tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38281629552444069432024-03-12T21:07:31.966-04:00Weighting AroundAn inspiring weight loss blog, using humor and creativity to help fellow dieters on their own weight loss journeys.Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03027340191371148142noreply@blogger.comBlogger54125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3828162955244406943.post-60154011474788037982010-10-31T10:47:00.006-04:002016-05-25T12:50:11.449-04:00Is Fat Funny?<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E4bkjFUr0xY/V0XXpu3XCdI/AAAAAAAAF0I/YEAbWcysXSkRhG0tgQeNTN2IGSLStQxFwCLcB/s1600/fat%2Bcostume.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E4bkjFUr0xY/V0XXpu3XCdI/AAAAAAAAF0I/YEAbWcysXSkRhG0tgQeNTN2IGSLStQxFwCLcB/s320/fat%2Bcostume.jpg" width="234" /></a><span style="font-family: "georgia";"><span style="font-size: 100%;">I went to the gay capital of Ft. Lauderdale last night for their Halloween extravaganza. It was great fun sitting on a bench watching the people strolling by decked out in all sorts of wild and crazy costumes. Amazing looking women, slinky and sexy, dressed in their highest of heels and full makeup turned out to be men. </span></span>Sailors, policemen, Mad Hatters, a penis, masters and their slaves and lots of people dressed in fat costumes. Men and women alike in padded suits, overabudant fake breasts, rolls of simulated fat, fake double chins - all in the name of Halloween and a good time. But is it in good taste?<br />
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Is it OK for us to single out a group and make fun of them? Is it alright to pretend to be someone else, such as a homeless person, a fat person, an old person, all in the name of fun? Here's an excerpt from <a href="http://kataphatic.wordpress.com/2010/10/28/my-body-is-not-your-halloween-costume-edited-repost/">Kataphatic</a>. In her blog Katie says:<br />
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<a href="http://www.nightmarefactory.com/bigisbetter.html"></a>"My body is sold as a costume. People can dress up like me, pretending. Playing. Trying out what it’s like to be fat; getting a laugh out of it. How crazy and disgusting their body would be if they <i>really</i> looked like me. And then at the end of the evening they can take it off. Shed that extra weight of the costume with a sigh, and a “thank God I’m not really that fat.” Or, maybe not even think about it, the way I think about how my life would be different if I weren’t fat, every day. My body is treated as a costume by thin people.</div>
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My body isn’t the only body that’s objectified as a costume for privileged people. The bodies and cultures of many people of color are used as costumes by white people. <span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span>The bodies of "illegal" immigrants are used as costumes by American (particularly white) citizens. <span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span>The bodies of the mentally ill are used as costumes by the neurotypical. The bodies of the old are used as costumes by the young. The bodies of the poor and homeless are used as costumes by the wealthy.</div>
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The privileged use the bodies of the oppressed as costumes, but they don’t stop there. The costumes are not usually realistic at all. They don’t communicate any sense that the wearer (the appropriator, the rapist, the conqueror, the colonizer) has any sense of the humanity of the person whose body they are exploiting. These costumes are caricatures of us, designed to be shocking, ugly, “exotic” to highlight the “other-ness” and even the “not-human-ness” of our bodies. Not only are we othered by the fact that our bodies are used as a costume, we are dehumanized by them."</div>
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When you see that thin person decked out in some semblance of a fat person's body, how do you feel? Do you find it amusing? Or is it just pathetic that they think it is OK to make fun of overweight people?</div>
Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03027340191371148142noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3828162955244406943.post-51951190033473765392010-10-03T08:28:00.009-04:002016-05-25T12:55:23.891-04:00No Thanks, Spanx!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As a teenaged girl, my mother encouraged me to squeeze into a panty girdle, which was somewhat de rigueur back in the 60's. This tight contraption. which went from the waist to the bottom of the thighs, was worn under everything - dresses, skirts and pants. It smoothed the figure and eliminated bulges. It also acted as a kind of chastity belt because it was almost impossible to be naughty while wearing one, which might be why so many mothers bought them for their daughters. From the 1920's through the 70's girdles were a part of every woman's wardrobe.<br />
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You can imagine how happy I was when they went out of style, although I usually left mine abandoned at the back of my underwear drawer. Then skirts got shorter and girdles were impractical and went out of style. That's when panyhose came into fashion. Basically, they had the same function, to give women a smooth silhouette from waist to toes. Control top squeezed my middle and eliminated the jiggle but putting them on involved a death defying dance. One wrong tug and a hole or run would prove to be a disaster to this costly invention (the credit most certainly has to be given to a man). </div>
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When I moved to a warmer climate the first thing to go was my pantyhose. I love the freedom of bare legs! Sure, pantyhose hid a multitude of flaws but, hey, unless I am getting dressed to the 9's, they have taken that spot in my drawer once occupied by the pantygirdle. </div>
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And now we have Spanx! Have you tried them? I splurged and bought a pair. I went home and eagerly pushed, pulled and tugged to get it on. I tried the kind that went from just under the breast to the end of the thigh. They brought back memories of my teenage days but now there was a lot more to hold in. OK, I looked pretty smooth under that little black dress, but what would my man think when he slid his arms around me and felt this elastic armor? The very idea was an embarassment. They came off a lot more easily than they went on, and now can be found next to the discarded pantyhose. </div>
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I might have bulges and I most certainly jiggle, but I am comfotable in my skin. How about you?</div>
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Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03027340191371148142noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3828162955244406943.post-32741846517581408322010-09-05T13:59:00.006-04:002016-05-25T13:00:50.885-04:00Sex & Nudity<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";">I take my clothes off in the privacy of the bathroom where no one will be able to see my nakedness. I don't even like looking at my own nudity. I'm no prude, far from it, but when it comes to displaying my overabundant flesh I am shy. Well, maybe mortified is closer to the right feeling. My body looks nothing like the ones I see in magazines. I could be the "before" on a makeover show if they had a Ms. Nude Makeover series on TV - too much jiggle and wiggle and a whole lot of sag.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";">One would think that wearing a size six would qualify me for at least a second or third-rate magazine centerfold, but no way. In fact, my body doesn't look all that different than it did forty pounds ago, just a smaller version of the same bulges and flaws. So when my guy is feeling frisky and starts getting romantic, I want the lights dimmed, or better yet, off entirely. Then I can prance around in my sexiest nightie and not feel so intimidated.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";">Body image & great sex seem to go hand in hand. I would love the freedom to run around naked in the house but that's more than I can handle. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 6px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 6px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";">It's the norm for women to be dissatisfied with their bodies. Much to my chagrin, the standard of attractiveness is a youthful and slender body which creates pressure for anyone overweight or </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 6px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 6px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";">aging</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 6px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 6px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";">.</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";">In a survey of over 300 women, ranging in age from 35 to 55, the results provide a sober look at the way women view their bodies. Nearly 21% of the people surveyed could not think of even one attractive feature and reported an overall sense of dissatisfaction with their bodies.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";">Men also fret about what they perceive are male physical shortcomings </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";">but to a much lesser extent than women.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";">So what should we do when our mate wants to get naked and the very thought scares us? It's time to turn to those self-help books on improving our body image. Here are some hints on how to begin which came from </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.lifescript.com/Soul/Self/Well-being/10_Ways_to_Improve_Your_Body_Image.aspx">Lifescript.com</a></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";">:</span></span><br />
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<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";"><b>Write an “I Like Myself Because…” List</b></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";">First, write down 10 things that you like about yourself </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";">without</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";"> referring to your body or appearance in any way. Include things that you’re good at, or various ways you’re proud of yourself. Then, after this list is done, make another list of 10 things you like about your body and appearance. Depending on your level of self-loathing, this might be hard to do at first, but just do your best and add to the list later when you think of something else</span></span></span></li>
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<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; line-height: 22px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";"><b>Take a Closer Look at Nature</b></span></span></span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";">Go outside and find something in nature – a flower, leaf, twig, grass blade, or anything that catches your eye. Is it perfect? Or does it have irregular edges, rough sides and blemishes here and there? Chances are that it is imperfect, yet it is still so amazing and complex. Nature is beautiful despite its “failure” to be perfect. Take this wisdom and use it on yourself – you are imperfect, yet you are also beautiful.</span></span></span></li>
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<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";"><b>Undo Negative Self-Talk</b></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";">Every time you hear yourself talking negatively </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";">about how you look, spend an equal amount of time giving yourself positive feedback. Your worst critic is yourself, which means only you can change that. You do have the power to focus on the positive, change your own state of mind and trash negative self-talk whenever it pops up.</span></span></span></li>
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<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";"><b>Learn to Love Exercise</b></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";">Everyone should exercise, and not necessarily just for weight loss. Regular exercise improves heart and lung health, and therefore benefits the rest of the body, increasing muscle endurance, circulation and overall body health. It is the road to a more toned you. If you don’t really like to exercise in the gym, explore your many other options for being physically active, like learning how to play like a kid again.</span></span></span></li>
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<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";"><b>Splurge on Yourself</b></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";">You might not look like a Victoria's Secret model (and who does?), but sexy lingerie can make you feel better about yourself. Select a nightie that feels good against your skin and flatters your curves. It doesn't have to be too short or too revealing. Light some candles in the bathroom before you slip it on and you will feel better about slipping into the arms of your waiting mate who loves you for who you are, not who you aren't.</span></span></span></li>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">What do you do when it is time to get naked? We'd love to hear your story.</span></span></span></div>
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Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03027340191371148142noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3828162955244406943.post-12148663811754758582010-08-29T11:01:00.009-04:002016-05-25T13:03:04.502-04:00Starting Over<br />
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How many of us, with all our good intentions, go astray? We win battle after battle but occasionally our passion for food gets the better of us? I truly believe that for me it will always be a struggle. There I was, just three measly pounds from my goal and then I succumbed to temptation. How easy it would be to eat myself into oblivion, gaining back all of the forty plus pounds I've lost, and then some. I swore to myself that I would never, ever do that again and this is a promise I intend to keep.<br />
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I've been bad; Dunkin Donuts bad, chocolate bad, afraid to get on the scale bad, skipping Weight Watcher bad, not going to the gym bad. </div>
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So what's a girl to do? I will get back on the bandwagon. I still fit into my still new size six clothes but my middle is bulging unattractively and I hate it. Tomorrow I begin my penance. I will throw out every temptation in my new kitchen. I will step on that scale at a Weight Watcher's meeting, I will revisit the gym and do whatever it takes to lose those final three pounds plus whatever extra I am now carrying around.</div>
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Last week I mentioned the serendipitous seating of a Weight Watcher group leader at my dinner table on the cruise I took with my mom. Well, I visited her website and here is <a href="http://ww-judysjottings.blogspot.com/">Judy's poem</a> called Start Over - a poem which says it all.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><b><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">START OVER<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">If you've started out in pursuit of your goal and you've really tried with all your heart and soul, but somehow things got out of control-START OVER<br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">When you've tried your best to do what you should and you thought this time that you surely would, but once again you didn't do good-START OVER<br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">When you've worked so hard to follow the plan's way and you fought to win a victory each day, but one more time you went astray-START OVER</span></i></span></span></div>
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</span></i></span><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">When the road to success seemed much too long and each temptation was oh so strong and once again you gave into wrong-START OVER</span></i></span></span></div>
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</span></i></span><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">When you've told your friends what you planned to do and trusted them to help you through and soon discovered its up to you-START OVER</span></i></span></span></div>
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</span></i></span><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">When you know you must be physically fit but your hope seems gone and your stuck in a pit. That's not the time for you to quit-START OVER</span></i></span></span></div>
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</span></i></span><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">When the week seems long and successes few and at weigh in time your feeling blue, remember tomorrow is just for you-START OVER</span></i></span></span></div>
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</span></i></span><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">To start again means a victory's been won and starting over AGAIN means a race well won and starting over AGAIN proves it can be done, so don't just sit there-START OVER</span></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">So if you find yourself in the same dilemma, just take a deep breath, know you are not alone and - start once again! That's what I am doing.</span></span></span></div>
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Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03027340191371148142noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3828162955244406943.post-70387578104161363512010-08-23T11:23:00.003-04:002016-05-25T13:05:43.741-04:00Weight Watchers Follows You Everywhere!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Sorry, friends, for having taken some time off. I bought a new condo and have been so busy moving, cleaning, organizing, etc., that I haven't had a spare moment to write. Today, however, I have just returned from a 4 day cruise to the Bahamas, rested and ready to get back to business at hand.<br />
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I have to catch you up on what's been going on. Many of you have written asking how my hula hooping was going. I do have to tell you that my first day, being in hooper's heaven, I overdid it and happily hooped for over an hour and a half. I wound up with enormous bruises around my midsection! So my advice to those of you who want to have some fun while exercising -start slow. Maybe 15 minutes at a time. Don't whirl like a dervish the way I did!<br />
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Let me tell you about the cruise... an opportunity to sit back, relax and eat to my heart's content. I was tempted to blow the diet and just enjoy but as fate would have it, after sitting down for my first meal and happily nibbling on a Caesar's piled high with tons Parmesan cheese and way too much dressing, introductions were made at our table. Mike and George, two married men curiously escaping together from their wives for a long weekend were charming. And Ruth and her sister (who prefers to remain nameless) lived far from one another were having a sister's weekend. My mother and I were traveling by ourselves, enjoying some mother-daughter quality time.</div>
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So this is how it went, I ordered my meal and except for the salad, I did pretty well. The grilled salmon and veggies were off the Vitality Menu and well within my points range. The salad, however, raised by point consumption through the roof. Of course I drooled over everyone else's food at the table, lots of carbs, fat and oodles of calories, except for the second sister who ate like a model of healthy dining.</div>
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We learned a lot about each other over the course of dinner and I found out - and you are not going to believe this - that the second sis was none other than a Weight Watcher group leader on vacation! Oh no, I thought, now I have no choice but to be good! Weight Watcher's had followed me on vacation.</div>
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I was actually glad to have her there. If not I might not have been content with the two spoonfuls of tiramisu or several bites of the warm chocolate souffle. But as fate would have it, I admitted to having lost 40 pounds and to being just 3 pounds away from my goal. I felt obliged to be on my best behavior.</div>
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Sis was great, passing along her knowledgeable dining tips and being a perfect WW role model. She was careful with what was on her plate, usually left something over and was not afraid to order special foods, which the crew was more than happy to prepare. No sauce, steamed vegetables, plenty of cocktail sauce for her shrimp, etc. But I was happy to see she left room for something she enjoyed - wine. There was a seemingly unending supply of wine for the sisters and she wasn't afraid to imbibe. I figured she was using her extra 35 points in wine, while I sneaked an extra spoonful or two of dessert.</div>
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So like an alter-ego, Weight Watchers was right there with me on Her Majesty of the Seas. We all had a really good time but I am not in a hurry to step on the scale.</div>
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How do you handle your vacations? Have you ever had someone you didn't want to cheat in front of?</div>
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Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03027340191371148142noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3828162955244406943.post-17205172213652871682010-08-23T11:22:00.000-04:002016-05-25T13:07:14.061-04:00A Cheesy Dilemma<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Ah, cheese. So many varieties, so many flavors and from so many countries. While Gorgonzola can be wonderfully piquant, a nice creamy brie can be paired with some ripe pear slices. And a sharp Canadian cheddar is always welcome as a topping on your burger or with a glass of red wine. Whatever your choice, cheese is a delicious addition to any meal or hors d'oeuvres selection.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">But cheese has fat, salt, lots of calories and that dreaded cholesterol. So what would be a good choice for us folks who are trying to lose weight? And how much can we eat before it does too much damage?</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">An ounce of cheese is considered one serving and provides 200 - 300 mg. of calcium. Most adults need 1,000 mg of calcium per day and people 50 and older need 1,200 mg of calcium per day. Since milk is the main ingredient, cheese provides a good source of protein and vitamin B</span></span><sub><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">2</span></span></sub><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">. (Information from </span></span><a href="http://www.eatright.org/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">American Dietetic Association</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">).</span></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">There is no reason to avoid eating cheese but it is important to pay attention to the type and amount you eat.</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times new roman"; line-height: normal;"></span></span></span></span><br />
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<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times new roman"; line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">If you like to eat hard cheeses, like cheddar, look for "fat free, "reduced fat" or "low fat" on the label. They really don't taste bad coupled with something flavorful.</span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times new roman"; line-height: normal;">
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">If you're looking for a soft cheese, "low fat" (1%), part-skim or light might be a good choice.</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">You will even find low fat, low cholesterol cheese selections in your grocery store. They generally have 50 - 75 percent of the fat in whole milk cheeses. Experiment with some of these to find a brand you like.</span></span></li>
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<tr bgcolor="#CCCCCC"><td class="bodycopy" height="22" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;"><b>Cheese (1oz. Serving)</b></td><td class="bodycopy" height="22" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;"><b>Mozzarella**</b></td><td class="bodycopy" height="22" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;"><b>Cheddar</b></td><td class="bodycopy" height="22" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;"><b>Monterey Jack</b></td><td class="bodycopy" height="22" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;"><b>American</b></td><td class="bodycopy" height="22" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;"><b>Swiss</b></td><td class="bodycopy" height="22" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;"><b>Colby-Jack</b></td></tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff"><td class="bodycopy" height="30" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;">Calcium content (% DV*)</td><td class="bodycopy" height="30" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;">20%</td><td class="bodycopy" height="30" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;">20%</td><td class="bodycopy" height="30" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;">20%</td><td class="bodycopy" height="30" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;">15%</td><td class="bodycopy" height="30" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;">25%</td><td class="bodycopy" height="30" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;">20%</td></tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff"><td class="bodycopy" height="30" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;">Calories (kcal)</td><td class="bodycopy" height="30" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;">80</td><td class="bodycopy" height="30" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;">110</td><td class="bodycopy" height="30" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;">100</td><td class="bodycopy" height="30" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;">110</td><td class="bodycopy" height="30" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;">100</td><td class="bodycopy" height="30" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;">110</td></tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff"><td class="bodycopy" height="30" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;">Cholesterol</td><td class="bodycopy" height="30" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;">15 mg</td><td class="bodycopy" height="30" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;">30 mg</td><td class="bodycopy" height="30" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;">30 mg</td><td class="bodycopy" height="30" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;">25 mg</td><td class="bodycopy" height="30" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;">25 mg</td><td class="bodycopy" height="30" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;">25 mg</td></tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff"><td class="bodycopy" height="30" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;">Fat</td><td class="bodycopy" height="30" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;">5 g</td><td class="bodycopy" height="30" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;">9 g</td><td class="bodycopy" height="30" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;">8 g</td><td class="bodycopy" height="30" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;">9 g</td><td class="bodycopy" height="30" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;">8 g</td><td class="bodycopy" height="30" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;">9 g</td></tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff"><td class="bodycopy" height="30" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;">Saturated Fat</td><td class="bodycopy" height="30" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;">3 g</td><td class="bodycopy" height="30" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;">5 g</td><td class="bodycopy" height="30" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;">5 g</td><td class="bodycopy" height="30" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;">6 g</td><td class="bodycopy" height="30" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;">8 g</td><td class="bodycopy" height="30" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;">7 g</td></tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff"><td class="bodycopy" height="30" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;">Protein</td><td class="bodycopy" height="30" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;">8 g</td><td class="bodycopy" height="30" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;">7 g</td><td class="bodycopy" height="30" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;">7 g</td><td class="bodycopy" height="30" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;">6 g</td><td class="bodycopy" height="30" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;">8 g</td><td class="bodycopy" height="30" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;">7 g</td></tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff"><td class="bodycopy" height="30" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;">Sodium</td><td class="bodycopy" height="30" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;">170 mg</td><td class="bodycopy" height="30" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;">180 mg</td><td class="bodycopy" height="30" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;">170 mg</td><td class="bodycopy" height="30" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;">400 mg</td><td class="bodycopy" height="30" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;">60 mg</td><td class="bodycopy" height="30" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;">190 mg</td></tr>
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<tr><td align="left" class="bodycopy" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;">* Percent Daily Value (DV) is based on a 2,000-calorie diet<br />
** Mozzarella is part-skim.</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times new roman"; line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">As with most foods, moderation is the key. Use more flavorful cheese, like feta, and a little goes a long way. Portion controlled cheese such as string cheese or Laughing Cow are always good choices. Do you have any cheese preferences you care to share with us?</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03027340191371148142noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3828162955244406943.post-46280473868854187152010-07-26T17:27:00.001-04:002016-05-25T13:49:19.299-04:00Hooping and Hollering<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My hula hoop finally arrived and I am on my way to becoming a full fledged hooper! Unlike the toy hula hoop, the weighted hoop is easy to spin and I was successful on my second attempt. I can easily keep it going for almost as long as I like. In fact, I am still hot and sweaty as I write after an hour of whirling, twirling, spinning and grinning. it's the most fun I've had exercising ever! With some of my favorite tunes programed on <a href="http://www.pandora.com/">Pandora</a> I was good to go.<br />
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So what benefits will I get from my new exercise toy? First of all, it doesn't feel like exercising. For me, that is a big plus, since I've never thought of exercising as fun. I call it a toy but the hoop can be as serious or as fun as I want. Squats, lunges or whatever move you chose can all be done while keeping the hoop in motion, adding a new dimension to your workout. I've read that hooping can burn anywhere from 300 to 800 calories per hour, depending on how energetic you are feeling. The range is anywhere from a lazy spin to a whirling dervish.</div>
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I was surprised at the size of my new hoop. It is about 42" in diameter and a sparkling pink and purple whir as I undulate to music. On August 7th you'll find me on the beach with a whole bunch of fellow hoopers - my first joint hoop venture. It is my hope to inspire some friends and neighbors to join me in hooping it up! So I fully recommend you watch the following video and if you are so inclined you can order your own hoop from <a href="http://www.canyonhoops.com/">Canyon Hoops</a> or any of the myriad of hooping equipment suppliers. I'd be happy to answer whatever questions you may have (with my limited knowledge, of course) or refer you to someone who has been hooping for longer than my two days. </div>
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Happy Hooping!</div>
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Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03027340191371148142noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3828162955244406943.post-1152612887607889262010-07-14T15:10:00.017-04:002016-05-25T13:11:07.936-04:00A Whole Lot of Hoopla!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";">I just ordered a weighted hoop, like the old fashioned hula hoop only heavier. About six months ago I bought a kid's hoop but couldn't swing it around my body without it immediately falling to the ground. It wasn't like riding a bicycle because I used to be pretty good at swiveling my hips but now it seems I'm a total disaster!<br />
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So after studying up I learned that the children's toy is not what we want anyway. A larger hoop with some heft is easier to spin and more effective. The idea was so appealing that I found out what to look for in a hoop and wound up ordering a beginner's hoop. If I'm not a total disaster, I'll spring for the next level. I even found a hooping event just a couple of miles away which I hope to attend in August, if I get the knack, that is.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";">So why would a grown-up want a hula hoop anyway? I'll share with you what I've learned. </span></span><a href="http://www.livestrong.com/article/103385-benefits-using-weighted-hula-hoop/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";">Livestrong.com</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";"> says weighted hoops are effective at building core strength because you must tighten your ab muscles to counteract the weight of the hoop and the act of swiveling your hips helps with flexibility. The exercise can help reduce your waist and build a stronger core. Easy (I hope) and fun, how can I go wrong? So I'll take my waist measurements and then hula to my heart's content. Perhaps my waistline will reap the benefits.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";">A hoop between 32 and 45 inches seems to be ideal (depending upon your size) and weighing anywhere between one to 4 pounds. There were some warnings about the heavier hoops causing bruises so I opted for one that is 42" and 1.5 pounds, recommended for beginners. I've seen them priced anywhere from $19.99 up to $150. Mine was </span></span><a href="http://www.canyonhoops.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";">on sale</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";"> for 28.50 - a small investment for exercise equipment and just think of all the fun I'll have. </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";">I'll let you know how it goes... Have any of you tried hooping?</span></span></div>
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Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03027340191371148142noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3828162955244406943.post-41739750739847504552010-07-10T15:42:00.007-04:002016-05-25T13:13:42.749-04:00Dim the Lights, Honey...<br />
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<b>Making Peace With Imperfections</b></div>
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Hurrah, we've lost weight! We're on our way to getting slim but if you are anything like me, your body is just a smaller version of the old one. Same imperfections only to a lesser degree. With me it's the arms. After all the exercise, one would think they'd be well-toned and yet the flab still hangs. Darn! On the other hand, my biceps are looking great, I just love feeling my muscles and I am sure, hidden under that flab there are some great triceps too.<br />
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Dressed, I look damn good. People wonder why I'm still on a diet. But they don't see what I see before I put my clothes on in the morning. I guess it is time to accept that fact that I will never look good buck naked. Dim the lights, honey...<br />
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My muscles have been ignored far too long and are slow to respond. As we age our skin loses some of its elasticity, it just isn't fair! For you young 'uns, lucky you, appreciate what you have. And for us, a bit more mature adults, we just have to be thankful for what we've got.</div>
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To help prevent loose skin as a result of dieting:</div>
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<li>exercise to tighten and tone</li>
<li>build muscle - resistance training helps</li>
<li>stay hydrated</li>
<li>lose slowly</li>
<li>don't overdo your time in the sun</li>
<li>use a moisturizer</li>
<li>if you are a smoker, take your last puff</li>
<li>be patient, you can't tighten skin overnight</li>
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At least we are on the right track and although we might never be a Playboy or Playgirl centerfold, we are headed toward being the best we can be.</div>
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If you have any further knowledge on the subject or have undergone any surgical procedures for this dilemma, we'd love to hear about it.</div>
Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03027340191371148142noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3828162955244406943.post-19616333866925289652010-07-04T07:14:00.011-04:002016-05-25T13:18:22.052-04:00Slave to Food<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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There's no denying it, I'm a slave to food. In my weaker moments thoughts often turn to cravings, a morsel of cake can lead to several pieces or, if no one's watching, even more.<br />
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It's a fight to maintain self-control and I'm, afraid there will be no end to this battle. I've lost weight, yes, but it would be so easy to slide back into old habits. It would be easy to allow food to take control, after all, I am it's slave. I eat for pleasure, not simply to fuel my body.<br />
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I've read article after article. One says to slow down and eat mindfully - a really good idea in practice. A well thought out repast complete with the good china, putting down the fork between bites, chewing and really tasting what you eat. And, of course, stopping when you are satisfied, not full. Been there, done that.</div>
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Then there is the theory that revolting thoughts focused on our trigger foods can stop us in our tracks. Turn that cake into a slithering mass of snakes (yuk) and you won't want it? Hmm... I'm not too sure about that. </div>
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There are those who recommend changing your lifestyle, so it doesn't revolve around food. Breakfast, lunch and dinner shouldn't be the highlights of your day. They recommend taking on new activities to keep us busy and take our mind off thoughts of eating. Well, that works as long as we are active. But what happens when we are home after a day at work, relaxing on the sofa or in front of the television? The fridge is still there, filled with food, beckoning.</div>
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I've recommended not having anything tempting in the house. Nice in theory and possible if you live alone. But then comes that commercial for one tasty treat or another and it gets those food thoughts going. So I binge on "legal" foods - a whole container of raspberries, followed by a veggie burger and perhaps an energy bar, just in case, and maybe some fat free popcorn. Still a slave.</div>
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Then there's the idea you can re-program your taste buds. If your mouth were computerized it would be simple, but the brain is a tricky thing and we still have those creamy, sweet, fudgy memories. A piece of fruit is wonderful, but a piece of chocolate is something else entirely. I would have to install a whole new motherboard and start with a blank memory not to have those cravings.</div>
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Some advise dealing with the real issues of your overeating, those hidden emotional problems that caused you to turn to food in the first place. Great in theory but knowing the cause is not enough. Food simply tastes good. </div>
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So what's a person to do? Just keep slowly plugging away. I've been on a diet vacation and it's time to go back to work, knowing I will always be a slave to food. </div>
Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03027340191371148142noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3828162955244406943.post-42422196774749896982010-06-27T11:45:00.003-04:002016-05-25T13:19:58.302-04:00100% Guilt Free Ice Cream!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";"> I don't usually post about food or nutritional products although I love finding new tasty treats which are low in calories and fat and still fit into my healthy eating lifestyle. There are a number of great blogs out there that have convinced me to try some new product or another and sometimes they are keepers. This one is definitely a keeper so I thought I'd share with you!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";">Arctic Zero is all natural, low carb, fat free, gluten free, lactose intolerant friendly and a 100% guilt-free delight. Sure, it's not Ben & Jerry's, but let's face it, neither Ben not Jerry has done us much good, have they? But Arctic Zero is cold, creamy (without the cream), flavorful and satisfying.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BV8n20ZMBGo/TCdu458Zd3I/AAAAAAAAApU/jNhQcgAODQM/s1600/arctic+ice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BV8n20ZMBGo/TCdu458Zd3I/AAAAAAAAApU/jNhQcgAODQM/s320/arctic+ice.jpg" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";">Remember the days when we sat down in front of the TV with a whole pint of ice cream and a spoon? With Arctic Ice's selection of five flavors you could pig out once more but without the guilt. Choose from chocolate, vanilla with a hint of maple, chocolate peanut better, strawberry banana, and mint chocolate cookie. I've only found this product at Whole Foods but there is a product finder located at the <a href="http://www.myarcticzero.com/">Arctic Zero</a> website. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"></span>So if you feel like indulging, I recommend giving it a try. I've got a pint and a half of the chocolate peanut butter in my freezer right now and am willing to share. Come on over...</div>
Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03027340191371148142noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3828162955244406943.post-19387623268195595802010-06-20T07:41:00.004-04:002016-05-25T13:21:23.698-04:00Self Sabotage<br />
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I am so close to goal I can almost touch it! It should be a breeze to take off the last three pounds but, to the contrary, it's shaping up to be the most difficult three pounds of all. I am not sure if it is my body fighting to hold onto those last ounces of fat or my unconscious self refusing to accept the fact that I deserve to be thin. In any event, I am finding it more and more difficult to fight those urges to eat. Oh, I am not into the cookie jar or stopping at the donut shop on the way to work like I used to, but it has become a struggle not to munch on an energy bar when I really don't need it (they sure are packed with calories) or slip in an extra carb-filled snack at night.<br />
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This weekend is especially difficult because I am all alone. If someone else were around I wouldn't indulge, but being alone - it's rough. I skipped my water aerobics class this morning, too. I'm a bad girl who is rationalizing that it's OK to take a dieting break for the weekend.</div>
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Why, when we are so close to everything we have worked so long and hard to achieve, do we engage in self-destructive behavior? More importantly, what can we do to get back on track and stay there?</div>
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First of all, I can't entertain thoughts that I am failing. I remember how good I've been doing and all those old clothes that would never fit my new body.</div>
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Second, I need to get rid of all those no-no's lurking in the cupboards and the fridge. If I can't handle having them around, then I'll get rid of them.</div>
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Third, I'll take another look at the latest photos of myself, or better yet, try on some new clothes and be proud of how good I'm looking.</div>
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And lastly, I must not forget that I love myself. I can't lose sight of my goals. Something may taste amazingly good but it doesn't last. Once the stack of pancakes are gone, once the carton of ice cream is finished, or the pizza is only a memory on the bottom of a cardboard box, I'll be left with that aftertaste of guilt. It really isn't worth it.</div>
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My advice to myself, take a bite or two, or even three and throw the rest away. What sage advice will you offer? I'm eagerly listening...</div>
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Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03027340191371148142noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3828162955244406943.post-42475636522383635162010-06-13T10:03:00.009-04:002016-05-25T13:24:31.202-04:00Divas & Champions Top Blog Award<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">A number of people have asked me what my favorite blogs are. A difficult task since there are so many wonderful ones out there and so many talented people sharing their thoughts, dreams and trepidations when it comes to the goal of being the best we can be, healthy and fit. I want to present my four top blogs with the <b>Divas & Champions Award</b>.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Four blogs immediately come to mind as being unique and uplifting so, in no particular order, here they are:</span><br />
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<li><a href="http://www.snack-girl.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Snack Girl</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> - Lisa always has interesting ideas and honest reviews of new products to try. I've found some great ideas and yummy food which I now include in my overstuffed pantry of healthy foods.</span></span></li>
<li><a href="http://theskinnyjeansproject.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The 1972 Retro Experiment</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> - Mimi not only has a great sense of humor (necessary in order to eat some of the Retro Weight Watcher's diet food she prepares) but is original and just plain fun! If you haven't checked her out you are in for a treat.</span></span></li>
<li><a href="http://losingweighteveryday.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The Daily Diary of a Winning Loser</span></span></a><a href="http://theskinnyjeansproject.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">- Special kudos to Sean, who has been sharing his inspirational journey to lose close to 300 pounds and has almost reached his goal. He is brutally honest and full of insight. When you have a particularly trying day, visit Sean. Reading about his experiences will help you put things back in perspective. He's a winner for sure!</span></span></li>
<li><a href="http://barmitzvahzilla.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Bar Mitzvahzilla</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> - Linda is one of a kind. Full of humor, insight and originality, she draws on her family background and her religion and comes up with wildly interesting posts that always keeps me coming back for more. She definitely has a talent for writing and asking provocative questions. Although she is not a weight loss blogger I have included her because she offers a great change of pace.</span></span></li>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">So there you have it, some great reading. If you haven't visited these blogs, you ought to. I invite you to give your own </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Divas & Champions Awards</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> to the blogs of your choice. There are so many deserving people out there, what's your favorite blog?</span></span></div>
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Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03027340191371148142noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3828162955244406943.post-18143424387684505962010-06-13T07:13:00.000-04:002016-05-25T13:25:37.012-04:00A Can of Worms<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";">I opened a can of worms two weeks ago when I posted about Victor, the Russian who gained weight during his 5 month stay in the U.S., and mentioned genetically altered foods. Since then I have been doing a lot of reading, became a member of </span></span><a href="http://truefoodnow.org/shoppers-guide/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Greenpeace</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";"> and have dramatically altered my food choices. I guess you could call me a tree hugger now, if you like. I don't want to be an alarmist but what I learned is frightening.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";">Ignorance is bliss so if you are American and don't want your world turned upside down, stop reading now. In the U.S., </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";"> the FDA does not require companies to label foods with warnings that they are GMOs </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";">(Genetically Modified Organisms)</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";">. Many countries have completely banned the use of GMO's or, at the very least, require anything genetically altered to be labeled as such. </span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";">The main reason for the use of GMO's is basically economic, to increase the yield of a crop. The plant becomes hardier and more resistant to herbicides so farmers can spray more chemicals and not worry about killing the plant. Produce is also genetically altered to make it look better or bigger. In the infinite food chain, the animals we eat are often on a GMO diet so one way or another we get our daily dose.</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";">Beneath public radar, there has been a silent infiltration of GMOs into our food supply. A</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";">bout </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";">75% percent of our processed foods contain some form of genetically modified ingredient. </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";">It's not the produce in your local supermarket that you need to avoid (with the exception of some Hawaiian papaya), most of the GMO's are found in the long list of ingredients on boxes of processed foods. You can avoid GMO's by knowing what to look for</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";">. The </span></span><a href="http://truefoodnow.org/shoppers-guide/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Non-GMO Shopper's Guide</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";"> is particularly helpful.</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";">The dangers of GMO food is not really known, but </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";"> some species of animal when offered a GMO food versus a non-GMO food will avoid the GMO one. Occasionally they will do this to the point of starvation, as if they have an intuitive sense of the danger of this food.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";">Scientists who carried out experiments on GMO's say that it’s too early to draw conclusions about the health hazards of GMO. They insist there is a need to carry out comprehensive research. In the meantime, many of us are unknowingly ingesting genetically altered food.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";">The idea that consumers have tremendous power is not wishful thinking, it’s a fact. <o:p></o:p></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";">Just look at the effectiveness of the consumer-driven strategy we’re now seeing with high fructose corn syrup. Within the past few months, most major corporations have taken HFCS out of their products due to consumer demand and the manufacturers proudly label their products HFCS free.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";">Refusing to buy GMO food products will create pressure on the marketplace, without which there is little hope. Download the shopping guide, and make note of which brands to buy and which ones to avoid like the plague.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";">You'll find some sensible tips to help avoid genetically modified food at </span></span><a href="http://organic.lovetoknow.com/Which_Foods_Have_GMOs"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">lovetoknow.com</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";">. For us, since we are careful about what we put in our bodies, it's just one more step to being the best we can be; healthy and thin! So excuse me while I step off my soapbox. </span></span></div>
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Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03027340191371148142noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3828162955244406943.post-39246471599750732052010-05-30T08:08:00.007-04:002016-05-25T13:27:20.747-04:00In Loving Memory<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">As we enjoy the weekend and pay our respects to all the brave heroes who served in the military and fought for our country, let's also give a little respect to the courageous dieters out there. Here's my Memorial Day tribute to all of you, in remembrance of the things we've put behind us and the behaviors we have changed.<br />
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<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">all the pounds we have lost throughout the years.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">the poor eating habits we have managed to change.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">having to hold our breath to zip up those favorite jeans.<a name='more'></a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">planning to start our diets on Monday.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">avoiding looking at our reflection as we pass a mirror.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">wondering why we always look so much heavier photos.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">finishing a dozen donuts on the way home from work while wondering what's for dinner.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">being out of breath after climbing a flight of stairs.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">having trouble finding stylish clothes in plus sizes.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">hiding in baggy clothes, hoping no one will notice our bulges.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">refusing offers of going to the beach because we wouldn't be caught dead in a swimsuit.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">spending most of our leisure time in front of the television.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">blood pressure that would make our doctors raise their eyebrows.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">deciding whether or not the plastic chair is strong enough to hold us.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">not being concerned with calories or caring about carbs and fat. </span></li>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">So along with paying proper respect to the memory of people who served in the military, make this a day to think about all the memories of behavior you have changed and celebrate those changes.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Add your remembrance in the form of a comment to this post and be honored for the healthy, motivated person you have become! </span></div>
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Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03027340191371148142noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3828162955244406943.post-67640667125166563732010-05-23T11:32:00.010-04:002016-05-25T13:32:19.155-04:00Me No Smile :(<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I had a conversation the other day with one of my Russian students. After five months he remains at the elementary level and his is English is still rudimentary. In spite of that, he expressed dismay about gaining 17 pounds during his stay in the United States. He claims to be eating the same kinds of food - fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, etc. and stays away from processed foods and fast food restaurants. He goes to the gym every day for two to three hours. In other words he has not changed his habits at all since leaving Russian last January and yet he has gained weight. He blames it on the food he buys in the local supermarket.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Victor, a tall hunk of a man, loves to prepare all sorts of Russian specialties. He recently cooked a meat dish for a special occasion, exactly the same method of preparation as in his native country. His words to me were, "In Russia I make meat, very smile. In America I make meat, me no smile. Same way cook, same kind meat. In Russia, smell good. In American, no smell good. No good meat."</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Something here does not jive. How can one person eat the same food, do the same exercise and not gain weight in one country and gain in another? Being curious, and wanting to find some clues to Victor's weight gain, I began searching for possibilities. The most glaring difference is that Russia is GMO free (genetically modified organism), whereas Americans are unknowingly consuming large quantities of genetically altered food. I haven't come across any correlation between weight gain and GMO but what I have found is worth passing on to you.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I was totally unaware of how prevalent the consumption of genetically altered food is in the U.S., while many other countries have banned these foods as unsafe. I'd like to share this </span><a href="http://truefoodnow.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/web_new-ge-booklet.pdf"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Non-GMO Shopper's Guide</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> with you. Of course, being intelligent people we decide for ourselves what information to accept and what to reject. But, honestly, I plan on a major overhaul of my diet.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I'd love to know what you think. Read over this shopping guide and perhaps you'd like to visit the </span><a href="http://truefoodnow.org/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Center for Food Safety</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> website or <a href="http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/campaigns/genetic-engineering">Greenpeace</a> for more information. My eyes have been opened and I am concerned, how about you?</span></div>
Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03027340191371148142noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3828162955244406943.post-43523195689993442842010-05-23T11:31:00.000-04:002016-05-25T13:33:40.083-04:00David to be Returned to Italy<br />
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After a two year loan to the United States, the statue of David is being returned to Italy, or so the not-so-funny email that is circulating goes. Sad but not without some truth.</div>
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America ranks #1 in obesity according to <a href="http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/hea_obe-health-obesity">major studies</a> which compare obesity statistics in different countries. It's no wonder that Michelangelo's David has become so rotund. Huge portions, an overabundance of fatty foods, high sugar and sodium contents combined with a sedentary lifestyle contributes to American's obesity epidemic.<br />
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I teach ESL (English as a Second Language) to foreign students. They come from all over the world for our <a href="http://www.lalgroup.com/">language immersion program</a>; Europe, Asia, South America, etc. and the majority of them comment on how large everything is in the U.S. - the cars, the people, the portion sizes and vast quantities of fast food restaurants. The age range of my students is anywhere from 16 to 70+ and there is rarely an overweight student among them. A number of them return home after a few weeks or a few months, several pounds heavier than when they arrived. They get "suckered in" to the American style of eating, living with host families, sharing American family meals and finally returning home with stories of fat Americans and their love of junk food, as well as the tasteless yet expensive fruits and vegetables and the aisles of sugar laden snacks in the grocery stores. They bring home stories of how lazy Americans drive everywhere, even to the corner store.</div>
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One of the most wonderful things about the Internet is how it ignores international boundaries, we don't need a passport to cross borders. Many of my readers come from across oceans; Ireland, England, Australia, Germany and even Iceland, to name just a few. Hopefully, the majority of your countrymen and women are like my students, fit and athletic, and unlike the U.S., obesity isn't such a widespread problem.</div>
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Fortunately, I have chosen to step out of my role as a "typical" American and get on the path to healthy eating and exercise. For those of you who are not American, perhaps you'll share your take on the obesity problem in your country. And for us Americans, do you think we deserve our reputation?</div>
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Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03027340191371148142noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3828162955244406943.post-13583990948797662302010-05-17T13:35:00.000-04:002016-05-25T13:41:49.029-04:00Just in Queso, or not all cheese is created equal<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";">Ah, cheese. So many varieties, so many flavors and from so many countries. While Gorgonzola can be wonderfully piquant, a nice creamy brie can be paired with some ripe pear slices. And a sharp Canadian cheddar is always welcome as a topping on your burger or with a glass of red wine. Whatever your choice, cheese is a delicious addition to any meal or hors d'oeuvres selection.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";">But cheese has fat, salt, lots of calories and that dreaded cholesterol. So what would be a good choice for us folks who are trying to lose weight? And how much can we eat before it does too much damage?</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";">An ounce of cheese is considered one serving and provides 200 - 300 mg. of calcium. Most adults need 1,000 mg of calcium per day and people 50 and older need 1,200 mg of calcium per day. Since milk is the main ingredient, cheese provides a good source of protein and vitamin B</span></span><sub><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";">2</span></span></sub><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";">. (Information from </span></span><a href="http://www.eatright.org/"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">American Dietetic Association</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";">).</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";">There is no reason to avoid eating cheese but it is important to pay attention to the type and amount you eat.</span></span></span></div>
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<ul style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0.2em; margin-top: 0.8em;">
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times new roman"; line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">If you like to eat hard cheeses, like cheddar, look for "fat free, "reduced fat" or "low fat" on the label.</span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
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<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">If you're looking for a soft cheese, "low fat" (1%), part-skim or light might be a good choice.</span></span></li>
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<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times new roman"; line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">You will even find low fat, low cholesterol cheese selections in your grocery store. They generally have 50 - 75 percent of the fat in whole milk cheeses. Experiment with some of these to find a brand you like.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 10px; line-height: normal;"><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 456px;"><tbody>
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<tr bgcolor="#CCCCCC"><td class="bodycopy" height="22" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;"><b>Cheese (1oz. Serving)</b></td><td class="bodycopy" height="22" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;"><b>Mozzarella**</b></td><td class="bodycopy" height="22" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;"><b>Cheddar</b></td><td class="bodycopy" height="22" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;"><b>Monterey Jack</b></td><td class="bodycopy" height="22" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;"><b>American</b></td><td class="bodycopy" height="22" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;"><b>Swiss</b></td><td class="bodycopy" height="22" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;"><b>Colby-Jack</b></td></tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff"><td class="bodycopy" height="30" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;">Calcium content (% DV*)</td><td class="bodycopy" height="30" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;">20%</td><td class="bodycopy" height="30" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;">20%</td><td class="bodycopy" height="30" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;">20%</td><td class="bodycopy" height="30" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;">15%</td><td class="bodycopy" height="30" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;">25%</td><td class="bodycopy" height="30" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;">20%</td></tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff"><td class="bodycopy" height="30" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;">Calories (kcal)</td><td class="bodycopy" height="30" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;">80</td><td class="bodycopy" height="30" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;">110</td><td class="bodycopy" height="30" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;">100</td><td class="bodycopy" height="30" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;">110</td><td class="bodycopy" height="30" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;">100</td><td class="bodycopy" height="30" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;">110</td></tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff"><td class="bodycopy" height="30" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;">Cholesterol</td><td class="bodycopy" height="30" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;">15 mg</td><td class="bodycopy" height="30" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;">30 mg</td><td class="bodycopy" height="30" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;">30 mg</td><td class="bodycopy" height="30" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;">25 mg</td><td class="bodycopy" height="30" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;">25 mg</td><td class="bodycopy" height="30" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;">25 mg</td></tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff"><td class="bodycopy" height="30" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;">Fat</td><td class="bodycopy" height="30" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;">5 g</td><td class="bodycopy" height="30" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;">9 g</td><td class="bodycopy" height="30" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;">8 g</td><td class="bodycopy" height="30" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;">9 g</td><td class="bodycopy" height="30" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;">8 g</td><td class="bodycopy" height="30" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;">9 g</td></tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff"><td class="bodycopy" height="30" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;">Saturated Fat</td><td class="bodycopy" height="30" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;">3 g</td><td class="bodycopy" height="30" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;">5 g</td><td class="bodycopy" height="30" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;">5 g</td><td class="bodycopy" height="30" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;">6 g</td><td class="bodycopy" height="30" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;">8 g</td><td class="bodycopy" height="30" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;">7 g</td></tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff"><td class="bodycopy" height="30" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;">Protein</td><td class="bodycopy" height="30" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;">8 g</td><td class="bodycopy" height="30" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;">7 g</td><td class="bodycopy" height="30" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;">7 g</td><td class="bodycopy" height="30" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;">6 g</td><td class="bodycopy" height="30" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;">8 g</td><td class="bodycopy" height="30" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;">7 g</td></tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff"><td class="bodycopy" height="30" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;">Sodium</td><td class="bodycopy" height="30" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;">170 mg</td><td class="bodycopy" height="30" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;">180 mg</td><td class="bodycopy" height="30" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;">170 mg</td><td class="bodycopy" height="30" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;">400 mg</td><td class="bodycopy" height="30" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;">60 mg</td><td class="bodycopy" height="30" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;">190 mg</td></tr>
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<tr><td align="left" class="bodycopy" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;">* Percent Daily Value (DV) is based on a 2,000-calorie diet<br />
** Mozzarella is part-skim.</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times new roman"; line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #111111; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: italic; line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times new roman"; line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #111111; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: italic; line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times new roman"; line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #111111; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: italic; line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">F</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">eta contains 20g of fat per 100g, 20%, as does mozzarella, Camembert 24%t, Brie has 29% , Parmesan 30%, Stilton 31%, Gruyère 33& and cheddar 35%.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times new roman"; line-height: normal;"><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Edam contains 26% fat, cottage cheese, has about 4g of fat per 100g, although you can get even lower-fat versions.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Moderation is the key. Use more flavorful cheese, like feta, and a little goes a long way.</span></span></span></span><br />
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Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03027340191371148142noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3828162955244406943.post-59787530868841435202010-05-15T13:09:00.000-04:002016-05-25T13:42:46.963-04:00Weight Watchers Follows You Everywhere!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Sorry, friends, for having taken some time off. I bought a new condo and have been so busy moving, cleaning, organizing, etc., that I haven't had a spare moment to write. Today, however, I have just returned from a 4 day cruise to the Bahamas, rested and ready to get back to business at hand.<br />
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I have to catch you up on what's been going on. Many of you have written asking how my hula hooping was going. I do have to tell you that my first day, being in hooper's heaven, I overdid it and happily hooped for over an hour and a half. I wound up with enormous bruises around my midsection! So my advice to those of you who want to have some fun while exercising -start slow. Maybe 15 minutes at a time. Don't whirl like a dervish the way I did!</div>
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Let me tell you about the cruise... an opportunity to sit back, relax and eat to my heart's content. I was tempted to blow the diet and just enjoy but as fate would have it, after sitting down for my first meal and happily nibbling on a Caesar's piled high with tons Parmesan cheese and way too much dressing, introductions were made at our table. Mike and George, two married men curiously escaping together from their wives for a long weekend were charming. And Ruth and her sister (who prefers to remain nameless) lived far from one another were having a sister's weekend. My mother and I were traveling by ourselves, enjoying some mother-daughter quality time. </div>
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So this is how it went, I ordered my meal and except for the salad, I did pretty well. The grilled salmon and veggies were off the Vitality Menu and well within my points range. The salad, however, raised by point consumption through the roof. Of course I drooled over everyone else's food at the table, lots of carbs, fat and oodles of calories, except for the second sister who ate like a model of healthy dining.</div>
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We learned a lot about each other over the course of dinner and I found out - and you are not going to believe this - that the second sis was none other than a Weight Watcher group leader on vacation! Oh no, I thought, now I have no choice but to be good! Weight Watcher's had followed me on vacation.</div>
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I was actually glad to have her there. If not I might not have been content with the two spoonfuls of tiramisu or several bites of the warm chocolate souffle. But as fate would have it, I admitted to having lost 40 pounds and to being just 3 pounds away from my goal. I felt obliged to be on my best behavior.</div>
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Sis was great, passing along her knowledgeable dining tips and being a perfect WW role model. She was careful with what was on her plate, usually left something over and was not afraid to order special foods, which the crew was more than happy to prepare. No sauce, steamed vegetables, plenty of cocktail sauce for her shrimp, etc. But I was happy to see she left room for something she enjoyed - wine. There was a seemingly unending supply of wine for the sisters and she wasn't afraid to imbibe. I figured she was using her extra 35 points in wine, while I sneaked an extra spoonful or two of dessert. </div>
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So like an alter-ego, Weight Watchers was right there with me on Her Majesty of the Seas. We all had a really good time but I am not in a hurry to step on the scale.</div>
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How do you handle your vacations? Have you ever had someone you didn't want to cheat in front of?</div>
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Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03027340191371148142noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3828162955244406943.post-29801453395808446122010-05-07T14:18:00.019-04:002016-05-25T13:39:33.488-04:00Our Eating Habits Started With Mom<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I have a truly wonderful mother. She is up there in years but proudly boasts she can do anything her niece, who is 30 years younger, can do. And better, she likes to add. And she can.<br />
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One thing my mother did, was get me started in the wonderful world of food, both in the eating and the cooking department. My first food was chocolate. Mom couldn't resist my big brown eyes pleading with her for a taste of the 5¢ Hershey bar she was eating. She caved, and I still have a difficult time resisting sweets.<br />
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The family always sat down to dinner together and the meals were invariably well-balanced. Whether we liked what she was serving or not, my brother and I had to sit at the dinner table until we finished what we were given. We became bona-fide members of the Clean Plate Club. If we refused, we were reminded that children were starving in Europe. And if we finished, our reward was dessert. For me, having dessert was worth eating the baked halibut I always hated, along with the canned peas and carrots and the Rice-a-Roni or whatever Mom had prepared.</div>
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As a baby boomer growing up in the 50's, we experienced the evolution of the convenience food era. Processed foods were revered as being time savers for housewives. It was the casserole decade, meat and canned soup combos ended up in the oven and served for supper. Aluminum trays featuring TV dinners became popular and if we were lucky we'd set up a stand in front of the television and devour Swanson's idea of dinner. Powdered pudding and cake mixes became popular. An excess of sugar, salt and chemicals were added to our diets.</div>
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There were almost always sweets in the house. The bread drawer was one of my favorite places. I'd surreptitiously slide open the drawer, pull back the metal lid and forage for whatever was available, careful to make it look as though it hadn't been touched, taking off a sliver here and a wedge there. If confronted, I could always blame it on my younger brother.</div>
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I still am a member in good standing of the Clean Plate Club and don't feel satisfied unless I get dessert. Of course, my eating habits have changed, along with my food choices, but I still clean my plate!</div>
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Years of eating habits are hard to change. I try to stay away from processed foods and have cut down drastically on sugar and salt. Canned food has little or no place in my diet and desserts are, sadly, a thing of the past for now. Mom did establish a lot of good habits and I certainly can't blame my weight problem on her. For all the dieting that I've done in my life, my mother has always been slim and trim. Perhaps I have my father's genes and that side of the family's propensity to be overweight. Whatever the reason, it has been a lifelong struggle, but a battle that I am finally winning. </div>
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So this Mother's Day, I'd like to thank mothers everywhere, for all they have done for us. And for today's mothers for steering their children in healthy directions at the dinner table.</div>
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What about you? Has your mother made you what you are today when it comes to eating? Or did she instill good eating habits that you still maintain today?</div>
Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03027340191371148142noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3828162955244406943.post-89992813020501536282010-05-01T22:39:00.031-04:002010-05-09T06:27:43.968-04:00When is a Tomato Not a Tomato?<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BV8n20ZMBGo/S91hcXxHERI/AAAAAAAAAi8/vrjsF65ouxk/s1600/tomato2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img 0=" 10px=" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466632662741881106" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BV8n20ZMBGo/S91hcXxHERI/AAAAAAAAAi8/vrjsF65ouxk/s320/tomato2.jpg" /></a>I get nostalgic remembering the days when a tomato tasted like a tomato, not the anemic looking fruit of the vine I buy in my neighborhood supermarket, not the mealy slices that gets lost in my sandwich or salad, but a juicy rich, red, sweet but tangy globe bursting with flavor. Where have they disappeared to, those beefsteak tomatoes of my youth?<br />
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</div><div>The truth of the matter is that the tomatoes we buy in the grocery store are, more than likely, grown in Florida, California or Mexico. They are picked when considered "mature green", just starting to turn color but still nice and firm. They are then crated and stacked for three days in an ethylene (a colorless flammable gas derived from petroleum) filled room. The enzymes changes the tomatoes' starch to sugar which turns them red. This method of artificially ripening tomatoes does not enhance the taste, nor does the fact that tomatoes are often shipped with lettuce at 37° F which will permanently stop the tomato from any further ripening by killing its enzymes. And if by chance a tomato escapes this treatment, the average consumer immediately puts them in the refrigerator when they get home anyway, where the average temperature is 40°. It's a lose-lose situation for the tomato.</div><div><br />
</div><div>So what are your tomato's chances of being flavorful when you are ready to slice them? So far, not so good and we haven't even mentioned over-farming which depletes the nutrients in the soil. It they're not there, the plants can't absorb them, especially the trace minerals which help maintain our good health. The average vegetable, according to Donald R. Davis, a former research associate with the <a href="http://bioinst.cm.utexas.edu/">Biochemical Institute</a>, "is anywhere from 5% to 40% lower in minerals (including magnesium, iron, calcium and zinc) than those harvested just 50 years ago." These are the nutrients that give fruits and vegetables their good flavors.</div><div><br />
</div><div>The idea of getting that tomato of your memories sounds bleak, doesn't it? Here are some ideas for you:</div><div><ul><li>Buy local produce</li>
<li>Find nearby farmer's markets and produce stands</li>
<li>Buy organic</li>
<li>Grow your own </li>
<li>Use your nose when selecting tomatoes. Sniff the blossom end (not the stem end). Flavorful tomatoes will have a rich aroma.</li>
<li>Store fresh ripe tomatoes stem-side down, in a cool, dark place and use within a few days.</li>
<li>If you must refrigerate the tomato, take it out and let it return to room temperature.</li>
</ul><div>Perhaps one day we might recapture the flavor of that perfect tomato, I certainly hope so. But for now, at the exorbitant prices being charged for inferior tomatoes, I prefer to spend more and buy organic Heirloom tomatoes, they seem to be the closest I can get to that fading memory. For me, a tomato is not always a tomato. What are your thoughts?</div><div><br />
</div><div>And here is a little treat for you, Pablo Neruda's <b><a href="http://www.tomatocasual.com/2007/12/06/pablo-neruda">Ode to Tomatoes</a></b></div><div><br />
</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-line-height-alt: 11.4pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-line-height-alt: 11.4pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03027340191371148142noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3828162955244406943.post-37126813389336579992010-04-23T04:35:00.031-04:002010-05-02T08:14:58.900-04:00Is a Personal Trainer Worth the Expense?<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BV8n20ZMBGo/S9LmdJomKWI/AAAAAAAAAik/04eYur95LhU/s1600/Stephanie.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463682686430620002" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BV8n20ZMBGo/S9LmdJomKWI/AAAAAAAAAik/04eYur95LhU/s320/Stephanie.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 320px; margin: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 227px;" /></a>Personal trainers aren't cheap and in these economically challenged times most of us think carefully before we spend our hard earned cash. I've been indulgent and have been going to a trainer for the past 8 months. Do I think it's worth it?<br />
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</div><div>If you are seriously committed to achieving your goal of having a healthy, well-toned body, the right trainer it is worth every penny. Mine happens to be the best - a cross between a mother hen and a drill sergeant. Stephanie hovers over me, making sure I am doing each exercise correctly and with the proper form. She rarely takes her eyes off me, as though I'm her baby chick. The next moment she is all demands, the stereotypical drill sergeant, pushing me to work harder than I thought possible, and then unrelentingly ordering me do it all over again... and again! Just when I am able to do a task well, she makes it even more difficult! She knows exactly what I need.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Stephanie isn't my first trainer but she's by far the best. Perhaps a woman understands what my body needs more than a man and she doesn't push me further than I am able to go, stopping just at my limit yet constantly challenging me.<br />
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</div><div>Getting stronger, feeling those hidden muscles growing, is quite a satisfying experience. I might never be content with my body but the differences are apparent and I love feeling those new muscles. Where have they been all my life and why have I waited so long to use them?</div><div><br />
</div><div>If you've never worked with a trainer you probably have some questions. How much does a trainer cost? How often should I train? How do I pick the right trainer? What does a session consist of? When will I see results?</div><div><br />
</div><div>Personal trainers charge between $40 to $70 and up, per hourly session. My sessions are thirty minutes long, twice a week. This is enough time to work a specific area of the body, especially if you follow the session with some cardio. Between time, you'll find me at the gym at least five times a week, engaged in different activities. Don't forget that those challenged muscles need time to recover.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Finding the right trainer is the key. They're easy to find, just ask at your local <a href="http://www.lafitness.com/">gym</a> or look on <a href="http://www.craigslist.org/about/sites">Craig's List</a>, but finding the right trainer might take some work. At the gym, it's fairly easy. The folks in charge should be able to help match you with a trainer who'll meet your needs. Don't be afraid to try out a number of people until you find one that suits you. Of course, they need to be certified, but they also need to care about what they're doing and care about you. A trainer who just stands there and looks around while you work out really isn't what you need. He or she ought to have their eyes on you at least 95% of the time and be there when you need them. They should help set up a program which meets your needs as well as encourage and motivate you. The right attitude is essential. </div><div><br />
</div><div>Don't be afraid to request an interview with a prospective trainer. Make sure you are satisfied with the person you select. You might consider asking other people in the gym who they recommend. Look around and find people engaged in training sessions and watch from afar. You will soon be able to pick out the caring ones from the ones who are not so involved with their clients.</div><div><br />
</div><div>During my training sessions I target an area - it can be as specific as "legs" or as general as "lower body". I do a lot more arm work than anything else since they're my biggest problem area. For example, Tuesday we worked on legs, today arms, next time it will be the back. The other day we devoted the session to triceps. Anything goes, it's really up to you and your trainer.</div><div><br />
</div><div>What exactly do we do? I work with weights, resistance training on the machines and some floor exercises. There is almost always something new to master, it keeps things interesting and progressing. The actual types of exercises you do will vary, depending on your fitness goals.</div><div><br />
</div><div>How long does it take to see results? You should see some results in a month, sometimes less. Your endurance will increase and, if you are anything like me, you will come to enjoy the experience of fine tuning your body. To answer the question - is a personal trainer worth the expense? I suggest you book a few sessions and decide for yourself. Of course, a healthy diet goes hand in hand with exercise, together they are an unbeatable duo.</div>Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03027340191371148142noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3828162955244406943.post-77382688622861947532010-04-18T11:08:00.027-04:002010-04-25T09:47:19.704-04:00South of the Border Goes Healthy<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BV8n20ZMBGo/S8sxKi5CqJI/AAAAAAAAAiU/Bz5CxJWRDOU/s1600/roasted+veggie+enchilada+2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461513030351366290" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BV8n20ZMBGo/S8sxKi5CqJI/AAAAAAAAAiU/Bz5CxJWRDOU/s320/roasted+veggie+enchilada+2.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; height: 230px; width: 320px;" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><br />
Since we are all looking for good things to eat on our diets, I thought I'd try something different this week. Here's a recipe which has been requested by almost everyone who has eaten my enchiladas. They were my contribution to a family dinner and even the non-vegetarians loved them. Low in fat, low in calories, high in flavor, the fiber rich whole wheat tortillas are wrapped around oven roasted vegetables, enhanced with corn sauce and cheese and topped with green salsa . This post is dedicated to Nicole, who's been waiting a long time for this recipe.</span></span><br />
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<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;">2 10-oz. packages frozen sweet corn (a quality brand)</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;">1 cup low fat milk</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;">1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;">salt & pepper to taste</span></span></li>
</ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;">To prepare the corn sauce: Roast the garlic in a skillet over medium high heat, shaking the pan often until the garlic is browned, about 6 minutes.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;">Add all but 1/2 cup of the corn and roast in the same skillet until lightly toasted. Put the corn, peeled roasted garlic, milk and seasonings in the blender and blend until smooth. Strain through a fine sieve, add reserved corn and set aside.</span></span></div></div></span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><br />
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<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;">Enchiladas:</span></span></div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;">1/4 cup olive oil</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;">8 oz. mushrooms, sliced</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;">2 medium sweet potatoes, cubed (don't bother peeling them)</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;">1 butternut squash, cubed</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;">2 large onions, chopped</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;">1 green pepper, chopped</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;">1 large head of broccoli, cut into florets</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;">1 can 16-oz can black beans or garbanzo beans</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;">salt & pepper</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;">1 tsp. ground cumin</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;">3 cloves garlic, minced</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;">1 large jar green salsa (I'm a lazy cook)</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;">1 cup shredded Monterey Jack or Jalapeño cheese, reduced fat</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;">6 - 8 large whole wheat tortilla (I like La Tortilla Factory)</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;">1/2 cup toasted pumpkin seeds</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;">If you like it spicy add a sprinkling of crushed red pepper</span></span></li>
</ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;">Preparation:</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;">Put the veggies in a large roasting pan with olive oil. Toss to coat. Roast in a 425 F oven for 30 minuted, stirring occasionally.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;">To assemble: put a heaping portion of roasted vegetables in the center of a tortilla, spoon some corn sauce on top, sprinkle with cheese and toasted pumpkin seeds, roll up and place seam side down in a large baking pan.. Repeat with the remaining tortillas, veggies, corn sauce, pumpkin seeds and cheese.<br />
<br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;">Cover the tortillas with green salsa, top with the remaining cheese and bake, covered with foil, in a 350 F oven for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake 5 minutes longer.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;">I hope you'll try this recipe and let me know how you liked it.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></div></div></div></div>Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03027340191371148142noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3828162955244406943.post-16494741432260498012010-04-11T06:13:00.025-04:002010-04-18T12:21:51.777-04:00Burn Those Britches Behind You<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BV8n20ZMBGo/S8HCS3zQJwI/AAAAAAAAAhc/DcD_hN5c-uA/s1600/PantsOnFire.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458857852822103810" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BV8n20ZMBGo/S8HCS3zQJwI/AAAAAAAAAhc/DcD_hN5c-uA/s320/PantsOnFire.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 230px; margin: 0 0 10px 10px; width: 159px;" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">You are losing weight! In fact you are getting smaller every day. And if you are anything like me your closet is an veritable shopping center with an array of sizes to choose from. I saved my "skinny" clothes and everything in between. Slowly, very slowly, I have gotten back into a descending number of sizes and have reached the smallest number, a number I never thought I would wear again. And now, wonder of wonders, that teeny, weeny size is getting loose!</span></span><br />
<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">So I have a ton of clothing that doesn't fit. I'm glad I saved my clothes when they were too small to squeeze into - a motivation to lose weight. But now, my friends, we are faced with a new challenge -what to do with our large sized clothing. Do we keep them, just in case? Or do we say "out with the old and in with the new"?</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><a name='more'></a> </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Let me tell you, there is NO just in case. We will never be fat again! Not us. We, in all probability, have gone up and down so many times we've lost track. But this time it's different. It feels great to try on that old pair of pants and see physical proof of your weight loss, doesn't it? I suggest you find the biggest pair of pants, dress or skirt and hold on to them as a reminder of your past, of all your hard work that got you where you are today, no matter if you are in your "skinny" size or just heading in that direction. Put that item aside and take the rest of your fat clothes and get rid of them!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">There is a wonderful article on </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #330099;"><a href="http://www.charityguide.org/volunteer/fifteen/used-clothing.htm">charityguide.org</a></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> about options for our used clothing. In fact, it says that plus-size women's clothing (14 and larger) is the most requested type of clothing.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">There are a number of options listed in the article, including two websites, </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #330099;"><a href="http://www.freecycle.org/">Freecycle</a></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> and </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #330099;"><a href="http://freesharing.org/">Freesharing</a></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #330099;"><a href="http://www.oprah.com/home/Where-to-Get-Rid-of-Your-Stuff/">Oprah</a></span> also has a wonderful article about where to get rid of old clothing on her </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">site.<br />
<br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BV8n20ZMBGo/S8Gya-dHCKI/AAAAAAAAAhU/x1_Sp7v-lk0/s320/clothing_donation.jpg" /><br />
<br />
</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Although the people of Haiti need just about everything, most organizations clearly state that money is the recommended way to help. But you can check with your local </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.redcross.org/">Red Cross</a></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> chapter to find out if they are taking donations of clothing.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">If you're hesitant to get rid of a garment because it was expensive, you might think about having it re-tailored or consider a consignment shop to recoup some of your money. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Here's another idea for those too big items, a clothing swap. Get together with friends and acquaintances and pool your clothing, then have fun selecting items that actually fit while someone else is benefiting from your discarded past. It's a win-win situation and lots of fun to boot!</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Show yourself that you have committed 100% to your goal and that you have said a final farewell to the fat person you used to be. Get r</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">id of those clothes anyway you like, but do it! </span></span></span></div>Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03027340191371148142noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3828162955244406943.post-8188244476914290712010-04-04T11:46:00.017-04:002010-04-12T16:13:18.756-04:00Eat Big or Go Home!<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwWIkuc_P3lDX2mxQ_7b15dPqArftngUGkCvdwzhv_b_Z5YqKkN1QEs_KMc1fcuO_YrFXWm-MyCWdyPambHdQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Are you ready for this one? You aren't going to believe it. In this day and age, when most of us are striving for good health and attempting to take off our excess weight, in a time when we are extremely conscious of being politically correct with every group of people whatever their race, gender, disability, age or size, a restaurant exists called Heart Stoppers. The waitresses, wearing scanty nurse's uniforms, serve up a menu filled with staggering amounts of fat, cholesterol and sugar.</div><div><div><div><br /><div>Your "prescription" is written for such artery clogging fare as Chest Pain Fries (cooked in lard) and served in a bedpan (yuck), Death by Burger - a 3 pound killer which is wheeled out on a cart with an IV bag attached, Second Opinion Sausage Sandwich, Deep Fried Twinkies and a Purple Hematoma ice cream soda, all administered by your nurse. The decor includes a defibrillator, blood pressure machines, wheelchairs and other medical equipment. </div><div><br /></div><div>To make matters worse anyone weighing over 350 pounds eats free. And if you want to shorten your life you can make a spectacle of yourself and sit in a wheelchair under operating room lights and polish off one of their three pound burger and fries. If you do it in record time, you get to have your photo on their Wall of Shame, oops - I mean Wall of Fame, either that or in their City Morgue gallery. </div><div><br /></div><div><div><div>Not only does this restaurant exist just a couple miles from my south Florida home but there's a similar one in Arizona and they are engaged in a battle of trademark infringement or rather a fight to see which one has the legal right to be politically incorrect and morally deficient.<br /><div><br /></div><div>I haven't linked to their website and apologize to anyone who is offended by the very idea of this restaurant (myself included). Some people will do anything for <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;">$$$</span>. Making light of health problems and obesity is in extremely bad taste, no matter how good the food might be.</div><div><br /></div><div>Heart Stoppers - SHAME ON YOU! It's time there was a change in attitude toward obesity, the last thing we need is someone making fun of a serious problem. </div><div><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03027340191371148142noreply@blogger.com30