HI THERE!!! It's been awhile. Did you miss me? I missed you! I hope if you're reading this post it's finding you healthy and happy! Alright, enough of the mushy stuff.. I have something on my mind that I want to share with you.
I'm not going to give you a great recipe for guacamole, or suggest that perfect exercise for your glutes. I'm going to talk about something very simple and something that I have observed to be lacking in our society today. Now please, don't send me hundreds of emails about how you are to the contrary.. I KNOW not EVERYONE is like this, BUT I have to say- LAZINESS feels as though it has become an epidemic! UGH!
Ok, so now you know my pet peeve. Lazy people. To make matters worse, it's the lazy people who like to sit around in front of their TV's watching the most awful reality TV shows, eating McDonald's all while saving room for their Dairy Queen.. and then, complain about how incredibly unhappy, fat and unfulfilled they are! Then, these same people drive through Starbucks the next day, order a Venti cookie Frappa-crapa for breakfast on their way to the job they hate. ACK! Oh, and then the children of the world see this and think, "wow, this is what I have to look forward to?" NO, no, no, no!!!!! Now, of course, this is a bit of an exaggeration, I hope, but the point is- we need to make our lives better. Simple.
Listen, I say this ALL of the time... You live once. One time. At least one time you're going to remember. YOU have the control to change your life and make it the one you want. YOU are the master of your destiny (If Yoda were real, and he were here with me, he would agree). It just takes one positive step to move yourself forward! I'm NOT saying you need to be "skinny" to be happy, that is NOT the point, I'm saying you need to be sure you are being the best you YOU can be no matter what your situation. It could mean your health, your profession, your home life. Whatever needs work and your desperate attention.. DO IT! We are lacking in happiness and fulfillment and it's because we don't take enough time in look inward and understand who we are and who we want to be. Think about who you REALLY want to be!
So, who are you? Can you look at yourself and say that you are genuinely happy? I mean happy without the outside influences of other people. Just you, you alone. You and you sitting in a room together alone- what would you say to each other? Look inside yourself and find that place that wants to make your life better and in turn, you will help others make their lives better too. THIS is my point. Happiness, love, fulfillment is totally contagious! Remove the laziness from every aspect of your life! You have so much value and so much to contribute!
I challenge you to do something today outside of the emotional box. Reach out. It will make you feel amazing and then, do something rewarding for you. Throw away the crappy food in the pantry and buy healthy stuff. Get yourself moving- go for a walk. Help a friend who needs you. Spend time with someone who has been putting effort into your relationship. Life is calling you!!!!!!!!!
Then, go work on your glutes.
Peace,
HR
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Sunday, March 17, 2013
Do NOT go on a diet- Make a "Life Adjustment"
Here are some things you may not know about me. I have not always been a picture of good health. I know, can you imagine?? I mean, everyone goes through their college years surviving on junk food and smoking cigarettes, right?? Yep, that was me. I ate McDonald's weekly as a hangover cure and smoked cigarettes, well- too much. Totally gross and unnecessary. I wish I had the presence of mind to really look at why these things were bad for me then, but live and learn I guess.
In my own defense, I did quit those things. I quit smoking, cold-turkey, when I was 24. So, it's been 16 years. Unfortunately, I know the fact that I did ever smoke now puts me at risk for certain things, even in my present. I'm pretty proud of myself or quitting and it has made such an enormous difference in my life. Oh, and I saw the other day.. Isn't a pack of cigarettes going for something like six dollars now?? Holy cripes. I'm saving some money too!
I was thinking about diets the other day. The way we all jump on bandwagons to lose weight. I've done it many times. In the past I did Jenny Craig three different times after having my kids and as you know, tried the juicing and the carb thing. Nothing really worked long-term. Until... I started applying things I was learning about food and exercise to my everyday life.
After my kids were born, I started to freak out about what was going into their bodies. Everything I was feeding them was becoming a part of them and shaping the health of their bodies for their lifetime! Talk about total stress. So, that's when I started self-educating myself about food, vitamins, and the environment. After I had it down, the understanding of organic vs. conventional foods and was applying it to my family's life, I then started changing myself.
So, if you DON'T want to be on a "diet" that could inevitably cause you to, in fact gain more weight back after you have stopped, follow these simple guidelines- from my own experiences with food...
1) When at the grocery store, shop the outside edge of the store- stay away from the middle- Preservatives, additives, chemicals (for the most part).
2) If you are looking at the nutritional value of something and it has more than say four or five ingredients or can't pronounce the words or know what they are, put it down and walk away.
3) If you can make it from scratch, do it. There is nothing like knowing exactly what has gone into your dinner and you have control over its nutritional content.
4) ANY type of sweetener that isn't straight sugar or from a natural source, is not good for you. That means all of the Crystal Lights, diet sodas, Mio's and flavored waters of the world. Just drink the water for crying out loud.
5) Buy and eat foods that are as close to their original form as possible. For example, I'll bet that you didn't know some companies use chemicals to peel tomatoes for tomato sauce. Yep. Why, because it's cheaper and easier. Just buy the tomatoes and do it yourself!
6) Go for organic whenever you can. If you have a local market or farmers market in the Spring and Summer, that's probably safe too.
7) Don't deprive yourself. Have you ever caught yourself wanting to eat that entire box of Thin Mints?? Yep, me too. Have a couple a day if you want, just don't eat the whole box alone in front of the TV because you've been eating nothing but broccoli all week.
8) I know, you don't want to hear this, but exercise. Our bodies are machines. Amazing machines. When things go wrong, your body is BEGGING you to do something! A warning sign, "Um, excuse me, you are neglecting me." You HAVE to move to lose weight or gain muscle. If you're like me (40 and a food lover) you have to exercise daily in order to maintain a healthy weight.
9) Eat your protein and your veggies. Muscles can't maintain themselves if you don't eat protein. Lean meats and fish. I had a filet last night. Yummmmm. No, I'm not one of those girls that eats like a rabbit. Gimme the good stuff. Buy organic veggies, because you don't need the added chemicals.
10) Mental health. It's amazing the effects stress have on our bodies. It makes us tired, sad and irritable. If you can, find some private time for yourself daily. To account for your thoughts, figure out where to mentally put things. Meditate. Find inner peace. Forgive people who have hurt you and make your life exactly the way you want it.
Lots of great energy coming your way. Have a fantastic week and I hope you all will apply at least some of these things to your own lives.
Peace & love,
HR
In my own defense, I did quit those things. I quit smoking, cold-turkey, when I was 24. So, it's been 16 years. Unfortunately, I know the fact that I did ever smoke now puts me at risk for certain things, even in my present. I'm pretty proud of myself or quitting and it has made such an enormous difference in my life. Oh, and I saw the other day.. Isn't a pack of cigarettes going for something like six dollars now?? Holy cripes. I'm saving some money too!
I was thinking about diets the other day. The way we all jump on bandwagons to lose weight. I've done it many times. In the past I did Jenny Craig three different times after having my kids and as you know, tried the juicing and the carb thing. Nothing really worked long-term. Until... I started applying things I was learning about food and exercise to my everyday life.
After my kids were born, I started to freak out about what was going into their bodies. Everything I was feeding them was becoming a part of them and shaping the health of their bodies for their lifetime! Talk about total stress. So, that's when I started self-educating myself about food, vitamins, and the environment. After I had it down, the understanding of organic vs. conventional foods and was applying it to my family's life, I then started changing myself.
So, if you DON'T want to be on a "diet" that could inevitably cause you to, in fact gain more weight back after you have stopped, follow these simple guidelines- from my own experiences with food...
1) When at the grocery store, shop the outside edge of the store- stay away from the middle- Preservatives, additives, chemicals (for the most part).
2) If you are looking at the nutritional value of something and it has more than say four or five ingredients or can't pronounce the words or know what they are, put it down and walk away.
3) If you can make it from scratch, do it. There is nothing like knowing exactly what has gone into your dinner and you have control over its nutritional content.
4) ANY type of sweetener that isn't straight sugar or from a natural source, is not good for you. That means all of the Crystal Lights, diet sodas, Mio's and flavored waters of the world. Just drink the water for crying out loud.
5) Buy and eat foods that are as close to their original form as possible. For example, I'll bet that you didn't know some companies use chemicals to peel tomatoes for tomato sauce. Yep. Why, because it's cheaper and easier. Just buy the tomatoes and do it yourself!
6) Go for organic whenever you can. If you have a local market or farmers market in the Spring and Summer, that's probably safe too.
7) Don't deprive yourself. Have you ever caught yourself wanting to eat that entire box of Thin Mints?? Yep, me too. Have a couple a day if you want, just don't eat the whole box alone in front of the TV because you've been eating nothing but broccoli all week.
8) I know, you don't want to hear this, but exercise. Our bodies are machines. Amazing machines. When things go wrong, your body is BEGGING you to do something! A warning sign, "Um, excuse me, you are neglecting me." You HAVE to move to lose weight or gain muscle. If you're like me (40 and a food lover) you have to exercise daily in order to maintain a healthy weight.
9) Eat your protein and your veggies. Muscles can't maintain themselves if you don't eat protein. Lean meats and fish. I had a filet last night. Yummmmm. No, I'm not one of those girls that eats like a rabbit. Gimme the good stuff. Buy organic veggies, because you don't need the added chemicals.
10) Mental health. It's amazing the effects stress have on our bodies. It makes us tired, sad and irritable. If you can, find some private time for yourself daily. To account for your thoughts, figure out where to mentally put things. Meditate. Find inner peace. Forgive people who have hurt you and make your life exactly the way you want it.
Lots of great energy coming your way. Have a fantastic week and I hope you all will apply at least some of these things to your own lives.
Peace & love,
HR
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
SEX-ercise - Are you doing IT?
Oh boy, I'm sure you probably have an inkling where this is headed.. Don't you? Someone posed a question to me the other day which prompted me to begin a little research and honestly, I was intrigued.. The question was this.. "Do you know if sex is considered exercise and if so how is it beneficial?". Thank goodness we have filters because what I was actually thinking was, "Well, duh!". But seriously, it does lead to some interesting inquiries, doesn't it?
It had me thinking, it is exercise, but how exactly is it beneficial to our bodies? What specifically does it do for us- I mean besides the orgasm, which we all know is mind-blowing- how are our systems reacting to this?? How can it benefit us in the long run? I guess it's the science geek in me coming out.
Ok, so we all know that sex is good for us. Your body itself, your mind aside, is working and supposed to be working well while this is happening to you. Here is what healthy, regular sexual experiences can do for you according to one of my favorite websites WebMD.com (even though every time I use their symptom checker it warns me I have cancer or am having a heart attack).
1) Less stress and lower blood pressure: So apparently, the act of having intercourse actually reduces your blood pressure- now this does not pertain to any sexual experience, it has to be intercourse. People who live with someone and have intercourse regularly also have lower stress levels. How about that? Time for a good romp.
2) Sex increases your immunity! Yep, you read that right! That seems like a pretty good reason for a bang if you ask me.. Especially in the winter time when we're all having the winter blues and susceptible to all germs. Sex increases the production of an antibody called immunoglobulin, which protects you from cold and infections.
3) Sex burns calories. We all knew this, right?? But, do you know that data? Here's how it breaks down.. 30 minutes of sex burns 85 calories or more, so if you're having sex everyday with your partner- you're burning roughly 2550 per month! It's a pretty nice supplemental workout! Now, if you're having a foursome, well, then your number doubles, doesn't it?! *wink* Don't count on sex to be your only source of exercise though, you'll get soft. Hahahahaha. Sorry.
4) Sex improves the health of your heart. People who have sex two or more times per week are half as likely to die from a fatal heart attack! Please, just do it!!!
5) Sex boosts your self-esteem. Well, ya, when someone wants your bod, it's sure to make your head big.. Man, I'm cracking myself up here. Some couples with good self-esteem say they sometimes want to have sex after they have had a rough day, just to feel better. Yes!
6) Deeper intimacy. We all want closeness with our partners.. Lovers, husbands, wives. The hormone that is released when we are in close contact with our lovers called oxytocin "the LOVE hormone", builds up in our bodies when we are being loved and in turn, feel even closer to our people. Get this, oxytocin also cuts your pain threshold by almost half!! So when you're getting your ass kicked by your tennis partner and you fall and wrench your wrist- you'll still feel the shame, but maybe not as much physical pain... Oooohh. Having problems sleeping? Get laid before bed, seriously, the oxytocin also promotes sleep.
7) Men, get this.. More ejaculations equal prostate cancer being less likely. I'm not going to touch this one- I'll let you boys figure it out. Hahahaha! I'm a comedian today. Seriously, I think cancer in this area would suck and if more sex or self-pleasure can help you avoid it, I say go for it!
8) Stronger pelvic floor muscles for women. Ok ladies, if you've had children you know how important your Kegel exercises are.. right? I don't really want to get into the dirty details, but lets just say- peeing will never be the same when you're older if you don't exercise your Kegels and sex can help you with that- Hey, it's kinda like killing two birds with one stone. Got me?.... I'm exercising my Kegels while I write this.. 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10.. sorry.
And, this gets juicer. Fitness magazine posted the best sexual positions for the best "sex workout". While I'd love to have images to share of these *eyeroll*, I think I'm happy with giving you the link so you can check them out yourself. There are illustrations, just in case you're confused or need a little guidance before or during. Adults.. Use your smarts if kids are around, these illustrations are detailed.
http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/health/sex/better-sex-guide/sex-positions-that-double-as-exercise/?page=1
Ladies, let's say you want to prepare your gorgeous bod for better sex. Here are the exercises you should focus on.. according to Women's Day Magazine.
1) Squats. This exercise not only works your glutes, but did you know it also increases blood flow to your Hoo-Haa? Yep. 15-30 reps daily should do ya.
2) Pelvic Tilts. These build your core muscles and strengthen your lower back and in-turn decrease your likelihood of lower back pain which can decrease your desire for nookie. And, not to mention, they are so easy to do sitting in front of the TV watching Biggest Loser.
3) Plank Pose. Do you like being on top ladies? Then you need to do your plank poses. This is right from the magazine and from the mouth of a psychiatrist named Madeleine Castellanos. It's quite "proper" and not the same language I'd use, but whatever, she's a professional:
“This exercise works upper arms, abdominals, obliques, thighs and buttocks,” she says. “These are important muscles that help stabilize you when you are engaged in intercourse on all fours, any position where the woman is on top, or in transition from one position to another while maintaining close genital contact with your partner.”
What I am going to say here is this... ALL exercise is good for you. I'm not on board with the Paddle-Surfing Yoga yet, it seems kinda dangerous, but I still get the point. Sex is good for you. Sex is especially good for you when your partner is completely on board with what you feel you need to be 100% satisfied in the sack. How do you get that? Communication. You HAVE to talk about it. You have to make sure you are both on the same page and comfortable expressing your needs and wants sexually. Of course, there are some couples who just know I guess and it's effortless, but I think that's somewhat rare.
Fun Flirty Facts:
-A woman's clitoris has 8000 nerve endings!
-A brain during an orgasm looks the same as the brain of a heroin addict. Hmm.
-Some people have reported having orgasms in other areas of the body, like hands and feet.. That would come in handy! Hahahahaha!
-A woman's sexuality and desire gets more intense around age 40... If you know me personally, I'm not touching this one.
So, exercise for sex, then exercise more during sex. Added to your regular workout routine, it seems like you might have some mind-blowing fun. Go for it- IT IS good for you!
XOXO
~HR
It had me thinking, it is exercise, but how exactly is it beneficial to our bodies? What specifically does it do for us- I mean besides the orgasm, which we all know is mind-blowing- how are our systems reacting to this?? How can it benefit us in the long run? I guess it's the science geek in me coming out.
Ok, so we all know that sex is good for us. Your body itself, your mind aside, is working and supposed to be working well while this is happening to you. Here is what healthy, regular sexual experiences can do for you according to one of my favorite websites WebMD.com (even though every time I use their symptom checker it warns me I have cancer or am having a heart attack).
1) Less stress and lower blood pressure: So apparently, the act of having intercourse actually reduces your blood pressure- now this does not pertain to any sexual experience, it has to be intercourse. People who live with someone and have intercourse regularly also have lower stress levels. How about that? Time for a good romp.
2) Sex increases your immunity! Yep, you read that right! That seems like a pretty good reason for a bang if you ask me.. Especially in the winter time when we're all having the winter blues and susceptible to all germs. Sex increases the production of an antibody called immunoglobulin, which protects you from cold and infections.
3) Sex burns calories. We all knew this, right?? But, do you know that data? Here's how it breaks down.. 30 minutes of sex burns 85 calories or more, so if you're having sex everyday with your partner- you're burning roughly 2550 per month! It's a pretty nice supplemental workout! Now, if you're having a foursome, well, then your number doubles, doesn't it?! *wink* Don't count on sex to be your only source of exercise though, you'll get soft. Hahahahaha. Sorry.
4) Sex improves the health of your heart. People who have sex two or more times per week are half as likely to die from a fatal heart attack! Please, just do it!!!
5) Sex boosts your self-esteem. Well, ya, when someone wants your bod, it's sure to make your head big.. Man, I'm cracking myself up here. Some couples with good self-esteem say they sometimes want to have sex after they have had a rough day, just to feel better. Yes!
6) Deeper intimacy. We all want closeness with our partners.. Lovers, husbands, wives. The hormone that is released when we are in close contact with our lovers called oxytocin "the LOVE hormone", builds up in our bodies when we are being loved and in turn, feel even closer to our people. Get this, oxytocin also cuts your pain threshold by almost half!! So when you're getting your ass kicked by your tennis partner and you fall and wrench your wrist- you'll still feel the shame, but maybe not as much physical pain... Oooohh. Having problems sleeping? Get laid before bed, seriously, the oxytocin also promotes sleep.
7) Men, get this.. More ejaculations equal prostate cancer being less likely. I'm not going to touch this one- I'll let you boys figure it out. Hahahaha! I'm a comedian today. Seriously, I think cancer in this area would suck and if more sex or self-pleasure can help you avoid it, I say go for it!
8) Stronger pelvic floor muscles for women. Ok ladies, if you've had children you know how important your Kegel exercises are.. right? I don't really want to get into the dirty details, but lets just say- peeing will never be the same when you're older if you don't exercise your Kegels and sex can help you with that- Hey, it's kinda like killing two birds with one stone. Got me?.... I'm exercising my Kegels while I write this.. 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10.. sorry.
And, this gets juicer. Fitness magazine posted the best sexual positions for the best "sex workout". While I'd love to have images to share of these *eyeroll*, I think I'm happy with giving you the link so you can check them out yourself. There are illustrations, just in case you're confused or need a little guidance before or during. Adults.. Use your smarts if kids are around, these illustrations are detailed.
http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/health/sex/better-sex-guide/sex-positions-that-double-as-exercise/?page=1
Ladies, let's say you want to prepare your gorgeous bod for better sex. Here are the exercises you should focus on.. according to Women's Day Magazine.
1) Squats. This exercise not only works your glutes, but did you know it also increases blood flow to your Hoo-Haa? Yep. 15-30 reps daily should do ya.
2) Pelvic Tilts. These build your core muscles and strengthen your lower back and in-turn decrease your likelihood of lower back pain which can decrease your desire for nookie. And, not to mention, they are so easy to do sitting in front of the TV watching Biggest Loser.
3) Plank Pose. Do you like being on top ladies? Then you need to do your plank poses. This is right from the magazine and from the mouth of a psychiatrist named Madeleine Castellanos. It's quite "proper" and not the same language I'd use, but whatever, she's a professional:
“This exercise works upper arms, abdominals, obliques, thighs and buttocks,” she says. “These are important muscles that help stabilize you when you are engaged in intercourse on all fours, any position where the woman is on top, or in transition from one position to another while maintaining close genital contact with your partner.”
What I am going to say here is this... ALL exercise is good for you. I'm not on board with the Paddle-Surfing Yoga yet, it seems kinda dangerous, but I still get the point. Sex is good for you. Sex is especially good for you when your partner is completely on board with what you feel you need to be 100% satisfied in the sack. How do you get that? Communication. You HAVE to talk about it. You have to make sure you are both on the same page and comfortable expressing your needs and wants sexually. Of course, there are some couples who just know I guess and it's effortless, but I think that's somewhat rare.
Fun Flirty Facts:
-A woman's clitoris has 8000 nerve endings!
-A brain during an orgasm looks the same as the brain of a heroin addict. Hmm.
-Some people have reported having orgasms in other areas of the body, like hands and feet.. That would come in handy! Hahahahaha!
-A woman's sexuality and desire gets more intense around age 40... If you know me personally, I'm not touching this one.
So, exercise for sex, then exercise more during sex. Added to your regular workout routine, it seems like you might have some mind-blowing fun. Go for it- IT IS good for you!
XOXO
~HR
Thursday, February 21, 2013
My name is ______ and I am a Diet Soda Addict
This is Chuck. Everyone, please say hello to my handsome friend Chuck. If Chuck could speak to you right now from his lovely sweater photo, he would tell you, "Hi, I'm Chuck and I am a Diet Soda addict."
Chuck and I go way back. We went to High School together WAY back in the early 90's- who am I kidding, late 80's.. He's one of the nicest people I've known and I'm about to give him a hard time, but he has a great story.....
I had to write about Chuck today because he overcame an extremely hefty addiction. His addiction was driving him to drink anywhere from 8-14 diet sodas per day! Yes, shame, shame on him, but I'm not here to shame Chuck (Ok, maybe I am.. just a little).. I'm going to explain why these diet sodas are so very bad for you. Now, I am totally guilty of drinking them too. I have about two per week. So I am not without my own shame. Before I go off- Here's what Chuck says about his "drinking problem":
"I have always been a big drinker of sweetened drinks. When I was a kid, I drank a ton of Kool-Aid. I always had a Kool-Aid mustache as a kid. My parents rarely let us drink soda unless we were out to eat or it was a special occasion.
When I went to college, I worked at a couple of restaurants where I had an endless supply of soda to drink while I worked. And I drank a lot of it. After a while, I realized how much sugar I was consuming and how it was effecting my weight, so I switched to diet sodas. It took a while to get used to, but after a couple of weeks I was hooked.
After being accustomed to drinking diet soda, when I have had the occasional regular soda, it tastes way too sweet. I can't even drink it now.
Diet Dr. Pepper and Diet Mountain Dew are my favorites because they taste most like the real versions.
I have been drinking at least 8 diet sodas a day for the last 18 years or so. I would say that number will sometimes go to as many as 14 or 16 in a day depending on the day. Lately, I have had a can of diet soda with me while working out rather than using a bottle of water. Talk about being an addict.
I have also been known to opt for a 2 liter bottle at the gas station rather than just buying the standard 20 oz. bottle. I figure I'm going to drink it anyway.
As you can imagine, the habit is very expensive. It has gotten so bad that my wife and I will stock up when it is on sale (usually around the holidays). We generally have huge stacks of cases and 12 packs of diet soda in our basement and it takes me no time to tear through it.
I have started to be more health conscious over the last few years after both of my parents died at ages 60 and 63. Their deaths were a definite wake up call for me. Since then I work out regularly and watch what I eat. I have cut all of the processed carbs and sugar out of my diet and have lost 27 pounds in doing so. I have kept it off for 3 years now.
I have an app on my iPhone called Zite that feeds me health and fitness articles and I have read a few articles about diet soda and how bad it can be for you as of late. Some have said that you are better off drinking regular soda rather than diet. One article I read said that aspartame (the artificial sweetener used in diet soft-drinks) is converted to formaldehyde in the body and builds up in the brain. Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen. Scary!
Mostly, it scares me to think of all of the amount of aspartame floating through my body and not knowing what that chemical is doing to my body. I have 4 children and would like to live as long as I can for them.
I have been limiting myself to 2 diet sodas a day since last week and have been drinking water instead. And ya know what, ice cold water is pretty damn good :-)"
Now that Chuck has stated his case.. I have a little bit more to add. I'm sure you can imagine where I'll be going with this.
According to the Journal of General Internal Medicine, drinking just one can of soda per day can increase your risk of having a heart attack or stroke. Here's another problem Chuck may not be aware of.. Carmel color. Have you all read about this lately? Oh ya, gross. Long-term exposure can increase your possibility of getting lung cancer (researched by the federal government). The Aspartame has caused cancer in animals, but the sweetener actually tricks your body into gaining weight! One more thing.. Phosphoric Acid. This can cause kidney disease.
So, yes, ONE MORE THING you have to avoid putting into your beautiful bodies. What do I always say? Moderation. Right? One diet soda every now and then will probably not kill you. But, if you are an addict of ANYTHING, it's probably time to put that in check.
Now that I'm done scolding my friend Chuck, I have to say.... The reason I even decided to write about him is because how incredibly proud of him I was when I heard about how he made this change in his life. It takes so much effort and determination to first decide to make the change and then to execute it. An addiction to anything is hard to overcome. I was inspired by him.
Way to go Chuck!
If you're interested in learning more about diet sodas, I found some links for you.
http://abcnews.go.com/m/story?id=12868269
http://m.nydailynews.com/1.1257846
http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2013/01/09/nih-study-links-soda-with-depression
http://wap.myfoxchicago.com/w/main/story/84108321/
While I am on a roll for giving kudos. I want to give a shout-out to one of my BFF's.. Heide. Not only is the woman juicing, she is preparing healthy meals and snacks for her large family and learning the joys of shopping at Whole Foods. I am SO proud. But, wait, there's more.. She sees Marcus (from my last post) weekly for workouts! You rock Heid's!!
Thank you to all of my friends and family for giving me inspiration to take better care of myself and to write about it. You are all amazing. Think better and be better.
~HR
My links:
www.facebook.com/hungryrambling I post here daily, pics and sarcasm.
www.twitter.com/hungryrambling
www.hungryrambling.com
So, yes, ONE MORE THING you have to avoid putting into your beautiful bodies. What do I always say? Moderation. Right? One diet soda every now and then will probably not kill you. But, if you are an addict of ANYTHING, it's probably time to put that in check.
Now that I'm done scolding my friend Chuck, I have to say.... The reason I even decided to write about him is because how incredibly proud of him I was when I heard about how he made this change in his life. It takes so much effort and determination to first decide to make the change and then to execute it. An addiction to anything is hard to overcome. I was inspired by him.
Way to go Chuck!
If you're interested in learning more about diet sodas, I found some links for you.
http://abcnews.go.com/m/story?id=12868269
http://m.nydailynews.com/1.1257846
http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2013/01/09/nih-study-links-soda-with-depression
http://wap.myfoxchicago.com/w/main/story/84108321/
While I am on a roll for giving kudos. I want to give a shout-out to one of my BFF's.. Heide. Not only is the woman juicing, she is preparing healthy meals and snacks for her large family and learning the joys of shopping at Whole Foods. I am SO proud. But, wait, there's more.. She sees Marcus (from my last post) weekly for workouts! You rock Heid's!!
Thank you to all of my friends and family for giving me inspiration to take better care of myself and to write about it. You are all amazing. Think better and be better.
~HR
My links:
www.facebook.com/hungryrambling I post here daily, pics and sarcasm.
www.twitter.com/hungryrambling
www.hungryrambling.com
Friday, February 15, 2013
UPDATED: A Workout With a Professional Athlete Will Get You Every Time
Do you ever just get sick of listening to yourself whine? Waa, waa, waa! Ugh! I felt like that after I woke up and read my last post. Who gives a flying flubber? I think it's the Seattle winter that gets to me sometimes. Today we had a beautiful day, I got out, went for a run, took some pictures, messed around with some waterfowl (who were not at all amused with me) and drank lots of coffee. It's amazing how a new day can really recharge your batteries. Thank goodness.. I was a downer, huh? Blah, blah.
So March marks the month of my new workout program. You know how I love these. I try something new every year. Last year, it was the juicing and a strict running routine that began in May. After talking with my new friend Marcus Robinson (former pro football player for the Chicago Bears), whom I had the chance to workout with while on vacation, I learned how much I really want to have my muscles back. Skinny is good, but strong is better. He made some good analogies. Comparing the shapes of bodies of athletes to the size and length of their muscles. For example, distance runners have long lean leg muscles, while sprinters have thick, large quadriceps. He also poo-pooed my diet. Yes, MY diet. At least that's the impression I got. He said he thought I wasn't eating enough. So, perhaps I need to work on how much food I put into this body. God knows I love to eat! I'm fine with my Venti soy latte for breakfast, but apparently that's not cutting it- according to Marcus. He seemed a little mortified by this admission. Sort of looking at me like my mother used to when I refused to eat my vegetables. I'm 5'1", I think I just thought I didn't really need THAT much food. I think I need to start thinking of my body as more of a machine. I mean, I knew that, but I wasn't really applying the principle. Food is good for the brain too.. I feel better, mentally and physically balanced when I'm feeding my body right. I know this.. I'm looking up to Marcus because I'm pretty sure the man knows what he's talking about. Although, I have to say, I'm not 100% with you on the Pedialite, Marcus. *grin*
Here's my plan:
At least one workout per day alternating strength training with running outside and on the treadmill and of course, Zumba.. As of right now, I'm eating anywhere between 1200-2200 calories per day (depending what's on the agenda for the day). I need to try to keep the calorie intake up and make sure I'm eating lots of protein. The good news is, I am NOT a vegetarian (although you know I have tried that in the past). So, meat will definitely be on the menu. Don't worry, yes, it will all be organic meats. Chicken, fish and some red meat.
If any of you are on the same boat, I'd love to hear what you have to say about this. I am not a professional athlete, but I play one on TV. Way back in the day, I was in the August 1999 edition of Shape magazine. I was 26 years old and my metabolism was like the space shuttle's rocket boosters. Marcus thinks my age will not play into my ability to get the body I want, so I'm going to trust his expertise. Shape got in touch a few months ago and wanted to know if I'd give them an update, so I think I'll wait until after I accomplish this. I don't want them doing a story on the floppy skinned, weak, former centerfold (which I'm not, but it sounds good). I think you'll agree, strong and with firm muscles is much more attractive.
One thing I will NOT do is deprive myself. As you know, I LOVE food and I LOVE to eat out. So, I guess I'll have to work just a little bit harder than the average 40 year old.
So March marks the month of my new workout program. You know how I love these. I try something new every year. Last year, it was the juicing and a strict running routine that began in May. After talking with my new friend Marcus Robinson (former pro football player for the Chicago Bears), whom I had the chance to workout with while on vacation, I learned how much I really want to have my muscles back. Skinny is good, but strong is better. He made some good analogies. Comparing the shapes of bodies of athletes to the size and length of their muscles. For example, distance runners have long lean leg muscles, while sprinters have thick, large quadriceps. He also poo-pooed my diet. Yes, MY diet. At least that's the impression I got. He said he thought I wasn't eating enough. So, perhaps I need to work on how much food I put into this body. God knows I love to eat! I'm fine with my Venti soy latte for breakfast, but apparently that's not cutting it- according to Marcus. He seemed a little mortified by this admission. Sort of looking at me like my mother used to when I refused to eat my vegetables. I'm 5'1", I think I just thought I didn't really need THAT much food. I think I need to start thinking of my body as more of a machine. I mean, I knew that, but I wasn't really applying the principle. Food is good for the brain too.. I feel better, mentally and physically balanced when I'm feeding my body right. I know this.. I'm looking up to Marcus because I'm pretty sure the man knows what he's talking about. Although, I have to say, I'm not 100% with you on the Pedialite, Marcus. *grin*
Here's my plan:
At least one workout per day alternating strength training with running outside and on the treadmill and of course, Zumba.. As of right now, I'm eating anywhere between 1200-2200 calories per day (depending what's on the agenda for the day). I need to try to keep the calorie intake up and make sure I'm eating lots of protein. The good news is, I am NOT a vegetarian (although you know I have tried that in the past). So, meat will definitely be on the menu. Don't worry, yes, it will all be organic meats. Chicken, fish and some red meat.
If any of you are on the same boat, I'd love to hear what you have to say about this. I am not a professional athlete, but I play one on TV. Way back in the day, I was in the August 1999 edition of Shape magazine. I was 26 years old and my metabolism was like the space shuttle's rocket boosters. Marcus thinks my age will not play into my ability to get the body I want, so I'm going to trust his expertise. Shape got in touch a few months ago and wanted to know if I'd give them an update, so I think I'll wait until after I accomplish this. I don't want them doing a story on the floppy skinned, weak, former centerfold (which I'm not, but it sounds good). I think you'll agree, strong and with firm muscles is much more attractive.
One thing I will NOT do is deprive myself. As you know, I LOVE food and I LOVE to eat out. So, I guess I'll have to work just a little bit harder than the average 40 year old.
Marcus and I..
You can find him on Facebook.
and
Saturday, February 2, 2013
Thank you & Deep Thoughts #1284
Dearest Readers-
This is a letter to you. If you've been reading me, you know I can get deep.. It's just me.
I have received many Facebook inbox messages thanking me for posts that helped you or encouraged you. I have to say, you are extremely welcome.
I'm not into blogging for the notoriety, I write to you my thoughts because frankly sometimes I need to get the buggers out of my head. I write to you about food because I am passionate about it and how it affects our bodies and our world. Exercise to GMO's, it all important to me and passing some of it on to you also very important to me.
As I was running in the cold, wetness today I first thought, "WTF am I doing, I could be at home, with a scone, in front of the freakin' fireplace." Then, it dawned on me, after listening to my body for awhile.. It was happy. I wasn't exhausted, out of breath, nothing hurt, I was running at my optimal pace. My body was appreciative of the blood pumping and the release of energy. I'm 40 and my body, a machine, is working well. I need this. There will come a day when I can't- so I WILL do it now. If you've been putting it off- don't. Life is so short and we have so much to do and so many people to take care of and jobs that need our best. Do everything well! Be passionate. How do you want others to see you and how do you want to see yourself? I want you all to be strong and to consider everything that involves your body.
So, if you thanked me for inspiration, I'm so glad you're moving! If you thanked me for making you laugh, laugh more. If you thanked me for more information about GMO's, go buy organic. I'd like to note, I did get a thank you for my kitchen dances and while I'd love to say they were some kind of Internet sensation, lets just keep them between us. Ok, thanks.
Do something good for you today. Make a juice, eat some amazing healthy meal, go for a run. You are important.
And, next week I'll tell you about all of the crap I'll be eating while on vacation.
~HR
This is a letter to you. If you've been reading me, you know I can get deep.. It's just me.
I have received many Facebook inbox messages thanking me for posts that helped you or encouraged you. I have to say, you are extremely welcome.
I'm not into blogging for the notoriety, I write to you my thoughts because frankly sometimes I need to get the buggers out of my head. I write to you about food because I am passionate about it and how it affects our bodies and our world. Exercise to GMO's, it all important to me and passing some of it on to you also very important to me.
As I was running in the cold, wetness today I first thought, "WTF am I doing, I could be at home, with a scone, in front of the freakin' fireplace." Then, it dawned on me, after listening to my body for awhile.. It was happy. I wasn't exhausted, out of breath, nothing hurt, I was running at my optimal pace. My body was appreciative of the blood pumping and the release of energy. I'm 40 and my body, a machine, is working well. I need this. There will come a day when I can't- so I WILL do it now. If you've been putting it off- don't. Life is so short and we have so much to do and so many people to take care of and jobs that need our best. Do everything well! Be passionate. How do you want others to see you and how do you want to see yourself? I want you all to be strong and to consider everything that involves your body.
So, if you thanked me for inspiration, I'm so glad you're moving! If you thanked me for making you laugh, laugh more. If you thanked me for more information about GMO's, go buy organic. I'd like to note, I did get a thank you for my kitchen dances and while I'd love to say they were some kind of Internet sensation, lets just keep them between us. Ok, thanks.
Do something good for you today. Make a juice, eat some amazing healthy meal, go for a run. You are important.
And, next week I'll tell you about all of the crap I'll be eating while on vacation.
~HR
Friday, January 25, 2013
My Version of Eat This.. Not That Crap!
I'm a mother. I have been for about ten years. When my children were babies, I was faced with some pretty tough decisions right from the get-go. Never mind the sleeping arrangements, the pacifiers, the every moment of what seemed like panic. My biggest concern was the food I was going to be putting into those growing bodies. These little people were depending on me, and only me, to make sure they would be eating the cleanest food possible. So, I embarked on a mission to find the best food for my kids. I did a couple of pretty drastic things.
The biggest was removing the microwave from my home. I had done some research about microwave cooking, and based on what I read, I learned the process of cooking the food from the inside out was changing the molecular structure of the food. I found this to be disturbing. Now, I'm not suggesting you go out and toss your micro. Maybe use it less. We should be eating food that is fresh anyway. Most microwavable food contains lots and lots of preservatives, things your body does not need.
The second biggest was attempting to go completely organic and local with my groceries as well as grow my own food at home. I have a few great ways to do this. I buy most of my food fresh from places like Whole Foods, Full Circle Farm and Amazon Fresh. Although, Target, to my great pleasure and surprise is now selling some organic items. In my opinion, there are three major aspects of food you should be looking for when you're shopping.
1) Is it organic? If so, how much of it is organic?
But, what does "organic" even mean? It means the ingredients or food item is produced using methods that do not require the use of pesticides, fertilizers or artificial additives. In theory, this means you are not ingesting these potentially harmful substances and therefor reducing your risk of certain diseases. In my opinion, buy organic whenever you can. Mostly for fresh vegetables, chicken and meats. Also, in my opinion, they taste dramatically better. I have always preferred organic eggs. They are shockingly different from their conventional counterparts.
2) Is there a Non-GMO label on the box? ALL organic food is supposed to be GMO free. But, there are some products out there that are not considered organic, but do have the Non-GMO label. Please look for it. What is a GMO you ask? A GMO is a genetically modified organism. A organism that has been modified by inserting or deleting genes in order to produce a "stronger" or "supreme" version of the original. Originally GMO's were created in the effort to produce stronger crops to reduce world hunger, but now they are growing in areas where it is not needed and contaminating organic and naturally grown crops. The biggest and most controversial issue, is that they are attempting to do this without our knowledge, so there are many efforts out there to force companies to label their food. Some are trying to eliminate GMO's from the food supply completely. The most recent GMO effort is to mainstream GMO salmon. Wouldn't you want to know if you were eating a farmed, genetically modified fish?! This issue gets under my skin and is quite fishy.
If you're interested in more information about GMO's visit the Non-GMO Project
www.nongmoproject.org
3) How many ingredients are on the box? If you can't pronounce it or there are more than 7 or so ingredients, it might be worth it to look at an alternative. Hey, I know you can't buy everything organic. But, the next time you're at the store looking for snacks to buy for your elementary school kids please consider looking at the labels and comparing. I went to Target and documented for you some of the differences in ingredients and prices. Of course, you WILL end up paying more for the organic versions, but I ask you to think of it this way... You are making an investment in the health and wellness of you and your family. Cancer and other diseases are much more expensive and if buying and consuming locally grown, organic and GMO-free foods can help that, I'm all in.
Please be aware when you are buying food, just because it says "natural" on the box or bag does NOT mean it is good for you. Read labels carefully, educate yourself! If we stop buying the junk, they will stop making it.
I'm realistic people. I know I can't eat EVERYTHING organic, but I try. I love to go out to eat and some of the places I like are not organic restaurants. Just try to balance it all out. Make smart choices..
Here are some examples of kids snacks you can purchase at Target plus their organic competitors and I also tried to include the price stickers for you:
The biggest was removing the microwave from my home. I had done some research about microwave cooking, and based on what I read, I learned the process of cooking the food from the inside out was changing the molecular structure of the food. I found this to be disturbing. Now, I'm not suggesting you go out and toss your micro. Maybe use it less. We should be eating food that is fresh anyway. Most microwavable food contains lots and lots of preservatives, things your body does not need.
The second biggest was attempting to go completely organic and local with my groceries as well as grow my own food at home. I have a few great ways to do this. I buy most of my food fresh from places like Whole Foods, Full Circle Farm and Amazon Fresh. Although, Target, to my great pleasure and surprise is now selling some organic items. In my opinion, there are three major aspects of food you should be looking for when you're shopping.
1) Is it organic? If so, how much of it is organic?
But, what does "organic" even mean? It means the ingredients or food item is produced using methods that do not require the use of pesticides, fertilizers or artificial additives. In theory, this means you are not ingesting these potentially harmful substances and therefor reducing your risk of certain diseases. In my opinion, buy organic whenever you can. Mostly for fresh vegetables, chicken and meats. Also, in my opinion, they taste dramatically better. I have always preferred organic eggs. They are shockingly different from their conventional counterparts.
2) Is there a Non-GMO label on the box? ALL organic food is supposed to be GMO free. But, there are some products out there that are not considered organic, but do have the Non-GMO label. Please look for it. What is a GMO you ask? A GMO is a genetically modified organism. A organism that has been modified by inserting or deleting genes in order to produce a "stronger" or "supreme" version of the original. Originally GMO's were created in the effort to produce stronger crops to reduce world hunger, but now they are growing in areas where it is not needed and contaminating organic and naturally grown crops. The biggest and most controversial issue, is that they are attempting to do this without our knowledge, so there are many efforts out there to force companies to label their food. Some are trying to eliminate GMO's from the food supply completely. The most recent GMO effort is to mainstream GMO salmon. Wouldn't you want to know if you were eating a farmed, genetically modified fish?! This issue gets under my skin and is quite fishy.
If you're interested in more information about GMO's visit the Non-GMO Project
www.nongmoproject.org
3) How many ingredients are on the box? If you can't pronounce it or there are more than 7 or so ingredients, it might be worth it to look at an alternative. Hey, I know you can't buy everything organic. But, the next time you're at the store looking for snacks to buy for your elementary school kids please consider looking at the labels and comparing. I went to Target and documented for you some of the differences in ingredients and prices. Of course, you WILL end up paying more for the organic versions, but I ask you to think of it this way... You are making an investment in the health and wellness of you and your family. Cancer and other diseases are much more expensive and if buying and consuming locally grown, organic and GMO-free foods can help that, I'm all in.
Please be aware when you are buying food, just because it says "natural" on the box or bag does NOT mean it is good for you. Read labels carefully, educate yourself! If we stop buying the junk, they will stop making it.
I'm realistic people. I know I can't eat EVERYTHING organic, but I try. I love to go out to eat and some of the places I like are not organic restaurants. Just try to balance it all out. Make smart choices..
Here are some examples of kids snacks you can purchase at Target plus their organic competitors and I also tried to include the price stickers for you:
This is "GoGurt" Don't buy this...
Get "YoKids" instead
Target has their own organic brand.. I bought this salsa. Look at the ingredients! This is a perfect example of SIMPLE!
Oh boy, Pop-tarts.. I wouldn't get these. I buy the Nature's Path equivalent.
Instead of buying "natural" granola.. Go for an organic version like...
Cascadian Farm!
Not all of Annie's products are 100% organic, but I do like this party mix.
Fruit snacks- another kids fav... There are a number of organic version of this at Target. Main stream fruit snacks are full of junk.
I prefer the Annie's version.
Again, granola bars, Quaker uses GMO's, I go for
Cascadian Farm
Be smart about what you eat and your body will thank you!
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