We've got a new network member! I'm posting Christine's information here as she sent it to me. What she DIDN'T mention, is that she is a NASCAR fan, and that she's actually written about how to eat healthfully at a NASCAR event. I love that down to earth approach, that life, no matter how you define it, can incorporate healthy choices. I'm looking forward to Christine's insights!
Christine E. Marquette has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Dietetics with a major in Nutrition from the University of Texas. She is licensed by the State of Texas (LD) and is also a registered dietitian (RD — national certification) through the Commission on Dietetic Registration. In addition, she has an advanced certification in Food Sensitivities as a Certified LEAP Therapist (CLT) and has been trained in using intrinsic coaching® methodology. She has also completed more than 20 hours of course work in the diagnosis and management of Polycystic Ovary Syndrom (PCOS), and more than 10 hours in the diagnosis and management of Celiac.
Christine is an avid runner, having completed 6 marathons and dozens of 5Ks, 10Ks, half marathons, and other distance races; and has been an assistant coach with Austin Fit marathon training program for more than two years. She is also a sprint distance triathlete.
Her first few years working as a “new dietitian,” Christine consulted in nursing homes and assisted living facilities, as well as provided medical nutrition therapy for a variety of conditions to low income patients in an outpatient clinic setting. Christine also spent a few years working at the Capital Area Food Bank, where she developed and helped launch their nutrition education program. Christine has since spent the majority of her career in nutrition providing medical nutrition therapy to clients one on one and in group classes for both the City of Austin’s community health care centers and the Austin Regional Clinic and has recently opened up her own private practice in South Austin.
We're accumulating quite a team of exercise experts here, and I wanted to be sure you knew who you could go to for help with your own fitness program. It was when working on my master's degree in exercise physiology that I developed my own interest in hormones, so it's always been important to me to have great go-to people in this area for our fans.
Here they are!
Stacey Frattinger is a registered dietitian with two bachelor's degrees, one in psychology, the other in clinical dietetics. She is also a Certified Health Fitness Specialist. Stacey also lives with PCOS, and understands the struggles associated with nutrition and physical fitness that the diagnosis brings. If you are interested in working with Stacey (she is located in Reno, Nevada), visit her website for more information on the services offered.
Sally Hara, of Kirkland, Washington, is a registered dietitian, exercise physiologist, and certified diabetes educator. She is a contributing author to the American Dietetic Association’s 4th edition Sports Nutrition; A Guide for the Professionals Working with Active People, the official Sports Dietitian and Diabetes Educator to the type 1 diabetic athletes of the Sports and Diabetes Group NW, and the official nutrition coach for AdventX, an outdoor adventure fitness training company in Seattle. She will soon be doing a training webinar for inCYST on the topic of Sports Nutrition for PCOS. Personally, Sally enjoys endurance bicycling and has completed the Seattle to Portland bike ride 4 times (and counting) as well as several century rides. I opted for an action shot because as I write this, Sally is on a training ride, wth her local Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), in the pouring rain, for the upcoming Tour de Tucson. Here is her website for more information about how to contact her.
Sarah Jones started out as inCYST's very first intern, has completed the inCYST training, and is our network's very first registered yoga teacher. She has been teaching the yoga component of our current workshop series at Metta Yoga. Sarah is currently completing her nutrition studies at Arizona State University. If you'd like to practice yoga with Sarah, please visit Meta Yoga's website for her current schedule. Sarah is helping me put together a special inCYST training for registered yoga instructors. Stay tuned!
Christine Marquette has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Dietetics with a major in Nutrition from the University of Texas and is also a registered dietitian and certified Health Fitness Specialist (HFS). Christine walks the walk (or should I say runs the run)! She is a practicing vegan and an avid runner, having completed over 6 marathons and dozens of 5Ks, 10Ks, half marathons, and other distance races; and is an assistant coach with Austin Fit marathon training program. She is also a sprint distance triathlete. Christine's practice is in Austin, Texas.
Me (Monika Woolsey) I have degrees in both nutrition and exercise physiology. I managed the exercise testing laboratory my final year of graduate school, and I've worked in fitness centers at Apple Computer and Stanford University. I've also consulted with Olympic and professional athetes. My interest in hormones got started when I researched menstrual cycle abnormalities in elite female figure skaters; that study was the foundation for my work with PCOS. I am an eclectic athlete, not necessarily competetive in any one sport, but I love to move! That wasn't always so, as I struggled with weight as a child and it wasn't until college that I realized I had athletic ability. My photo montage shows me on top of a 14,000 foot peak n Colorado, cross country skiing, finishing a half marathon training run, and getting my butt kicked by Craig in his bootcamp fundraiser. Looking forward to taking tennis lessons very soon! I practice in Phoenix, AZ and Santa Monica, CA, and can be contacted at monika at afterthediet dot com for consultations.
As you can see, our team has a breadth and depth of knowledge and experience with all kinds of exercise. Please take advantage!
Acupuncture is increasingly being valued for its potential in treating PCOS and infertility. Karen Siegel, one of our network members in Houston, Texas, is a licensed acupuncturist in addition to being a registered dietitian. She treats PCOS, eating disorders, and other PCOS-related issues in a most unique fashion, given her combined Eastern and Western training.
Here is a video of a demo she did on a radio talk show host in Houston which shows how acupuncture is done.
One of the most frequent questions I get, when I recommend acupuncture, is whether or not the needles hurt. You can see in Karen's demo that the radio host continues on with his work even though he's in the middle of a treatment.
Karen's comment about Western medicine and stress is important. It's the one part of PCOS that medication and surgery has a hard time addressing.
Perhaps acupuncture is a tool that can enhance your own treatment progress.
If you'd like to work with Karen, she can be found at the Acupuncture and Nutrition Clinic in Houston, Texas.
I live two blocks from Fresh and Easy and I love to take my lunch breaks over there to see what is happening at the sample counter and new on the shelves.
Yesterday I checked out their new line of simmer sauces, which are simply ready made sauces that can be used as the basis for a quick and easy meal.
I encourage clients to maintain an inventory of"emergency" ingredients for 2 or 3 easy meals to make in a pinch. Simmer sauces would be perfect for this. They're a bit high in sodium to use on a daily basis, but once in awhile, they're so much better than a pizza or fast food run.
Of the 11 varieties that I found in my particular store, 5 were made with anti-inflammatory fats. I played a little game of"Stump the Demo Guy" with my friend Steven, asking him what he might make if he had these in his own kitchen. Here is what he came up with.
Cacciatore: poured in with sauteed mushrooms and eggplant and served over quinoa.
Provencal: used with tilapia, served with green beans and olive oil-brushed, rosemary-sprinkled sweet potato fries.
Burgundy wine: as a cooking sauce for a lean cut of beef, such as flank steak
Chile verde: a healthy rice bowl with pre-cooked brown rice, canned black beans, chopped tomatoes, topped with the simmer sauce.
Texas chili: along with browned ground turkey and a can of kidney beans, poured over zero-carb shirataki noodles with a bit of shredded low-fat cheese for a Cincinnati specialty (more commonly known as five-way chili).
Yesterday I wrote about Vegemite, an Australian yeast-based food with a whole lot of nutritional power.
Can't wrap your brain around that? Consider nutritional yeast, a cousin to this food that is more readily available and equally as nutritious.
This type of yeast is cultured with sugars for about a week, then packaged to sell.
What may interest many of you: it's gluten-free, dairy-free, and sugar-free. Long-time vegans will tell you it also contains that vitamin so elusive to vegans, vitamin B12. Be careful, however, the only reason it appears in nutritional yeast is because it is fortified and not all brands include it. Read your label!
Interestingly, nutritional yeast also contains chromium, something that is thought to be deficient in PCOS and again, is not easy to find in food.
Nutritional yeast is also a complete protein. One ounce has 14 grams, 80 calories, and just 1 gram of fat.
It tastes a little bit like parmesan cheese; I've enjoyed it on popcorn and I can see it being used in a lot of ways where parmesan is traditionally used.
I found a great nutritional yeast product at Natural Products West that is perfect for you vegans who miss your cheese! It's called Queso, by Food for Lovers, and it's just like nacho cheese, only made with nutritional yeast. Two tablespoons contains 20 calories and 2 grams of protein. A great improvement on the old nacho stuff!
Heads up, however, this product DOES contain wheat so it is not gluten-free.
Food for Lovers is based in Texas, and can be found in quite a few stores there, as well as a few locations in other parts of the country. Here's an ordering link where you will soon be able to get it. Amazon has set up a signup so you can be notified when the product is ready to order.
If you look to the right, you'll see an ad for Green Mountain at Fox Run, our sponsor on this blog. I wanted you all to get to know them, since they're not your typical weight spa and they're not your typical program. So I sent them a few questions. Here's what they shared. And if you want to learn more, just click their ad to get to their website.
The photo I chose is of Ludlow, Vermont, where Green Mountain at Fox Run is located. No matter what time of year you choose to go, it is breathtaking, a perfect place to step out of life for a bit and recharge your PCOS battery.
1. How did GMFR develop its interest in PCOS?
It's a pretty common problem for the women for come to Green Mountain. Although many of them aren't diagnosed with the problem before they come to us, we recognize the signs/symptoms and are able to help them explore whether they do indeed have PCOS. Our awareness of PCOS has allowed us to help our participants much more effectively as a result. We also feel it is very important to educate women on this subject so they can be proactive in discussing signs/symptoms with their healthcare providers.
2. Do you have a specific program for PCOS? If not…how do the programs you have help with PCOS?
We do offer a workshop on the topic and also offer individual consultations for any of our participants who either have been diagnosed with PCOS or are questioning whether they have it. Our whole program, however, is designed to combat insulin resistance, from the physical activity classes to what we serve in the dining room. This, of course, while also presenting a livable approach to healthy living that feels great, makes a real difference in our health and helps us feel better about ourselves and our bodies.
3. Can you share a success story of someone with PCOS who visited GMFR?
Before going to Green Mountain, I had a lot health concerns associated with having PCOS. I felt like there was nothing in my power to change my situation. I’d had no success losing weight and felt tired and drained all the time. I hadn’t had a regular cycle in over 6 months and had serious concerns about fertility in the future. While at Green Mountain, I learned how to not hate my body for “failing” me. I learned how to motivate myself and how to make my body work for me, not against me. With Green Mountain’s help, I have taken control of my PCOS and become proactive in my quest for healthy living. M.L., Texas
4. What's for dinner tonight?: )
Panko-Encrusted Fillet of Cod with Basil Aioli Red Onion & Herb Quinoa Gingered Carrots Strawberry-Maple Parfait
If you'd like some help keeping those resolutions, and making 2010 a year of positive change, check out some of the counseling opportunities available from some of our inCYSTers!
Ann Arbor, Michigan Terrie Holewinski (University of Michigan Medical Center) will be offering a"Gaining Control of PCOS" workshop on January 18th and 25th, as well as February 15th and 22nd, March 23rd and 30th, April 19th and 26th. The cost is $138 dollars for two 1 1/2 hour group sessions and a 1/2 hour individual dietitian consultation.
For more information women call 734-998-5679 Austin, Texas Christine Marquette has two offers: (1) Through the end of January she is offering a 10% discount for all"new" clients on any of her services (packages and individual appointments), (2) she is offering Inherent Technology's DNA kit for weight management for $110 while supplies last. You can read more about the kit at http://www.inherenthealth.com/our-tests/weight-management.aspx
West Los Angeles, California Gretchen Kubacky, Psy D (psychology) is offering a free in-person half hour consultation with prospective clients to determine if we're a good fit.
Phoenix, Arizona Monika Woolsey (me) is offering a 10% discount on any consultation scheduled before the end of the month.
This post comes from Karen Siegel in Houston, Texas. In addition to being a Registered Dietitian, she is also a Licensed Acupuncturist.
Acupuncture in Pregnancy & Childbirth
Pregnancy is an amazing time in a woman's life. Many women report feeling healthier than they have ever felt before; however, the physical growth of the baby and changes in hormone levels can bring about pain, discomfort and a variety of health problems.
Acupuncture and Oriental medicine can provide a safe, effective alternative for many of the health complications that may arise before, during and after pregnancy. A growing number of women are choosing acupuncture to use throughout their pregnancy and as an optional treatment for an overdue or difficult labor.
Planning for a Healthy Baby
Healthy parents produce healthy babies. With acupuncture and Oriental medicine, parents can improve their health to create the most optimal environment for their unborn child. In addition to their ability to strengthen, support, and balance overall health and well-being, acupuncture and Oriental medicine are an effective treatment for regulating menstruation and hormone levels, reducing stress and addressing any pre-existing medical conditions or concerns that a woman may have.
Acupuncture during Pregnancy
Acupuncture and Oriental medicine can play a vital role in the comfort of a pregnant woman. There is strong evidence to support that acupuncture is highly effective at treating some of the most common problems experienced during pregnancy including morning sickness, heartburn, insomnia, water retention and sciatica.
Here is a list of some of the problems that an acupuncturist often treats during pregnancy:
* Nausea and Vomiting * Heartburn * Constipation * Hemorrhoids * Edema and Swelling * Urinary Tract Infection * Pelvic Pain * Neck and Back Pain * Sciatica * Carpal Tunnel Syndrome * Leg Cramps * Fatigue and Exhaustion * Insomnia * Anxiety and Depression
Acupuncture for Childbirth
While there are acupuncture points that can provide natural pain relief during labor, acupuncture is more commonly used to induce labor. There are several points that stimulate contractions and influence cervical ripening. There is also an acupuncture point that has been found to turn a breech baby.
Acupuncture Postpartum
Many women feel depleted after the birth experience. Acupuncture and Oriental medicine can help the transition of those first few months after birth to ensure a quick recovery. Postpartum care focuses on the physical, emotional and psychological recovery of the mother from the effects of pregnancy and labor, as well as encouraging breast feeding.
Here are some of the postpartum disorders that can be treated with acupuncture:
* Fatigue * Postpartum Depression * Mastitis * Insufficient or Excessive Lactation * Post Operative Healing * Night Sweats
If you would like to know more how acupuncture and Oriental medicine ease discomfort and facilitate pregnancy, please call for more information.
If you're a beef eater, it is to your benefit to look for grass-fed beef. When cows graze on what they would eat if not domesticated, instead of on the foods that are pro-inflammatory to any animal, the resulting flesh is higher in omega-3 fatty acids.
I recently learned about a Uruguayan/Argentinian brand of beef, Estancia, that is grass-fed on native grass (no rainforest destroyed for these ranches), that is available in the Western United States. It's primarily sold in California, but because Arizona sits between California and the Texas ports where this beef is unloaded from the boats, and the trucks stop off here on the way to their destination, we can get it in our Fry's Signature Stores as well.
Here is the information on nutrition and health from the Estancia website. If you do not happen to have this particular brand in your local area, be sure to ask your butcher what brand they DO have with similar characteristics. The more a butcher or store knows a product will be sold, the more likely it is that they will go through the trouble to bring it to their shelves.
There's a little bit about d-chiro-inositol on this blog, and I do believe it has merit. I'm interested to see what Sasha's guest has to say in detail on the topic!
Time: May 20, 2009 from 6pm to 7pm Location:"PCOS Challenge Radio Show" Organized By: Sasha Ottey
Event Description: Join Sasha Ottey on May 20, 2009 at 6pm (EDT) as she speaks to Travis Johnson, of Chiral Balance about D-chiro-inositol (DCI) and its benefits for women with PCOS. He attended the University of Texas earning both his Bachelor's and Master's degree in Biochemistry. He now teaches General Chemistry and Biochemistry there. While in graduate school he spent much of his spare time reading literature about PCOS. His interest intensified when he discovered a few family members dealt with PCOS. It intensified further when he saw a real opportunity to provide a needed product to the PCOS community. He and his mother started Chiral Balance to sell D-chiro-inositol, opening their doors in December 2005 and becoming the first retail distributor of D-chiro-inositol in the world. Tune in to the PCOS Challenge Radio Show on Wed., May 20, 2009 at 6 p.m. EDT at www.blogtalkradio.com/pcoschallenge to learn more about the best DCI and its benefits for women with PCOS. If you have any questions you would like to ask Travis during the show, you can leave a comment here. Or, if you would like to call in during the show to ask Travis a question, call (646) 929-0394. If you would just like to listen, go to www.blogtalkradio.com/pcoschallenge at 6 p.m. EDT on 5/20/2009.
I recently received a newsletter from one of our network members that I wanted to share with you. Karen Siegel, in addition to being a registered dietitian, is a licensed acupuncturist and herbalist. Her practice is located in Houston, Texas. She writes a wonderful newsletter entitled,"Qi Mail", which some of you might really enjoy. I am pasting the contents of her most recent newsletter for you to sample. Karen's contact information is listed below, if you'd like to schedule an appointment, or sign up to personally receive these wonderful newsletters. The actual layout is much more beautiful than what I can reproduce here, I can only paste the content in Blogger's format. As many of you are likely rushing around this weekend to get the last few holiday gifts, foods, and details taken care of, I thought this topic was especially pertinent. Enjoy!
REST, RESTORE, REVITALIZE
In nature, winter is the season where all living things slow down, conserve their energy and prepare for the outburst of new life and energy in the spring. Our bodies are instinctively expressing the fundamental principles of winter – rest, restoration and revitalization.
The Nei Ching, one of the earliest surviving medical books on acupuncture, advises: “During the winter months one should refrain from overusing energy. Retire early and get up with the sunrise, which is later in winter. Desires and mental activity should be kept quiet and subdued, as if keeping a happy secret.”
Eating warm hearty soups, dressing warmly, and refraining from cold and raw foods is also recommended.
Element: Water Nature: Yin Organs: Kidney, Urinary Bladder, Adrenal Glands, Ears and Hair Emotion: Fear and Depression Flavor: Salty
Seasonal acupuncture treatments in winter serve to nurture and nourish kidney Qi (the organ associated with winter) which can greatly enhance the body's ability to thrive in times of stress and aid in healing, preventing illness, and increase vitality.
Call now for more information or to schedule your seasonal tune-up
De-stress this Winter with Acupuncture
While optimal health and well-being in the winter season calls for rest, energy conservation and the revitalization of body and spirit, your holiday activities may have a different agenda. This year can be filled with a mad scramble of visitors, family get-togethers and frantic shopping trips. Compound the usual seasonal pressures with the constant barrage of bad economic news and you may find this to be one of the most stressful times of the year.
Stress, frustration and unresolved anger can cause a disruption in the flow of qi or energy through the body. These energetic imbalances can throw off the immune system or cause symptoms of pain, sleep disturbances, mood changes, abnormal digestion, headaches, and menstrual irregularities, and, over time, more serious illnesses can develop. Acupuncture treatments can correct these imbalances and directly effect the way you manage stress.
Studies on Acupuncture and Stress
Numerous studies have demonstrated the substantial benefits of acupuncture in the treatment of stress.
A 2008 study published in Anesthesia & Analgesia found that acupuncture point alleviated preoperative anxiety in children while a 2003 study conducted at Yale University showed that ear acupuncture significantly lowered the stress level of the mothers of children that were scheduled for surgery.
A German study published in Circulation found that acupuncture significantly lowers both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. The extent of the blood pressure reductions by acupuncture treatments was comparable to those seen with antihypertensive medication or aggressive lifestyle changes, including radical salt restrictions.
Another study from the University of New Mexico measured the affects of acupuncture on 73 men and women with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The researchers found the acupuncture treatments to be as helpful as the standard treatment of cognitive behavioral therapy.
Needless to say, if the stress in your life is throwing you off balance, consider acupuncture therapy to regain peace of mind, regulate your immune system and stay healthy.
Miso Soup with Scallions
Did you know that Miso Soup with Scallions is actually an ancient herbal remedy for colds?
In 300 AD famous herbalist, Ge Hong, writes about Miso Soup with Scallions in a book called, Bei ji zhou hou fang or Emergency Formulas to Keep Up One’s Sleeve.
The soup is indicated for the onset of a cold when a person is just beginning to feel a headache, stuffy nose and a slight fever. So, the next time you feel a cold coming on, be sure to have your miso!
Miso Soup (Serves 4)
Ingredients:
* 6 cups water * 3-4 Tablespoons Aka Miso or red soy bean paste (usually sold in the refrigerated section) * 3-5 green onions stalks, chopped
Directions:
* Dissolve the miso in a little bit of boiling water (about 2 tsp.) * Bring water to a boil in a saucepan and add the miso & scallions. * Simmer for 5-10 minutes. * Remove from heat top with green onions and serve.
Variations: you can add various other ingredients to make a more substantial soup, such as tofu, seaweed, fresh mushrooms, cooked shrimp, snow pea sprouts, cooked rice noodles, or paper-thin slices of fresh ginger.
Be a Good Friend Refer someone you know for acupuncture and get $10 off your next acupuncture treatment.
Stress Busting Foods
The foods that you eat play a crucial role in your overall well-being as well as your ability to handle stress.
Over 1400 chemical changes occur as stress hormones, such as cortisone, sap important nutrients such as B vitamins, vitamin C and magnesium from the body.
Here are three foods that can replenish your supply of these nutrients and enhance your ability to manage stress:
Cauliflower – Cauliflower and other cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli, cabbage, and kale are chock full of stress-relieving B vitamins. Cauliflower is also one of the very best sources of vitamin B5 or pantothenic acid.
Pantothenic acid helps turn carbohydrates and fats into usable energy and improves your ability to respond to stress by supporting your adrenal glands. Fatigue, listlessness, numbness and tingling or burning pain in the feet are all indications that you may need more vitamin B5 in your diet.
Salmon – Salmon is a healthy and delicious way to get your dose of B vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids. Vitamin B12 supports production of red blood cells, allows nerve cells to develop properly and is essential to the synthesis of the “happy” brain chemical serotonin.
Among the many benefits of omega-3 fatty acids, a 2003 study published in Diabetes & Metabolism found that a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids significantly reduced the stress response and kept the stress hormones cortisol and epinephrine in check.
Blackberries – Blackberries are jam packed with Vitamin C, calcium and magnesium. Vitamin C has shown to be a powerful stress reducer that can lower blood pressure and return cortisol levels to normal faster when taken during periods of stress.
Magnesium and calcium act together to help regulate the body's nerves and muscle tone. When there is too little magnesium in your diet, nerve cells can become over activated and can trigger muscle tension, muscle soreness, muscle spasms, muscle cramps, and muscle fatigue.
Blackberries have more than double the amounts of vitamin C, calcium and magnesium than their popular cousin, the blueberry.
Most people I work with know that they need to eat vegetables. They even eat them when served. But when it comes to planning, shopping for, and actually cooking them…there is a huge disconnect. Whenever I do a grocery store tour, I notice the participant body language change when we enter the produce section. When I start discussions about"How would you see using this?" there is often an uncomfortable silence before someone tries to answer.
One option I've really enjoyed for myself is a food coop. Rather than making up menus ahead of time, or showing up at a farmer's market not knowing what's going to be there and having to decide what to bring home, or having to make decisions in a crowded store at the end of a long day, a food coop simply puts together a food basket that you pay for in advance and pick up at a pre-determined time.
The beauty of this is that many of the decisions have been made for you. Your job is, to figure out how to use the items you've been provided. But the likelihood is, that since the food is already in your home, you'll eat it.
Years ago here in Phoenix I belonged to a food coop. I absolutely loved it. I would get things in my box I probably never would have purchased on my own, and what I learned in the process of researching recipes was always engaging. I have learned to like fennel bulbs and arugula thanks to that food coop.
Bountiful Baskets is a popular food coop here in Phoenix that many of my friends belong to. I love seeing their Facebook posts of what they got for the week, and following the conversations about ideas for what to do with the food. The picture in today's post is a picture of a typical purchase from Bountiful Baskets. They also, I learned in researching this, they also serve Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.
For the busy person, this can be a timesaver as well as encouraging better food choices.
This is an excerpt from Christine Marquette's blog. I love the juxtaposition of vegetarian eating and NASCAR, as we tend to compartmentalize people into stereotypes, which this post serves to challenge us about. You can live in NASCAR country and be a kindler, gentler, eater…as Chris expertly details! She's changing her part of the world, one road race at a time.
If you live in Austin, and would like to work personally with Christine, please visit her website.
For those of you who have been following my blog, you may remember that back in April this year I wrote about my experience eating vegetarian at NASCAR for the first time. Well, this past weekend was the second race weekend we attended at Texas Motor Speedway this year.
I have to say, I learned so much back in April that this time it was a breeze! I made some of the same things (homemade hummus for sandwiches, black bean burger patties), but I also pre-made some other things that we would be able to just heat up via microwave or crock-pot. For example, for Friday night I made “Lima Bake,” which is a super tasty recipe I found on the back of HEB’s dried lima bean bag. Once you have cooked the limas, you just sauté some onions and garlic, then add canned diced tomatoes, chili powder, cumin, and the beans. Top it off with a little cheddar cheese and your done. It is super yummy!
I also pre-made my “famous chili.” This is actually a newer “made up” recipe for me. I used to make tofu chili, but apparently I have over-eaten soy and can no longer tolerate it (I know, tough for a vegetarian!), so I’ve had to be creative in using other vegetarian high-protein foods. Recently I’ve really gotten into “Quorn” products (a “mycoprotein” very similar to mushrooms). I try not to use them too often, but for those occasions when you really need something other than beans or nuts, it is great! I now make my chili using Quorn’s “beef” crumbles, pinto beans, kidney beans, diced tomatoes, TONS of chili powder, cumin, onions, jalapeños or serranos, and garlic.
For all our vegetable “side dishes,” I pre-washed EVERYTHING (that way I also would not have to worry about any cross-contamination issues). So we had various colored peppers, potatoes, and “salad” vegetables (mixed greens, red onions, tomatoes, etc.) that were all basically ready to go when we got there and would go with just about anything we decided to eat.
I think I’m starting a new trend too; I actually saw a guy at the truck race (the first race of the weekend on Friday night) wearing a Vegetarian hoodie! Granted, I think it was the one that says “Vegetarian. Ancient tribal slang for the village idiot who can’t hunt, fish, or ride.” It was a little hard to read because he was carrying stuff that obscured part of it, but I think that was the one he was wearing. Not exactly sure how I feel about that, but it’s a start!
Another “start” was at our campsite. We formed a giant “U-shape” with 3 other RV’s, and each night we all had dinner together. Saturday night I shared my famous vegetarian chili and it got rave reviews. Sunday night it was my black bean burgers. It was pretty funny, one guy that I had not met at the spring race but was there for the fall race was very excited to have the opportunity to try some vegetarian food! He had never had meatless chili or “bean” burgers before! He also informed me that he is always looking for ways to increase his vegetable intake, so he was quite happy to find some ways of actually having vegetable based entrees.
I guess my next big vegetarian “project” will be the football crowd, although there I have a head start, as I can always point to Tony Gonzalez as an actual “player” example!
If you live in Virginia, Georgia, Florida, Texas, Hawaii and Arizona, today is the day you can now buy a megadose of caffeine at Starbuck's, in the form of their new 31 ounce beverage, the Trenta. As you can see in the photo, the Trenta is just shy, volume-wise, of a Big Gulp.
Starbucks is downplaying the calories, saying that these new larger-sized beverages contain less than 230 calories. We all know these calories are not nutritionally dense, and not loaded with the many vitamins, minerals, and anti-oxidants our readers know they need to be pursuing when making food choices.
Most importantly, however, and what is not being discussed, is the amount of caffeine this 31 ounce drink contains.
Remember, caffeine intake is associated with insulin resistance, as is lack of adequate sleep, which is exacerbated by excessive caffeine intake.
My recommendation? Save the extra 90 cents a day this will cost and over the course of a year…you'll have just over $300, which you can invest in a few nice massages.
Excess, even if calories are not involved, are not helpful when you're working on pursuing balance.
This just in from registered dietitian and licensed acupuncturist Karen Siegel. Karen's practice is in Houston, Texas, if you are interested in consulting with her.
Acupuncture Benefit Seen In Pregnancy By SHIRLEY S. WANG
Acupuncture designed to treat depression appears to improve symptoms in pregnant women, suggesting it as an alternative to antidepressant medication during pregnancy, a study found.
The study, published Monday in the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology, is the largest to date examining the effectiveness of acupuncture to treat depression in pregnant women. It was funded by a grant from the government's Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality."Acupuncture that we have tested works for pregnant, depressed women," said Rachel Manber, a study author and professor at Stanford University. However,"no single study is enough to make policy recommendations," she said.
Depression in pregnancy is a risk factor for postpartum depression. Postpartum depression is associated in some studies with poorer cognitive and emotional development in children. Some have linked depression in pregnancy and low birth weight.
As many as 14% of pregnant women are thought to develop depression at some point during their pregnancy, according to the study authors, comparable to numbers who suffer from postpartum depression. Antidepressants are generally considered safe for use in pregnancy, but research has been limited and concerns continue to grow, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.
Acupuncture attempts to treat conditions by stimulating points on the body, most often with needles stuck in the skin and moved by hand or electrical stimulation, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
In the study, 150 clinically depressed pregnant women who weren't previously taking antidepressants were randomly assigned to get either acupuncture for depression, acupuncture not specifically designed for depression, or massage for eight weeks. Some 63% of women in the acupuncture-for-depression group responded to treatment, compared with 44% in the other groups.
Printed in The Wall Street Journal, page D3, February 23, 2010
