Drive-thru Dieting???

What a bunch of horse-shit!! http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/01/27/drive-thru-dieting/

If you want to improve your health, lose weight and maintain that weight loss you will not do it eating drive-thru tacos.

You need to make positive changes to your diet. Eat more fresh fruits and vegetables and eat a primarily vegetarian diet. You also have to exercise.

There is no easy way to lose weight permanently, and although these big food chains are claiming you will lose weight eating their over-processed, nutritionally devoid food, it's all an illusion.

Six Meaningless Claims on Food Labels

You can file this one under the "know thy food" category: http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/01/28/six-meaningless-claims-on-food-labels/


The six claims are:

1. Lightly-Sweetened


2. A good source of fiber


3. Strengthens your immune system


4. Made with Real Fruit


5. Made with Whole Grains


6. All Natural.

Which brings us back to Michael Pollan's Advice, "If it claims to be healthy, then its not real food."

Buyer Beware.

So Much For Promises

Three years ago, major food companies, including Kelloggs, General Mills and Pepsi, promised that they would self-regulate and stop advertising unhealthy foods to children.

How are they doing? Well according to one study 72.5% of the foods advertised to children are of the poorest nutritional quality. Advertising for healthy foods is virtually invisible, accounting for only 1% of all food advertising to children. You can read about it here: http://www.childrennow.org/index.php/learn/reports_and_research/article/576

You can also read about it here: http://www.latimes.com/news/nation-and-world/la-na-kid-ads15-2009dec15,0,5833871.story

What I don't understand is why don't the boards of various produce buyers, such as apples, grapes, carrots, etc. band together and create their own advertising directed at children? Surely, someone growing apples has an interest in making his or her product appealing to children?

Finicky Kids and their Parent Enablers

Let's face it. Finicky kids wouldn't exist if their parents didn't enable them. How do parents enable their kids?

Well first of all the parents of finicky kids are so obsessed with their kids eating that they won't let the kid skip eating because he or she refuses to eat what's put in front of them. If Johnny doesn't like pork chops, Mom runs to the microwave and nukes up the chicken nuggets she knows Johnny will eat.

What's really amusing are the excuses for this kind of behavior I've heard through the years.

My favorite line is, "But Johnny is only in the X percentile for weight. He has to eat!!" Well, when Johnny gets to be an adult he'll be obese and have diabetes because you never taught him to eat right.

The other new one I've been hearing lately is, "My child has an eating disorder." The only disorder here is the one Mom and Dad have created by not having the back bone to stand up to their own child and not feed them processed junk. I can guarantee you no child in Haiti right now has an "eating disorder."

Or, how about this one, "If I don't make Amanda Kraft Mac & Cheese, then she'll only fill up on junk food." First of all, Kraft Mac & Cheese is junk food. Second, if you didn't have junk food snacks in your house, it would be impossible for Amanda to fill up on them.

Then, there's this lame line, "I've tried to get Suzy to eat an apple but she just refuses to do it." Well, if Suzy gets good and hungry that apple is going to look and taste damn good for her.

Here's another one I've gotten on occasion, "There has to be something really wrong with Brian, I made him taste a piece of steak once and he threw up." I hate to tell you, but your kid is not special. It's called a "gag reflex," and yes, quite a few kids do this in response to trying to force them to eat something they don't want to eat. My son did this several times. Each time, I cleaned him up and put the food right back in front of him to taste. Needless to say, the vomiting eventually stopped once he realized there was no getting away from tasting the food.

So, to all you parents of finicky eaters, I hate to inform you that the only problem with your kids' eating habits is you. You are the enabler. Grow a back-bone, realize that your kid will go to bed hungry some nights and you'll probably have to endure some temper tantrums to get them on the road to eating right.

The School Lunch Project

I just found the most fantastic blog. It's called the Fed Up: School Lunch Project. It's a teacher who is going to eat the school lunch available in her school every day in 2010. You have to check it out here: http://fedupwithschoollunch.blogspot.com

Food Fight

I am really, really, really pissed right now at my sister.

Let me explain. My younger sister belongs to the "my darlings are too precious" to make them try new foods camp. Her sons are aged 8 and 10.

Whenever my sister is invited anywhere, she brings food for her kids. Yes, she brown bags it to catered affairs, people houses, picnics etc.

I'm sorry but bringing alternative food for your kids stops being socially acceptable once they hit five.

On Sunday we are having a little family get together to celebrate three birthdays. My son's, my daughter's and my one nephew (all of them are born within one month).

Usually we order a cake and my poor son, who's allergic to wheat and dairy, doesn't get to eat it.

This year I thought it would be nice to make something we all can eat. I've made a wheat free Angel food cake in the past that everyone loves, so this year I'm making Angel food cupcakes with Marshmallow frosting for the party. I even bought some sprinkles for the cupcakes to make them really kid friendly.

My sister doesn't know if her precious darling will like Angel food cupcakes (mind you he's never tried it) and is insisting on bringing another cake. She won't even let her son try the damn thing that I'm going through the time and effort to make.

Let me tell you, when you're at a family gathering insisting that your kids eat what's being presented to them, it really undermines the effort when you're sister starts nuking chicken nuggets so that her darlings don't have to try the baked fish.

Now, I have a son allergic to wheat and dairy. I have a legitimate reason to bring food, yet I never do. I feed him before we leave for any food related event. Once there, I let him know what his options are, and if nothing appeals to him, he doesn't eat. Period, end of story.

Show Me the Info

According to a study published in the journal Pediatrics parents given menus with nutritional information on it ordered 20% fewer calories for their kids. This, the study's author said, can help avoid potential weight problems in the future. Read about the study here: http://abcnews.go.com/Health/Wellness/calories-kids-meal/story?id=9655882

If it Claims to be Healthy, then it's not really Food

"A health claim on a food product is a good indication that it's not really food." That's a quote from Michael Pollan that I just came upon.

As usual, Pollan gives sound advice.

If you come across something in the grocery store which claims it's good for you, then it's probably the worst thing you can eat.

So, the lesson is, avoid buying or eating anything with a health claim attached to it. Stick to simple foods with one ingredient, and if you buy things in packages (like pasta, cans of beans etc), then make sure you can easily recognize every ingredient listed on the package.

The Worst Foods In America 2009

You have got to love America. Where else could you walk into a Blimpies, order a veggie (yes veggie) sandwich and have it come it at a whopping 1,100 calories? And that's not the worst of it as chronicled in That'sFit's Worst Foods in America 2009. Check it out here: http://www.thatsfit.com/2009/12/03/worst-foods

How about a kids' meal that comes in at 1,110 calories? That's what they get if you head into Chili's for their Pepper Pals Country Fried Chicken Crispers.

Think you're doing OK if you order salad? Well TGF Fridays' Pecan Crusted Chicken Salad comes in at 1,360 (and the company won't divulge the fat or salt content in their food).

The fish tacos at On The Border come in at 2,440 calories (that's my entire days calorie allowance plus an additional 770 calories).

Want to get an appetizer? Well, it's probably best to avoid Uno Chicago Grill's pizza skins which come in at 2,400 calories. Even if you split them, that's 1,200 calories.

Thank you Wosnes!!

More on Mario Batali's weight loss from people magazine: http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20336520,00.html

The pasta dish sounds yummy. I'll have to try that one night this week.

Set Your DVRs

Michael Pollan will be on the Oprah show on Wednesday, January 27. I'm setting mine.

Way to Go Mario!!!

One of my favorite celebrity chefs Mario Batali has lost 45 pounds by going vegetarian until dinner and getting half portions in restaurants. The vegetarian until dinner route is the same one used by food writer Mark Bittman (who co-hosted with Batali this great road food trip show through Spain).

The message is clear. If you really, really want to lose weight and maintain it then EAT MORE VEGETABLES and EAT LESS JUNK.

It's that simple.

Read about Mario here: http://www.dietsinreview.com/diet_column/01/how-mario-batali-is-losing-weight/

It's That Simple

A great old chestnut from Jack LaLanne:




I just love the illustration of "Miss Doer." The gal has got some curves!!!!

Way to Go Michelle!!!

I don't mean to get all political here, but frankly I've been less than pleased with the Obama presidency. The prolific spending (not that Bush and the republicans were any better), the inability to get any meaningful legislation passed, the failure to get us out of two crazy wars, and his not doing anything meaningful to repeal DODT or DOMA, have all left me less than enamored.

Not that McCain would have made me any happier, particularly since having Palin that close to the presidency would scare the bejeezus out of me (I'm sorry, but a minimum requirement for me for my leaders is that they believe in science and not mythology.)

But when I read something like this: http://www.dietsinreview.com/diet_column/01/michelle-obama-fights-childhood-obesity-with-new-initiative/ I am happy that Obama is president. It's fantastic that Michelle Obama is taking steps to address the problems with Childhood Obesity in this country. Her message is a good one, we need to keep kids away from sugary, nutrient-less process foods, and show them that good, healthy habits start at home.

Something tells me that Cindy McCain never would have promoted healthy eating for children (although Kudos to Cindy for her anti-prop 8 pic).

I can only imagine what the conservative media's reactions to Michelle's efforts will be. My God, Glenn Beck had a fit when Baltimore schools introduced vegetarian day once a week. There's no way that Beck, Limbaugh, Hannity et al would ever tolerate anything so "tree huggy." As it is, I'm sure that Limbaugh will be blasting Michelle for her efforts as he eats and smokes his way to another cardiac incident.

Easy, Peasy Dinner

On Tuesday and Thursday nights my daughter has dance class from 5 to 6:00. I don't get back in the house until 6:15. Needless to say, I don't have a lot of time to prepare dinner.

Now, I always say that fast food is fat food, and I don't go the take-out route. So, I have to plan dinners that are easy, quick, and can be prepared somewhat in advance.

Pasta with Tuna, Beans and Arugula is just such a meal. I can prepare most of it prior to leaving for dance class and when I get back all I have to do is cook the pasta. Best of all, there's only one pot to clean!

Tuna with Beans and Arugula

1 can cannelloni beans, rinsed and drained
1 can or jar Italian tuna (Bumble Bee just doesn't do the trick), rinsed and drained
1/4 cup chopped red onion
2 tablespoons extra virgin Olive Oil
Juice from 3 lemons
salt and pepper
1 12 ounce box whole wheat penne
4 ounces arugula, rinsed
1/4 cup chopped fresh Italian Parsley

Combine the beans, tuna, onion olive oil, lemon juice salt and pepper in a large bowl and stir to combine. Let marinate in the refrigerator for 1 to 3 hours. Cook and drain pasta. While pasta is cooking, place arugula in the bowl with beans and tuna and mix well. Put the drained pasta in the bowl and stir to wilt the arugula. Add the parsley and serve.

Get Up Off Your A$$

It could be deadly: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100120/ap_on_he_me/eu_med_dangers_of_sitting

According to health experts, sitting too long, even if you exercise regularly, can be bad for your health (and your waist-line).

Now, if we could only get them to install treadmills on airplanes!!!

And You Wonder Why Our Kids are Fat?

Last week I posted about our nation's disgraceful rates of obesity. Check it out here: http://losingweightafter45isabitch.blogspot.com/2010/01/obese-nation.html.

What I find particularly disturbing are the rates of obesity among children. Well, the only people to blame are adults. We live in a culture that insists that kids have to be fed around the clock, and most of what we feed them is overly processed, nutritionally devoid food which does nothing but pack on the pounds and teach them bad eating habits.

So, when I saw this article in the New York Times I naturally dropped everything and read: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/20/dining/20gusti.html?8dpc

I have to admit that I am one of those parents who has complained about "Snack Time Never Ends." What amazes me is the resistance I get from other parents and educators, and the insistence that kids have to eat constantly, even if the only way to keep them stuffing their faces is to throw junk in front of them.

When I hear people complain that their kids won't eat anything other than macaroni and cheese or hamburgers, the first thing I always say is "just don't give them macaroni and cheese and hamburgers." The response is usually "well then they won't eat anything." When I reply that they'll eventually eat if you just don't feed them, I get looks of horror.

Let's get this straight, IF YOU GIVE CONSTANTLY FEED YOUR CHILDREN JUNK, THAT'S ALL THEY'LL EAT. If you constantly give them healthy, nutritious food and make it clear that if they don't eat what's in front of them, then they just don't eat, THEY WILL EAT HEALTHY NUTRITIOUS FOOD.

Yes, they'll miss a meal or two, but they're probably better off burning off the excess fat you've managed to pack onto them feeding them crap.

Children are not stupid. They are fully aware that if they don't eat the plate of pasta primavera in front of them, you'll head to the freezer to nuke them some chicken nuggets. If they eventually get the idea that if they don't eat the pasta primavera then they're going to be hungry to the next meal, then they will eat the pasta primavera.

Back from the Mountains Again

My husband announced last week that he had four football games he had to watch over the weekend. My husband is not a sports announcer, writer or anything else connected with the sports industry.

Faced with the prospect of staring at my husband prostrate on the sofa in front of the TV all weekend, and the kids having a three day weekend, I took the only recourse I can think of.

I packed the car and headed up to New Hampshire with the kids for a long weekend of skiing. I left the husband home to enjoy his games and order in take-out to his heart's delight.

The kids and I, on the other hand, spent two days alpine skiing and one day cross country skiing in fabulous conditions. It was warm, the snow was fresh and soft, and it would have been perfect except for the long lift lines.

Exposed

Michelle from Eating Journey is guest blogging over at Jack Sh*t's blog, and she has a wonderful message. Michelle started the "Exposed Movement" which has been picking up some steam as late. The object of the exposed movement is to negate all the unreal and unrealistic media images of bodily perfection and learn to love ourselves and bodies.

The idea of the Exposed Movement is to take a picture of yourself, stripped down to your underwear, and then Photoshop everything that you love about yourself onto the photo. That's Michelle's "exposure" of herself above.

You can read about the Exposed movement and other bloggers that have exposed themselves at Michelle's blog here: http://www.blogger.com/You%20can%20read%20about%20the%20Exposed%20movement%20and%20other%20bloggers%20that%20have%20exposed%20themselves%20here:%20http://eatingjourney.com/exposed/

In the spirit of the movement, I decided to "expose" myself in my own way. Unfortunately, I don't have a picture for three reasons:

1. Even if I had a picture of me in my underwear, I'm not that
technically proficient and so I'm clueless as to how to PhotoShop it.

2. Since I'm a writer I'm more literal than visual.

3. When you live in a 19th Century Farmhouse in New England, you don't spend anytime standing around in your skivvies from November through April. I'm wearing wool long johns under my sweats as it is.

So here it goes. Things I love about my body:

1. My arms: Because I can wrap them around my kids to give them big hugs.

2. That my bra size is a 32D: Gotta love the girls! (My husband sure does).

3. My lips: They let me kiss everyone I love.

4. My Feet: They take me hiking, skiing, dancing and anywhere else I want to go.

5. My Cesarean Scar: It was worth it for what I got in return.

6. My Eyes: Because I've gotten to read a lot of great books.

7. My Back: Because I love a great massage.

8. My Hands: Because they can cook up a great meal.

9. My Big old Bubble Butt: I had an old boyfriend tell me it was like a basketball.

BTW, I promise to post a photo of me "stripped down" once it warms up (which in New England doesn't usually happen until July).

If you want to see a picture of me with "clothes on" check out: http://losingweightafter45isabitch.blogspot.com/2009/10/my-body-myself.html

Getting Old Sucks

Back in November I somehow injured my left shoulder. I don't know how I did it, there was no definitive "ouch!" moment, but it caused me a lot of pain.

Because of the pain, I had to really scale back my yoga practice and cut out many of my favorite inverted balances and anything that put pressure on my shoulder, such as full back-bends.

In the last few weeks, as the pain subsided, I've gradually added back in the postures and vinyasas I had to forgo in my practice and I thought I'd finally be able to do my full practice again sometime next week.

Then, yesterday, as I was reaching for my teakettle my RIGHT shoulder inexplicably began hurting. Again, there was no "ouch" moment, it just began to hurt and this morning I once again had to really scale back my yoga practice to accommodate the pain.

It's all very frustrating.