A Junk-Foodaholic's Journey to a Healthy Lifestyle: 12/1/08

Friday, December 26, 2008

America's Worst Holiday Foods

I don't know about you, but food is the last thing on my mind. Holiday food is so heavy! I'm looking forward to getting the leftovers out of the house and eat some healthy salads!

I'm sure you agree that the holiday season is a time when we loosen our belts on healthy eating and indulge in traditional holiday fare - I know I do.

In fact, studies show the average person consumes an extra 600 calories a day between Thanksgiving and New Year's, which translates to an extra six pounds of belly fat heading into 2009.

Following is the very worst of the season's eatings and some suggested alternatives.

Worst Coffee Drink
Starbucks Venti Peppermint White Chocolate Mocha
660 calories
22 g fat (15 g saturated)
95 g sugars

Drink this instead:
Starbucks Venti Caffe Au Lait with Peppermint Syrup
150 calories
5 g fat (3.5 g saturated)
17 g sugars

Egg Nog

Worst Classic Holiday Drink
Egg Nog
350 calories
19 g fat
22 g sugars

Drink this instead:
Hot Chocolate
120 calories
4 g fat
15 g sugars

Crab Cakes

Worst Appetizer
Crab Cake
400 calories
19 g fat

Eat this instead:
Shrimp Cocktail (12 shrimp)
165 calories
1 g fat

Worst Cocktail
Gin and Tonic
210 calories
22 g sugars

Drink this instead:
Champagne
100 calories
5 g sugars

Worst Snack
Hot Spinach and Artichoke Dip
285 calories
17 g fat (11 g saturated)

Eat this instead:
Melon Balls Wrapped in Prosciutto
100 calories
7 g fat (2 g saturated)

Worst Entrée
Prime Rib
750 calories
45 g fat

Eat this instead:
Beef Tenderloin
165 calories
7 g fat (3 g saturated)

Worst Dessert
Pecan Pie a la Mode
810 calories
65 g fat
55 g sugars

Eat this instead:
Chocolate Fondue
340 calories
10 g fat
28 g sugars

Worst Holiday Beer
Samuel Adams Holiday Porter
211 calories
13 g carbohydrates
6% Alcohol

Drink this instead:
Sam Adams Light
124 calories
9 g carbohydrates
4.2% alcohol

Have you indulged in any of these foods or drinks lately? I have! Last Friday, I had a slice of pecan pie and tomorrow I'll be eating my famous artichoke dip.

Source: here

Related Article:

11 Tips To Help You Enjoy The Holidays Without Packing on the Pounds

My Other Websites: Are Your Vitamins Safe? Whole Food Nation Affiliate Link

Thursday, December 25, 2008

Hallelujah! The Reason for the Season

Merry Christmas everyone! I hope you are all enjoying this wonderful holiday with your family and friends.

I would like to take a moment to share one of my favorite Christmas songs: Hallelujah Chorus by Soulful Celebration!

Contemporary soul-pop artists, including Patti Austin, Tevin Campbell, Stevie Wonder, Quincy Jones, Take 6, Howard Hewett, and Dianne Reeves, take a pop-song approach to Handel's classic Christmas oratorio. Handel's wonderful melodies are updated with synthesizers, drum machines, and slick pop production from Quincy Jones and Take 6's Mervyn Warren.

It really cooks! Click on the video here to see it on YouTube.

The song can be found on the following WOW Christmas CD:

My Other Websites: Are Your Vitamins Safe? Whole Food Nation Affiliate Link

Thursday, December 18, 2008

It's a Girl! Duggars Welcome 18th Child

The ever-growing Arkansas family has added a holiday bundle-of-joy to their brood.

That's right folks, Michelle Duggar, has given birth to her 18th child.

The Arkansas supermom delivered the baby girl by Caesarean section Thursday at Mercy Medical Center in Rogers. The baby, named Jordyn-Grace Makiya Duggar, weighed 7 pounds, 3 ounces and was 20 inches long.

Read the rest of the story on the famous Arkansas blog, All Arkie Army.

The All Arkie Army is a place for Arkansans and individuals with ties to the Natural State to post their Arkansas-related articles. Want to take part in what we hope becomes a pretty dandy online magazine that focuses on the Natural State? Click right here and ask to join!

My Other Websites: Are Your Vitamins Safe? Whole Food Nation Affiliate Link

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Michelle Aguilar IS The Biggest Loser!

Don't mess with Texas!

Michelle Aguilar, a 27-year-old assistant director from Fort Worth, Texas, gained the title of Biggest Loser in Tuesday night's finale.

Michelle not only gained bragging rights but won $250,000 for her efforts. Cha-Ching!

Michelle lost 45.45% of her body weight, going from 242 pounds to a svelte 132 pounds!

But it's the back story that makes the victory so sweet.

You see, sweet unassuming Michelle, beat out two of the most conniving contestants in the show's history, Vicky and Heba.

First of all, it was left to America to vote and decide who the final third contestant would be. The choice was between Ed Brantley or his wife, Heba Salama. Ed pleaded with America to vote for Heba since according to Ed - this was Heba's dream and she deserved to be in the final. Heba also did her part by begging for votes.

But it wasn't to be. Ed won 84% of the vote - an overwhelming slam against Heba. With Ed being the third contestant, Heba was forced to compete for the lesser prize of $100,000, to win the title of "At Home Biggest Loser". Heba won the $100,000 prize by losing 46.94% of her body weight, going from 294 pounds to 156 pounds.

Afterward, asked why America voted against her, she said "I guess there are just a lot of negative people out there who don't like to see success."

Vicky Vilcan, a 37-year-old nurse and mother from Houma, Louisiana, was this season's villain (aka Icky Vicky). She lost 41.06% of her body weight going from 246 pounds to 145 pounds.

In an interview after the show, Vicky said she was unfairly depicted on the show. While she said the producers could have portrayed her positively as a mother struggling to balance work and family and improve the health of her two children, they chose to portray her as a schemer.

Apparently, Vicky had to change her phone number due to the number of death threats she was receiving, and to this day continues to receive letters telling her what a horrible person she is.

"Most people hate my guts," Vicky said, later adding that perhaps people hated her because she was a determined competitor who knew what she wanted and wasn't about to let anyone stand in her way. "Women need to be strong and they need to use their heads."

I was very surprised Ed Brantley came in second place. The 31-year-old chef from Raleigh, North Carolina, went from 335 pounds to 196 pounds, or 41.49% of his body weight. Had Ed pulled out the win, he and Heba would have walked away with $350,000!

A measly 14 pounds stood between Ed and $250,000! Man, that would be tough to live with. But honestly, I can't imagine him 14 pounds lighter. He looks great and so does Heba.

The next season of the hit NBC series, The Biggest Loser: Couples, kicks off Jan. 6, featuring, among others, the show's oldest contestants, two spouses who are both 63; a 379-pound woman, who will be the largest female to ever compete; and a 19-year-old young man who will be the show's heaviest contestant of all time at 454 pounds.

Also, if interested, The Biggest Loser is now casting for Season 8. Spread the word!

Related Articles:

Ex-‘Doormat' Sheds 110 lbs. To Become ‘Biggest Loser’

Biggest Loser’s Vicky Says She Was Misunderstood

Junkfoodaholic's Posts of The Biggest Loser: Season 6

My Other Websites: Are Your Vitamins Safe? Whole Food Nation Affiliate Link

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Kids Make Christmas Special

Following is a guest post from my wonderful husband, Paul, author of PaulsHealthBlog.com.

Every holiday season, my mother used to tell me, "Kids make Christmas fun and special. You get to live it all over again." She desperately wanted grandchildren. My wife and I had a black Lab. What more could Mom want?

Fast forward seven years:

Saturday we took Brady, our twenty month old son, to get pictures with Santa. It was right in the middle of the day, and the holiday shoppers were out in full force. Once inside the mall, we headed straight for Santa. Walking and talking, we suddenly came to a halt. The scene was straight out of "A Christmas Story", the line circling forever. And there we were, at the end of it.

Paul and Brady waiting in line to see Santa

Brady was not about to stand still, of course. I did everything I could to entertain him. We even made eight trips up the escalator. What seemed like an eternity, was actually but an hour. Finally, it was our turn!

All went well. Brady did not cry like some of the other kids. He didn't attempt to wiggle out of the old man's lap. He just... stared at him. Quickly, the pictures were taken, the money grubbing elves waved goodbye and we headed home.

As we turned the corner into our subdivision, all of a sudden, my wife excitedly remembered, "The Christmas parade is in 45 minutes!" We hurriedly cleaned up, changed clothes, and headed for downtown. Santa was on his way!

We managed to find a close parking space. Then we briskly walked towards the crowd and found a good spot among the parade watchers. This was going to be fun!

It was somewhat cold and the wind made it a bit worse. We did all we could do to keep our little man warm. While we waited, pictures were taken and Brady was entertained. Let the festivities begin already!

Brady and Paul watching the Christmas Parade

It was a traditional, small town parade. We saw firetrucks and high school bands. The beauty queens were perched on sports cars, with their signature wave. We even saw horses, old timey cars and singing school kids riding on floats. We felt the holiday spirit, indeed.

The ending was a bit lame, however. Santa and Mrs. Claus did not bring the Christmas parade to an end riding high up on a big, red sleigh. Instead, we saw the famous Christmas couple in a small, dinky little train. Oh well.

Santa and Mrs. Claus in the Christmas Parade

After the parade had ended, we were too excited to go home. We decided to ride around town again and look at more Christmas lights. Our little man could be heard in the back seat exclaiming, "Wow!" The next thing we knew, Brady was sound asleep. So we headed home.

Mom, you were right. Kids make Christmas special.

Merry Christmas!

My Other Websites: Are Your Vitamins Safe? Whole Food Nation Affiliate Link

Thursday, December 11, 2008

'Tis The Season!

A friend of mine sent me this video today. It's of an acapella group called Straight No Chaser. They are awesome!

Here's a link to the group singing Carol of the Bells, one of my all-time holiday favorites. Enjoy!

Christmas Traditions

After dinner tonight, we all hopped in the van and drove around town to look at the Christmas lights.

I don't know if it's my imagination or not, but it seems like less people are decorating their houses with Christmas lights.

Anyway, we hit the mother lode tonight. Check out this house!

This is an incredible Christmas display and this picture doesn't do it justice. They even have a big screen tv in the front yard showing Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer! We're going to go back later and shoot a video of it.

Brady was having such a good time, he cried when we left.

Here's a picture of our house all decked out.

I love this time of year! :)

Laura

My Other Websites: Are Your Vitamins Safe? Whole Food Nation Affiliate Link

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Cast Your Vote For The 3rd Finalist!

Did you watch the show tonight? Here's a quick rundown of what happened:

Michelle lost 9 pounds which put her at the top of the heap, losing 5.26% body weight! I was very impressed, to say the least. Second place finisher, Vicky, lost 6 pounds (3.41% loss). Heba lost 7 pounds (3.23% loss) and her husband, Ed, gained 2 pounds! He gained the weight on purpose to insure Heba would be one of the top three contenders. Unfortunately, that's not how it went down. Host, Alison Sweeney, informed the players that America would be voting who the third and final contestant will be. So, America, it's up to you!

America gets to decide who will compete in the Live Finale of The Biggest Loser! Ed Brantley and his wife, Heba Salama fell below the yellow line tonight and YOU get to vote on which one will be the third finalist.

To vote by phone:
Call 1-866-613-0001 to vote for Heba. You'll receive up to 6 special offers when you vote.
Call 1-866-613-0002 to vote for Ed. You'll receive up to 6 special offers when you vote.

Or, VOTE NOW ONLINE for who YOU WANT to be the third finalist at The Biggest Loser Finale on December 16th! Hurry and get your votes in before 3:00 PM ET/ Noon PT on Monday, December 15, 2008.

Related Articles:

Renee Wilson Is Not The Biggest Loser

Amy Cremen Is Not The Biggest Loser

Coleen Skeabeck Is Not The Biggest Loser

My Other Websites: Are Your Vitamins Safe? Whole Food Nation Affiliate Link

Monday, December 8, 2008

"My Miracle" by Janet Pauly, R.N.

Janet Pauly, A Former Nurse, Talks About

How She Overcame Her Cancer Using Nutrition

I was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, cancer of the lymph system, on July 31, 1980 during surgery. Five days after surgery I was sent to M. D. Anderson hospital in Houston. This is the University of Texas cancer treatment center and is the largest of its kind in the world. There I was told that not only was my cancer widespread but that it was also incurable.

After four years of treatment that included investigational drugs, my doctor told me that my disease was out of control and he had nothing more to offer me. I was sent home without another appointment but with his assurance that he would keep looking for something to help me.

All this time everyone I knew had been praying for me. But now I had to face the fact that I might become another cancer fatality along with thousands of others. But God wasn't finished with me yet.

Shortly after this I received a letter from a friend of mine in California who is also a nurse. Included in her letter was a sandwich bag that contained some green powder, a brochure and an audiotape. My friend said that she didn’t know if she believed in this stuff or not but that she was taking it and feeling good. Later she told me that she felt compelled to send the green powder to me.

My orientation to medicine was conventional. I never took any kind of supplement and never went to health food stores. Green powder was definitely not something that interested me. I probably wouldn’t have tried it if the Lord hadn’t spoken to me and told me to listen to the tape my friend had sent…but that’s another story.

On the tape I heard a woman tell about having breast cancer and what this green powder had done for her. Most stories that sound too good to be true are exactly that! I thought that this green powder must be some kind of quackery and fraud, although I wondered why the lady who was speaking would tell a story like this. I sent off for the green powder and began taking it only because I didn’t have anything else to do for myself.

My largest tumor was under my left arm and was the size of a tennis ball. Four days after I started taking the green powder this tumor began to soften and was my first tumor to go completely away. Within a few months, all my tumors were gone. The Lord could have sent this green powder sooner, but He knew that as long as the doctors had anything to offer me I never would have tried it.

I was taught in nursing school that we get all the nutrients we need in well-balanced meals. Our family ate healthfully: plenty of veggies, salads, legumes and whole grains. I should have been getting everything my body needed to stay healthy. The fact that my tumor began to soften after only four days on the green powder told me that there was something in the green powder, perhaps yet unidentified, that my immune system needed to begin to function effectively in my behalf. I believe that whatever this is may be difficult or impossible to get in our day-to-day diets for whatever reason.

Bone marrow biopsy showed that I had suffered bone marrow depression due to all the radiation I’d been given and I was told this was permanent damage. All my blood components were low. After being on the green powder for four months I went back to the hospital and had a blood test and it was normal for the first time in four years. Subsequent bone marrow biopsy showed healthy bone marrow. My doctor and I both attributed my remission from cancer and my bone marrow recovery to the green powder.

Today I take AIM BarleyLife™ which I consider to be the best green juice powder on the market. I continue to thank God every day for giving me thirty-two years of life after my cancer diagnosis.

BarleyLife™ In Veggie Capsules and Powder

Click Here For More Information About BarleyLife™

NOTE: Products of The AIM Companies™ have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or illness. Results may vary per person.

Understand that The AIM Companies™ does not have miracle products. It's the human body that is the real miracle. It just needs high-quality food to do its work.

Friday, December 5, 2008

White Elephants, Alcohol, and a SnugSack

Tonight, my husband and I went to my company's Christmas party.

Carol, one of my coworkers, is so very gracious and every year, without fail, she offers to host the party. And even though her house is large, by the time everyone arrives, there is standing room only.

We all look forward to the Christmas party because it's a time when everyone can relax and enjoy each other's company outside the work environment. It's also neat to meet coworker's spouses or dates.

But the main reason I look forward to our Christmas party is the infamous "White Elephant Gift Exchange".

I cannot possibly convey in a post how much fun we have playing this silly little game. First of all, I work with a fun, great group of people. That's the first necessary ingredient. Add in some gag gifts, gifts of an alcoholic nature, girly gifts, tools, toys, etc. and you're gonna have some laughs!

The game starts out pretty boring: people opening gifts - everybody saying, "Ooh", "Aah" etc. It starts getting interesting, however, when the first gag gift is opened.

Tonight's first gag gift was a Snoop Dogg doll! What made it even funnier is the guy who opened it is a white computer techie who was wearing Wrangler jeans, a cowboy shirt and boots! It was painfully obvious, rap music is not his thing. Anyway, everybody starts hootin' and hollerin' and saying "Ooh!!!!, Alright Michael! WOO HOO!!!" He smiles, takes a bow, and goes back to his seat. Then about ten minutes later, somebody steals it from him! I sure didn't see that coming. I elbowed my husband and said, "Honey, you ought to steal it and give it to your brother for Christmas!" Paul's brother, David, likes rap music and they always give each other gag gifts at Christmas. Well, Paul never got the chance because someone stole Snoop Dogg again and after that, the rap doll was frozen and couldn't be stolen again.

Another 'hot' commodity that always gets a lot of laughs is any alcoholic beverage. Among the alcoholic gifts were two bottles of Crown Royal, some Bailey's, a bottle of wine, and a bottle of scotch. Every time someone opened up a gift with alcohol in it, they quickly scuffled it back in the bag and tried to get out of sight - hoping others in the room would forget what they have and not steal it from them.

It's always a hoot watching people steal other people's presents. It's like the Grinch Who Stole Christmas except there's a whole lot of grinches in the room!

Another funny thing that happened, was when this guy opened up his present, and found a SnugSack inside. A SnugSack is a blanket that has arms, so it's like you're wearing your blanket. Anyway, everybody laughed and he sat down. A few minutes later, another guy stole it from him! The funniest part though, was near the end of the gift exchange, when the original guy who had it, stole it back from the other guy! Good times... GOOD TIMES!

When my number came up (#25), I chose a large gift bag. When I opened it, I found a really nice faux mink throw. Everybody oooh'd and aaah'd and then I sat down. I knew I'd never make it through the night without it being stolen.

When it was Paul's turn (he was #57), he stole a $15 Walmart gift card from one of my coworkers a couple seats over from where we were sitting. It was funny because everything this coworker picked out kept getting stolen from him. As a matter of fact, HE'S the one that stole my faux mink throw!

Since my gift was stolen, I had two choices: pick another gift or steal a gift. I opted for the latter and settled upon a cute Snowman mug set. I'm a sucker for anything snowman related.

I also lucked out and won a door prize tonight - a $25 American Express gift card! So I racked up pretty good this year. In fact, this makes two years straight that I've gone home with a nice White Elephant gift!

So why do I have a picture of Ralphie in his pink bunny costume? I don't know, I just love A Christmas Story. It's my favorite Christmas movie of all time and that particular scene always cracks me up. Dad to Mom: "He looks like a pink nightmare!" Hee Hee.

We watched A Christmas Story last night and enjoyed it as much as the first time we saw it.

Ho Ho Ho everybody! Tis the season to be jolly. Have a great weekend!

Laura

P.S. Today was my sweet husband's birthday. He turned 41 today but heck, who's counting? :) Happy Birthday, Paul! I hope you enjoyed your special day.

My Other Websites: Are Your Vitamins Safe? Whole Food Nation Affiliate Link

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Renee Wilson Is Not The Biggest Loser

Although Renee Wilson will not win The Biggest Loser title, she accomplished quite a bit while on the show. Throughout this season, I have found myself growing more and more fond of Renee and hated to see her go home.

The 46-year-old event manager from Dallas, TX, started The Biggest Loser weighing 267 pounds (see picture to the left) and wearing size 22 clothes. Eleven weeks later and 72 pounds lighter, Renee left the show weighing 195 pounds! I will upload Renee's after picture as soon as it is available on The Biggest Loser website. I watched her "Where Are They Now?" video tonight and she looks fantastic.

After being home for two months, Renee lost an additional 23 pounds and at the filming of her "Where Are They Now?" video, she weighed 172 pounds and was wearing a size 8! Renee's goal is to be wearing a size 6 at the show's finale.

It was fun watching tonight's show because the five contestants all got a makeover in New York City and also got to appear on The Tyra Banks Show.

At the weigh-in, Renee lost 4 pounds (2.01% loss). Unfortunately, it wasn't enough and she dropped below the yellow line. Ed lost the least amount of weight - 3 pounds (1.19% loss) and also dropped below the yellow line. Heba voted for Renee to go home and Michelle voted for Ed to go home. Vicki, as the swing voter, tipped the scales in Ed's favor and sent Renee home.

Even though I don't like Vicki, I admired her loyalty to the blue team. She would've been a better game player to send Ed home since he is by far the biggest threat to win The Biggest Loser title. By voting for Renee to be sent home, she sealed her fate as either the third place finisher or the person to be sent home next week.

Next week's show is the final show prior to the finale. If you get a chance, tune in because America will be calling in their votes to decide who the third and final player will be in the finale.

Following is Renee's "Where Are They Now?" video transcript:

Before The Biggest Loser I had a hard time loving myself. I had a hard time looking in the mirror and loving the person I saw.

I've been away from the ranch for two months now and I've lost a total of 95 pounds.

Now that I've accomplished so much in losing weight, I feel like I have the self confidence that I've never had before.

I wanted to share my experiences with people so I've been given the opportunity to do some public speaking. (Video shows Renee giving a speech.)

And on top of that, I've also been able to lead a fitness group at my work. (Video shows Renee leading a workout session.)

And to top it off, today is my birthday! (Video shows someone putting a birthday cake in front of Renee with the numbers '95' on top.

Renee's husband, Roderick, to Renee: "Okay, so the candles represent the amount of weight you've lost and not your age." Roderick to the interviewer: "To me, I've got like almost like a new wife - same loving person, very beautiful but now the physical aspect is so dynamic."

The Biggest Loser didn't just change my life, it gave me my life back.

And for the first time on my birthday, I can't even think of another thing I could wish for.

--Renee Wilson

If interested, you can watch Renee and Michelle's profile video here. You can also watch Renee's "Where Are They Now?" video below or by clicking here.

My Other Websites: Are Your Vitamins Safe? Whole Food Nation Affiliate Link

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Friday, December 26, 2008

Thursday, December 25, 2008

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Monday, December 8, 2008

Friday, December 5, 2008

Tuesday, December 2, 2008