I Tried It: Veganism

Today we’ll take a look at veganism. Vegan and vegetarian eating is usually more about environmental and animal welfare than weight loss, and true vegans abstain not only from animal foods, but all animals products including leather and suede. Animal free diets have seen big surgence in popularity lately, particularly on college campuses.
Kelly-Rose Hargrove is a 21-year-old college student who has dabbled in the vegan lifestyle.

Why did you decide to try veganism?

I was already a vegetarian and just got really tuned into the many ways animals are still oppressed, even if you stop eating meat. They are horribly treated throughout their wholes lives and major meat industries don’t care at all about the quality of milk, eggs, meat, etc.; they only care about profit. Research the documentary “earthlings” and you will see, in detail, the five ways animals are oppressed.

What was the most difficult part of being a vegan?

The most difficult part of being a vegan was accessibility. It can be hard to find things, even in grocery stores, that are 100% vegan. Especially when going out to eat, even some soup would have chicken broth in it, bread usually has diary. You would have to go to specialized stores to find vegan food that actually tastes good.

How long were you vegan? Why did you stop?

I was a vegan for 6 months. I stopped because I didn’t do enough research on how to remain healthy and started feeling very weak. It was also hard because I was in situations where I couldn’t cook for myself so I was stuck ordering a lot of starch heavy foods when out with friends.

Did you notice an bodily changes as the result of your vegan diet?

I lost weight from being a vegan, but like I said, I felt weak at lot of the time. You really should make sure to have vitamin B supplements for protein and stay away from starch heavy food if trying veganism.

Would you recommend veganism to others?

I would absolutely recommend veganism to others, however; I would advise them to research it and get recipes and food ideas before starting. I wouldn’t want anyone to feel guilted into doing it either, so do it for yourself, or if you decide, do it for the animals!

Have you ever tried a vegan or vegetarian diet?

I Tried It: Cabbage Soup

Today we’ll take a look at The Cabbage Soup Diet. While sounds self explanatory, its actually a lot more involved (than simply eating soup. This extreme diet lasts only seven days. Due to the drastically reduced calorie intake, it is not advised one attempt it any longer. Dieters are only allowed to eat certain, very specific combinations of foods on certain days, and of course plenty of cabbage soup.

Randal Coursey is a 21-year-old college student who tried the diet last spring.

What did you find to be the most difficult part of the diet?

I’ve attempted many diets and didn’t find the cabbage soup too hard. The most difficult day had to be the bananas and skim milk. Even though you can resort to the soup for a little variety, the bananas and milk just were not cutting it!

Did you see results? How long did they take to achieve?

I unfortunately did not have a working scale so I don’t know exactly how many pounds I lost, but I definitely saw some minor results within the week.

Did you exercise in addition to the diet?

I did the diet last year and can’t remember if I worked out for all 7 days of diet, but do believe I went to the gym a few of the days.

What happened when you went off of the diet?

When I went off the diet, I ate like I normally would (which is healthy for the most part) and I gained whatever weight I lost back.

How did you feel about the experience overall? Would you recommend the diet to others?

I wouldn’t oppose the diet, just because it’s only 7 days and worth a shot. It’s pretty low on calories, but you eat lots of fruits, veggies and lean protien, so I don’t feel like it’s that unhealthy for a short period of time.

Have you or anyone you know tried extreme calorie restriction for weight loss?

I Tried It: South Beach

Keeping with the theme of restrictive eating, I’m going to do a few posts about people’s first hand dieting experiences. To kick it off, I’ll take a look at The South Beach Diet, and ask a few questions to a former dieter.

First, a recap:

“Phase One lasts two weeks, and excludes most carbohydrates, including all fruit, most dairy products, and most sources of saturated fat. Phase Two lasts until the dieter has completed weight loss. Phase Three is maintenance. Carbohydrate is progressively added after the first phase. As dieters proceed through the phases, they add more carbohydrate, focusing on foods with a low glycemic index. All the while they are monitoring their weight and staying at a carb level where they are still losing. At Phase Three, individuals are eating at a carb level which allows them to maintain their weight, though they are encouraged to go back and forth between phases as needed.”

Sarah Nelson is a 23-year-old college student who gave the South Beach Diet a try with her mother a few years ago.

What did you find to be the most difficult part of the diet?

Getting through phase 1 is difficult. You don’t eat any carbs or sugars, including fruit! I had headaches here and there, and my energy was down, but it was my body readjusting, and by the third week, you don’t crave those things anymore and you function normally.

Did you see results? How long did it take you to achieve them?

I definitely saw results, maybe after the first month, my clothes weren’t as tight and my spirit and energy levels were up. I felt really good about myself, which, I think, is the most important part of a diet.

Did you exercise in addition to the diet?

I did exercise while I was on the diet. My mom joined Curves, and I thought I’d come along and try it out. I even got one of my good friends to come with me. It was fun. I’d also take my dog walking more regularly and taking mini-day hikes in an aboretum.
What happened when you went off the diet?

College happened, and I had to figure out meals on my own since my mom wasn’t buying groceries for me anymore. I did gain back weight, but I kept exercising and I never went back to the tight-clothes feeling. I just feel bleg most of the time because I’m not eating as well as I did.

How did you feel about your experience overall? Would you recommend the diet to others?

I was happy with it. It can be pretty expensive and inconvenient. But hopefully, when I’m no longer in school I can make a better routine for myself. I would recommend it to others, and I’m pretty sure I have in the past. I should really get back on it. If anything it teaches you how to make better choices in what you eat and how you can sustain that healthy eating throughout your life.

What do you guys think about low carb diets? Have you ever tried the South Beach Diet or one similar?

Food Combining?

I’m a really big fan of balanced meals, you know, a fruit, a veggie, some protien, and carbs. Apparently I might have it all wrong. Have you ever heard of food combining?

Growing up my mom would mention it from time to time. “Oh no I can’t have that, I’m combining.” She swears by it.

I’m a pretty darn healthy eater, but summer is rapidly approaching and I’m getting a little nervous about it. So at my mother’s recommendation, I’m going to give this combining business a try, but first I need to figure out what the heck it actually means.

The basic idea is that by eating certain combinations of foods, and certain foods entirely on their own, your body will digest them optimally, keeping your the ph in your body properly alligned and therefore promoting weight loss. Sounds good. It also sounds complicated. Here is the basic gist.

The Nine Basic Rules of Proper Food Combining:

1. Eat acids and starches at separate meals. Acids neutralize the alkaline medium required for starch digestion and the result is fermentation and indigestion. 

2. Eat protein foods and carbohydrate foods at separate meals. Protein foods require an acid medium for digestion.

3. Eat but one kind of protein food at a meal.

4. Eat proteins and acid foods at separate meals. The acids of acid foods inhibit the secretion of the digestive acids required for protein digestion. Undigested protein putrefies in bacterial decomposition and produces some potent poisons.

5. Eat fats and proteins at separate meals. Some foods, especially nuts, are over 50% fat and require hours for digestion.

6. Eat sugars (fruits) and proteins at separate meals.

7. Eat sugars (fruits) and starchy foods at separate meals. Fruits undergo no digestion in the stomach and are held up if eaten with foods that require digestion in the stomach. 

8. Eat melons alone. They combine with almost no other food.

9. Desert the desserts. Eaten on top of meals they lie heavy on the stomach, requiring no digestion there, and ferment. Bacteria turn them into alcohols and vinegars and acetic acids.

It seems a little extreme as a lifestyle (I’m not really sure I could live the rest of my life without peanut butter and banana sandwiches) but it I think I could handle it for a week. I’m not above doing some weird stuff to lose a few pounds, as long as it’s healthy, so if I have to eat cottage cheese and canteloupes separately for a little while, why the heck not?

Have you ever heard of/tried food combining? How did it go for you?

Bike to Work Day

 

He's got the right idea.

The 13th annual Bike To Work Day will be observed on May Friday May, 21st. The event, sponsored by the Baltimore Metropolitan Council, is national but has 13 stations in the Baltimore area.

Participants who pre-register will recieve a shirt, snack pack, and the chance to enter rallies at the sites. Of course you can still participate without registering, but swag is always a nice incentive.

The goal of the event is raising awareness for all the benefits of biking, both health and environmental, particularly the way car exhaust sullies the air quality in the warmer months.

Unfortunately biking isn’t always an option for a lot of people, especially in work clothes, but wouldn’t the world be great if we did?

I rode a bike to the grocery store the other day and it was so great. I put my my food in a back pack and everything, it was awesome. I think sometimes grown people forget that biking and walking are options sometimes.

I hadn’t heard of this event before, but I’m really excited about it. My job is no where near biking distance to my house, so I obviously won’t be participating, but I hope that everyone who can does. Come on, you can get a free shirt out of it. Click here for all the info. Here is another cool site  about bike commuting also.

Do you guys ever ride bikes? Do you do it for fun, exercise, or practicality?

A Hidden Treasure

Lets be honest, Harford Road isn’t the most charming spot in Charm City. Particularly as you head into the city, it seems like the last place you’d be likely to find a neighborhood restaurant oozing with ambience, that also happens to be a paradise for foodies/responsible omnivores.

Well think again, and do yourself a favor by heading over to The Hamilton Tavern.

Unassuming yet incredible

Located at 5517 Harford Rd., the tavern features a small, but mighty menu. Each dish is prepared using the highest quality local and seasonal ingredients, making the menu fun and ever changing. Nightly Happy Hour from 4:30-6:30 and 10-close, offer a selection of local beers as well.

Each night of the week features a different special like fried chicken or steak, but I don’t see how anything could be better than Monday. Burger night.

The Crosstown Burger, is by no means your average cheeseburger. Made with organic beef from Roseda farm, the gourmet sandwich is leagues away from a Double Down. Did I mention you can add bacon or a fried egg for a dollar each? Its two dollars well spent. Or that as part of the burger special you get hand cut fries and your choice of draft beer?And don’t even think about passing up dessert (also local and ever changing.)

If you’re looking for some indulgent comfort food, that also happens to be whole, real food served up in the most cozy of environments, The Hamilton Tavern is the first place to head.

Have you ever been there? What’s your favorite place to eat in Baltimore?

Pardon My Rant

Have you heard about the KFC Double Down? I’m sure you have, as its been quite the center of controversy, and the subject of a lot of internet articles. If you haven’t been enlightened to this meat-tastic creation, feast your eyes: 

A sandwich without bread. God Bless America.

A lot of people have been ripping into KFC,(Michael Pollan mentioned it in his lecture) condeming them for releasing this outragous concoction. I was a little bit outraged too at first, but I’ve come to the conclusion that I actually respect the Double Down. That’s right, I respect it because it’s not trying to be something it isn’t. It knows just how outrageous it is, and its not making appologies for it. Its not trying to disguise itself as healthy. Why should it? Its fast food afterall. 

So I read this article last night about how the controversial Double D may actually have a better nutritional profile than some fast food salads. Imagine that. I started to think about all the people thinking they’re doing their body a big favor by ordering a cobb salad and a Diet Coke, and I got heated. 

Belittling much, Sonic?

Here’s the bottom line people, fast food is terrible for you. Some is worse than others, but its all bad. Food shouldn’t be fast, or a dollar, or eaten in a car. If you’re trying to keep your health/weight/morals in line, just avoid it entirely. 

Whether its a Double Down, or a grilled chicken salad, its going to be full of sodium, artifical ingredients, factory farmed meat, and not to mentioned its probably being served up by a surly teenager. Anyway you look at it, its just no good.  

Some fast food places have made strides to target the health conscious through campaigns suggesting choosing their offerings is a smart decision. How considerate. Please don’t allow yourself to believe that these companies actually care about your health when we all know they only care about one thing. 

While I subscribe to the notion of “everything in moderation” I also tend to believe that if you’re going to get knee deep, you might as well jump in. If fast food is your thing, go all out (every once in a while) but don’t kid yourself by thinking anything offered by a fast food place is actually nourishing food worthy of being put in your body on a regular basis (or at all.) 

Like I said before, there is a such thing as lesser evil when it comes to fast food, but its all evil.  Oh, and don’t even get me started on her…

The Return of Peanut Butter, and the Intro of Jillian

Friends or foes? Time will tell.

Good evening, I hope you all had a lovely Monday. Personally my day bounced between wonderful and very aggravating, but hey thats life. Two big things today though:

1.) Peanut butter is back.

2.) Itried a Jillian Michaels DVD.

Maybe those aren’t really big things at all. Maybe I just need to get out more, but regardless, PB-less week went surprisingly well and I’m proud of myself.  (Although very happy to have it back)

So about Jillian…she’s a real peach huh? I’ve heard a lot about this “30 Day Shred” business, so I decided to give it a try myself. Wow. She’s not playing around, but I really liked it, especially in a time crunch. I’m not going to make any commitments, but I think I’ll try it again. Depending on how I feel tomorrow that is.

Have you ever tried any Jillian Michaels programs or products?

Feet Don’t Fail Me Now…Or Ever

Pardon me if I’m being overly general, but I think its safe to say that the majority of young women don’t pay a lot of attention to their feet unless shopping for shoes or its pedicure time.

I read recently that foot problems related to unsupportive footwear were on the rise in young women. As a lifelong lover of Chuck Taylors and Old Navy flip-flops, it got me thinking. Feet are pretty important, and we ask a lot of them every single day.  

Never Gonna Give You Up

I tend to get a little neurotic concerned when presented with health concerns that come out of left field, and honestly, my feet have been the last thing on my mind until now. So before I started buying orthopedic shoes, I consulted podiatrist Dr. Don Sewell for his professional opinion on the matter.

The news is mixed. While Sewell feels that unsupportive footwear can contribute to poor foot health over time, it is really only one of many factors including heredity, age and personal habits.

However, long-term reliance on footwear such as Uggs, Converse, and flip-flops can contribute directly to foot related problems such as bunions, foot widening and fatigue, and Plantar Fasciitis.

 Sewell’s advice?

“Good foot health means paying attention to what your feet are saying.  If it hurts don’t do it.  Massage, good hygiene and good support, as well as taking care of your overall health (diet,weight, exercise) is the best way to protect your feet. Unsupportive footwear should be like chocolate: a special treat not your whole diet.”

 That’s some solid advice I can live with and put to good use. What do you guys think? Have you or someone you know suffered from foot related issues? Do you do anything specific to protect your feet?

Pollan For President

Yesterday we had the privilege of seeing the one and only Michael Pollan speak at Goucher College. For those of you who don’t know, Pollan is the author of numerous articles and books including The Omivore’s Dilemma, In Defense of Food, and most recently, Food Rules. He also appears in the epic documentary Food Inc. Basically, he’s kind of a rockstar in the sustainable eating community, and we were like giddy school girls.

Excited Little Health Nuts

Our wonderful friend Kel, who goes to Goucher, got us the tickets and that lucky little girl actually got to have dinner with him before the talk. You should’ve seen her. We thought she was going to pass out.

The auditiorium was PACKED. We got sassed for trying to sneak into the reserved seating, but actually ended up getting amazing seats in the fourth row at the last minute.

Totally Sold Out

The talk, which was streamed wordwide from Goucher’s website, was held in conversation format with a pretty substantial Q&A at the end.

The crux of Pollan’s emphasis is on eating whole, nutritious foods in a manner that is most sustainable and environmentally responsible. Some of his more resounding quotes:

“We affect the natural world, more than anything else, when we eat.”

“It’s amazing how angry we get when nature doesn’t fulfill our expectations.”

“Something happens to you after you’ve visited a feedlot. When I go to McDonalds, there is nothing attractive about it. I’m really only there for research.”

“Food is uniquely empowering. You make choices three times a day.”

“Cheap food is a curse. It isn’t as cheap as it seems.”

“You are what you eat, but you are what you eat eats too.”

Swoon…Dear Mr. Pollan, I think you’re my soulmate. Marry me please?

My future husband has inspired a lot of readers to become vegetarians, but interestingly, he is not one himself. Here he addresses the controversial issue of eating meat, and the debocale one my face when choosing quality over proximity, both of which he considers important:

Afterwards as people we buzzing around the lobby, I caught up with two Goucher cuties who seemed to be just as smitten with Pollan as I was:

Seeing him speak was not only the most exciting part of an otherwise mundane Tuesday, but also a very inspiring experience. Being surrounded by people who consider this issue of utmost importance really has me feeling hopeful and excited for the future of the food industry.

What do you guys think? Have you ever read or seen any of Pollan’s work?