Two Degrees Review

Two Degrees Bar

My overall impression is that this bar does not taste like chocolate peanut, but the company does an amazing job of donating a nutrition pack to feed hungry children and using whole, quality ingredients that are anti-inflammatory-friendly. Check out their website for ordering information as well as a list of other flavors offered: http://twodegreesfood.com/

Nutrition Stats:

190 calories (about the same as most nutrition bars- not too high or low)

10 grams total fat (2 grams saturated fat)

24 g total carbs (half of this is sugar- not a great complex CHO source)

3g fiber (I like to choose >5g fiber products)

12 g sugar (a little high for a bar-- goal<8g)

5g protein (my minimum requirement is 5g protein for bars)

20% DV iron and 6% DV calcium

This food bar contains quinoa, chia, and millet as a base with no artificial sweeteners added.

In other nutrition-related news, this is an interesting article that will effect everyone who eats out (not just in NYC):
Restaurant will have to dish on nutrition
The law requiring nutrition information will go into effect nationwide next year.
Many chains are offering more healthful options, but diners often don't take advantage of the better choices.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/health/la-he-restaurants-labeling-20110815,0,6680201.story

Eat, Exercise, and Encore

This article is certainly interesting and adds a different spin to some once-thought-to-be-true principles:

Why "Eat Less, Move More" Doesn't Always Work Conventional wisdom says that reducing calories and increasing physical activity are naturally followed by weight loss. However, the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition shares a thorough review of a host of factors that impair our ability to lose weight by disrupting our metabolism. LEARN MORE>> New nail color: Encore by Essie

The Change Up

Greetings [secret] followers . . . .I am aware that more people are actually following my blog but not revealing themselves and/or commenting. No worries. I don't want anyone feeling forced or uncomfortable so please just keep following and letting me know "off the record."

So the title of my post has a few meanings. One being the recent Ryan Reynolds and Jason Bateman movie. I must say, it was really funny- like I cried so hard I was crying and woke up with sore abs the next day from laughing so hard FUNNY! I like movies sans tear-jerking themes (the sad variety) and aliens (still not sure why they show those types of previews when I came to see a light-hearted romantic comedy). This was a win in my book (and only 1.5hours rather than the ever-so-popular 3 hour sagas.

The other "change up" occurred in the Haas household in regards to our pans. We have officially tossed all of our nonstick pans in favor of stainless steel. This comes, sadly after we had registered and received our wedding gifts, as an attempt to lessen our toxin load and hopefully prevent some cancers. After attending the Food As Medicine conference last year, Director Doc and I were overwhelmed with new research and practices that required change . . .change is hard, and expensive (at first), and hard. But we decided that this change was necessary in our effort to live healthy lifestyles. I should also mention that it was semi-prompted by DD's attempt at making pancakes after working a night shift with 1 hour of sleep total over 24 hours and burning the crap out of several pans. I reacted calmly and rationally, of course, and threw everything out proclaiming that it is a sign that we NEED new, stainless steel pans NOW. And here they are . .

.

Dinner Tonight:

Italian Meal Sans Gluten

Chicken Breasts (as many as would fit into my crock pot, covered with crushed tomatoes, set on LOW for 5 hours)

Served with brown rice penne and Classico Tomato and Basil sauce (as well as some leftover sauteed mushrooms, zucchini, onions, and a yellow pepper)

Nutrition Tidbits for the Week Ahead

I am sharing some of my favorite new research articles with you today, along with my own conclusions:

Bag Lunch a Foodborne Illness Risk for Preschoolers: Study
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/Wellness/sack-lunch-foodborne-illness-risk-preschoolers-study/story?id=14242726

It proves that it does not matter if the food you pack is healthy, if that food is subject to warm temperatures, it can cause illness and in extreme cases, death! Insulated coolers and portable totes MUST stay out of direct sun and in cool, dry environments to avoid this contamination issue. This goes for those of us (me included!) who travel and bring food with us . . .stay safe :)

The scary trend of tweens with anorexia

http://www.cnn.com/2011/HEALTH/08/08/tweens.anorexia.parenting/index.html?hpt=he_c2

As a former gymnast, myself, I am well-aware of the physical and psychological demands of this, and other, sports (anyone seen Black Swan). I deal with these vary patients on a daily basis and find it extremely frustrating when I hear some of the same examples used in this article ("I want to be a vegetarian") in early consultations, only later to find out that the dietary restriction later turned into a full-blown eating disorder. Parents really need to know their children and not only observe their daily habits, but also communicate to ensure that sports, hobbies, and other "new interests" are healthy additions to the child's lifestyle.

Tending to a community garden may foster higher fruit and vegetable consumption

http://www.latimes.com/health/boostershots/la-heb-community-gardens-health-20110805,0,1293514.story

This is a no-brainer but is nice as an additional supporting document to stating a community garden at schools, retirement communities, and neighborhoods. If you grow it, you will eat it. Period. Just make sure you pick the produce before it feeds all of the local wildlife . . .

Men's Health Magazine Ranks Worst Appetizers

(Kim Schwabenbauer, RD quoted)
http://www.wpxi.com/news/28779396/detail.html

I added this article for more effect regarding the need to order wisely when eating away from home. I am pretty sure that it does not surprise anyone to find fried calamari and guac with chips as diet no-no's. I think that the portion size of these appetizers is also to blame. The alternative choice of a main lobster tail (I guess economic status was not considered as a variable) dipped into cocktail sauce is similar in enjoyment factor, but I think the lack of "crunch" seems to be the overall theme that misses the mark when patrons look to desirable apps. I'm all about crudite and a hummus platter, or you could just order that fried calamari and share it with 8 of your closest friends-- probably the same calorie count by that point ;)

Still Here

I sort of got lost in the blog-o-sphere since August arrived, but I am back. Nothing new to report: work is stable (though not growing as fast as I would like), workouts have been a blast (I have tried a few new classes and instructors that have been challenging and led to meeting some new friends), and my family is doing well (my sister is heading to Paris in a few weeks and DD booked our next vacay).

Thanks so, Monica over at RunEatRepeat, I won the NuNaturals giveaway and plan on doing a full review of their products soon! (I am still testing some recipes and alternative uses for the stevia products)

I will be the Head Coach of GOTR (Girls on the Run) this coming Fall season!

Thank you for registering for the 2011 Girls on the Run 5K to be held on November 19th, 2011 at Jiffy Lube Live in Bristow, Virginia. The 5K will start promptly at 8:30am.

This is a fabulous organization, and I am to volunteer my time and energy for these 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade girls. The program aims to provide a lesson plan centered around building a healthy self esteem and promotes general health to girls. I was a co-head coach last year, and this year I will be the only Head Coach with 2 assistants to help me organize the girls. I will be blogging about some of the lessons we cover as well as my own reflections ( sometimes I get more out of the lessons that the girls do in that it reminds me of some fundamental beliefs and practices that are often lost in the adult world).

Cooking for the Rents

Top: Wet Seal

Capris: Target

Lighting is still not great . . . I will keep working in this!

I cooked for my parents this evening. On the menu: turkey burgers made with Bosc pears, onions and fresh elephant garlic, celery, and ground turkey breast; served with mixed brown rice medley (from Global Foods!); sauteed zucchini and peppers from their garden and salad (I had marinara sauce as a dressing for my veggies). Notice how I plated just like the new MyPlate tool used for meal planning :) My parents brought fresh melon and blueberries for dessert! SO nice to have them over. Back tomorrow for a review of nutrition articles and more tips from yours truly.

How To Be Happy

1. Make other people happy

2. Love what you do

3. Nourish an attitude of gratitude

4. Love someone deeply

After Barbell Strength, I decided to hang out by the pool for a few hours before heading "back to work." I ate my protein bar, drank 20oz of water [unpictured since I had already chugged it], and read some classy/trashy magazines while getting my vitamin D for the day. I also managed to soak in the hot tub for about 10 minutes (yes, I realize it is 91 degrees outside) to soothe my achy muscles. I received a fabulous text that I thought I would share; it is from a client of mine who I have been working with:

" I wanted to thank you so much for all of your help. Although I have been keeping track of calories somewhat throughout the day it's been so different than ever before. I have so much peace of mind right now and feel relaxed after speaking with you. I haven't felt this much confidence in 5 months and simply a little less than an hour of speaking with you has brought that back. Thank you so much."

So number 1 on "how to be happy" is a check :)

Number 2 is an easy one now that I am working for myself and able to really follow my true passion. I LOVE to work with people and help them live better lives. Whether it is simply telling them something about food, cooking, their medical conditions that they did not know; or giving them a new thought process and changing their behavior, I feel like I make a difference. That is my purpose. That is why I got into the field of Nutrition. That is what makes me happy :)

Number 3 goes along with all of my family and friends who have enabled me to follow my dreams. Nothing is worth accomplishing without having special people to share those wonderful experiences and the journey itself, along the way. I try to thank everyone who is part of my journey/day/encounter whenever I can. I thank clients that I work with for making my life more meaningful and challenging. I thank my family for being with me; whether it be for meals, walks, celebrations, or even hard times, they are the backbone of my being. My husband can take credit for number 4, and just when I think I couldn't love him anymore than I already do --- I love him MORE!

So it may be a simple list, but many things in life really are simple. We just make things complicated. The next time you feel down, make your own list. I guarantee a smile by the end of this exercise . . .