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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Magazine Names SparkGuy a 'Champion of Health and Fitness'
We here at SparkPeople started this day out with one giant "WooHoo!"
Why? Our own Chris "SparkGuy" Downie has been honored by Fitness Magazine as one of 10 Champions of Health and Fitness in 2010. Chris is in great company: Jessica Biel and Jamie Oliver, who are doing their parts to make this world a healthier one, are among the other honorees.
We're stoked that a major magazine honored Chris--and SparkPeople--this way.
Posted 12/21/2010 5:50:51 AM By: : 137 comments 19,157 views
The Day I Gave In to the Fear--and Let Myself Fall
That day, I picked up the keys to my new apartment.
I walked inside, boxes in my arms. Suddenly, they felt too heavy. I set them down and slowly turned around twice, taking in my new surroundings. I felt a lump rise in my throat, and I swallowed hard. Now was not the time for fear.
At other times in my life, I had allowed fear to impede my evolution, even paralyze me. Not anymore. There were other times where I felt fearless but was really acting with reckless abandon. This time I know the difference between the two.
I silently recited a quote, from American Buddhist nun Pema Chödrön: "Fear is a natural reaction to moving closer to the truth."
Then I told myself: "If I’m ever going to reach the truth, my truth, I have to face my fears. I will never fall if I never try."
With that, I spun on my heel and locked the door behind me. I was going to be late for yoga. In the car that night, I observed this change in myself. Driving in silence, I honored it. I recognized that this was a time for bravery, for taking chances.
And it would begin with that night's yoga practice.
Posted 12/14/2010 2:41:37 PM By: : 68 comments 30,406 views
12 Days of Holiday Cookies: Chef Meg's Cinnamon Chocolate Shortbread
This almond shortbread recipe replaces Chef Meg's mom's buttery shortbread. The original recipe had 141.6 calories per serving, 8.3 g fat, and 5.1 g sat fat. Her new and improved version has less than half the calories and fat.
She used 3/4 cup of sugar, but the cookies aren't very sweet. If you want them to be sweeter, add an additional 1/4 cup of sugar.
Posted 12/12/2010 5:22:58 AM By: : 18 comments 14,377 views
12 Days of Holiday Cookies: Holiday Spice Cut-Out Cookies
Cut-out cookies complete the holiday cookie platter. The smell of these spice cut-out cookies baking evokes the holiday spirit. They are easy to roll out, especially if you chill the dough for about 30 minutes. The cookies can be served plain, but a little decoration with icing gel or your favorite cookie icing gives them a more festive look.
I have included an easy decorator's icing that works well. You can control the amount of sugar used in the icing by making it rather thin and then "painting" the cookies rather than spreading it on thickly. The size of the cutters used will affect the nutritional information as well as the yield, but the calculations are based on about a 2 inch round cutter.
This recipe was created by Patricia Huller C.C.E., M.Ed., a culinary instructor and healthy baking expert from Cincinnati State's Midwest Culinary Institute, especially for SparkRecipes.
Posted 12/11/2010 5:19:48 AM By: : 20 comments 16,837 views
12 Days of Holiday Cookies: Mint Chocolate Chip-Oat Cookies
This recipe was created by Patricia Huller C.C.E., M.Ed., a culinary instructor and healthy baking expert from Cincinnati State's Midwest Culinary Institute, especially for SparkRecipes.
Every cookie platter should have a chocolate chip cookie. This cookie provides a lower fat option, with a holiday hint of mint. We used a limited edition dark chocolate and mint mix; however a dark chocolate chip could be used (substitute peppermint flavoring for the vanilla). These are a favorite of Pat's grandchildren, so you know they passed the "kid" test for flavor.
Posted 12/10/2010 6:09:42 AM By: : 12 comments 13,188 views
12 Days of Holiday Cookies: Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Cookies
One of our members took the classic chocolate chip cookie and gave it just a little tweak to make it healthier. The good news is that this version is just as tasty as the original.
This version also uses a sugar substitute to lower the calories.
Posted 12/9/2010 5:27:22 AM By: : 16 comments 15,178 views
12 Days of Holiday Cookies: Chef Meg's Spice Cookies
Serve these holiday cookies with a cup of tea or lowfat vanilla ice cream.
We used a silicone baking mat for this recipe. You can find them anyplace kitchen supplies are sold. They are great-- you don't have to use any fat to grease the pan, and the cookies slide right off the tray. If you don't have one, put it on your holiday list. You can also use them to "faux" fry and roast foods. (Substitute parchment paper if that's what you have on hand.)
These are an affordable cookie to make: just $2.80 for the whole batch!
Posted 12/8/2010 11:01:59 AM By: : 14 comments 13,847 views
Now in Paperback: 'The Spark,' with Secrets to a Strong Start
We have some great news! The paperback edition of Chris "SparkGuy" Downie's New York Times best-selling book, The Spark: The 28-Day Breakthrough Plan for Losing Weight, Getting Fit, and Transforming Your Life is now available. (Can I get a WooHoo!?)
We're really excited to share this new and updated version of the book with you--at a new low price (under $11 at some retailers!). In addition to all of the great features found in the original, the paperback contains our Strong Start Guide, written by SparkGuy and Coach Nicole, which 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 version is updated and is the only place you'll find the all-new Strong Start Guide!)
Previous SparkPeople research that found that 50 percent of people report losing their momentum within two weeks of starting a diet, and 18 percent within three days. And once the momentum is gone, the diet usually fizzles. To discover the secrets of a strong start that builds momentum, SparkPeople did a new in-depth survey of over 2,000 of its members and found that ‘strong starters’ lost twice as much weight in the first two weeks and were five times more likely to reach their ultimate goal than 'false starters' because they took certain actions and avoided others in the first two weeks of a weight loss plan.
The survey's most counterintuitive conclusions: focus less on weight loss and you'll lose more of it, and shorter workouts lead to greater weight loss than longer ones. You'll have to buy the book to read the entire Strong Start Guide, but you'll find the key findings below--along with details on free deals and other cool extras (like a free bonus “SparkPeople Issue” of All You magazine with 100 pages of additional healthy living tips, advice & success stories!!) you'll get when you buy the book!
Posted 12/7/2010 10:01:04 AM By: : 29 comments 17,271 views
12 Days of Holiday Cookies: Chewy Molasses Ginger Cookies
At only 50 calories a piece these soft cookies are sure to please! This is another recipe we found through a member.
Ingredients:
Posted 12/7/2010 5:58:01 AM By: : 9 comments 13,081 views
12 Days of Holiday Cookies: Chocolate Emergency Cookies
These cookies taste like the corner of the brownie pan, but in controlled portions! They're crispy, rich, and oh-so-delicious, according to the member who shared the recipe.
Ingredients:
Posted 12/6/2010 11:02:26 AM By: : 23 comments 24,221 views
12 Days of Holiday Cookies: Peppermint-Dark Chocolate Slice and Bake Cookies
During the busy holiday season, prepare cookie dough ahead of time and then bake close to serving time. The cookies always taste better when freshly baked. This recipe is a basic dough but allows a lot of creativity. You can add your favorite flavoring to the dough and then roll the cookie log in different chopped nuts or use holiday cookie sprinkles.
This dough will refrigerate well for two days and will freeze nicely for up to two months. If you want to use egg substitute in this dough, that will work as well. Follow the instructions on the package for accurate substitution.
This recipe was created by Patricia Huller C.C.E., M.Ed., a culinary instructor and healthy baking expert from Cincinnati State's Midwest Culinary Institute, especially for SparkRecipes.
Ingredients:
Posted 12/5/2010 5:46:42 AM By: : 10 comments 13,496 views
12 Days of Holiday Cookies: Pumpkin-Cranberry Almond Cookies
What's the secret to lowering the fat in this member-submitted recipe?
Canned pumpkin! It keeps these cookies moist without adding many calories. Plus, the pumpkin adds another layer of flavor. (Learn when to use canned and when to use fresh pumpkin in this blog post.)
Posted 12/4/2010 5:30:53 AM By: : 35 comments 21,796 views
12 Days of Holiday Cookies: Chef Meg's Cocoa Meringue Shells
These meringues are a fun treat when served with low-fat vanilla ice cream and fresh fruit.
Meringues are one of those cookies that fell out of favor somewhere along the way. They're really not very difficult to make as long as you follow a few rules, and they're virtually free of fat. They melt on the tongue, too.
When making meringues, always keep these tips in mind:
Posted 12/3/2010 6:20:41 AM By: : 28 comments 17,771 views
12 Days of Holiday Cookies: Skinny Gingies
Submitted by a SparkPeople member, these cookies are perfect "for the Santa who's watching his figure." Ginger aids digestion, too. Use smaller cookie cutters if you want to cut down your portions.
Ingredients:
Posted 12/2/2010 11:08:46 AM By: : 32 comments 23,406 views
12 Days of Holiday Cookies: Cherry Berry Oatmeal Holiday Cookies
With Thanksgiving behind us, the sweet tooth pushes aside pies for another seasonal treat: cookies! Thankfully, it's simple enough to boost the nutrition of your cookies and other baked goods, and we have no shortage of good recipes. That's why, for the first 12 days of December, we're sharing our favorite cookies recipes with our readers.
Serve these Cherry Berry Oatmeal Holiday Cookies with a hot cup of tea.
Oatmeal cookies are a great way to increase fiber and add bulk to your diet while enjoying something sweet. These cookies have a little holiday touch with the addition of dried cherries, blueberries and cranberries. The acid in the berries replaces the usual sweetness of raisins and also helps to soften the oat flour. Each cookie offers 1 1/2 grams of fiber and very little saturated fat. If you choose to use unsalted butter instead of the smart balance margarine, you would want to add 1/4 t kosher or sea salt to the recipe.
Posted 12/1/2010 6:01:42 PM By: : 21 comments 18,642 views
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