As you all know I LOVE Pilates and feel it is beneficial for all. I was so excited last week when my mom called me and exclaimed, “The First Lady does Pilates!!!” 

Michelle tells all about her exercise routine for staying healthy and fit in the November issue of Prevention Magazine! A big part of it, the First Lady says, is her early-morning exercise regime. She varies her 4:30 am workouts with Pilates, cardio, stretching, and weights.

“I enjoy arm exercises because you can see what it’s hitting,” she says. “With exercising, the more you do it, the more you get into it.  And the more you see results, the more you’re pushing for the next level. That’s when it just clicked for me.” 

The First Lady’s number one health rule: Give yourself permission to be happy!

Hopefully, you’ve had a chance to check out the excellent documentary Food, Inc. in the movie theater or from your couch on Blu-ray or DVD.

Even if you are not so inclined for whatever reason to view the film or read the companion piece of the work that claims “you’ll never look at dinner the same way”, it really is well past time to consider just what exactly you are putting into your body.

Yahoo! is offering up a column from Liz Vaccariello, Editor-in-Chief of Prevention Magazine that gives you “the 7 foods experts won’t eat”. 

You will be amazed at the inherent dangers associated with some of these “everyday” foods.

Change your diet or not, but at least educate yourself on what is in the food (and the packaging) that you bring home from your local grocery store. 

Or be prepared to suffer the consequences later.

There are many benefits of weight training that will keep you moving towards success. Many women are afraid to use weights, and if they do, often choose “light” weights fearing that going too heavy will add bulk and look masculine. However, unless you are taking serious protein, testosterone and lifting huge weight in short reps like bodybuilders, it is very unlikely you will not end up like this. Increasing the amount of weight you use so that you are fully exhausting the muscle in 8-12 reps is enough to cause the right amount of resistance to firm up and increases strength to reap the benefits of weight training. I currently use a 10lb dumbbell set to do all the basic weights moves such as chest press, flies, shoulder raises, side lifts, bicep curls, triceps extensions etc.Prevention magazine has a wealth of articles on all aspects on health not just the benefits of weight training which you can easily follow. Don’t be afraid to increase the weight. The benefits of weight training are that you will speed up your metabolism and burn calories while you are resting. You will lose inches as the muscle tightens up. You will be aiding your bones through the internal tugging that takes place as the muscle pulls against it. You will find you have more strength to do every day tasks, for example, lifting groceries out of the car, carrying boxes and doing gardening chores.

The benefits of weight training can be had at any age no matter when you start. It is easy to incorporate into a busy life as you can do it indoors with a pair of dumbbells and your favourite music or TV show.

Rachael Ray has worn Stella & Dot jewelry before on her Emmy award-winning daytime talk show The Rachael Ray Show. Now it’s time for her guests to enjoy a little Stella & Dot sparkle! A  guest wore the gold La Coco Brooch Necklace over a berry hued turtleneck (shown at right) on Wednesday, November 18, 2009, in the segment “Holiday Travel Tips.” She wore the necklace with the Garden Party Chandelier Earrings and the Berry Cocktail Ring from Stella & Dot.  Click HERE to watch the clip.

Liz Vaccariello, editor-in-chief of Prevention magazine and author of the book The 400 Calorie Fix, was Rachael’s guest on Thursday’s show and she donned the Gilda Necklace from Stella & Dot in the ”400 Calorie Fix” segment (shown at left). I couldn’t get a close enough look, but she just might be wearing the Jill CZ Hoop Earrings from Stella & Dot as well. Click HERE to watch the video.

Pies don’t get no respect, even though images of them fill every magazine cover this time of year. More often, pie is treated as a fat-laden antique. Luckily, a true pie defender is in the White House. “I like pie. And that’s okay. I would be depressed if I felt I could never eat the things that I love,” – Michelle Obama told Prevention. She also told O magazine: “The pie in the White House is dangerously good.” I can hardly wait to see how she and the family celebrate National Pie Day, Jan. 23.

I’m a little under the weather so don’t expect much of me today…this post may not be as fabulous as all the others!

Yes, we all know the Yankees won the World Series…congrats. But I learned something very interesting last night while reading my Prevention magazine. Who says the DD isn’t informative…no really, who says that. My tip for the week is this…

Michael Jutt (the the brilliant researcher) found out that none of their shampoo’s removed an experimental styling material. We all know that some styling products will stick to your hair very tightly and can build up overtime (well, most of us know that). Well (here comes the interesting part…don’t fall asleep yet) one day in the lab someone accidentally used conditioner to wash and then corrected her mistake by washing her hair with shampoo. And guess what; the hair ended up much cleaner. The buildup of product gets trapped into the conditioner and then both get washed away by the shampoo. Is this news old? Well if it is then I’m canceling my subscription to Prevention.

Hey, I’m trying it and I would bet that one of my readers will try it too. Please let me know. And for insurance purposes, if you do try this and your hair falls out the DD is not libel.

Giveaway Winner

And the winner of the Taza Chocolate Giveaway is… VeggieGirl! Email me with your mailing address and I’ll make sure you receive your vegan, soy-free, gluten-free, delicious dark chocolate to enjoy.

The Flat Belly Diet Cookbook Review

This book was sent to me by Rodale Books to review. Any time I see a book with a title like this one, I assume that it’s going to be along the lines of a fad diet. Thankfully, the title is misleading in that sense: this is not a fad diet cookbook. Hurray!

The cookbook and diet plan were designed by the editors of Prevention. The premise of this diet (and you know I use the term loosely) is to include healthy fats with every meal: specifically, MUFA’s (monunsaturated fatty acids). The Flat Belly Diet Cookbook explains what constitutes a MUFA, how best to incorporate them into our meals, and the value of the Mediterranean diet. Fact: when I was living in Spain for three months, the only exercise I did was lifestyle activities (lots of walking and chasing after the girls that I was au pair to), and I did not count calories or watch my food intake at all. Fact: The food that I ate was whatever my house mother cooked, which included an abundance of olive oil and other MUFA’s (dark chocolate with every meal, not even kidding). Fact: I felt fabulous, had bundles of energy, and lost several pounds over that time period without even trying. That was also the period in my life when I had the best body image and, looking back at pictures over the years, I definitely think that I looked the best at the time and was more comfortable in my skin than I’ve been at any other point in my life. The classic Mediterranean diet is, I believe, an incredibly healthy way to eat.

The Flat Belly Diet also goes on to explain the health benefits of MUFA’s and their role in reducing type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, chronic inflammation, breast cancer, and Alzheimer’s. MUFA’s are vital for proper functioning and this book really focuses on improving our health while still enjoying ourselves.

They begin with a Four-Day Anti-Bloat Jumpstart meal plan, which includes a meal-building formula. For example, lunch might be “1 protein + 1 dairy + 1 veggie + 1 glass Sassy Water. “Sassy water” is their combination of water with ginger, cucumber, lemon, and spearmint leaves to help with digestion.

The book includes meal plans and grocery shopping lists with vegetarian and vegan options. It looks at what foods to include regularly and substitutions for various kinds of food in case of allergies or dislikes. It also advises what foods to avoid and how to make every recipe in the cookbook a well-rounded meal.

The interesting thing that I found about this book is that it appears to be a healthy cookbook disguised as a fad diet cookbook. It has a few “success stories” throughout, which I’m never a big fan of, yet it stresses the importance of eating regularly and encourages the reader to not be afraid of healthy fats.

The Flat Belly Diet Cookbook has a beautiful layout with colour photographs, nutritional information for every recipe, and a broad range of different kinds of foods: breakfast, soup and sandwiches, salads and sides, vegetarian, seafood, poultry, meats, snacks, desserts. The ingredients in all of these recipes are real ingredients (no artificial sweeteners or pudding mixes that so many cookbooks, sadly, make use of with a heavy hand). At the back of the book is a serving chart with the different MUFA’s, such as almonds, Brazil nuts, flaxseed oil, pesto, soybeans and so forth, along with the recommended serving size and the corresponding number of calories per serving. There is also a conversion chart to make measuring easier for everyone.

I’ve tried a couple of the recipes, such as a dairy-free Creamy Broccoli Soup and the thin crust pizza, and both were delicious. Personally, my body doesn’t always enjoy a lot of high-fat foods; however this book will be perfect for the sisterroommate. We already agreed that when she returns from her travels in the spring, we will follow the meal plan included in this book and try it out: her major stumbling block when trying to eat healthy is that her body craves fattier foods, so this cookbook was basically designed for her.

I also received a Flat Belly Diet Pocket Guide, which has now taken a permanent spot in my purse. It’s fun to peruse and it includes shopping lists, calorie counters, meal plans, and really solid advice for eating out.

This is hands down one of the best cookbooks I’ve ever received. It is equally as valuable to me now as my Better Homes and Gardens Cookbook is!

Rodale Books has kindly agreed to giveaway not one, but TWO copies of this cookbook to two lucky readers! To enter to win, ask any one or combination of the following questions: what is your favourite MUFA? How often do you tend to eat MUFA’s? What do you think of this kind of diet plan? What type of diet do you find works best for YOU?

You know the drill: it’ll be a random number generator unless someone makes me smile You’ve got a week before I announce the winner!

What makes you happy? I’m not talking about pick-me-ups that we all have (Pumpkins Spice lattes, shoes, etc). How can you, as a liberated woman of the 21^st century, be truly happy?

Our First Lady, Michelle Obama, rather candidly shared her secret to happiness in the October 6^th issue Prevention Magazine. “I have freed myself to put me on the priority list and say, ‘Yes, I can make choices that make me happy, and it will ripple and benefit my kids, my husband, and my physical health.’” The classy Harvard grad goes on to say, “My message to women: Do what makes you feel good, because there’ll always be someone who thinks you should do it differently. Whether your choices are hits or misses, at least they’re your own.” There’s certainly nothing wrong with a little “me-time,” and, like Michelle Obama points out, we all need moderation in our lives and relationships. But is happiness really found in just doing whatever feels right at the time? While her statement is a good reminder to have our family and work priorities in balance, it’s a shaky life-philosophy.

Despite living in an era of seemingly endless changes to our culture, Mrs. Obama’s message to women is nothing new. In fact, another “first lady” had some of the same notions. She too did what felt good and her independent choice was definitely hers to own. While the social scenery has certainly changed, the autonomous pursuit of happiness goes all the back to a woman, a garden, and a single command (“Don’t eat from that tree!”). You’re probably familiar with the scenario of Genesis 3: Eve, the very first lady, was confronted with this slippery-sounding slam on the one thing God limited: “You will not surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened and you will be like God….So when the woman saw that it was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desiring to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate,” (vs. 5-6). How ironic that in the middle of absolute perfection, Eve became so focused on the one thing that was restricted that she felt cheated and confined. God became the real problem; His ways were too demanding; He was holding her back from really living life to its fullest. So she made her own choice; she put herself higher on the priority list.

…and the rest, as they say, is history.

It’s as old as the Garden of Eden. Yet, at times, Eve’s choices alarmingly mirror my own attitudes toward happiness. Like her, I sometimes believe the lie that I’m missing out on an experience, that it’s boring to be “good,” or that my situation is unique. My heart echoes the Leona Lewis song: I can’t stand by the side and watch this life pass me by, so unhappy but safe as could be…I gotta find my place, I wanna hear my sound, Don’t care about all the pain in front of me, Cause I’m just trying to be happy. My sinful head turns away from God’s voice and my ear tunes in to the self-loving whisper that He is the real problem – that His ways are too demanding; He’s holding me back from really living life to its fullest.

But true fulfillment comes when I remember that my life is hidden away with Christ (Col. 3:3), when I lay aside my own desires and trust that One who knows the number of hairs on my head (Matt. 10:30) and stores up my tears (Ps. 56:8) has also ordered my steps according His perfect plan– for my good and His glory, (Eph. 1:11, Rom. 8:28). And because of who He is I can choose to “Rejoice in the Lord, always” (Phil. 4:4). For me to be filled up with true happiness, I must come to God with empty hands.

The “feel good” attitude of our age doesn’t gel with God’s self-denying (and perhaps even painful) process toward authentic, enduring happiness. Psalm 32:1 says, “Blessed is the man whose sin is forgiven.” The word for blessed could be translated how happy is. It’s the same concept in Jesus’ words in Matthew 5: Blessed women – happy women – are meek, merciful peacemakers that grieve over their sin while being hungry and thirsty for God’s righteousness. Happiness, according to God, isn’t really a feeling – it’s an identity that is anchored in Christ’s work on our behalf and for our forgiveness; it’s continuously putting Him on the priority list and dethroning my own goals until I can say, “I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord…Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me His own” (Phil. 3:8, 12).

From the “first lady” of ancient Eden to the First Lady of the United States, women are in search of happiness. And though the wardrobe, the lingo and the opportunities have changed, today’s woman still faces the same choices. But her Creator still invites her to know His freedom found in the narrow way (Matt. 7:14), his cross-carrying road of true happiness, and to declare along with the Psalmist, in audacious, circumstance-defying faith: “You are good, and do good,” (Ps. 119:86). So c’mon, sister in Christ…Get happy!

Here are 10 quick and helpful tips from recent news and scientific findings in the world of health.

• Celery, Parsley, Red Wine, Chamomile Tea, and Tomato Sauce Fight Ovarian Cancer

  Women who eat these and other foods rich in the flavonoid apigenin have a 28% lower risk of developing ovarian cancer than those who consume less, report researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School.

• Vinegar: Metabolism Booster

  The primary substance that gives ordinary vinegar its sour taste and strong odor may fight fat, suggests new research presented at a recent meeting of the Japanese Society of Nutrition and Food Science. In a study of 175 overweight Japanese men and women, those who consumed a drink containing either 1 or 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar daily for 12 weeks had significantly lower body weight, BMI, visceral fat, and waist circumference than the control group that didn’t consume any vinegar. Researchers credit vinegar’s acetic acid, which may switch on genes that pump out proteins that break down fat.

• Chew More, Eat Less

  People who chewed almonds 25 to 40 times absorbed more healthy unsaturated fat and felt more satisfied than when they finished in 10 chews, finds a study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Extra chewing breaks down fiber and sturdy cells, releasing nutrients that would otherwise pass through the digestive tract, explains researcher Richard Mattes, MPH, PhD, RD. Plus, steady chewers felt fuller, which may help promote weight loss.

• Calcium: The Magic Mineral for Weight Loss

  Boosting your calcium intake may help curb your appetite and make slimming down easier, suggests research in the British Journal of Nutrition. When calcium-deficient women took a supplement, they lost 4 times more weight than those who didn’t take the extra calcium. Researchers believe the brain compensates for a calcium shortage by initiating hunger to encourage eating foods rich in the mineral. Since most women fall short on calcium, aim to consume fat-free or low-fat yogurt and milk, beans, and dark leafy greens throughout the day, or talk with your doctor about supplements.

• New Danger Fat: Palm Oil

  As trans fats disappear from margarine, cookies, and other packaged food, another potentially harmful additive is taking its place: palm oil. It was once lauded for a high vitamin E and oleic acid content, but research is turning rancid. Palm oil is loaded with artery-damaging saturated fats and acts much like trans fats in your body. It can raise levels of “bad” LDL cholesterol and apolipoprotein B (a protein attached to fat particles that carries bad cholesterol through the bloodstream) by nearly as much as trans fat, leading to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Plus, the production of palm oil is fueling deforestation in Indonesia and Malaysia, contributing to the extinction of several species.

  • Petition: Protect Tigers and Humans, Stop Illegal Logging in Sumatra
  • Petition: Remove Palm Oil from Cadbury Chocolate
  • Article: Palm oil industry pledges wildlife corridors to save orangutans

  Stick to whole foods, and if you buy processed ones, pick those that have heart-healthy oils like olive and canola on ingredient lists.

• 80% of Dermatologists Think Improper Cleansing Ages Skin

  These face-washing steps from New York City dermatologist Ellen Marmur, MD, can help women over 40 beat the clock:

  1. Cleanse only at night. Twice a day is too drying for over-40 complexions.
  2. Use a moisturizing cleansing oil if skin is dry or sensitive. Try Boscia MakeUp-Breakup Cool Cleansing Oil ($21, beauty.com). Gently rub it into skin for a few minutes to boost circulation and increase radiance.
  3. Just rinse with cold water in the morning. You’ll brighten skin and make pores look tighter.

  
  Boscia MakeUp-Breakup Cool Cleansing Oil

• Easiest Flu Fighter

  19,500 flu viruses may be expelled in a single cough by someone infected with the flu, according to estimates from Hong Kong researchers. To stop the spread of your germs, cough or sneeze into your sleeve instead of your hand.

• How to Remove Pesticide Residue from Nonorganic Fruits and Vegetables

  Research shows that scrubbing produce in tap water is just as effective at removing pesticides as mild detergents and products made specifically to wash fruits and vegetables. To get the best results, rinse under tap water for 60 seconds while rubbing the outside with your fingers.

• Get 12-Hour Energy!

  A 20-minute walk gives you a blast of pep that lasts all day, reveals new research from the University of Vermont. Though exercise provides an immediate lift, scientists were surprised at the long-lasting effect, because mood-boosting endorphins stay elevated for only a couple of hours. Researchers speculate that the jump-start helps buffer the effects of everyday hassles and stress on your outlook throughout the day.

• The Supplements Exercisers Should Skip

  Popping vitamin C and E supplements may counteract your workout’s ability to protect against diabetes. In a new study, insulin sensitivity did not improve in exercisers given 1,000 mg of vitamin C and 400 IU of vitamin E daily (the dose in typical drugstore brands), while those who did the same workouts without the extra antioxidants significantly improved their ability to process blood sugar over 4 weeks. Supplements may prevent the body from producing its own antioxidants, say researchers, hampering exercise’s disease-fighting benefits. Get these vitamins naturally from produce, nuts, seeds, and oils.

- Source: Prevention Magazine, October 2009

For more articles on health, nutrition, and fitness, pick up the October 2009 issue of Prevention at your local newsstand, or save money and sign up for a subscription:

Prevention Magazine

The October 2009 issue of Prevention includes Best Cures for Knee Pain, Walk Off 2 Sizes in 6 Weeks, Play Up Your Brainpower, Is It… Perimenopause?, Smartest Cancer Advice, healthy recipes, and more!

In the November issue of Prevention Magazine Michelle Obama admits, “I love French fries, I like a good burger, and I like pie. And that’s okay. I would be depressed if I felt I could never eat the things that I love,.” She is avoiding the  so called White House 15. She avoided it alright, and went straight to the White house 30.

Michelle claimes that she’s in better shape than ever before,

thanks to a girdle!

Related Links
Michelle Obama Dolls
Michelle Obama’s Weigh Problem
Michelle Obama’s Arms
Michelle Obama’s Short-Shorts
Michelle Obama’s New Hair Style
Michelle Obama called “Ghetto Girl”
Michelle Obama Wax figure
Michelle Obama’s Fashion
Michelle Obama Touches Queen Elizabeth

…or how I died today. Okay, okay, slight  major exaggeration. I tried week 3, run 1 in the Prevention Magazine Turn Your Walk into a Run Program. I won’t lie. It was sooo hard. I had originally planned to do 4.5 miles and really did closer to 4.1 miles. I am proud of myself for completing that mileage. That being said, the run/walk today was supposed to be run 5 min./walk 3 min. I was able to do the first two intervals but the next few intervals weren’t successful. My breathing was all out of whack and my right calf was sore. So I altered my plan to 3 min. run/2 min. walk. That was much easier for me. I ran the last five minutes before my cool down.

As I was running I had the hardest time picturing myself running a whole 5k. I kept telling myself I could do it. I know that I will eventually realize my goal of running a 5k race. I can do it. I just need to keep training and keep a positive attitude.

 My next run/walk is Tuesday. I’m planning to redo the week 3, run 1. Tomorrow I’m going to walk at least 2 miles for cross-training. Monday is also a strength training day with my personal trainer.

as promised, i have a little package to send off in honor of my 100th post. here’s the deal:

just a few of my favorite things. some yummy bars, a pumpkin spice candle(love), and one of my handcrafted masks.

the only one i have actually tried it the larabar. but they all looked so good. that i grabbed doubles, lol. i think i’m going to try the twisted bar today.

the is something about fall that insists that my house smell like pumpkin spice!

handcrafted and painted. and if you don’t win, check out how you can get a mask!

OH- and i’m also throwing in a years subscription to Prevention magazine.

so if you wanna get down on this action, here’s what you gotta do:

*main entry- leave me a comment telling me 3 random things about yourself

*bonus points(leave a comment for each one you do)- add me to your blogroll, leave a comment on the ‘never hide’ mask page, link back to this post on your blog, link back to this post on twitter.

i will be chosing a winner friday morning!

Someone forwarded me this video to watch from the National Vaccine Information Center. As I watched this  I was shocked over the information I was being told.  Please take a few minutes and listen. The more information you have concerning the Swine Flu the better you can protect yourself, your family and friends.

http://www.nvic.org/NVIC-Vaccine-News/June-2009/Swine-Flu-Vaccine–Will-We-Have-A-Choice–by-Barba.aspx

Keep washing your hands, take your vitamins and get plenty of rest!

Di

I just read an awesome article in this month’s issue of Prevention magazine.  I have read about Omega essential fatty acids before, but this article brought some new things to light.

We’ve heard of Omega-3 essential fatty acids, but what about Omega-6?  We hear we should eat fish to get Omega-3s, but is it found in other food?



Please read here and then you can read my notes.

The Vanishing Youth Nutrient by Susan Allport



Notes-

The author makes an excellent point that we need to get back on grass-fed meat and dairy, like our great-grandparents.  Here are some sources:

In the Tulsa, OK area – Swan Brother’s Dairy

Also for Oklahomans – Oklahoma Food Co-op

In the Tulsa area – Natural Farms (two locations–4th & Utica or 91st & Yale)

Also check out Eat Wild for a list of sources in your area.

Or you can order from US Wellness Meats

(I have not been paid to promote any of the above businesses.)



We see in this article that a big portion of the Omega-6s in our diet come from vegetable oils, soybean, cottonseed, corn, etc.  If you will remember from my earlier article, But Isn’t It Natural?, that these oils are very difficult to extract from the beans/seeds.  Chemicals are involved, as is high heat, both of which damage the oil tremendously.  If we would just eat these seeds in their whole form, we wouldn’t be overdosing on Omega-6.  Remember–If God created it, it is healthy, but if man has adulterated it, it isn’t.



I cannot agree with her recommendation of Canola oil for two reasons.  Canola oil has a 2:1 ratio of Omega-6 to Omega-3.  This means that for every gram of Omega-3 you’re getting, you are still getting 2 grams of Omega-6.  I don’t see how this helps anyone.  We are supposed to be getting a ratio of 1:1 of Omega-3s and 6s.  Chances are, if you are using Canola oil, you are still eating some packaged food, so you are still getting too many Omega-6s.  The other reason is that the oil you buy in the store is already damaged, like mentioned above, by the heat and chemical process.  Ingesting damaged oils is toxic to your system.  But let’s say you are going to buy expeller-pressed Canola.  Then what?  If you are heating it, you are damaging it.  If you want to drizzle it cold, on your salad, I suppose it would be okay.  I, myself, will stay away from Canola.  Want more information?  Click here.



On page 115 (in the magazine) and page 6 (online), I take issue with point #6.  Butter is not bad.  You can read my article on that topic, here.  And did you know that butter has antioxidants in it?!?  Click here to read more.



So, overall, the information in this article was great and I hope it helps you.  It basically just comes down to the fact that if we were all eating food that hasn’t been processed, we would be getting plenty of the right Omega-3s and Omega-6s, in the right ratios.

Pizza Marketplace, (yes, there is a trade publication for every industry), recently reported on the revitalization of Uno Chicago Grill. An initial step in the chain’s marketing effort was some important demographic research.
 
For years, the 65 year-old chain believed their prime target to be middle-aged men. Could it have been that the company management was middle-aged men that also hung out at the bar and ate pizza?
 
Truth be told, the customer base was 60% female.
 
This flash of brilliance led the company to revamp its menu and the interior design of its stores. One result was being named by Prevention magazine as number one on their list of America’s Healthiest Restaurant Chains.

Don’t let your own bias creep into your decision-making. Do the research, talk with customers and find the answers, even if it means undergoing a sex change.

If you’re anything like me, you want to get healthy and into shape, but you’re, well…kinda lazy. Or maybe you’re just too busy and whatnot.

But lucky for you (and me), Prevention Magazine gives us unmotivated, lazy girls nine tips to get healthy (now if we only listen…)

Here they are briefly:

1. Five servings of fruits & vegetables are enough.
2. When it comes to cardio, 17 minutes a day is enough (music to my ears).
3. It’s okay to only use SPF 15.
4. It’s cool if you only drink with meals and when you’re thirsty (except if you’re really active or live in hot areas).
5. Seven hours of sleep is fine.
6. You only have to measure grains and fats.
7. Strength training once a week is a-okay.
8. With hand washing, wash for 10 seconds, then rinse
9. If you’re overweight, try to lose 5-7% of your current body weight.

Check out the whole article here

 Photo source: justworkit.net   

I was reading “Your Body’s 10 Weirdest Health Clues” in Prevention Magazine with trepidation because my not-twenty-nine-anymore body seems to make up new and creative ways to torment me on a daily basis. Most of them falling under the “Weird” category.

As it turned out, I had every reason to be nervous. The very first clue applied to me.

Finger length
Women whose index fingers are shorter than their ring fingers may be twice as prone to osteoarthritis in the knees, found British researchers. Those with this predominately male characteristic tend to have lower levels of estrogen, which may also play a role in the development of osteoarthritis, say researchers.

On the bright side, I’m less of a woman, but I’ll have the knees of someone twice my age.

Earlobe crease
Linear wrinkles in one or both lobes may predict future cardiovascular events (heart attack, bypass surgery, or cardiac death.) A crease on one lobe raises the risk by 33%; a crease on both lobes increases it by 77%, even after adjusting for other known risk factors. Though experts aren’t exactly sure, they suspect a loss of elastic fibers may cause both the crease and the hardening of arteries.

I think maybe they’re off base here. Isn’t it possible that simply the idea of someone studying wrinkly earlobes enough to give one a heart attack?

Bra size
A D cup may also spell diabetes: Women who wore a bra size D or larger at age 20 were 1.5 times more likely to develop type 2 than those who wore an A or smaller, even after researchers adjusted for obesity, diet, smoking, and family history, in a 10-year study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal. It may be that the fat tissue in a woman’s breast is hormonally sensitive and influences insulin resistance, which can lead to diabetes, say researchers.

I’m not sure about this one because I quit reading after “an A or smaller.” As someone who hails from Tiny Bra Town (aw, who am I kidding? I’m the Mayor and half the Town Council!), I was flabbergasted to know there is a bra size smaller than A. Why the heck aren’t they studying THAT??

Calf size
Though it sounds counterintuitive, a French study found that women with small calves (13 inches or less around) tended to develop more carotid plaques, a known risk factor for stroke. The subcutaneous fat in larger calves may pull fatty acids from the bloodstream and store them where they are less of a risk factor, say researchers.

I’ll give them this one. I’ll gladly take one measly stroke over a lifetime of cankle jokes.

And I have a couple more of my own to add that the researchers didn’t address. If BeckyLand were ever to give research grants, these vexations would be highest on the list.

• How does my one occasional chin hair relate to my inability to play the piano? Or does my inability to play the piano somehow summon the chin hair?

• Do rough elbows impede my marathon times?

• Will the lack of pigment in my shins create halitosis?

• Do I need glasses because of my deep-seated fear of snakes?

• Does my seemingly constant need for food and water mean I am destined for a lifetime of indecision and heartbreak?

I really must know.

What are some things you want the researchers to work on?

Nothing like an upcoming high-school reunion to get one on a fitness plan, am I not right? I have one coming up in October of this year, and when I heard about it in February or March, I started thinking, “Umm … I should probably start working out again … .” Yeah—and you know I got right on that!

I’m sorry to say that thinking about working out isn’t the same as literally working out. Just when I was about to say, “Aw, who cares, anyway? I’m healthy. I’m happy. What am I trying to prove to my former classmates?” along came our mail carrier with the June 2009 issue of Prevention magazine.

I’ve had a subscription to Prevention for a couple of decades. I get a lot of good info from it. Every issue has healthy seasonal menus, all of which sound yummy, but for one reason or another just wouldn’t work well for my unpredictable schedule each week. The June 2009 issue’s menu hit the bull’s eye for me, though. It falls in line with the Mediterranean heart-healthy way of eating, and the thing that makes me really happy about it is that it includes the things I just can’t live without.

The components of this way of eating are plant-based and rich in MUFA (“moofah”), or mono-unsaturated fatty acids.) The base ingredients are olives, healthy oils including olive oil, avocados, nuts & seeds, and DARK CHOCOLATE!!!

Prevention has put these items into five weeks worth of meals that can serve as either a lunch or a dinner for me. A lot of the things in the meals are grab and go, which helps keep me on the right path with sack lunches for work days and quick meals as soon as I get home from work. The MUFA-rich ingredients are rounded out with fresh fruit and vegetables and whole grain breads and crackers. I substituted a few things, like fat-free Chobani Greek yogurt for the cottage cheese, and chutney for salsa, but this doesn’t change any of the good things about the meals.

So I’m feeling pretty good about the prospects of going to my reunion with an especially healthy glow, I can’t imagine I won’t drop a few pounds with this meal plan, and maybe I will be verging on “buff,” if I get busy at the gym before the big night.

Abdominal strength graphic from topendsports.com via the Web
Flat stomach photo from ehow.com via the Web

So I used to have quite the girl crush on Chelsea Handler (hilarious, clever and oh-so inappropriate), but now my tastes have matured and moved to these two emulating-worthy women: MaryAnn Bekkedahl, EVP/Group Publisher, Rodale and Jill Seelig, VP/Publisher, O, The Oprah Magazine.

Coming from a background in the creative/content-generating side of advertising, I admit to having had a somewhat snooty view on advertising sales.  After listening to these two women present, my views may have shifted to more of a “wow, I would love to be her in 10-15 years”.

MaryAnn Bekkedahl first got my attention when discussing the seven “media franchises” she’s in charge of, aka magazines (Men’s Health, Women’s Health, Prevention…).  But, in this age, they are much more than just magazines and have evolved into brand empires.  I have understanding and respect for brands more so than sales (sales people always have an agenda), but seeing how they’re so intricately connected had me at the edge of my seat.

“The Role of the Publisher” as Bekkedahl depicted really has control and responsibility for the brand/magazine.  The Publishing team is composed of the Publisher, with the Research, Marketing, Sales, Business Management/Production and PR teams reporting up.  I could do that- I want to do that; be the business side of publishing.

In fact, the Sales force is what really appealed to me among those divisions.  Dad always told me I should be in sales since I can convince people to buy things (he’s the perfect example, you should have seen my white convertible!), but I held such a negative stereotype I couldn’t move past.  Bekkedahl shot that stereotype out of the water as I found myself drawn to her earnestness and humor, thinking maybe I could do advertising sales after all…

Jill Seelig was the last speaker at the end of yet another long digital day, and I was seeing all sorts of pleasant images in my head instead of the screen (manicure, massage, wine… you get the picture).  She really got my attention (and adoration) by opening up her “Multi-platform Marketing to the Advertiser- the 360 Strategy” with the line:

Print is not dead; it is here to stay.

Seelig went on to support this statement with stats stating that magazines are the #1 medium of engagement, and there is an interdependency between print and digital.  Magazines contribute to the effectiveness of advertising when added to the media mix; and she should know, since she launched “O” as part of the Oprah Winfrey media empire.

Moving up through the ranks of ad sales in Self and Vanity Fair, Seelig helped instigate “O”’s immediate success in 2000.  She presented a case study of Intel’s partnership with “O” and showed the magazine’s ability to make a (boring) technical brand be more human and emotional to her female readers.  She seems to be living the “O” tagline: “Live Your Best Life.”

Also, as a side-note, all the high profile people we’ve heard from have been very attractive and in good shape – is the magazine industry shallow; do they not have time to eat, hence the toned-ness; or do these people just happen to age well?!  None look old enough to hold their titles and have the experience they share!

If you’ve tried many types of hemorrhoid solutions then you probably understand the differences of how each is used. In this article, I’ll go over what each of them do for the body, how they intend to treat hemorrhoids or piles, and the controversial, raw truth on most of them.

The first popular type is creams and ointments where a topical treatment is rubbed on your outer rectal area and aims to soothe blood vessels. This creates a relaxation of the tissue so that it does not bulge out so much. Once the tissue does not bulge, the hemorrhoid will be less likely to flare up. This is great for some relief in the temporal matter but unfortunately you are practically guaranteed to flare up again.

The 2nd type that is very popular as well in the form of suppositories which is inserted inside the rectum for the purposes of delivering moisture to the hemorrhoid and creating a lubricating effect once the next rectal pressure comes. The aim is to ensure the hemorrhoid heals without rupturing again. For some it works well, for others not so but it’s worth seeing.

The 3rd type is pills where one can consume that regulate some blood pressure in the system. This can have its side effects but overall it’s used to tighten vein tissue so that the hemorrhoid is less susceptible to problems. It’s a very top down approach that has its benefits but can also induce real side effects and big pharmacies like to push this.

These three types are the most common and once these are exhausted, you still have options such as cryotherapy or surgery. It all depends on the individual case and what you can tolerate. In my personal experience, it’s best to first try the safer options before going to the extreme measures. Even if the pain is unbearable, you can still use relief from these methods. It’s just not pleasant long-term either.

Now, not all hope is lost. I do have one solution that has surprised me pleasantly. I’d like to review a totally safe, natural remedy that works within a few days. It’s called the H Miracle system and you can find it at: http://YOURID.hemor.hop.clickbank.net

It’s already been proven by hundreds, if not thousands of success stories in the underground fashion of alternative medicine. The system includes ingredient resources, charts, audio lessons and basically everything you need to cure your hemorrhoids one and for all. I really recommend it and just see the testimonials from users who have triumphed even severe hemorrhoids for good.

Once again, see the free report on this at:

http://vur.me/longlifetips/HemorrhoidMiracle

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