Strength for Life

How Do You Get Your 5-a-Day?

The US-Government, while not exactly a bastion of nutritional wisdom, recommend 5 servings of vegetables per day for every adult. And this may be the one place I find myself in agreement with their nutritional advise for vegetables are a little like “models” at the playboy mansion, the more the merrier.

(Sorry ladies, that’s just the best I could do for analogies for the moment. It is after all vegetables we’re talking about here.)

I eat clean, healthy, nutrient rich food but still find reaching the magic 5 servings of veggies a daily challenge. My wife, Angie, is good at making veggie rich salads with dinner which helps. And I get an additional load when I make it to my favorite fast-food place, Tokyo Joes but you'll not often find me snacking on red bell peppers or raw broccoli during the day. Should I? Probably but it’s just not something I’ve bitten off yet—pun intended.

This has me thinking: If not now, when? When am I going to start getting in the mega dose of veggies?

First answer that comes to mind, “When I have to.” Ah… busted. Seems deep down I’m relating to veggie intake the way many relate to fitness and exercise—they’ll take it on when they have to, when their doctor says they are out of options.

Now, here I am busted in my own dance with what I want and what I know is right. Damn it! I hate when that happens.

I’m sure I could come up with some answers but I’d rather hear from you—I want to find the most creative, effective, sustainable way to get 5-a-Day and maybe we can all learn something from it.

So, how do you do get your 5 a day in? Or do you? Please do share. I look forward to being inspired.

When Your Body is Wiser Than Your Mind

We humans do value our minds—that higher capacity and intelligence which separates us from animals. Why not… it’s at once our ego, our sense of control, our superiority, our world.

So captivated by our codependent relationship with mind, many (if not most) people have long sense relegated their body to a second grade citizen—akin to the crazy aunt we park in the basement. It’s handy for utilitarian uses but otherwise we ignore it in favor of the mental-monologue.

While this common approach to living from the shoulders up can fail us in many ways, none may be more readily visible and serious than in our eating. For the mind is tricky thing—it’s smart and it learns and when our sole relationship with life is via our mind we’re extremely vulnerable to its trickery.

When it comes to eating—fueling your life energy—my advice is to take a step towards freedom and tune in to your body and out of our mind when eating for your body craves nutrition, your mind stimulation.

When the Scale is an Altar

Amidst the busyness of December, the holiday season offers a chance to reflect, and pay homage, to all that is good and meaningful in our lives.

Come January, it’s back to high-gear as we take control of the wheel of life again—and toss in a few well intentioned resolutions for improvement. And for most you can expect at least one of those resolutions to reference fitness—or to “get back in shape.”

That’s great! Really. Any focus on self improvement is helpful. What concerns me is the way in which it seems millions of people choose to measure their progress: the scale.

4 Secrets for Eating Your Body Weight in Mashed Potatoes

I love food…really love it. What I like best about it is eating it.

With Thanksgiving just a hours away, if you love to eat too, I thought you might enjoy a few tips on how to eat your body-weight in Thanksgiving day feast! If you’re a little out of practice at the indulgence thing, these might just do the trick!

1.       Start with a Dunkin’ Dozen

Quick, off the top of your head... what foods have you actually eaten a dozen of at one time?

Donuts, cookies, candies... what else? Ever had a dozen oranges or a dozen hamburgers? I doubt it.

What do these little health-granades all have in common? You got it... the deadly mix of sugar and fat - the perfect combo for excessive consumption. The sugar provides the taste and fuels cravings, while the fat adds to the pleasure and mouth-feel. With this special mix, there’s literally no stopping until you run out, toss them out the window or overload your stomach.

Why start your day this way?

Science has shown that a low protein, high carb, high fat breakfast sets one up perfectly for overeating later in the day.

How ideal! Just think about it; when you finally do regain consciousness, you’ll be delightfully ravenous and ready to unleash your fury on the Thanksgiving feast.

*** Remember, no protein for breakfast. It’s high satiety will reduce your appetite and may stop you from fully gorging yourself. ***

How I Plan to Eat Everything I Want and Still Feel Great!

First let me say, I don’t plan on losing one single pound this Thursday and I sincerely hope you don’t either. Your body, as is your life, is a reflection of what you do consistently, day in and day out, not the exceptions.

For me, the idea of testing my strength and willpower against a holiday of such abundance as Thanksgiving is nonsensical. It’s like wrestling a tiger - should one live, it’s a great story to tell your grandchild but let’s face it, the odds are with the tiger.

My Thanksgiving Day Schedule

~ 6:30 am ~
First thing I’m going to do after I awake is workout. I know many people like to take holidays off but I find them the best days to train. This is especially true for Thanksgiving. It's a great day for energizing your body and mind with exercise as it invariably turns into a long day with a lot of eating and sitting. It helps to be clear and focused for the day ahead.

If you train at a gym you may not be so eager to take the drive – I understand that. Although when I was growing up the holidays were the best because so few people would come to the gym we felt like we owned it. It was nice. But that was then. If you can’t make the gym, then start with a brisk walk… just get at least 20 minutes of movement in. Do some pushups, sit-ups, deep knee bends or even some yoga to get your body moving.

~  7:30 am ~
After training I’ll set my day up for success and start strong with my favorite breakfast, a nutritious delicious Full Strength. This is my insurance policy for the day. Rather than pretend I’m going to be on a diet or even worry about what I will or won’t eat, I’ll have a Full Strength first thing in the morning. As a result, I’ll enjoy total freedom and still eat less without effort.

I know when I start with a Full Strength I effortlessly eat less all day. Maybe it’s the satiating power of the ultra-premium proteins, the lasting energy of the sustained release carbs, the cognitive boost or the full spectrum of nutrients or most likely the perfect synergy of all the above but what I know is that it delivers a new level of freedom. After starting my day with one Full Strength I simply don’t eat as much throughout the day nor do I crave sweets.

When I start my day with a Full Strength I can actually eat ALL I WANT freely because I simply want less. I eat from a rational place and feel in control. If you've tried it, you know. I not, you've got to feel the difference.

There’s ample science that explains how the premium blend of nutrients provides a boost of energy and such phenomenal lasting satiety but what’s even more amazing to me is the feedback I just received from a few hundred regular Full Strength’ers. When asked “What food did Full Strength replace in your day?” the #1 answer was:

“None… I simply eat less of everything when I have a Full Strength every day.”

I know this is absolutely true for me. And if you’ve never experienced the remarkable lift and sustained energy Full Strength provides, now is your chance. We’ve just received a new vintage and that means we have FREE trial samples in again.

~ 8:00 am and Beyond... ~
With my workout in, my energy high and fully fueled with a Full Strength, I’m ready for a terrific Thanksgiving. From this point out it’s no-holds-barred holiday. At this point I refer back to my opening post about how to enjoy the holiday, A Day of Thanks and Freedom. Having set myself up for success, I won’t worry about trying to control or limit myself – I can fully and freely enjoy the holiday, food, family and all.

However you choose to enjoy your Thanksgiving may you have a warm, wonderful and memorable holiday with your family and friends.

To Eat a Purple Tomato!

Doesn't it just make your mouth water? Yummm...

Reminds me of that rhyme from childhood...

"I've never seen a purple cow and never hope to see one... but
should I ever see a purple cow, I know I'd rather see than be one."

Something like that... Well, back from the past to share the good news. You guessed it... with the help of some amazing scientists you too can soon be enjoying a plump, delicious (well, maybe... that's not too clear yet) purple tomato.

Excited yet?

Maybe you will be more so when I tell you that this new "super-colored-food" is being engineered
(genetically, I imagine) because it's rich in anthocyanins.

Anthocyanins are the source of the blue, purple and red colour of berries, grapes and some other fruits and vegetables. These pigments also function as antioxidants, believed to protect the human body from oxidative damage that may lead to heart disease, cancer and ageing.

The only small drawback to these purple-people-savers looks to be the quantity that can be grown and flavor.

Oh, is that all? :-)

Here's what one of the scientists said:

“Flavour is a tough one,” said Dr. Mes. “Everyone likes a different tasting tomato. That work is ongoing, and is part of the intended first release from the breeding program.”

Who knows... maybe they'll be great on a some green spelt bread with a few slices of blue turkey bacon and a slab of white lettuce. The first rainbow BLT!

Great -- we've got that to look forward to. If you see a purple tomato before I do, let me know. Love to spilt it with you.

Research groups around the world are working on breeding truly purple tomatoes, packed full of anthocyanins, and reports suggest that such a finished fruit may only be a few years away.

Tomatoes are already known to contain lycopene, a carotenoid thought to reduce risk of prostate cancer and fight heart disease.

Anthocyanins are the source of the blue, purple and red colour of berries, grapes and some other fruits and vegetables. These pigments also function as antioxidants, believed to protect the human body from oxidative damage that may lead to heart disease, cancer and ageing.