New Sobering Obesity Reports - And Some Positive Solutions!

(Reuters) - The number of obese U.S. adults rose in 16 states in the last year, helping to push obesity rates in a dozen states above 30 percent, according to a report released on Thursday.
Today, the state with the lowest adult obesity rate would have had the highest rate in 1995," said Jeff Levi, executive director of the Trust for America's Health.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/07/07/us-usa-obesity-idUSTRE7663JD20110707
What the hell is happening in America?  We are slowly but surely killing ourselves with processed foods, and waaay too much of them.  It's only been 16 years, and already, look at how far we've gone down the road to destroying our health.
Please don't fool yourself into thinking that you HAVE to be saddled with chronic health or joint problems. 

While I applaud Ms. Obama's efforts to create awareness and spread the word for health... Obviously it takes more than information and encouragement to make a meaningful change.  It takes... Wait for it!
-PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY
-FAMILY SUPPORT
-LOTS OF HARD WORK
-SELF-AWARENESS

Look, I don't have kids, but I can tell you that as a kid - I ate what Moms dropped on the table.  No questions asked.  Cause if I DID ask a question... my ass was grass!  Eat it or be hungry.  Starving kids in Africa, etc., etc.

Mom put it on the table = I ate it!

So we have family support as a huge factor in health.  Kids do as they see, and sometimes as they're told.  The temptation is to buy frozen, tasty, quick meals and throw them in the microwave or oven.  Kids might even stay skinny eating it... for awhile.  The temptation is to give them the Hot Cheetos, Doritos and soda they want at the grocery store.  It tastes so good, it's so convenient, and it shuts them up.  But it's not right. 

So now that I'm a full time worker, varsity high school basketball coach, wife, pet owner, family member, occasional online grader and sometimes a model ;)  I know a thing or two about being busy, even without kids.  And I can't imagine how hard it is to juggle parenthood with everything else.  So I am amazed by moms and dads everywhere who pull it together.  Hugs to you... I know it must be so hard to balance it all.

If you've read  my blogs, you know this past year I had to start cooking most of my own food due to health issues. 
DIFFICULT!  TIME-CONSUMING!  FRUSTRATING!
But hey... I had to do it.  No question about it.  And I lost 20lbs.  And my knees don't hurt anymore.  Although I'm a huge proponent of exercise, this weight loss had little or nothing to do with exercise.  Much of the time I was too sick to work out.  For the first time in my life I truly realized that my diet had more to do with my size than exercise or "genes".  It was eye-opening!

So then, kids who are active must be doing better, right?  Even if they're eating junk? Sometimes they are, and thank goodness for sports.  But like I said, the food and drink have a huge affect here as well...

Here's a scenario: I'm coaching a practice, my girls break for a drink.  About 60% are reaching for a Powerade, Gatorade, or some other unnecessary sports (sugar) drink.  NOT NEEDED!  Unless you're practicing/conditioning for multiple hours a day (think basketball camp, daily doubles, tournaments), you DON'T need to ingest hundreds of calories of sugar to "replenish" yourself.  Stop it already!

Get Started Today!  Don't wait until you have a serious health problem to make a change

-Start reading labels

-Stop eating sh** from the freezer or can that has dyes, preservatives and tons of sugar or sodium

-Go to Costco or another warehouse store and stock up on lean meats (freeze them), frozen and fresh veggies, brown rice, and a crock pot.

-Use cheese as a small garnish, not a main ingredient

-Look at your meal: Protein, veggies (cooked and UNcooked), WHOLE grain carbohydrates.  Often our meals are heavy on simple carbs (white rice or pasta), fat (non-lean meats and cheese), and things out of a can. 

-Don't get canned soups unless you are fully aware of the sodium content!  One can of Progresso Light, which I used to eat for lunch at work, has around 900 mg of sodium.  900!!!!!  I try to eat less than that all day now...

-If you truly won't take the time to make a salad, buy it in a bag.  NOT iceberg lettuce.  I used to think I was being lazy, but salad from a bag is better than no veggies just cause I'm tired. 

-Choose some good dressings - vinaigrette, oil and vinegar, etc.  Add almonds, beans, corn (you can find non-sodium versions of these in a can), lean ground beef or turkey for a taco salad...

-A salad doesn't need bacon bits, cheese, loads of croutons and a mountain of ranch dressing.  You may as well eat a hamburger.

-If you have kids... Please don't let them eat school lunches.  I'm a teacher.  Trust me.  Chocolate muffins and chocolate milk for breakfast, processed meats/pizza/nuggets, one apple and sugary juice does not a happy and healthy child make.  It makes them cranky, chubby and lethargic. 

It's time to ask yourself some difficult questions:

• Do you drink soda?
• Do you eat frozen or processed foods several times a day/week?
• Do you eat fresh vegetables every single day?
• Do you drink hundreds of calories a day (sugary coffee, fruit juice, smoothies, icees, mixed drinks, wine or beer)?
• Do you eat chips or cookies with dyes and preservatives on a regular basis?
• Do you eat past the point of fullness frequently?
• Do you eat greasy or deep fried foods several times a week?
• Do you often have dessert after dinner?
• Do you eat candy bars?

Think about these questions. 

You have EVERY RIGHT to continue to eat as much and whenever you please.  But take ownership of it.  Understand that if you're consistently eating unhealthy food, your size and your health are not due to your "genes".  They are due to your choices.

If you know that your day is filled with lean protein, veggies, fruit and whole grains... you probably feel pretty good.

But if you know what you're really putting in your mouth isn't the best choice, if you are brave enough to have SELF-AWARENESS, please be honest and take an inventory of your health. 

My family members who eat poorly break my heart, because I know they won't be around as long, or enjoy life as fully.  How do I know this?  They are already sick, or dealing with chronic issues.  That's no way to live.

Whatcha gonna do??

So, the obesity report is depressing.  But the best way to combat feeling the funk is to DO something about it.  Go throw away ONE thing from your pantry that you KNOW you shouldn't eat.  Make a big pot of brown rice, some lean chicken and veggies and dig in.  You'll feel better just knowing you did something healthy today.  And after dinner, maybe a walk would be nice ;) 

I'm pulling for you... and for me!  Let's prove that report wrong and start working toward a healthier future.

XOXO

Andrea

Are you a Talker or a Doer?

How do you know if someone you're relying on is a Talker or a Doer?
How many times have you been let down by someone who promised BIG but their delivery was weak ?
How can you discern the difference?
Simple. 
Watch their actions, ignore their words... WAIT and be patient until they prove their worth.

When someone tells me all about what they believe, what their goals are, how hard they're willing to work... Call me cynical, (I say realistic!) but I usually nod politely, keep my mouth shut, and bide my time.
Cause I won't know if it's true till they ACT
and their ACTIONS will tell me 10x more than all those empty words
Good news: if the words match the actions, I earn a lil faith in mankind  :) 
Bad news: Nah... I'm already holding judgment till the actions come down.  No worries! 

And now... Gotta take a quick self inventory.  Am I doing everything I can to reach my goals?  Am I fooling myself with big promises, but weak delivery?  I hope not!  I'm gonna go think about life for awhile :) 

Be loving, kind, but still cautious.  Show caring and compassion, but don't be foolish.
Don't make the world teach you a hard lesson twice! 

XOXO
Andrea

Eating Cheap, Eating Smart, DIY Refried Beans and Acupuncture

Have you ever looked at the sodium content in refried beans???  Well, I have, and I can't eat 'em, but I miss my mexican food!
Here's something I came up with recently...

1 bag of pinto beans
Soak in water overnight
Cook the next day in a pot, simmer with a lid for about 2 hrs
If you can tolerate salt, add to taste

BOMB salsa... of all place, WALMART?!?!

I can't tolerate the sodium, and at first I was super disappointed in the bland taste but I added some other fab ingredients and spiced it right up!


Heat the beans in a pot.  Add a couple big scoops of sour cream and some low sodium salsa to taste.
YUM!  So serious. Even my family who can eat "normal food" likes this dip!  I eat it with no-salt tortilla chips from Henry's.  I WISH we had Trader Joe's out here.  Anybody listening?  I think it's time to start a petition.

Another tip: Salt-free Kettle Chips with your own seasonings added in.  How nice is it to know you aren't eating all those chemicals and weird ingredients?!  I like to know what I'm eating... being able to read the ingredients is a plus!
My fave seasoning right now: Mrs. Dash Fiesta Lime


Now I'm last minute planning for my trip to Cabo.  I'm a lil nervous about eating away from home because of my sodium limitations, so I'm packing a suitcase of food.  No joke :)  My hubby can eat all kinds of anything he wants, so he gets some ramen noodles, mac and cheese and chips for snacks.  Plus tons of bottled water!  I'm not spending $14 a bottle, I'll tell you right now!  I also found brown rice in microwavable containers for me, granola bars, almonds, cashews, cereal, microwave popcorn, and noodles.  Yay!  Still looking forward to some nice dinners out, but not every meal.  Gotta keep the sodium intake in check


Have any of you tried acupuncture?  I just did today!  My Meniere's/vertigo issues have been on high alert this summer.  I'm pretty sure the heat is ruining me.  Since the last two days I've been about 50% functional with a couple dizzy driving scares, enough is enough!  I went to the acupuncturist today!  Exciting!  It was a bit uncomfortable at first, but then I ended up falling asleep on the table :)  
When I come back from Cabo I'm going to be back every other day for awhile.  Fingers crossed it solves some of my issues! 


Cheers my summer friends :)  Take a nice long walk, cook something healthy, and relax on your porch with a glass of wine.  Ahhhhh... summer

XOXO
Andrea

How Do You Get Cute For Summer??

I love summer... cute dresses, breezy evenings on the back porch with  glass of wine and the occasional tanning and beach action

AHHH....
Plus I'm a teacher so HAYYYY I'm off work lol  Can't complain!
I'm off to Cabo tomorrow, so besides buying several new swimsuits this year and overflowing my bikini drawer, I've put a little thought into what makes up my summer cuteness routine.

Yup...I'm wearing this in Cabo!

If you're anything like me, days off mean grubby workout clothes, messy hair, no makeup and dirt under my fingernails from yardwork. 
And that's just not cute.  It's Anti-Cute

So what's a girl to do when there's a trip just around the corner and her scraggly hair, jacked up nails and grubby clothes just won't cut it?

Quick Fixes to the rescue!!! 

L'Oreal Sublime Bronze ProPerfect Salon Airbrush


Rimmel Lasting Finish Pro in Steel Grey on mah toes!

Lightening my hair and getting a trim - Yup DIY job on that one.  I used a dye specially formulated for dark hair so I wouldn't end up with bright orange hair.  I recommend it!  Although I have gold tones, it's not clown looking.  Always a danger for us brunettes! 
Garnier Nutrisse B3 Cafe con Leche

Lots of thrift store shopping and the Desert Hills Premium Outlets in Cabazon - if you haven't been there, GO NOW! 
Get on the 10 East from LA and watch for it.  On the way to Palm Springs... Totally worth the drive.  Check out the selection of stores here:  http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/store_listing.asp?id=6 

And what about exercise?  All those little outfits you want to wear this summer?

My word for the summer is STRUCTURE - Every morning I'm getting up and walking my doggies before is gets hot, then working on my yard a bit.  It keeps me active and stops me from lounging around in bed all morning and being completely de-motivated for the day.  So far so good! 

Do you have a schedule?  Workout time won't appear out of thin air.  Find something you like to do... How about a fun dance class?  My friend Tanya got back into working out by going to a Richard Simmons aerobics class!  It inspired her to try yoga, dance, weights and hiking!  So keep it interesting and just DO SOMETHING.  You'll be so proud of yourself!

XOXO

Andrea



Nina Fleurina

Nina Fleurina - the cutest little Claremont boutique :)  I was going through some of my pics and I realized I haven't shared these yet!  I've been enjoying the spring weather and I'm really in the shopping mood.  Watch out world - I'm on the loose!  I'm getting ready for a girl's weekend and planning my outfits... so fun and a nice diversion from all this work that's been keeping a stranglehold on me.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Nina-Fleurina/184373008252805?ref=ts

Nina Fleurina has fabulous soaps, chocolates, candles and perfume

Fabulous candles

Cute clothes, too!

And in other unrelated shopping news..

J.Crew

More J.Crew

Joe's

Hmmm.... Can't remember where I got this :) 

That's all the excitement for now... Latersssss

XOXO

Andrea

Spring Fitness

Spring forward for the time change!  Ummm, heck YES!  One of my favorite things in the world is the spring time change... Long evenings, walking the dogs, warm sunsets at 7pm :)  FAVE

Hope you're using the daylight savings as an excuse to get outside in the evenings and be active.  Although I really struggle during the winter months to move my butt off the couch during the dark evenings, somehow spring motivates me to get back on track.  It seems easier this time of year, and not only because of the threat of shorts and swimsuits!

So enjoy the sunshine and use this opportunity to enjoy the beautiful outdoors :)  Get out of your gym rut and mix up your routine.  Remember you can mix up your walks with short jog intervals, lunges, stretching, a few pushups thrown in to jumpstart that heart rate and boost your calorie burn.

Get after it!
XOXO Andrea

Hippie Healing

How did I get sick again?
Even though you're eating right, working out, trying to get a little sleep... You might still get sick.  Bummer.  Here's the scenario: you are feeling a little under the weather, so you starting taking Advil Cold and Sinus... But then later that night you can't sleep, so you take some Nyquil.  The next morning you still feel like hell, so you pop some Vit. C.  Before you know it you're down for the count.  In bed with a box of Kleenex and the remote control.

Last week that was me... but luckily I called my friend Shanel and she pointed me down to the local Henry's market and the herb section.  Here's the rundown:


Oregano Oil capsules - 2 every 4 hours
Elderberry extract - use in tea alternating 2 hours with the oregano oil capsules
Multi-vitamin + extra Vit. C in the a.m.
Pro-Biotics - a.m.

This sounds like a lot, but compared to taking Advil/Tylenol/Nyquil/Nasal Spray etc, it works for me.

Another important part to the recovery is the Neti-Pot.  I have the squirt bottle version, but I've heard great things about the original Neti-Pot as well.  Irrigating the sinuses is really important to the healing process.  You need to get rid of the bacteria - as gross as it it! 
 
So hopefully you won't find yourself hugging the Kleenex box and watching re-runs of When Harry Met Sally, but if you do, try the natural healing method and let me know how it goes.  As for me, I was feeling amazingly better after a day and a half of the health regimen.  Pretty awesome :)

Be Well!
XOXO
Andrea

Owning It!

I just got home from a great evening with my friend Lisa... We talked about getting older ;)  getting wiser (!) and making choices we are proud of.  I drove home with a smile on my face thinking about my life :)
Lisa and I both believe that we have choices in life, and our decisions create our futures.  We hope to spread this sense of responsibility to our students and loved ones through our lives and examples.

I started thinking about my life and the path I've chosen.  I took a little inventory and I'm still working on it.  I want to make sure that I don't have any regrets!  So far, I have a few.  I have ignored my own intuition in the past, but I'm doing so much better these days :)  The more true I am to myself, the more successful I have been in following the right path.  Knowing who I am, the TRUE me, is an ever evolving process. 

I want to encourage you to be honest with yourself.  If there is a situation in your life you're struggling through... I'm guessing you already know the solution.  Be brave enough to do what you know needs to be done.  Be honest with yourself about your strengths and give yourself credit.  Be courageous and admit what needs to change. 

Your internal dialogue is incredibly valuable and powerful.  When I don't work out (this is my personal dialogue today), I often think, "I didn't have time today".  Instead, I try to correct myself and say, "I didn't choose to work out today".  See the difference?  I chose to eat today, chose to spend time with a friend, chose to write this blog, even!  But I didn't choose (yet) to exercise.  It's a daily practice of taking ownership of my actions.  When I change my internal dialogue, I change my whole point of view!  I want to own all of me, not just the good stuff.  It seems more authentic...

What do you think about internal dialogue?  Valuable?  Or is it new-age nonsense?

XOXO
Andrea

Can I really lose 2 sizes by next month?!

Every day my Fitness magazine stares me in the face with headlines like:
"Lose 2 Dress Sizes in 4 Weeks!"
"Be a Size Smaller by Summer!"
"New Ways to Target your Trouble Zone!"
etc...
   etc...
        etc...
UM, REALLY???Cause if that was true, wouldn't we have all graduated to children's sizes by now?  What would I be wearing now, a children's size 6?  Come on people!
I used to love Fitness Magazine.  I mean LOVE.  It was the only magazine I had a subscription to for YEARS.  But I'm over it now.  I mean honestly, there are only so many new ways to lose 10 pounds.  There are only so many sizes I can "shed" and only so many odd exercises I can try. 
It's not you, Fitness Magazine...
It's ME
All the bullshit about weight loss plans for your blood type/body type/eating style, strange exercises for that "last stubborn spot", and spending money on workout contraptions.
OVER   IT  
The message is great: Care about your health.
The delivery has changed.  I feel like I'm reading an exercise tabloid. Words like "shocking!"  "amazing!"  plastered across the front of the cover.  sigh.  What happened to all the success stories?  I love those.

I've been through a lot of eating phases and exercise experiments in my time.  I DO think it's good to mix things up.  But maybe I'm just getting old???  I feel like I've heard it all before. 

Right now my grandma and her hubby are here visiting from Oregon.  Grama is 80+ and doing great.  She climbed up to sit by me on the top of the picnic table and have a little chat.  Handed me some homemade dried pears for a snack.  I thought about her garden, canning, fresh apple pies from the tree in the back yard.  The candy drawer for the grandkids to sneak a chocolate out of :)
Such a different kind of life.  Quieter.  Slower.  Peaceful. 

It reminds me to enjoy my family, take my time, take a nap... Work hard, go to bed early, invite others over for dinner and let them help me clean up.
Shop for groceries with the idea that faster is not better, preservatives won't preserve my health, and that I can't eat it at home if I never buy it at the store!

a lil note about exercise:
I'm out of shape!  I had a photo shoot last night and it was SO FUN!  I was jumping around for some shots and the photog said, "Hey, grab a water.  You're out of breath." omg  I was embarrassed.  Guess I need to step up the cardio!  I want to be in a state of functional fitness all the time.  So perhaps it's time for some interval running to kick start things here. 

Nice to be back :)  Hope you're all doing well, working toward being a healthier version of the true you.
XOXO
Andrea

Sorry Pacific Northwest, I know it's raining and all...

While friends and family in Oregon and Washington are in the midst of flooding... I feel a lil guilty enjoying my tan from the past couple days of 80+ degree weather.  My husband and I went camping and it was SO beautiful!  Had the chance to go on lots of long walks, chat with friendly peeps at the campsite, and spend time with the husband.  All together lovely.

One of my fave things about camping is the food planning.  It takes a lot of prep, but is sooo tasty.  A quick peek at the meal list:
Fish tacos
Beer/brown sugar chicken bake
Salsa/chips/guacamole
Scrambled eggs/veggies/hash browns
Taco salad
Cucumber/tomato salad with balsamic vinegar dressing
Smoking Loon pinot noir

I don't know about you, but a couple good hours of walking + sun + good food = a very happy camper indeed.

I hope you find a way to connect with the ones you love, do what energizes you, and feel motivated to accomplish great things in 2011.

XOXO
Andrea

I can't keep a New Year's Resolution!

New Year's Resolutions = Epic Fail
With the New Year, people reflect back on the year, evaluate progress and setbacks, and make plans or goals for the next 12 months.  I'm not a big fan of the New Year Resolution because I'm not awesome at keeping my goals :) But I do believe in taking time to reflect and regroup.

This year I have much to reflect upon... First, I'm thankful for a new position teaching high school English, as well as being given the opportunity to coach basketball again.  It has brought a new meaning to my career, and for that I'm very grateful.

This year has been filled with other challenges as the family business has been stretched and challenged by the unpredictable economy.  In the end, nothing has been as scary as my own imagination.  I have an amazing husband with a versatile skill set.  A real Renaissance man ;) 

My health has been a huge challenge, culminating in a diagnosis of Meniere's disease, a complete lifestyle change, and more uncertainty for the future.  Each year I learn just how much I can take and still bounce back.  I wish I didn't have to learn this lesson, but it is what it is.  I can't change it, only learn to find joy in my life and be thankful for everything I have. 

This year my husband and I celebrated our 3rd anniversary.  It's been an adventure and I'm so happy to have him in my life every day. 

This year:
Not only on January 1st, but every day, I will try to be thankful and reflect back on all my blessings.  My husband calls me pessimistic ;), I like to call it "realistic", but either way, I have been forced to deal with my health issues by focusing on what I have, what I can do, rather than wallowing. 

This year I promise myself to take time to sleep, listen to my body, love my husband and family, and be the best person I know how to be.  I will strive to be excellent where I know how, and pursue excellence in areas I am weak.  I promise to be an encouragement to my husband and show grace to both myself and those around me.  These are not easy tasks, but I am up to the challenge!

Last year when I turned 30, I thought about my life, and I felt proud.  Proud of my accomplishments, education, relationships, and what I have overcome to be the person I am today.  I strive to continue making positive choices I can be proud of. 

As I always say... Hard work + positive choices = a Good Self Esteem!  You can't be proud of it unless you work for it.  I can think of several things I'd like to be proud of, but I have some work to do :)  What do you want to be proud of?

Happy New Year to you and yours,

XOXO
much love
Andrea