Stepfanie Romine is a writer, recipe developer, published author and certified yoga teacher who has lived--and cooked--on three continents. She currently calls Asheville, North Carolina home. 
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54 Sweet and Healthier Valentine's Day Treats
According to the Census Bureau, Americans ate 24.3 pounds of candy per capita in 2009, and at least part of that was consumed on and around Valentine's Day. With boxes of chocolate so easily accessible--and so many varieties to try (just a nibble won't hurt!)--it's easy to see how the calories and empty wrappers add up. (That could amount to more than 10 pounds of extra weight a year!)
We're here to keep you and your sweetie in tip-top shape this Valentine's Day. We surveyed members and the SparkPeople team and compiled a list of better-for-you sweet treats, including several that are either calorie-free or will burn calories. I present to you the good, the "bad" and the chocolate-y!
This one from ARIZONAMARY was my favorite: One year we were beyond broke. I made 50 hearts out of construction paper (see below!) & hand wrote a different reason I loved him on each heart. I got a glass jar with hearts on it from the thrift store & filled it with the hearts. Now 10 years into our marriage, he still has it... along with the hearts inside.
Posted 2/9/2011 6:00:00 AM By: : 60 comments 83,772 views
A Healthier Sweet Treat: Choco-Almond Butter
My boyfriend, Sam, loves riding his bike. He recently sold his car, and he spends much of the year training for and competing in endurance bike races. The man loves to climb mountains on two wheels, and he commutes about 26 miles a day to work, five days a week. On weekends, he's gone for hours at a time, riding along country roads in Kentucky with his teammates (he and a friend started a local cycling team, BSM).
As anyone who works out regularly knows, the more you exercise, the more you need to eat. All that time on the bike means he eats a ridiculous amount of calories each day. He eats a very clean plant-based diet, as do I.
In early December, he challenged me to create a recipe to cure his Nutella addiction. During race season, Nutella on a fresh baguette is his favorite treat. However, despite how delicious his beloved hazelnut-chocolate spread is, he knew it wasn't exactly healthy.
I've made my own almond butter for years, and I had been experimenting with a chocolate version since last spring. I even gave jars of it as gifts to my family members who have birthdays in March and April.
I was adding all sorts of ingredients: cocoa powder, sugar, coconut oil, maple syrup, even cacao nibs. They were all good, but the recipe just wasn't perfected. I kept changing the recipe and eventually stopped making it regularly. (I, too, developed a Nutella addiction over the summer! An intervention was almost needed.) Then I decided to start over. Two ingredients, 15 minutes start to finish, and better than anything you can buy at a store.
Even better: No hydrogenated oils, fewer calories, less fat and sugar--and more fiber! (You could make this with hazelnuts and it would be more like Nutella--or any other nut you like.)
Keep reading for Sam's upgrade to this recipe, plus directions and the full nutrition breakdown!
Posted 2/7/2011 3:08:08 PM By: : 89 comments 28,957 views
The Fun Project: Easy Ways to Change Lives
Being healthy isn't just about the end result or the big picture. It's about every decision we make in life, every day, all day.
Doughnut or oatmeal?
Happy hour or Spinning class?
Hit the sack or watch TV?
Making small, smart decisions daily--and building on them--is one of the backbones of the SparkPeople philosophy. Our successful members know that the choices they make everywhere--not just at the drive-thru, the dinner table, and the gym--all have an influence on their overall health and well-being. It isn't just at mealtimes and during workouts when we're faced with healthy decisions.
Those decisions don't have to be boring or tedious; quite often, being healthy and improving your life can fun as well. That's what The Fun Project, a site sponsored by Volkswagen is counting on. They say:
"This site is dedicated to the thought that something as simple as fun is the easiest way to change people’s behaviour for the better. Be it for yourself, for the environment, or for something entirely different, the only thing that matters is that it’s change for the better."
Becky, our head dietitian, sent this video to the entire SparkPeople team over the weekend. We wanted to share it with you:
The idea: More people will take the stairs if you make it fun. Do you agree?
Posted 2/1/2011 6:02:56 PM By: : 108 comments 26,220 views
A New SKINNY COW Snack, Plus Vote for the 'Perfect Cup'
This is a SPONSORED POST from a SparkPeople Advertiser.
New for 2011, SKINNY COW™ has a new Truffle Bar: Low-Fat cookies 'n cream ice cream drizzled with velvety chocolate ribbons! You can have your sweets and eat them, too. (Can you believe they're110 calories? According to those who've tasted them, you won't--they're just that decadent. Swoon!)
Posted 1/31/2011 10:00:00 AM By: : 53 comments 21,466 views
Stuff We Love: A Yoga Teacher's Favorite Gear
I get lots of requests from people who want to know what equipment, clothes, and other gear I prefer. Today I'm going to share with you a range of products that I use both as a yoga practitioner and a yoga teacher.
Confession: January has been "Wear Your Spandex to Work Month" for me. Between marathon training, yoga practice, and teaching, I wear workout clothes at least three weekdays and both weekend days. I feel like I'm always washing workout clothes! For me, it's important to have gear that's durable and attractive.
Posted 1/20/2011 2:00:00 PM By: : 27 comments 27,239 views
Take the Challenge!
Thanks so much for your support of yesterday's blog post about volunteering. SparkPeople has partnered with the Corporation for National & Community Service to promote the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Day of Service.
We heard from people who volunteer in all sorts of ways: from helping at a food bank during the holidays to weekly church services. Some of you help at animal shelters; others share their time to teach children about science. Volunteerism runs deep at SparkPeople; members helping members is one of our strengths. We're excited to help our members--and others--find ways to help in their communities and beyond.
Posted 1/18/2011 7:03:49 PM By: : 12 comments 17,316 views
Make the World a Healthier, Happier One: Volunteer!
A happy and healthy life should be within reach for everyone. That's why today we're writing about the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service.
We hear stories all the time from people who have lost weight, improved their health and found happiness. They want to know how they can help others and give back. Here's one way we all can. Learn more:
What is the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service?
After a long struggle, legislation was signed in 1983 creating a federal holiday marking the birthday of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The federal holiday was first observed in 1986, making 2011 the 25th anniversary of the King federal holiday.
Posted 1/17/2011 4:01:30 PM By: : 39 comments 14,370 views
Contest Closed: Enter to Win Healthy, Tasty Cereal from Uncle Sam
Here at the dailySpark, we're big fans of breakfast. Not just any breakfast will do. We want a healthy breakfast to start the day. So when I met the kind folks at Attune Foods in San Francisco last fall, I was excited to learn more about their brands, especially Uncle Sam cereal.
The whole wheat and flaxseed cereal, which has been around for more than 100 years, is healthy and full of fiber. After trying all the tasty Uncle Sam cereals for ourselves, we asked to host a giveaway so you could try them for yourselves.
Enter to win one of four prizes: two winners will receive $20 worth of Uncle Sam cereal each and one will receive $50 worth of Uncle Sam cereal. Plus, a grand prize winner will receive $100 worth of Uncle Sam cereal.
Posted 1/11/2011 6:00:52 PM By: : 108 comments 18,447 views
Are You Growing Bolder?
A few months ago, I started participating in a weekly Twitter chat with other healthy living bloggers. Through #FitBlog Chats, I met Katy Widrick, a producer for Growing Bolder, a radio and television show that's motivating and entertaining--something that can be hard to find!
Growing Bolder seeks out stories of ordinary people doing extraordinary things. Aimed at those over 50, Growing Bolder says "our Community is not about age. It's about attitude; an attitude that's as powerful at 20 as it is at 60."
The can-do attitude and sense of community reminded me of the spirit we aim to cultivate here at SparkPeople, which is why I decided to write about the show.
Posted 1/10/2011 6:00:00 AM By: : 13 comments 13,164 views
A Thank-You Offer from MISSION--30% Off!
Hi, everyone. Our friends at MISSION were so thrilled by the response that our recent giveaway received that they're extending a special discount for dailySpark readers through the end of the month.
Posted 1/9/2011 1:00:00 PM By: : 13 comments 12,173 views
Help Us Name the First SparkPeople Cookbook
Readers, we need your help. You might have heard that SparkPeople was writing a cookbook--our first! Chef Meg and I spent much of last year hard at work on what we know will be your favorite cookbook. The recipes are delicious and healthy, the photos are mouth-watering, and the writing is clever and informative. (OK, I might be a bit biased there.)
But… we don't have a title! We have so many good ideas, we can't seem to make up our minds. And that's where you come in.
We have plenty of ideas, but we wanted to survey you, our readers and members. What do you think we should call it? What do you envision when you think about "The SparkPeople Cookbook"?
If your title is chosen, you'll not only be thanked in the acknowledgments of the cookbook, but you'll receive a copy of the cookbook autographed by Chef Meg and me, plus $100 to spend in the SparkPeople Store!
But first, let me tell you a little bit about the cookbook…
Posted 1/5/2011 2:00:00 PM By: : 966 comments 32,625 views
What Awaits in 2011?
Readers, I'm about to get personal. You've been warned. We're all friends here and have been for years, and we're all on the same journey to a happier, healthier self, so I feel comfortable opening up to thousands of my closest confidantes here.
2010 was a great year.
In March, I moved into a new house.
In May, I ran my first half marathon.
Later that month, I adopted a kitten to keep my 2-year-old cat company.
This summer, I went to Turkey with two of my best gal pals, Jennie and Bri.
Throughout much of the year, I co-wrote a cookbook with Chef Meg.
2010 was also an awful year.
In July, I was in a car accident with Jennie. Though we weren't injured, we're both still dealing with the shock of walking away unscathed.
I gained 10 pounds as I dealt with the stress of the accident.
In September, my grandfather had a massive heart attack, followed by open-heart surgery. He's healing, but his health was touch-and-go for awhile. I spent a week in Wyoming helping my family.
This fall, I moved out of that house and ended a long-term relationship. My two cats and I are settling into a smaller place just around the corner from the SparkPeople offices.
Just before Thanksgiving, my family lost a close friend--a teenager--to suicide.
In early December, I learned that my other grandfather was having trouble with his health.
And then six days before Christmas I cut off part of my left ring finger while chopping vegetables for dinner.
Posted 1/5/2011 10:38:07 AM By: : 116 comments 20,020 views
UPDATED: SparkPeople Member in People--and on the Today Show!
UPDATED: Did you miss Christina's Today Show appearance? Watch now!
Great news! SparkPeople member Christina Cores is featured on the cover of People magazine's annual "Half Their Size" issue (on newsstands tomorrow, Dec. 31)--and she'll be on the Today Show on Monday, Jan. 3 at 8:18 a.m. The story was also picked up by the syndicated shows ET, Inside Edition, and Extra. (Check local listings for times.) WooHoo!
Christina (she's the woman on the right on the cover) lost 122 pounds and became the person she always knew she wanted to be. You can read her weight-loss story in People, but here it is in her own poignant and touching words:
Posted 1/2/2011 9:39:56 PM By: : 180 comments 62,135 views
Down 57 Pounds, Heather Shares Her Secrets
The big news of December was the launch of the paperback edition of "The Spark," the New York Times Best Seller written by our own Chris "SparkGuy" Downie. The new and updated version not only has a lower price (WooHoo!) but it contains the Strong Start Guide, which was written by SparkGuy and Coach Nicole.
Found only in the updated paperback edition, the Strong Start Guide shares the proven strategies to lose twice the weight in two weeks--and keep it off! What you do in the first two weeks can make or break your weight-loss program, and we found out what works.
The paperback also features three new Success Stories of people who've lost weight and kept it off using SparkPeople and the 28-day plan outlined in "The Spark."
I reached out to one of those successful members, Heather Johnson (HEZLIZZIE) of Jacksonville, Florida, who lost 57 pounds and just ran her first marathon. She shed five pounds in the first two weeks, and that strong start was crucial to her continued success. You can read her full Success Story in "The Spark," but this former cake decorator wanted to share a few more secrets and tips with you!
Posted 12/28/2010 12:28:58 PM By: : 53 comments 31,718 views
Be Part of the NEW 'Operation Beautiful' Book for Tweens
If you've been reading dailySpark for awhile, you know that we're pretty positive around here. We love to flood our site with optimism and enthusiasm to help you along the road to a healthier you. This world can be a scary and harsh place, but there are plenty of like-minded people out there, like my dear friend Caitlin. She started as just a colleague, but we've crossed the line into friendship. (Ah, the power of social media and online communities!) She turned a random act of kindness into a worldwide movement, a book deal, and now… she has some even bigger news to share.
Posted 12/22/2010 2:00:00 PM By: : 40 comments 14,779 views
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