Author Archives: james cole

Possible Risks associated with Diet Soda

According to a news story recently released from Reuters, a new study suggests that people who drink diet soda every day, have a heightened risk of heart attack and stroke. The study apparently followed almost 2,600 older adults for a decade and found that those who drank diet soda every day were 44 percent more likely than non-drinkers to suffer a heart attack or stroke. It goes on to say that daily diet-soda drinkers did tend to be heavier and more often have heart risk factors like high blood pressure, diabetes and unhealthy cholestrol levels. On the other side of the coin, the article did say that diet soda, itself, somehow contributes to health risks, however it’s not clear how.

Even Dr. Oz says drinking diet soda to lose weight is a myth. According to a recent episode, he revealed that the artificial sweeteners actually cause you to eat more sugary snacks. Since your body doesn’t recognize the molecules of artificial sweeteners, it triggers your brain to crave more sugars.

Our diet protocol here at The BA Med Spa is to limit your diet soda intake due primarily to the high sodium content. The sodium could be the catalyst to higher blood pressure and unhealthy cholesterol levels, not to mention the risk of eating more sugar filled snacks that will derail your dieting efforts.

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Winter Skin Blues?

With the cold wind outside and the dry stuffy air inside, your skin can’t catch a break. Now is the time that your skin needs the best care possible. Plus, we’re only 6 weeks from Spring and your skin needs 6 weeks to regenerate. It is definitely the time to take advantage of a free skin consultation. We are able to provide a wide array of laser services or simply get you on a great skin care regimen. No one wants dry skin in Spring, call us today. 918-872-9999.

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Hormone Replacement Therapy is coming soon!

Incredible things are happening at the Spa and we are gearing up to offer some new fantastic services.  BIO-IDENTICAL HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY!  Click the link and find out about how you can return to the physiological state of bygone days.  Thousands of men and women across the U.S. & Canada prefer using SottoPelle Hormone Therapy to achieve a natural healthy balance of hormones.  Patients report that they feel fabulous again!  Some of the many benefits include:  Enhanced libido and/or increased sexual desire, decreased body fat and greater capacity to get in shape, reduced fatigue and increased energy levels, increased mental focus, clarity and concentration, improved memory, consistency in moods, relief from anxiety and depression, increased sense of overall well-being and protection from heart disease.  This simple in-office, 5 minute procedure, can change your life.  Call or come by for more information.

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And Who Are You?…..

 Hello again! It’s Brett Rector here. I know it has been a while since my last post. But I believe that the time away from writing has helped me with this post.

I’m in sales and thats how I make my living. I have four years under my belt and a strong customer base.  In the last seven months since I have started this amazing diet through the BA Med Spa & Weightloss Center, my apperance has changed drastically. The #1 question that is commonly asked by my customers who haven’t seen me in months or some in even a year is ”And who are you?” or ”I’m here to see Big Brett”. That’s what I’ve been hearing on a weekly basis. I love the feeling it gives me. I love to explain to them that it is still me! And, yes, I’m o.k.! And no, I didn’t do any kind of stupid surgery. So I encourage you all to give it a try! You will see a difference in yourself, your life, and your whole out look on life! And if you’re already doing the HCG Program with BA Med Spa & Weight Loss Center,  then I’m here in your corner rooting for you! You’re doing great, keep your head up, smile, & keep loving life because you are just extending your life with every pound you lose!

Thanks again for letting me share my journey with you !

    Brett Rector

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Seared Chicken with Apricot Sauce

Apricot Chicken4 servings || Active Time: 30 minutes || Total Time: 30 minutes

INGREDIENTS
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, (about 1 1/4 pounds), trimmed and tenders removed
3/4 teaspoon salt, divided
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon canola oil
3/4 cup dry white wine
1 medium shallot, minced
4 fresh apricots, pitted and chopped
2 tablespoons apricot preserves
2 teaspoons chopped fresh tarragon , or 1/2 teaspoon dried

PREPARATION
Place chicken breasts between 2 pieces of plastic wrap. Pound until flattened to an even thickness, about 1/2 inch. Sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper. Place flour in a shallow dish. Dredge the chicken in the flour, shaking off excess. (Discard any leftover flour.)

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken and cook until browned and no longer pink in the center, 3 to 5 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate, cover and keep warm. (If necessary, cook the chicken in two batches with an additional 1 tablespoon oil.)

Off the heat, add wine and shallot to the pan. Return to medium heat and cook, scraping up any browned bits, until slightly reduced, about 3 minutes. Add apricots and cook until the fruit begins to break down, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in preserves, tarragon and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt. Return the chicken to the pan and cook until heated through, 1 to 2 minutes. Serve the chicken with the sauce.

Per serving: 252 calories; 5 g fat (1 g sat, 3 g mono); 66 mg cholesterol; 15 g carbohydrates; 4 g added sugars; 27 g protein; 1 g fiber; 517 mg sodium; 444 mg potassium.

1 Carbohydrate Serving

Exchanges: 1 fruit, 3 lean meat

From EatingWell May/June 2009

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Tuscan-Style Tuna Salad

Tuscan Tuna Salad4 servings, 1 cup each || Active Time: 10 minutes || Total Time: 10 minutes

INGREDIENTS

2 6-ounce cans chunk light tuna, drained
1 15-ounce can small white beans, such as cannellini or great northern, rinsed (see Ingredient note)
10 cherry tomatoes, quartered
4 scallions, trimmed and sliced
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon salt
Freshly ground pepper, to taste

PREPARATION
Combine tuna, beans, tomatoes, scallions, oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper in a medium bowl. Stir gently. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Additional Tips:
Cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days.

When you use canned beans in a recipe, be sure to rinse them first in a colander under cold running water, as their canning liquid often contains a fair amount of sodium.

Per serving: 253 calories; 8 g fat (1 g sat, 5 g mono); 53 mg cholesterol; 20 g carbohydrates; 0 g added sugars; 31 g protein; 6 g fiber; 453 mg sodium; 451 mg potassium.

1 Carbohydrate Serving

Exchanges: 1 starch, 1 vegetable, 3 1/2 very lean meat, 1 fat

From EatingWell, April/May 2005

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Egg-White Omelet with Vegetable-Cheddar Filling

Egg White Omelet

Photo Credit Fiona Haynes

One serving || Active Time: 10 minutes || Total Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients
3 large egg whites
1 teaspoon water
2 teaspoons chopped fresh dill (optional)
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1/2 cup loosely packed, thinly sliced fresh spinach
1 plum tomato, chopped
2 tablespoons shredded nonfat cheddar cheese
Vegetable cooking spray

Preparation
1. Whisk together egg whites, water, and the next three ingredients.

2. Heat a small skillet, coated with cooking spray, over medium-high heat for one minute. Pour egg mixture in and cook until the eggs begin to set. Meanwhile, mix the spinach, tomato, and cheese together.

3. Fill half the omelet with the filling, saving some of the cheese, tomatoes, and spinach for a garnish. Work a spatula under part of the omelet and fold it in half. Cook for two minutes, and then slide it onto a plate. Top your omelet with the remaining filling.

Calories 110, fat 0.5 g, saturated fat 0 g, cholesterol 3 mg, sodium 906 mg, carbohydrate 8 g, fiber 1 g, protein 18 g.

Recipe from ReadersDigest.com

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Berry Milkshakes

These sweet, classic shakes are perfect for a mid-afternoon snack. Each includes both 1/2 dairy exchange and 1 fruit exchange. You can add artificial sweetener, such as Splenda, as desired.

Strawberry Milkshake
1/2 cup (4 oz) nonfat milk
3/4 cup frozen strawberries

Blueberry Milkshake
1/2 cup (4 oz) nonfat milk
1/2 cup frozen blueberries

Blackberry Milkshake
1/2 cup (4 oz) nonfat milk
1/2 cup frozen blackberries

Put the 1/2 cup milk and your choice of frozen berries in the blender and blend. Enjoy!

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Midmorning Fruit Snacks

Looking for the perfect midmorning pick-me-up? Here’s a list of some fruits to keep with you. Each fruit listed is one exchange, and about 40 calories.

1 medium apple
1/3 cup apple juice or cider
4 dried apricot halves
2 medium fresh apricots
1 cup unsweetened cranberries
1/2 small grapefruit
1 small pear
1/2 small mango
1 large fresh fig
1 small dried fig
2 dates
1/2 cup berries (boysenberries, blackberries, raspberries, blueberries)
1/2 large banana
1/2 cup fresh pineapple
1 small orange
1/2 cup orange juice

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Raisin and Spice Oatmeal

Raisin and Spice Oatmeal

Photo © Kimberley K. Eggleston

2 servings || Active Time: 10 minutes || Total Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients
1 3/4 cups water
1/8 tsp salt
1 cup rolled oats
1/4 cup non-fat milk
1 Tbsp brown sugar Splenda
2 Tbsp raisins
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
1 Tbsp roasted, slivered almonds

Preparation

1. Add water and salt to a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat.

2. Add the oats and reduce the heat. Cook the oats for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

3. Remove the oatmeal from the stove and add the rest of the ingredients, except the almonds.

4. Separate the oatmeal into two bowls and top with almonds.

Calories per serving: 219.

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