Showing posts with label diet. Show all posts
Showing posts with label diet. Show all posts

Sunday, February 26, 2012

Fast Food? No Thank you!

I was procrastinating homework and came across this little article on a friend's Facebook. Thank the good Lord I do not eat fast food! & you should re-think eating it too! I've always known what goes into processed foods, but this is definitely an even BIGGER eye opener!

Dr Akilah El – Celestial Healing Wellness Center

The Natural Health and Holistic World According to Dr Akilah El

Can You Guess What McDonald’s Food Item This Is?


By Bruce Hampton

You have been served…………with mechanically separated chicken! Over a billion sold!

This is what fast-food chicken nuggets, processed frozen chicken meat, and patties are made of. BARF!!!!!

Here’s the creation process. What they do is take parts of a chicken and put it through this machine that mechanically separate the meat from the bone. Unfortunately, that doesn’t happen. What it does instead is smash EVERYTHING including the bones, eyes and guts making it come out looking like the picture above.

Since this meat is infested with bacteria, it will be soaked in ammonia in order to kill those little critters. But who wants ammonia nuggets? Not I and I’m sure you don’t want any either. So in order to mask the ammonia taste, they season it with a shit load of artificial flavors. [Yup, that will do it]

Right about now, I know what you’re gonna ask. “Hey Bruce? How do they get rid of the freakish pink color?”

Dude? That’s what dye is for. So in order to get people to devour this crap, they dye it with artificial colors in order to give it that white texture.

Mmmmm! Mmmm! Taste like chicken. NOT!!!!!!!!!!!

Here’s the deal with mechanically separated meat. [I’m going to call it MSM for short because I don’t have that much time on my hands.] MSM is a paste like substance that is created by forcing part of an animal carcass into the sleeve of a machine called “Meat Deboner”.

The meat deboner machine-- So they cram the animal parts into this machine, which grinds up the animal carcasses into a big glob of reddish mush!

So this is what you get in the end.

But they’re not done folks. Next, they add ammonium hydroxide to kill the bacterial and then they add anhydrous ammonia for refrigeration purposes. This concoction goes on to become the main ingredient in many hot dogs, bologna, chicken nuggets, pepperoni, salami, jerky, etc.

I don’t know about you but my stomach is turning inside and out just typing about this stuff. Now I see why more and more people are going vegetarian.


It’s not only chicken nuggets that have been MSMed!!!! Most meat companies take the “cheap route” by using the less desirable meat of animals to make food. Meat that is unidentifiable like hot dogs, hamburgers and that stuff you find in frozen dinners. When these meats are Frankensteined created, they don’t really need to retain their appearance, shape or texture. In order to trick consumers, meat companies use artificial flavoring, coloring and preservatives to alter the color, taste and texture of this trash.

Who cares if it’s shaped like a turd. At least it taste good, right?

Now you’re probably asking yourself, “How can they get away with this? Is there no dignity in the Meat Packing Industry?”

The answer? HELLLLLLLLLLL NO!

You see, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), mechanically separated poultry is safe to eat and may be used without restriction.

But before you start organizing an “Occupy USDA” movement, they (the USDA) did state that commercial food products must be labeled as Mechanically Separated Poultry:

Mechanically separated poultry (MSP) is a paste-like and batter-like poultry product produced by forcing bones, with attached edible tissue, through a sieve or similar device under high pressure to separate bone from the edible tissue. Mechanically separated poultry has been used in poultry products since the late 1960′s. Mechanically separated meat may not be described simply as “meat” on food labels, but must be labeled as “mechanically separated” pork, chicken, or turkey in the ingredients statement.

Honestly, how many of you really take the time to read the ingredient labels on your food?

Since there was a big scare about the spread of mad cow disease (Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy) the sale of MSM-derived beef products for human consumption in the U.S. was banned in 2004.

However, the United Kingdom decided to take a different route.

Since bits of the spinal cord (the part most likely to be carrying BSE) often got mixed in with the rest of the meat, products using mechanically separated meat taken from the carcasses of bovines were at higher risk for transmitting BSE to humans. The United Kingdom tightened restrictions to help ensure that pieces of the spinal cord would not be present in mechanically separated meat taken from bovines in 1989.[1][2]

Really? How do they go about doing that? Is someone pulling cow spine out of each and every carcass before sticking it into the machine? If you believe that then I have 10 acres of land to sell you in Texas. All you have to do is pay the $400 property tax and the land is all YOURS!!!!!

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Feelin' Like a Zombie.

First off, I'm so sorry for not updating for a while.. I have been so crazy busy between exams and MARDI GRAS! :)
Anywaysssss...
This post is dedicated to every last college student, stay at home mom, hard-working individual or just absolutely anyone who feels like they have nnnooooo energy what so ever. You just feel so "blah" all the time..like a Zombie. Believe me, I know how you feel. I feel like I never have time for myself. But the perfect place for me to have "ME" time is at the gym. You just have to find that time to go, and make yourself go. You will NEVER ever regret going... but you'll regret skipping. If you're looking for a little extra "umph" to get the zombie out of you..I use what is called Spark from Advocare..It's absolutely amazing!! It's natural and gives me the boost I need. So many of my peers drink it, and once you do, you're hooked! A lot of people even gave up their morning coffee (I find that just totally crazy, I'd never do such a thing, but some people do haha!).

If you're interested in trying it out let me know! And if you're currently drinking it I want to know what you think too! I'm sure you're hooked.

Now that I've given you my secret for energy..spring break is right around the corner so the next few updates will be focused on "hot bod" routines...which I know everyone will enjoy! ;)
I found a video, that's only 2 minutes long to help you get that sexy butt! It's soooo easy to do at home! (Soon I'll post my own workout videos, I just haven't uploaded mine yet.)





if this video isn't working.. you can go to YOUTUBE and watch it. (the link will take you directly to the video.)


So you have your energy, and your sexy booty...Now you need to work on getting your meals right! I'm a huge, HUGGEE fan of salt! I love my sodium :) But of course I keep my intake healthy. Lately, my guilty pleasure has been garlic hummus! It's absolutely amazing and so healthy!

I promise it taste better than it looks! :P Recipe from: Prevention
Artichoke Hummus
Tahini, a flavorful paste made of ground sesame seeds, packs healthy monounsaturated fats.
PREP TIME 10 minutes TOTAL TIME 10 minutes SERVINGS 8
1 can (14 oz) artichoke hearts, rinsed and drained
1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, rinsed and drained
2 Tbsp tahini
2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 Tbsp minced garlic
1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp hot paprika
1 c chopped fresh basil
1. Combine all ingredients except basil in food processor. Pulse until smooth. Transfer to serving bowl. Stir in basil and season to taste. (Makes 2 cups.)
NUTRITION (per 1/4 cup serving) 88 cal, 3 g pro, 9 g carb, 2 g fiber, 4.5 g fat, 0.5 g sat fat, 172 mg sodium
Serve with: Sesame Pita Chips, Sea Salt Baguette Toasts



ENJOY, LOVES! :)

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Healthy-to-Go!

Life as we know gets in the way of absolutely EVERYTHING sometimes..especially nutrition. That is probably the number one complaint about trying to maintain a balanced/healthy diet because you're constantly on the go.. well let me just say noone understands better than me! I am literally NEVER home..(why you think I'm only doing a weekly blog :/ ) Between living at school and work..then coming home for five mins, then going to the gym..finally getting back home and having to do homework,study, laundry then find time to bathe myself isn't very fun nor does it constitute a good eating schedule.. BUT I figured it out. You just need to plan ahead..No it's not fun, yes it takes a little bit of time..but hey you may get to sleep those 3 extra minutes you set on your alarm clock. I usually make me a pb&j the night before for lunch the next day. If I don't have time to make anything the day before or the day of, I rely on good ole Smoothie king! Very nutritious! Also, I've stumbled upon a new little blog that I've come to love quickly. Here's a recipe for a very healthy and filling smoothie! (Yes, I know it's green and full of spinach! but it's my supper tonight and let me just say..it's a must try!) Thank you, IowaGirl!

Green Monster Spinach Smoothie!


Green Monster Spinach Smoothies are one of my top secret diet weapons, because although they’re packed with baby spinach, which make my skin, hair, nails, and overall self feel totally great, they do not taste healthy at all. I repeat, they do not taste healthy at all.

PLUS!

  • Spinach is fat free, cholesterol free, low in calories, and very low in sodium
  • Spinach is an excellent source of vitamin A, C, K, iron, fiber, folate, and lutein
  • Leutin is an antioxidant that promotes good eye health, and may help prevent cancer of the liver, ovaries, colon and prostate, and even dementia.
  • Dole lab tests found spinach juice has twice the chlorophyl, eight times the calcium, six times the magnesium, 10 times the potassium, 15 times the vitamin C and 43 times the vitamin A of wheatgrass juice!



First add 1 sliced frozen banana, and 1 Tablespoon peanut butter in a blender. Tip: PEEL and SLICE your bananas before you freeze them, or you’ll be sorry!

Next add bulking agents for staying power, like protein-packed vanilla Greek yogurt, and creamy unsweetened vanilla almond milk. You could use any kind of milk you want – cow’s, rice, soy, etc.

PS I started calling cow’s milk, well, cow’s milk, after I stopped drinking it last year in favor of Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Breeze, and it freaks. Ben. out. So hysterical. I terrorize because I love.

Fill the blender the rest of the way up with baby spinach. I reckon I fit about 4 cups in there today!

Start the blender on “high blend” until everything’s mixed up, then switch it over to “liquify” to get the Green Monster velvety smooth.

Pure green gold!

Green Monster Spinach Smoothie

Print this recipe!
Serves 1
Ingredients:
1 frozen sliced banana
1 Tablespoon peanut butter
1/2 cup 0% Vanilla Chobani Greek yogurt
1 cup Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Breeze (or other kind of milk)
4 cups baby spinach (or more, or less)
Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.
Nutritional stats:
350 calories, 10g fiber, 21g protein

I almost feel guilty enjoying one of these babies, as it tastes like a sweet, indulgent ice cream shake. It’s perfect for breakfast, lunch or even a snack.

Try throwing in different kinds of greens, protein powder, and any frozen fruit or berry combo under the sun. The sky’s the limit with this ultra-healthy, not-healthy-tasting Green Monster Spinach Smoothie!



Please let me know what you think about this smoothie! I know eating on the go is hard, so finding time to exercise is too! Any time you have down time...like when you're driving... do some glute squeezes..It'll help tone your butt WHILE DRIVING! ... or when you're walking to work, to the pantry, or anywheres keep your shoulders peeled back (having a nice posture) and you're ABS tight (stomach sucked in) will help work those tummy muslces as well...and you'll look slimmer just by maintaining the correct posture! COOL HUH!?

Thursday, February 2, 2012

HEALTHY=HOTTT !

Just because someone is skinny DOES NOT mean they are healthy. They can be the most unhealthy person on the face of this planet--eating Mickey D's every other day with a beer on side of it. Who knows! With that being said, do not compare yourself to anyone else! God made you YOU for a reason. The way you carry your weight looks totally different from Joe Blow on side of you. The scale needs to be your friend but you do not need to be reliant on it. Weigh yourself every other week or once a month.
Ready to start getting in shape?
I'm sure :)
Well, if you never exercised before it's ok. Just have the mentality you can get through anything and everything! Don't stop what you're doing cold turkey. You want to slowly make changes because you don't want your body reverting back to the "old you". Start to make healthier and more wise food choices. Instead of fried bbq pork skins, eat baked lays. A lot of healthy food may taste so different and it will be an acquired tasted..but eventually the fattening stuff will taste horrible and you will not leave the toilet after you eat it..HAHAHA :) --And start keeping track of what you eat through out the day. Just jot down a little note or something just so you become aware of what you're eating. You won't believe how much you're actually consuming and WHAT you're consuming. The old saying "you are what you eat" is so true. You wear what you eat. If you cheat on your diet, you're only cheating yourself--no one else. And when you do have good days, do not reward yourself with food..YOU ARE NOT A DOG! Reward yourself with a new piece of wardrobe or something of that sort. After all, you will need something to put that Rockin' new body in! ;) DRINK LOTS AND LOTS AND LOTS OF WATER! The majority of the time we think we are hungry when in all actuality we are super thirsty! Of course, last but not least...start MOVING! Get up off your butt and do something---for atleast 30 minutes! The whole time you've been playing on the computer you could have went walk or could have done some form of exercise. It takes your body 30 minutes to start fat burn...so put down the tub of ice cream and go for a little walk. You'd be surprised how beautiful it is outside and how much more appreciative you become towards nature. Having a workout partner really helps. Schedule a routine with them. Neither of you will want to back out because you won't want to let the other person down, and eventually when your social life or something interferes..you'll be in a routine and you'll be able to exercise alone. CONSISTENCY IS KEY!


I highly recommend http://www.choosemyplate.gov/ In my dietetics classes we refer to this site quite a bit. If you don't know how many calories you should be consuming a day, how many you should be burning, etc go there..I love it. By the way...did you download "My Fitness Pal" yet? (click the hyperlink to go to apple's site and you can read more about it.)

Also, here's a sample of what a typical day of eating for me. (SCREENSHOT FROM MYFITNESSPAL.)


you should record every last thing that goes into your mouth!


"Is it worth it?"