Random Randomness

I came across some interesting reading over the past few days:

• Here is a great article about gluten sensitivity. Gluten is a protein found in wheat that most of us have some degree of difficulty digesting. Celiac Desease occurs when intestinal damage occurs due to gluten sensitivity. Celiec Desease is rare but on the rise. Gluten sensitivity, on the other hand, is very common. People often don't even realize they are gluten sensitive until they eliminate grains from their diet for a while. If you eliminate grains from your diet for a month or so then reintroduce them don't be surprised if you don't feel so well upon the reintroduction.
• With all the controversy this week surrounding the change in the mammography recommendations I thought this would be a good read. This is merely an alternate, science based take on the controversy. There is significant research that indicates mammograms should be used sparingly. A woman who receives this screen is getting tons of radiation pumped into their body. Radiation is bad...and causes cancer. "Even the American Cancer Society lists high-dose radiation to the chest as a medium to high risk factor for developing cancer."
• I went to Whole Foods over this past weekend and I was completely overwhelmed. They have such a tremendous selection of great and healthy food that I had no idea where to begin...which is probably a good thing because I could see myself spending way too much money there. Having said that, even at a health food store, we must be diligent about reading the labels. Just because it's being sold at a store like Whole Foods or Trader Joe's does not mean there is no high fructose corn syrup in the ingredients. So absolutely keep shopping for the highest quality foods but keep attentive to the labels. And you will never have to read a label if you eat all natural!
  

Movie Review

Sorry folks, I've been missing for the last week or so. I've been having a bit of quasi-writers block. Anyway, I saw a movie over the past weekend that I thought I'd write about. Food, Inc is a documentary about our food supply in this country (the U.S. for any overseas readers.) This is a must see for anyone who is concerned about what you eat. As a big proponent of eating an all natural diet of meats, vegetables, and fruit, Food, Inc. simply confirms everything I've been preaching. I especially like the fact that they make a very clear distinction between corporate raised meat and naturally raised meat. They are not anti-meat by any stretch. They understand that eating meat is essential to achieve optimal health. But eating the meat sold at the grocery store by corporations like Purdue and Tyson is not the way to go. I've referred to the line, "You are what you eat eats." This is very true. Corporate raised animals are fed a diet of grains and soy. You don't want grains and soy in your system. I buy my meat (eggs, chicken, beef) at Trader Joe's. Whole Foods also has a great selection of grass fed meats. And here is a good online source as well. And another. And here's a farm locator. Yes, this is more expensive. It is a shame that families need to choose a box of pasta over vegetables due to the fact that a box of pasta costs $1 and a couple stalks of organic broccoli can cost $3.50. That is insane! I think we have the ethical obligation to support the farmers who are raising naturally raised food in order to vote against corporate food that does nothing but make us fat and sick. That's my rant, check out the flick.

And here's another documentary that looks interesting. It's called "The Business of Being Born." I think I'm going to check it out.

And finally...more proof that Cardio Sucks!

Super Size your Breakfast

I thought I had written about this previously but I guess not. I wanted to talk about breakfast. We've all been told that breakfast is the most important meal of the day since we were all little tykes. Eating a good meal first thing in the morning gets your metabolism kicking to give you more energy throughout the day and burn more calories. We are now finding that the size of the breakfast is just as important. Here is a fascinating study. A group was split into two sub groups. They were all given the exact same amount of daily calories. One group had a 300 calorie breakfast, the other had a 600 calorie breakfast. After 8 months the group that ate a larger breakfast lost nearly 4 times as much weight as the group that ate the small breakfast! So if weight loss is your goal please (I am pleading here) don't skip breakfast! And try eating a larger than usual breakfast while eating less throughout the rest of the day. You may be pleasantly surprised by the results.

The Perfect Body

I was listening to an interview yesterday and the coach who was being interviewed made what I thought was a great point. He asked, "If I could give you the body you've always wanted today, how would you change your behaviors to maintain that new body?" People generally say if they could just get in shape then they would change their eating habits and exercise habits. This is completely ass backwards. If you have a weight loss goal ask yourself what changes would you make if today you were granted the body you've always dreamed about. Then implement those changes...Today!