Strength for Life

What? A soda here?

Perhaps you have me pegged as some sort of health nut--a guy who's some sort of donut virgin or something.

That's only if you've never spent any time hanging out with me. I know how to eat well... and I know how to EAT WELL. As I start chapter 10 of my new book, "I love food, all sorts of food..."

And along with my meals, now and then, I enjoy a sparkling beverage. I'm fortunate to make it through the 70's without being exposed to soda or pop, as we called it in CO. Oh, I had one now and then but nothing to make a habit of.

As a result of this good fortune I've never much had a taste for Coke or any of the classic soda pops (wow, put but those together to make one word).

When IZZY soda came out, being as it's a local gig and I like the idea of something we can drink that's fresh and natural, I tried a few. Just not my cup of tea. Far, far too sweet... like so many drinks today, there was just too much sugar. It's as if the volume has to be turned full on to get noticed these days--and IZZY is.

Well, I just have to tell you about a new Dry Soda that's out. It's what you might call a soda for an adult--and still, as a questionable adult and non-soda drinker I've really come to enjoy this low calorie, tasty and not too sweet beverage.

A Starbucks Today May Keep Diabetes Away…

Yes, more good news to report for the coffee lovers of the world. And I’m happy to be the one telling you.

With a book in the works, an amazing wife and three year old son, a growing business and many more commitments than I begin to list here, my days are pretty f*&%^#n hectic. Thank goodness I have Full Strength and a Starbucks grande’ Americano to count on.

I love my “strength” and my Americano!

Well, as a stockholder and fan of Starbucks (not just any coffee mind you) I’m happy to share more support for coffee’s protective role against diabetes.

11/29/2006

Drinking a whopping seven or more cups of coffee a day could cut the risk of developing type-2 diabetes by over 40 per cent, say Finnish researchers from the country’s National Public Health Institute.

(check out all that java in that photo! Looks a little like my desk!)

In this recent study published in the International Journal of Obesity, coffee drinking was associated with a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes in both men and women, and this association was observed regardless of the levels of physical activity, BMI and alcohol consumption.

That’s very interesting but mixed news to me. Sure, it’s terrific that coffee may reduce the risk of diabetes but I can see how this might sound like a license to be obese and guzzle vodka for breakfast. 

Clearly that’s not the idea… Nope. Don’t try that one at home.

And if you too are a fan, the Christmas Blend is HERE!

Well, here’s to the magical bean… in moderation, of course.

Now is the Time!

You've heard about "it" enough that it may be starting to just go "in one ear..." and you know the rest.

I generally stay away from doing many podium rants on obesity because it's so darn easy to go on and on about - and that's mostly what people do. It's the cause of our time being used by as many for self-promotion and everything from book, food and movie sales as there are good people trying to make a difference.

That said, ran across a great, conscious, real post on the subject this morning from the editor of a large nutrition information company in the UK.  It begins as follows:

09/05/2006- It is time to admit that society is fighting a part-time battle against the bulge, willingly lambasting soft drinks, burgers and chocolate, while shuffling silently away from a fairly dismal exercise rate.

The debate on rising obesity rates has become lopsided.

Societies in several western countries have spent much time and money chasing the latest fad diets or cajoling food firms to reformulate and get unhealthy products out of schools. Last week’s deal to get high-calorie soft drinks out of US schools was only the latest in a long line.

You can read it all here: The Full Article

My response to Chris follows:

Chris,

Thank you for talking about this most important topic at the most important time, now.

Hope is a wonderful thing and terribly deceiving thing as well… the promise of a brighter future, the message we’ve all been promised for a century (and likely before) can be wildly effective at allowing people to "take the day off." Heck, "there’s always tomorrow."

Right?

It’s not true – tomorrow is a concept, not a reality. Today is the only reality – right now. This is the time to put the Twinkie down. Not tomorrow.

Please join me in asking everyone who is listening: “What are you doing today to live at full strength?”

In Strength,
Shawn Phillips

Well, now you know the question I'm thinking about today. You?

I'm Draggin' Ass Tired and I Do Know Why...

It’s 12 after 9 pm and I’ve got a load of writing and other “work” to complete yet. But I’m really dragging ass… I feel heavy, weak and exhausted and it’s not because I’m lacking sleep or anything like that.

My lethargy is no mystery at all – in addition to being painful, it’s painfully clear to me what I’m dealing with…

Allow me to explain…

Angie and I had one of those rare evenings where we both found ourselves at home without a plan or even a clue as to what was for dinner. Either one or both of us had plans that changed and add to that our hectic day and we it’s easy to excuse ourselves being out of whack.

I do have to admit that there was a part of me that was enjoying the experience – the confusion of, “what’s for dinner?”

It connected me with a real life experience of just how easy it is to “get by” on less than optimal choices when you’re simply eating on demand – sort of a freestyle like.

We got real creative and decided to make a pizza – a very rare treat. Given that our 2 year old son is a rare meat-eating vegan, thanks to severe food allergies, even pizza around here tends to be pretty healthy.

We built the pizza, used some good veggies, chicken, artichoke hearts and some funky soy cheese product – oh yes, I snuck some real cheese on a slice later but no where near this.

Homemade crust, homemade pizza, all with an eye (or at least a good story) on staying healthy and yet here I am, an hour and some later, just beat. Why? Simple, while our homemade pie was no where near the death-bomb of today’s standard triple meat, quintuple cheese pizzas it was a heavier meal that I am used to. Break it down and it’s a dense food with a lot of carbs and fat – it’s hard to fill pizza with adequate protein even the best of intentions.

And like I say, building a healthy pizza is a lot like smoking a healthier cigarette… well, that’s a little harsh but I’m sure you get the idea.

Angie and I are not used to eating heavy, out of balance meals like this – it’s a good reminder of why we don’t. Sure, it seems like keen, crazy, wild fun for a few minutes but it doesn’t take long before you’re not just filled with grease but with regret.

I don’t like the feeling of having regretted a meal – it seems like such a waste. I love food and I’ve come to love the way food can help me feel alive and energized. I love the knowing that I’ve dome something healthy for myself – that I enjoyed a great, balanced, nutrition meal and then feeling great afterwards.

Since I created Full Strength and it’s become such an integral part of my daily nutrition, I’m more sensitive than ever to the toll all food places on my body – and how draining it can be for an hour or so. Moderate to lousy meals like the one I had tonight makes it even that much more debilitating.

For the short-lived satisfaction, no way it's worth it to feel this lousy. I feel like I’m being pulled down and out of life - like I’m missing out on the energy and life I could be enjoying this evening simply because I overindulged in lousy foods.

That’s to high a price.

But I tell you, it’s a damned good lesson to learn – again. What a powerful reminder.

And one other thing, just one meal like that and honestly, I feel like it’s all I can do to lay down and stare at a TV… suddenly the mystery of the ratings for American Idol make perfect sense to me! The way the vast majority of American’s eat – I can see how that show might actually draw one in.

In Appreciation of "Human Drano!"

I just ran across a weight-loss and healthy living BLOG from a wonderful, intelligent, inspired spirit named Julia Havey. Honestly, never heard of her before but it looks like a lot of others have as she's been fighting a good fight for health and sanity for some time.

Her post was entitled "Human Drano!" but what I so appreciated was the way she just let a guy who is doing everything to lose weight but take responsibiliy for himself HAVE IT. It takes courage to call them as you see them and in my book, this was right on.

I truly apprecaite her full expression of intolerance with the "insanity" of it all. I fully agree that it all starts with taking responsibility for ourselves. The change begins with you, every "you" out there.

If America is to become the strongest and healthiest nation in the world (which is a nicer way of saying, "and not be bankrupted by obesity related medical costs...") each and every person must grab thier ass with both hands and take control of thier lives.

Rock on Julia!