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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'The Spark Solution' Challenge Starts May 13
The Spark Solution, the new book from the experts and members at SparkPeople.com, is now available! To celebrate the launch, we are hosting an exclusive one-time "Spark Solution Challenge" on the site!
From May 13-27, everyone who has purchased The Spark Solution is invited to go through the comprehensive two-week program TOGETHER for added motivation and enthusiasm. The book's authors and contributors will be offering additional support and tips ONLY in the exclusive, official Spark Solution team during the challenge. Don’t have your copy yet? It’s now available in stores and online – hurry to get your copy before May 13!
Each day will have its own thread in the team, with additional motivational resources, more tips to make meal planning and workouts a breeze, and--the best part--support from those who are going through the program right alongside you. We will also send "reminder" SparkMails throughout the two weeks to help you stay motivated.
Who's ready to get started?
Posted 5/10/2013 6:00:00 AM By: : 10,458 views
SparkPeople on HuffPo Live Tonight at 5 EST
UPDATE: If you missed Stepfanie, you can watch the interview here.
Hi, SparkPeople! I wanted to give you a heads-up that I will be on Huffington Post Live today at 5 p.m. EST.
Tune in to watch me talk about how to break the bad habit of complaining--and why unleashing your negativity is actually bad for your brain.
I will speak with three other panelists for approximately 25-30 minutes. Click here to listen/watch.
Posted 5/9/2013 12:00:00 PM By: : 2 comments 6,984 views
How Shellie Lost 101 Pounds*
UPDATE: Shellie was featured in the Zumba-themed publication "Z-LIFE." Read her story here, about breaking out of her shell.
About 101 pounds lighter, Shellie Austin (SHELLSBROOD) is now a Zumba teacher--and her story is featured in the April 29 issue of FIRST for Women magazine. The magazine is on newsstands now.
We aren't going to give away the "good parts," but Shellie did share some behind-the-scenes pictures on her SparkPage blog.
Be sure to pick up a copy of FIRST for Women to read Shellie's story!
WooHoo, Shellie!
Posted 4/30/2013 6:00:00 PM By: : 29 comments 39,999 views
What Does 300 Calories Look Like?
Quality and quantity often face off in the battle of the bulge.
Do you choose the smaller, more calorie-dense meal or the larger, less calorie-dense meal?
Do you splurge on a cupcake or stick with your snack of yogurt, granola and berries?
What if we told you that you didn't have to choose? You can have it all--a filling, healthy meal--for only 300 calories! Read on to find out how choosing healthier, more nutritious foods--at home and away--means you can eat much more food and still lose weight.
Posted 4/25/2013 12:00:00 PM By: : 311 comments 174,887 views
10 Tips to Stay Safe and Comfortable in a Hot Yoga Class
Last month I subbed a couple of hot yoga classes. Confession: I am not a fan of hot yoga, as a teacher or a student. In addition to being hard on the environment, hot yoga can be downright dangerous if you're not prepared. Some studios crank the heat above 100 degrees--and increase the humidity, too.
At the studio where I practice, the temperature frequently tops 85 degrees in summertime--that's with minimal air conditioning. If you pack a room full of people who are moving, sweating, and breathing, you'll create heat.
By the end of a practice, the windows are foggy, we're all soaked through, and our mats are dripping with sweat. That's my kind of hot yoga!
Hot yoga is a hot trend in the practice these days. Almost every studio offers a hot class of some variety, from Bikram to Moksha, vinyasa to yin. (One of the studio owners I work for confessed to me that she doesn't like or believe in hot yoga, but it's what students have requested.) And in summertime, almost every yoga practice can feel like a hot one.
Why hot yoga? Advocates say hot yoga facilitates stretching, increases range of motion, removes toxins, and promotes weight loss. It's true that it is easier to stretch warm muscles (and you should never stretch "cold" muscles), but whether hot yoga will lead to greater weight loss depends on the type of yoga you're practicing.
According to the American Council on Exercise, Hatha yoga (in the West, this has come to refer to slower-paced classes) burns about 150 calories an hour (and does not raise your heart rate enough to be considered a form of cardio), while vinyasa (faster-paced, flowing yoga) burns about twice that much. If you're losing pounds after each hot yoga class, it's likely water weight. (More on that later.)
Whether you practice naturally hot yoga as I do or practice at a studio that cranks up the heat, you'll want to be safe. Here are some tips to help:
Posted 4/24/2013 6:00:00 AM By: : 84 comments 356,013 views
Survey: Tell Us What You Think about SparkPeople Radio
About six months ago, SparkPeople.com launched SparkPeople Radio, a premium on-demand radio show that lets you listen to our latest and greatest content anytime! This show is unlike anything we have done before, and we designed it with you in mind. Now, we'd like to know what you think about SparkPeople Radio so we can continue to provide you with the best, most motivating content possible.
Click here to take the survey.
Posted 4/20/2013 6:00:00 PM By: : 45 comments 17,108 views
$20 Food Showdown: Fast Food vs. Healthy Food
See our updated $20 Food Showdown for 2016!
Budget constraints prevent many people from eating right.
"I can't afford to buy healthy food."
"Fruits and vegetables are too expensive."
"Grocery store prices are astronomical."
"It's cheaper to eat fast food."
We hear these "excuses" every day--and they're good ones. But we don't give up that easily and believe any excuse can be overcome. Today we're setting out to prove that healthy eating is possible on any budget.
We compared the cost of unhealthy foods from the drive-thru, freezer section and snack foods aisle to the cost of healthy foods. By making even one of these swaps, you can make room in your grocery budget for a few new healthy foods.
The photos below aim to show the diversity in healthy foods available. Prices may vary in your area (some items were on sale when we shopped), but we think you'll be shocked at how far you can stretch a buck at the supermarket when you buy healthy foods!
Posted 4/18/2013 6:00:00 AM By: : 759 comments 2,250,248 views
Introducing 'The SparkPeople Blog'
You might have noticed that something's different on your favorite healthy living blog this morning. As of today, the DailySpark is now The SparkPeople Blog. You'll get the same everyday tips on healthy living from the same SparkPeople's experts. It's just in a new place, with a slightly different, easier-to-remember name. And, yes, you'll still get your SparkPoints for reading.
The SparkPeople Blog now lives on SparkPeople.com, rather than on a separate website. Not to worry--you will still be able to find all your favorite DailySpark blog posts both via the SparkPeople Blog and any favorites you might have saved. And you'll continue to see SparkPeople Blog posts in our daily emails and elsewhere across the site.
Posted 4/15/2013 12:00:00 PM By: : 14 comments 12,812 views
How to Fit in at the Fitness Center
A round-up of the week's most interesting healthy living stories.
Fitting In at the Fitness Center
A former athlete who's trying to get back into shape has started a website with tips on how to feel comfortable at the gym if you're new to working out or just returning to fitness. From The New York Times
Can You Patent A Steak?
Researchers at Oklahoma State University discovered a new steak, but they won't say where in the cow it's located. They're first trying to patent the steak--and the butchering process. From NPR
A shocking (and hot!) tip for preserving produce
Save money and extend the life of your produce with this simple but life-changing tip. From the Associated Press via timesunion.com
Take a Meditative Mind to Unexpected Activities
Applying meditation techniques to everyday activities can have a profound effect on your life. From Fit Sugar
21 Meditations to Make You Love Yo’Self!
If you need some help learning to love your body, this easy guided program is for you. From Fit Bottomed Girls
7 Ways to Save on Health Care
Spending too much on health care? Find out how to save money on everything from hospital bills to prescriptions. From Fitness Magazine
8 Moves to Perk Up Your Boobs
Fight gravity and reverse the sag with these targeted strength moves. From Self
Which stories were on your mind this week?
Posted 4/13/2013 12:00:00 PM By: : 11 comments 32,684 views
Behind the Scenes on 'The Spark Solution' Recipe Photo Shoot
One of my favorite parts about writing a book for SparkPeople is the recipe photo shoots. Those days start early and end late, with nary a moment to rest, but it's some of the best fun I've ever had while "working."
Today I want to take you behind the scenes of the photo session we did for The Spark Solution: A Complete Two-Week Program to Fast-Track Weight Loss and Total Body Health. (Available for pre-order now!)
The book contains 70 recipes, all created by Chef Meg, plus additional tips and swaps to vary those recipes based on what's in season and your personal preferences. And all the photos are in full color! The inspiration for the recipes, which we call "Spark Swaps" is the standard American diet--and all the comfort foods we love to eat. Ours are lower in calories and fat, and quite low in sugar and sodium. All of the meals were designed to fit into a 1,500-calorie meal plan, with no more than 2,300 mg sodium a day.
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Peek behind the scenes of the recipe photo shoot!
Posted 4/10/2013 6:00:00 PM By: : 7 comments 15,588 views
6 Ways to Pick Peppers for Dinner
We love bell peppers. Served raw, they're a tangy and low-calorie snack and a great addition to any salad. When cooked, their natural sweetness is highlighted. We've picked a pack of pepper recipes that are both delicious and nutritious!
Posted 4/9/2013 6:00:00 PM By: : 70 comments 566,020 views
Fruit, Not Fries: Lunchroom Makeovers Nudge Kids Toward Better Choices (Healthy Links Roundup)
Catch up on the week's most popular healthy living headlines.
Fruit, Not Fries: Lunchroom Makeovers Nudge Kids Toward Better Choices
NPR says that tweaking the lunch line options is having an impact on kids' diets. But how well does "up-selling" blueberries and broccoli actually work?
Chop, chop: New meat-naming system aims to help cooks
USA Today breaks down the new names for cuts of meat, designed to help home cooks figure out what to do with loins, roasts, and everything in between.
Vegetables Make the Sandwich
Meat usually gets a starring role in sandwiches, but the New York Times is setting out to change that, with this Well blog post.
Posted 4/6/2013 6:00:00 AM By: : 9 comments 27,331 views
How This Baseball Fan Lost Almost 300 Pounds*
Stephen Mariani (SJM1027) today weighs 184 pounds, down from a high of 475 pounds. Find out how he did it--and how this baseball fan's dream came true after shedding the weight. Read his story on the Huffington Post.
Way to go, Stephen!
Posted 4/2/2013 12:00:00 PM By: : 58 comments 34,223 views
What's for Dinner? 30 Easy, Healthy Meals for April
Starting this month, we're offering up some of our favorite recipes from Chef Meg, the SparkPeople Team and members to last you the entire month. This handy list is packed full of meal ideas that are healthy and delicious. Whether you use these recipes in order and every day, or just use a couple a week is up to you. We hope this inspires you to get into the kitchen and get cooking!
We even threw in a few probable scenarios that could prevent you from eating right. See these as a chance to "take off the training wheels" and get creative while sticking with your healthy eating plan.
Sunday, April 1:
Easy Slow Cooker Lemony Garlic Chicken Breast--add asparagus (it's in season!) and whole-wheat couscous (ready in minutes!)
Monday, April 2:
Serve the leftover chicken from last night with a green veggie and Cauliflower "Mashed Potatoes"
Tuesday, April 3:
Slow-Cooker Salsa Chicken served with baked tortilla chips
Wednesday, April 4:
Pantry night: Low-sodium canned soup with Coach Nicole's Grown Up Grilled Cheese
Thursday, April 5:
Chef Meg's Super Fast Pork and Veggie Stir Fry with brown rice
Friday, April 6:
Leftover Slow-Cooker Salsa Chicken as burritos. Tip: Use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream!
Saturday, April 7:
Crockpot Spicy Beef Brisket with roasted sweet potatoes and steamed veggies, plus whole-wheat bread
Posted 3/31/2013 6:00:00 PM By: : 50 comments 372,144 views
15 New Ways to Use Protein Powder
Looking for a new way to use protein powder? Think outside of the shake!
There are countless ways you can use protein powder to create healthy and delicious recipes and boost the protein contents of your favorite foods.
Check out the many ideas and recipes below!
Posted 3/28/2013 12:00:00 PM By: : 142 comments 1,749,711 views
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