Nutrition?? What nutrition...

Vacation is tough when it comes to nutrition.  This country makes it difficult to eat in a healthy way while traveling – with nonstop fast food and processed food in vending machines all over the place, finding a piece of fruit can sometimes prove too laborious.   Day 3 of the vacation and my stomach is unhappy.  I have relied too heavily on cheese and bread - cheese pizza, veggie pizza, mac and cheese at the world famous Beecher’s at Pike Market in downtown Seattle…(unbelievably delicious, but ugh).  My tummy aches just thinking about it. L  Thank goodness I had the foresight to pack some ginger to soothe what ails me.  Other than a salad add-on at the airport and a spinach salad with the veggie pizza, vegetables have not been my mainstay either.  I guess I thought that the uber-healthy Pacific Northwest would be just rife with fresh produce options.  Now don’t get me wrong, there were plenty of fresh produce stands at Pike Place Market – but how was I to know that that would be the ONLY place I could see fresh food for days.  The downtown Seattle area seems to cater to the typical American tourist – very pricey restaurants with fancy names and high sodium contents.  Oh my.  Not good for yours truly who doesn’t like meat, fish or the like.

So, I am hoping that the next leg of the trip to Portland will prove to be more nutritionally sound.   So much for vacation vegetarianism…

As I wait in King Street Station in Seattle to catch the train to Portland, I am dismayed to hear that all trains are cancelled.  We are going to have to take a bus to Portland.  Not the experience I was hoping for – the romance of riding on a train gently swaying to and fro down the tracks is a totally different picture than the crammed on a bus with stinky people vision that I am about to embrace.  My day isn’t going as well as the past couple of days.  Certainly no peals of laughter other than from H who can’t help but laugh at my sour puss face.  Maybe I need to spill some more water on her  :P

Why can’t there be fresh fruit and vegetable carts all over the place?  Why can’t King Street Station have a Jamba Juice or Starbuck’s (which there are some 84 of in downtown Seattle) like Union Station in Chicago?  (My all time favorite train station).  Obviously, by now you are making the correlation between my usually optimistic nature to my usually fiber filled day.  If you can’t poop, you can’t smile, in my book.  LOL.

Well, off to board the bus…  I will hopefully write more after a good healthy meal.

ADDENDUM:  After writing this in a very grumpy-mood-morning at the station, I have found several healthy meals - lot's of veggie and vegan friendly options, good micro-brews in Portland, excellent coffee and teas and plenty of oatmeal.  Had I known better, I would have made some better choices in Seattle and now know what to look for (Seattle, you still have my love).  My mood and digestion have greatly improved due to lots of walking, lots of good food and even one world famous Voodoo doughnut in Portland.  Now, it's on to Eugene...

Back To the Blog - Vacation Edition

Hello All!

Nothing says living a healthy life like taking a well deserved break, right?  Well, I am on vacation right now, so this is the vacation edition of my blog.  Finally some time that is a break from school, work, work, house, dogs, family, etc.  Vacation always brings thoughts of relaxation, freedom and a lack of structure that is absolutely tantalizing.  There is just nothing better than sleeping in and not having to cook dinner. 

So the vacation starts out with H and me heading down to St. Louis (where we were flying out from).  We had an easy trip – found the downtown hotel with relative simplicity, no traffic or parking issues and a breeze checking in.  We even got a free bottle of wine while in the lobby of the hotel!  Yay us.  We were patting ourselves on our back due to the luck of the beginning of the trip.  We slept well in our luxury king bed (Hotwire Hilton - $67 a night) after a long drive and a hot bath.  Then we woke up to a glorious Missouri morning – the sun was shining on Busch Stadium and hundreds of runners in green preparing to embark on the St. Patrick’s Day run before the parade.  What a morning!  60ish degrees and a light breeze – I couldn’t ask for a better start to the vacation.

But apparently St. Patrick’s Day is kind of a big deal in St. Louis.  Runners aside, there were literally hundreds and hundreds of people out on the street decked out in their finest – green wigs, green tights, green t-shirts and socks.  It was as if all the leprechauns in Ireland exploded in downtown St. Louis.  J

I was enjoying the sunshine and typing away on some last minute homework when I heard the noise.  A loud, annoying, (think world cup horns, folks) horn blowing down the hall.  I had heard them on the street, so I knew they were being sold from a cart down below… but the hall of the Hilton? Really?  At 9:00 a.m.?  Ugh.  I flippantly mentioned to H that I was annoyed.  I think the exact words were, “well, that doesn’t suck or anything.”  Ha.  So, with a look of fierce determination, my bold spouse (who never really minces words because there is no need in her world to do that) stepped into the hallway and said, “That is NOT ok.  Knock it off” to the 11 year old boy trying to irritate his friend in the room across the hall.  She sounded like the nurse she is trying to become – bossy, firm and not to be messed with.  I could not stop laughing.  What a time!  I have been laughing about it all day long.  We even laughed about it as we were all over the Gateway Arch – acting the part of the American tourist.

Which brings me back to the break… oh, how I have missed laughter.  In the frenzy of this semester, it seems to have eluded us.  We stomp around the house in between where we need to get to next and gripe at each other.  We forget how important and necessary laughter and time off are in the grind to accomplish the next big thing.  One little incident with a naughty 11 year old boy has quickly reminded me that I have been taking life way to seriously lately.  And I plan on being less serious over the course of the next 8 days.  Hopefully it will stick and will continue into the next part of the grind.  Laughter really is the best medicine.

It's been too long...

Well, again after a long break from my blog...  It's amazing how quickly resolve can dissolve when life gets beyond busy.  I have been plugging away - school, work, work, school.  And study on the weekends, ugh!  I thought those days were over.  But that's just how it goes in the pursuit of knowledge and self-improvement, right?  At times like this, I find myself asking what is it all for?

I crave a peaceful existence.  One of self-nurturing and slow days with time to visit friends and family, knit, take baths, listen to music, read, stretch and sleep.  I hope that with all that I am trying to do, I can get there.  I will get there, rather, not just hope.  Isn't that the point of this crazy ride?  To be able to do what we want to do?  Much like the movie "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" at times, I find myself wishing that I could go backwards and take my knowledge into my youth.  But, if I had it to do all over again, I wouldn't be where I am now - and as busy as I am, I like my life.

Tonight was a rare treat for my current existence.  I had some peaceful time at home and I just sat for a bit to watch some TV. I ate slowly (not standing up or in the car, as has become my daily standard).  I took a bath, scrubbed my face, and did masks for my face and hair.  It was beautiful.  It made me reminisce for those days in the newness of January when I had time to equally pamper and torture myself.  :)  And here I am clicking away.  Finally!

What is it all for?  My budding knowledge of all things holistic and healthy?  I must say, it is sad to sacrifice time, but I so enjoy every word I read.  I enjoy the skills I am gaining, and I enjoy knowing more about the agony and ecstasy of nutrition.  I can have my endless hours (lol) to pamper myself or I can learn and help other people take better care of themselves... easy choice.  Hopefully, I find more nights like tonight scattered here and there, so I can continue to write...

Peace,
Charlynn

Overwhelmed doesn't even begin to describe it...

Hello blog.  So sorry to have been away so long.  You have been there taunting me daily, and I have stubbornly ignored you as if you were my dreaded cell phone.  Hopefully it won't happen again...

Well, January is finally over.  The month of resolutions and my birthday has passed.  I think the start of a new month finds me even more resolved and committed to making permanent, healthy change in my life.  I have spent the bulk of the month taking good (dare I say, excellent) care of myself and paying a special, obsessive amount of attention to what is going into my body.  I have had some of the things I was avoiding earlier - sugar, alcohol, french fries, to name a few.  And they all left me feeling worse, rather than wanting more.  So on to February I march with a new manifesto with all of my new found knowledge.

After watching both Food Inc. and The Future of Food,  I resolve to do the following:

• Become a stronger advocate of the slow food movement
• Buy local - go to the Farmer's Market more, join a CSA (finally after years of wanting to), support local growers and businesses
• Buy organic.  Don't get me started on the consequences of toxic overload to our health.  Not only are we ingesting chemicals and poisons, we are eating food that is less nutritious, less useful and just less.
• Filter my water - look up your local water statistics... you will be shocked
• Vegan it up all over the place - I will be hosting some vegan dinner parties in the near future - prepare to be invited :)

Good health is something we all should strive for.  It seems radical to go against the mainstream and actually wake up and pay attention to our food, but in the long run we are saving a whole host of health issues.  Not just physical health either.  I recently had to define nutrition for one of my classes, and here is what I said.

I think that living a life that incorporates nutrition means taking care of myself in all the different arenas... I get plenty of rest, take care of the largest organ (my skin) by staying hydrated, moisturized and protected from the sun - but not so much that I don't get some good Vitamin D, drink plenty of water, etc.  I think if we look at nutrition in a holisitc way, we can break down all the good things we do to take care of our bodies as "nutrition".  All of those things are life giving and life extending.

But even beyond our bodies, if we look at our relationships, finances, spirituality, home life, careers, and on and on... I think if we look at all areas that make up who we are, we can find where we nourish ourselves and where we are lacking. For example, if I don't balance my checkbook, that leads to financial stress, which leads to sleepless nights, which leads to poor food choices the next day(s), which leads to physiological dysfunction, which leads to poor self image, which leads to more poor food choices, which leads to grouchiness and on and on... it can be a never ending cycle. 

Nutrition goes so much further than food to me.  Nutrition means taking care of what we have been blessed with.

Walkin' Away the Pounds :)

What is it about sweating that just feels so good?  I love the feel of sweat dripping down my back from a good workout - it is cleansing.  I have a picture up by my desk that basically says something about sweating out all the negative junk in our life.  I like that - the world seems a little better after a good workout.

I love my Walk Away The Pounds - Walk Strong DVD.  It combines walking and resistance training, and makes me feel good.  Ol' Leslie... you just can't stop her positive energy from rolling right out of the TV and into the living room.  She always seems to make a point of throwing something about praising God or saying a "Hallelujah" while she is working out.  It makes me smile.  I think there is a close link between taking care of ourselves and our relationship to the divine.  Hindus know it (yoga-spirituality).  We can't ignore the powerful connections of mind-body-spirit.  I just think we get lost (at least I know I do) in the daily grind and stop listening.  One thing she says in this particular workout is that it feels SO good when you take care of yourself.  And she's right.  Taking care of this one body is the key because (I) am the one person that I will live with for my entire life from start to finish.

After getting my good sweat going and stretching it out (so important for muscles that are warm to stretch out, says the massage therapist ;)  )  I made a good sugar scrub and clay masked my face and chest.  I feel like I am warmed up, stretched out and squeaky clean.  Much better than freaking myself out reading about the horrors of the modern American diet ;)  Certainly more relaxing. 

Now that the workout is done for today, I can focus on eating some good vegetarian chili and salad and spend the rest of the day reading and just pampering myself - it just feels SO good.

Living and Learning

Well, I have been furiously studying and reading this week.  I am getting right into my nutrition class, and I can't help but think... what have I been eating?  Do I love fruits and vegetables - you bet?  Do I eat a lot of them?  Many days, I do.  But then there are the other days.  Sugar, dairy, white flour, canned vegetables and soups... even for a vegetarian these are not good things.  I have the meat thing down, no problem.  But the rest - especially the white sugar and flour - well, those are dangerous weapons in the war between health and disease.

BUT I'M A VEGETARIAN!!!  Right????

Apparently eating a cheese and veggie sandwich on wheat bread (not whole grain - there is a difference), with pretzels instead of chips (because that's healthier - or so I thought), and some fruit and a cookie for dessert just aren't cutting it.  Now, understand, this was the 2010 version of me; not the new and improved 2011, non-stop veggie and fruit - can't eat cheese anymore because of the pain - buying raw nuts and flax crackers - no eating grains unless they are whole - me.  :)  Now I know the following.

• Pretzels are refined white flour, full of sodium (a.k.a. a high blood sugar and high blood pressure cocktail)
• Cheese is not my friend anymore
• Whole grains (and not too many of them) are the key
• No cookie for dessert - stick with the fruit and save the cookie for a special occasion
• Nutrition is interesting and sad all at the same time
• Being a grown up and responsible for my own health is tough

My brain hurts.  All I can think is that I need to keep reading and getting it figured out.  The dangers of chemicals, pesticides, hormones and other toxins in our foods... makes me want to move to Montana and grow my own food!  And I have never even been to Montana :)

Here's a little something for those of you who absolutely insist on eating meat... "Study after study confirms one basic truth: the higher your intake of meat and other animal products, the higher your risk of heart disease and cancer, especially for the major cancers such as colon, breast, prostrate, and lung cancer." The Encyclopedia of Healing Foods

Ahh well... one thing at a time.  And another weekend approaches, so in addition to studying, I can think about naps, baths, pedicures... and keep eating the good stuff, because any other way of doing it seems so much further away from who I strive to be.

Feelin the burn - part II

Sometimes I seriously underestimate the amount of time I have available.  I have created this maddening existence for myself, working two jobs and staying busy most hours out of the day. Needless to say, exercise falls to the wayside during these times.

Monday started off well, because I didn't have to get up early to go to work.  I woke up late, got some exercise in at home (Walkin' Away The Pounds - don't laugh... it's not just for blue haired old ladies), took a bath, and got ready at my leisure.  Those are the days I like.  Yesterday was a different story...

After working a full day I had to dash to the grocery store so I could make a salad for dinner to share with a group of friends.  We were all bringing something, and salad was my task.  I had just enough time to make it and change clothes, and then head over to dinner.  It was a wonderful evening of conversation, good food, wine and spending time with dear friends.  By the time I made it home (after 9 p.m.), I just wanted to connect with my sweetie and go to bed.  No exercise for me :(

This morning, I was feelin' the burn in a different way.  Last nights meal didn't quite sit well with me... after (again) days with no dairy, having a wonderful cheese lasagna wasn't the best for my digestion.  And the desserts didn't help either... although they were so tasty!  So, this morning I started with my usual vinegar cleanse and it burned all the way down.  Breakfast was a spinach, blueberry, banana smoothie and is just sitting in my stomach.  Not enjoyable...

I am drinking lots of water and had a little peppermint water (eases digestion and soothes irritated stomach), and that seems to be helping.  I will continue to eat some plain veggies and fruit today and take it easy.  All of this is really making me think about going back to my vegan ways permanently.  Seriously, food is meant to nourish - not cause pain.  I recently read that 75% of the world's population is lactose intolerant.  Millions of people suffer from G.I. pain and symptoms related to lactose intolerance, yet most of those people persist.  Why?  Calcium is the main reason dairy products are marketed.  But, there are less irritating sources of calcium in the form of leafy greens.  Here is some info I found from Soystache.com...

Here is some information from the American Heart Association about Vegetarian Diets:

Calcium: Studies have shown that vegetarians absorb and retain more calcium from foods than do nonvegetarians. Vegetable greens such as spinach, kale and broccoli, and some legumes and soybean products are good sources of calcium from plants.

Here is yet more information from the Vegetarian Pages:

Everything you ever wanted to know about calcium in 5 easy lessons

High protein diets appear to lead to increased calcium losses. Calcium requirements for those on lower protein, plant-based diets are believed to be below the usual recommendations. (previously at: http://www.veg.org./veg/Articles/calcium.html)
Most studies have shown that high doses of calcium do not slow bone loss. In fact, many populations with high intakes of calcium also have high rates of osteoporosis[5], probably because their high protein intake causes significant calcium loss...

The type of protein may also be important. At least one study shows that soy protein, even at high levels, does not increase calcium excretion the same way that protein from animal sources does

According to the article, The Great American Milk Myth, by Dr. Charles R. Attwood :

"Good bone density attained by the age of 18-25 usually lasts a lifetime for people who consume a balanced plant-based diet and remain physically active. The problem with milk and other dairy products is that they are not only rich in calcium but they are also high in protein, which has been shown to create calcium loss through the urinary tract."

 Good stuff, right?  Hopefully, by the end of the day, I will be feeling the burn the right way (good ol' exercise) after an evening trip to the gym.  And my digestion will be back on track...