Know Your Real Age

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Finally I had some free time and was able to watch a little show (maybe some of you have heard of it) Biggest Loser. haha I haven't had the chance to watch the episodes for about the last two seasons I think because we are always busy with getting outside instead of staying indoors watching the tele. Today I picked an episode, I think it was the second one, which involved a "real age" calculator. I was freaked because of course I have lead a pudgier lifestyle and wasn't sure what my age was going to calculate into because of some of my bad habits.

Simply go to this site plabox.info/real-age/ and answer some very simple questions. I wasn't sure about my blood pressure and cholesterol however I believe they are average so my age could have been up or down a little but not really sure about that one. I found out that my average age (enter drum roll) is

2.7 years old! Seriously? haha I had to laugh!
Average Life expectancy is 74 years old
Mine is: 100.4 years old. (I think this is a little low but I will go for being over 100 years old!) Yay!

Go check yours and let's compare our ages. Anyone joining me in pre-school?

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

STARLIGHT615 5/6/2010 9:37AM

Geeze I really don't know if I want to be 13.2 again!! but I will live till I am 91.8 only 22,200 more days to live!!! Awesome! Life everyday likes its your last! Report Inappropriate Comment

ACTIVEALLISON 4/29/2010 12:23PM

Mine was 1.2! My life expectancy was 94.8. I'll take it! Report Inappropriate Comment

2BIT2BFAT 4/29/2010 11:43AM

So fun!! I went back to being a teenager! 15 baby!! That was great! Thank you!! Report Inappropriate Comment

GRANDMAAMIE 4/29/2010 11:32AM

MINE WAS LIVE TILL 74 Report Inappropriate Comment

BEC_232 4/29/2010 11:10AM

Interesting website....I'm 8.4 years old and going to live until 94 years old. I need to drive a lot for my job otherwise I'd be a even younger. That's a pretty cool website. Thanks for sharing. Report Inappropriate Comment

BETHIE-22 4/29/2010 11:01AM

I was 27 years old with a life expectancy of 80. Im really 33 and plan to live till my 100th birthday! Thanks for sharing! Report Inappropriate Comment

SUGIRL06 4/29/2010 10:48AM

2.7?! LoL! Mine was like 18 when I did it. I don't know my cholesterol levels and some other stuff so they add years (?) for that. And I hope you really do live to be 100! Still exercising and eating healthy! ~Ang Report Inappropriate Comment

Vanilla Cinnamon Coffee Protein Shake!

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Yesterday I had a few extra minutes so I was watching youtube.com videos. I found this one that is really amazing! It's for a protein shake that is less than 200 calories! So, excitedly I made it last night after a weight lifting workout and found it was around 180 calories! Amazing! I made it with some extra ice because I was dying for a coffee "slushy" but still a good taste. We used rice milk instead of cow's milk but still turned out. Note though: we used unsweetened original organic rice milk - means not flavored - less sweet. I think it would be nice with a flavored rice/soy milk to make the flavor pop out more. Tasted yummy but could have gone with a little more richness... I'm making again today!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBYtw6lIIHY

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

SUGIRL06 4/28/2010 11:57AM

No youtube here :( Hopefully I will remember later! ~Ang Report Inappropriate Comment

KASAMU 4/28/2010 10:29AM

I like her blender. I'll see where I can find one. Report Inappropriate Comment

GRANDMAAMIE 4/28/2010 10:01AM

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HAPPYNSMILING 4/28/2010 9:58AM

Oooh...that sounds good. I love coffee!! I think I will have to try this sometime. Thanks for sharing!! Report Inappropriate Comment

WAHMINSC 4/28/2010 9:49AM

Sounds good! Report Inappropriate Comment

CHFRANK77 4/28/2010 9:42AM

That sounds yummy! Report Inappropriate Comment

Dietgirl Reviewed

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

picture taken from www.amazon.com/Amazing-Adventures-Di
etgirl-Shauna-Reid/dp/0061657700/ref=s
r_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1272398653&sr=1-1

Lately I have been swamped with things to-do, hence you have not seen me around lately. Crazy how things can pile up when you aren't looking and then bam! it's there with a vengeance! Our townhouse lease is up and since we sold our house (finally!!! we moved to a different state about 2 years ago in June!), we are searching for a better place to live. We aren't in the market to purchase just yet - after trying to sell a house in a terrible market, we have had our fair share of owning for now. In addition, we aren't sure if we want to stay in America as I am currently working on my husband to move back to Japan or Australia. So, we are searching... searching... searching... we have one dog and one cat, so it's hard to find a place that will take both animals while still not taking advantage of us for being animal lovers and adopting two animals.

Anyways, we had just looked at another townhouse and stopped in by a local vegan coffee house/cafe. It was the first time we had been there and boy were we thrilled with the results. Not only was it a comfortable place to relax and drink some iced coffee but they also had some yummy healthy treats! We splurged a little and went for a "everything vegan cookie" but eyed the chickpea burgers, black bean burgers, lentil salads and so on available made each day. It's good to know that there is a place such as this one hidden beyond Fast Food Lane.

After our coffee run, my husband wanted to go to the local library. It's a small one (let's face it, the libraries in the Cleveland area are so small my elementary school in Michigan had a larger one) but we are thankful for the free loans of books if they have any available. I was able to find Vegan with a Vengeance (which I was going to purchase but this way I can test it out first), Omega 3 Cookbook, and Peta Vegan College Cookbook. Thrilled that these were finally in I checked them all out! Usually vegan cookbooks around here have around a 400 person waiting line so I usually end up purchasing them online instead of waiting - I still have a problem with patience... haha

Finally I found a book (as I was searching for my husband) called Dietgirl. Apparently her story was popular a few years ago however I had not heard of her since I usually do not watch television. She lost about 2 adult people in weight and the book is about her story. It is also a love story of how she met and married her husband. I found the book very entertaining and a very easy read. There were many things that I found interesting that I would love to share with everyone but this blog is getting a little long. So, maybe I will make this into a two part series. One of the best things that I found out about her story is that we are not that much different. We both let our bodies call to order what we are going to do in our lives. For instance, she has a story in the book that when she was heavier, she used to say "I can't do that because I'm too heavy!" I find this very interesting because I do the same thing even though I have lost a good portion of my weight. She even used this excuse for not making tea! I have to admit, I'm not that lazy however I do have my terrible moments.

Anyone else use this excuse? Or maybe feel this way at times? I think that we should all make a list of things that we are afraid to do because we think our weight stands in the way of doing things that we have always wanted to do. Okay, so maybe doing everything possible right now isn't available such as fitting into a size zero but we can at least start with our toes! Let's get out there and do it!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

PAPRINIKA 4/27/2010 9:15PM

I'll see if my library gets that book! Thanks for the review! Report Inappropriate Comment

CFMOSS 4/27/2010 8:55PM

Sounds like some good wanderings and adventures for taste buds and mind. Enjoy the books and report back:) Report Inappropriate Comment

SUGIRL06 4/27/2010 7:02PM

I used the "I'm out of shape" excuse.. Which at times was valid (attempting to go jogging with my husband was interesting to say the least). But I could have gotten off my butt and gotten in shape (which I eventually did obviously!). Haha. Thanks for the book recommendation! ~Ang Report Inappropriate Comment

Are Low-Fat Options Worth it?

Friday, April 23, 2010

(Thanks www.cagle.com/news/FatLowFat/2.asp for the cartoon)

Still more than one week after reading "The China Study: Startling Implications for Diet, Weight Loss, and Long-Term Health by Thomas Colin Campbell, PhD and Thomas M. Campbell I am mulling over different options in the grocery stores today. Ever where I look there are comments about going "low-fat" and "low-calorie" to reduce pounds around our trouble bellies, but are highly processed products really going to assist in slimming us down? I found the whole chapter terribly interesting and have to shake my head when I read that people are purchasing these "healthy" options instead of going for more natural products. Seriously one pound of low-fat cheese is more processed, high in other categories usually such as sodium and are usually more expensive. I still think moderation is the key while sticking to more natural ingredients. More processing to a product means your body has to process the item more and can result in more healthy problems in the future. But anyways, I just thought I would share a small portion of the chapter with everyone that is thinking about purchasing these items instead of helping out local farmers by purchasing the real deal.

Page 276: Scientific Reductionism
Chart 14:4 Low-Fat and High-Fat American Dinners (One Person's Dinner)

Low Fat Meal #1:
Dinner: 8oz roasted turkey, low-fat gravy, golden roasted potatoes, 1 cup skim milk, nonfat yogurt and reduced-fat cheesecake

High-Fat Meal #2:
4.5oz pan-seared steak, green beans almondine, herb-seasoned potato pockets, water, and apple crisp

Which one sounds healthier to the body of someone trying to lose weight or staying healthy to you?

Chart 14.5 Nutrient Contents of the Two Meals
Low fat Meal #1:
Fat 22%, Protein 36% (from total calories), cholesterol 307

High-fat Meal #2:
Fat 54%, Protein 16% (from total calories), cholesterol 165

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

LITTLEFIREFLY 4/29/2010 5:45PM

I think it is always better to lean towards natural foods. If it couldn't come from the local farm or be made ONLY from ingredients from the local farm it probably isn't a good choice. If only I could remember this all of the time when I eat! Good post Report Inappropriate Comment

BREW99 4/24/2010 8:48PM

haha We are so well educated! It's all moderation. ^_^ Yay! Eat what you want just balance everything out in a healthy portion. Crazy that some people go for the latest "high fat, low-fat" diet fluctuations... Seriously, I don't have the time to keep up with all the newest fads - how do some of the people keep track of it all? haha Good for them but I'll stick to what the scientists have come out with (those that weren't paid to do the research by a specific company benefiting from the research that is...) Report Inappropriate Comment

LIFEHASCHANGES 4/23/2010 5:20PM

I have been avoiding certain things that arent naturally fat free (sometimes they proclaim fat free like its a big deal but the food is naturally fat free). I agree that fattier foods make me feel fuller, but I do like to eat cheese often, so the lower fat ones are what I go for. Some cheeses are naturally lower in fat- like my goat cheese I end up getting a deal on is usually 80 calories per 2 oz naturally, compared to cows milk which tend to be closer to 110 calories per 2 oz serving in its full fat form. But stuff with fat just tastes better, too. I found that I have trouble getting the fat I need for hormone production if I buy too much fat free or reducerd fat stuff, and then I have to add extra fats, like almonds, which make me end up havnig more claories thn I would have if I would have just eaten something full fat! Moderation, yep... But, when I cant use it in moderation all the time (like ice cream) I like to at least get the no sugar added. They will have less calories- but still (like my butter pecan in the fridge) contain fat. Its SOOO good that way- 5 grams of fat in a half cup serving really hits the spot, but take out the sugar and it wont ruin your day at only 120 calories! Okay I am hungry so I am rambling! SOrry! Thanks for the article! Gotta go eat :) Report Inappropriate Comment

PAPRINIKA 4/23/2010 12:13PM

Moderation~ Moderation~ Moderation~ Report Inappropriate Comment

SUGIRL06 4/23/2010 10:26AM

I know that when I eat the regular stuff, I feel fuller longer, leading to less eating, thereby leading to lower calories! Haha. I would rather take the food in its original form! And I figure I'm never going to get all my nutrients in the "right" percentages/numbers (and who decided they were right? is it based off of good information?) so I'm just going to eat what I want. Try to have a mix of everything every day (protein, carbs, fat) and it will all even out in the end! ~Ang Report Inappropriate Comment

ELISEL 4/23/2010 10:12AM

The problem is that people don't look at the whole picture. They see low fat or high fiber on the label and assume it's good for you. I always look at everything...the calories, the fat, the fiber, etc. Calories are the most important but I also know that 100 calories of something that's high in fiber will keep me full for longer than 100 calories of something that has no fiber. In the end I think if you have a well balance diet and limit the processed food you'll be fine. I still eat junk, but very little of it. Report Inappropriate Comment

Friday April 23, 2010 Food Blog

Friday, April 23, 2010

TGIF!!! This week has been extremely long for me - not really sure why that is though. In reality, I have not been that busy but do you ever have one of those weeks where you have less to do but it just takes a super long time to do everything. Well, that is my week... Even complaining though.

Here's the food blog for today:
Breakfast: This morning I was actually really good and got out of rut a little and make Tofu Breakfast Sandwiches. (recipe from Vegweb) It was a mock recipe for New York Deli style breakfast sandwiches. Basically it is a Dijon Marinated Tofu (overnight) on a homemade whole wheat english muffin with soy cheese and a vegan "sausage" patty. The hubster loves the mock sausage so I put it on his however I'm not a fan so I tend to push it to the side. The sandwich took longer than I expected so I didn't have the time to take a photo. The tofu was tasty however the English Muffin didn't work out because the tofu squeezed right out. We ended up eating the sandwiches with a fork and knife - so posh at 6AM! haha

Lunch: Leftovers again... Lima Bean "salad" and Moroccan Couscous salad. I also had a delightful Red Pear - my first ever in my life. Basically it is a naturally pigmentation "error" pear that is sold for more per pear- tasty the same as a green pear but a little less sweet. Good nonetheless...



Dinner: We still had a lot of "salads" leftovers so I took those out and warmed up a little... then I made some Thai Rice Wraps called Chili Garlic Tempeh Spring Rolls from a blog called Vegan Dad. We absolutely loved the dipping sauce! I'm not thrilled with the ingredients since we used more sugar than I normally prefer but it was a good treat to go along with the healthier options on the table. Since I make most recipes before we exercise, these were in a plastic container and not on a nice platter. The dipping sauce wasn't shown but it was similar to sweet and sour sauce from the Chinese restaurants. I used Siracha though so it was really spicy - the hubster couldn't take the heat.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

CUPCAKE_PIRATE 5/19/2010 10:24AM

I really need to learn some basic recipes .. this all looks and sounds great! Report Inappropriate Comment

PAPRINIKA 4/23/2010 12:15PM

Reminds me of the tofu burger served at the restaurant I used to work in. X) Report Inappropriate Comment

PRETTYBLKGYRL 4/23/2010 10:01AM

*lol* I love posh 6am eating - especially if it involves linen napkins & pinkies in the air. :op The breakfast sandwiches sound DELISH - I need to check out that Vegweb site. I have some tofu in the freezer that I was planning on marinating & grilling but I never got around to it. Maybe I'll get some recipe inspirations from that site. Thanks for sharing.... :o) Report Inappropriate Comment