Colman’s Mustard Spicy Chocolate Popcorn Recipe

How many of you are aware that every year National Popcorn Day on January 19th is celebrated across the nation? That's right, there is indeed a National Popcorn Day!!! Well guess what? That special popcorn lover's day is just around the corner and today we have a great recipe for all of you from the folks over at Colman's Mustard. It looks delicious and definitely easy-to-make! Enjoy!

Colman’s Mustard Spicy Chocolate Popcorn Recipe

1 bag buttered popcorn
½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
¼ cup milk
2 tsp. Colman's Mustard
1 tbsp. light Karo Syrup

Pop the popcorn according to package directions. In a small saucepan add the chocolate chips and heat on low. Add the milk and stir constantly until the chocolate is melted and smooth. Add the mustard and the Karo syrup. Mix well. Dump the popcorn into a bowl and pour chocolate mixture over popcorn. Mix well and let it sit till it cools.

About Colman’s Mustard - Established in 1814, Colman’s Mustard of Norwich has been recognized widely as the iconic English mustard in the U.K using a unique and zesty blend of brown mustard and white mustard seeds. Colman’s Mustard provides a pure, fiery and complex condiment for all recipes and dishes. Visit www.colmansusa.com for more information.

Tips for Achieving Your Weight Loss Goals

How many of you made a New Year's resolution to lose weight, get more exercise and to eat healthier? Many of us make these resolutions every year with meaningful intention but most of us fail within a few weeks. I personally know that I am guilty of that myself.

Today I am sharing with all of you a timely article from a health and nutrition expert Joey Thurman.

You Made New Year’s Resolutions. Now KEEP Them. Tips for Achieving Your Weight Loss Goals

You made New Year’s resolutions to eat better, exercise more, and treat your body like the temple it is. This year, if you want to avoid becoming one of the roughly 92 percent of individuals who fail to achieve their New Year’s resolution in 2015, keep reading.

Fitness expert and nutrition expert Joey Thurman, founder of The Lifestyle Renovation, has helped countless celebrities and everyday people achieve their health and fitness goals. “About one in six people who lose 30 pounds or more gain it back,” says Thurman. “And it’s often because they’ve never been taught how to lose weight the right way. That’s no way to keep a resolution.”

Thurman offers five tips for those watching their weight and hitting the gym so that 2015 is the year they lose those extra pounds …and keep them off!

Slow and steady wins the race: Too often, folks begin a weight loss regimen too quickly and push too hard, and that’s a recipe for disaster. “There’s nothing wrong with being excited about getting in shape,” says Joey. “But you have to be aware of your physical limitations so you don’t risk injury or burn out too quickly. Slow and steady always wins the race.”

Don’t skimp on calories: One of the biggest mistakes you can do is not to eat healthy, balanced meals. “People think that skipping breakfast or starving themselves is a good way to lose weight,” Joey says. “But your body adapts and begins holding onto existing fat, making weight loss more difficult.

But don’t go overboard, either: It’s easy to begin justifying overeating if you’re committed to a fitness plan. “It gets dangerous when you start eating poorly simply because you’re working out,” warns Joey. “Achieving weight loss goals is 90 percent what you eat, and 10 percent how effective you exercise. You can’t do just one or the other.”

Aim for marginal improvement on multiple fronts: Rather than killing yourself on the elliptical machine, Joey advises making small changes to your daily habits. “People get discouraged because they put in two hours on the treadmill but don’t see results in a couple weeks,” says Joey. “I advise making smaller adjustments to your daily life, which can have a greater impact on your health. Walk up the stairs instead of taking the elevator. Swap out one unhealthy snack for a plain Greek yogurt, add your own fruit, and sprinkle on some cinnamon, which lowers the glycemic index of any food. Those choices add up.”

Don’t get derailed by an injury: One of the most common setbacks for those hitting the gym is an overuse injury. “It is possible – advisable even – to work around injuries,” Joey says. “If you strain your hamstring running, take that opportunity to get in the pool or engage your upper body. Just don’t quit.”

New Year’s resolutions don’t have to be recipes for failure, and if these tips are followed diligently, 2015 can be the year of success...and no more excuses.

About Joey Thurman: Joey Thurman is a health, fitness, and nutrition expert and the creator of The Lifestyle Renovation, a website dedicated to helping people achieve their health and fitness goals. He has appeared on CBS, FOX, ABC, and WCIU sharing his insights as a celebrity fitness trainer and published author. Joey’s work has been featured in publications such as BodyBuilding.com, Racked, TimeOut Chicago, RedEye, and American Global Traveler. Joey is a fashion model represented by Chosen Model Management where he works with brands including Neiman Marcus, Abercrombie, Jockey, and Carson Pirie Scott. He has also appeared on the covers of Healthy for Men and TimeOut Chicago. Joey is a Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) with the American Council on Exercise, a Fitness Nutrition Specialist (FNS) and a FITchef. For more information, please visit www.thelifestylerenovation.com and follow Joey on Instagram and Twitter at @JoeyThurmanFit.

Gym Etiquette in the New Year: The Do’s and Don’ts

* Image Courtesy of - FreeImages.com 

Gym Etiquette in the New Year: The Do’s and Don’ts

Lifestyle & Fitness Expert Offers Advice for Those New to the Gym

The holiday season is filled with family, laughter, and a lot of unhealthy food. In fact, people gain more weight from October to January than any other time during the year…combined. Cue the New Year’s rush at the local gym.

Come January 2nd, you’re likely to fall into one of two buckets: the gym regular who’s slightly annoyed that she can’t get on a treadmill, or the eager newcomer who’s a little lost and a lot anxious. But worry not, because trainer and lifestyle guru Joey Thurman has some tips for how to practice good gym etiquette in the New Year.

“I’m always surprised by how many people are in the gym in January,” says Thurman. “But the key to success is to realize that you’re not going to create your ideal birthday suit in one marathon session. And you’re not going to make any friends if you don’t know the many unwritten rules of the gym.”

Below are Joey’s top 10 do’s and don’ts for hitting the gym in the New Year.

DO deodorize, before and after: Everyone knows that you should pile on the deodorant after a healthy sweat, but it’s also simple etiquette to do so before the gym. Small odors from the workday can grow exponentially while you work out, and nobody wants that. Especially the girl next to you.

DON’T wear cologne or perfume: Avoid wearing heavy amounts of perfume or cologne when working out. The smells will radiate as you work up a sweat and may cause nausea among your fellow gym goers. And if you think wearing your commercial body spray will have the ladies lining up, you are sorely mistaken!

DO wash your workout clothes. Everyday: See point one. Even if you don’t notice odors on your clothes post-workout, as soon as those materials are exposed to perspiration again, they will release a foul odor. Buy a few back-up items and rotate between visits.

DON’T hit on fellow gym goers: The gym is not an appropriate place to pick up a date. Most people hate working out and do so for health reasons, so they’re understandably focused on themselves. Don’t try to strike up a conversation with someone wearing headphones.

DO be discreet with makeup: Whether you’re joining the “most exclusive” gym in town, you’re there for one reason only – YOU. Don’t dress like you are going to the club. Leave the glitter and makeup at home.

DON’T be a know-it-all: Just because you’ve read the latest issue of Men’s Health or have been practicing the newest weightlifting trend does not mean you are an authority on working out. Do not offer help or advice unless someone asks you. Don’t even offer to spot someone.

DO sanitize your equipment: There's nothing worse than putting your face down on a gym mat and lying in someone else’s sweat. Same goes for putting your hands on an elliptical handle and being met with a slick surface. Always utilize the gym’s sanitizing spray before and after using any equipment that isn’t your own.

DON’T be noisy: Grunting, singing, rapping, or yelling across the gym are major faux pas. Not only is it blatant attention-seeking behavior, it’s extremely annoying. Keep your earphones at a reasonable level and your grunting to a minimum. If people are staring, it’s not because they think you’re cool.

DO be courteous with equipment: While you shouldn’t necessarily cut your workout short, be mindful of those around you waiting for their turn on the machines. Everyone’s paying for a gym membership, so don’t be an equipment hog. Sharing is caring.

DON’T walk around naked: While it’s not the biggest gym blunder, it can make others uncomfortable. Changing in the locker room is one thing, walking around in your birthday suit and sitting on the benches is another. There are towels for a reason.

Whether it’s your first time in the gym (good for you!) or you’re a seasoned veteran, utilizing these tips will ensure you’re a positive influence in the gym and are contributing to an environment of health and fitness!

About Joey Thurman: Joey Thurman is a fitness, lifestyle and nutrition expert, FITchef, celebrity trainer, cover model, television personality, published fitness author, owner of Morph Personal Training, and creator of The Lifestyle Renovation. Joey has appeared on CBS, FOX, WCIU and ABC and has been published in BodyBuilding.com, Racked, TimeOut Chicago, RedEye, and American Global Traveler. As a fitness expert for nine years, Joey has helped numerous celebrity clients including Celebrity Chef Art Smith, Professional Female Wrestler Lisa Marie Varon, and many others, make internal changes for continued success in life and achievement of their aesthetic goals. Joey is also a fashion model who has landed covers on Healthy for Men, TimeOut Chicago and has worked for companies such as Abercrombie, Jockey, Kohl’s, Sears, Kmart, Carson Pirie Scott, Neiman Marcus, and more. Joey has a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies from South Illinois University at Edwardsville (SIUE), is a Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) with the American Council on Exercise, and is a Fitness Nutrition Specialist (FNS). For more information, please visit www.thelifestylerenovation.com.