In a world where you're always on the go, it can be difficult to prepare each meal and snack you eat with wholesome foods from home.

As such, to help fill the need for energy, you might find yourself turning to a few convenience snacks along the way – ones that you can quickly grab and put in your purse, back, or desk at work.

There's no question that snacking can be a part of healthy diet plan and can help you achieve optimal energy levels throughout the day while keeping your blood sugar levels more stabilized, but, if you're not careful with the snack choices you're choosing, you could be doing far more harm than good.

There are many snacks that some people are choosing on a regular basis that are virtually toxic to the body and won't be doing anything positive in terms of promoting good health.

By learning what these snacks are and then making sure to rid them from your diet plan, you can ensure that you are putting only the highest of quality foods in your body on a regular basis.

These are three toxic snack foods you should do away with immediately:

1. Anything With Processed Cheese
The first toxic snack food is anything that contains processed cheese.  Whether it's string cheese, cheese spread, or some other form of artificial cheese, these in general are not a good idea.

They're often very high in chemicals and can also add some saturated or even trans fats into your diet plan.

Plus, they won't offer nearly the same amount of protein as a real source of organic cheese would, so won't provide benefits in that regard either.

If you want cheese, choose a smarter variety. Opt for Greek cheese or feta cheese and you'll provide your body with more vitamins and minerals along with energy for the hours to come.

2. Chips And Crackers
The second of the toxic snack foods that you must eliminate from your diet immediately is any chips or crackers that you're consuming.

Even if they are the 'low fat' variety, don't be fooled. These are still not a healthy addition to your diet.

Snacks such as these do typically contain trans fats, which are the worst kinds of fats that you could be adding to your diet plan. Even very small amounts consumed each day can put you in harm's way.

Second, these snacks are full of processed carbs that will send blood glucose levels soaring and then crashing shortly thereafter.

3. Cereal And Energy Bars
Finally, last but not least on the list of toxic foods to get out of your diet immediately is any cereal or energy bars.  Not only are these very high in sugar as well (or high-glucose fructose corn syrup as the case may be), but many also contain artificial food dyes or colorings, which can harm your body.

Plus, they are devoid of protein content in most cases, so won't provide you the balanced snack you're after.

So there you have three toxic snack foods that you should give the boot from your diet immediately. Make sure they aren't putting you in harm's way.

You may have heard that eating before bed is a big-time "no no" for those looking to lose weight. In fact, you've probably even heard that eating late at night will undoubtedly cause you to GAIN weight...even worse!

Well, there's good news, and that good news is that not every food that you eat past 7PM will be automatically deposited to your butt, thighs, and love handles.

In fact, there are certain foods that you can eat as a late-night snack that can actually INCREASE your fatloss results! The key is knowing which foods to eat, and which to avoid, as the evening progresses.

Here's a good rule of thumb: Avoid carbs before bed in favor of slow-digesting high-quality protein.

Carbohydrate consumption causes significant rise in the storage hormone insulin, which also puts the breaks on fat-burning. That's a recipe for disaster in the late evening hours as your metabolism is winding down, but fortunately, slow-digesting protein isn't.

Instead, slow digesting proteins provide your body with a steady flow of amino acids throughout the night to help you recover from exercise and maintain your calorie-burning lean muscle as you lose fat.

Here are some of my top pre-bedtime choices:

1. White Meat Animal Protein (not red meat or fish) - White meat protein sources such as chicken and turkey are great pre-bed meal choices because they digest slowly and have a very low insulin release. These sources also promote the release of another hormone, glucagon, that assists the body with breaking down stored carbs and fat within your body to be burned for energy...a double win! Red meat and fish have a significantly higher insulin response so they're best to avoid in the evening.  There are also 4 types of fish that you should really avoid at ALL times...we'll go over those in just a minute.

2. Cottage Cheese - Cottage cheese is very slow digesting and coats the stomach to be assimilated by the body over many hours. As a protein, it also stimulates glucagon release; a solid pre-bedtime choice. Just make sure you're using plain cottage cheese, not the flavored varieties with added sugars.

3. Green Vegetables - While these aren't considered a protein, they contain virtually no calories, are high in fiber, and they're very filling. Often times when I get a late night craving I eat a big bowl of green veggies and it completely kills my craving...a diet savior!

Sweet dreams!

Brownies are one of my all-time favorite deserts.  They're moist, chocolate-y and oh so decadent.

Unfortunately, most brownies in stores and coffee shops are loaded with white sugar, white flour, table salt and trans fats, all ingredients that are bad for your health and your waistline.

I would like to share a recipe with you that gives you the moistest, chocolate deliciousness you'd want without any of the harmful ingredients found in typical brownies.  And it's based on a main ingredient that will surprise you!

The recipe is super easy to make and uses ingredients you can find anywhere.

Ingredients

1 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained

1.5 large eggs

2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder

1/2 cup dates, soaked then chopped

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp apple cider vinegar

1/8 tsp sea salt

1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract

3 tbsp dark chocolate chips

Directions

1.  Pre-heat oven to 350F

2.  Rinse and drain black beans well

3.  Add all ingredients except chocolate chips into a food processor or blender and process until very smooth.

4.  Stir in chocolate chips

5.  Pour batter into a rectangular loaf pan that has been brushed with butter or olive oil

6.  Bake at 350F for 20-25 minutes, do not overbake

7.  Brownies are ready when a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean

8.  Cool and cut into squares

This recipe make 8 delicious, moist brownies and each brownie has:

155 calories

6.7 grams of protein

23.1 grams of quality carbs (4.8 grams of fiber and 6.7 grams of sugar)

4.9 grams of healthy fats

My cost analysis found that each brownie cost a mere .44 each.

And these brownies are actually healthy for you!  I always use the best ingredients such as Eden Organic Beans, Cocoa Camino cocoa powder and chocolate chips, Organic free range eggs and high quality versions of everything else.

If you like the idea of tasty treats made from natural ingredients that are actually GOOD for you, give this recipe a try! 

As most of you know, I am a baker.  I am very lucky to make my living doing something I like very much.  I guess you can say I make my cake and eat it too.

I have always had a sweet tooth, so it's hard sometimes, not to try all the stuff I bake.

That's where my "Bakies" come in.  They're the cookies I make at my bakery.  Like I have previously stated, I don't know why they call cookies "cookies" when you bake them and they should be called "bakies".

For the last couple of months I have eaten one "bakie" every day for lunch.  I cures my cravings for sweets and I know what I put into them, only the best and HEALTHIEST ingredients I can find. AND you can pronounce every ingredient that I put into them, unlike some of the power bars, supplement bars and diet bars that are out there.  Have you ever read the list of ingredients on their labels?  

With an estimated 150 calories per cookie, one ties me over 'til dinner and did I mention, they taste soooo gooood!

Well, I hope all the mom's out there had a great Mother's Day.

I enjoyed by self as well, twice!

First I had to go to a Mother's day brunch with my in-laws to celebrate Mother's day with my wife's mom.  We wound up going to the Hometown Buffet in Mentor.  There was sooo much food there and I was amazed by how much everyone was eating.  I definitely was good, choosing only grilled meats and veggies and stayed away from anything fried.  I did overindulge in the Salad bar though.

Later in the day, my son wanted to surprise his mom, by taking her to another buffet.  We would up going to the Horseshoe Casino's Grand Buffet.  Now, if you've never been there, it's incredible.  There's 10 different food stations featuring food from all over the world, Asian to Mexican, American to Italian.  Soooo much food, and the desserts were completely decadent.

Well needless to say, I blew it.  The scale was not nice this morning.  So it's time to workout.  5 miles on my new bicycle, an hour in the gym with my personal trainer at Get in Shape Personal Training in Easatlake,  I'm going to sign up at the Y and start swimming and after that I'll cut my grass.

Sometimes you have to pay the price when you go a little overboard.

10 Best Healthy Snacks You've Got To Try …

Here's my compiled 10 best healthy snack options … try one or try them all, they're sure to become your new faves.

10. Almond Butter on Apples

Spread this deliciously rich nut butter on apple slices for a taste that will make you feel like a kid again. Apples also work well paired with cheddar cheese or cottage cheese.

9. Cherry Tomatoes and a Hard-Boiled Egg

Sprinkled with a bit of sea salt, cherry tomatoes and hard-boiled egg can satisfy your salty craving, your 'munch 'em' craving (cherry tomatoes are easy to pop in your mouth) and your need for satiating protein all in a few bites.

8. Red Grapes and Gouda

The sweet, antioxidant-rich grapes pair nicely with protein-packed Gouda cheese (and, as a bonus, Gouda has the highest levels of vitamin K2 of all cheeses!).

7. Dried Fruit and Nuts

Nuts are antioxidant-rich and full of vitamins and minerals, while dried fruit can satisfy your sweet cravings. Try a variety of combinations involving pistachios, almonds, walnuts, pecans and peanuts with dried pineapple, raisins, mangoes or cherries.

6. Veggies and Dip

It's a classic but a keeper. Keep cut-up zucchini, bell peppers, cucumber, radishes, broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus and sugar-snap peas in your fridge. Pair them with a hearty dip like hummus or homemade ranch.

5. Cold Chicken with Tzatziki

If you have leftover chicken (or even turkey or salmon), spread a few slices with Tzatziki, a Greek sauce made from cucumbers, garlic, salt, olive oil and yogurt (it's easy to make at home, or you can buy a pre-made version).

4. Guacamole

Make your own quickly by mashing up an avocado with some tomato, lime juice and salt, then enjoy with a few pita chips.

3. Stuffed Avocado

You can't go wrong when snacking on a heart-healthy, nutrient-dense avocado. Cut one in half, remove the pit, and fill the center with salsa or cottage cheese for a decadent, satisfying treat.

2. Dark Chocolate and Raspberries

If it's chocolate you crave, have a square or two of antioxidant-rich dark chocolate and pair it with a small bowl of fresh raspberries … pure deliciousness.

1. Dried Coconut

Dried coconut is rich in healthful fats, fiber and minerals. Look for unsweetened varieties in larger 'flakes' or 'chip' styles that make it easier to munch.

You've probably heard the tip that if you're interested in losing weight, it's a good idea to eat slowly and chew your food at least 15-20 times before swallowing.  Doing so allows your brain and body to actually sense that it's full, instead of cramming a bunch of food down your throat only to find out 30 mins later that you're WAY stuffed.

And for that reason (and a few others) , I'm picking cherries as my #1 fruit for weight loss.

With cherries, you can't just pop 30 in your mouth in two mins like you could, and probably often do, with grapes or blueberries.  Instead, the pits force you to eat them slowly, allowing your satiation sensors to chime in a prevent you from over-indulging.

So that's reason #1 – built in portion control.

Reason #2, and it's a BIG one, is that cherries have the LOWEST glycemic index of all fruits, and one of the lowest glycemic indexes of any carbohydrate source—period.

Scoring at a ridiciulously low 22, you can even snack on cherries in the evening without much detriment as their effect on insulin is minimal at best.  Again, it's not late-night eating that's the problem, it's eating the wrong foods (those that cause a substantial rise in fat-loss halting insulin) in evening hours that is.

So next time you're in the mood for a sweet, satiating snack, reach for a small bowl of cherries and enjoy the goodness.  My new favorite variety is Rainier cherries….Mmm mmm good :)

One of the biggest excuses I hear for NOT eating healthy is the expense. And although it's true that some health food is more costly than the "fake food" you will find on the $1 menu at McDonald's, there are still LOTS of great choices—especially if you buy in bulk (at places like Costco).

Here are my top 7 low-cost foods for a flat belly: (Prices are from my local grocery store) I try to buy organic versions whenever possible, but if organic doesn't fit in your budget that's OK. It's important to focus on healthy choices no matter what.

1. Avocados: These little suckers are loaded with two nutrients that are KEY to killing belly fat: hunger crushing fiber (11 to 17 grams per avocado!), and monounsaturated fats, which studies have shown to actually "spot reduce" belly fat. ($1 to $2 each)

2. Peanut Butter: Okay, not just peanut butter, but mostly any seeds and nuts (these are the best): pistachios, walnuts, almonds (or almond butter), pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, and flax seeds. Why? They keep you full and satisfied for long periods of time, and they're stuffed with healthy, belly-burning fats and minerals. ($4.99 for 16 oz organic peanut butter and it lasts a long time.)

3. Cottage Cheese: Loaded with calcium and low-fat protein, cottage cheese will keep you feeling full for long period of time while supplying the amino acids your muscles need to grow. ($3.49 for 24 oz of Daisy Cottage Cheese)

4. These Veggies: Turns out certain vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, kale, and cabbage contain special phytonutrients, such as indole-3-carbinol (I3C), which help to fight against environmental estrogens that can add belly fat. Mom was right… eat your veggies! (Costs vary, but look for sales. Frozen is fine.)

5. Eggs aren't bad, they're nutrient-dense and loaded with belly-burning protein, vitamins B6, B12, A, D, E, and K, folate, choline, lutein, calcium, iron, phosphorus, zinc, and omega-3 fatty acids. Plus, they keep you full for long periods of time. Choose eggs that come from free-range chickens. You'll get more healthy nutrients. (As little as $2.99 a dozen for cage-free versions)

6. Oatmeal: Packed with fiber and whole-grain goodness, you can't go wrong. Just be sure to avoid the processed, high-sugar junk out there and stick to slow-cook oats. Add a dash of cinnamon, some walnuts, berries, and a natural sweetener to taste. BAM! Good stuff. ($3.88 for 42 oz of slow cooked Quaker Oats!)

7. Beans: Black beans, navy beans, refried beans, and lima beans all have 6 or more grams of fiber per ½ cup. Fiber can clean your system of pounds of "toxic waste" and reduce your belly bulge in a big way. (A can will run you around $0.92.)

Check out this recipe, only 180 calories and less than $1.50 per serving!

Big Joe's (Dirt-Cheap) Skinny Margarita's

1/2 cup lime juice
1/4 cup tequila (1800 Silver - best value without giving up taste.
1 and 1/2 Tbsp Bols Triple Sec ($7/liter while rivaling the top shelf brands!)
3 Tbsp organic cane sugar
12 Ice Cubes
Sea salt & lime wedges (for the glasses)

To prepare the glasses, run a lime wedge around the edge of each glass and then dip the rims in a small bowl filled with salt.

Blend the remaining ingredients until smooth; fill the glasses and enjoy!

Well, after losing 30 pounds, the jeans got pretty loose.  So it was time to go and get some new ones.

I figured I went down a size and tried them on.  They fit great, but they were too easy to get into and so I tried on a pair two sizes down.

They were pretty tight, but I decide to get them, because I knew I was going to loose a few more pounds,and I felt like the reminder of slightly tighter jeans would give me inspiration to get where I wanted to be!