Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Abbreviated Post

This is going to be a shorter post than I have been writing recently because we are going out to dinner tonight with my girlfriend Deirdre. I will post a quick entry about dinner out either late tonight or tomorrow morning.

We are having yet another gray day today. No rain, but also no sun. Maybe tomorrow we will get a little sunlight. Gray weather always means a slow start for me. After I spent some time on the computer I got down to business and did my workout and started my day.

After a quick shower I made another batch of reduced fat peanut butter for Dan’s cocoa, peanut butter and banana smoothie he has every night. For those of you that haven’t tried the reduced fat peanut butter idea from Mary McDougall I am a convert. It tastes much less fatty to me. Both Dan and I are really sold on it. I have not made used the same trick on almond butter, but I will soon and will share what we find.

Since we are going out for dinner I need to make something today so that I can pack Dan’s lunch tomorrow morning. I opted to make something easy and went with my gazpacho with avocado (no olive oil garnish) and a big chopped vegetable salad topped with lemon flavored quinoa.


Food for Thought:

I have gotten interesting email and comments about yesterday's post under Food for Thought. Some of them have been very positive and really made my day. Others not as much, but that was not completely unexpected. I wanted to clarify my reason for the rant yesterday in case it wasn’t clear. Food is something that we can control. We can choose to eat or not eat whatever we please. There aren’t many things in life that we have as much control over as food. The problem is that most information that we receive is biased and distorted. Food lobbyists exert power to affect the USDA food pyramid. Large food companies fund studies which show that their products are good for people when they may not be. How is anyone supposed to know what to eat?

Science is starting to show that eating a whole foods plant based diet results in a lower probability of chronic disease so shouldn’t we all know this and strive for the healthiest diet possible? I also believe that everyone’s diet (mine included) could stand a few changes to become both more nutritious and healthy. Nutrition is a process. For some of us (me included) change is slow. But I find that the more I learn about nutrition the easier it is to make better food choices. My intention for writing about this was to get people thinking about their choices. Awareness is the first step in the process, if we aren’t open to new information or ideas change is probably not going to happen.

I fully realize that is easier for me to keep my thoughts to myself and not share them. Keeping things to myself doesn't do anyone else any good. As I said yesterday I know my food consumption patterns go against society and that we eat a more whole food diet than most people. These choices were made consciously and after much research. I hope some of you will do a little research of your own on this topic. I would love to hear what you find if you want to share. :-)

Cancer:

Are you aware that the average person will have cancer for 10 years before blood tests and diagnostic radiology can detect it? I didn’t know this until not long ago. It has to do with the doubling rate of the cancer cells. By the time anyone is diagnosed they have had the cancer for years. During that period of time you can dramtically slow the rate of doubling by eating a healthy plant based diet, getting moderate exercise and reducing your stress. This has been proven with prostate cancer and is used for those that don’t want to or can't undergo surgery. Studies have shown that “watchful waiting” (which they call it) results in lower PSA scores. In my opinion it is never too soon to consider making changes that could extend your life. But I am radical that way. ;-)

Interesting Health Article:

I have mentioned this article before but since there are new readers now I wanted to bring this to everyone’s attention. The bottom line is that plant based foods are higher in antioxidants than animal based foods. At the end of the article there is a link to the table containing the antioxidant values on 3100 foods. I hope some of you will take a look. I found the data to be fascinating. One of the items that jumped out at me today when I looked at the table while writing this post is that Crystal Light Lemonade has zero antioxidants. How many glasses and bottles of that stuff have I had in my life? Ugh! Before anyone asks of course I down loaded the table to my computer so I can refer to it when needed.

Other info:

Since Brigid makes jewelry and is going to Venice this fall I said I would post the Venetian glass necklace Dan bought me as part of my b’day presents.  Here it is.  Brigid if you want to see some of the other pieces of Murano glass jewelry I have send me an email and I will take pics and send them to you.


For now I have to go so I can finish a few things before I need to get ready for dinner. I will talk to you later tonight with a dinner update. I know there will be some recipe ideas to share.

12 comments:

  1. Alicia, I think this is a great clarification post for anyone who may have been miffed at all. I think that you're doing the right thing by sharing the information you have gathered. People can take from it what they will, but at least you put it out there. Have a fantastic evening!

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  2. I like this teeny tiny post. LOL

    I think you really are breaking ground for those people who are struggling to gain some perspective!
    You are making a change!!

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  3. Heather,

    Thanks! As you know my intention was not to upset anyone in fact it was just the opposite. I spent many years thinking I understood nutrition though I didn't. There is so much bad information that it is nearly impossible to know what to eat. I know there have been times when I read 4 or 5 things that contradict each other and wanted to throw in the towel. As much as I read about nutrition if I have been that frustrated imagine what people that don't read these articles everyday must think.

    We will have a great evening I am sure. Deirdre is always a riot. I can guarantee you there will be hours or laughing.

    talk to you soon,
    Ali

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  4. Brandi,

    Teeny tiny, LOL. You crack me up.

    Thanks for the vote of confidence. I really want to hope I am giving people things to think about.

    talk to you soon,
    Ali

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  5. I thought that the comments were nearly as interesting as your post! People may be at different places in terms of learning about nutrition, but I think anyone who reads your blog with regularity is interested in learning more about nutrition. Oh, and maybe getting some good dinner ideas along the way!!! *lol*

    Have a good evening!

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  6. Neca,

    LOL, you are quite funny. Thanks for the giggle.

    I agree that people that read my blog must be interested it nutrition. At least you would think so right? I tend to be very passionate about this topic. You might have noticed, LOL. ;-) I try to remember that we are all at different places on the learning curve. However I really meant it when I wrote that it is difficul to know what to eat. I could find you recent studies that show that milk or meat are healthy. I don't agree but those studies are out there for everyone to read. And we wonder why people are confused.

    I liked the comments too. It is a shame you guys didn't get to see the emails I received. They were just as thought provoking.

    talk to you later,
    Ali

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  7. It's your blog! A blog is somewhere where you can share your personal thoughts, feelings and opinions. At the same time, there is a sharing of useful nutrition and health information by you and then all of the awesome recipes! I say that you and your blog are a whole package. If people want just one part of it, well that's their choice, but it's not your responsibility or job to change for others. Be yourself and write what you feel like writing! Many people seem to enjoy it anyway and people who react in fear or judgment are often reacting out of their own insecurities or fears. In my personal opinion, the mainstream system including much of what is "science" is broken and that's why it's awesome to, as a human community, come together through the internet to share. Keep it up Alicia!

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  8. VeganPossum,

    Thanks for the healthy reminder. I completely agree that it is my blog and I should be true to myself. But I didn't want anyone to feel that I was commenting on their behavior when it was not my intention. I am a direct person, if I am calling anyone out they will know it. ;-) My intentions are and have been to share what I have read so that others can research and investigate items further if they desire and .... to share recipes. But the nutrition information has great meaning to me (as you may have noted) that is what I am passionate about. The idea of my going back to school to get a Masters in Nutrition came up at dinner again tonight. That is a long story, when there is something to share I will.

    Thanks again for your support, I do appreciate it, :-)
    Alicia

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  9. Well, I missed yesterday's post, so after reading today's, I went back and read it. Alicia, I think you're doing a great job. The very least you've done with me, is to be a constant voice that I hear when I make meals. I may not make them all as healthy as you would, but I hope you like some of them! All I can say for me is that I think I'm at the start of the road to getting even healthier. I can't promise I'm going to totally eliminate sugar or oil, but reducing it I think is doable. And, of course, I just posted a recipe you're going to hate! But, I did that before I came over here. Er, maybe you should skip this one. :-) Love me still??

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  10. Blessed Mama,

    Thanks for reminding me about being the little voice when you are cooking. You had mentioned that before but I forgot. That does make me smile.

    We are all on a different place in the continuum of healthy cooking. I learn things every week that I try to put into practice. I think good nutrition is a process. In general you can't go wrong with eating as much whole food as possible.

    Hmmmmm, something you think I will hate huh? Now I have to go look! Of course I still love you. ;-)

    talk to you soon,
    Ali

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  11. Yay, thank you for sharing. That is gorgeous! I can't wait to buy some Murano glass while I'm there. I know it's cheesy, but the glass blowing demonstration was one of my favorite things when I visited.

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  12. Brigid,

    Glad you liked it! I hope you find some great stuff in Murano. I have seen the glass blowing demo before too, and enjoyed it. ;-)

    Alicia

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