Hydration Situation

Seeing as how it is Earth Day - and that happens to be where I live - I thought that I would provide a tip today that benefits both you and the world around you.

Drinking more water is one of the best and easiest things that we can all do to increase our health. And we as Americans have been doing a great job. So much so that carrying a water bottle has become a bit of a status symbol. Certain brands of bottled water will even make you rich & famous. Unfortunately it still won't land you Brad Pitt.

Really, the only down side is that they all come in these little plastic bottles that tend to add up. But what's the alternative? Drinking tap water?

I don't know if my fear of the San Diego tap water is well founded or an effective marketing ploy, but I do know that I won't be experimenting with it any time soon. Instead, I choose to filter my drinking water. My filter of choice is the Aquasana AQ-4000 but there are plenty to chose from. At $0.09/gallon it's considerably less than even the most economical bottled water. So you can not only expect to hear about this on Earth Day, but also on Save-a-Ton-of-$ Day, Look-@-How-Nice-My-Skin-Looks Day, and Why-Yes-I-Have-Lost-Weight Day.

Bottoms up!

It's Hip to be Square

A few weeks ago I came across the Flax Roll-Ups at Henry's. After a quick read of the nutrition label (yes, going to the grocery store with me is an all day adventure) I was impressed with the level of both fiber and protein. I wished it didn't have Soy Isolates but I we can't win them all. It was also square - like myself - so I thought I would give it a try.

The entire wrap is a bit much for me to handle but I cut it in half and it is the perfect size to support my standard lunch of turkey, hummus, and veggies. I love the flavor, and yes the shape makes it much easier to handle than it's curvy counterparts. I enjoy it so much that I have had it virtually every day for the past month. Stay tuned for next week's blog "If I See Another Wrap I'm Going To..."

Healthy Dining Finder

I wanted to share a great website that I came across today (the internet still amazes me). It is called Healthy Diet Finder and it gives you healthy suggestions for all of your favorite restaurants. You enter in the area of town that you want to eat and the amount that you want to spend. It then gives you a list of the local restaurants (even fast food) and items to select from the menu.

Now, their definition of healthy may not be yours so you still need to use common sense. I know, I'm sorry. However, it is an excellent place to start!

Motivation At It's Finest

A good friend shared this with me and it honestly gave me chills!



Thanks for passing it along Toby!

The Soy Situation

I probably get at least one question a day about soy. I can understand why. The soy debate is a virtual ping pong match of information that would make any seasoned politician's head spin.

Some feel that soy is the nectar of the gods and a diet rich in good quality soy will solve all that ails you. I mean, Asian cultures have been using soy for centuries and have the most amazing skin and virtually no menopause. It's gotta be the soy.

(ping)

Other's feel that the benefits of soy are actually manufactured by the soy bean industry. It is in fact so dangerous that men will grow breasts and become sterile almost upon contact. But wait, I heard that was a theory invented by the meat and dairy industries...

(pong)

So, what is the truth? As one can imagine it's somewhere in the middle. I'd like to share an article that I came across the other day that does an excellent job of exploring the pros and cons of soy.

Soy - What's the Big Deal?

If you have any interest in this issue I highly recommend you give the article a read. For those of you that want a VERY oversimplified summary here goes:

A moderate intake of soy in whole food form can absolutely be a part of a healthy diet. Examples of whole food soy are: tofu, edamame, tempeh, and miso. It is a safe bet to steer clear of isolated and high refined soy. Examples of this are soy isolates, soy concentrates, and textured vegetable protein. So, in short, soy is much like most foods out there - it should be enjoyed in moderation and as close to it's natural form as possible.

Gift Ideas: Shake It Up

Timing and planning are two of the key sabatoures to most nutrition programs. We are fine when we have time to cook and time prepare but once life One of the keys to success in any nutrition program is to always have a back up plan.

My back up plan includes a Blender Bottle. I keep a meal replacement shake (in powder form) and a Blender Bottle in both my car and office. That way I can just add some water and I have something quick, easy, and filling. Plus I get very grumpy if i don't eat every 2-3 hours so it's really more of a public service than a health issue!

You can also use it for mixing healthy salad dressings, buckwheat pancake mix, scrambled eggs, etc. I usually pick mine up at Henry's for about $7 but I just found this great deal for a pack of 4 right here. Or you can do your own comparison shopping at NexTag.com.

Gift Ideas: Spray it On

Including healthy oils into your diet is a crucial factor for good health. However, as with everything, moderation is key. An excellent way to add oils while monitoring your intake is to use a MISTO olive oil sprayer. You can even mix some oil, vinegar, and lemon in the sprayer for a tasty and healthy salad dressing. The MISTO sprayer can be found at Bed Bath & Beyond on on Amazon.com.