Why Does It Matter What We Eat?

Why does it matter, right? I mean we are all going to die someday, right? I hear this every time I visit my grandfather, but then again he always enlightens me on what he learned on that Food Network and what kind of salad he had this week... So, I feel like he knows better... Ha, I love you, Papaw!

I believe that all men are created equal, but all foods are not! Dr. Colbert says, some food should not be labeled "food" but rather "consumable product" or "edible, but void in nourishment." I say, Amen Brotha! There are two types of foods: Living & Dead foods!

LIVING FOODS:

Living foods are fruits, vegetables, grains, seeds, and nute- exist in a raw or close to raw state and packaged in divinely created wrappers called skins and peels. Living food looks in fact alive. Living foods are plucked, harvested, and squeezed- not processed, packaged, and put on a shelf.

DEAD FOODS:

Dead foods are everything that living foods are not. They have been altered and deconstructed in every way imaginable way to make them last as long as possible and be addictive as possible! So, in order to do this manufacturers have to add sugar and salt and man-made fat.

Let's talk about the sugar real quick... Ever had a large party? Do you typically buy filet mignon for your cookouts or hot dogs... That is what I thought! When we are feeding the masses, we buy the cheaper alternative; manufacturers do the same to you and me. They have such a large quota to fill, so they cut corners. When adding to sugar to processed food, they add the cheapest sugar- bleached, refined sugar.

Now, I said, they use salt as well! Well, most of us know that is to preserve our food andenhance the flavor. What's a matter with salt? Well, nothing! In fact, even though it is zero calories it is an electrolyte and brings balance in our bodies. However, if we take in too much, pressure starts building in the body! We take in too much salt, and then required to take in too much water to filter out the increase in salt. Recommended Daily Allowance of sodium is 2400 mg to 3000 mg! Next time you are eating out, check the sodium count on your favorite dishes! Be aware, you cannot afford not to!

What's man-made fat? It is man made by taking natural oils such as vegetable oil for example (again cheapest oils) and heating them to dangerously high temperatures so that the nutrients die and become reborn as something completely different- a deadly, sluggish substance that is toxic to our bodies.

What do we do about these living and dead foods? Life breeds life. Death breeds death. When you eat living foods, the enzymes in their pristine state interact with your digestive enzymes. The other natural ingredients God put in them- vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients, antioxidants, fiber, and more- flow into your system in their natural state. These living foods were created to cause your digestive system, bloodstream, and organs to function at optimum capacity.

Dead foods hit your body like a foreign intruder. Chemicals, including preservatives, foodadditives, and bleaching agents, place a strain on the liver. Toxic man-made fats begin to form in your cell membranes; they become stored as fat in your body and form plaque in your arteries. Your body does its best to harvest the tiny traces of from these dead foods, but in the end you are undernourished, overfed, and overweight.

Getting Fit: Series 2

Now, let's begin addressing the exercises that will achieve maximum results and target the prime areas we collect body fat!

6. Squat

The proper way to squat is holding a dumbbell in each hand, stand with your feet hip-width apart, legs straight but not locked, chest lifted, and abs contracted. Keep the body weight toward the heels to sit back and down by lowering the thighs to as a parallel position as possible, and knees aligned with ankles. Straighten legs back up facing forward. 

Strengthens: butocks, quadriceps, and hamstrings.

7. Bent-Over Lat Row

Stand with feet hip-width apart and hold a dumbbell in each hand, arms by sides. Bend knees and flex forward from hips at about 90 degrees. Let arms hang in line with shoulders, palms facing in. Contract abs to support bacl. Draw shoulder blades down and together; maintaining body position, bend elbows up and in toward waist until upper arms are in line with torso and forearms are perpendicular to ground, knuckles pointing down. Slowly straighten arms to starting position without changing torso position.

Strengthens: middle back, rear shoulders, and biceps

8. Triceps Kickback

Hold a dumbbell in your right hand and stand to the right of the long side of a bench, feet hip-width apart or in a staggered stance. Flex forward at hips at about 90 degrees, and pace left hand on bench for support. Keeping torso stationary, bend right elbow so upper arm is parallel to ground and forearm is perpendicular to ground, palm facing in. Position elbow close to waist and contract abs. Keeping upper arm still, use triceps to straighten arm behind you until end of dumbbell points down. Slowly bend elbow to return perpendicular position.

Strengthens: triceps

9. Crunch

Lie on your back with knees bent and feet flat on mat, hip-width apart. Place hands behind head, thumbs behind behind ears, fingers unclasped. Hold elbows out to the sides. Contracting abs, draw hips, and lower ribs together, keeping buttocks relaxed. Without pulling on neck or drawing elbows in, curl up and forward, keeping head and neck relaxed as shoulder blades lift off mat. Hold, then slowly lower back down.

Strengthens: abdominals

10. Dumbbell Bench Fly

Lie face-up on the bench, knees bent and feet on edge. Hold a dumbbell in each hand, arms extended above mid-chest, in a slight arc, lower elbows down and out to the side until they are even with or slightly below shoulders. Press dumbbells up and in to starting position, without letting them touch or allowing shoulder blades to rise off the bench.

Strengthens: chest and front shoulders

This is what you need to know to get started on your summer workouts! Happy exercising everyone! I definitely get more serious about exercising in the summer; because, let's face it, no one wants to feel uncomfortable when bathing suit season rolls around! Now, we don't have to! Get your fitness on! You know you will feel so much more confident and energized! If you have those days where ya just don't wana.... Call me up! We're doing this together, my friend!

Conquering Your Cravings

I am reading today. I like to read a book 2x's typically then give it away. Cookbooks and health-related book are the exception so I will not be giving this one away, Eat This and Live. I find this so amazing! Everything I read is powerful information or just mind-blowing. Some facts shock me to the point that shock alone keeps it in my memory!

HERE ARE SOME FACTS I FOUND INTERESTING:

• As an average American, you will consume 5 pounds of food today.

• Over your lifetime, that is over seventy tons of food that will pass through your intestinal tract and are assimilated by your body.

• Seventy tons of food is equivalent of about 40 mid-sized cars.

• This is all based on the average American lifespan, 77.6 years old.

I 'm sure there are some out there who's new year's resolution is to eat better and exercise more. I am one of them! I now have a gym membership and am making all the more health-conscious habits. I am asking questions, seeking answers, consulting with doctors, and wellness educators to bring you and myself the best information possible.

However, today I am feeling a little un-motivated so thus the book. Sometimes it helps for me

to read when I am feeling un-motivated. It kicks those nasty thoughts, those of french fries and ketchup.

My theory is if you don't pay for quality food now, you'll pay later in the doctor bills and high insurance rates. So, how can you afford not to take care of yourself now.

Believe me, practicing what I preach is irritating on occasion. I have days sometimes where I just want to enjoy a Boston Creme doughnut and a milkshake from Sonic. Ha I am being very real with you right now. I have to choose. I have to decide how that will make me feel afterwards. I never just eat and then think. I can't afford to eat that way. I do splurge don't get me wrong; when I do, I try to stay away from the processed foods. I opt for home-made desserts. Read with me!

Here is an excerpt from the book Eat This and Live written by Dr. Don Colbert.

CONQUER YOUR CRAVINGS page 12

1. Never go anywhere without packing a healthy snack such as fruit or nuts in single-serving -size resealable bags or containers.

2. Keep water with you at all times. Drinking water can often curb hunger pangs

and make you feel full without turning to unhealthy foods or high-sugar beverages.

3. Think of a healthier alternative. For instance, instead of a bowl of ice cream, try a scoop of frozen yogurt; instead of potato chips and French onion dip,

try baked chips and fresh salsa. While these alternatives might not be ideal, they are a step in the right direction and can help bridge the gap between where you've been and where you want to be with your diet.

4. Control your portions. If you do slip up and indulge in an unhealthy food, never eat directly from the package. Place a small portion on a plate and put the rest away. Challenge yourself to leave part of the food on the plate when you're through, or see if you can move on after only a bite or two.

5. Keep track of your cravings. This can be a key to determining the underlying emotions such

as stress that may be causing you to turn to food as certain times of the day, week, or month.

6. Distant yourself. Taking a brisk walk will not only help to get your mind off of your craving, but it will also release stress and burn off some calories in the process. Calling a friend is calorie free and fat free, and a much healthier source of comfort than a tub of Ben & Jerry's.

7. Eat three well-balanced meals a day and a healthy mid-afternoon snack. Consume high-fiber foods with each meal or snack. This will help stabilize

blood sugar and help to control hunger. I do try to do this and have for a few years. I find this book extremely helpful and encourage you to get it or at least check it out!

My new year's resolution is exercise more but also to cut coupons and save where I can. See I really enjoy these organic ingredient energy bars we get at our coffeeshop. I love, love, love them! They cost me $4; I justify it by saying to myself, they're great for me! I am right; however, I could make these at home for less.

So, today I will be experimenting/making energy bars at home. The ingredients include oats, peanut butter, agave nectar, oil, brown sugar, sunflower seeds, flaxseed, madagascar vanilla, sea salt, white chocolate chips, blueberries, and dried cranberries.