Archive for: food
Five Not-So Forbidden Foods
Although I’m fascinated with ancient history and artifacts — I could totally be Indiana Jones, whip and all — I’m not a huge fan of museums. Everywhere you go, there are signs saying “Do Not Touch.” Truthfully, doesn’t it make you want to touch everything that much more? The same may be true when it comes to off-limits food. The more forbidden it is, the more we want it, right? If you’ve hung in there with me all month through the litany of what-not-to-eat’s for weight loss, you may be wondering if there is anything left to eat! The good news is there are some fun foods you can enjoy this summer guilt-free. 
Beach Buff
Last summer my dad gave us a scooter he’d had in storage for quite a while. It’s a little bitty thing — think motorized bicycle versus high powered rocket — but man is it fun to ride. We did some basic maintenance on it over the weekend, checking tire pressure, replacing gear box fluid, etc.. You could tell it had been idle for years by the black, sticky fluid that drained off. Now it’s running like a champ. It is amazing what the right fuel will do for a simple engine to help it perform at its peak. If you’re looking for leaner abs and a carved physique this summer, maybe it’s time to give your muscles a tune up too.
Banish Belly Fat, Seriously?
Okay, I know exactly what you are thinking, “Here we go again, there’s something else I have to give up in order to lose weight.” It’s no wonder the weight-loss industry is booming as fast as our collective bellies are growing — sucking you into the latest diet fad or weight-loss product promising to shrink your belly once and for all. Gismos, gadgets, pills, and powders may have caused more harm than good. They are that “something shiny” that distracts our attention away from a common sense approach to losing belly fat. Let’s see if we can bust a few myths along with a few unwanted inches.
Bikinis or Briefs
As a teenager, I had my share of traumatic moments…haven’t we all? My most devastating moment came was when I asked my mom for my first 2-piece swimsuit. My ultra-conservative father would only agree to it with his prior approval. There I stood in the glare of fluorescent department store lighting awaiting a thumbs up or down. Finally, my over-inflated teenaged humiliation was replaced with jubilation when I was approved for my first bikini. Unfortunately, for most of us, men and women alike, the burgeoning summer season creates its own grown-up trauma when a slip into our swimsuits reveals more belly than brawn. This week, we’ll explore some surprising ways to banish our bellies.
Jump Start to Slim Down
Are you one of those perky morning people who wakes up refreshed and ready to take on the day with a smile on your face, a head full of ambition, and a can-do attitude? If you had met me several years ago, you would have agreed that I was the polar opposite: grumpy, crabby, sleepy, sneezy…my own little version of the seven dwarfs! My family and co-workers knew to keep their distance until I came to life, which was usually around 10am. If you make more enemies than friends in the morning, maybe it’s time to look at better ways to fuel your day which may lead to a sunnier disposition and a slimmer you.
Fat Burners
I’ve always been a fan of clever marketing — you know those commercials that get your attention with funny lines, edgy graphics or memorable characters? My favorite spot lately is the guy who goes around telling people to feed their lawns. The hook is that he’s got a really cool, thick Scottish accent that gets your attention when he says, “Feed you’re lawn, Feed et!” Now, instead of the mundane spring task of seeding and fertilizing your lawn, you feel like Braveheart rallying his troops to slay the enemy in an epic battle of grass versus dandelions. With that image in mind and summer weather on its way, maybe it’s time we “burn the fat…burn et!”
How Do I Look?
One of my favorite classic skits from Saturday Night Live was when comedian, Billy Crystal, played Fernando, a superficial and overtly sexual latin night club performer who greeted everyone with the phrase, “Dahling, you look mahvelous.” His character lived by a personal credo that it was always “better to look good than to feel good.” Maybe we all have a little Fernando in each of us with our desire to look good. While I don’t believe we are all vain and self-absorbed like Fernando, could it be that we put a bigger price tag on our outward appearance than our inner health? This month, let’s focus on ways to feel good from the inside out starting with our body composition.
The A’s of April: Are You Worth It?
I’ve been working on a number of home improvement projects lately. This weekend I tackled the kitchen, walk-in pantry and guest bathroom — Ugh! What astonished me in cleaning out cabinets was all of the stuff I’ve accumulated from wedding gifts, to inherited treasures, to just plain junk. The hardest part of de-cluttering for me is letting go of things. It is a family characteristic to keep things if they pass two basic tests: could it be worth money or will I potentially need it someday. Forget the fact that just a minute ago I didn’t even know I owned it! Maybe you’re guilty of the same behavior especially when it comes to your health. You may not know what your health is worth until you lose it. As we close out April, let’s do some spring cleaning of our own and find out what your health is worth, now and later.
The A’s of April: Apples
It must be a right of passage for most kids, watching classic Disney films like Cinderella, Snow White, Dumbo, and Pinocchio, just to name a few. In true Disney form, there is always a hero or heroine who must overcome his or her fears to defeat the evil witch, monster or various inanimate objects brought to life by overzealous animators. To this day I can’t tell you everything that happened in those movies as my view was inevitably obstructed by the clever hands-over-eyes technique employed whenever something scary was about to happen like the Evil Queen who tempts innocent Snow White to bite into a poisonous apple. “This is no ordinary apple. It’s a magic wishing apple,” says the queen, enticingly. Fortunately, for us, our apple crunching outcome is far more positive. As apple trees begin to blossom, check out the amazing health benefits of apples.
The A’s of April: Aromatherapy
In desperate need of a warm up, we ventured down to sunny Florida last week. Mark’s parents have a lovely home there and it has become our winter respite. Our daily routine includes tennis, golf and a swim in the pool which includes a walk by the neighbors Gardenia bush — my favorite flower. In fact, Gardenias were the centerpiece of my high school prom bouquet. While other girls had corsages, my date went all out with a bridal like bouquet that he insisted I carry it all evening. Okay, awkward! Even though the details of the dance have faded, I am amazed at the power of scent to trigger memories. It’s no wonder aromatherapy has become such a beneficial tool in our wellness arsenal. What better way to celebrate the bloom of spring than with the power of the flower.
The A’s of April: Alzheimer’s
Did you ever read the book, Captains Courageous by Rudyard Kipling? It was my favorite book growing up. Every summer I would lose myself in the mishaps and adventures of young Harvey, a spoiled rich kid lost at sea after falling off a luxury ship. Hoisted aboard a fishing vessel, he begrudgingly matured through discipline, responsibility and self-reliance. Little did I know that Harvey was based on a real person, Arthur Parker, and the two authentic fishing vessels, the We’re Here and the So Are We. It turns out the ships and many of their crew were my husband’s ancestors, go figure! Mark can date his American heritage back to the 1500’s. Knowing your roots isn’t just entertaining, it’s also vital to your health especially when it comes to Alzheimer’s Disease (AD).
The A’s of April: ADHD
I’ve always had a pretty wild imagination so it was no surprise when my mom enrolled me and my sister in an after school program called “Peter Pan Players.” We were encouraged to channel our energy, both physical and mental, into interactive games. One time, we were asked to close our eyes and share what we envisioned. I described, in exhaustive detail, a horse drawn carriage gliding through a snow kissed forest with sleigh bells ringing out a haunting melody…ever sight and sound imaginable until the teacher finally had to stop me. When she got to my sister and asked what she saw, Marie frankly stated, “I can’t see anything, my eyes are closed!” It was obvious that we were wired very differently. How about you? Let’s delve a little deeper to learn more about our brains and behavior.
The A’s of April: Asthma
Learning to fish is a rite of passage for most kids, boys and girls alike. I remember catching my first fish on Kelly’s Island in Ohio while on our annual summer camping trip with family and friends. My elation turned to terror when I watched my poor little prize gasp for breath while it flopped around the bottom of the boat. With my arms flailing and my fish’s fins flapping, I managed to release the hook and return him to the water. Apparently, fishing was not my calling. It did, however, teach me good lessons in patience, coordination, boating and even a bit about biology. There are very few things that panic both fish and people more than the inability to catch our breath. As we continue our A’s of April series, let’s look at how we can improve our odds against asthma.
The A’s of April: Allergies
Like most military families, I moved a lot as a kid. By the time I was in 3rd grade, I had lived in 6 different houses. Fortunately, the last house my parents bought was on a beautiful lake in the midwest. It was an idyllic place to grow up and a great opportunity for a budding entrepreneur. Since we lived on the outskirts of town, it was easier to find odd jobs around the neighborhood. My neighbor, Uncle Art (his preferred nickname versus addressing him as “Mr.”), had a rolling 3 acre lot that required meticulous attention. It was my job to mow, trim and rake it several times a month for the generous compensation of $25 per day. To a teenager, cash was king, however, to an allergy sufferer it was a brutal endeavor. Now that I mow my own lawn, I’m thrilled to report that I can do it allergy symptom free. If your allergies bloom along with the spring flowers, relief may be in sight.
The Buzz
We have a large family especially on my mom’s side so visits to my grandparents focused around the kitchen table with laughter, stories and lots of food. As a kid, the traditional Lebanese dishes like tabbouleh and kebbeh were tough on my taste buds. Thankfully, my uncle Mitch rescued me with his favorite snack — a peanut butter, banana and honey sandwich! Let’s see what health benefits are buzzing around honey.
Sweet on You
If you’ve ever traveled around Maine in the early spring, you may be puzzled by the sight of buckets, bags and assorted tin cups attached to the trunks of trees. No, it’s not lawn art. It’s actually a tell-tale sign of spring — the tradition of tapping maple trees. In fact, this past weekend we celebrated Maine Maple Sunday when sugar shacks pop up all over the state to boil down the collected buckets of sap into sweet nectar of the pancake gods. While we may think of maple syrup as a delectable indulgence, it is chock full of health benefits.
Brain Games
Have you ever played the board game, Risk? It is a game of tactics, strategy, negotiation and an occasional lucky roll of the dice. I used to play it as a kid and must confess that I loved the idea of world domination at least on the virtual level! I’ve been told that I’m a bit competitive, which I’m certain isn’t true. I just hate to lose — is that so wrong? Fortunately, when it comes to keeping our brains healthy, there are moves we can play to make us all winners.
Lean and Green
I’ve recently discovered picking and pawning shows on the History channel — yes, I am a total geek! My favorite game is to count how many times they use the well-worn cliché “back in the day.” So now it’s my turn. Did you even notice how comic book heroes always had a secret source for their superhuman strength? Back in the day, Popeye had his can of spinach. Today, even Ironman has gone green with Chlorophyll shakes — you know, to ward off the blood poisoning brought on by the Palladium core required for the ARC reactor in his body! Fortunately, for the rest of us, going green is a little less complicated but the results may be just as powerful.
Chunky to Hunky
Growing up I never had a nickname. It was always Chris or Chris Anne and, of course, the occasional “Christine!” when I was in big trouble. When my brother was born he got the nickname Tiger which I thought was a really awesome name because he sounded so tough. Guys always have the coolest nicknames like The Duke, Maverick, Indiana, and even The Babe. Occasionally they can be less flattering especially if you find that a certain protruding part of your anatomy is becoming name-worthy in it’s own right. If so, it may be time to banish that belly.
Signs
Did you ever see the movie Signs? I’m not usually into scary movies but this one sucked me in! The writer/director, M. Night Shyamalan was able to weave drama, suspense, science fiction and family tragedy into a faithful message of hope. It all begins with crop circles on a family’s farm and ends with our heros battling for their home and survival from alien invaders. Fortunately, the signs we usually encounter aren’t extra-terrestrial in nature. From flashing road signs to beeping message lights on our smart phones, signs are designed to get our attention. Your body is filled with them — maybe it’s time to pay attention to our internal signs.
