Erin and I went and saw Food Inc. tonight. I really thought I would have had to wait until video, because obviously there is not enough demand in Jacksonville for this kind of scatological rhetoric (as obviously referenced by the two perturbed couples in front of us that walked out 20 min. into the show)
Thanks to the San Marco Theater , Erin and I were able to enjoy some nachos and a pale ale, while watching. The movie was really well done. Really well produced. Really well executed. It did a good job of putting this entire food crisis that our nation is in, into a obtainable package, without the Michael Moore scare tactics.
The film nicely highlighted the importance of eating organic, supporting local agriculture, being your own advocate, etc etc. It was ushered by the eloquent Michael Pollan (read all his books),
and included interviews by Americas farmers, corn councils, and even the Kevin's Law mom. The one thing that I don't feel like it illustrated was just how difficult it is to live this lifestyle. It hinted at this when during one scene a gentleman commented that he drove 300 miles to get to a farm to purchase chickens that were raised in a truly all natural environment.
The fact is that, it's HARD. Especially in the smaller cities of our nation. It's usually out the way to access these healthy choices. It's expensive, and overwhelming. But it's important, even one step at a time. Here are some resources to help you out. I'm no expert on this, but I love talking about it. If you have questions or even want to argue, please write me. I'd love to chat.
10 Steps you can do now
Localharvest.org - great resource for finding local CSA's, Farmers Markets, and Co-ops
Slow food - Promotes local food choices and eating in local tradition
Your dollars are what can make a difference. If we demand change every day, with our dollars, with what we put in our stomachs, we can make a difference.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Don't spoil dinner!!
The calorie tracking is going good. I've been spot on since about July 7th.
Until this last Wednesday. I'm not going to label it food poisoning, because the food at Gumbo Ya Ya's was really good. No one else got sick, and some people even had what I ordered. I can say though, without doubt, that my body rejected the seafood gumbo. By midnight, I was orally removing it all. Not pleasant.
This took me out of schedule for about a good 48 hours. No exercise, no calorie counting. Lot's of couch laying. As of yesterday I'm feeling much better. I went to the gym and did a swim workout, which was my first in about 10 months. It was really nice - so much so I'll be incorporating that into my cross training at least once a week for now.
The point of this blog though is that since the sickness I've noticed my inability to consume my normal caloric intake. Erin reminded me that my stomach probably shrunk from the heaving, which I never put together. This new restricted intake has been interesting; I feel full very quickly and am content. It was troubling the first few meals, as I tried to get it all in, but once I realized why, it became a pleasant surprise. Sooo, all this had me thinking of what I'm sure most of us heard growing up. "Don't spoil your dinner". This was often said in the late afternoon while dinner was just starting to be prepared. It's hardwired into me now to not eat within 4 hours of dinner, at least, and then have a BIG meal. This new stomach restriction has made me realize how detrimental this harwired code has been for me and possibly the nation at large!!!
It's ok to eat every few hours. In fact it's good for you, as long as you can contain yourself with regard to portion control. So, I will spend this next week re-wiring myself to try and go with this new intake limitation. Let's see if it sticks or if I slowly ramp back up my calories. It will be hard to get my caloric needs, but I'm up for the challenge.
It's definitely worth pondering though. We will have kids soon, and when we do so, we will be responsible for setting the patterns in their life. That's a big deal. Let's hope all this new found awareness will help our next generation avoid the diet related diseases (obesity, diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, etc.).
Until this last Wednesday. I'm not going to label it food poisoning, because the food at Gumbo Ya Ya's was really good. No one else got sick, and some people even had what I ordered. I can say though, without doubt, that my body rejected the seafood gumbo. By midnight, I was orally removing it all. Not pleasant.
This took me out of schedule for about a good 48 hours. No exercise, no calorie counting. Lot's of couch laying. As of yesterday I'm feeling much better. I went to the gym and did a swim workout, which was my first in about 10 months. It was really nice - so much so I'll be incorporating that into my cross training at least once a week for now.
The point of this blog though is that since the sickness I've noticed my inability to consume my normal caloric intake. Erin reminded me that my stomach probably shrunk from the heaving, which I never put together. This new restricted intake has been interesting; I feel full very quickly and am content. It was troubling the first few meals, as I tried to get it all in, but once I realized why, it became a pleasant surprise. Sooo, all this had me thinking of what I'm sure most of us heard growing up. "Don't spoil your dinner". This was often said in the late afternoon while dinner was just starting to be prepared. It's hardwired into me now to not eat within 4 hours of dinner, at least, and then have a BIG meal. This new stomach restriction has made me realize how detrimental this harwired code has been for me and possibly the nation at large!!!
It's ok to eat every few hours. In fact it's good for you, as long as you can contain yourself with regard to portion control. So, I will spend this next week re-wiring myself to try and go with this new intake limitation. Let's see if it sticks or if I slowly ramp back up my calories. It will be hard to get my caloric needs, but I'm up for the challenge.
It's definitely worth pondering though. We will have kids soon, and when we do so, we will be responsible for setting the patterns in their life. That's a big deal. Let's hope all this new found awareness will help our next generation avoid the diet related diseases (obesity, diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, etc.).
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Oaty licious pancakes
Over the past 2 weeks I've begun tracking my calorie intake. While a friend was recently in town (Jimmy) he was helping my figure out my Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR). Mine happens to be around 2270. This means I need to put in 2,270 wholesome calories in order to break even with what my body burns doing daily activity.
If I workout that day, then I add however many calories that workout burned. That would be to stay at my current weight. To lose weight, I eat a little lest, and to gain wait....well you get the picture.
I'm using myfitnesspal.com to do all these calculations. It's pretty interesting to start learning what nutritional and caloric value is in my daily food. I have found myself drastically altering what I am normally eating in order to get in my goals. Which are the following:
Calories: 2400
Carbs: 300
Fat: 53
Protein: 180
Sugar: 53
Fiber: 40
As you can imagine, the fat and sugar are easy to get. The calories and protein however aren't.
I found a recipe this morning for oaty pancakes and here's the recipe. For a healthy pancake alternative, they were pretty darn good.
Dry Ingrdients:
2/3 Cup Old fashioned Oatmeal (not instant)
1/3 Bobs five grain rolled hot cereal
many sprinkles of cinnamon
1 tbsp Baking soda
dash of salt
Wet:
2 whole eggs
1/2 cup soy milk
Nutritional Content:
Calories: 535
Cabrs: 30
Fat: 18
Protein: 29
Sugar: 5
Fiber: 12
Makes 7 pancakes (1/4 in size each)
Yum
If I workout that day, then I add however many calories that workout burned. That would be to stay at my current weight. To lose weight, I eat a little lest, and to gain wait....well you get the picture.
I'm using myfitnesspal.com to do all these calculations. It's pretty interesting to start learning what nutritional and caloric value is in my daily food. I have found myself drastically altering what I am normally eating in order to get in my goals. Which are the following:
Calories: 2400
Carbs: 300
Fat: 53
Protein: 180
Sugar: 53
Fiber: 40
As you can imagine, the fat and sugar are easy to get. The calories and protein however aren't.
I found a recipe this morning for oaty pancakes and here's the recipe. For a healthy pancake alternative, they were pretty darn good.
Dry Ingrdients:
2/3 Cup Old fashioned Oatmeal (not instant)
1/3 Bobs five grain rolled hot cereal
many sprinkles of cinnamon
1 tbsp Baking soda
dash of salt
Wet:
2 whole eggs
1/2 cup soy milk
Nutritional Content:
Calories: 535
Cabrs: 30
Fat: 18
Protein: 29
Sugar: 5
Fiber: 12
Makes 7 pancakes (1/4 in size each)
Yum
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