What a Healthy Diet Looks Like with Dr. Oz

What a healthy diet should look like: Inside and outside of the body!

Arbor Day the Fight for Clean Air.

We all know that plants are important in cleaning our air. I am not going to harp on that. This is just a friendly reminder that Arbor day is just around the corner(April 30th). How long has it been since you have been involved in planting a tree for Arbor day? I personally sat down and thought about that and realized it had been since I lived in Minnesota. And considering I had moved from there when I was 7 years old that is not something to be proud of. Sure there have been times through out the year where I have helped plant a tree because someone needed help with their landscaping. But this year I decided it was time for me to start being a little more proactive in improving the air around me. So this is the year I get involved and I wanted to invite you to join in the fun. I have my sights set on the Loquat(as seen in the picture) to plant this year.  What tree do you have your sights on?

If you need some ideas or if you are in need of an inexpensive tree check out the Arbor Day Foundation or if you want to take part in the holiday but do not have time or a place to plant a tree check out The Institute for Environmental Innovation they are a non profit organization that plants trees in India, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda to help farmers and the environment.  A dollar plants a tree!

Have a great Arbor Day (April 30th)

Jamie Oliver shows kids what's in a chicken nugget

Dr. Oz. Plaque in Your Teeth & Heart

Check Out Dr Oz as he talks about the Impact and relationship between the plaque on your teeth and the plaque in your heart. If you click on the picture it will take you to the video. =)

Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution

A new program called Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution has just started airing.  He is a British Chef who has taken on the task to start a food Revolution.  He starts with the statistically most unhealthy city in the US: Huntington West Virginia.  So far there have only been two episodes released and I have to give ABC a pat on the back for taking on a show that focuses in on changing the Standard American Diet (SAD).  A number of shows currently focus in on weight loss but this is the first show that really is putting kids eating habits at the forefront.

To me personally there were a few things that really stood out: the visuals that they use to break through to get peoples attention.  In episode one Jamie cooks up a families entire week worth of food so they can see just how much junk they are consuming in a week.  Then in episode two he shows a group of school kids with their parents what their meals look like grand scale, bringing in a dump truck to drop off how much fat they are consuming.  Its scary!

Just like any reality show there is drama in conflict of personalities.  But at the end of the day you really just want to see Jamie succeed as he hits set back after set back.

Rubber meets the road: at the end of the day it leaves me wondering how much change will he really get made and will it be change that sticks after cameras are done rolling?  If a year from now they are back right where they started how much good has it really done.  All we can do is wait, watch and hope for the best.  Jamie I am rooting for ya!

4 Ways to Motivate Yourself to Eat Fresh!

While there is lots of talk and arguments about what is the best way to eat there is one thing that most seem to agree on: processed food should not be in our diets.  I say most because those that produce processed foods try to convince everyone they are a necessity and spend millions..billions on convincing consumers everyday.  A diet with out processed foods sounds amazing but sometimes it is hard getting that motivation to start cooking fresh.  So here are a 4 things you can do to help you achieve that extra motivation.

1.  Spring is here, its time to get some fresh herbs growing.  You can start with seeds or pick up a few plants of your favorite herbs to get you started.  When you have fresh herbs to cook with its an incentive to get creative in the kitchen.

2. Pick up a new cook book.  Even if you just go through looking at the pictures for inspiration, it is bound to inspire some new cooking ideas.

3. Clear the processed foods out of the house.  A great way to do this is donate those boxes and cans to local food pantries or food drives.  Due to their nature and need to be able to store food.. processed foods are usually all that they accept.

4. Pick up a new vegetable and experiment.  I have yet to meet a person who eats too many vegetables.  Its just not possible.  They are packed with nutrients and low in calories.  But so often we get into the same rut with our veggies.  If you have a local farmers market to explore or even your local grocery store may surprise you.  Pick up a new veggie and experiment with different ways to cook it.  Google is a great place to start your cooking adventure!

photo credit: amiefedora

Is your Chicken just Chicken???

Typically when we go and purchase chicken we do not think to look at the ingredients.  It is supposed to be just that chicken.  However, industry common practice is to plump the chicken.  What this ends up being is chicken injected with either salt water, chicken stalk, seaweed extract or a combination.   What this equates to is to a higher sodium content.  Chicken should have about 75 mg sodium per 4-ounce serving while a plumped chicken may list up to 440 mg sodium for the same serving size.  So next time you buy chicken I would encourage you to read the ingredients.  High sodium intake increases your risk for: heart disease, hemorrhagic stroke, kidney disease, osteoporosis, and stomach cancer.  Oh and one last thing, just because the package says "Organic" or "100 % Natural" does not mean that plumping is not involved.  photo credit: law_keven