My ‘Beef’ with Beef: Part 1

Up until now, I haven’t mentioned much about meat.  But, hear me out for my beef with beef.  As a pescatarian, I don’t eat beef (or poultry, other red meat, or other meat products), but surely loved a juicy Burger King whopper back in the day.  My personal lifestyle choice is in no way an affirmation of the way life should be lived, but for me, it’s the healthiest choice at the moment.  If I was in the position to afford grass-fed beef at $6.99/lb (my overwhelming student-loan debt is not as permitting for this kind of lifestyle), I would certainly eat beef in moderation.  But follow along for my story and my rationale...  

All the Time, Sometime, Almost Never

After reading a few of my posts, I can see how some may mistakenly consider me a food Nazi.  To argue otherwise, I enjoyed my favorite desserts (yes that's plural) on my previous trip to NYC and a few bites of my co-worker's Lay’s Hot & Spicy Barbecue flavored potato chips last week.  Judging from my typical lunch of lentils and brown rice, my co-worker assumed that I don’t eat chips, so he didn’t bother offering. However, I hadn’t had potato chips in over 6 months, so to his surprise, I was due for a few bites!  I further described the beginning days of my not-so-healthy, vegetarian lifestyle during high school filled with French fries and snacks such as potato chips.  

Twinkie, Anyone?

With my recent talk of sugar and the importance of eating real, I thought I would highlight a recent New York Times article demystifying the Twinkie.  The enlightening interview with Steve Ettlinger, author of the book "Twinkie, Deconstructed," gives credence to my previous mention of the chemical potpourri that lies within most of today's food-like substances.  Ettlinger discusses the use of industrial chemicals such as natural gas and petroleum as sources of organic material used in synthesizing common food additives. Regardless if you eat Twinkies or not, read more of this startling interview here, and I'm sure you'll never think of Twinkies (and other processed foods) in the same light!
  
Just a little food for thought on more reasons to "Eat Real (NOT a Chemistry Experiment)!!!"

All Sugars Are Not (Created) Equal: Part 2

It’s really a matter of what else you are (or aren’t) getting with the sugars you consume and who it’s created by when considering which carbohydrate-containing foods you decide to put into your system.  I interjected the word “created” above, because it’s a good rule of thumb to think of the ultimate creator of the foods that we consume.  How close is the product that you’re consuming to its original form in nature?  Is it made from whole wheat flour made from ground up grains, is it a fruit picked straight from the tree, is it a grain ground up and bleached to make white flour and made into something else even further, or as with most of the food-like substances of today, is it a host of substances and chemicals further manipulated by man. 

Banana Pancakes

Speaking of bananas in my previous post compelled me to post this surprisingly delicious pancake recipe that I enjoyed with my family (and friend) this weekend (along with cheese eggs and berry syrup).  I say surprisingly because I certainly have tried some healthy, whole-wheat pancake recipes that I would never try again.  This simple, yet yummy recipe, was a pleasant surprise that I hope you can enjoy with you and yours in the future.   

All Sugars Are Not Equal: Part 1

I saw it all too often during my days as a personal fitness coach.  The avid Weight Watchers participant who sat across the table from me adamant about not eating bananas because they were worth three points instead of one.  (I was certainly relieved when Weight Watchers changed their system for a majority of fruit and vegetables to be free, no point foods.) My clients would often argue that they preferred to save their points for other foods, such as (artificial-, and chemically-laden) Weight Watchers bars or not-as-healthy dinners.  Blindly only considering the demonized nutrient of the moment, these well-intentioned weight loss enthusiasts would overlook the potassium, vitamin C, B-6, and resistant starches (indigestible starches that are found in more green bananas) that also reside within bananas.

Recipe For Happiness

For you ultimate pessimists reading this, perhaps you should skip this entry to prevent slight nausea and potential vomiting.  But on the other hand, perhaps this entry has been written especially for you.  Although happiness is relative, below is my own personal recipe for happiness.  Feel free to add more ingredients in the comments section :) 


Recipe for Happiness
Ingredients:
2 Heaping cups of Patience 
1 Heart full of Love 
2 Hands full of Generosity 
1 Head full of Understanding 
1 Dash of Laughter (very large) 
1 Pinch of Hope and Faith  


Directions:
Mix ingredients.  Sprinkle generously with kindness, add plenty of faith and mix well. Spread over a period of a lifetime and serve to everyone you meet.

One More Reason to Get Moving

We know that exercise does a body good (certainly more so than drinking milk!). But even more evidence is being discovered--irisin being the most recent. Named after the greek messenger goddess Iris, this hormone is debuting as a critical communicator between the two different types of fat cells.

Many More Reasons to Get Moving: Part 2

Although the role of exercise in preventing various cancers is not clear, researchers have suspected the maintenance of a healthy body weight to contribute.  This reference to a healthy body weight relates more to the amount of fat (white fat to be exact, more on that later) that’s in the body as opposed to your actual weight.  It's now well-known that fat releases a host of hormones and what are known as cytokines.  In fact, in some circles, fat tissue is considered an endocrine organ, similar to your adrenal glands and reproductive organs.  Cancer development may be related to the release of these cytokines and hormones in excessive amounts.  Exercising and cutting back on the amount of white fat stored in the body therefore leads to the reduction in these circulating compounds.  

Many More Reasons to Get Moving: Part 1

It’s 4:30 pm and the countdown has begun until quitting time (only 60 min to go, 59 min, 58 min...).  For many, the idea of going to a gym or taking a brisk walk after work is the last thing on their mind after a long day.  Although physical activity has been engineered out of most of our lives, this does not disregard the fact that movement has historically been used for our productivity and survival (how else would we be getting our food!?).  It’s well-known that physical activity is beneficial for our health as seen by a host of studies showing a reduction in risk of disease with more exercise.

Food for the Soul: Service to Others

Today, Americans celebrate the national holiday dedicated to the life and accomplishments of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (well some may be catching up on sleep instead).  Most known for his work as a pioneering civil right’s leader and advocate for justice and peace, Dr. King also championed for overcoming poverty and education inequities for all people.  "Life's most persistent and urgent question is: 'What are you doing for others?'" King once proclaimed. In line with this, President Bill Clinton established the King holiday as a national day of service in 1994, and dedicated it “a day on, not a day off.”  So the question lies in what are you doing to serve others in honor of Dr. King and beyond?  

Slipping Through the Cracks: GRAS 201

GRAS substances range from something as widely used as sodium and caffeine to more obscure chemicals such as theobromine and polyglutamic acid.  GRAS designations have been made since the 1950‘s and those reports from the late 50’s through the 80’s are based on data and research from these periods.  As you can imagine, research technology has advanced leaps and bounds since then.  What the research said back then and what it might say today is an interesting (and alarming) notion.  For example, the GRAS report for phosphate-containing compounds (see here) dates back to 1975.

Slipping Through the Cracks: GRAS 101

Up to this point, I‘ve made a few references to the Food and Drug Administration’s designation of some chemicals in our foods as “Generally Recognized As Safe” (GRAS).  Since 1998, the FDA reports that 410 substances have been determined to be GRAS, and this doesn’t include those submitted between 1958 and 1998. With this in mind and the host of GRAS substances used in processed foods, most of these food-like substances could easily be thought of “as generally safe to eat!”

Going, Going, Going--Healthy Eating in a Hectic Life

Beep, beep, beep.  7:00 am--work, check; 3:00 pm--class, check; 5:00 pm--internship, check; 12:00 am pillow, check.  Looking back at my life in NYC, I wonder how I did it all AND managed to follow a healthy lifestyle (well, working at a gym certainly helped!).  If your routine sounds similar, and perhaps even carpooling and soccer practice for the kids sprinkled in, you’re probably eagerly reading this in hopes to add healthier eating habits to your hectic lifestyle.

  
Eating healthy on the go is a common concern for the average person in a society that values productivity in the workplace over productivity in the kitchen.  Meanwhile, the foods that are more readily available when on the go are often those that we should limit.  Sodas, sugary beverages, chips, candy bars, you name it and it mostly should be avoided.

Below are tips for healthier eating on the go.  Note how I added -ier instead of healthy, because the healthfulness of food certainly lies on a continuum.  Obviously, grabbing a Kashi granola bar in a pinch is better than a bag of Lay’s potato chips, but the reality is that a piece of fruit with trail mix surely beats out the Kashi “food-like substance.”

A New Year, Another SMALL Goal

In theory, the beginning of a new year is a great time to start a diet overhaul, begin a new exercise regiment, and set new goals toward personal growth.  I hate to put a damper on your New Year’s optimism, but the reality is that most of these goals fall to the way side by mid-March (and for some, as early as January 15!).  Look at the enrollment and attrition data from any gym, fitness facility, or weight loss program and the statistics will paint this reality for you.