Tuesday, December 28, 2010
My Life's Biggest Project: Total Recall
My Life's Biggest Project: Total Recall: "It seems like often times in the news we hear about recalls and certain foods from the FDA (Food and Drug Administration). We try and try to..."
Total Recall
It seems like often times in the news we hear about recalls and certain foods from the FDA (Food and Drug Administration). We try and try to eat things that are good for us then we find out that there is some kind of salmonella or something contamination on the what we thought was healthy food that we are trying to consume. Guess what there is a new recall and it is on parsley and cilantro this time.
Let's recap shall we on the recalls that have occured in the last few years. Now I don't necessarily remember the exact order in which the food was recalled, but I do remember it happening. The first thing that I remember was the peanut butter recall. This one wasn't such a big deal in terms of health for people trying to be fit because peanut butter is jam packed with calories, but how many children consume peanut butter and jelly sandwiches daily? Big scare for people with children. Not to mention that I'm sure that this would be torture on one of my friends who is on OU's rowing team because that girl trains so hard all the time that peanut butter is definitely part of her diet for protein purposes.
After the peanut butter I remember tomatoes being recalled which was horrible to think of for me because I love me some tomatoes. I can eat those things like an apple. I simply slice them up, throw on some salt and pepper and I have a wonderful mid day snack. Then it was spinach. This was horrible to hear about. I for one love spinach. When I go to Subway for example I always have them put spinach on my sandwich instead of lettuce if they offer it. Also if I go to a salad bar and I see that they have romain lettuce or spinach I use that instead of iceberg too. Not just because they contain vitamins, but because they just taste better. Another reason I think is more of an aesthetic, but to me a salad should be bright green, not white.
Now we come to today's headlines and I see that parsley and cilantro is big in the news for a recall. According to the Associated Press (AP) a produce company out of Edinburg, Texas called J&D produce has confirmed a positive test for salmonella on curly parsley in Quebec and on cilantro in Detroit. The voluntary recall is on items packed on Nov. 30 and Dec. 6 (scary because that means they've probably been on shelves for a while now). There is more produce that runs on the same packaging lines and those items include the following: arugula, leek, collards, curly mustard, gold beet, kale, green swiss chard, plain mustard, plain parsley, kohlarbi, rainbow swiss chard, mint, methileaf, beets, daikon, red swiss chard, turnip greens and dill.
All of these products were packaged by the Little Bear brand and if you are a consumer with questions regarding this please feel free to call 1-956-380-0353. That company is open and available to take calls from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.
It's scary that things like this happen all the time, but the news speaks for it self. One way to avoid this is to purchase your produce from organically grown farmers markets for example. It may be a little less convenient or a little more pricey, but face it all fresh produce is a littel on the expensive side. Plus you and your families health may be on the line and of course this is one of the things that should be on the top of your priority list to protect.
If you have any comments or questions regarding today's post, please let me know. Also if I missed any of the recall's from the past that you know of or that affected you please feel free to share your story with me. I always love to hear what you have to say. I hope that you all have a safe and wonderful day and that you are prepairing for an amazing new years! It will be here sooner than you know!
Let's recap shall we on the recalls that have occured in the last few years. Now I don't necessarily remember the exact order in which the food was recalled, but I do remember it happening. The first thing that I remember was the peanut butter recall. This one wasn't such a big deal in terms of health for people trying to be fit because peanut butter is jam packed with calories, but how many children consume peanut butter and jelly sandwiches daily? Big scare for people with children. Not to mention that I'm sure that this would be torture on one of my friends who is on OU's rowing team because that girl trains so hard all the time that peanut butter is definitely part of her diet for protein purposes.
After the peanut butter I remember tomatoes being recalled which was horrible to think of for me because I love me some tomatoes. I can eat those things like an apple. I simply slice them up, throw on some salt and pepper and I have a wonderful mid day snack. Then it was spinach. This was horrible to hear about. I for one love spinach. When I go to Subway for example I always have them put spinach on my sandwich instead of lettuce if they offer it. Also if I go to a salad bar and I see that they have romain lettuce or spinach I use that instead of iceberg too. Not just because they contain vitamins, but because they just taste better. Another reason I think is more of an aesthetic, but to me a salad should be bright green, not white.
Now we come to today's headlines and I see that parsley and cilantro is big in the news for a recall. According to the Associated Press (AP) a produce company out of Edinburg, Texas called J&D produce has confirmed a positive test for salmonella on curly parsley in Quebec and on cilantro in Detroit. The voluntary recall is on items packed on Nov. 30 and Dec. 6 (scary because that means they've probably been on shelves for a while now). There is more produce that runs on the same packaging lines and those items include the following: arugula, leek, collards, curly mustard, gold beet, kale, green swiss chard, plain mustard, plain parsley, kohlarbi, rainbow swiss chard, mint, methileaf, beets, daikon, red swiss chard, turnip greens and dill.
All of these products were packaged by the Little Bear brand and if you are a consumer with questions regarding this please feel free to call 1-956-380-0353. That company is open and available to take calls from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.
It's scary that things like this happen all the time, but the news speaks for it self. One way to avoid this is to purchase your produce from organically grown farmers markets for example. It may be a little less convenient or a little more pricey, but face it all fresh produce is a littel on the expensive side. Plus you and your families health may be on the line and of course this is one of the things that should be on the top of your priority list to protect.
If you have any comments or questions regarding today's post, please let me know. Also if I missed any of the recall's from the past that you know of or that affected you please feel free to share your story with me. I always love to hear what you have to say. I hope that you all have a safe and wonderful day and that you are prepairing for an amazing new years! It will be here sooner than you know!
Sunday, December 26, 2010
My Life's Biggest Project: Fit People Have Secrets
My Life's Biggest Project: Fit People Have Secrets: "As promised earlier I am posting my second blog of the day since I will not be able to post one tomorrow! I hope that this little list helps..."
Fit People Have Secrets
As promised earlier I am posting my second blog of the day since I will not be able to post one tomorrow! I hope that this little list helps encourage you to make the right choices too! I've been doing my best to try to have this mindset!
In my handy dandy P90X Newsletter I got one of the articles is entitled 20 Secrets of Very Fit People, written by Chalean Johnson (creator of Turbo Jam, another Beachbody creation, Beachbody is who endorses P90X). Anyway I thought it was very interesting so I figured I would share it with you. So here goes Johnson’s list:
1. High Quality H2O- “Keep a water bottle with you at all times and drink from it often,” said Johnson. “Water is the drink of choice, but if you don't enjoy plain water, than liven it up! Try adding a squeeze of fresh lemon or lime juice to your water bottle. You can also drink Propel Fit Water®, VitaminWater®, or some other form of healthy enhanced beverage with zero or very few calories, but remember: pure water is best.”
2. Be Pumped About Your Workout- The Jersey Shore kids are crazy obsessed with GTL (Gym, Tan, Laundry), but notice the first thing is GYM…be crazy excited that you can do it ( I promise this is one of the only positive things I will say about that show, other than I now have a love for fist pumping…hahaha). Johnson says, “Look at exercise as a pleasure and privilege, not a burden or chore. Think positively about the changes regular exercise will bring about in your body and your life. Rather than obsessing about your next meal, get excited about your next workout!”
3. Watch what you put in your mouth. Eat well balanced healthy foods that work for you and not against you. Extra calories mean extra weight. Keep track of your caloric intake.
4. Be sure to watch out how much caffeine you are consuming (working against you) and how much smoke you are around (this includes second-hand).
5. Live in the now! “Focus on short-term fitness goals with an emphasis on completing daily exercise,” said Johnson.
6. Keep a log of what you eat. This will help you keep track of your calories. Be sure you keep track of every little snack. In the end you aren’t cheating anyone but yourself and there is no need for self sabotage.
7. Once a week give yourself an unhealthy treat, but only once a week!
8. Have an accountability buddy (this totally works). Be a positive influence and by making it a team thing you will be more likely to keep with it.
9. Change it up. Johnson says, “Avoid monotony by introducing new forms of exercise to your routine—in addition to your regular workout, try biking, hiking, swimming, or rollerblading to keep you motivated and inspired.”
10. Read. Johnson suggests subscribing to a fitness magazine (or you can read my blog ;). She believes this will keep you focused on health and see it as a way of life.
11. “Invest in the right tools,” said Johnson. Be sure you have great workout shoes, awesome tunes to keep you pumped on your iPod, proper fitness equipment, etc...
12. Working out needs to be a part of your lifestyle. “Make it your goal to do some form of exercise 6 or 7 days a week,” said Johnson. “If some days you exercise once in the morning and once in the evening, even better! If you're eating right, exercise will fuel your energy level!”
13. We can’t all look like a Victoria Secret model. Be sure you are not comparing yourself to someone else. Try to be the best that you can be.
14. Balance your diet, if it’s off, fix it. Also be sure to “take vitamins and mineral supplements” to obtain “total health”.
15. Keep bringing it, even if you think it has already been broughten (not a word I know, but oh so funny if you get my reference…lol). Your goal should always be to keep intensity levels of your workouts up.
16. Don’t make excuses about time, make time. Everyone has time to workout. To ensure that you will create a schedule the day before that way you aren’t just chancing that it will all work out.
17. “Move beyond the boundaries of weight loss and into total fitness. Measure success by the way your clothes fit and not some number on a scale,” said Johnson.
18. Here is that lifestyle change thing I keep pounding away at. Johnson insists that you make eating plans that you can maintain the rest of your life. Too many calories means that you will never ever see the muscles that lie behind the fatty tissue in your body. You want to see results of course.
19. Make sure you’re sleeping enough. Johnson reminds us in this article that those who regularly exercise not only fall asleep faster, but they also sleep more soundly than those who don’t.
20. Finally Johnson suggest only boozing it up for special occasions (that does not mean waking up every morning being a special occasion, if that’s the case someone may have a problem beyond weight gain).
OK so here are the fun things I wanted to share with you. I hope it has been insightful. Johnson gives us lots of things to think about and my commentary hopefully made you laugh a time or two, which made you burn calories if you did. If that were the case I’m happy to have helped ;)
My Life's Biggest Project: Co-ed Gyms -vs.- All Women One's
Weigh in your vote. How do you feel about all girl gyms? Good or bad? Read more here: My Life's Biggest Project: Co-ed Gyms -vs.- All Women One's: "I have a ton of girl friends who say that they hate working out at the gym with a bunch of guys around because they feel like they're being ..."
Co-ed Gyms -vs.- All Women One's
I have a ton of girl friends who say that they hate working out at the gym with a bunch of guys around because they feel like they're being judged. Apparently this is a big enough problem that they have created gyms that exclusively for women. I must be odd because I personally would rather work out around guys than other girls. Allow me to explain why I feel this way...
I truly thing that guys judge less than girls. I read in an article in a Seventeen magazine when I was in like the fourth grade that women dress to impress other women as opposed for men because women are more judgemental of what other women look like. I guess this kind of stuck with me because, well first of all because I remember it and second of all because I really think women do.
I would rather work out next to some buff guy who thinks he's hot stuff than next to some buff girl who thinks that she is. The guy is probably assuming that since you are of the opposite sex you must be checking them out. The buff girl on the other hand is probably sizing you up because you don't look like them. I always assume they are less sympathetic because they don't understand why if they could do it you can't. Last spring I was sitting in class and I overheard one of the girls in the class talking to her friend. This girl was pretty and very fit looking. She was tall and had an athletic build. She was talking about how uncomfortable she was in the gym that morning because the girl next to her looked just like Meagan Fox.
I was happy to have overheard this because it justified everything I had ever thought...girls are sizing each other up at the gym and they are uncomfortable around other girls, not just guys! It's like the gynocologist, I unlike many other girls would much rather go to a male than a female. It's my personal feeling that just because you have the same equiptment as me that does not mean that you completely understand what I'm feeling because you aren't me.
Another thing that bothers me about this mentality of not working out around men is that really shouldn't be the reason you are at the gym. I do not go and think, wow I should really fix my hair or be sure to wear my waterproof mascara so that it doesn't run while I'm sweating. A work out should very much be about you, not about picking up a guy. This drives me crazy, and all of you who go to gyms know what I'm talking about because you've seen it. The girls that come in looking super cute in their short shorts and cleavage bearing tank tops. They are the girls walking the tred so as not to mess up their cute little bouncy updo. This is not a bar, these guys are not going to buy you a free drink based on how much you have popping out of your shirt! These girls drive me nuts.
Whenever you work out that is a great time to kind of get in your own zone. You can think about whatever you want. I think it is a great time to clear my head. I think sometimes we worry a little too much about what other people are thinking and not enough about ourselves. Let working out be your thing and let it be about you. In that hour or two you are at the gym don't worry about hitting on a guy or a guy hitting on you. In fact if that is the incentive you need (and for some boy crazy girls it is) put that same energy into your workout. When you don't think you can do those last few crunches in your rep remind yourself how cute you will look with that six pack and how many guys will hit on you then.
I know that I don't think the same way as everyone else and if you truly are uncomfortable working out around men then please feel free to utilize the all women gyms. I see that they can be beneficial and if it is better suited for you then please feel free to go there. That is why they exist. Now if you have looked into gyms and found one that is close to your house and has a less expensive membership, but you are iffy about going there becuase it is co-ed then please take into account what I've said. All you really need is a good pair of shoes and an ipod full of empowering music. Besides if you are supposed to meet your prince charming at the gym I really think he'll be more impressed with how hard you are working as opposed to how cute you are doing nothing. If the guy thinks that being fit is important and sees you with the same mentatlity you already have more in common. Food for thought ;)
How do you all feel about all women gyms vs. co-ed ones? Do you think it is more beneficial to work out with just women. I'm not pretending to be a pro, I've never been to one. Please tell me what you think!!!
OK so I'm going to go because my little cousin and I are going to have a girl day and go see Tangled. It should be a pretty exciting day. Today is also my little sisters birthday she's 22 today which is exciting because for the next nine days she and I are only a year apart. This use to be a big deal when we were younger because it upset me. However it is funny how the tide has changed the older we get, I remind her now when she says stuff about how old I'm getting that she is less than two years behind...lol. So basically what I'm saying is that I have a bid day ahead of me...lol. Another thing to let those of you reading this blog know is that I am going to stay with some of my friends tonight who live out in BFE. There is no Internet connection and since I'm staying there tonight and hanging out with them most of the day tomorrow I probably will not be able to post anything tomorrow so to make up for that I will post another blog this evening before I hit the road. I hope you're all having a wonderful post Christmas day :)
I truly thing that guys judge less than girls. I read in an article in a Seventeen magazine when I was in like the fourth grade that women dress to impress other women as opposed for men because women are more judgemental of what other women look like. I guess this kind of stuck with me because, well first of all because I remember it and second of all because I really think women do.
I would rather work out next to some buff guy who thinks he's hot stuff than next to some buff girl who thinks that she is. The guy is probably assuming that since you are of the opposite sex you must be checking them out. The buff girl on the other hand is probably sizing you up because you don't look like them. I always assume they are less sympathetic because they don't understand why if they could do it you can't. Last spring I was sitting in class and I overheard one of the girls in the class talking to her friend. This girl was pretty and very fit looking. She was tall and had an athletic build. She was talking about how uncomfortable she was in the gym that morning because the girl next to her looked just like Meagan Fox.
I was happy to have overheard this because it justified everything I had ever thought...girls are sizing each other up at the gym and they are uncomfortable around other girls, not just guys! It's like the gynocologist, I unlike many other girls would much rather go to a male than a female. It's my personal feeling that just because you have the same equiptment as me that does not mean that you completely understand what I'm feeling because you aren't me.
Another thing that bothers me about this mentality of not working out around men is that really shouldn't be the reason you are at the gym. I do not go and think, wow I should really fix my hair or be sure to wear my waterproof mascara so that it doesn't run while I'm sweating. A work out should very much be about you, not about picking up a guy. This drives me crazy, and all of you who go to gyms know what I'm talking about because you've seen it. The girls that come in looking super cute in their short shorts and cleavage bearing tank tops. They are the girls walking the tred so as not to mess up their cute little bouncy updo. This is not a bar, these guys are not going to buy you a free drink based on how much you have popping out of your shirt! These girls drive me nuts.
Whenever you work out that is a great time to kind of get in your own zone. You can think about whatever you want. I think it is a great time to clear my head. I think sometimes we worry a little too much about what other people are thinking and not enough about ourselves. Let working out be your thing and let it be about you. In that hour or two you are at the gym don't worry about hitting on a guy or a guy hitting on you. In fact if that is the incentive you need (and for some boy crazy girls it is) put that same energy into your workout. When you don't think you can do those last few crunches in your rep remind yourself how cute you will look with that six pack and how many guys will hit on you then.
I know that I don't think the same way as everyone else and if you truly are uncomfortable working out around men then please feel free to utilize the all women gyms. I see that they can be beneficial and if it is better suited for you then please feel free to go there. That is why they exist. Now if you have looked into gyms and found one that is close to your house and has a less expensive membership, but you are iffy about going there becuase it is co-ed then please take into account what I've said. All you really need is a good pair of shoes and an ipod full of empowering music. Besides if you are supposed to meet your prince charming at the gym I really think he'll be more impressed with how hard you are working as opposed to how cute you are doing nothing. If the guy thinks that being fit is important and sees you with the same mentatlity you already have more in common. Food for thought ;)
How do you all feel about all women gyms vs. co-ed ones? Do you think it is more beneficial to work out with just women. I'm not pretending to be a pro, I've never been to one. Please tell me what you think!!!
OK so I'm going to go because my little cousin and I are going to have a girl day and go see Tangled. It should be a pretty exciting day. Today is also my little sisters birthday she's 22 today which is exciting because for the next nine days she and I are only a year apart. This use to be a big deal when we were younger because it upset me. However it is funny how the tide has changed the older we get, I remind her now when she says stuff about how old I'm getting that she is less than two years behind...lol. So basically what I'm saying is that I have a bid day ahead of me...lol. Another thing to let those of you reading this blog know is that I am going to stay with some of my friends tonight who live out in BFE. There is no Internet connection and since I'm staying there tonight and hanging out with them most of the day tomorrow I probably will not be able to post anything tomorrow so to make up for that I will post another blog this evening before I hit the road. I hope you're all having a wonderful post Christmas day :)
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Merry Christmas to All
I hope that everyone is able to spend today with family friends and loved ones of all kinds. My family celebrated Christmas Eve last night. We went to my aunt and uncle's house. It was the first time in years that we were able to get everyone together. Both sets of aunts and uncle's were there, along with all of my cousins on my mom's side. My grandparents were there too along with my uncle's parents, brother and niece and nephew. It was pretty exciting to have everyone there. Even both of my siblings were there. So all in all it was a great evening :)
Instead of having a big meal for everyone to fill up on my aunt had snack type food. There were plenty of options, some were really good for you and some were really bad for you. I did good to fill my plate with mainly fruits and vegetables, getting only a few crackers with meat and cheese. I was really proud and then I saw the dessert table.
Lucky for me I'm not crazy about cookies (unlike my niece) so it was pretty easy for me to only have one sugar cookie (which was actually pretty amazing) and one little piece of peppermint candy. At the end of the evening I was so proud of myself for not eating all of the bad for you stuff that I felt pretty good with myself!
Overall this Christmas break I have been able to see some people I haven't seen in a long time, including one of my best friends who I hardly ever see because she is off on the east coast being a smarty in law school. One of the biggest problems with getting together with people is that, that normally consists of meeting someone for lunch or dinner. If there are enough people that you haven't seen in a long time you not only end up spending a ton of money, but you also end up packing back on the lb's that you've worked so hard to get rid of.
What I suggest is know the menu to where you're going to go that way you're prepaired to make a better decision before you get there. Eat an apple 15 minutes before you get there and don't be afraid to get a to-go box (heck it's the Christmas season, everyone's broke, so this isn't only smart for your figure it's also more economical). If it is going to be a big group go ahead and eat your meals as you normally do saving a few calories for a side salad or nothing at all (it's OK to just go and get something to drink, or split an appetizer with a friend). When your friends ask you why you're not eating simply explain to them that you have already eaten and you are there because you have missed them and wanted to go ahead and catch up. The important thing is to stand firm. Another great tip is to be sure to write down what it is that you ate and keep track of it in your calorie intake for the day. Everything I've read says to keep a food journal so everyone must not be wrong. There's probably something to it. If you are having a get together, prepare a healthier option so not only will you know that there will be something there for you to eat, but also so that you can share good things with your friends.
If you have any tips about how to avoid packing on extra pounds during the holiday season please feel free to tell me! Merry Merry Christmas to you all :)
 |
| My Crazy Aunt Linda decided to put her "Ho-Ho" table decorations in my hair. |
Lucky for me I'm not crazy about cookies (unlike my niece) so it was pretty easy for me to only have one sugar cookie (which was actually pretty amazing) and one little piece of peppermint candy. At the end of the evening I was so proud of myself for not eating all of the bad for you stuff that I felt pretty good with myself!
Overall this Christmas break I have been able to see some people I haven't seen in a long time, including one of my best friends who I hardly ever see because she is off on the east coast being a smarty in law school. One of the biggest problems with getting together with people is that, that normally consists of meeting someone for lunch or dinner. If there are enough people that you haven't seen in a long time you not only end up spending a ton of money, but you also end up packing back on the lb's that you've worked so hard to get rid of.
What I suggest is know the menu to where you're going to go that way you're prepaired to make a better decision before you get there. Eat an apple 15 minutes before you get there and don't be afraid to get a to-go box (heck it's the Christmas season, everyone's broke, so this isn't only smart for your figure it's also more economical). If it is going to be a big group go ahead and eat your meals as you normally do saving a few calories for a side salad or nothing at all (it's OK to just go and get something to drink, or split an appetizer with a friend). When your friends ask you why you're not eating simply explain to them that you have already eaten and you are there because you have missed them and wanted to go ahead and catch up. The important thing is to stand firm. Another great tip is to be sure to write down what it is that you ate and keep track of it in your calorie intake for the day. Everything I've read says to keep a food journal so everyone must not be wrong. There's probably something to it. If you are having a get together, prepare a healthier option so not only will you know that there will be something there for you to eat, but also so that you can share good things with your friends.
If you have any tips about how to avoid packing on extra pounds during the holiday season please feel free to tell me! Merry Merry Christmas to you all :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)