Friday, February 27, 2009

TOP TEN REASONS TO HIRE A PERSONAL TRAINER...



Have you been on the fence about hiring a personal trainer? Well here are ten good reasons why perhaps you should in fact get one...
1. BURN MORE FAT
2. BETTER OVERALL HEALTH
3. INCREASED MOTIVATION TO REACH YOUR GOALS
4. MORE ENERGY
5. INDIVIDUAL PROGRAMS TO FIT YOUR NEEDS
6. SLIM DOWN AND TONE UP
7. REDUCED HEALTH RISKS SUCH AS HEART ATTACK, STROKE, ETC.
8. INCREASED SELF-CONFIDENCE 
9. BREAK THROUGH PLATEAUS
10. WORK OUT SAFELY WITHOUT RISKING HURTING YOURSELF 

Monday, February 23, 2009

LOOK WHO'S PREGNANT AGAIN!!!!



For all you out there who think Nicole Richie's slim frame is unable to harvest a baby... you're wrong because ONCE AGAIN... she is pregnant. The baby's daddy is of course is her boyfriend of almost two years Joel Madden... It would be funny and a lot more scandalous if the baby's father was Benji (Joel's identical twin)! The gossip magazines would have a FIELD DAY!!! I was shocked when she was pregnant with Harlow, because I too believed someone as small as her could not get pregnant... I guess I was slapped in the face! ha ha. But now I am wondering how her little arms will be able to carry two babies! One thing I can wish for though, is that she doesn't name her child anything outrageous, Harlow is BAD enough! But hey, "it is what it is"... ha ha!
But you know what... I am rather happy for her actually because she has transformed so much into quiet a good person (or so it seems) a far cry from her past... I remember how much I enjoyed the Simple Life where she was rebellious and treated the babies in season four like cabbage patch dolls... I guess... what viewers didn't see was that Nicole actually learned how to raise a child, despite the show she put on for viewers like me!
Over all I want to congratulate these two! They seem to adore their first born as well as each other, so it seems they have a lot more love to share.

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Row Row Row Your Boat...



So... who of you have gone to the gym and walked straight to your cardio equipment of choice, exercised for 30 to 60 minutes and then left... completely ignoring all the other equipment at the gym? I am not going to lie to you, I used to do that a lot! I am a creature of habit, and when I get into a routine it is extremely hard for me to QUIT IT... but ever since joining 24 Hour Fitness, I have had motivation to do something else BESIDES the elliptical trainer. Yesterday I did the "stair stepper" (yea, not too sure what the real name is) and today I did the treadmill... but what I really want to talk about is the ROW MACHINE. I have been ROWING lately... not for too long, 10 minutes maximum, but I can even tell from these short spurts roughly 4 times a week, that my arms are looking pretty good... Rowing is quite under rated... Even 24 Hour Fitness underrates them, as they only have 2 row machines in the entire GYM! It is a little known machine and I guess people don't think it is an ALL BODY work out, but guess what... it is! You can burn up to 800 calories on that bad boy depending on your body size and resistance! Yowza, talk about feeling the burn! I even feel it when I do a measly 5 minutes! No matter what though, even if I did an outstanding amount of minutes on one of the more known cardio pieces of equipment... I always feel good after doing some rowing! So if any of you are feeling BORED with your usual run, bike ride, swim, etc... GET TO ROWING (even if just for 5 minutes)... It will MIX THINGS UP FOR YOU and I can almost guarantee you will be sore the following day! 

BENEFITS OF ROWING:
1. Rowing works every major muscle group in your body
2. Burns a lot of calories
3. Works muscles you never even knew you had
4. You can easily watch TV while rowing away
5. No pressure on knees/ankles (no leg injuries reported)
6. Can fit in your home, no problem
7. Helps reduce stress & anxiety (sort of like a punching bag)
 

Friday, February 13, 2009

Chris Brown Episode.

Can we really believe Chris Brown threatened Rihanna and beat her up like all the press in the world is saying? He seems like such a nice guy and they seemed to be such a cute couple. Apparently the spat erupted over a text-message Chris received the night of the debacle... from a Paris Hilton, Leona Lewis... Pamela Anderson? Ha, I was kidding on the last one, but apparently the former are both being slammed for texting Chris some pretty risque things... Paris Hilton, really, must you try and dip your toes into everyone's lives? Just because you are not getting as much publicity as you used to, doesn't mean you need to mettle in other people's relationships. Oh excuse me, I do believe the definition of Paris Hilton is: relationship sabotager! Eh, all I can really say about this whole episode is that it sucks! Way to give the stereotypical RAPPER a good reputation Chris Brown! All you have done is HIGH LIGHT IT! And you Rihanna, I am glad you are alright and taking it easy out of the spot light! Perhaps this whole thing could spur a new spunky song that I can dance to in the car? Run to while on the treadmill? Ha Ha.

 

Saturday, February 7, 2009

FOOD CURES

Food Has Magical Properties, Stop Using Over The Counter or Prescription Medications (unless YOU MUST TAKE THEM)... Instead Use Food To Heal!

LOWER CANCER RISK = Grass Fed Beef + Tomato Sauce 
      Green Tea + Lemon 
      Tumeric + Ginger 

IMPROVE BRAIN & HEART HEALTH = Mixed Green Salad + Wild Salmon 
   Garlic + Leeks 

BUILD STRONGER BONES = Sardines (Fish Bones) + Parsley + Leafy Greens

SMOOTH SKIN = Omega-3 Enriched Eggs + Red Peppers 

STRENGTHEN EYE SIGHT = Kale + Spinach + Swiss Chard 

REDUCE MIGRANES = Tuna, Salmon, Mackerel, Sardines or Sable Fish + Spaghetti Squash 

REDUCE MENSTRAUL CRAMPS = Flaxseeds + Mixed Greens + Parsley

FLATULENCE = Fennel Seeds + Peppermint 

CONSTIPATION = Apples + Pears + Berries 

INCREASE IMMUNITY = Apple Cider Vinegar + Mustard 
Mushrooms + Spices

INSOMNIA = Chicken + Rice
Turkey +Barley + Leafy Greens

LOWER BLOOD PRESSURE = Avocados + Olive Oil + Tomatoes + Nuts

NASAL CONGESTION = Chicken Soup (Onions, Peppers, Salt, Chicken & Greens)

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

The Naturally Healthy Sweetener


I am sure you have all heard of low/non sugar additives such as, aspartame, sorbitol, manitol, splenda, saccharin etc... but have you heard of STEVIA?

Stevia Rebaudiana is a derivative from a plant found in South America and has been used for a centuries in both South America and China. This herb is roughly 300 times sweeter than sugar, calorie free and comes in a white powder form or liquid tincture.

It has been recorded that Stevia Extract stabilizes blood sugar and also aids the pancreas - this herb is very valuable to those with diabetes &/or hypoglycemia as well as those who wish to loose weight and cut out sugar from their diets.

Other studies suggest that Stevia decreases the desire for actual sugary sweets, improves digestion and soothes upset stomachs. It has also been noted that Stevia can fight infections of the mouth which is why a lot of people even use it as a mouth wash.

Stevia can also be used topically and is known to soften the skin when applied. It even is a notable wrinkle smoother and a scar healer!

Why the FDA took so long to OK Stevia... I don't know! I have been using it for 8 years now DAILY in my coffee and adore it! I especially adore the brands: Sweet Leaf & NuNaturals - So to everyone who is trying to rid sugar from their life and have read one too many articles about Aspartame being dangerous - Try Stevia, all health food stores have it these days and popular drink brands are ever starting to use them!

Where You Can Get Stevia:

Sunday, February 1, 2009

Salmon... Salmon... Salmon...



Do you ever get a craving for salmon? A nice juicy fillet rubbed simply with olive oil, salt and pepper and grilled to perfection? Or perhaps you jones for slices of sake (salmon) sashimi from your favorite sushi restaurant? Do you then drive straight to the grocery store/ or call your local sushi joint and pick the most succulent piece of salmon without even looking at the different varieties and raising methods? Do you even crave salmon to begin with, or do you only do this when you have a hankering for Taco Bell or McDonald's? Well... I definitely get salmon cravings, pretty much daily, which is why I want to discuss the difference between Wild and Farmed Salmon. 

FARMED SALMON (FS)
* PBCs 10 times higher in FS than WS
* Higher Metal Levels (Lead & Cadmium)
* Fattier Than WS because these fish are fed soybeans, wheat, corn - basically foods fish are not suppose to be consuming (just like cows are not suppose to eat CORN but... that will be another post for another day)
* Not Environmentally Friendly
* Pesticides & Antibiotic Use to stave off disease in fish
* Artificial Colors & Flavors Added 
* Parasites & Disease can spread to Wild Salmon because farms are not well attended to



WILD SALMON (WS)
* Full of "Good Fats" - Omega 3 Fatty Acids 
* Contains lots of B12, Niacin, B6, Selenium, Magnesium, Vitamin D & Calcium
* Eat an All Natural Marine Diet full of Kelp & Krill 
* Almost NO PBCs what so ever
* Low in Mercury 

From the outline above, wild salmon seems like the better choice and in many cases it is... except the price is quite outrageous these days! Farmed Salmon from Whole Foods on the other hand is humanely raised, higher in omega-3 fatty acids and have strict protocols that ensure the product is healthy and beneficial for consumption. The farmed salmon from Whole Foods in the only farmed salmon I will ever sink my teeth into... Not just because I trust their farming methods but because it is simply divine and about $10 to $12 dollars cheaper than the wild varieties... No matter what though, wild salmon is healthier than farmed, so if you do plan on buying salmon from your local grocery store (Albertsons, Smiths, Safeway, etc...) be sure to pick WILD over FARMED despite the hefty price difference! Your health is worth it! 

WEBSITE WITH MORE INFORMATION:
www.wholefoodsmarket.com
www.marksfailyapple.com/salmon-factory-farm-vs-wild
www.montereybayaquarium.org

WEBSITES WITH INFORMATION ABOUT OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS:
www.mayoclinic.com/health/fish-oil/NS_patient-fishoil
www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4632
www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080310164906.htm
www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/questions/omega-3/index.html

WEBSITES THAT SELL FISH PRODUCTS & HEALTHY FATS:
www.vitalchoiceseafood.com
www.deliciousorganics.com
www.cityfish.com
www.ecofish.com
www.freshseafood.com
www.pikesplacefish.com