Win Autographed Copy of The Skinny Rules!

Five lucky readers will receive an autographed copy of The Skinny Rules: The 101 Secrets Every Skinny Girl Knows by Molly Morgan, RD, CDN.!

In The Skinny Rules book, you will learn the “Rules”, which are tips and tricks that you need to know so you too can get the body you want – in a healthy way!

Check out some of the Skinny Rules:

• Skinny Rule #10 – Opt for Fast Food over Restaurants. You will learn when to choose fast food over eating at a restaurant, and why it may be a healthier option when you aren’t able to eat at home!

• Skinny Rule #28 – Play the Pounds Away. Learn how to think like a kid and enjoy exercise again!

• Skinny Rule #47 – Don’t judge a food by it’s Package. Learn how to use your own sound judgement when making food choices.

• Skinny Rule #67 – Stock your Pantry with Skinny Essentials. You will find out which healthy ingredients should always belong in your kitchen.

• Skinny Rule #85 – Save $$ and your Waistline. You will learn how to order at restaurants the “Skinny way”!

Follow the Skinny Rules and enjoy a life full of healthy choices – again and again!

How to Enter

1) Join this website (through Google Friend Connect) and make a comment on this post. If you are already a member, just log in and make a comment on this post.

Yup, it’s that easy! Just make sure you check back on this site, facebook, or twitter to see if you won!

Please note: This is a mandatory step if you want to enter into the contest.

Bonus Entry Points

1) Find us on Facebook and “like” our page. We’ll have a post that you can comment on, which will provide you an additional entry point when you comment on it. Nice!

2) If you like to tweet, you should “follow” Skinny Twinkie on twitter! All you need to do is Retweet our tweet on twitter that announces this giveaway, and you will get another entry point.

3) Do you like to blog? If you blog about this contest and link to this giveaway post, provide the link to your blog in the comments section on here (or facebook), and you will have gained another chance to win!

♦♦♦You can give yourself a total of four chances to win! ♦♦♦

Contest Rules and Eligibility

This contest is open to all U.S. residents who are 18 years or older. Void where Prohibited by Law. This is a giveaway, which means you are not obligated to buy anything from anyone.

This contest starts on May 31st 2011 and will end on June 2nd at midnight EST.

Skinny Twinkie will use Random.org to choose five winners by picking random numbers based on the total number of entries. Skinny Twinkie will draw the winners on June 3rd, and the winners will be announced that same day on SkinnyTwinkie.com, twitter, and facebook. You must check to see if are one of the lucky winners!

If you are selected as a winner, please contact editor@SkinnyTwinkie.com to claim your prize. If you do not send an email to us within 48 hours after the winner has been announced, we will choose another winner.

Good luck everyone!!!

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Tags: Celebrity, contest, giveaway, Skinny, Weight Loss

Healthy Recipes for Memorial Day

This Memorial Day, why not try something new- and healthy!? Here’s some delicious meals you ought to try!

1) Mediterranean Portobello Burger

Who needs a greasy hamburger when you can make this? This burger is so packed with flavor that any meat lover wouldn’t feel deprived eating it. With only 301 calories, this burger is sure to become a new summer time tradition! You will find this recipe at delish.com – Enjoy!

2) Grilled Rosemary Salmon Skewers

When you combine salmon, tomatoes, and rosemary, you are going to enjoy a super healthy and delicious treat from the grill with very few calories – 246 calories to be exact! Find this easy to make recipe at EatingWell.com and start that grill up!

3) Chicken Salad with Almonds

You thought salad was just a bunch of boring leafy greens put together? Think again! This is a delicious salad that can serve as a main or as a side dish – you decide! This recipe can be found at ElenaPantry.com, along with plenty more mouth watering (and healthy!) meals.

4) Grilled Shrimp

I love seafood – it’s a delicious form of protein, healthy fats, with (usually) less calories! This delicious dish is no exception, with only 156 calories per serving,  you can enjoy this guilt-free! Find the recipe at Self.com and try to leave some for others to enjoy, will ya? ; )

5) Farro Salad with Grilled Eggplant, Tomatoes, and Onion

I love trying new things, such as Farro, and this is a great way to try Farro and still use the grill! You will find the recipe at FoodNetwork.com, along with very positive reviews!

6) Berry-Banana Smoothie

Try a refreshing drink that doesn’t hold the guilt – this only has 126 calories and it’s full of healthy fruit and a touch of honey for sweetness! That’s right, no processed sugar or artificial sweeteners added! What a treat! Find this ridiculously easy recipe at EatingWell.com and make a toast to your good health!

7) Berries and Goat Cheese Mini Pizzas

Just because you eat healthy, doesn’t mean you can’t have dessert! You just need to learn how to make and/or find healthy desserts that are yummy and don’t ask  you to add in sugar and other not-so-healthy ingredients. Find this fairly easy recipe at FamilyFreshCooking.com and you won’t be disappointed!

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Tags: Healthy, holiday, Memorial Day, recipes

Avoid Pesky Bites and Stings

After waiting months and months to finally enjoy the beautiful outdoors, we have to deal with pesky insects. Bugs can be quite annoying, but more importantly, they can carry some dangerous diseases and share them with us.

Natural Ways to Prevent Bites and Stings

•Use Cinnamon oil as a mosquito repellent. It has been proven to be just as effective as DEET!

•Minimize the amount of cologne or perfume that you wear when spending time outdoors this Summer. The smell attracts bugs, including the ones that will sting you.

•Stay away from standing (still) water- This is the  mosquito’s playground!

•Some studies suggest that if you consume garlic, it will prevent mosquito and tick bites.

•Don’t step into a stream or river unless you have foot protection. This will help prevent leeches from attaching to your foot.

•If you are outdoors at night (camping, anyone?), use an LED light bulb! It doesn’t attract bugs like other lights since it doesn’t emit wavelengths in the UV spectrum, which is what bugs are attracted to.

•If at all possible, avoid the outdoors when bugs are most active, which is at dawn and at dusk. If you find yourself having to be outdoors during this time, protect yourself with long sleeved shirts and pants.

How to Heal Bites and Stings

•Raw honey has many healing properties and can be used as an antibacterial agent. Use raw honey on a bee sting to help the pain.

•Tea Tree oil is an effective antimicrobial and helps with healing infections, burns, and cuts.

• Ice is the perfect anti-inflammatory. It’s also cheap and easy to use!

•Aloe Vera have many healing properties to help treat infected areas of your skin. Aloe Vera is also useful with healing burns.

•Use fluoride free toothpaste on a bee sting. It’s effective!

•Cucumbers reduce swelling. Place a slice of cucumber on the area of skin and it will reduce puffiness and swelling.

Now that you know how to enjoy the great outdoors without worrying too much about getting bit or stung, go out and have some fun!

PS – Any other natural remedies you know about? I’d love to hear about ‘em!

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Tags: natural solutions, Outdoors, Spring, Summer

Congrats to our AgroLabs Winner!

Congratulations ErinCook! Our lucky reader just won three AgroLabs Liquid Nutrition Products: Coconut Water Recovery™  Shot, Peaceful Sleep, and Wheatgrass BOOST™.

Thank you everyone for participating! We will have many more opportunities for you to win something, so stay tuned…

Winner’s next steps: Please contact editor@SkinnyTwinkie.com and provide your mailing address to claim your prize. We will forward your information to the sponsor to send you the prize directly.

If you do not send an email to us within 48 hours after this announcement, we will choose another winner.

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Tags: contest, free product, giveaway, winner

Why Fiber is Important for your Health

You shouldn’t underestimate the health benefits from Fiber. Check out why Fiber is an important part of your health, how different types of fiber affects your body, the recommended amount, and which foods are high in fiber.

Health Benefits of Fiber

• Helps lower the risk of heart diseases and some cancers

• Fiber aides in digestion

•Fiber encourages hydration

• Increases Satiety

•Helps lower overall cholesterol levels

Different Types of Fiber

Soluble Fiber - This type of fiber binds with fatty acids in your stomach and as it travels down the GI tract. The soluble fiber prolongs digestion, slows the absorption of sugars and fats, and helps regulate blood sugar. Studies also show that soluble fiber can help lower LDL cholesterol (harmful type of cholesterol) and reduces the overall cholesterol count.

Prebiotic Soluble Fiber – This type of fiber feeds the protective bacteria in your colon and stimulates immune-cell production, which promotes a healthy immune system.

Insoluble Fiber - This type of fiber adsorbs a lot of water as it travels down the GI tract, which prevents constipation and increases the frequency of stools. Insoluble fiber helps remove toxins from your colon, balances intestine acidity, and helps move waste through the intestines and the bowel.

Dietary Fiber – This type of fiber has been shown to help ease the symptoms of certain digestive disorders.

Recommended Intake of Fiber

The average adult needs anywhere from 25 grams to 40 grams of fiber on a daily basis. Most adults get less than half of the recommended daily amount, which can cause a lot of negative health effects.

Foods High in Fiber

Avocado – 11 grams for one (medium)

Kidney Beans – 8.2 grams per serving

Wheat bran – 8 grams per serving

Pear – 5.5 grams for one (medium)

Lentils – 5 grams per serving

Prunes – 4.5 grams per serving

Split Peas – 4.4 grams per serving

Raspberries – 4 grams per serving

Apples -3.1 grams for one (medium)

Oranges – 3.1 grams for one (medium)

Butternut Squash – 3 grams per serving

Flax seeds – 2.7 grams per tablespoon

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Image Credit: thenutritionpost.com

Tags: fiber, Healthy, insoluble fiber, satiety, soluble fiber, Weight Loss