As many of you may know, I am a health and fitness NUT! I love learning about the newest and best ideas about living a healthy lifestyle. I am a firm believer in the fact that eating well is not about deprivation, but about making small changes that you won’t even notice to cut back on calories/fat and to add vital nutrients!

Since my personal trainer, Josh Rogers at Energy Fit by Josh, prepared me for Miss USA, I learned that your body is composed 80% by what you eat and 20% by working out. Therefore, if you get too busy and can’t find time for a gym, it doesn’t mean you’re doomed! You can still maintain muscle tone and have the energy needed for daily activities by eating right. Protein is very important for retaining muscle tone. The more muscle tone you have, the higher your metabolism rate is. With a high metabolism you can sit and watch American Idol while simultaneously burning off that molten-lava-double-fudge-chocolate cake and ice cream . Working out is important though! Studies have shown your body ages 80% slower if you exercise. Who doesn’t want to feel and look younger?

Please stay tuned for various tips and recipes that will make you feel like you are ‘treating’ yourself daily. I will warn you that my photos of the food aren’t exactly a professional work of art. I never claimed that I cook without making the kitchen a disaster… but I just figure having true photos makes the recipes more realistic and hopefully encourages other non-kitchen-perfectionists to try to the recipes as well.

Through the Fall I went through an obsession with recipes that included pumpkin. So you may find this ingredient in many of my recipes. Funny how ‘seasonal flavors’ always seem so much better when they are the theme of the month! However, when I was living in Miami for a few months, I was wanting more light, summer-friendly meals. So just keep scrolling down to find one you may like. Please also feel free to leave comments on here about questions or requests. If you check back soon, I will have probably answered your questions! Happy cooking!

Access the recipes through the drop down menus of recipes categorized under this tab (Healthy Indulgences). The photos and recipe titles link to the recipes.

You can also click the links here:

Introduction: http://www.modeledbymaria.com/health-and-fitness-2/marias-eating-theory/

Maria’s Meals: http://www.modeledbymaria.com/health-and-fitness-2/healthy-indulgenceentrees-sides/

Sweet Breakfasts & Desserts: http://www.modeledbymaria.com/health-and-fitness-2/breakfast/

Snacks & Miscellaneous: http://www.modeledbymaria.com/health-and-fitness-2/snacks-miscelleneous/

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