Category — Healthy Living

The “Volumetrics” eating plan – have you heard of it? The premise has been around for a while and there’s a new book out by its creator, Barbara Rolls, but it’s not new news to most of us who’re long-time watchers of our weight. The basic premise is that people like to eat, and given a choice, they’d rather eat more than less. But filling up on high-calorie (or, “calorie-dense”) foods can cause weight gain, so what the Volumetrics approach does is have you fill up on low-density foods, so you can eat more, feel satisfied, and keep your weight in check.

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Hey Sweeties: This is a reprint of an article I wrote for Macheesmo a while back. No less relevant today. Take a peek.

I’m certain you’ve seen them – advertisements for products containing probiotics that promise you great health. But do you really need to buy pre-fab supplements and products to get those health benefits? It turns out that if you eat cultured and fermented foods, you can healthy-up your gut… no pricey supplements necessary.

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I often find that March is when I can get more serious about taking off the few winter pounds I’ve taken on, and that I’m more incentivized to take my workout to a new level now too . . . spring is in the air, even if Mother Nature is a fickle old bird. The holidays are over, Girl Scout cookies are gone, and we’ve gotten our winter vacation out of the way. I have a 3-4 month span of nicer weather with few holidays and temptations to help me get where I want to be for summertime.

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Hi Sweeties! Coming up for air here to check in with you and to share my cooking exploits of this morning. Feeling very domestic. One of the “benefits” of impending surgery and subsequent rehab is you have the ultimate incentive to get ducks in a row. So I’ve been madly filing, tidying, organizing, prepping . . . and as of this a.m., that extends to food.

Now don’t get me wrong, I don’t intend to (and really can’t) put up all the meals we’ll need for almost 8 weeks post-surgery (for that, I’m relying on the kindness of friends and family), but I can do little things – things with more of an eye toward when I’m cleared for activity and can cook again. Because then it’ll be late-fall and I will be mourning the end of the summer bounty from my CSA.

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In yesterday’s post, I told you about the SSI/BCF study re BPA in food, and about the 60% decrease in the body burden the families realized when they stopped using canned goods. It caught your attention, right? You’re concerned, no? [Read more →]

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Most of you know I’m all about eating fresh foods, limiting your chemical exposures, yada yada yada. You know I don’t use canned goods anymore at home.  Well, listen to this one. The good people at the Silent Spring Institute, along with the Breast Cancer Fund, last week released a small study that showed that food packaging is the major source of exposure to BPA and DEHP in children and adults, and that a fresh food diet reduces levels of these chemicals by half, after just three days. Yowza. [Read more →]

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I’ve been gone from here for a while . . . and some of you have taken notice. “What’s up with you?” come the emails, the questions at school, the texts and phone calls.

It’s all been good, friends. There’s no crisis, no health emergency. My mammo was clear, my cholesterol rocks.

No, it’s this: I’ve been taking some time away to evaluate the blog, my involvement with the blog and what I want to do (or not do) with the blog. I’ve also been committed to my Move Into March challenge and to healthy eating, and I’ve lost the 7 lbs. I gained thanks to my arthritis and my vacation. I have been able, for the first time in 2 years, to exercise standing up. I feel great, I’m enjoying myself. I’ve been reading lots, and prepping very simple, very healthful food.

“So what about RECIPES???” “The well is dry!!!” come other emails . . . I love love love that you all depend on the recipes – that this blog serves you so well! I may try posting once a week or so – try to strike a happy medium for us all, but truthfully, I’m really quite preoccupied with thinking up ways to better integrate my passion for healthy living, my love of food and cooking and face-to-face, real-life connections with people like you.

As Tama Kieves says, “If you feel lost, you’re on your way to the miraculous.” I’ll admit it – I have no idea what’s going on yet.  But hang with me, will you? What’s yet to come might be even better than we all could have imagined!

Image: Simon Howden / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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We just came home from an all-inclusive beach resort and although we had a great time, I’m overstuffed.

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