Part-time Vegetarian

I never thought I would say this, due to my love of pork chops, chateaubriand and turkey meatloaf, but I have actually been considering becoming a vegetarian.

There are obviously many arguments on whether being a veggie is healthy or not. The main one being that on one hand you need the protein and iron, but on the other hand animal fat is terribly bad for you.

So what to do? Well the obvious answer is to become a part-time vegetarian. I think one really annoying thing about being a full blown vegetarian is how restricting it is. Like if you go to a party and the host serves meat and the veggie has to say they don't eat meat and then the host feels bad and the guest goes hungry and everyone feels awkward.

So being a part-time gives you the best of both worlds and you can make your own guidelines. For example mine are that I don't want to eat processed meat or meat with hormones. I also try to eat less than 3 servings of fish per month (mercury levels.) You can also do something like only eating meat on 2 days out of the week and being veggie for the rest.

I think that by taking the meat factor out, most people are likely to eat more vegetables and therefore increasing fiber and nutrients and cutting down on fats.

If you are skeptic on giving up meat, you really should look into the health benefits of cutting back. Here's a excerpt from Self magazine:

Why Go (Sorta) Veggie

"1. To stay slim Eat less meat, gain less weight- that's the upshot of one American Journal of Clinical Nutrition study. In it, folks who ate the most red and processed meat and poultry gained the most weight (almost 5 pounds) over five years. The cause isn't yet clear, but if cutting back on meat doesn't hurt and it helps keep us svelte, does the reason really matter?

2. To help the planet Trading red meat and dairy for a plant-based diet only one day a week cut more greenhouse gas emissions than buying all locally grown food, according to researchers at Carnegie-Mellon University. Make it two days weekly and you'll erase your carbon footprint that much more!

3. To fend off cancer Women who consumed the most animal fat in the form of red meat and high-fat dairy had a 24 percent higher risk of developing breast cancer, a study from Harvard University indicates. Carcinogens in cooked meat are one likely culprit, explains study author Eunyong Cho, Sc.D.

4. To protect your heart Women ages 20 to 55 who ate the most red meat also had a higher risk for coronary heart disease in a 26-year-long Harvard School of Public Health study. Whose risk was lower? Women who got the majority of their protein from vegetarian sources such as beans and nuts. Blame excess artery-clogging saturated fat for meat's heart-harming potential.

5. To save cash Plant proteins are cheap: One pound of dried beans costs $1.24 on average, must less than a pound of lean ground beef ($3.50) or bacon ($4.70). What's more, meat consumption costs the United States more than $190 billion a year in health-related expenses for issues like cancer and diabetes, says Neal Barnard, M.D., president of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine in Washington, D.C. In other words: Eat less meat; improve your health; avoid pricey treatments; cha-ching."

If that doesn't convince you, nothing will!

Buff and Tough

Did Cameron Diaz not get the memo that steroids are bad for you? Holy crap her arms are getting massively cut up. She is starting to look like Madonna (apparently A-Rod likes chicks with dude arms).

Does anyone else think its totally unfeminine to have arms like this? I don't think this is a good look. Cammy seriously looks haggard and really looks to be aging a lot. I guess that's what happens when you're constantly in the sun. Every time I open a tabloid, there she is in Mexico or Hawaii or wherever on the beach in a bikini. Not good.

Anyway, I think she should stop pumping iron. She is starting to look like a man. Between the body building and tanning, she will soon look like this! ahh!

Odd Sense of Accomplishment

I can't help but be proud. All of my dollars spent on beauty products and hours spent at the gym are finally getting some recognition. Us Bay Arean's should be so pleased with ourselves. Tear.


We're So Vain
By Lori Preuitt
NBCBayArea.com

The Daily Beast thinks it has found a way to see which areas of the country are the most hung up on appearances. And while most Californians would immediately assume Los Angeles is the gold standard when it comes to who is the most vain, Southern California didn't even get a bronze in this list.

The San Francisco Bay area is the most vain spot in the country according to publication. The City is followed quickly behind by New York and Boston. Los Angeles came in No. 4.

The Daily Beast explains it took into account our weight, our gym cards and our love for "product."

First, it took the top 25 cities with the largest percentage of people who belong to gyms.

Then it took that list and measured BMI (body mass indicator) stats from the health department.

That list was then measured based on how much people spend on personal care. The cosmetic budget got double the points and from the below numbers you can see that is what puts us on top.

- No. 1 - San Francisco - Average monthly personal care spending: $111 - Portion of population not overweight: 50.3 percent - Portion of population that belongs to a gym: 20.4 percent
- No. 2 - Boston - Average monthly personal care spending: $106 - Portion of population not overweight: 44.6 percent - Portion of population that belongs to a gym: 23.2 percent
- No. 3 - New York - Average monthly personal care spending: $81 - Portion of population not overweight: 44 percent - Portion of population that belongs to a gym: 21.7 percent
- No. 4 - Los Angeles - Average monthly personal care spending: $88 - Portion of population not overweight: 39 percent - Portion of population that belongs to a gym: 18.4 percent
- No. 5 - Hartford - Average monthly personal care spending: $88 - Portion of population not overweight: 43 percent - Portion of population that belongs to a gym: 17.2 percent
- No. 6 - Dallas
- No. 7 - Chicago
- No. 8 - Charlotte, N.C.
- No. 9 - Minneapolis
- No. 10 - Columbus, Ohio
- No. 11 - Nashville, Tenn.
- No. 12 - Denver
- No. 13 - San Diego
- No. 14 - Raleigh, N.C.
- No. 15 - Miami -
- No. 16 - Indianapolis
- No. 17 - Buffalo, N.Y.
- No. 18 - St. Louis
- No. 19 - Houston
- No. 20 - Orlando, Fla.

6 Cancer Fighting Superfoods

by Leslie Barrie courtesy of yahoo.com

To reduce your risk of cancer, look no further than your fridge. "All the studies on cancer and nutrition point to eating plant-based foods for their phytonutrients and other special compounds," says Richard Béliveau, PhD, chair in the prevention and treatment of cancer at the University of Québec at Montreal and author of Foods to Fight Cancer.

Aim for five to nine daily servings of all kinds of fruits and vegetables—especially these six superstars.

Broccoli
All cruciferous veggies (think cauliflower, cabbage, kale) contain cancer-fighting properties, but broccoli is the only one with a sizable amount of sulforaphane, a particularly potent compound that boosts the body's protective enzymes and flushes out cancer-causing chemicals, says Jed Fahey, ScD. A recent University of Michigan study on mice found that sulforaphane also targets cancer stem cells—those that aid in tumor growth.

Helps fight: breast, liver, lung, prostate, skin, stomach, and bladder cancers

Your Rx: The more broccoli, the better, research suggests—so add it wherever you can, from salads to omelets to the top of your pizza.


Berries
All berries are packed with cancer-fighting phytonutrients. But black raspberries, in particular, contain very high concentrations of phytochemicals called anthocyanins, which slow down the growth of premalignant cells and keep new blood vessels from forming (and potentially feeding a cancerous tumor), according to Gary D. Stoner, PhD, a professor of internal medicine at The Ohio State University College of Medicine.

Helps fight: colon, esophageal, oral, and skin cancers

Your Rx: Stoner uses a concentrated berry powder in his studies but says a half-cup serving of berries a day may help your health, too.

Tomatoes
This juicy fruit is the best dietary source of lycopene, a carotenoid that gives tomatoes their red hue, Béliveau says. And that's good news, because lycopene was found to stop endometrial cancer cell growth in a study in Nutrition and Cancer. Endometrial cancer causes nearly 8,000 deaths a year.

Helps fight: endometrial, lung, prostate, and stomach cancers

Your Rx: The biggest benefits come from cooked tomatoes (think pasta sauce!), since the heating process increases the amount of lycopene your body is able to absorb.


Walnuts
Their phytosterols (cholesterol-like molecules found in plants) have been shown to block estrogen receptors in breast cancer cells, possibly slowing the cells' growth, says Elaine Hardman, PhD, associate professor at Marshall University School of Medicine in Huntington, West Virginia.

Helps fight: breast and prostate cancers

Your Rx: Munching on an ounce of walnuts a day may yield the best benefits, Hardman's research found.

Garlic
Phytochemicals in garlic have been found to halt the formation of nitrosamines, carcinogens formed in the stomach (and in the intestines, in certain conditions) when you consume nitrates, a common food preservative, Béliveau says. In fact, the Iowa Women's Health Study found that women with the highest amounts of garlic in their diets had a 50 percent lower risk of certain colon cancers than women who ate the least.

Helps fight: breast, colon, esophageal, and stomach cancers

Your Rx: Chop a clove of fresh, crushed garlic (crushing helps release beneficial enzymes), and sprinkle it into that lycopene-rich tomato sauce while it simmers.

Beans
A study out of Michigan State University found that black and navy beans significantly reduced colon cancer incidence in rats, in part because a diet rich in the legumes increased levels of the fatty acid butyrate, which in high concentrations has protective effects against cancer growth. Another study, in the journal Crop Science, found dried beans particularly effective in preventing breast cancer in rats.

Helps fight: breast and colon cancers

Your Rx: Add a serving—a half-cup—of legumes a few times a week (either from a can or dry beans that've been soaked and cooked) to your usual rotation of greens or other veggies.

Delicious Discovery

It's about 20 degrees outside and for some reason, I am craving ice cream. Maybe it's because I weigh 400lbs at heart ;) So, I went into the store looking for a healthy treat (yes, they actually exist) and I found these in the freezer section! There were these skinny cow ice cream sandwiches and also individual 1 cup chocolate ice creams. I opted for the sandwich and it was SO good. I have found my new favorite treat!

They are really tasty, healthy and satisfying. Pretty much the perfect snack because they are delicious and you won't feel guilty. They only have 140 calories and 1.5 grams of fat. That's less than half of the calories of a candy bar and like 10x less fat. Much better choice!



Next time I am craving something sweet, I will try the ice cream. I am sure it is just as delicious!

Holiday Palooza 2010!

I know some people don't like the holidays and find them annoying, but I love them! I can't get enough of holiday decorations, ice skating, big coats, snow, christmas trees, and just the overall positivity I feel from everywhere! Unfortunately, there's another thing I can't get enough of during the holidays, FOOD.

There are so many parties and events and places to go and people to see that most people end up drinking and eating way too much. I think a lot of people go in to the holidays with the plan to lose weight in the new year and maybe the hoidays are one last hurrah before starting a diet. Which isn't really a great plan, because who really keeps New Year's resolutions anyway?

So I have been mentally preparing for a few weeks now to stay on a healthy track during the holidays. These are some tips I am going to follow:

1. Exercise as much as possible and especially on big eating days like Thanksgiving. You have the day off of work, might as well do something productive. Get in a good sweat session to counteract the eat session you'll have later.

2. Try to eat something healthy before you go. I have a bad habit of starving myself on Thanksgiving before dinner and I get so hungry that I end up eating a million appetizers, which is all bad! So eat a healthy meal before you go to hold you over until dinner.

3. Speaking of appetizers, these are usually loaded with calories. Stick to veggies and fruit as much as you can. Dips and cheeses are the best, but unfortunately the highest in fat. Sad.

4. Don't load overload your dinner plate! Try a small amount of each dish and eat slow. It takes about 20 minutes for your body to realize you're full, so just wait a little bit and if you are still hungry then have a little bit more.

5. Leftovers are a bad idea. Try to send them home with other people because if you have them, you'll eat them. And let's face it, Thanksgiving dinner isn't the healthiest!

6. Keep the boozing to a minimum. This is hard one for sure! I usually drink wine, so my trick is to only fill each glass I have half way (about 2 ounces) and drink water in between. It ends up making it so you drink about 1/2 as much as you usually would.

Obviously, everyone is different and this plan won't work for everyone. I think the most important thing is just to make a plan and try to stick to it as best as possible.

Good luck and Happy Holidays!

My New Favorite Treat

Yeah, that's right. Jolt Gum. Pure genius. I actually did a business plan in college for energy gum and apparently they've stolen my idea. Should have copyrighted it!

Now I know what you're thinking, that can't be good for you. Caffeine in gum! You're going to give yourself a heart attack or grow an extra arm or something. But, new research has shown that caffeine is actually GOOD for you! Well, it's not bad for you. Let's leave it at that.

Here is some information I found to explain this: (www.afic.org)

"MYTH: Caffeine has no health benefits.
FACT: Recent research has found some surprising health benefits associated with caffeine consumption. Many caffeine-containing beverages, most notably tea and more recently coffee, have been found to contain antioxidants. Antioxidants may have health benefits in terms of heart health and cancer prevention.

Caffeine is well recognised as increasing both alertness levels and attention spans. A cup of coffee or tea is often recommended to counter sleepiness, especially for those driving long distances and many people resort to an afternoon "cuppa" to get back on top of their workload.

Recent reports suggest that caffeine may be useful in treating allergic reactions due to its ability to reduce the concentration of histamines, the typical body response to an allergy-causing substance. More research is needed in this area before conclusions can be drawn. Caffeine has long been known to help many people suffering from asthma.

MYTH: Caffeine causes cancer.
FACT: Substantial scientific evidence demonstrates that caffeine is not a risk factor for cancer. A number of human epidemiological studies have examined the risk of developing cancer at different locations in the body. Two studies of large numbers of people in Norway and Hawaii found no relationship between regular coffee consumption and cancer risk. Two projects conducted on caffeine - one in Japan and the other in Germany - demonstrated no link between caffeine consumption and the incidence of tumours in test animals. This confirms the position of the American Cancer Society, that states, "Available information does not suggest a recommendation against the moderate use of coffee. There is no indication that caffeine, a natural component of both coffee and tea, is a risk factor in human cancer."


MYTH: Caffeine's effects are addictive.
FACT: People often say they are "addicted" to caffeine in much the same way they say they are "addicted" to shopping, working or television. The term "addiction" actually refers to a strong dependence on a drug characterised by severe withdrawal symptoms, tolerance to a given dose and the loss of control or the need to consume more and more of the substance at any cost. Addicts tend to exhibit anti-social behaviour or even commit crimes to perpetuate the abuse. Consumers of caffeine-containing beverages do not fall into this category. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (1994), a document that characterises various addictions, does not list caffeine as a substance that causes addiction. According to the World Health Organization, "There is no evidence whatsoever that caffeine use has even remotely comparable physical and social consequences which are associated with serious drugs of abuse."

MYTH: Caffeine increases the risk of heart disease.
FACT: Despite previous controversy on the subject, scientists now agree that regular caffeine use has little or no effect on blood pressure, cholesterol levels or risk of heart disease.

Studies show that while first-time caffeine use can cause a slight increase in blood pressure (similar to that experienced when walking up stairs), the changes are minimal and disappear with regular use.

It has also been found that only boiled, unfiltered coffee, such as that taken in some Scandinavian countries, elevates cholesterol. It seems the oils in the coffee that are not filtered out are responsible for this effect, not the coffee or caffeine. Consumption of caffeine-containing beverages does not typically affect cholesterol levels. "


I think there are A LOT of misconceptions about caffeine and it really has a bad reputation. I think there are a lot of benefits. Think about how busy people are these days with working and family and errands and exercise and this and that, people get really tired and need an extra boost of energy to get everything done and be productive. There's nothing wrong with that!

On Your Toes

Well this is a little, errrr, embarrasing, but someone's got to talk about it! I know I am not the only one with this problem, but sometimes I get smelly feet. Yes, I said it.

The main cause is wearing high heels to work with no socks (who would wear socks?). It is just a recipe for disaster that can't be avoided. I mean, it's obviously going to happen when you wear shoes repeatedly with no socks, then your feet sweat inside them and then they get bacteria that multiplies and then you have to end up throwing your shoes away. What a vicious cycle!!

Finally an answer! This stuff works great and after discovering it, I finally figured out what Lindsay Lohan had on her feet! Surprisingly, it's not cocaine! ;)




Anyway, the miracle product is called "On Your Toes." It is amazing. Put a little in your most gnar-gnar shoes and they will be like new! Plus, if you put it on your feet, your feet do not sweat. At all. Perfect for flats and heels.



Here's how it works:
"To prevent foot and shoe odor you must first eliminate the cause of the problem: bacteria.

On Your Toes works by killing the bacteria on the feet AND in the footwear...with just ONE simple treatment!

On Your Toes' unique "Microfined" bactericide formula is absorbed into the pores of the footwear preventing further bacterial growth for at least SIX MONTHS!"

http://forfeetsake.com/store/on-your-toes-foot-powder.html?source=googleps

*User tip- Don't follow Lindsay's dosage...She might have over done it just a smidge.

Balance Bracelets-Do These Things Work?

I am a little skeptic.

So I have been seeing these things every where I turn! I saw my Aunt last weekend and she had one on. She said they are supposed to "balance you" and help you perform better athletically as well as help with relaxation, jet lag, etc.

I personally don't really understand how a bracelet with a little peice of tin foil inside can do such a thing so I went online and did some research. I looked at their website and it has aboslutely no information on how it works. This is all the website says:

"•How Does the Hologram Work?
Power Balance is based on the idea of optimizing the body’s natural energy flow, similar to concepts behind many Eastern philosophies. The hologram in Power Balance is designed to resonate with and respond to the natural energy field of the body."

Umm well that doesn't really provide much information. I think the only meaningful word in that phrase is "idea." It's the idea and belief the bracelet provides that effects you, not the bracelet itself.

I will keep mine on for a trial period and see what happens, even though it doesn't match my outfits.

Teeth

Why do people walk around with yellow teeth? I ask myself this everyday. It's not the 90's anymore, there's plenty of great, cheap teeth whiteners out there.

I think it is disgusting when people don't take care of their mouths. Like, do you not realize you have dragon breath! And anyone within 3 feet can smell your nasty mouth. I wish that people would take more care of their teeth, it doesn't take that much effort. Brush at least 2x per day, floss 1x per day and throw some whitening strips on every once in while. Is that too much to ask?!?!?

So let's take a stand against dirty mouths! Every time you come across someone with bad mouth, offer them a piece of gum, recommend a great toothpaste or mouthwash, and drop a few lines about the importance of flossing. Hopefully they will get the hint!

Urban Honey for a clean mouthed America. This blog and it's readers must stand for something! Next step- Goodwill Ambassador!

Lucy's Cookies

You know when you go to Starbucks and you see all those delicious treats in the display cabinet? They look so good but they are pretty much a heart attack to go. All of the pastries sold at Starbucks have between 300 and 500 calories each!! Even the "reduced fat" ones. So stay away!!!!!

Starbucks started carrying these (I don't know when) but I tried them the other day and they are delicious!! They are vegan and gluten free (no milk, eggs, nuts). You get 4 cookes in a bag and the entire thing has 173 calories. So when you have a sweet tooth go for a bag of these rather than a cinnamon roll!

McDonald's Fruit Smoothie

So I saw the commercial for the new fruit smoothies and it sparked my craving! I was thinking about going to Jamba Juice but I was feeling kind of lazy and didn't want to walk the one block to the one by my office. Plus it's always freezing in San Francisco and Jamba Juice and cold weather aren't the best duo.

So I went through the drive through at McD's and got one! They only have 2 flavors, one is a mixed berry and the other is strawberry banana. They are absolutely delicious and really cheap. I asked the lady at the window and she said its just nonfat yogurt, ice and fruit puree. It definitely has some sugar in it but little to no aritificial additives. I still think Jamba is better because they have more flavors and you can get a boost, but these are surpsrising delicious and healthy!

Dear 24 Hour Fitness,

Why do you have 20 televisions and every single one is on ESPN or some other sports related thing? The TVs are seriously 5 feet apart from one another and they are all on same channels. This makes no sense!

Obviously it is a man controlling what channel they are on because a woman would have the consideration to choose channels that a wide variety of people would like. I don't really watch TV at the gym but I possibly would if there was like liiiike say the E! Channel on.

Your members would appreciate a little variety and something exciting to watch to take our minds off the boringness of cardio.

PS- it's a gym, not a sports bar!

Sincerely,
Erin

Revolution 92.7

My new favorite radio station! Well only between the hours of 5-6pm. They play the BEST mix every weekday during that time. It's mixed by DJ SupaJames, apparently he's a local Vegas DJ. I had never heard of him before, not surpising since I'm not really in the know about the music "scene," but he is REALLY good! I always listen to it on my ipod while I workout and it's the best workout music ever! I always get so bored listening to my same songs over and over and this mix saves me at the gym. Listen to this and it will give you the extra motivation you need for a great workout :)

SHAPE Magazine

Does anyone else read this magazine? It is absolutely amazing and the best workout motivation ever! I have been reading it for a while and it helps me so much. It all started when I discovered that magazines are the only thing that get me through cardio at the gym. It started with US Weekly, but unfortunately there's not much substance to them so they don't last long. So I was forced to expand my horizons and now I read pretty much anything I can get my hands on. Well, not like the Wall Street Journal or Time or anything (boring!). The best gym reading material by FAR is Shape magazine.

It gives you great little ideas for recipes and healthy eating, reminds you not to get comfortable in your workouts and keep them intense, and gives you a million ideas about how to stay healthy and happy! One of my favorite parts is the great motivational stories of people who have lost tons of weight and kept it off!

I also love that they have different workouts in every issue that are made my pro trainers. I recently started trying them and they are totally legit and most of them you can do at home!

Appetite vs. Hunger (devil vs. lucipher)

Ever have those thoughts of having a snack, even though you just ate a burrito, a pizza and a double double with animal fries an hour ago?

For me, fitness and eating healthy are an everyday battle. But over the years, I have learned little tricks to combat my cravings. In order to beat the cravings, you first have to understand why you are having them.
Sometimes you are physically hungry, which is your body's response to running low on energy. Also, your stomach is constantly creating acids to break down food and when there is no food in there those acids are bubbling up and causing your stomach to rumble. At this point, you should eat!
On the other hand, there is your appetite and this can be very hard to control. People like me (who have a 500lb person deep inside) get pleasure from eating. I think it's a mixture of the taste and the act of doing something (oral fixation?).
The point I am trying to make is that eating when you're hungry is hunky dory, but eating when you feel your appetite flare up is not necessary unless it's accompanied by physical hunger.

I am sure I am not the only one who struggles with this so here are some things I have come up with to try to control my appetite:

1. Do not starve yourself! If you do this you will end up eating everything in sight.

2. Eat snacks. I like to bring some fruit (apples, oranges, grapes), veggies (carrots) or yogurt to snack on during the day if I get hungry or just want something. It's better to satisfy your appetite with something healthy than junk food.

3. Coffee! Some people might disagree but I find it to be a tasty treat. Jenny and I keep a non fat french vanilla creamer at work to make it more tasty. It has been proven that drinking a couple cups a day is actually good for you. It has antioxidants in it, not to mention the help with the productivity at work ;). It also helps you step it up a notch in your work outs.

4. Replace carbs with protein. Protein feeds your muscles, keeping them strong and lean and also keeps you fuller longer than carbs and fats. My trainer suggested to me to have at least 40g per day. Try: hard boiled eggs, GREEK yogurt (it's good with a little honey), chicken breasts and ground turkey.