tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19971625832168303812024-02-18T23:13:47.711-08:00Devine InterventionAn interesting, humorous and completely biased commentary of exercise, food opinions, facts, and exploitation and exploration of the diet and workout world from a trainer who swims in the pond... (I got it all in one sentence. How about that?!)Michelle Devinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09060136711526622448noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1997162583216830381.post-91524018344790755382011-05-03T18:56:00.000-07:002011-05-03T20:33:33.619-07:00A splash of water!<div class="ecxReadMsgBody" id="ecxmpf0_readMsgBodyContainer" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 12px; margin-right: 12px; overflow-x: hidden; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 8px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><div class="ecxSandboxScopeClass ecxExternalClass" id="ecxmpf0_MsgContainer" style="display: inline-block; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; text-indent: 0px !important;"></span><br />
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<span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><div style="line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-indent: 0px !important;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgIvzanaXsaV2_QzCTFLeNRPwRBAOvLPgIHdDmacqOuxz09APZPyI69nWyajbRuXKfksy7mOkHf4IP4ksAcEop8XA326BqNjIHJuC2fHGjughwHTm-d-uzfo0FIqPPpBMIZaRrxCxQO4xk/s1600/images-2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgIvzanaXsaV2_QzCTFLeNRPwRBAOvLPgIHdDmacqOuxz09APZPyI69nWyajbRuXKfksy7mOkHf4IP4ksAcEop8XA326BqNjIHJuC2fHGjughwHTm-d-uzfo0FIqPPpBMIZaRrxCxQO4xk/s1600/images-2.jpeg" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0px !important;">Did you know your body is comprised of 60% water? </span></span></div><div style="line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0px !important;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px;">(The next time someone laments to you of the "water weight" they've gained, perhaps you can snicker and inquire if they are now 65% water?)</span></div><div style="line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px;">Here is the question: If our bodies are comprised of so much water, why is it we need to drink so much water? Is it for our health alone? </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0px !important;">How much </span></span><i style="font-style: italic; line-height: 18px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0px !important;">do we</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0px !important;"> need to drink? </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0px !important;">Do </span></span><i style="font-style: italic; line-height: 18px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0px !important;">you</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0px !important;"> drink when you're thirsty, or because you </span></span><i style="font-style: italic; line-height: 18px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0px !important;">know</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0px !important;"> your body requires hydration?</span></span></div><div style="line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px;">For a concept as simple as drinking water, there are so many opinions out there. </span></div><div style="line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0px !important;">The old adage is that we </span></span><i style="font-style: italic; line-height: 18px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0px !important;">need</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0px !important;"> EIGHT - 8 ounce glasses of water. </span></span></div><div style="line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0px !important;">Let's examine that, because we also receive water intake from our food. Yes, our food. The higher fruit and vegetable intake in the foods we eat means we take in </span></span><i style="font-style: italic; line-height: 18px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0px !important;">far</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0px !important;"> more water. Some experts think that 20% of your total fluid intake is from fruits and vegetables. You do eat fruits and vegetables, right? (Ahem...)</span></span></div><div style="line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0px !important;">For those who eat grains and sugar, the body requires MORE water. Why? The grains and sugars (typically found in processed foods) need to "move" through your system, and to do that, they </span></span><i style="font-style: italic; line-height: 18px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0px !important;">need</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0px !important;"> water.</span></span></div><div style="line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0px !important;">So, the other 80% of water you need? Assuming you are eating enough fruits and vegetables, and taking in 20% of your fluid intake by produce? How do you account for the remainder?</span></span></div><div style="line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px;">Here are some other questions to consider and ponder: How much extra water do you need if you exercise? Is there a difference in water requirements in a sedentary or active person? Healthy or sick? Old or young? Climate temperatures? Does a person residing in Southern Florida require more water than someone living in the Midwest?</span></div><div style="line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px;">All good in theory and questioning, and definitely worth addressing. There is no SET AMOUNT, in any research, anywhere. Let's start out with some quick tips and facts:</span></div><div style="line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px;">1) First, start out the morning with a glass of water. (What else have you to do while your coffee is brewing?) </span></div><div style="line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0px !important;">2) Set a plan. Here is what what works for me: I set out five 16.9 oz bottles of water on my kitchen counter. As I </span></span><i style="font-style: italic; line-height: 18px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0px !important;">come and go </span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0px !important;">throughout my day, I grab a bottle to drink as I pass through. </span></span><i style="font-style: italic; line-height: 18px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0px !important;">Most</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0px !important;"> of the time, I can finish all five bottles - a total of (give or take) 85 ounces of water. The downside: If it's 10pm, and I haven't finished the water (and I'm sleepy and VERY ready for bed, God forbid) I force myself to stay up and finish the last ounce of water. Discipline, huh? </span></span></div><div style="line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0px !important;">And you know what that means, right? (If I forget to drink my water?) I'm up and about, maneuvering my way to the bathroom in the middle of the night.</span></span></div><div style="line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0px !important;">If you exercise that day, thirty minutes of more, or work up a big sweat with yardwork, gardening, etc.. - make sure you drink an additional 16 ounces. Helps with muscle and cell hydration for recovery.</span></span></div><div style="line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0px !important;">3) If it's hot, temperature wise, and you're sweating - </span></span><i style="font-style: italic; line-height: 18px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0px !important;">more</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0px !important;"> water. As you sweat, all of that needs to be replenished. You can lose anywhere from 5-6 cups of water, per day just from sweating and bowel movements. Interesting, isn't it? So, as I stated above, does the person living in Southern Florida need to drink more fluids than their counterpart in the Midwest? Well, if it's 95 degrees and humid in Florida and you're sweating buckets? Yes. </span></span></div><div style="line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0px !important;">And in the Midwest, when it is 50 degrees? Your "liquid" requirements aren't as high. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 21px;">So heat and exercise do play a major role.</span></div><div style="line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0px !important;">4) And yes, you knew I was going to bring this up... Oh! Don't be surprised. (Certainly, I'll ask about bowel movements in</span></span><i style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0px !important;"> another</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0px !important;"> blog.) Ready?</span></span></div><div style="line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0px !important;"> How MUCH do </span></span><i style="font-style: italic; line-height: 18px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0px !important;">you</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0px !important;"> pee? And what color is your urine? If your urine is dark yellow, or even orange - you are NOT drinking enough. Urine should be light (almost clear) and should occur (as an event! Yes, an event!) about every 3 to 4 hours. Vitamins and medications can change the color of your urine, but usually if medications are taken in the morning, the first few urine's are darker in color, and later in the day, it should get clearer and clearer. And yes, medical conditions will affect fluid balance.</span></span></div><div style="line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px;">5) Every beverage counts. Really, you ask? Yes. Every glass of juice, cup of coffee, cup of milk - it COUNTS. It's liquid. It's consumed. It counts.</span></div><div style="line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px;">Do you know that feeling of THIRST, and you comment,"I need something to drink!" Well, my friend, you're <i style="text-indent: 0px !important;">already</i> dehydrated. That is your<i> first</i> clue. Thirst.</span></div><div style="line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px;">Just writing this made me thirsty. Shall we grab a glass of water? </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px;">Cheers.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0px !important;"><br />
</span></span></div></span></div></div>Michelle Devinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09060136711526622448noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1997162583216830381.post-84671710201331541512011-04-24T20:53:00.000-07:002011-04-24T21:08:11.821-07:00Clean Eating and Journaling<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRqb55HYlCN4-3ulP2YR4LChqgvW93Rg_HPZmGs42ZHoRCVnsLBH4dla01b1h7gI0nPE37Ai1a0dr-r3HkUF4ocGgvVo70T10RyLE2F-SJVNOolfNk2OQsTMWR2lIBfAanFwxBucHkM2DC/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRqb55HYlCN4-3ulP2YR4LChqgvW93Rg_HPZmGs42ZHoRCVnsLBH4dla01b1h7gI0nPE37Ai1a0dr-r3HkUF4ocGgvVo70T10RyLE2F-SJVNOolfNk2OQsTMWR2lIBfAanFwxBucHkM2DC/s1600/images.jpeg" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="color: #303030; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-indent: 0px !important; width: 500px;"><tbody style="text-indent: 0px !important;">
<tr style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><td style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><div class="itemdesc" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px; margin-top: 5px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0px !important;">Easter is officially over in about THREE hours. (Yes, I<i> am</i> counting the hours.)</div><div class="itemdesc" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px; margin-top: 5px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0px !important;">How well did YOU eat this long holiday weekend?</div><div class="itemdesc" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px; margin-top: 5px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0px !important;">Even I, (eyes to the floor, kicking my feet in the 'pretend' dust) veered off into the world of evil food eating. No, nothing with gluten. I still feel sorry for my poor small intestine (after the catastrophe at the BBQ restaurant a few weeks ago and I REALLY don't want to get sick - again). But alas.. some non-organic carbs and grains found their way into my meals. This weekend, a friend I discovered a <i style="text-indent: 0px !important;">fabulous</i> restaurant and went back TWO days in a row. A complete and fabulous food-fest. Great food. Great company. Laughter (lots), and yes, too much really good food.</div><div class="itemdesc" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px; margin-top: 5px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0px !important;">WAYYYYY too much food. Or did I mention that already?</div><div class="itemdesc" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px; margin-top: 5px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0px !important;">Now, how do I compensate? Shall I beat myself up? (I could.) Continue on the bad food path? Or shall I step right back on the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><i style="text-indent: 0px !important;">platform of clean healthy </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0px !important;">eating? What I do now may be the single most important moment in my meal planning and in my mindset of my week ahead.</span></div><div class="itemdesc" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px; margin-top: 5px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0px !important;">I use the experience of my "going off-plan" to strengthen my long-term clean eating success. The choice is mine. Now the discipline begins. How about you? Ready?<br />
<br />
The choice <i style="text-indent: 0px !important;">is</i> up to you too.</div><div class="itemdesc" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px; margin-top: 5px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0px !important;">Do you notice you're a bit hungrier after eating more carbohydrates (and/or sugars) than normal? </div><div class="itemdesc" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px; margin-top: 5px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; text-indent: 0px !important;">After you have been "low-carbing" and <i style="text-indent: 0px !important;">clean eating</i> for a while, your body stops producing some of the enzymes needed to digest complex starches and (sugars). I think that is a good thing.</span></div><div class="itemdesc" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px; margin-top: 5px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; text-indent: 0px !important;">It takes a day or two for these to ramp back up.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="itemdesc" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px; margin-top: 5px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0px !important;">When you eat excess carbohydrates, your blood sugar may go up a lot higher than it normally would, even if you don't usually have blood sugar problems. This is why some researchers have reported that low-carb diets can actually cause insulin resistance. (I've talked about that in previous blogs.)<br />
<br />
In fact, for most people, this is only a very temporary phenomenon. Most people will start making the enzymes they need <i style="text-indent: 0px !important;">within a day or two</i> and when that happens their insulin resistance will return to its normal state. But until that happens, blood sugars may surge abnormally high and then rebound much lower than usual. When this happens the brain interprets it very simply and screams, "I'm starving! Feed me! Eat! Eat!"<br />
<br />
If you don't know that the hunger is <i style="text-indent: 0px !important;">only</i> your blood sugar talking, that craving can send you into a high carbohydrate, high sugar downward spiral.<br />
<h4 style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; text-indent: 0px !important;">Hard to deal with is the <i style="text-indent: 0px !important;">unexpected</i> hunger you encounter after you've gone back to eating a low carb, "clean" diet.</span></h4>You may wake up morning after a big carb-fest and eat a perfectly decent low-carb breakfast only to find yourself yearning to<i style="text-indent: 0px !important;"> stuff yourself</i> with whatever high carb food is your personal downfall at lunch. Once again, there is a physiological explanation for this.<br />
<br />
Normal people's pancreas cells produce and store insulin between meal times. Then, at the very beginning of a meal your pancreas releases enough of that stored insulin to cover the carbohydrates it expects to come pouring in. This release happens at very beginning of a meal, before you take a single bite. It may happen when you first sniff delicious food, and it ensures that your blood sugar will never rise above a healthy base level.<br />
<br />
But there's a hitch. The amount of insulin that body releases is set by how much carbohydrate it has encountered in your previous couple meals.<br />
<br />
If your previous meals were full of carbohydrates, your pancreas will release a lot of insulin. If you virtuously consume a low carb meal, that insulin finds no sugars to store--except the glucose in your blood that is meant to feed your cells.<br />
<br />
As a result, the insulin removes this glucose from your blood, giving you low blood sugar. Once again the brain interprets this low blood sugar as an emergency and starts screaming, "I'm starving! Feed me!"<br />
<br />
It may take a day or two or even three, depending on your own physiology, until your pancreas adapts to your new, lower intake of carbohydrates. When that happens, the hunger signal will quit, you'll sigh a <i style="text-indent: 0px !important;">great sigh</i> of relief, and low-carbing will once again be easy to do.</div><div class="itemdesc" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px; margin-top: 5px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0px !important;">So....let's get back on track, shall we?</div><div class="itemdesc" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px; margin-top: 5px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0px !important;">The most helpful thing you can do when you go off-plan and eat more carbohydrates than you are used to, is to put on your "science researcher" hat, stand back, and observe the fascinating changes that are happening in your body, and <i>your head</i>. Yes, your head.<br />
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Your "research project" is to track what happens to your body for week after you have had your carb-fest. Take notes. The information you gather now will be extremely helpful to you next time you have a carb-fest - whether intentional or accidental. </div><div class="itemdesc" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px; margin-top: 5px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0px !important;">Check your weight (just once!) in the morning the first day during this week, log it, and guesstimate how long it will take to come off. </div><div class="itemdesc" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px; margin-top: 5px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0px !important;">(I despise scales.)<br />
<br />
For example, in my own "research project" I found that I always gain a few pounds after boosting my carb intake over 60 grams per day, if I am not exercising <i style="text-indent: 0px !important;">hard core</i> and logging the running miles. After I drop my carbs below 60 grams a day, it takes three days for the (mainly water) weight to come back off. If I carb-load for more than a day or two, it may take as long as a week until all the water weight goes way.</div><div class="itemdesc" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px; margin-top: 5px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0px !important;">Note how much carbohydrates you ate during <i style="text-indent: 0px !important;">your</i> carb-load. </div><div class="itemdesc" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px; margin-top: 5px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0px !important;">Should I even tell you about my carb load? You may want to be seated. <laughing><br />
They involved very beautiful presented corn nachos with lots of veggies, cheese and jalapenos. Oh, and the<i style="text-indent: 0px !important;"> additional</i> servings of corn chips and bean dips and salsa... I forgot to mention the chocolate covered almonds and nuts too. Heaven.<br />
Shhhhh. But, it's out of my system now. Clean eating is in front of me for the week ahead.</div><div class="itemdesc" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px; margin-top: 5px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0px !important;"> (I almost "oinked" after I wrote that.)</div><div class="itemdesc" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px; margin-top: 5px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0px !important;">When you go back on your low-carb, <i style="text-indent: 0px !important;">clean eating</i> diet, keep track of <i style="text-indent: 0px !important;">what</i> you eat and how you feel in hours after you eat it. Note any cravings and jot down when they occurred and how intense they were. Journal! (No, it's not that hard.)<br />
<br />
I expect these cravings to last a few days, and do what you can to avoid giving in to them. Mine will involve <u style="text-indent: 0px !important;">exercise</u>, and <u style="text-indent: 0px !important;">discipline</u>. If you give your pancreas an excuse to secrete a lot of insulin, it will keep doing it and you will continue to have those cravings. If you can hold out for a few meals and not give into the cravings, your pancreas will calm down, your insulin levels will drop, and you will no longer be hungry.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile, track those cravings so that you can determine for future use, just how long it takes for them to clear.</div><div class="itemdesc" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px; margin-top: 5px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0px !important;">When you do journal, you will have collected information that will be extremely helpful next time you fall into the food<i style="text-indent: 0px !important;"> free-for all</i>.<br />
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As you return to your low-carb diet and immediately find yourself obsessing about dark chocolate almonds (Oh, that's <i>me</i>...) you've made it tough for the self-hatred tape to start playing, because, armed with the journal, you will be expecting to crave something, have a plan (that's next) and when that craving hits, you'll respond, "Dark chocolate almonds! Right on schedule. I'm going to be ravenous until tomorrow, crave more almonds.. but then I'll feel fine again." Because you know <i style="text-indent: 0px !important;">if you can just hold out for another couple hours</i> you'll be okay, you'll be (or should I say <i style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><b>I</b> will be</i>) a lot less likely to eat (more) those chocolate almonds.<br />
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Even if you do give in to your cravings, your "science project" continues. Observe your response to food you eat and note how it affects your hunger. Did it satisfy? Did it make you hungrier? Was it good? Did it make you feel guilty and filled with self-loathing? Note it all down in your journal. By doing this, you will collect the useful information that will help you <i>master</i> your cravings. You'll get <i style="text-indent: 0px !important;">back </i>on your diet. You'll understand the way your body works just a wee bit better. </div></td></tr>
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</tbody></table>Michelle Devinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09060136711526622448noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1997162583216830381.post-45719218745600265762011-04-11T21:35:00.000-07:002011-04-12T21:04:44.118-07:00MSG. Let's start talking about what it really IS.<div style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><br />
<a name='more'></a>What <i style="text-indent: 0px !important;">is</i> MSG? Today I polled my friends and inquired, "Do you know what MSG is?"<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 0px !important;"></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 0px !important;"></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 0px !important;">I received, basically, the same two responses: "I think it's a preservative or chemical that is</span></span><i style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 0px !important;"> bad </span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 0px !important;">for you." </span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-indent: 0px !important;"></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-indent: 0px !important;"></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-indent: 0px !important;"></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-indent: 0px !important;"></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-indent: 0px !important;"></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-indent: 0px !important;"></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-indent: 0px !important;"></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><div style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 0px !important;">And, the second response?</span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 0px !important;">"I think it's in Chinese food."</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px;">How did (only) Chinese food get the bad rap?</span></div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 0px !important;">Do you<i> really</i> know what MSG is? </span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 0px !important;">Is it bad? YES. The more I read, research and study, the more disappointed I am in the food manufacturers, the FDA, and food scientists.</span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 0px !important;"><br style="text-indent: 0px !important;" /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 0px !important;">MSG stands for Monosodium Glutamate; also called Sodium Glucamate. </span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 0px !important;"><br style="text-indent: 0px !important;" /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 0px !important;">But<i style="text-indent: 0px !important;"> that</i> is not all. It is also <i style="text-indent: 0px !important;">disguised</i>, by the food manufacturers, under at least forty different names. MSG is essentially a salt of glutamic acid (a completely<i style="text-indent: 0px !important;"> NON-essential </i>amino acid). It is used as a food additive and a flavor enhancer in hundreds of thousands of foods. (Yes, hundred of thousands!) Do you read food labels? </span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 0px !important;"><br style="text-indent: 0px !important;" /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 0px !important;">You may see it listed as: Glutamic acid, Calcium glutamate, Monoammonium glutamate, Magnesium glutamate, Natrium glutamate, Yeast extract, anything "Hydrolyzed", Hydrolyzed protein, Geletin, Textured protein, Soy protein, Vetsin.... </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 0px !important;"> More? </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 0px !important;">How about Citric Acid, Barley malt, Enzyme modified, Malt extract, <i style="text-indent: 0px !important;">ANYTHING</i> ultra-pasturized.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px;">And YOU wonder why I drink <i style="text-indent: 0px !important;">raw</i> milk, huh?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px;">The truth is, it is hidden under SO many names, and in so many foods, that it is impossible, without writing a "MSG dictionary", to list every food in which it hides.</span></div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: small; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px !important;"></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: small; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px !important;"></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: small; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px !important;"></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: small; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px !important;"></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: small; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px !important;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; line-height: 19px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 0px !important;"><br style="text-indent: 0px !important;" /></span></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; line-height: 19px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 0px !important;">What effect does MSG have on your health?</span></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; line-height: 19px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 0px !important;">(Another long list. I'll just scrape the surface.) Obesity. Brain damage. Endocrine disorders. Asthma. Migraine headaches. Heart irregularities. Seizures.</span></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; line-height: 19px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 0px !important;">Scary isn't is? Did I mention </span></span><i style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 0px !important;">obesity</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 0px !important;">? Oh yes, I did. But it's worth mentioning again.</span></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; line-height: 19px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 0px !important;"><br style="text-indent: 0px !important;" /></span></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; line-height: 19px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 0px !important;">MSG is in almost ALL processed food. I bet you didn't realize that. </span></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; line-height: 19px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 0px !important;"><br style="text-indent: 0px !important;" /></span></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; line-height: 19px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 0px !important;">Let's start naming foods (mostly processed crap) and see if they are currently in your diet. Potato chips, Doritos, snack crackers, CHICKEN (non-organic), sausage, canned tuna, sauces, gravy, canned soups, (and you thought<i style="text-indent: 0px !important;"> that</i> 110 calorie soup was good for you?) cereal, and it is also found in over 50% of all restaurants where you "break your bread". Oh yes, it can also be found<i> in</i> </span></span><i style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 0px !important;">bread</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 0px !important;">. </span></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; line-height: 19px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 0px !important;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; line-height: 19px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: normal;"></span></span></span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; text-indent: 0px !important;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; line-height: 19px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 0px !important;">And, yes - milk. Are you<i> really </i>worried about paying MORE for organic? Yet</span></span><i style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 0px !important;"> anothe</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 0px !important;"><i>r</i> reason to chose organic, isn't it? </span></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; line-height: 19px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 0px !important;">Anything you eat or drink that is non-fat or low-fat probably has MSG. </span></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; line-height: 19px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 0px !important;">Anything with a sugar substitute, or.. <i style="text-indent: 0px !important;">anything</i> in a can. (How do you think they can preserve the taste that long?)</span></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; line-height: 19px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 0px !important;"><br style="text-indent: 0px !important;" /></span></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; line-height: 19px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 0px !important;">MSG is powerful. The more you eat foods with MSG, the more you want the foods chemically polluted with MSG.</span></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; line-height: 19px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 0px !important;"><br style="text-indent: 0px !important;" /></span></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; line-height: 19px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 0px !important;">The food industry poisons us... and yet we accept it. It's baffling to me.</span></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; line-height: 19px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 0px !important;">Check out this great website on MSG, and the dangers we face by allowing the manufacturers to add it to our foods.</span></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; line-height: 19px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 0px !important;"> Also... isn't is about time we made BETTER choices?</span></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; line-height: 19px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 0px !important;"><br style="text-indent: 0px !important;" /></span></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; line-height: 19px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 0px !important;">http://www.msgmyth.com/</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; line-height: 19px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 0px !important;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; line-height: 19px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 0px !important;"></span></span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; text-indent: 0px !important;"></span></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; text-indent: 0px !important;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; text-indent: 0px !important;"></span></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; text-indent: 0px !important;"></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: small; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-indent: 0px !important;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs2CDLLwz8z0ItmKBUJvMdB5RFUF6zvDq3FiA1Y7EUDq1GuP1PxHsz14ybIFMvLMZZb8P0gL4dYJ0RS9a7LURRebAVbBlpqArShjxgpkCWj9-bPRqyG-CxEotoGXGPAO7wug4jvsT7Zo20/s1600/Cartoon.Stein.wsj033183%252B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs2CDLLwz8z0ItmKBUJvMdB5RFUF6zvDq3FiA1Y7EUDq1GuP1PxHsz14ybIFMvLMZZb8P0gL4dYJ0RS9a7LURRebAVbBlpqArShjxgpkCWj9-bPRqyG-CxEotoGXGPAO7wug4jvsT7Zo20/s320/Cartoon.Stein.wsj033183%252B.jpg" width="250" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; text-indent: 0px !important;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><br style="text-indent: 0px !important;" /></span></span></div></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; text-indent: 0px !important;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; text-indent: 0px !important;"></span></span></span></div></span></span>Michelle Devinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09060136711526622448noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1997162583216830381.post-29653563560548495912011-04-09T23:54:00.000-07:002011-04-10T00:04:40.788-07:00What are YOU eating?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipnIW_w8DHLTUME6kicKnn3A4pIU5eoeH6OwKk-xphl5Esli0lR-HnXcQrF64Dcquisk7G5U9uAIs84JDMDWYgvxdF2SY25cl6Mqv1jVgtqAQNmiDqX8KvQVHJ4P8SXYj3zW4UEiIRux9B/s1600/1899.GlutenAllergies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipnIW_w8DHLTUME6kicKnn3A4pIU5eoeH6OwKk-xphl5Esli0lR-HnXcQrF64Dcquisk7G5U9uAIs84JDMDWYgvxdF2SY25cl6Mqv1jVgtqAQNmiDqX8KvQVHJ4P8SXYj3zW4UEiIRux9B/s320/1899.GlutenAllergies.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px;">How safe are you when</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px;"><i style="text-indent: 0px !important;">you</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px;">dine out in restaurants? I am referring to (food) allergies, chemicals and poisons? Really! I write this with all seriousness. </span><br />
<div style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><div style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><br />
<div style="text-indent: 0px !important;">For many, who dine out in blissful ignorance, they will brush this off with a veil of denial, but if you're like me, and you truly care about what<i style="text-indent: 0px !important;"> fuels</i> your body, this will be <i style="text-indent: 0px !important;">more </i>than a gentle reminder.</div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important;">I've been quite vocal about my allergy to wheat. People always lament, "What a bummer..." and "That must suck..." Does it, for <i style="text-indent: 0px !important;">me</i>? Not really. Should it? The foods usually laden with wheat proteins are typically foods like pasta, bread, cookies, cereals and chips. I wouldn't eat those anyways; it's all processed junk. (There. I said it.)<br />
<br />
</div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important;">In the food industry, words are tossed around so casually... "gluten-free" and "gluten intolerance", but then there are those like me, who truly have a gluten ALLERGY.<br />
<br />
</div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important;">I've never complained about having Celiac's Disease.. and I don't apologize when I am a pain in the ass to wait-staff in restaurants. I just need to be cautious about which foods are hidden with wheat (and there are thousands) that I steer clear of in my diet.</div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important;">Tonight, my dinner companion (a serious<i style="text-indent: 0px !important;"> healthy</i> eater) and I chose a brand new BBQ restaurant. The restaurant is crowded, with a forty-minute wait. Somewhat of a good sign. (It means the food is good, for the most part, right?) I can ALWAYS find something on the menu, too, even in the trickiest of restaurants. (<i style="text-indent: 0px !important;">Tonight</i> was the eye opener.)</div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><br style="text-indent: 0px !important;" /></div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important;">My first "test" of a restaurant is (yes, really) the bathroom(s). How clean are they? That speaks VOLUMES of what may happen next. (Should have listened to my inner voice.) </div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important;">As I am walking into (remember- this place is<i style="text-indent: 0px !important;"> brand new</i> and only opened for a week) the restroom, a wait-staff comments to me, "Don't use the first stall. There is a problem." No worries. I chose the second. Next problem: (And you thought this would just be about food, huh?) There is no toilet paper. Seriously? 6:00 p.m. on a Saturday night, and NONE in the entire restroom? No hand towels either? Let's just end this part by saying, I had it covered. TMI.</div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><br style="text-indent: 0px !important;" /></div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important;">After an approximate thirty-minute wait, we are seated. I already know that I CANNOT (and will not) have the BBQ sauce in this establishment. The first ingredient is, YES, you know it - High Fructose Corn Syrup. Read it directly off their packaging. (Yes, I stay away from sugar too.) So, "naked" BBQ it will be be!</div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important;">The waiter takes our order. One order of ribs, one order of beef brisket, a side of cole slaw, and a side of green beans in horseradish sauce (the specialty of the house). </div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important;">I ask the waiter if there is <i style="text-indent: 0px !important;">gluten</i> in the BBQ sauce (since I already KNOW it has sugar). He doesn't know. (I am not surprised.) Thus, "naked" it remains. I <i style="text-indent: 0px !important;">remind</i> him I have a gluten allergy. He winks and says, 'No problem!" </div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important;">I remind him again, "You DO know about gluten allergies, yes?" </div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important;">He says, "Absolutely."</div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><br style="text-indent: 0px !important;" /></div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important;">Then (drum roll) our food comes.<i style="text-indent: 0px !important;"> Looks</i> great, I might add. Arrives on a HUGE platter. On the side of the platter is corn bread. (In restaurants, corn bread is made with flour too. Beware, gluten-free eaters.) But that isn't the real problem. There is (UGH) sauce on the meat. BBQ sauce. What happened to "naked"? Did the waiter not understand?</div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important;">We laugh (after our eye roll) and say, '"Okay, so we'll have a little sugar tonight." I taste the ribs. Actually good. Sweet. (I'm thinking "sugar high".) Then I taste the beef brisket. Something is <i style="text-indent: 0px !important;">off.</i> My dinner companion mentions it right away. Very sweet, but something is "off". I eat another slice, then poke around the bottom, and to my surprise, the brisket is piled on top of... a thick slice of <u style="text-indent: 0px !important;">bread</u>. Bread? Seriously?<br />
<br />
</div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important;">Now I'm irritated.</div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><br style="text-indent: 0px !important;" /></div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important;">I call the waiter over. I firmly remind him (again) I have a gluten allergy. I point to the brisket piled on top of the bread. I point to the corn muffin, I inquire<span style="text-indent: 0px !important;"> now</span><i style="text-indent: 0px !important;"> why</i> there is sauce on the ribs. He simply states,"Let me get the Manager."</div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important;">The Manager, is quite accomodating and apologetic. He is not going to charge us for anything (I would hope not), and the food is <i style="text-indent: 0px !important;">immediately</i> removed from our table. He says he will bring us true "naked" meat, which we have now asked to have in a "<i style="text-indent: 0px !important;">to go</i>" bag. We're not even sure if we still want to eat it, but the Manager is certainly trying to appease us, now that we've become the aggravated patrons.<br />
<br />
It IS clear, from the Manager that the waiter is going to be "spoken to". As he should, especially when the Manager asked the waiter if he understood "gluten allergies" and the waiter, trying to be sympathetic then said," Oh yeah, I think my Aunt has that..."<br />
<br />
</div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important;">The Manager explains that anytime a customer mentions a food allergy, the "Manager on the floor" is to be <i style="text-indent: 0px !important;">brought ove</i>r to that table. </div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important;">Meanwhile, as he is talking, one of the kitchen staff brings us the INGREDIENT list and food allergy component list for ALL of the foods served in that establishment.</div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><br style="text-indent: 0px !important;" /></div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important;">This is the part where I wanted to <i style="text-indent: 0px !important;">faint</i>.<br />
<br />
</div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important;">The food is all crap. Crap. Yes, it has gluten (written in big black letters "HAS WHEAT") next to the name of all dishes except three. All BUT three. The ribs have it in the sauce (all the sauces), the rub on the ribs has MSG. (Seriously?) The brisket has wheat, so does the GREEN BEANS. The beans. The corn bread. All of the side dishes. How is that possible? The coleslaw slid by, but it has THREE (yes, THREE) types of sugar(s) in the dressing. Wasn't even a food anymore. The salad on the menu? You think THAT would be safe? No. Wheat. Why? Well, they preserve the living crap (I've said the word crap over and over. But I am certain I will say it more...) out of every food item in that place. There were so many chemicals in the salad, that my jaw dropped.<br />
<br />
</div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important;">My dinner companion prefaced with, "Don't freak out, but LOOK at what is in the salad." Too late... </div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><br style="text-indent: 0px !important;" /></div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important;">The bottom line? What that restaurant<i style="text-indent: 0px !important;"> should have</i> advertised, in a BIG SIGN, on their front door - "If you have a gluten allergy, you CANNOT eat here."</div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important;">In fact, it should have simply read, "Our food isn't healthy. You shouldn't eat here."<br />
(It's crap.)</div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><br style="text-indent: 0px !important;" /></div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important;">Each and every food item on that menu was polluted with sugars, preservatives, chemicals, and toxic agents I could not even pronounce. </div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important;">Not one item was REAL FOOD. </div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important;">Not even the salad. The side dishes were overloaded with more chemicals than a pest control truck. </div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important;">This is my wake-up call. I think I was getting far too complacent.</div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><br style="text-indent: 0px !important;" /></div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important;">Even more shocking was when the Manager hands me the "TO GO" bag, and explains they have "washed off" the meat. The meat already <i style="text-indent: 0px !important;">and previousl</i>y contaminated with gluten, and served to us, has now been "washed". (Insert gagging noise here.) Was<i style="text-indent: 0px !important;"> that</i> a joke? </div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><br style="text-indent: 0px !important;" /></div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important;">See how nice I have been by NOT mentioning the name of the restaurant? That's because I have a controversial review that I'll be doing shortly and posting it on the web for all new and potential diners to view. We found the restaurant searching for the "best BBQ" in that city. What we found was NOT food.</div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><br style="text-indent: 0px !important;" /></div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important;">So listen to this gluten-free girl. Be careful when you dine out. There was not one item at this particular place worthy of entering my body. </div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important;">And the idea of QUALITY over quantity certainly applies here.</div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><br style="text-indent: 0px !important;" /></div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important;">Next time, we'll cook for ourselves. </div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important;">It's much safer that way.</div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><br />
<br />
<br />
</div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important;">http://www.celiac.com/categories/Gluten%252dFree-Newsletters-%26-Magazines/</div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><br style="text-indent: 0px !important;" /></div></div></div>Michelle Devinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09060136711526622448noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1997162583216830381.post-24683468692554801232011-04-06T20:49:00.000-07:002011-04-06T21:00:57.048-07:00And then came Easter...<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-indent: 0px !important;">A client confessed to me this week me that she has a "sweet tooth". She isn't alone. Welcome to the U.S. of A...ddicts. Sugar <i style="text-indent: 0px !important;">addicts</i>, that is. Another "sugar holiday" is approaching. </div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-indent: 0px !important;">Easter. (Visions of <i style="text-indent: 0px !important;">jelly beans</i> and <i style="text-indent: 0px !important;">Cadbury eggs</i> just floated through your head, didn't it?) </div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-indent: 0px !important;">It wasn't so much about that cute little bunny I'll bet.</div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-indent: 0px !important;">Have <i style="text-indent: 0px !important;">you</i> been into the grocery store lately? It's a sugar wasteland. One ENORMOUS aisle (sometimes two!) is dedicated to all the Easter sweets the stores and manufacturers are intending to sell to (mainly) the parents of all the children who anxiously await the arrival of the Easter Bunny. </div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-indent: 0px !important;">Are you, or is someone <i style="text-indent: 0px !important;">you know</i>, one of those "splurge" buyers that purchases (mindlessly) every sugary, high-fructose, nutrient-free, high-in-dyes and chemically poisoned treats for your loved one? (Doesn't sound so appealing when I write it that way, does it?) </div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-indent: 0px !important;">How about if I say, as I try to be more "holiday correct" for all of the Easter lovers out there:</div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-indent: 0px !important;">Did you know that dental cavities, tooth decay, obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and even vitamin and mineral deficiencies occur when these high-sugar foods replace more nutritionally balanced foods on this <i style="text-indent: 0px !important;">hoppy</i> (a little Easter humor) - I mean, <i style="text-indent: 0px !important;">happy</i> holiday? (Oh, that's not much better is it?)</div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-indent: 0px !important;">I'm not anti-Easter. I think Easter is great! (If you're a dentist.)</div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-indent: 0px !important;">Seriously, here is what I have learned over the years. Any parents reading this? When you buy Easter candy for your children.. how much do YOU eat?</div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-indent: 0px !important;">DO you buy extra? "Oh, just in case." Gosh, you never know when another child might<i style="text-indent: 0px !important;"> pop up</i> who might need some high fructose sweet treats too. Perhaps the neighbor child. Oh! That would be attempted murder, right?</div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-indent: 0px !important;">How about this year, we try something new? Instead of candy-filled baskets, what if we replaced<i style="text-indent: 0px !important;"> the sugar fest</i> with coloring books, crayons, hair clips, even new T-shirts or shorts? Must it be candy? If you are buying for an adult, how about (thinking what I'd like) fabulous coffee beans, gift cards, car wash certificates, perfume/cologne? </div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-indent: 0px !important;">(I wonder if my kids read this.)</div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-indent: 0px !important;">I must add too, that sugars are hidden in different <i style="text-indent: 0px !important;">lingo</i>, which essentially does not sound so bad on the packaging. There are key words to watch out for. Ready? Brace yourself.</div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-indent: 0px !important;">Brown sugar, corn sweetener, corn syrup, dextrose, fructose, fruit-juice concentrate, glucose, high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS), honey, invert sugar, lactose, maltose, malt sugar, molasses, raw sugar, sucrose, cane sugar...</div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-indent: 0px !important;">This list is endless, don't you think?</div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-indent: 0px !important;">My memories of Easter are of my sisters and I coloring Easter eggs and staining our fingers multiple colors. Getting that new box of freshly sharpened crayons. (Thanks Mom.) Ahhh. The good 'ole days when Mom and Dad put an apple and an orange in the basket too...</div>Michelle Devinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09060136711526622448noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1997162583216830381.post-16624238762322505172011-04-04T10:06:00.000-07:002011-04-04T10:13:10.180-07:00Clean Eating<div style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCXNqvCC2oER8Rp72E9bfV3hSLNj91uL-wRjNjhOjZHRkNlIIddpDKdA-y7_-rYh_-Csk7gBzXNA-S7YH1LuayxJm-r2ojqO0wAj0qVlhHPmkaC6DL-TV8WkzKqR-8DU0WCTNUMJ8i7_Yt/s1600/GetAttachment-2.aspx.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCXNqvCC2oER8Rp72E9bfV3hSLNj91uL-wRjNjhOjZHRkNlIIddpDKdA-y7_-rYh_-Csk7gBzXNA-S7YH1LuayxJm-r2ojqO0wAj0qVlhHPmkaC6DL-TV8WkzKqR-8DU0WCTNUMJ8i7_Yt/s1600/GetAttachment-2.aspx.jpeg" /></a></div>It's no secret I am a low-carb eater. I avoid sugar. I do not eat processed grains. I do not eat processed foods, and I prefer "slow food" to the alternative . I prefer raw over pasteurized, and "whole" over "low-fat". </div><div style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><br style="text-indent: 0px !important;" /></div><div style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px; text-indent: 0px !important;">Part of the reason was a diagnosis many years ago that I have celiac's disease. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 0px !important;">Celiac disease is a digestive disease that damages the small intestine and interferes with absorption of nutrients from food. People, like me, who have celiac disease cannot tolerate gluten, a protein in wheat, rye, and barley. Gluten is found mainly in foods but may also be found in everyday products such as medicines, vitamins, make-up and lip balms. </span>In simple terms, it means I am allergic to <i style="text-indent: 0px !important;">wheat gluten</i>. The truth is, I stayed away from the gluten-heavy foods regardless, but they have a way of sneaking into even the healthiest lifestyle and diet.</div><div style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><br style="text-indent: 0px !important;" /></div><div style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px; text-indent: 0px !important;">Celiac disease affects people in all parts of the worlds, all genders, all races. Originally it was thought to be a rare childhood symptom, but now celiac disease is known to be a common disorder. More than two million people in the United States have the allergy, or about 1 in 133 people. People who have a relative - a parent, sibling or child - diagnosed with celiac disease (brace yourself) - the stats are about 1 in 22 that it may affect you or a family member in your/their lifetime. (I suppose I should warn my kids..)</div><div style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><br style="text-indent: 0px !important;" /></div><div style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px; text-indent: 0px !important;">It is a common myth that while having Celiacs, you are unable to eat "regular food". Typically the "regular" referred to, is pure over-processed junk. Breads, pasta, cookies, crackers, etc... When I have a nutrition client who needs to lose weight - even before my celiac diagnosis, I pulled them off these foods. (And sugar. But I am <i style="text-indent: 0px !important;">very</i> vocal on my <i style="text-indent: 0px !important;">dislike</i> for sugar-filled diets.)</div><div style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px; text-indent: 0px !important;">If you are wondering why you are carrying extra weight around your middle, yes -your belly, your thighs and butt - why don't you refer back to what you are eating? </div><div style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px; text-indent: 0px !important;">Are they the items I just mentioned? Do you feel sluggish a few hours after you eat? It's certain WHAT you are eating, not how much, or what time you've eaten. (Another myth to chat about in a later blog.)</div><div style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><br style="text-indent: 0px !important;" /></div><div style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px; text-indent: 0px !important;">Despite restrictions, I can still eat a well balanced diet with a variety of foods. Typically, I eat a diet HIGH in vegetables, lean organic meats, fruits, and nuts. </div><div style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><br style="text-indent: 0px !important;" /></div><div style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px; text-indent: 0px !important;">The problem with a gluten-free diet is the amount of gluten-free JUNK FOOD out there! You can find gluten free foods in almost any mainstream store - pasta, cookies, pretzels, etc. Mainly made with rice or soy - but all <i style="text-indent: 0px !important;">processed junk</i>, in my humble opinion. Great in a pinch, but <i style="text-indent: 0px !important;">processed junk</i> overall. High in chemicals and preservatives, and also high in sugars. Acceptable grains would include quinoa, amaranth and brown rice. Still that jumps the carbs way up, so it's essentially a choice. </div><div style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px; text-indent: 0px !important;">Remember, the higher the carbohydrate value, the easier that food is converted to sugar to fat. Sort of like trading one evil for another, isn't it?</div><div style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><br style="text-indent: 0px !important;" /></div><div style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px; text-indent: 0px !important;">I use the term "eating clean". This means <i style="text-indent: 0px !important;">as simple as nature intended</i>. Vegetables, fruits, nuts, meats. Caveman-like. If it comes in a box... well, it really isn't food, is it? Did the box grow from the ground with food already in it? How silly is that notion?</div><div style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: 0px !important;"><br style="text-indent: 0px !important;" /></span></div><div style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small; text-indent: 0px !important;"></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small; text-indent: 0px !important;"></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small; text-indent: 0px !important;"></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small; text-indent: 0px !important;"><div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px !important; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-indent: 0px !important;">At certain periods in my life, I ruminate fondly on certain foods and that I may actually "miss" them. (I'm laughing again.) For example, freshly baked bread. I LOVE that smell. I realized, over time, I adore the <u style="text-indent: 0px !important;">smell</u> of freshly baked bread more than the <i style="text-indent: 0px !important;">actual</i> bread itself. I call bread a "filler food". Is it really packed with nutrients? No. </div><div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px !important; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-indent: 0px !important;">Does the waiter in a restaurant bring you a basket of bread because he wants to give you a nutrient-dense food that is healthy for you? (HAHA). Um, no. He wants to fill your belly with bread so they can scale down the portion size of the food he will be bringing you after you order from the restaurant menu.</div><div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px !important; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-indent: 0px !important;"><br style="text-indent: 0px !important;" /></div><div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px !important; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-indent: 0px !important;">The food I have missed is... PIZZA. Pizza. </div><div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px !important; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-indent: 0px !important;">True, gluten-free pizza crust is out in the mainstream market, but is it healthy? (No. Not so much.) </div><div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px !important; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-indent: 0px !important;">I found, on a gluten-free website, a crust that is made from CAULIFLOWER. I've made this pizza crust on about 6 or 7 occasions now. It is FABULOUS. </div><div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px !important; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-indent: 0px !important;"><br style="text-indent: 0px !important;" /></div><div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px !important; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-indent: 0px !important;">After I make the crust, I add a low-sugar sauce, spinach, mushrooms, red peppers, onions, tomatoes, jalapenos and yes, even cheese. Take a look at the pic of my last pizza? YOU know you would eat that! Would you miss the "bready" crust? No! You receive a healthy burst of flavor and one of the healthiest low-carb pizzas on the planet.</div><div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px !important; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-indent: 0px !important;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px !important; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-indent: 0px !important;">Here is the recipe:</div><div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px !important; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-indent: 0px !important;">http://www.examiner.com/low-carb-in-national/cauliflower-pizza-crust-worth-its-wow-gold</div><div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px !important; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-indent: 0px !important;"><br style="text-indent: 0px !important;" /></div><div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px !important; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-indent: 0px !important;">Eat healthy today! Think before you snack. Fuel your body. :)</div><div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px !important; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-indent: 0px !important;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px !important; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-indent: 0px !important;"><br />
</div></span></span></div>Michelle Devinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09060136711526622448noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1997162583216830381.post-40361149126836525002011-04-03T18:37:00.000-07:002011-04-03T19:21:13.959-07:00Barefoot Running. Vibram Five Fingers. Running Shoes. In that order.<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG551BCVthCYibuAJQ0O6yWS8mON8B2GFjxD_HLS9pnYCLgD3PmlPb3-ochHegszKpUdoP7gAjrbGDXtKhxgknv9EDS1jPlYaWsCTGbn9hIbHMB1DgJ1idlBKzomsY07-s6NRXALfXrYz5/s1600/Photo+100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG551BCVthCYibuAJQ0O6yWS8mON8B2GFjxD_HLS9pnYCLgD3PmlPb3-ochHegszKpUdoP7gAjrbGDXtKhxgknv9EDS1jPlYaWsCTGbn9hIbHMB1DgJ1idlBKzomsY07-s6NRXALfXrYz5/s320/Photo+100.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Alas, I have a new fitness endeavor. Barefoot running. Not<i style="text-indent: 0px !important;"> just</i> wearing the Vibram Five Fingers, mind you - I am speaking of complete, naked-toed, barefoot running. </div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-indent: 0px !important;">True, I've been a runner for (ahem) decades, but this is a feat (pun intended) I've been wanting to try, and make a part of my regime. </div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-indent: 0px !important;">And yes, I do love to run; running is my therapist. So this is not too far off my beaten path. (Ha! Another pun.)</div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-indent: 0px !important;">Studies have shown that those (rebels like me) who run barefoot, or in minimal footwear, tend to avoid "heel-striking," and instead land on the ball of the foot or the middle of the foot. In so doing, we use the architecture of the foot and leg and some clever Newtonian physics to avoid hurtful and potentially damaging impacts, equivalent to two to three times body weight, that shod heel-strikers repeatedly experience. DO you really believe the <i style="text-indent: 0px !important;">shifty cross-eyed shoe salesman </i>who tells you a "high arch" shoe is what you need? STOP! What YOU need is a stronger foot, NOT a stronger shoe. How about orthotics? Have you bought into that nonsense too? (Sorry to all the Podiatrists out there.)</div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-indent: 0px !important;">Runners who don't wear shoes when they "hit the road" have an completely differently stride and strike. You will just see that by taking off your shoes and walking down roads and sidewalks. Note the way you walk. Even notice when you are at home and walking barefoot? See the difference? </div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-indent: 0px !important;">We have become such a culture of SHOES. Aren't YOU ready to take them off?</div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-indent: 0px !important;">We tested this theory this weekend, a girlfriend and I, by ditching the shoes and walking (and slowly jogging) barefoot on an airport taxi-way. (Yes, a taxi-way. Nice even surface, though rather warm.)</div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-indent: 0px !important;">My "puppy pads" on my soles are quite tender after being pampered in the Vibrams, even though I anticipated I would have an easier time since I wear the Vibram Five Fingers at least five days per week, all day. Now, I have one blister on my left heel - but not your typical blister. A morphed water blister deep in the heel, and one on the side of my right sole. I believe the blisters formed when we just stood on the hot blacktopped taxi-way, comparing the difference in the way the earth felt in bare feet and then in our former shoes..</div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-indent: 0px !important;">Most people today, the <i style="text-indent: 0px !important;">naysayers</i>, (I'm laughing now. You just can't hear me..) think barefoot running is dangerous and will hurt, but actually, you <i style="text-indent: 0px !important;">can</i> run barefoot on the world's hardest surfaces without the slightest discomfort and pain. But slowly, and<i style="text-indent: 0px !important;"> with practice</i>. All you need is a few calluses to avoid roughing up the outer skin of the foot. And build new calluses! Further, it might be less injurious than the way some people run in shoes.</div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-indent: 0px !important;">Running barefoot or in minimal shoes is fun and uses different muscles. If you've been a heel-striker all your life, or are just an inefficient runner, you have to transition slowly to build strength in your calf and foot muscles. </div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-indent: 0px !important;">The next time you are ready to lace up your shoes, how about taking them OFF, just briefly, and feel the earth beneath your feet?</div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><br style="text-indent: 0px !important;" /></div>Michelle Devinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09060136711526622448noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1997162583216830381.post-49077107366004530352011-03-29T21:27:00.000-07:002011-03-29T22:06:11.973-07:00The Dirty Little Secret(s) About The Microwave<div style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px; text-indent: 0px !important;">Invented in 1946 (by the German's), the <i style="text-indent: 0px !important;">microwave</i> became an instant hit in the United States and around the world for the <i style="text-indent: 0px !important;">convenience</i> of fast cooking methods.</div><div style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><div style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #505050; font-family: Arial, Helvetica; font-size: small; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 21px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: small; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px !important;"><br style="text-indent: 0px !important;" /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><div style="text-indent: 0px !important;">I have a microwave, as do millions of other people in the world. (I assume YOU - yes, YOU, who is reading this... do you have a microwave?) Do you hear that little voice in your head that tells you not to <i style="text-indent: 0px !important;">stand in front of it</i> while it's on? Why do you think that is? Where did that come from? We hear little buzz words here and there, but let's chat first about what a microwave is, and what it does to your food or beverages. </div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><br style="text-indent: 0px !important;" /></div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important;">Microwave ovens create an electromagnetic field. They employ waves of electrical and magnetic energy in a contained space. The term "microwave oven" came from the term "microwaves" which are <i style="text-indent: 0px !important;">short waves</i> of electromagnetic energy (also used in cell phones and radar detectors, to name a few..) that cause water to oscillate at an extremely high rate, creating heat. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important;">Microwave ovens work by passing microwave-band electromagnetic radiation over the food at 2.5 GHz. Molecules that are "electric dipoles", of which water is the most efficient, rotate back and forth in this field. The friction between them creates heat. This is called dielectric heating.</span></div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important;">Food with the highest water content does heat up the quickest, so a food like a "Hot Pocket" (my son used to eat those) which feels slightly warm to the touch on the outside has scalding hot cheese and meat on the inside. (A reminder to be careful with some foods, as that is just asking for a dose of food poisoning..)</div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><br style="text-indent: 0px !important;" /></div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important;">In studies, it has been found that by using the microwave to cook vegetables, you are losing more than 90% of the vegetables nutrients, especially if you had any water in them. The microwave radiation goes into the vegetables and destroys all but a tiny amount of the natural nutrients your body uses to fight disease, replenish cells and more. How can you fix this? </div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important;">STOP using the microwave to cook vegetables and steam them, bake them, broil them or serve them raw. </div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important;">Raw is the best way.</div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><br style="text-indent: 0px !important;" /></div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important;">It has also been found that re-heating steak, hamburger or turkey in the microwave actually destroy all of the animal protein that the meat would have to offer if you<i style="text-indent: 0px !important;"> didn't </i>microwave it. The best way to re-heat your meal is just wrapping it up in foil and putting it back in the oven for a few minutes before you serve it. But in the world of fast, "I need it now", it doesn't happen as often as it should.</div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><br style="text-indent: 0px !important;" /></div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important;">Take a look at your microwave? How old IS it? Older microwaves are known to leak radiation. Did you know your microwave should be CHECKED every two years to see if it is exposing EMF's (electromagnetic fields) to you or to the people in your household? How about those houses that still have a microwave from the 1980's? </div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important;">Am I starting to scare you a little? Would YOU stand in from of that one?</div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><br style="text-indent: 0px !important;" /></div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important;">Another scary fact about microwave is the leakage factor. Did you know the leakage factor is about six feet in length while the microwave is running? Does that mean we should all run into the next room while the microwave is on? (I'm thinking about that one now.)</div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><br style="text-indent: 0px !important;" /></div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important;">And what about what you put in the microwave? Try to use <u style="text-indent: 0px !important;">glass</u>. NOT Plastics. If you do, look at the bottom of the plastic containers. Look for <i style="text-indent: 0px !important;">numbers</i> in the recycling arrow on the product. The numbers currently considered safe by the scientific community are #2, #4, and #5. Stay away from #1, #3, #6 and #7. If you don't see a number, call up the manufacturer and ask what it is. Treat plastic gently; the more you bang it up, the more likely it is to leach its chemical components into our food. </div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><br style="text-indent: 0px !important;" /></div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important;">(I will write about this in the future.)</div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important;">And, listen, you should <i style="text-indent: 0px !important;">never</i> really put plastics in the microwave (even #3, #4 and #5) EVEN if it says "microwave safe". That just means how much heat it can withstand, not that it won't release its chemicals into your meal. Also scary, isn't it?</div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><br style="text-indent: 0px !important;" /></div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important;">Are you heating up something tonight in the microwave?</div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><br style="text-indent: 0px !important;" /></div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #62421b; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-indent: 0px !important;">More information on the Dangers of Microwaves: http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2010/05/18/microwave-hazards.aspx</span></span></div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #62421b; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><br style="text-indent: 0px !important;" /></span></span></div></div></div>Michelle Devinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09060136711526622448noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1997162583216830381.post-215717559651587402011-03-28T16:05:00.000-07:002011-03-28T17:05:56.723-07:00Cravings. Have any?<div style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15px; text-indent: 0px !important;">Everyone has food cravings. You've been there, yes? "I'm dying for Mexican food!" or "Is there anything salty in the house?" or the typical..."What I wouldn't give for a piece of chocolate!"</span></span></div><div style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15px; text-indent: 0px !important;">Have you ever driven to the store in the wee hours of the night to satisfy a food craving? </span></span></div><div style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15px; text-indent: 0px !important;">I used to live next door to a family that would do "grocery store runs" for ice cream, brownies, chocolate sauce and whipped cream after nine p.m. on a hot summer night. (Shaking my head in disbelief..)</span></span></div><div style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15px; text-indent: 0px !important;">Just recently I had a client pick up his phone to read a message from his wife asking him to stop on the way home for a "fast food" fix. Seriously? What happened to regular meals? And healthy snacks?</span></span></div><div style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><br style="line-height: 15px; text-indent: 0px !important;" /></span></span></div><div style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15px; text-indent: 0px !important;">Food cravings mean that the body has its signals mixed up. When we are exhausted, sleep deprived, or blue, we have low blood sugar or even low serotonin, and the mind and body signal to the brain that it needs a quick fix. This signal starts the sugar and carb craving. I mention serotonin. What is that? I call it the "feel good hormone". If serotonin is low, we feel sad, lethargic and even depressed. Even hormonal imbalances can trigger the drop in serotonin. Eating simple sugars and empty (simple) carbohydrates release a short burst of serotonin. You'll feel good for a brief moment, but you'll soon return to the low serotonin state, then crave more sugar and more empty carbs. What a vicious cycle that becomes.</span></span></div><div style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><br style="line-height: 15px; text-indent: 0px !important;" /></span></span></div><div style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15px; text-indent: 0px !important;">Thus the change we need to make in our diet. When I say "diet", I mean the WAY YOU EAT. Not a temporary fix. </span></span></div><div style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><br style="line-height: 15px; text-indent: 0px !important;" /></span></span></div><div style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15px; text-indent: 0px !important;">So I will veer off slightly and address the low-fat diet. The worst of the bunch, in my humble opinion. Just hearing the words "low fat" or "non-fat" makes my upper lip tremble a bit.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; text-indent: 0px !important;"> (Low-fat means HIGH carbohydrate, in most cases.)</span></div><div style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; text-indent: 0px !important;">Insulin resistance is what is responsible for the low-fat, high-carb eater. I believe that the low fat dieter, after years of eating a low-fat and HIGH carb diet (and let's not forget the fad dieters) have become, or partially become insulin resistant. Insulin is responsible for maintaining stable blood sugar levels by telling the body's cells when to absorb sugar (yes, glucose) from the bloodstream. Being insulin resistant means your body stops responding to insulin, and instead grabs every calorie it can - and then deposits it as fat. Really! No matter how much you eat, it will be deposited as fat. Essentially, it's feeding your fat cells. This keeps the cycle of persistent food cravings active as your cells cannot absorb the glucose they need, so they signal your brain that you need MORE carbohydrates and sugars. Brutal, isn't it?</span></span></div><div style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><br style="text-indent: 0px !important;" /></span></span></div><div style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; text-indent: 0px !important;">Toss out the junk food and restock your refrigerator and pantry with almonds and other nuts, cheese, fruits and vegetables. </span></span></div><div style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; text-indent: 0px !important;">Purchase chicken, pork, beef, tuna, salmon, and keep plenty of meats in your freezer. Sometimes all it takes is one habit to change another habit, to create another habit, and so on.</span></span></div><div style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><br style="text-indent: 0px !important;" /></span></span></div><div style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; text-indent: 0px !important;">What are you craving these days? It speaks volumes. Salty? Sugary? Is is about texture? Convenience? </span></span></div><div style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; text-indent: 0px !important;">Let's first start to separate whether it is a low-fat empty carb or a healthy "whole" food.</span></span></div><div><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><br />
</span></span></div>Michelle Devinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09060136711526622448noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1997162583216830381.post-60147695710306509162011-03-26T15:15:00.000-07:002011-03-26T17:30:33.109-07:00Organic vs. Non-Organic. Where do you stand?<div style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1.35em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-indent: 0px !important;">Did you know the number of organic farmers has <i style="text-indent: 0px !important;">more</i> than doubled in the past decade? Still, there is so much controversy about organic vs. non-organic. What do you believe? Is it the same? What about the difference between organic meats vs. organic fruits and vegetables? Is one invariably safer than the other?</div><div style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1.35em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-indent: 0px !important;">Here's what I know about the agricultural industry farming in the "land of organic" field of dreams.</div><div style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1.35em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-indent: 0px !important;">There are a number of ways our foods are contaminated:</div><div style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1.35em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-indent: 0px !important;">We use a plethora of pesticides and herbicides. Mainly to kill weeds and control the insect population on the crops themselves. The FDA has since banned many of the chemicals from being used in the United States, but since so many crops are imported, they come into our country, and still <i style="text-indent: 0px !important;">do</i> contain these chemicals and toxins.</div><div style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1.35em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-indent: 0px !important;">After the FDA banned toxic chemical spraying, we used sewage. (Feces, yes. Disgusting. Or is that just me?) Initially, the idea of using human waste as fertilizer for non-organic crops was an easy fix, easy to obtain, but now the FDA states that by doing so, we have contributed to chronic illnesses in the general population. I tried to research exactly WHAT the chronic illnesses were, but that remains a mystery as to why I cannot find published facts.</div><div style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1.35em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-indent: 0px !important;">The next problem, and the one I have the biggest issue with is MEAT products. The use of hormones, antibiotics and even feeding the remains of animals to OTHER animals.</div><div style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1.35em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-indent: 0px !important;">(Yes, scary but true. What did you <i style="text-indent: 0px !important;">think</i> you were eating?) </div><div style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1.35em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-indent: 0px !important;">By using hormones, this was a way to fatten up the animals to have them pop up to "market size" for butchering (or milking) earlier than what was intended by nature. Hormones (the equivalent of human steroids, as we know them) are typically injected into animals to fatten them up fast, and create massive growth spurts. The antibiotics came into play in order to actually keep the animals <i style="text-indent: 0px !important;">alive</i>. The controversy with this is, if we give the animal the antibiotics and hormones, and we slaughter them for food - aren't we getting a (un)healthy dose of antibiotics as well? Yes. Yes, we are. </div><div style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1.35em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-indent: 0px !important;">This is one of the fights in the organic community. We are becoming <i style="text-indent: 0px !important;">immune resistant</i> to antibiotics and their bacteria fighting abilities because our bodies are ingesting them in quantities that the human body was never meant to adapt to!</div><div style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1.35em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-indent: 0px !important;">I'm a little miffed at the "feeding of an animal carcass" to another animal. Did we learn nothing from the mad cow disease scares throughout the years? We don't still do THAT, do we?</div><div style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1.35em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-indent: 0px !important;">Lastly, we've all heard about irradiation. Did you know that many of out foods are radiated to kill bacteria that may be present? Radiated.<br />
This will be a topic I will revisit again in a future blog..</div><div style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1.35em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-indent: 0px !important;">(Shaking my head in disbelief...)</div><div style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1.35em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-indent: 0px !important;">There is a saying in the food industry, calling particular foods, mainly vegetables and fruit: "The Dirty Dozen". </div><div style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1.35em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-indent: 0px !important;">Do you know what that means?</div><div style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1.35em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-indent: 0px !important;">These are the fruits and vegetables that are thought to contain the most chemicals and pesticides. You might be surprised.</div><div style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1.35em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-indent: 0px !important;">Listed below are the TWELVE:</div><div style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1.35em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-indent: 0px !important;">Apples. Peaches. Spinach. Kale. Bell Peppers. Strawberries. Nectarines. Cherries. Potatoes. Grapes. Blueberries... And the number one offender, CELERY.</div><div style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1.35em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-indent: 0px !important;">Will you think <b>twice</b> the next time you shop at the store?</div><div style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1.35em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-indent: 0px !important;">Organic? Or non-organic?</div><div style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1.35em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-indent: 0px !important;"><br style="text-indent: 0px !important;" /></div><div style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1.35em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-indent: 0px !important;"><br style="text-indent: 0px !important;" /></div>Michelle Devinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09060136711526622448noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1997162583216830381.post-18746895401958100692011-03-25T10:29:00.000-07:002011-03-26T14:29:54.694-07:00Why are we afraid of FAT in our diet? Case-in-point: HEALTHY FAT vs The Low-Fat DIET<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Why are we so afraid of fat? I rant often on the silly low-fat dieting craze.</span><br />
<div style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><br style="line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important;" /></div><div style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important;">Have you ever met someone who <i style="font-style: italic; line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important;">always</i> has a cold, a sore throat, an ache, low energy? </div><div style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important;">Chances are, part of the problem is they don't eat enough <i style="font-style: italic; line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important;">healthy fat</i> in their diet.</div><div style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><br style="line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important;" /></div><div style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important;">A few months ago, I was in Starbucks and overheard a woman commiserating with her friend how she is "cutting out the fat" in her diet. (I cringed.)</div><div style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important;">She ordered a beverage high in sugar and then tossed out the words "non-fat" at the end of her drink order. </div><div style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important;">In the same conversation, she coughed a hard phlegmy cough and blew her nose. Coincidence? Maybe. Maybe not. </div><div style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><br style="line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important;" /></div><div style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important;">The myth, too, of her "non-fat" order, is that she was doing something good for her body. In truth, the sugar-fest she ordered will be converted directly to sugar(s) and feed her fat cells. </div><div style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><br style="line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important;" /></div><div style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important;">But what else does fat do?</div><div style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><br style="line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important;" /></div><div style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important;">What is fat? And <i style="text-indent: 0px !important;">why</i> do we think fat will make us fat?</div><div style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, serif; font-size: medium; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: small; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><br style="line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important;" /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important;">There are essentially two kinds of fat. UNSATURATED and SATURATED fat.. Unsaturated is the <u style="line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important;">HEALTHY</u> fat. </div><div style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important;">(Pay attention - there will be a quiz.) </div><div style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><br style="line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important;" /></div><div style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; text-indent: 0px !important;">Unsaturated fat is found in plant foods and fish and healthy oils. These are good for heart health. You want a healthy heart, yes?</span></div><div style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; text-indent: 0px !important;">The best of the unsaturated fats are found in olive oil, albacore tuna, salmon, avocado and nuts. </span></div><div style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><br style="line-height: 15px; text-indent: 0px !important;" /></span></div><div style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; text-indent: 0px !important;">Now to the "bad" fat". Saturated. Saturated fats </span><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; text-indent: 0px !important;">are found in some animal products (non-organic), foods with palm oil and the like, and often used in commercial baked goods (the kind you buy at the store). Eating too much saturated fat can raise blood cholesterol levels and increase the risk of heart disease. </span></div><div style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; text-indent: 0px !important;">They are from unnatural sources - or "artificial" sources. (Think.. "manufactured food.") </span></div><div style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; text-indent: 0px !important;">Most artificial saturated fats are created through a man-made chemical process and have been shown to <i style="font-style: italic; line-height: 15px; text-indent: 0px !important;">increase</i> bad cholesterol and <i style="font-style: italic; line-height: 15px; text-indent: 0px !important;">decrease</i> good cholesterol.</span></div><div style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; text-indent: 0px !important;">Examples of "BAD" fats are anything with partially hydrogenated vegetable oil, such as shortenings and margarines. (Been to a bakery lately?)</span></div><div style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><br style="line-height: 15px; text-indent: 0px !important;" /></span></div><div style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; text-indent: 0px !important;">But here's the straight facts:</span></div><div style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; text-indent: 0px !important;">"HEALTHY" fat DOES provide needed energy. Are you dragging throughout the day? Are your workouts particularly difficult?</span></div><div style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; text-indent: 0px !important;">It <i style="text-indent: 0px !important;">is </i>difficult to retain the energy you need on a high fat diet. A diet low in fat also may trigger food cravings.</span></div><div style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><br style="line-height: 15px; text-indent: 0px !important;" /></span></div><div style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; text-indent: 0px !important;">Fat stays in your stomach longer, keeping you satisfied and preventing hunger between meals. Are you a constant snacker? What are you snacking on?</span></div><div style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><br style="line-height: 15px; text-indent: 0px !important;" /></span></div><div style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; text-indent: 0px !important;">Fat is needed to prevent essential fatty acid deficiency and helps your body absorb the fat soluable vitamins A, D, E, and K. </span></div><div style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; text-indent: 0px !important;">Since they are soluable in fat, they are absorbed by the body from the intestinal tract. They follow the same path of absorption as fat. </span></div><div style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><br style="line-height: 15px; text-indent: 0px !important;" /></span></div><div style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; text-indent: 0px !important;">(Do not confuse these with water-soluable vitamins. By contrast, water soluable vitamins dissolve in water and are not stored; they are eliminated in your urine. We need a continuous supply of them in our diets. The water soluable vitamins are the B-Complex group and Vitamin C.)</span></div><div style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><br style="line-height: 15px; text-indent: 0px !important;" /></span></div><div style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; text-indent: 0px !important;">So what is the bottom line? We NEED fat in our bodies. Healthy fats. Fat provides flavor and texture as well to prevent food from being bland and dry. Fat provides back-up energy if blood sugar supplies run out, usually four to six hours without food. It also provides insulation in the skin from the heat and cold. Have you noticed your body's temperature gadge is off?</span></span></div><div style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><br style="line-height: 15px; text-indent: 0px !important;" /></span></span></div><div style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; text-indent: 0px !important;">Did you know you need a supply of healthy fat in your diet to BURN fat?</span></span></div><div style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><br style="line-height: 15px; text-indent: 0px !important;" /></span></span></div><div style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; text-indent: 0px !important;">Now take a look at your diet. How much<i style="text-indent: 0px !important;"> healthy fat</i> are you eating to keep your body running like the the efficient machine for which it was intended?</span></span></div><div style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><br style="text-indent: 0px !important;" /></span></span></div><div style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; text-indent: 0px !important;">Tell me now which HEALTHY FATS are in YOUR diet?</span></span></div><div style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><br style="line-height: 15px; text-indent: 0px !important;" /></span></span></div>Michelle Devinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09060136711526622448noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1997162583216830381.post-15946658145685251482011-03-24T08:42:00.001-07:002011-03-24T15:23:57.466-07:00The Mystery and Simplicity of Body Mass Index (BMI)<div style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px !important; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="yellowFade" style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><span style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="FadeWordContainer" style="position: relative; text-indent: 0px !important;">BMI</span></span></span> is the common term given to <u style="text-indent: 0px !important;">Body Mass Index</u>, a number calculated from your weight and height that roughly correlates to the percentage of your total weight that comes from fat, as opposed to muscle or bone. The higher your <span class="yellowFade" style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><span style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="FadeWordContainer" style="position: relative; text-indent: 0px !important;">BMI</span></span></span>, the higher the percentage of fat in your body. </div><div style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px !important; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-indent: 0px !important;">It comes down to this:</div><div style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px !important; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-indent: 0px !important;">If your <span class="yellowFade" style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><span style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="FadeWordContainer" style="position: relative; text-indent: 0px !important;">BMI</span></span></span> is under 20, you might be underweight. </div><div style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px !important; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-indent: 0px !important;">Between 20 and 25, you are probably at a good healthy weight for your height. </div><div style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px !important; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-indent: 0px !important;">A <span class="yellowFade" style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><span style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="FadeWordContainer" style="position: relative; text-indent: 0px !important;">BMI</span></span></span> over 25 is considered overweight, and <u style="text-indent: 0px !important;">over</u> 35 is considered obese.</div><div style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px !important; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-indent: 0px !important;"><br style="text-indent: 0px !important;" /></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px !important; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-indent: 0px !important;">There is a simple tool to calculate a rough translations of true percentage of BMI, and a number of factors that might influence whether or not your <span class="yellowFade" style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><span style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="FadeWordContainer" style="position: relative; text-indent: 0px !important;">BMI</span></span></span> is a true reflection of your total body fat.</div><div style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px !important; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-indent: 0px !important;"><br style="text-indent: 0px !important;" /></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px !important; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-indent: 0px !important;">The calculation is pretty standard. Here is the simplified version from the Center for Disease Control:<br />
(cut and paste into your browser)</div><div style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px !important; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-indent: 0px !important;"><br style="text-indent: 0px !important;" /></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px !important; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-indent: 0px !important;">http://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/assessing/bmi/adult_bmi/english_bmi_calculator/bmi_calculator.html</div><div style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px !important; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-indent: 0px !important;"><br style="text-indent: 0px !important;" /></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px !important; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-indent: 0px !important;"><br style="text-indent: 0px !important;" /></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px !important; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-indent: 0px !important;"></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px !important; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-indent: 0px !important;">Now REMEMBER muscle is<u style="text-indent: 0px !important;"> denser</u> than fat and takes up less space. Therefore, a heavily muscled person might weigh more than a same sized over-weight person, or two individuals with identical <span class="yellowFade" style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><span style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="FadeWordContainer" style="position: relative; text-indent: 0px !important;">BMI</span></span></span> might have widely different percent body fat. </div><div style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px !important; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-indent: 0px !important;">In this case, calculating your percent body-fat might require more sophisticated equipment, such as an immersion tank. (Under water. Yes, I did that. Not fun. Thought I was drowning.) Since fat is more buoyant than muscle, two same-weight individuals will not float at the same level if they have different percentages of body fat.</div><div style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px !important; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-indent: 0px !important;"><br style="text-indent: 0px !important;" /></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px !important; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-indent: 0px !important;">Women typically carry more fat (subcutaneous) than men do, particularly in the breast and hips, so their percent body fat may be higher without it necessarily being reflected in their <span class="yellowFade" style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><span style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="FadeWordContainer" style="position: relative; text-indent: 0px !important;">BMI</span></span></span> or having any adverse health effects. Very low body fat, which may or may not show up in a <span class="yellowFade" style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><span style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><span class="FadeWordContainer" style="position: relative; text-indent: 0px !important;">BMI</span></span></span>, depending on the individual's musculature, might be unhealthy as well. Your body needs some stores of fat to draw upon for energy and if fat is absent, the body will begin to consume muscle mass to keep itself going.</div><div style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px !important; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-indent: 0px !important;"><br style="text-indent: 0px !important;" /></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px !important; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-indent: 0px !important;">Calculate YOUR BMI, and let's start there...</div><div style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"></div>Michelle Devinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09060136711526622448noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1997162583216830381.post-83479551827684512312011-03-22T21:18:00.000-07:002011-03-22T22:29:39.282-07:00The Dilemma of Protein Bars<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">When is the last time you ventured down the protein bar aisle in the health food store or grocery? </span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Brace yourself for what I'm about to write.</span></span></span></span><br />
<div style="line-height: 17px;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">You imagine you are purchasing something healthy, aren't you? <shaking you by the shoulders!></span></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 17px;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">That's why you are there, scanning the plethora of protein bar alternatives, isn't it? Searching for the healthy meal replacement or supplement?</span></span></span><br />
<div style="line-height: 17px;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br style="line-height: 17px;" /></span></span></span><br />
<div style="line-height: 17px;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Have you REALLY looked into the nutrition of that protein bar?</span></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 17px;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br style="line-height: 17px;" /></span></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 17px;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Chances are you're supplementing your diet with high fructose corn syrup and SUGAR, palm oil, and a plethora of chemical compounds..</span></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 17px;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Examples... Clif, Luna, MetRx, Lara...you name it..it's essentially garbage. Harsh statement, isn't it? (Sorry to those manufacturers. The truth hurts.)</span></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 17px;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Typically the main most potent ingredient is... (drum roll...) sugar. </span></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 17px;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Surprised?</span></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 17px;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br style="line-height: 17px;" /></span></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 17px;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Srpinkle in a few chemicals, a few unhealthy oils - or if you really want to add high sugar, ensure the bar is "binded" with fruit. </span></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 17px;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">That will jump up the sugar calories by double or triple.</span></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 17px;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br style="line-height: 17px;" /></span></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 17px;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Do you want to exercise hard, do well for your body in every other aspect of your health, and consume approximately 26+ grams of sugars?</span></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 17px;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br style="line-height: 17px;" /></span></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 17px;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">But there is so much more to be said. While these bars appear to be a nutritional equivalent to a balanced meal, they don't take the place of a nutrition varied diet of natural, minimally processed sources of protein, fat, carbs, vitamins and minerals. For example, many of these bars are fortified with the same vitamins and minerals found in fruits and vegetables, but they don't contain the phytochemicals, natural fiber and balance of nutrients, so their comparative health benefits are NOT the same.</span></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 17px;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span> </span></span></div><div style="line-height: 17px;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Most of the energy bars contain hydrogenated oils or partially hydrogenated palm oil, so even though the fat content of these bars is within reasonable limits, the percentage of saturate fat in the bar(s) can be quite high.</span></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 17px;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">But... if your choice is between a high fat, high salt typical fast food meal and an energy bar, you're better off choosing the protein bar, but they still don't contain the nutritional health benefits of a well chosen, varied diet of fresh fruits and vegetables, very lean sources of protein, nutrient dense complex carbs and good sources of fat. Enough said.</span></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 17px;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 17px;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="font-family: Garamond; line-height: normal;"><br style="line-height: 17px;" /></span></span></div></div></div>Michelle Devinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09060136711526622448noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1997162583216830381.post-33472511866075962602011-03-21T13:48:00.000-07:002011-03-21T13:50:15.660-07:00Did you forget how to eat? Random thoughts.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">f you answered "No" to the above question, I'd hate to be the bearer of bad news. (I will break the myth anyhow.) The answer is probably "YES". Remember in your early years.. the teens? The early twenties? Those were the years you could practically skate by on a poor diet. Your metabolism was faster. Your activity level was most likely higher. Fast food was easy. Slow food was a term that hadn't been coined yet.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are just four random tips I want to pass along:</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(Don't want to overwhelm you.)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1) E</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">at a diet of whole foods. Rather than fall back on the ‘easy’ snack - convenience foods of today. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What is WHOLE FOOD? </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Whole foods</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> are foods that are unprocessed, unrefined, and modified as little as possible. Whole foods typically do NOT contain added ingredients. Examples of whole foods include fruits, vegetables, nuts, organic meats and organic (and even raw) dairy. What is NOT a whole food? Crackers, chips, cereals, or frankly, anything in a BOX (think macaroni and cheese). If it is in a box, it is NOT food.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2) E</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">at PLENTY of fruits and vegetables. The phytonutrients that come from a diet rich in vegetables and fruits have been shown to decrease blood pressure, as well as protect against cancer, heart disease, diabetes and obesity. How many servings do YOU eat per day?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3) Don't be afraid of healthy fat! </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The first is to choose healthy fats over the unhealthy, saturated fats, when considering fat intake. Examples of healthy fats would be plant fats that have not been ‘hydrogenated’. Plant fats, essentially. Plant fats would include nuts,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> avocados</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, and olives. Raw nuts.. Not the nuts soaked in oil. (Insert gagging face here.)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4) STOP the sugar! Refined sugar. Sugar can suppress the immune system. Sugar can upset the body's mineral balance. Sugar can contribute to hyperactivity, depression, concentration problems and a rise in triglycerides. It is the number ONE contributor to weight gain and obesity. Really! Need I say more?</span>Michelle Devinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09060136711526622448noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1997162583216830381.post-34895783481751260632011-03-21T12:13:00.000-07:002011-03-21T12:13:16.729-07:00The Upside Down Food PyramidIs it just me? Or are there "others" that see the Food Pyramid as completely upside-down-backwards.. and just plain WRONG?<br />
Really? Grains on the bottom?<br />
That is intended to be the bulk of your food calories? Why don't we recalculate the food pyramid.<br />
I'd start with VEGETABLES and FRUITS on the bottom. Notice how I stated VEGETABLES first? Our FDA Pyramid states 6-11 servings of GRAINS per day. My response? <br />
"Do you WANT to be fat?"<br />
This, my friends, is the problem with the Food Pyramid. We eat these so-called "grains", but what they really are? PROCESSED grains.<br />
An example.. Cereal. Good or bad? What's your opinion? Let's just pick a cereal. How about the one with the wheat flakes and the sugar-coated raisins. You know which one I am referring to, yes?<br />
Well, that ..."wholesome-healthy-whole-grain-cereal-with raisins" is a SUGAR party and a processed-carbohydrate land mine. How does your body metabolize this? By converting it directly to sugar.. on to fat.<br />
Are we supposed to eat food that has vitamins (fortified, it states) that are SPRAYED on the flakes? Is that food? NO.<br />
Why don't we spend some time reconstructing what the definition of FOOD is...<br />
Here is the actual definition:<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 5px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 5px; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"><span class="hw" style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold;">food</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 5px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 5px; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 5px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 5px; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"><object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://fpdownload.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,0,0" height="21" style="margin-bottom: 1px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 1px; margin-top: 1px;" width="13"></object></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 5px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 5px; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 5px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 5px; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"><span class="pron" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(128, 158, 131); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; cursor: pointer;">(f<img align="absbottom" src="http://img.tfd.com/hm/GIF/oomacr.gif" />d)</span></span><br />
<div class="pseg" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 5px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 5px; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"><i>n.</i><div class="ds-list" style="margin-left: 1cm;"><b>1. </b>Material, usually of plant or animal origin, that contains or consists of essential body nutrients, such as carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, or minerals, and is ingested and assimilated by an organism to produce energy, stimulate growth, and maintain life.</div><div class="ds-list" style="margin-left: 1cm;"><b>2. </b>A specified kind of nourishment: <span class="illustration" style="color: #226699; font-style: italic;">breakfast food; plant food.</span></div><div class="ds-list" style="margin-left: 1cm;"><b>3. </b>Nourishment eaten in solid form: <span class="illustration" style="color: #226699; font-style: italic;">food and drink.</span></div><div class="ds-list" style="margin-left: 1cm;"><b>4. </b>Something that nourishes or sustains in a way suggestive of physical nourishment: <span class="illustration" style="color: #226699; font-style: italic;">food for thought; food for the soul.</span></div><div class="ds-list" style="margin-left: 1cm;"><span class="illustration" style="color: #226699; font-style: italic;"><br />
</span></div><div><b>Now tell me. Is the cereal real food?</b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #226699;"><i><br />
</i></span></div></div>Michelle Devinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09060136711526622448noreply@blogger.com0