Dear Maura,
You’re in the car, the kids are screaming, and you have to hit a drive thru to calm them down. What’s the best option? McDonald’s? Burger King? Taco Bell? Wendy’s? Chick-fil-A? Please help!
~ Melissa M.
Author Archive
ASK THE HEALTH COACH: ARE THERE ANY HEALTHY FAST FOOD OPTIONS?Sometimes, fast food's your only option. But between Wendy's and Burger King and a zillion other options, which is best? Health coach Maura Manzo offers her best bets.Posted by Maura Manzo on 2/7/2012 at 10:10AM | 3 Comments
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MAKE: PUMPKIN AND SQUASH CHILIPumpkin puree adds a sweet twist to this classic cold-weather dish.Posted by Maura Manzo on 1/19/2012 at 10:52AM | 3 Comments
Pumpkin and Squash Chili 1 pound Ground beef |
RECAP: MAURA’S SEVEN-DAY CLEANSE EXPERIMENTOur contributor just completed a weeklong cleanse. Read on to see how it went—the good, the bad, the ugly—and how she did it. Warning: There's lots of poop talk.Posted by Maura Manzo on 1/11/2012 at 1:00PM | 1 Comment
Last week I wrote about my decision to do a cleanse and promised that I would follow up with daily food logs and updates about how I’m feeling now; that’s what you’ll find here. (Buyer beware: Some of what’s below is brutally honest. Yes, I’m talking about bowel movements, people. That’s what cleansing’s all about, right?) All in all, it was a great experience, and not as rough as some of the other detox programs I have done. The most interesting things I noticed where (1) I felt best when I ate the lightest and drank the most water, and (2) I was able to notice where I used food as a crutch because I was tired or stressed, which was a great reminder about how important rest and time-management really are when it comes to a healthy diet and lifestyle. Without further ado, here’s a peek at what my week looked like. |
HOLIDAY CLEANUP PATROL: A SEVEN-DAY CLEANSE EXPERIMENTOur Be Well Philly contributor is trying out a seven-day cleansing and detox program.Posted by Maura Manzo on 1/3/2012 at 10:55AM | No Comments
Every good party is followed by a big clean up. It’s necessary; no one likes to do it, but it must be done. Same goes for us. The holidays were great but now it’s time to get back on track and clean up any little messes made along the way. Let me say from the get-go: I don’t have any guilt from my indulgences over the holidays. I love the time of year, spending time with family and friends, and all the festive cocktail parties. And let’s be real, it’s nice to not worry about things for a bit and just enjoy yourself. But two weeks later, I’m done. My body is feeling it: sluggish, bloated, and slightly constipated (that confession ought to help my dating life, right?!). I’m more tired than normal, have dark circles under my eyes; I’m just not my super-energetic self. So, it’s time to clean house. For me, that means a regimented seven-day cleansing and detoxification program. I can’t wait! Sounds fun, right? Here’s the lineup. |
GOOD-FOR-YOU GIFTSGift (noun): a thing willingly given to someone without payment; a present.Posted by Maura Manzo on 12/16/2011 at 10:53AM | No Comments
‘Tis the season for giving and receiving. I’m not gonna lie—I like both. I love taking the time to pick out a gift for someone, shopping for that perfect something that they would truly enjoy (there are no socks on my shopping list). But I also really enjoy receiving gifts, especially things I wouldn’t normally buy for myself. That said, I’ve noticed a lot of people find the gift-giving process difficult. So this week I made up a list of nine great gifts for people with active and healthy lifestyles—people just like you, our BWP readers! I’ve tried to keep them under $25 (So close! All but one are.) And yes, currently, these are all a few of my favorite things. Happy giving! |
HOW TO STOCK YOUR PANTRY LIKE A PROCooking a healthy meal shouldn't mean you have to run to the store for ingredients. Here are 21 items to always keep on hand.Posted by Maura Manzo on 12/9/2011 at 10:15AM | 3 Comments
Last week I sat down with Be Well Philly editor Emily Leaman to ask for feedback about my recipes that were part of the BWP Office Challenge. One comment she heard was that some contestants felt the recipes were too expensive because they didn’t have all the ingredients on hand, especially when it came to spices or dry items. So today I want to tell you what items I always have in my cabinets, and how I use them. This list is in no way extensive but highlights the ingredients I use the most frequently or can do the most with, especially in a pinch—you know, when there’s no food left in the house. This list does not include any fresh items or things that need to be refrigerated. That’s for another post. But in the meantime, I’d love to hear from you. What staples do you always make sure to have on hand? |
MAKE: ARTICHOKE AND ‘SHROOM BRUSCHETTAThe perfect recipe for holiday entertainingPosted by Maura Manzo on 11/15/2011 at 10:25AM | No Comments
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MAKE: PUMPKIN-SEED SWEET POTATO FRIESA guilt-free snack that feels like an indulgence—but isn'tPosted by Maura Manzo on 10/4/2011 at 12:35PM | No Comments
Our contestants score points for making the weekly recipe, of course, but that doesn’t mean you should miss out. Make a batch to go with dinner. Or, you can double or triple the recipe for a snack that will last a few days. Get the recipe right here. And happy eating! |
MAKE: BREAKFAST SANDWICH OF CHAMPIONSA good-for-you breakfast that'll fill you up without filling you outPosted by Maura Manzo on 9/13/2011 at 12:33PM | No Comments
If breakfast is the most important meal of the day, why shouldn’t it be the most delicious one, too? Give yourself a little extra time in the AM to make and enjoy this adult-size breakfast sandwich, which will keep you full until lunch. This sammy is packed with protein and a healthy balance of carbs and fat, making it an excellent choice for a post-workout meal. Can’t skip the meat? Try adding a lean turkey bacon or sausage to beef it up a bit. Get the recipe over here on our Office Challenge Blog. Office Challenge participants may complete the recipe for bonus points for their team! |
MAKE: HANG-ON-TO-SUMMER SUNDAESometimes, an indulgence really hits the spotPosted by Maura Manzo on 9/6/2011 at 3:26PM | No Comments
The last weekend of summer is behind us. Now it’s back to reality and back to the grind. Since I haven’t written any dessert recipes, I thought this would be the perfect time—a bit of a post-summer pick-me-up. To be honest, I’m not much of a dessert lover (or much of a baker); I’d rather have an appetizer or a glass of wine. But every once in a while, I get a sweet tooth that I indulge. So a good bet for me is to find the best ingredients, stick to the serving size, and then add some whole ingredients to make it my own. Häagen-Dazs Five is a line of ice cream with only five ingredients—a very rare to find in the grocery store. Better yet, you will recognize and understand how to pronounce all five ingredients! I hope you like this semi-homemade treat. |
