need of some H2O.

You’ve heard us say hundreds of times how important it is to drink plenty of water. That’s because we can’t say it enough! If you want to lose weight, you need to drink water. If you exercise, you need to drink water. If you want healthy skin, you need to drink water. Your body is comprised of 70% water (and your brain is 90% water!). Your blood and every cell in your body are made almost entirely from water. If you want to be alert, have organs that function properly, and get the most out of your workouts, you need to drink enough water.

We get it. Drinking enough water to stay hydrated every day can be a daunting task. Here are 25 tips that will help. In the spirit of this article, how about pouring yourself a glass of water right now to sip as you read? Go ahead, we’ll wait.

Know how much you should drink
Knowing is half the battle, right? We recommend drinking half your body weight, in ounces of water, every day. So, if you weigh 180 pounds, divide that by 2. Your magic number would be 90. That’s 90 ounces of water every day, a little more than 2.5 liters.

Your number might be different
Everyone has different hydration needs, based on weight, exercise intensity, kidney function, climate, and a bunch of other stuff. If you live in Death Valley, for example, you’ll want to add a few more glasses of water. Pay attention to how your body feels when it is properly hydrated and use that as a cue.

Keep score!
Now that you know how much you need, it’s time to keep track of how much you are actually getting. Measure how many ounces your glass or bottle holds and figure out many times you’ll need to refill it during the day. There are dozens of free apps that keep track of your water consumption and reward you when you reach your goal. Find one that you like and turn hydration into a game.

Rise and shine!
Drink a glass—or two!—as soon as you wake up. You haven’t had any fluids for 8 hours, so this could be the most dehydrated you will be all day. Plus, it’s a great way to jump-start your metabolism. Try leaving a tall glass of water on your nightstand and drink it before you get out of bed. (Don’t try this if you have a cat, or it will knock the glass over in the middle of the night, splashing your face and soaking your copy of People magazine.)

Watch the clock
Set an alarm to remind you to drink every hour during the workday. When it goes off, get up, shake a leg, and take a stroll to the water cooler for a refill. You’ll fulfill your water quota by quitting time.

Make it a habit
Do the timer trick above for 21 days and, congratulations, you will have formed a habit.

“But it will make me have to pee!”
Yes, it will. That’s a biological fact of life. While you’re in the bathroom, have a gander at the color of your pee. It should be mostly clear and odorless (unless you’ve been eating beets or asparagus). If it is dark or cloudy, you, my friend, are dehydrated. Drink a glass of water right away. Your body will also adjust to drinking this much water and soon, you won’t be running to restroom as often.

Make more water
Every time you go to the bathroom, replenish your body with a fresh 8 ounces of water.

Pair drinking water with other activities
Fill up your water bottle before you walk your dog, check your email, or when you leave for work. Drink a glass of water before you brush your teeth or wash your face. Then, drink another glass when you are done.

Choose your vessel
We think drinking out of a glass is more appealing than swilling from a paper or Styrofoam cup. And, it’s gentler to the environment. Choose a beautiful glass or pitcher that you’ll want to use frequently. Feeling fancy? How about a goblet?

Take it to go
Keep a water bottle with you at all times. Think of it as an accessory. Water bottles collided with fashion a long time ago; there are colors and styles for everyone. Splurge on one you really like, the bigger the better. Glass and stainless steel are the best choices, as they won’t leach chemicals into the liquid contents. Avoid plastic bottles whenever possible.

Exercise requires more water
Being dehydrated can slow you down and zap your energy, making your cardio or weight lifting workout feel brutal. Your muscles need fluids to function fluidly, so be sure to hydrate before, during, and after exercise.

Drink a glass before bed
If it doesn’t make you stumble to the bathroom in the middle of the night, drink a glass before you catch some Zs to stay hydrated until morning. Or, try a soothing mug of hot water with lemon and a small drizzle of honey.

Replace other beverages with water
How many ounces of soda, juice, coffee, or beer do you imbibe on a daily basis? Come on, be honest. If you regularly drink a Venti latte and an orange soda, swap them for water. That’s 32 ounces right there, not to mention the hundreds of calories eliminating those drinks will save you.

Drink when you are hungry
If you feel a snack attack coming on, drink a glass of water, then wait 15 minutes. Dehydration pangs are often misread by the body as hunger. A glass of water will replenish your body and help you feel satiated. If you are still hungry 15 minutes later, reach for a piece of fruit or a handful of raw nuts.

The drinking fountain rule
Every time you see a drinking fountain, drink for a count of 10.

Drink before you eat
Drinking water before you eat will help you feel more satiated and you will eat less. A study from the Virginia Tech Department of Nutrition suggests that drinking two glasses of water before (not during) each meal can significantly increase weight loss. Not only that, but the water drinkers in the study continued to lose weight and keep it off.

Eat your water
You can add even more hydration by eating water-packed fruits like melons, cucumbers, berries, and celery.

Go one-for-one
Pace yourself in social gatherings by drinking water between alcoholic beverages. You’ll reduce your risk of a pounding hangover and help meet your daily water intake goals.

Flavored water
Not thrilled with the tasteless taste of water? Think it tastes like licking windows? You can give your water zing by adding a wedge of lemon, crushed mint leaves, sliced cucumbers, or strawberries.

Make it bubbly
If you are addicted to soda, and crave a fizzy refreshment, consider sparkling mineral water flavored with fruit, or invest in a SodaStream to have an unending supply of bubbly water at your fingertips.

Give yourself a little variety
Not all of your H2O has to be room temperature, or loaded with ice. Mix it up. Serve warm water with lemon or brew a cup of herbal tea.

Suck it up
Some people find that they take bigger gulps when drinking through a straw. If you are one of these people, you might consider buying paper straws or a reusable metal or glass straw.

Drop your juice habit
If you are trying to lose weight, this is an easy place to cut calories. Make the transition to drinking pure water by filling your glass halfway with juice then filling the rest with flat or sparkling water. Once you get used to this, try using only 1/4 juice.

Involve others
Invite your friends or office mates to participate in a water challenge with you. Set a goal of how much water each person will drink per day, then keep score. The people who skip the most glasses of water have to buy lunch.

When in doubt, drink water
Many common complaints, including headache and constipation, can be alleviated by downing a tall glass of water. Studies show that water can play a vital role in preventing more dire conditions as well, including several types of cancer. In one study, drinking more water reduced the risk of colon cancer by 45% in women and 32% in men.

Courtesy of the Team Beachbody Blog

Cooking the Perfect Hard Boiled Egg!

This is something I think we have ALL struggled with at one point or another....... The PERFECT hard boiled egg. Not too soft, not too hard, no graish green yolk, and not looking like they've been attacked by baby teeth after you peel them.  

Eggs are HEALTHY when eaten in moderation so perfecting the way you cook them so you enjoy them is important!  The whites have a TON of protein and the yolks are packed with omega-3s, essential aminos and B vitamins.  Not to mention one egg has just over 70 calories and the whites are only about 17!  Definitely something we should all include in our daily diets! 

So, here's MY way of making them after trying just about every method out there!

What you'll need:
--brown and white large eggs t

--2-quart saucepan

--stove

Instructions
Place eggs in saucepan & fill pan with cold water until eggs are covered by 1″.

Heat water over high heat until it is at a full rolling boil. 

Remove pan immediately from heat, cover with lid, and leave for 10-15 minutes. 

When time is up, carefully strain the hot water into sink and place eggs directly into a bowl of ice water. (The water shouldn’t just be cold. It needs to be ice cold. I used a large metal mixing bowl, filled it halfway with cold water, and put a large chunk of ice into the bowl to accomplish this.) 

Do all of this as quickly as you can safely as the idea is to “shock” the eggs. 

Let the eggs sit in the ice water for at least 15 minutes before peeling.

Results: This was easy, practically foolproof, and produced delicious eggs. The eggs cooked for 10 minutes had soft, flavorful yolks. If you let them go beyond 12 minutes, the yolks may be bit chalky, but still edible. If you let them go to 15, they will probably be way too chalky-tasting but still not have that unappealing grey-green color or yucky sulfur taste.  

So,follow the steps above and try to stay within the 10-12 minute range. If they go a little beyond, you'll still have pretty looking eggs that taste much better than other methods I've tried!

Easy Herb Chicken

Chicken breast doesn’t have to be boring. This version made with parsley, rosemary, and lemon zest has tons of fresh flavor. Any fresh herbs can be used in this recipe. Try substituting the rosemary with basil, tarragon, or oregano. Leftover portions taste excellent on top of a salad.

Total Time: 25 min.
Prep Time: 15 min.
Cooking Time: 10 min.
Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients:
¼ cup finely chopped Italian parsley
3 fresh rosemary sprigs, leaves removed and finely chopped, stem discarded
2–3 tsp. finely chopped lemon peel (about 1 lemon)
Sea salt and ground black pepper (to taste; optional)
4 (4-oz each) raw chicken breasts, boneless, skinless
1 Tbsp. olive oil

Preparation:
1. Preheat grill or broiler on high.
2. Combine parsley, rosemary, and lemon peel in a small bowl; mix well.
3. Add salt and pepper if desired. Set aside.
4. Brush chicken with oil; rub herb mix onto both sides of the chicken. Let sit for 5 minutes.
5. Grill or broil chicken for 5 minutes on each side, or until chicken is no longer pink in the middle.

Banana Shakeology Pie

Beachbody created a chocolate, peanut butter and banana pie that is delicious and good for you! Thanks to Shakeology, this peanut butter chocolate pie has 14 grams of protein per slice. You’re welcome.

Total Time: 1 hr. 10 min.
Prep Time: 10 min.
Cooking Time: None
Yield: 8 servings

Ingredients:
2 Tbsp. nonfat milk
1 (12-oz.) container firm (or silken) tofu
2 scoops Chocolate Shakeology
½ cup all-natural peanut butter
2 ripe medium bananas, cut into chunks
1 Tbsp. raw honey
1 Whole Wheat Graham Pie Crust (get the recipe here)

Preparation:
1. Place milk, tofu, Shakeology, peanut butter, bananas, and honey in blender; cover. Blend until smooth.
2. Pour tofu mixture into pie crust; refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or until firm.
3. Cut into eight servings.

Totally Clean Banana Pudding Recipe!

I don't know about you guys but I LOVE pudding.  I don't love the fake pudding though! The powdered pudding that you add milk to and bam... there it is! Much better to stop eating out of boxes, cans and freezers (unless it's frozen fruits, veggies & lean protein!) and make your food yourself. AND it's easier than you think!  Give this banana pudding recipe a shot!  So good, so creamy and SO much better for you!  

Ingredients
4 organic egg yolks
1/4 cup raw honey
1/4 cup arrowroot powder
2 ripe bananas, mashed
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups full-fat coconut milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 ripe banana, sliced
Walnuts, optional

Instructions
1.  Whisk together the egg yolks, honey, and arrowroot powder in a medium glass bowl. Set aside.

2.  Heat the coconut milk in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes. 

3.  Slowly pour the coconut milk into the egg mix, whisking constantly.

4. Transfer the entire mixture back into the saucepan and cook for another 2-3 minutes. 

5.  Stir regularly until thickened, making sure it does not boil.

6. Transfer the mixture into a large bowl and whisk in the vanilla and the mashed bananas. Chill for one hour.

7. To serve, spoon the pudding into a bowl or small cup. Top with sliced banana and walnuts if desired. 

8. Serve immediately or place in the fridge to have as a sweet treat later!
Courtesy of the Clean Eating Community

55 Snacks Under 150 Calories!

Eating healthy doesn’t need to be complicated or boring! Here are 55 easy-to-prepare snacks, each under 150 calories, that will keep your taste buds happy.

1. Mini tostada
Spread ¼ cup of nonfat refried beans on a small tortilla. Top with shredded lettuce, diced tomato, and a sprinkle of your favorite cheese.

2. Frozen grapes
Freeze 1 cup of grapes and enjoy them as if they’re sorbet.

3. Greek yogurt with honey
Mix one teaspoon of honey into half a cup of plain, nonfat Greek yogurt.

4. Cinnamon apple
Sprinkle an apple with cinnamon for a treat that tastes more decadent than it is.

5. Strawberries and chocolate
Dip 4 or 5 (depending on their size) strawberries into 2 squares of melted dark chocolate.

6. Almost apple pie
Try 1 cup of unsweetened applesauce with a hint of cinnamon.

7. Jicama
Chop one and a half cups of jicama and add a splash of lemon juice and a pinch of salt for a tangy, refreshing treat.

8. Café Au Lait
Enjoy 8 ounces of skim milk with a shot of espresso.

9. Carrots with hummus
Crunch on 9 or 10 baby carrots with a side of 2 tablespoons of hummus.

10. Nuts
A handful of 25 pistachios, 14 almonds, or 16 peanuts makes for a nice “good” fat and protein snack.

11. Eggs with guacamole
Hard boil an egg and replace the yolk with 2 tablespoons of guacamole for a protein-packed snack.

12. Edamame
Boil or steam one-half cup of unshelled edamame with a pinch of salt for a fiber-rich snack.

13. Bitter chocolate
Enjoy 1 large block or 3 small squares of dark chocolate.

14. Mediterranean tomato
Dice one medium tomato and top with 2 tablespoons feta cheese and a pinch of salt.

15. Kale Chips
Make your own kale chips for a fraction of the price with this recipe.

16. Bell peppers with balsamic vinegar
Drizzle 2 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar on top of 2 cups of sliced bell peppers.

17. Eggs with spinach
Scramble 3 egg whites with one-half cup of raw spinach and 1 Tbsp. of feta cheese.

18. Corn with garlic
Coat one-half of an ear of corn with a 1 tsp. of olive oil and 1 minced garlic clove. Grill until tender.

19. Santa Fe black beans
Combine one-quarter cup black beans, ¼ teaspoon of salt, and 1 Tbsp. of nonfat Greek yogurt for a hearty snack.

20. Chocolate banana
Dip one-half of a banana into 2 squares of melted dark chocolate.

21. Caprese
Top one ounce of mozzarella cheese with half a cup of cherry tomatoes and 2 teaspoons of balsamic vinegar.

22. Tuna salad
Mix together 2 ounces of water-packed tuna with 1 teaspoon of extra virgin olive oil and 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard.

23. Sweet potato
Enjoy one small baked sweet potato plain or with a pinch of salt.

24. Popcorn
Munch on 2 cups of air popped popcorn.

25. Olives
For a salty snack, enjoy 9 kalamata olives.

26. Greek watermelon
Top 1 cup of watermelon with 2 tablespoons of crumbled feta.

27. Peanut butter
Even on its own, peanut (or almond) butter makes for a treat full of good fats.

28. Cottage cheese and melon
Combine three-quarters of a cup of melon with one-quarter cup of nonfat cottage cheese for a sweet dessert.

29. Strawberry and spinach salad
For a savory and sweet salad, mix together 1 cup of baby spinach with one-half cup of sliced strawberries. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon of balsamic vinegar.

30. Shakeology
Mix one-half serving of your favorite flavor of Shakeology  with water.

31. Spiced cottage cheese
Mix ¾ cup nonfat cottage cheese with a pinch of chili powder and a pinch of curry powder. Top with chopped scallions if desired.

32. Shrimp cocktail
Dip eight medium-sized cooked, peeled shrimp in 2 Tbsp. all-natural cocktail sauce.

33. Crisp bread and lox
Top a Wasa whole-grain cracker with 1 ounce of salmon lox, two slices of cucumber, and a pinch of crushed black pepper.

34. Ham-wrapped asparagus
Wrap three slices of lean, nitrate free deli ham around three cooked asparagus spears.

35. Mediterranean rice cake
Spread 1 Tbsp. of hummus on a whole grain rice cake. Top with two cucumber slices.

36. Carrot salad
Mix two grated carrots with one Tbsp. of raisins, one tsp. of raw sunflower seeds, and 2 tsp. balsamic vinegar.

37. Black bean salad
For a snack with protein and fiber, mix ¼ cup drained black beans, one chopped tomato, half a green bell pepper chopped, and a pinch of chili powder.

38. Roasted red pepper Wasa cracker
Spread 2 Tbsp. hummus on a whole-grain Wasa cracker. Top with one jarred roasted red pepper, sliced.

39. Avocado cracker
Mash ¼ avocado with a squeeze of lime. Spread on a Wasa cracker and top with a pinch of espelette pepper or smoked paprika.

40. Pistachios and cranberries
Combine 16 shelled pistachios with ¼ cup unsweetened dried cranberries.

41. Veggies and ranch dip
Enjoy ranch dressing without the guilt! Dip 10 baby carrots and 8 cherry tomatoes into 2 Tbsp. healthy ranch dip made with Greek yogurt vs. mayo or sour cream! 

42. Frozen nutty banana
Roll half a peeled banana in one Tbsp. chopped peanuts, pressing so that nuts stick to the banana. Freeze. Enjoy!

43. Baked Apple Chips 
Bake your own apple chips and you can enjoy them with much less sugar. 

44. Cheese and cracker
Top one Wasa cracker with slices of 1 piece of string cheese

45. Italian cucumbers
Cut up 2 cucumbers and enjoy them with a drizzle of balsamic vinegar

46. Seaweed snacks
1 package of roasted seaweed snacks from Trader Joe’s or your local supermarket.

47. Crunch + spice
Cut up 4 celery stalks and enjoy them with ¼ cup salsa.

48. After school snack
Cut up 4 celery stalks and dip them in 1 tbsp. almond butter.

49. Cheesy popcorn
Sprinkle 1 tbsp. nutritional yeast over 2 cups air popped popcorn.

50. Turkey tartine
Top one slice whole grain bread with 2 slices deli turkey and 1 tsp. mustard.

51. PB + J
Top one Wasa cracker with 2 tsp. nut butter and 3 sliced strawberries.

52. Monkey snack
Cut up one half of a banana and dip it in 2 tsp. nut butter and then 1 tbsp. granola.

53. Easy avocado
Mash up one half of an avocado and mix it with 1 tsp. balsamic vinegar.

54. Japanese avocado
Mash up one half of an avocado and combine with with ¼ tsp. soy sauce, ¼ tsp. sesame seeds, and a drizzle of rice wine vinegar.

55. Chips and salsa
Whole grain corn tortilla chips with 2 tbsp. fresh salsa.

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10 Popular Diet Tips That are Bad Advice!

If you’ve ever tried to lose a few pounds, you’ve probably been inundated with diet tips. But take them all with a grain of salt—some advice may sound legit but can actually derail your diet. Here are 10 tips you don’t want to follow.

BAD ADVICE: Choose fat-free or sugar-free foods
BETTER ADVICE: Don’t believe the hype. “They usually use fat and sodium to replace sugar, and sugar to replace fat—or chemicals to replace both,” says Denis Faye, Beachbody’s nutrition expert. And Rania Batayneh, MPH, a nutritionist and author of the upcoming book, The 1:1:1 Diet, adds, “Removing fat from a food makes it less satiating, so you ultimately may end up eating more.” Stick with the original versions, and watch your portions or better yet, eat more unprocessed foods.

BAD ADVICE: No cheating ever!
BETTER ADVICE: Relax your diet rules, and you’ll be more likely to stick it out long-term. “If 80% of your diet is tight, then 20% can be a party,” Faye says. “It keeps you from getting stressed—and stress is a huge obstacle in weight loss.” Just plan your splurges ahead of time so you’re not giving in to every temptation that crosses your plate.

BAD ADVICE: Stop snacking.
BETTER ADVICE: Choose snacks that offer a balance of protein, fiber, and healthy fats—like apples with peanut butter, or carrots with hummus. “A healthy snack can help maintain steady blood sugar levels, which keeps your appetite in check and your energy stable,” Batayneh says. Skipping a snack can cause your blood sugar to dip, leaving you moody and famished—and more likely to overeat at mealtime.

BAD ADVICE: Don’t eat fruit—it’s full of sugar.
BETTER ADVICE: Let fruit satisfy your sweet tooth. “Yes, fresh produce is full of sugar and carbs,” Faye says. “But sugar itself is not the enemy. Fruit is packed with vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals; it’s also rich in fiber, which slows the absorption of sugar. I’ve never met a human being who got fat because of bananas.” When you’re craving sugar, there’s no debate that a handful of grapes is healthier than a hot fudge sundae.

BAD ADVICE: If it’s organic, it’s good for you.
BETTER ADVICE: According to the USDA, organic food is produced without antibiotics, growth hormones, conventional pesticides, and synthetic ingredients.1 The problem is that many people assume organic foods are all low in calories, too, which isn’t necessarily true. Don’t get us wrong—we’d rather eat food that doesn’t resemble a science experiment. But, Faye cautions, “You need to use common sense. If it’s bad for you with conventional ingredients, it’s still bad for you when it’s organic.” A cookie is a cookie, no matter how all-natural it is.

BAD ADVICE: Calories in, calories out—it doesn’t matter what you eat.
BETTER ADVICE: What you’re eating matters. Compare a 100-calorie candy bar to 100 calories of avocado—the latter is packed with nutrients and has healthy fats and fiber to keep you full. Or compare 50 calories of spinach (about seven cups) to 50 calories of ice cream (about two tablespoons). To feel full when you’re cutting calories, look for foods loaded with water and fiber, like veggies or broth-based soups. Plus, “Hormones have a huge impact on our health. Junk food can trigger bad hormonal responses that, over time, can lead to all kinds of problems, including weight gain,” Faye says. Occasionally, someone will pop up in the news claiming they lost a ton of weight while eating nothing but Subway, Starbucks, or Snickers bars—but don’t put too much stock in those success stories. “When you go that route, you’re not educating yourself,” Faye says. “It’s like the teach-a-man-to-fish adage. If you give someone a gimmicky diet, they might lose weight for now; but provide them with knowledge, and they can be healthy for life.”

BAD ADVICE: Try XYZ Extreme Diet—it works for everyone!
BETTER ADVICE: Find a plan that works for you. Gender, age, genetics, metabolism, and lifestyle can all play a role in weight loss—so even if a fad diet has worked for others, that doesn’t mean you’ll get the same results. “There’s no single diet that works for everyone; our biochemical needs are different,” Faye says. Talk to a dietitian or nutrition consultant to find a long-term eating strategy that is tailor-fit to you.

BAD ADVICE: When in doubt, order the salad.
BETTER ADVICE: Choose your greens wisely. Leafy greens and vegetables may be virtuous, but not if they’re slathered in creamy dressing and topped with bacon, candied nuts, croutons, deli meats, or cheese. “Fatty fixings can add hundreds of calories to your meal, and sometimes contain more calories than that juicy burger!” Batayneh says. Salad can be a healthy choice, but order dressing on the side and limit the add-ons.

BAD ADVICE: Don’t exercise—it’ll only make you hungrier.
BETTER ADVICE: Get moving—an hour-long workout isn’t going to make you suck down calories like Michael Phelps. “Exercise isn’t just for losing weight—it improves your cardiovascular health and strengthens your bones,” Faye says. You might feel hungrier while recovering from a grueling workout, but that doesn’t mean you’re going to pack on pounds. “As long as you’re eating clean, your body is amazing at self-regulating,” Faye adds. “It should crave the calories you need to fuel your workouts, not to get fat.”

BAD ADVICE: Treat yourself for a job well done!
BETTER ADVICE: Rethink your reward system. After an intense workout, you may feel like you’ve earned a cocktail or cupcake. But splurging after every workout can quickly undo all your hard work. If you’ve been good all week, go ahead and grab a guilt-free beer on Friday. But, Faye says, “Don’t let every workout become a Pavlovian thing where you need to eat cake afterwards.” After all, the best reward for a killer workout is getting one step closer to the body you want.

What’s the worst diet advice you’ve ever received?

Courtesy of the Team Beachbody Blog

Chicken Breast with Sauteed Mushrooms

Mushroom lovers, this is for you! These mushrooms sautéed with garlic and sherry vinegar are incredibly flavorful, you’ll want to put them on everything. (Leftovers taste great in an omelette!)

Total Time: 48 min.
Prep Time: 10 min.
Cooking Time: 38 min.
Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients:
1½ tsp. olive oil, divided use
4 (4-oz.) raw chicken breasts, boneless, skinless
4 medium shallots, chopped
4 cloves garlic, chopped
1 lb. sliced mushrooms
1 Tbsp. chopped fresh rosemary (or 2 Tbsp. dried rosemary)
2 Tbsp. dry sherry (optional)
½ cup  low-sodium organic chicken broth
Sea salt (or Himalayan salt) and ground black pepper (to taste; optional)

Preparation:
1. Heat 1 tsp. oil in medium skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Add chicken; cook for 3 minutes on each side. Remove from pan. Keep warm.
3. Heat remaining ½ tsp. oil over medium-high heat.
4. Add shallots; cook, stirring frequently, for 3 to 4 minutes, on until translucent.
5. Add garlic; cook, stirring frequently, for 1 minute.
6. Add mushrooms and rosemary; cook, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes, or until mushrooms release all their liquid.
7. Add sherry (if desired) and broth. Season with salt and pepper, if desired; cook, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes.
8. Add chicken; cook for 5 minutes, or until chicken is no longer pink in the middle.
9. Place a chicken breast on each of four serving plates. Top with mushroom mixture.

Courtesy of the Team Beachbody blog