Video: Boozy Berry Popsicles

These boozy ice pops are the perfect combination of minty, cool, and sweet. They're made with antioxidant-rich berries—much healthier than most happy hour drinks. Ready for a beach party (on a stick)? Just break out the blender and purée away. It’s 5 o’clock somewhere... right?

Boozy Berry Popsicles

Recipe by: Kat Robson
Makes: 12 popsicles
​Ready in: 10 minutes, plus freezing time

INGREDIENTS

4 cups mixed berries
3 teaspoons fresh lime juice
3/4 cup vodka
1/4 cup loosely packed fresh mint leaves
1/4 cup water
Straws or popsicle sticks

DIRECTIONS

1. Place berries and lime juice in a blender and purée until smooth.

2. Add vodka, mint, and water. Blend until well combined.

3. Pour into ice pop molds or small paper cups.

4. Freeze for two hours, then place popsicle sticks (or straws) in the middle. Freeze for an additional two to three hours.

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Video: Chocolate Banana Breakfast Quinoa

Chocolate for breakfast? Yep, cocoa can absolutely start your day off right. Mix the powder with banana and quinoa for essential amino acids and protein, which will keep you energized all morning long. Pro tip: Make this recipe the night before, then reheat in the a.m. so you can hit the snooze button and still have breakfast.

Chocolate Banana Breakfast Quinoa

Recipe by: Glow Kitchen
Makes: 2 servings
​Ready in: 20 minutes

INGREDIENTS

1/2 cup quinoa
1 1/4 cup almond milk, divided
1/2 cup water
Sea salt
1 banana, half mashed, half cut into slices
2 teaspoons honey
2 teaspoons cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Fresh mint

DIRECTIONS

1. Bring quinoa, 1 cup almond milk, water, and a pinch of salt to a boil in a small pot.

2. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until all liquid has been absorbed, about 10 minutes. Remove quinoa from stove and transfer to a bowl.

3. Mix in mashed banana, honey, cocoa powder, and vanilla. Stir until evenly combined.

4. Pour remaining 1/4 cup of almond milk over quinoa, and garnish with banana slices and mint.

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Video: Healthy Shredded Chicken Burrito Bowl

We all agree that takeout burrito bowls are downright delicious. But what's even better (for your taste buds and wallet) is making them at home. Put leftover roasted chicken to good use and open the can of black beans that's been sitting in your cabinet forever. Use brown rice instead of white, or really mix things up and try quinoa or barley as a base. Feel free to toss in any extra veggies you have lying around and top with a dollop of creamy Greek yogurt.

Healthy Shredded Chicken Burrito Bowl

Recipe by: The Corner Kitchen
Makes: 4 burrito bowls
​Ready in: 15 minutes

INGREDIENTS

3 cups cooked brown rice
1 lime, juiced
1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained
2 cups cooked shredded chicken (about 2 medium chicken breasts, approximately 1 pound)
2 avocados, lightly mashed
3/4 cup salsa
1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt

DIRECTIONS

1. Stir lime juice and cilantro into rice.

2. Divide rice between four shallow bowls and top with black beans, then pile high with chicken.

3. Add avocado and top with salsa and Greek yogurt.

4. Garnish with any additional toppings you desire.

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Time Tested Advice for Becoming Physically Fit

Exercise is always a wonderful addition to a weight loss plan. It is essential to get regular exercise to attain maximum weight loss Work out video games are a great way to have fun while you exercise.

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Video: Sweet Potato and Egg Breakfast Hash

We love a hearty meal first thing in the morning, as long as it's full of good-for-you ingredients. This take on a traditional eggs and hash browns breakfast stars vitamin A-rich sweet potatoes and baked eggs.

Sweet Potato and Egg Breakfast Hash

Recipe by: Glow Kitchen
Makes: 2 servings
​Ready in: 15 minutes

INGREDIENTS

1/2 tablespoon coconut oil
1 large sweet potato, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 scallions, chopped
1 clove garlic, diced
2 eggs

DIRECTIONS

1. Melt coconut oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat.

2. Add sweet potatoes and cook 2 to 3 minutes. Add red pepper, salt, and pepper. Cover pan for 3 minutes.

3. Add scallions and garlic. Toss so that all is evenly combined.

4. Crack eggs over mixture, cover pan, and cook for another 3 to 4 minutes, or until eggs are cooked to liking.

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Barilla Didn't Need to Fund a Study Telling Us to Eat Carbs. Research Already Shows You Should

We've got good news and bad news. The pasta-is-good-for-you study that grabbed headlines this week had several flaws:

• It was partially funded by Barilla. They claim there was no conflict of interest, but it begs the question: Why else would a pasta company pay to research the nutritional value of pasta?
• The study looked at Italians who ate pasta as part of the Mediterranean diet. Researchers concluded pasta was associated with lower BMI, but the health benefits could be coming from any part of the diet.
• People in the study ate three-ounce portions of pasta—less than half the amount of spaghetti the average American puts on their plate.
• The data had to be manipulated to correct for misreporting, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it means the researchers admit the study was flawed.

The good news? There are plenty of other studies funded without help from pasta manufacturers that show eating carbs can be healthy. We even have a whole story on it, which you can check out by clicking below.

I Want To Feel Good About Carbs

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Lettuce Speed-Eating Competitions Are Apparently a Thing Now

Did your high school have a lettuce club? Ours didn't, but now kids across the country are battling it out to see who can eat a head of lettuce the fastest. Sure, it's healthier than chowing down on hot dogs, but competitive eating (even when it's salad fixings) is bound to do a number on your digestive tract.

Photo: Luke Peterson

This strange trend took off after a photo of a lettuce club event at the Maine School for Science and Mathematics went viral on Tumblr. The rules are simple: You can use whatever sauces and condiments you want, the person who finishes first becomes club president and organizes the competition next year, and here's the kicker: If you can’t finish in 30 minutes, you're banned from participating for a year. Quickly downing a head of lettuce might seem easy (it's mostly water, after all), but this video of BuzzFeed employees giving the challenge a try shows it's harder than you'd think.

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