Barriers To Change

We have all done it. Made a New Years resolution, or set a goal with determination to stick to it, but despite our best intentions to change, we often times find ourselves getting back into our same old bad habits. These situations can be frustrating, and make it even harder to want to continue on and try again in fear of failing, but there are reasons that we tend to fail in the first place.  Here are some common reasons:

1. Lack of Core Values
Most people recognize they need a change, and recognize the benefits that will come along with it, but are often unwilling to trade convenience ( sedentary lifestyle, unhealthy eating, substance abuse) for health or other benefits.

So how can you gain some core value to initiate change?
Tip: The best way to gain core values is to educate yourself. Educate yourself on the benefits of living a healthy lifestyle. You can subscribe to health magazines, pick up a book, or do some research on the internet. ( I highly recommend www.livestrong.com ) The more you read about, understand, and apply what you learn to your life, the more your core values will change.

2. Procrastination 
I am the queen of procrastination. It always seems that tomorrow, next week, or after the holiday is the best time to change.

Tip Towards Change: Unfortunately, if we are unwilling to change our habits today, then our success in changing them at all are drastically reduced. A question you can ask yourself is "why wait until tomorrow when you can start changing today? Lack of motivation plays a big role in procrastination.

3. Preconditioned Cultural Beliefs
If we can't shake the idea that we are strictly products of our environment, our cultural beliefs and our physical surroundings pose significant barriers to change. Did you not rebel against your parents or beliefs at one point in time? Why are we so hesitant to "rebel" against our beliefs or surroundings when it comes to healthy change in lifestyle.

Tip Towards Change: Find a like-minded partner so that you can help each other overcome preconditioned cultural beliefs.

4. Gratifcation
There is no arguing that everyone loves instant gratification. Unfortunately a lifestyle change is a long process you must go through to receive the long-term benefits. When people don't receive instant feeling of gratification they can grow impatient and lose motivation quickly.

Tips Toward Change: We would all like to list to Oprah and enjoy the "Power of Now" but the best thing we can do in this situation is think ahead and ask ourselves: "How did I feel the last time I engaged in this behavior?" "How did it affect me?" "Did I really feel good about myself or about the results?" "In retrospect, was it worth it?"

5. Risk Complacency
Unhealthy behaviors eventually bring consequences, but those consequences may not manifest themselves until years later. Until then, people often think "If I get heart disease, I'll deal with it then. For now, let me eat, drink, and be merry."

Tips Toward Change: Not only do you have to ask yourself, "how long do I want to live?" But you also have to ask yourself, "How do I want to live the rest of my life and what type of health do I want to have?" "What do I want to be able to do when I am 60, 70, or 80 years old?"

6. Complexity
The typical American lifestyle can be overwhelming, and adding things such as exercise, cooking healthy meals, going to the grocery store, and reading labels can seem too complicated.


Tip Towards Change: Take it one step at a time. Don't overwhelm yourself. Try working on only one or two behaviors at a time so the task won't seem insurmountable.

7. Indifference and Helplessness
Negative thoughts are one of the hardest things to overcome, but it is important that we do not let them defeat us and take over. The way we live really does affect our health. We quickly forget the amount of control we have over our destiny and that genes only play a minor role.


Tip Towards Change: "As much as 84 percent of the leading causes of death in the United States are preventable." Only you can take control of your personal health and lifestyle habits that affect the quality of your life.

8. Rationalization
Often times, we may not be practicing healthy behaviors, but somehow convince ourselves that we are.  We tell ourselves that we do get sufficient exercise, ( showering counts as exercise right?) or that our diet is fine ( I only ate half the fries and ordered a small soda..refills don't count).

Tips Towards Change: It might be hard, but you have to learn to recognize when you are glossing over or minimizing a problem. You have to realize and admit you have a problem before committing to a change. You can keep yourself accountable by starting daily logs. Being able to analyze your results can help you change self-defeating behaviors.

9. Illusions of invincibility
Bad diet, and lack of exercise can lead to many health problems. Being overweight can lead to an increase chance of things such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. These diseases seem to take affect over time but just because you do not "have" these things yet does not mean that you won't end up with them eventually. Often times people already have these diseases but are not yet aware of them.

Tip Towards Change: No one is immune to sickness, disease, and tragedy. The sooner you implement a healthy lifestyle, the better your odds are to attain a long and healthy life. If you want the best possible quality of life for as long as you live, there is no better time to change than now.


What are some of your biggest barriers to change?

Change

Today is January 8th, 2010. This means that it has been 8 days since you vowed to stick to your New Years resolution. For many of you that means you either broke your resolution 8 days ago, you have relapsed a bit after the past couple of days, or perhaps you are really motivated and still moving forward toward your goal. (Kudos to you)

Unfortunately, for many of us resolutions do not stick, and we find ourselves even  more disappointed than before. So why is it that so many fail to stick to our resolutions? Most likely we fail to stick to our resolutions because we underestimate the need for change in our lives. We can develop some pretty bad habits and change can be extremely difficult.

Why is it so hard to change? 
Change can be extremely difficult for most people. Whether it is just simply changing the way we hold our eating utensils, quitting smoking, change in unhealthy eating habits, or increasing our physical activity, our behaviors are deeply rooted in our core values. It is human nature to resist change even when we know that change will provide substantial benefits. Dr. Richard Earle, managing director of the Canadian Institute of Stress and the Hans Selye Foundation, explains that people have a tendency toward pessimism. In every spoken language, there is a ratio of three pessimistic adjectives to one positive adjective. Thus, linguistically, psychologically, and emotionally, we focus on what can go wrong and we lose motivation before we even start. "That's why we have the saying, 'The only person who truly welcomes a change is a baby with a full diaper'."


What triggers the desire to change?
 Motivation plays a vital role in the desire to change. Many things can motivate us to want to change but the greatest motivation comes from within. No amount of pressure, reasoning, or fear will inspire people to take action. "Change in behavior is most likely to occur by speaking to people's feelings. Most people start contemplating change when there is a change in core values that will make them feel uncomfortable with the present behaviors or lack thereof. Core values change when feelings are addressed. The challenge is to find ways that will help people understand the problems and solutions in a manner that will influence emotions and not just the thought process. Once the problem behavior is understood and "felt," the person may become uncomfortable with the situation and will be more inclined to address the problem behavior or adoption of a healthy behavior." Another thing to consider when trying to make lifestyle change is your relationships and friendships need to be addressed. You may need to distance yourselves from those individuals who share your bad habits and associate with people who practice healthy habits.

There are many barriers we face in order to implement change into our lives.  My next few blogs will cover the many barriers to change, how to overcome them, and take the steps to successful behavioral modification. Are you prepared to make a change?

Check back tomorrow for a blog on Barriers to Change.

Happy New Years!

Happy New Year everyone! 2009 was great but I have a feeling 2010 will be even better. TV, Facebook, and Twitter has been flooded with New Years resolutions, but unfortunately our resolutions are soon forgotten. It takes more than just setting a resolution to actually reach it. So it is my goal to help you reach yours. Sticking to a goal takes behavioral modification which my next blog will be all about. So enjoy the first day of the New Year and check back tomorrow for some tips on sticking to that resolution!

So Many Diet Plans, So Little Time

There is only 2 days left until New Years and I have yet to post another blog about a diet plan, and it's pros and cons. Yes, I admit my laziness is mostly to blame, and I don't know if you noticed but there is a lot of different diets out there. Some are somewhat sound, and some are just plain ridiculous. However, this does make me doubt the common phrase of " I have tried every diet, and nothing has worked". I don't doubt the part about how it didn't work, but to try every diet is the more doubtful part.

After browsing through a mess of different diet plans all promising weight loss, the diet I find to be the most successful is Weight Watchers. It continues to be one of the most popular and successful weight loss plans to date. "The philosophy behind Weight Watchers believes that dieting is just one part of long-term weight management. A healthy body results in a healthy lifestyle (both mental, emotional, and physical health). They do not tell you what to eat, but provide the information, tools, and motivation to help you make good eating decisions."

So before you drive yourself crazy looking for a weight loss plan, you might think about giving weight watchers a try. You can find more information at www.weightwatchers.com

What is Your New Years Resolution?

Only one day left until Christmas, and then we are on to the New Year! Time to make those Resolutions! So what is your New Years resolution? Let me know by leaving a comment!

I Surrender

Sorry for the delay in diet reviews, but I have had a rough time these past few days trying to keep focused. Unfortunately I have some sort of crazy running injury and am unable to run, and yes, it is driving me absolutely insane. I've had a few aches and pains a long the way, but they were always gone by the next day. But this time was different. Much different. To my surprise the pain was not gone the next day, or the next week. Instead, it got worse. Much worse, and now I am unable to run because the pain is unbearable. Looking back now, the "shoulda, coulda, woulda" thoughts start going through my mind. I should of taken a few days off, decreased my mileage, run on softer ground, or bought new shoes. ( okay this one was not really possible ). If the only thing stopping you from running is pain, then it is way too late. I will never let myself run through the pain again, and have learned to listen to my body. One day off from running is better than weeks, if not months because of an injury.

I can only hope that this will make me a stronger person, and perhaps a stronger runner. It has been about 2 weeks since I have been able to run more than 3 miles, and for someone who logged 45-50 miles a week this is especially disappointing. My pride is deeply routed in running. I understand it is hard for non-runners to relate to the mental struggles brought on by not being able to run, but it is like losing your identity. I feel accomplishment in every step I take, every mile I log, and every race I compete it. ( a familiar song just came to mind ha ). There is nothing like running and it is more than just a hobby, and whether people see it as something negative or not, it defines a lot of who I am, and has taught me perseverance, dedication, and determination.

Every time I pass a runner on the road my heart fills with envy and I wonder, when will I be able to run again? Will I ever be able to run again? I think I have finally come to face the fact that surrendering to medical advice is my only option to recovery. So here I am, waving my white flag. I surrender.

Diet Review #1 Special K? or Especially not OK?

I was trying to think of which diet to review first, and as I was looking at the most popular diets of 2009, I couldn't help but notice the abundance of commercials and ads I saw for this diet. It is called the Special K Challenge. So what is The Special K challenge?

In case you have never heard of it, or seen their cheesy commercials about not skipping breakfast, Special K is a cereal that was created by Kellogs. It is a rice flake cereal, with it's most popular being the Special K Red Berries which is mainly marketed to women. In slew of their Special K challenge that seems to be growing in popularity they now offer other products such as protein shakes, protein water, cereal bars, meal bars, snack bars, bliss bars, waffles, and crackers. Who needs whole foods when you have all these awesome bars to eat? ( note my sarcasm ).

Now for the Special K Challenge Plan-

Meal 1

Start your day with:

Any Special K® Cereal, 2/3 cup skim milk and your choice of fruit, or have a Protein Shake or Protein Meal Bar.

When selecting Special K™ Low Fat Granola Cereal, choose either 2/3 cup of skim milk or fruit.

OR drizzle 2 tablespoons of light syrup over a serving of Special K® Waffles. Add fruit and enjoy.

Meal 2

Replace a second meal with one of these yummy options:

• Serving of Cereal
• Protein Meal Bar
• Protein Shake
• Waffles

Meal 3

Eat your third meal as you normally do.

Remember, you can make this meal either the first, second or last meal of the day.

Look in the Tips and Tools section for third meal ideas.

Snacks

Enjoy two great-tasting
Special K™ snacks every day (and at any time)!

• Protein Snack Bars
• Cereal or Bliss® Bars
• Crackers
• Protein Water Mixes
• Enjoy fruits & veggies as additional snacks.

Drink beverages as you normally do.

Although they tell you to Enjoy fruits and veggies as additional snacks, this plan seems to lack what is most important. Whole foods! All of these products are extremely processed. Let's look at the ingredients for the products that are most abundant in the Special K Plan, the cereal, and the meal bars.

Special K Red Berries Ingredients-

RICE, SUGAR, WHOLE WHEAT, WHEAT GLUTEN, FREEZE-DRIED STRAWBERRIES, HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP, WHEAT FLOUR, DEFATTED WHEAT GERM, SALT, MALT FLAVORING, ASCORBIC ACID (VITAMIN C), ALPHA TOCOPHEROL, REDUCED IRON, NIACINAMIDE, PYRIDOXINE HYDROCHLORIDE (VITAMIN B6), THIAMIN HYDROCHLORIDE (VITAMIN B1), RIBOFLAVIN (VITAMIN B2), VITAMIN A PALMITATE, FOLIC ACID, VITAMIN B12.

High Fructose Corn Syrup Yum...

Peanut Butter Meal Bar-

COATING (SUGAR, PARTIALLY HYDROGENATED PALM KERNEL OIL†, COCOA PROCESSED WITH ALKALI, WHEY, NONFAT MILK, SOY LECITHIN, SORBITAN MONOSTEARATE, SALT, ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR, POLYSORBATE 60), SOY PROTEIN ISOLATE, PEANUT BUTTER (PEANUTS, HYDROGENATED RAPESEED AND COTTONSEED OIL, SALT), CORN SYRUP, INULIN, FRUCTOSE, SUGAR, RICE STARCH, POLYDEXTROSE, RICE CEREAL (RICE, WHEAT GLUTEN, SUGAR, DEFATTED WHEAT GERM, SALT, HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP, WHEY, MALT FLAVORING, REDUCED IRON, NIACINAMIDE, PYRIDOXINE HYDROCHLORIDE [VITAMIN B6], RIBOFLAVIN [VITAMIN B2], THIAMIN HYDROCHLORIDE [VITAMIN B1], FOLIC ACID, VITAMIN B12), DEXTROSE, CONTAINS TWO PERCENT OR LESS OF CALCIUM CARBONATE, SOYBEAN AND PALM OIL WITH TBHQ FOR FRESHNESS, GLYCERIN, SORBITOL, SALT, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR, ASCORBIC ACID (VITAMIN C), SOY LECITHIN, MONO- AND DIGLYCERIDES, XANTHAN GUM, POLYSORBATE 80, D-ALPHA TOCOPHEROL (VITAMIN E), NIACINAMIDE, ZINC OXIDE, REDUCED IRON, PYRIDOXINE HYDROCHLORIDE (VITAMIN B6), VITAMIN A PALMITATE, RIBOFLAVIN (VITAMIN B2), THIAMIN HYDROCHLORIDE (VITAMIN B1), ALMOND FLOUR, PARTIALLY DEFATTED PEANUT FLOUR, WHEAT STARCH, VITAMIN B12, FOLIC ACID, BHT FOR FRESHNESS, VITAMIN D.

Awesome how about some partially hydrogenated oil bars? ( trans fat ) No thanks!

It is pretty easy to notice that this diet plan is mostly just to get people to buy Special K products. Unfortunately it is nutritional nightmare. This plan may work for a brief period of time for weight loss, but I think you would soon find yourself tired of eating processed cereal, protein bars, and etc. pretty quick. Not to mention it could have a pretty big drainage affect on your bank account.

So next time you see a commercial about taking the Special K challenge, do not be fooled, or change the channel because this plan is not the way to go!

As always, I will continue to stress that eating a diet rich in unprocessed foods is best. The closer a food is to it's original form the better. Eat your fruits and veggies, and don't forget to exercise!

Check back tomorrow for the next diet review!

Holiday Food and New Years Resolutions

It is the Holiday season again, and unfortunately there is a lot of tasty food at arms reach. There are plenty of tips and low fat recipes that can be used to help maintain your weight but the reality is that many of us are not the ones cooking the food, but instead are just enjoying being a guest. If you are asked to bring something, then I am sure you will make it a healthy choice right? :)

It seems there is a viscious cycle that follows the Holidays. People pig out, and then make a New Years resolution to lose weight. The problem is that people tend to only follow their resolutions for a week... or 2 at the most. (come on, be honest) So why is it so hard for people to stick with their New Year's resolution? The problem may not so much be them, but the diet they chose to go on. I am a strong believer that the word "diet" is evil and that lifestyle change is the ONLY solution to reach and sustain weight-loss. The common phrase "I'm going on a diet" makes me cringe. "Diets" are temporary and are not effective in sustaining weight-loss long term! Unfortunately, the word "diet" will live on, and people will continue to try, and fail to follow them.

This week I am going to start a series on diets reviews. I will take the diets that are most popular right now and inform you on their effectiveness, or non-effectiveness, the ideas around the diets, and some good points or bad points that they contain. Feel free to comment on any diet that you would like me to review! I will post my first diet review tomorrow so make sure to check back.
Don't forget to post your diets!

Tilapia a Quick Review

By now we have all probably heard about the benefits of eating fish. It is high in omega 3 fatty acids which improves brain function. What they don't tell you is that it also contains omega 6 fatty acids that can cause inflammation. However, the real meaning to eating foods high in omega 3's is that it contains a good balance of omega 6 fats, and omega 3 fats. The recommended ratio of omega 6 fats to omega 3's is 3:1. The typical American diet usually contains a ratio of 10:1 which needs improvement. Some other great sources of omega 3 fats are walnuts, flax seeds, dark leafy greens, and seaweed. Seaweed is the reason that fish is so high in omega 3's. This is what they feed off of so if you can find the courage to give it a try, go for it!

There is one fish that has grown in popularity lately because of it's low cost. However, it may cost you your health. It is starting to pop up in restaurants and because it is fish people automatically assume it is healthy. The problem is that its omega 6 to omega 3 ratio is a horrific 16:1. So what is this fish that is so high in omega 6's? Unfortunately the fish with the bad omega fat balance is Tilapia. If you are looking for fish with a good balance of omega fats salmon is a better choice. Too bad it is more expensive.

Excited

School is well on its way and I am so excited for what this year holds. It feels so good to finally work towards my passion and what I really want to do ( regardless of the money ). Personal training and nutrition may seem like a joke to some but I see it as preventative medicine. I am no doctor, but to be a part of preventing a disease that may cause you to have to visit one makes me feel even more accomplished. Unfortunately preventative medicine is overlooked, but I am excited to be a part of a movement to spread awareness to people that do not know much about it.

Here are some statistics for you...

The top three causes of death in the united states are tobacco use, poor diet and inactivity, and alcohol. These three causes attribute to 920,000 deaths each year. This is unfortunate because nearly 80% of deaths in the U.S. today could be prevented through a healthy lifestyle program.
Over 50% of people who die in the U.S. die because of what they do.
-More than half of disease is lifestyle related
-A fifth is attributed to the environment
- A tenth is influenced by the health care the individual receives
- Only 16% is attributed to genetics
-The individual controls as much as 84% of vulnerability to disease and quality of life.
-83% of deaths before age 65 are preventable

In essence, most people in the United States are threatened by the very lives they live today.

Organics and Misconceptions

It is good to be home. I just returned from a trip to Southern California, more specifically Pico Rivera, and Whittier area. I went down there with my mom to visit family but it was more of a wake up call than anything. I easily forget how lucky I am to live in an area where healthy lifestyles including exercise and healthy eating are a more commonly talked about and practiced. I realized that over anything that the biggest problem is people are just not educated enough on the subject. Sure, everyone gets the concept of eat your fruits and vegetables but there is so much more to it than that. By just visiting with family I came across many misconceptions that could be easily addressed and made me think of how beneficial it would be if people were just more educated on the subject. Maybe if there was some sort of program to spread the word. I suppose you could think of it as nutritional missionaries. Information on healthy eating, Organics, and sustainable living needs to be more readily available to everyone!

By just visiting with family and friends I soon realized that they have a little knowledge about what is healthy but there are still many misconceptions. Here are the misconceptions that I found were most common.

1. Organic food is more expensive.
- Yes, this can be true. However, most of these "Organics are too expensive" conversations were discussed over a meal out at a restaurant. People don't realize that there are many ways to fit organic food into their budget. The "it is too expensive" phrase is just an easy excuse that was created by people who just don't want to bother. The phrase organics "can be more expensive" instead of "too expensive" sounds a bit more fitting. Most people just assume the prices of organics will be higher without actually checking. If buying organic is so expensive why are the organic apples cheaper than the regular apples at Safeway right now? Compare prices! Never just assume! Do your research first!

2. I heard that 0rganic food is not anymore nutritious than regular food.
- Not only do organic fruits and vegetables contain more vitamins and minerals, but they do not contain the harmful chemicals and pesticides than those grown conventionally. Even if organic fruits and veggies were not more nutritious, they would still be better for you because they do not contain harmful pesticides. If you would like to learn more about these wonderful pesticides that conventionally grown produce contain please check out this website www.whatsonmyfood.org

I cannot stress enough the importance of educating people on this subject. It is one thing for them to choose not to live a healthy lifestyle but to never be given the chance to make that decision is the sad part. People can live their lives how they want, but they should at least be given the education that allows them to decide these things for themselves.

It is hard to sum up these thoughts into one blog so I am cutting this a bit short. I am brainstorming this very moment on a better way to present these issues. In the meantime feel free to post questions and comments. They are much appreciated!

Thanks for reading!

Whole Foods...More Organic Please

Here is a little article that I got in my inbox today from the Organic Consumers Association. Thought it may be of interest to you. If you would like to learn more about Organic foods you can visit their website at http://www.organicconsumers.org/ I encourage you to sign up for their newsletter, and take a look around. It is well worth your time, I promise!

Whole Foods Market Bows to OCA Pressure--Promises to Sell Significantly More Organics in 2010

The emperor of natural foods, Whole Foods Market (WFM), has no clothes. Throughout the 2009 summer months, OCA has been alerting organic consumers to the troubling fact that the overwhelming majority of grocery items (approximately 2/3) sold by WFM, even their private label "365" brand, are not certified organic, but rather so-called "natural" products that are typically just conventional products in disguise. After being defensive and unresponsive at first (basically saying "we sell more" organic food than any other retailer), and after putting pressure on OCA's advertisers to stop supporting us, WFM seems to finally be "seeing the light."

After thousands of emails from OCA members demanding that the company stop selling so many bogus "natural products" and embrace its stated mission to sell healthy organic foods, WFM's executives apparently realized last week that OCA will not shut up, and that they have a major problem on their hands. You can't just simply proclaim that you are a leader in selling organic foods, you must actually walk your talk. Last week, WFM announced it was launching a new "healthy eating" initiative with a greater emphasis on organics. In a highly publicized speech in the UK, John Mackey confessed the company's product selection had veered off course. The OCA will be monitoring WFM's practices closely to make sure that the giant retailers' actions match its rhetoric. Instead of 2/3 of its sales being so-called "natural" products, (with only 1/3 certified organic), OCA wants to see 2/3 of WFM's sales be organic by the end of 2010.

Playing Hide and Seek...With Ingredient Lists

Reading an ingredients list on the back of a food label can be a lot like playing hide and seek. There are certain harmful ingredients that may be hiding behind a different name so that health conscience consumers will still buy the product without even knowing that they may be consuming something they would never allow in their diets. Now that consumers are more aware of trans fats and it's hidden names in an ingredients list they are becoming easier to seek. However, there is another harmful substance that may be lurking in your food without you even knowing it. It is something you have probably heard of and know it is not good for you, but what you don't know is that it has many hidden names.

MSG Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is one of the most common and hazardous food additives on the market. MSG is reportedly more toxic than alcohol, tobacco and many drugs. MSG is an excitotoxin, so it tricks your brain into wanting to eat more and more foods containing the ingredient, even if you are already full. Side effects of MSG include: obesity, eye damage, headaches, depression, fatigue and disorientation. Food manufacturers know that health-conscious consumers try to avoid MSG, so it is oftentimes not listed in a product's ingredients. MSG is banned in organic foods. Here's a list of ingredients that ALWAYS contain MSG:Autolyzed Yeast -- Calcium Caseinate -- Gelatin Glutamate -- Glutamic Acid -- Hydrolyzed Protein -- Monopotassium Glutamate -- Monosodium Glutamate -- Sodium Caseinate -- Textured Protein -- Yeast Extract -- Yeast Food -- Yeast Nutrient

Make sure to ALWAYS read your lables, and then...READ THEM AGAIN.

Quinoa: The Mother Grain

Quinoa used to be a rare sight to see. I used to only be able to find it at specialty stores, but now I see it everywhere. (Even Costco!) People are giving it a try and starting to realize its amazing health benefits. Although people are becoming more familiar with Quinoa and starting to see it in stores more often, people still hesitate to give it a try. Their hesitation may come from a line of very common questions, such as;

What is Quinoa?

Quinoa (pronounced Keen-Wah) is a 100% whole grain and is close to being a perfect food source in the balance of nutrition it provides. Technically it's not a grain but the seed of a leafy plant related to spinach.

What are it's health benefits?

Quinoa is an excellent source of protein - 12% to 18%. According to The National Academy of Sciences, quinoa is "one of the best sources of protein in the vegetable kingdom". Quinoa contains the amino acid lysine which helps the body produce protein. It also helps the body process the protein in the quinoa and in other foods. The World Health Organization has rated the quality of protein in quinoa to be equivalent or superior to that found in milk products.

Quinoa is a source of all essential amino acids according to the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization. It's a great source of B vitamins containing niacin, thiamin and B6.It contains high levels of potassium and riboflavin. It's also good source of zinc, copper, and manganese, and magnesium. It contains folic acid and vitamin E.

Is it Gluten free?

Yes, Quinoa is a great food for people who must follow wheat-free/gluten-free diets because Quinoa doesn't contain gluten. Quinoa can be substituted for almost any other grain.

What does it taste like?

Quinoa has a nutty, smoky flavor and is less filling than other grains and pastas.

These are the most common questions people usually have about Quinoa, here is also a breif history.

• Quinoa has been one of the primary foods of the Inca Indians for more than 5,000 years. The Incas referred to Quinoa as "Mother Grain". Most quinoa is grown in the Andes in South America. Some quinoa is now being grown in the Colorado Rockies. The fact that quinoa will row in extremely poor soil together with its great nutritional value makes it a true super grain to feed the world.

• Quinoa seed are covered with bitter tasting saponins that naturally repel insects and birds. Removing the saponins is a somewhat involved process but is already done for you when you buy a quality brand like Ancient Harvest Quinoa. It's believed that the bitter tasting saponins are what discouraged the Spanish from using Quinoa.

Now that you know more about Quinoa, there is probably one more question that you would like to know the answer to.

How do you cook it?

Not only is Quinoa a super food, but it is super easy to cook. You cook it it kind of like you would cook rice. 1 cup of quinoa to 2 cups of water, bring it to a boil. (or 1/2 cup quinoa and 1 cup water) Then just simmer for 12 - 15 minutes until all the water is absorbed into the quinoa seeds. Fluff and serve.

Here is a rather dry video if you are a visual learner...



Looking for a few recipes?

Check out some of these to get a few ideas-
http://allrecipes.com/Search/Recipes.aspx?WithTerm=Quinoa

Caffeine Awareness

It's caffeine awareness month! Are you aware? Are you a caffeine addict?

Hi, my name is Amber and I am a caffeine addict. I am very aware of it...but I am also aware of the benefits it can have towards running or other forms of exercise.

Caffeine can help you set PRs...

Science: Scientists at two universities in Minnesota gave runners a drink with or without caffeine (equal to two cups of coffee) one hour before a VO2 max test. Participants who had caffeine experienced a four percent increase in VO2 max and a three percent increase in lactate threshold. This performance boost can translate into a 30-second improvement in 10-K time.
Action: Have one or two cups of coffee or tea an hour before a hard workout or race for a potential drop in times.


...And helps speed recovery, too

Science: Researchers in Melbourne, Australia, put participants through two bouts of exhaustive exercise to drain glycogen stores. Researchers then gave the athletes a large dose of carbs either with or without caffeine. Within four hours, caffeine boosted glycogen rebuilding by 66 percent compared to carbohydrate alone.
Action: After a hard run, refuel with a carb-rich meal along with coffee, tea, or a caffeinated energy drink to boost recovery.

It's About That Time

It is officially spring, and summer is fast approaching. I know most people are not looking forward to the summer heat but there is one thing that I am definitely looking forward to. Summer fruits and vegetables! Not only are all of my favorite fruits and vegetables about to be in season, but it is almost time for the local farmers markets to start up again. Buying your produce from your local farmers markets is the best way to go. Not only are you getting a better bang for your buck, but you are also getting better nutrient dense foods. Fruits and vegetables start to lose their flavor and nutrition the moment they're picked. It's almost certain that a strawberry picked two days ago thirty miles from your home is going to be juicier and healthier than one picked two weeks prior halfway across the continent. Eating locally has many benefits, here is 10 reasons why you should eat locally...

10 Reasons to Eat Local Food

Eating local means more for the local economy. According to a study by the New Economics Foundation in London, a dollar spent locally generates twice as much income for the local economy. When businesses are not owned locally, money leaves the community at every transaction. (reference)

Locally grown produce is fresher. While produce that is purchased in the supermarket or a big-box store has been in transit or cold-stored for days or weeks, produce that you purchase at your local farmer's market has often been picked within 24 hours of your purchase. This freshness not only affects the taste of your food, but the nutritional value which declines with time.

Local food just plain tastes better. Ever tried a tomato that was picked within 24 hours? 'Nuff said.

Locally grown fruits and vegetables have longer to ripen. Because the produce will be handled less, locally grown fruit does not have to be "rugged" or to stand up to the rigors of shipping. This means that you are going to be getting peaches so ripe that they fall apart as you eat them, figs that would have been smashed to bits if they were sold using traditional methods, and melons that were allowed to ripen until the last possible minute on the vine.

Eating local is better for air quality and pollution than eating organic. In a March 2005 study by the journal Food Policy, it was found that the miles that organic food often travels to our plate creates environmental damage that outweighs the benefit of buying organic. (reference)

Buying local food keeps us in touch with the seasons. By eating with the seasons, we are eating foods when they are at their peak taste, are the most abundant, and the least expensive.

Buying locally grown food is fodder for a wonderful story. Whether it's the farmer who brings local apples to market or the baker who makes local bread, knowing part of the story about your food is such a powerful part of enjoying a meal.

Eating local protects us from bio-terrorism. Food with less distance to travel from farm to plate has less susceptibility to harmful contamination. (reference)

Local food translates to more variety. When a farmer is producing food that will not travel a long distance, will have a shorter shelf life, and does not have a high-yield demand, the farmer is free to try small crops of various fruits and vegetables that would probably never make it to a large supermarket. Supermarkets are interested in selling "Name brand" fruit: Romaine Lettuce, Red Delicious Apples, Russet Potatoes. Local producers often play with their crops from year to year, trying out Little Gem Lettuce, Senshu Apples, and Chieftain Potatoes.

Supporting local providers supports responsible land development. When you buy local, you give those with local open space - farms and pastures - an economic reason to stay open and undeveloped.

What I love About Running

As many people know, running can be a love hate relationship. But the truth is that I have so much more love for it than hate. So what is it that makes me love running so much? If it were not for running I would be missing out on so much. So for those of you who wonder what it is I love about running that I could get up early every morning to do it, here is 10 things I love about running.

1. I love that I know it is exactly .66 miles from my house to the local convenience store.
2. I love how people think I am insane for running in the rain. ( it's just water! )
3. I love the things that running allows me to see, the peacefulness of the outdoors, or the chaos of speeding mini vans rushing to drop it's load of children at the nearest school.
4. I love the waves and smiles I get from other runners.
5. I love the fresh morning air that I get to breathe, and if I am lucky the saw mill makes it pine fresh.
6. I love knowing that if I had to, that I could run a good 2 and a half hours before I had to walk.
7. I love knowing that If a disaster were to happen, that I could outrun most people around me.
8. I love that it pushes me to do things I never thought I could do.
9. I love the time it gives me to think.
10. I love the feeling of accomplishment it gives me when I finish.

Updated : A Shoppers Guide To Pesticides

For those of you wanting to lower your pesticide intake, and avoid putting unintended toxins into your body, there is a new updated list on the pesticide level in the produce we buy. This will help guide you in the grocery store on which foods you will want to buy organic. Although we have been told many times to eat our fruits and veggies, we still have to be careful what fruits and veggies we are eating. Here is the full list of 47 fruits and veggies.

For more information about eating organic go to www.foodnews.org

The Full List: 47 Fruits & Veggies

RANK	FRUIT OR VEGGIE	SCORE
1 (worst)	Peach	100 (highest pesticide load)
2	Apple	93
3	Sweet Bell Pepper	83
4	Celery	82
5	Nectarine	81
6	Strawberries	80
7	Cherries	73
8	Kale	69
9	Lettuce	67
10	Grapes - Imported	66
11	Carrot	63
12	Pear	63
13	Collard Greens	60
14	Spinach	58
15	Potato	56
16	Green Beans	53
17	Summer Squash	53
18	Pepper	51
19	Cucumber	50
20	Raspberries	46
21	Grapes - Domestic	44
22	Plum	44
23	Orange	44
24	Cauliflower	39
25	Tangerine	37
26	Mushrooms	36
27	Banana	34
28	Winter Squash	34
29	Cantaloupe	33
30	Cranberries	33
31	Honeydew Melon	30
32	Grapefruit	29
33	Sweet Potato	29
34	Tomato	29
35	Broccoli	28
36	Watermelon	26
37	Papaya	20
38	Eggplant	20
39	Cabbage	17
40	Kiwi	13
41	Sweet Peas - Frozen	10
42	Asparagus	10
43	Mango	9
44	Pineapple	7
45	Sweet Corn - Frozen	2
46	Avocado	1
47 (best)	Onion	1 (lowest pesticide load)

Note: We ranked a total of 47 different fruits and vegetables but grapes are listed twice because we looked at both domestic and imported samples.

Hemp Seed and its "High" Nutritional Benefits

When people think of hemp, there a few things that come to mind. Marijuana, hippies, dreadlocks, hemp accessories, and clothing. But what usually does not come to mind is the high nutritional benefits that hemp has to offer. So what exactly is hemp?

Here is a little hemp 101.

"Hemp is a distinct variety of the plant species Cannabis sativa L. It is a tall, slender fibrous plant similar to flax or kenaf. Farmers worldwide have harvested the crop for the past 12,000 years for fiber and food, and Popular Mechanics once boasted that over 25,000 environmentally friendly products could be derived from hemp.

Unlike marijuana, hemp contains only minute (less than 1%) amounts of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. In addition, hemp possesses a high percentage of the compound cannabidiol (CBD), which has been shown to block the effects of THC. For these reasons, many botanists have dubbed industrial hemp "anti-marijuana."

More than 30 industrialized nations commercially grow hemp, including England and Canada. The European Union subsidizes farmers to grow the crop, which is legally recognized as a commercial crop by the United Nations Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT). Nevertheless, US law forbids farmers from growing hemp without a federal license, and has discouraged all commercial hemp production since the 1950s. Hemp groups are working to allow American farmers to once again have legal access to this agricultural commodity."

Now that you know what hemp is and where it comes from, I will fill you in on its nutritional benefits courtesy of www.worldpantry.com.

"To attain optimum health we must eat foods that contain live enzymes, active phytonutrients, vitamins, minerals, essential amino acids, and essential fatty acids. These elements are termed "essential" because the human body does not produce them. They must come from the food we eat. Hemp seed is one of the plant kingdom's most concentrated, complete and balanced sources of essential amino acids (EAA's) and essential fatty acids (EFA's). Hemp seeds are high in essential nutrients including chlorophyll, magnesium, potassium, sulfur, phytosterols, ascorbic acid, beta-carotene, calcium, fiber, histidine, iron, potassium, phosphorus, riboflavin, niacin and thiamin.

Hemp seed contains all 10 essential amino acids, the building blocks of protein. Hemp seeds contain 33% pure digestible protein, providing readily available amino acids for building and repairing tissue. Hemp seed protein is comprised of 65% high-quality edestin protein, the most potent protein of any plant source, 35% albumin protein and glutamic acid. The globulin edestin in hemp seed closely resembles the globulin in blood plasma, and is compatible with the human digestive system. It is vital to the maintance of a healthy immune system and is also used to manufacture antibodies. Albumin is a protein manufactured by the liver that is supportive of liver and kidney health.

Hemp seed is rich in Omega 3 and Omega 6 Essential Fatty Acids as well as being one of the few plant sources of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). EFAs are utilized by many of the body's systems to maintain proper tissue function. EFAs are required for energy production, proper functioning of the nervous system, brain development and function, skin health and elasticity, digestive efficiency, normal cardiovascular function, hormone production, and efficient immune response. Studies have shown that GLA improves memory, and overall mental health, as well as reducing symptoms of skin ailments like eczema and even fibrocystic disease."

As you can see, hemp seed has many amazing health benefits, and it can be found at your local health store, or whole foods. Hemp is sold in many different forms such as, Hemp milk, hemp seed, hemp nuts, and hemp protein, hemp seed butter, etc.

The Controversy Continues

Now that I have uncovered some of the possible benefits of coconut oil, it is time that I reveal information as to how it could be bad.

In my nutrition classes I was taught that no matter what the source, it was best to stay away from saturated fat. Saturated fat is believed to raise your bad levels of cholesterol and increase your risk of heart disease. The American Heart Association advises that people stay away from all sources of saturated fats. "Saturated fat is the main dietary cause of high blood cholesterol. Saturated fat is found mostly in foods from animals and some plants. Foods from animals include beef, beef fat, veal, lamb, pork, lard, poultry fat, butter, cream, milk, cheeses and other dairy products made from whole and 2 percent milk. All of these foods also contain dietary cholesterol. Foods from plants that contain saturated fat include coconut, coconut oil, palm oil and palm kernel oil (often called tropical oils), and cocoa butter." (AHA)

"Researchers from the Heart Research Institute in Australia studied the body response from eating meals containing good fats versus bad fats. Participants were fed with meals prepared with either coconut oil (high in "bad" saturated fats) or safflower oil (high in "good" polyunsaturated fats). After only 3 hours, researchers found the participants fed with the coconut meal high in saturated fat had a significantly reduced blood flow due to arteries' reduced ability to expand. After 6 hours, researchers found that the good high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol's anti-inflammatory properties had decreased after the saturated coconut meal, but improved after the polyunsaturated safflower meal. The results of this study were published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology in August 2006." (healthcastle.com)

Healthcastle.com who is also a proud follower of mypyramid.gov clearly states its stance against coconut oil.

"

This study once again shows how good fats may improve body functions while bad fats hamper our health. Despite its extreme high level of saturated fat, coconut oil supporters have been promoting coconut oil as a health food. They claimed that coconut oil can cause weight loss, lower blood cholesterol, and is a germ fighter. It is true the structure of some of the saturated fats in coconut oil is different from other saturated fats, but it is scientifically farfetched to claim it as health food to be eaten every day. Like any other foods, moderation is the key.

Saturated fats are mainly found in animal products such as meat, dairy, eggs and seafood. Some plant foods are also high in saturated fats such as coconut, palm oil and palm kernel oil. Although this study is small, it showed that just one "bad" meal can do damage.

Bottom Line

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute warned that "a high content of saturated fat... found in ..... palm kernel oil, palm oil, coconut oil and cocoa butter" put people at risk for having heart attack or stroke.

• For the sake of your heart, minimize the intake of both saturated fats and trans fats. Choose wholesome fresh foods instead of packaged foods, which usually contain these bad fats.
• Avoid using cooking oils that are high in saturated fats and trans fats such as coconut oil, palm oil or vegetable shortening. Instead, use oils that are low in saturated fats and high in mono- and polyunsaturated fats such as canola oil, olive oil and safflower oil.
• As saturated fats are found in animals products, choose lower-fat version dairy. In addition, trim visible fats and skins from meat products"

Many coconut oil companies stand behind their products and insist that the claims against coconut oils are complete myths. The Nutiva company states "Since the 1960s, coconut oil has been unfairly labeled as "unhealthy." The media reported studies of how tropical coconut oils were laden with artery-clogging fats. What wasn't reported was the fact that the coconut oil used in the studies was hydrogenated — not the virgin oil used for centuries as a staple food. We now know it's hydrogenation — artificially adding a hydrogen molecule to oils in order to make them shelf-stable — that's the problem, not coconut oil. Hydrogenated soy, corn, and canola oils — loaded with dangerous trans-fats and processed with toxic hexane solvents — are routinely added to packaged foods. Hydrogenation fattened corporate profits and American waistlines, and is now linked with diseases."

They go on to explain the benefits of coconut oil and more myths about it at http://nutiva.com/cocoinfo/myths_nutrition.php.

So who do we believe?

After researching the possible pros and cons of coconut oil I find myself leaning more toward coconut oil having health promoting benefits. I think I will try cooking with it and see if I can experience these health promoting benefits for myself.

What do you believe? Vote on in the polls and tell me whether you think coconut oil is beneficial or not!

Coconut Oil Controversy

The controversy of coconut oil continues and my quest to determine if it is beneficial to ones health, or harmful seems impossible. The amount of people for coconut oil and the amount against it seem to be split right down the middle. So how do I come to a conclusion about who is right? Well, I can't...perhaps I could try it myself and see if I feel a difference in my own health. For now, I will go over the "benefits" believed to come from coconut oil.

According to Dr. Mercola coconut oil's benefits include:

• Promoting your heart health
• Promoting weight loss when and if you need it
• Supporting your immune system health
• Supporting a healthy metabolism
• Providing you with an immediate energy source
• Helping to keep your skin healthy and youthful looking
• Supporting the proper functioning of your thyroid gland

Dr. Mercola insists cooking with coconut oil because it is more stable when cooking and claims that oils such as olive oil, create toxins when they a heated over a certain temperature. He explains this in more detail in his video below.



I did find it interesting to think about how certain oils are not meant to be cooked at high temperatures. I knew that the burning point of olive oil is much lower than oils such as sesame oil, or safflower oil, however I was unaware that it could actually create a toxin.

Another person for the benefits of coconut oil is a man named George Mateljan who owns the website The Worlds Healthiest Foods. (www.whfoods.com) I use his website daily and usually eat according to his list. I have great respect for him and he is what makes me want to lean towards the conclusion that coconut oil may in fact be beneficial to ones health. Here is a video that has a great demonstration of why to cook with coconut oil. http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=movie&dbid=6

I agree most with the beliefs of George Mateljan and trust his observations more than Dr. Mercola. It seems Dr. Mercola can be more of a CooCoo-Nut than a reliable source. Another thing that turns me off about Dr. Mercola is that his website reminds me of an infomercial site. He is constantly trying to sell his products such as coconut oil, supplements, cookware, etc. to people and it makes me think that he is only trying to make money off some of his radical health beliefs whereas George Mateljan takes the simple "eat whole foods route" which I strongly agree with.

So who doesn't believe that coconut oil is beneficial? Come back tomorrow to find out!

Coming Soon: Coconut Oil Is it Good or Bad?

Coconut Oil is probably one of the most controversial subjects between health professionals. Some believe it's high saturated fat content to be harmful. But others believe the saturated fat that it contains is a different type and that it can be beneficial to ones health. Who do we believe? This is a question that I have been wanting to find the answer to. In all of my nutrition classes we were advised to stay away from tropical oils such as coconut oil, but after working at a natural foods store where coconut oil would fly off the shelves I began to wonder. Is it so bad after all? Considering Good Earths strict policy on products they would carry, would they really carry it if it was so harmful to your health?

This made me curious and I began to do my research. I came across websites such as dr.mercola.com etc. All promoting the health benefits of Coconut Oil. However, there is still much research to be done. I must find out the truth! Or is that even possible?

What is it?

What is it about speaking that is so hard for me? I bomb nearly every interview I go into and in these hard economic times makes it impossible for me to get hired. Why would they hire someone incapable of giving a good interview when there are probably plenty other people who are #1 more experienced, great at interviews, and outgoing? No matter how much I know inside that I am a really hard worker, and can get the job done, how are they supposed to see that in someone stumbling over their own words barely being able to spit out full sentences? My mind is all there, but my words are not.

The only person that was willing to give me a shot was my supervisor at my old job at Good Earth. I guess she saw something in me that no one else does and I am extremely thankful she gave me an opportunity. However, out here no one wants to give me a chance.

If only I could write out interviews...lol ugh

Update, Update

We have been living at the new house for a week now and it is simply amazing. There is so much more space, and it feels much more like home.

On the downside I have not been able to find a job. It seems almost impossible right now. With the economy the way it is most businesses have hiring freezes until at least March. This makes me even more sad about having to quit my old job.

Another downside is that with all the moving and being out of my element and routine I have not lifted a weight in almost a month. NOT GOOD. Obviously if I would like to get the strength gains I am looking for I need to get back on track asap. I am hoping to get my brothers old weight bench sometime this week. Now that I have a whole room to use to work out in and nothing else better to do, hopefully I can get back on track.

12 Foods You Don't Have to Buy Organic

Now that you know the 12 foods that you should always buy organic here are some foods that you do not have to buy organic. I try to buy organic as much as possible, whether they are on the "Dirty Dozen" list or not, but sometimes you just need a few dollars to spare.

Of the 43 different fruit and vegetable categories tested, the following twelve foods do not have to be organic. These had the lowest pesticide load, and consequently are the safest conventionally grown crops to consume from the standpoint of pesticide contamination:

• Broccoli
• Eggplant
• Cabbage
• Banana
• Kiwi
• Asparagus
• Sweet peas (frozen)
• Mango
• Pineapple
• Sweet corn (frozen)
• Avocado
• Onion

"Why should you care about pesticides? The EWG (Environmental Working Group) www.ewg.org points out that there is a growing consensus in the scientific community that small doses of pesticides and other chemicals can have adverse effects on health, especially during vulnerable periods such as fetal development and childhood.

To this list, I would add one caveat: When it comes to pesticide use, there is more to consider than just the residues that are ingested by the consumer. Although peeled foods such as bananas, mangoes, avocadoes and kiwis may spare the consumer from significant pesticide exposure, it is possible that large amounts of pesticides and herbicides are used on the farms from which these originate, contaminating groundwater, promoting erosion and otherwise damaging local ecosystems. To help promote the health of the planet as well as your own health, it's best to buy organic whenever possible, including when you are purchasing the foods listed above." (Andrew Weil M.D.)

Foods to ALWAYS buy Organic

It seemed that people were finally starting to get it. Eat your fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein in order to sustain a healthy diet. However, there is still a few more things to learn. Although people may now be eating more fruits and vegetables ( or at least know they should ) what most don't know is that those same fruits and vegetables they have been told are so important to eat, contain an abundance of harmful pesticides.

Since working at Good Earth I have learned how important buying organic is. The bad news is, buying organic can be expensive. The good news is, that it does not have to be. Most people can not afford to buy EVERYTHING organic so I have found a few ways to lower your pesticide consumption and keep a little more money in your wallet.

When I go to the grocery store, I shop by a list called "The Dirty Dozen". This list contains the top 12 foods to ALWAYS buy organic. Here is the list...

1. Peaches – Peaches are at the top of the list with an average of three (and maximum of nine) pesticides found on a single sample. Over 96% of the samples tested showed traces of pesticides.
2. Apples – Thirty -six pesticides in total were found on 92% of the apples tested, most commonly Diphenylamine (DPA), Thiabendazole, and Azinphos methyl, all of which can damage the nervous system.
3. Sweet bell peppers – This food had the maximum number of pesticides on a single sample, eleven. In total, sixty-four different pesticides were found on over 81% of sampled bell peppers. Methamidophos, Acephate, and Endosulfans were repeatedly identified.
4. Celery – 94% of the samples tested contained pesticides, most notably Dicloran, Acephate, and Oxamyl.
5. Nectarines – Among fruits testing positive for pesticide residue, nectarines had the highest percentage (97% of samples tested. The three most frequently found were Iprodione, Phosmet, and Propargite.
6. Strawberries – Thirty-five dangerous pesticides in total were found on strawberries, the most common being Captan, Iprodione, and Methomyl, a known hormone disrupter.
7. Cherries – Twenty-five different pesticides were found on 91% of the cherries sampled. The most commonly found were Azinphos methyl, Myclobutanil, and Carbaryl, which has been shown to interfere with the immune system. It may cause behavioural and neurological disorders. Reproductive side effects include decreased sperm and fertility, higher fetal mortality and lower birth weights.
8. Pears - Thirty-two different pesticides were identified on the pears sampled, among them Azinphos methyl, Diphenylamine (DPA), and Thiabendazole, a pesticide known to damage the reproductive system.
9. Grapes (imported) - Thirty-five pesticides were found on imported grapes including Captan, Iprodione, and Dimethoate.
10. Spinach - The three pesticides found most often on spinach were Permethrin Total, DDT, and Dimethoate.
11. Lettuce – Forty-nine different pesticides were found on lettuce with up to nine on a single sample.
12. Potatoes – In terms of parts per million (ppm), potatoes had the highest score. An average of 1.655 ppm of all pesticides was identified on potatoes. The most common were Chlorpropham, Thiabendazole, and Endosulfans,.

Pesticide exposure may be reduced up to 90% by avoiding the most contaminated fruits and vegetables. Based on over 43,000 tests for pesticides on produce, the Environmental Working Group (EWG), a research and advocacy organization, determined that eating the produce listed below exposes you to approximately 15 common pesticides.

To reduce your exposure to pesticides, try to buy organic varieties of these foods. Buying organic produce reduces health risks and respects our environment.

Some other foods that you should seek to buy organic are meat, and dairy.

By sticking to buying at least these 12 foods organic, it can save you your health, and some money too. Another way I am able to buy organic and still save money is by shopping at Safeway. They have their own line of organic foods that are the same price if not cheaper than regular non organic foods.



I encourage you to take a peek at a few websites I found that can explain in better detail the importance of buying organic.

http://www.naturallysavvy.com/index.php
http://www.thedailygreen.com/healthy-eating/

Jobless...

Being jobless and broke definitely starts to get old after awhile...maybe instead of a fitness blog I should write on the joys of being unemployed. Nothing beats the restless and seemingly endless days of boredom. It is strange that I feel more tired when I am not working....except sleep becomes a little more adventurous. I have never had such strange dreams. Every night has been a dream about working back at Good Earth only it seems like I am a ghost there an no one acknowledges me. I was going around trying to tell people how lucky they were that they still had a job. Last night I lost a tooth and got attacked by some random guy. I know, lay off the shrooms right? All I know is that I need a job before I go crazy...(if it is not already to late). I have already applied to a ton of places. I even made a resume. Woah go me... anyone out there want to hire me?

Hello Sacramento

I have officially said goodbye to the bay area and I am now enjoying my new location of Sacramento. The days are getting closer, and closer to when my husband and I can move into our new house. Until then, we are staying with his parents who were kind enough to take us in for a couple weeks. ( Thanks guys! )

Keeping up with my training schedule has not been too easy. I had no access to weights and we had a lot of late nights trying to get moved and situated. This means low energy levels and messed up routines. ( for those of you who do not know me...I am all about my morning routine and feel lost without it.) Last night I was able to get a free 7 day trial at the gym nearby so I will be sure to utilize that. I was able to run yesterday, however it seems today that I have been stricken with a sick bug. If I am lucky I may be able to squeeze in some weight training.

I have only been jobless for a few days now but I am finding myself starting to go a bit stir crazy. I don't like being jobless... As I stare at the clock which reads 10:25am I find myself feeling sad that I am not riding my bike to work right now as I usually would be. I miss it. *sigh*
Weight training sounds good about now...

Update

With all the hustle and bustle of the move it has been hard to sit down and focus on a blog. However, I am determined to write one anyways whether it has anything to do with the subject of health and fitness or not. There is nothing worse than a blog that doesn't get updated. So here is a blog with a little update about the move, and etc.

We are officially renting a house in Lincoln. It is super nice and still smells new. Here are some pictures...


















The Front















The Kitchen
















The Living Room view from the kitchen















Living Room















Master Bathroom















Hallway

















Backyard

There is also an office, a guest room, and another bathroom but there are no pictures. ( so you will just have to come see it in person )

I am excited to live in such an awesome home, however I am sad to be leaving my job. Working at Good Earth Natural Foods was definitely the best job I have ever had and the people were awesome. I learned a lot while working there and will greatly miss it.


Saturday is my last day here. Goodbye Good Earth. I will miss you.

I will also miss my running route. I felt very blessed to see such beautiful scenery everyday.









Who wouldn't miss that?






I love packing... not.

It will all pay off in the end. Stay tuned.