Motivational Monday

Today's Living Social special is half off of a pole dancing class at DivaFit. Ironically, that is where I had my bachelorette party, per request :) I highly recommend the group setting (especially when you know everyone in your little class) and high energy instructors who provided a routine and dance-like choreography with some quality jams in the background. They even had props for some of the songs. Anyone who knows me knows that it is a requirement to sweat before going out to dinner, so this was a perfect fit for this diva, haha.

New turkey burger recipe served with steamed green beans (and unpictured sweet potato with peanut butter, yum!):

This was super simple, as I used 1# 99% lean ground turkey breast and mixed in 1cup leftover sauteed veggies (zucchini, orange and yellow peppers), 2Tbsp mustard and 1Tbsp ketchup. That is it :)

I rewarded myself for getting all of my "chores" done with a new workout top:

I really like TJ Maxx and am able to "splurge" on quality brands without the crazy prices. The nice thing about these types of workout tanks, is that they are fabulous layering pieces in cold weather (which is coming even though it was 80 degrees today).

I am ALWAYS more motivated to eat healthy and workout when it is FUN! Use these tips-- the next time you have to plan a group activity (friends, coworkers, neighbors, and family alike), try to make it active and not just food-focused. Reward yourself with non-food incentives; they don't have to break the bank either-- paint your nails at home, take a bath (bonus: use bath salts to soothe sore muscles), or create a scrapbook or photo collage for your own use or as a gift.

Attitude of Gratitude

“Develop an attitude of gratitude, and give thanks for everything that happens to you, knowing that every step forward is a step toward achieving something bigger and better than your current situation.”

Brian Tracy

For those of you who don't know, I LOVE quotes and am quite the collector. I find them inspiring and thought-provoking which is what I look for in many entertainment venues but am often let down (what, nothing is profound about The Jersey Shore or Keeping Up With Kardashians??). The statement above reflects a mantra that I whole-heartedly support. Every day I try to reflect on how lucky and truly blessed I am to have a fulfilling career, supportive family, and the opportunity to touch a diverse population in a unique way. I encourage everyone to keep this thought in the forefront of their minds on a daily basis and never stop learning, growing, and giving . . .

Whole Foods salad bar "lunch box:"

beet salad, artichokes, quinoa and cabbage slaw, couscous with sweet potato and cranberries (I must recreate this!), grilled chicken, and the best tuna salad atop spinach

The beauty of buying this box is that it serves as two meals that can be divvied-up and served with more veggies and a whole grain. I always tell clients that buffets do not need to be intimidating as long as you choose items that you truly want to use for your daily caloric budget. You can fill-in with other high-volume [fiber-rich] foods to make the most of this economical and fun way of eating! Try it.

Hiatus

I am back! The much-needed hiatus was a result of balance, or lack thereof, between working, playing, and everything in between. So what are some of the things that occurred during my "break?" I turned 30; ironically, on the same day that an East Coast earthquake decided to shake things up. I managed to miss its effects as Director Doc, who thoughtfully took of to celebrate with me, and I were hiking and did not feel any movement. Shortly after, Hurricane Irene decided to wash through the area leaving muddy trails and a lot of over-hyped chaos when shopping and trying to watch favorite tv shows ("we interrupt this program to bring you the latest developments on the Hurricane . . . blah blah blah). It seemed like just a few days later, more severe and relentless rains wreaked havoc on the area. Not as televised, but definitely news-worthy flooding (luckily we live on a giant hill and avoided the indoor pool project :) After all of the dark clouds, the silver lining came in the form of a much needed R&R vacay/working conference in Miami. Hooray for warm, sunny beaches and gorgeous pools! I hope to be back on my blogging bandwagon with more nutrition-related news, but for now, I will leave you with this quote:

"We owe much to the fruitful meditation of our sages, but a sane view of life is, after all, elaborated mainly in the kitchen."
-Joseph Conrad

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 . .

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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 ;)