LK's Grab Bag

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Tuesday, February 3rd: 

Most of you who view these weekly tidbits can’t (or don’t 🙂 ) attend the Tuesday workout class. So….. from now on I’ll be communicating info about my class via e-mail. Please do let me know if you are interested in coming to class… I would love to have you 🙂

Tuesday Health Tip:

High carbs=High carbs=High carbs=

Zane Andrews, a Yale University grad PhD researcher recently released a preliminary study that showed a two-fold problem for weight control:

1) The brain cells that control appetite suppression decline as you age.

2) Eating a diet rich in carbohydrates and calories speeds this damage. 

“Further research is needed….” concluded the published study.

SO…. while Zane didn’t provide an answer, I have your two-fold solution.

1A) Concentrate on consuming only MEANINGFUL carbs: Fruit, non-starchy vegetables, whole grain breads/pastas… and don’t overdo.

1B) Eat those carbs ONLY with some fat and protein as part of a balanced meal or snack… NEVER by themselves.

2) Make an extra effort to incorporate INTERVAL TRAINING (see link in the right column for more information) at least 2 times a week into your exercise schedule. The anti-aging benefits of this exercise method will keep ALL parts of you younger… including your appetite suppression. 

Tuesday Cosmetics Clean-Up:

Found a great website for ya’ll….. Ann Garrity of Organic Divas

became concerned about safe and clean cosmetics and  developed a website that ONLY carries products which rate a 0-3 on Cosmeticsdatabase.com. Yeah!

It’s a great place to go if you don’t have time to do the research and just want some good products that are safe and that work. She doesn’t carry tons of stuff, but it’s a no-brainer. I can attest to the Jane Iredale line, as I use quite a bit of them and they’re great. 

Here is her list of concerns which echo my research and led her to her online business:

• The average woman (and Diva, we know you’re no average woman) uses 9 personal care products daily exposing her to 168 chemicals each and every day.
• The U.S. cosmetic industry is self-regulating which is, to be honest Diva, a little like putting you in charge of the candy bowl at Halloween. No matter how good your intentions, stuff happens…
• European beauty secrets? Au contraire! European Union Divas have easier access to healthier products. The EU banned the use of 1109 chemicals in its personal care products—including sodium laurel sulphate, found in most shampoos. The FDA has banned the use of 10 chemicals in US personal care products. Don’t you deserve the same safe, high quality beauty products as your European sisters?
• According to our friends at the Environmental Working Group, 9 out of 10 ingredients used in personal care products have not been evaluated for safety. How’s that for lip service?
• Some cosmetic companies argue that the level of harmful chemicals in any one product is not enough to harm you. Don’t buy it, Diva. Even small doses of some chemicals can have serious consequences in children and young women. And since you reach for the same product every day, several days a week for months or years, that “small exposure” can add up to major exposure over an extended period of time.

 

Tuesday Green Living Headline:

I hear Lockheed Martin is getting into green energy, Pacific surf style. Seems they are partnering with Ocean Power Technologies to design and build a wave power farm off the California/Oregon coast. The “farm” will consist of power generator buoys made by Ocean Power that create energy from wave motion. 

And PG&E, northern California’s power utility, has signed an agreement to buy power from a similar wave farm under construction 4km. off the Humboldt County coastline, which will hopefully be up and running in 2012. Surf’s up!

Every Tuesday Matters:

From the Every Monday Matters book…. week 5:

Eat Healthy

• Annual costs for chronic conditions and diseases is big money:
  • $117 billion for obesity
  • $66 billion for high blood pressure
  • $432 billion for heart disease and strokes
  • $50 billion for weight-loss aids, diet foods, supplements, and weight-loss medications—and obesity is still increasing.
• 79% likelihood exists that an overweight child will become an overweight adult.
• 75% of adults don’t eat the recommended daily 5 or more servings of fruits and vegetables.
• Snack consumption by children has increased 300% from 20 years ago.
• 400,000 people die annually from poor eating habits and laziness.
• French fries are the most widely eaten vegetable.

TAKE ACTION TODAY

• If you suffer from or have a family history of any of the aforementioned chronic conditions or diseases, consult your family physician for dietary counseling.
• Although every individual is unique in his or her dietary needs, here are some ideas to help all of us:
  • Eat more dark green vegetables, legumes, fruits, whole grains, low-fat milk products, and lean meats.
  • Eat fewer foods with refined grains and sugars; reduce your intake of fatty foods with empty calories; and eat smaller portions.
  • Eat slowly so that you will feel full before you’ve overeaten.
  • Don’t reward yourself or children with food.
  • Limit snacking.
  • Develop a routine and eat at similar times each day.

Drink plenty of water.

• Eat to live; don’t live to eat.

YOU MATTER

You deserve to be in good health. For most, diabetes, hypertension, and other obesity-related chronic diseases are preventable by simply eating healthy and exercising. You will feel better than ever both mentally and physically—the only way to really live. If you don’t want to do it for yourself or your wallet, do it for those who love you. Just start…one day at a time.

Tuesday Brain Game:

How well do you know your Middle East geography? Click here.

Oh, how we all would have loved to be her…..