On rare occasions when I actually choose to spend my time watching a television, I see loads of advertising about "food", or things I refer to as things that pretend to be food. The endless brainwashing attempts and ramming of marketing down our throats are just one of the reasons I can't watch television for anything longer than an episode of South Park. Sure, I could PVR it or something and skip through it, but to be honest, I'd rather just work out or read some nerdy literature about food. Anyhooser, if there is one thing I learned about watching TV with my mom when I was a kid, is that...guess what...don't believe everything you see on TV.
Television is one of the best places for the Food Industry to market to us. The Food Industry is just that - an industry - and their job is to make consumers out of all of us. They do all sorts of things and spend all kinds of money on advertisements to get you to buy their food. They lie to you. They mislead you. They prey on your lack of time with your busy life, by making "foods" that are easy for you to take out of a box and prepare. They make these cheap and dirty items affordable so you buy them instead of healthier options that are more expensive. They "enrich" foods with things like Omega 3s and tell you things like there are no trans fats in your products, because you've heard that trans fats are bad, and that Omega 3s are good. They own businesses like "Brand Power" to "help you buy better" (WTF?! I'm pretty sure I've got this spending money thing figured out). They make up things like "Sensible Solutions" to manipulate you into purchasing things that you think are healthy for you. Do a little research on some of those "sensible" solutions. Did you know Kraft Dinner is considered a "Sensible" solution? Yep...that white flour processed junk with powdered chemical cheese...how is that sensible?
They are dirty, Sneaky McSneakertons that will stop at nothing for your buck - period. They've got it made really - they make a living off what people need to survive - food. Although, it's not really food - they sell cheaply made stuff that resembles food, and your body doesn't know what to do with it. The human body doesn't recognize the crap that's in these foods, and so...you become obese and disease ridden while these guys get rich.
But... the fact of the matter is ...no matter how dirty and sneaky these guys are, we are all responsible for what we put in our bodies, and they are not the boss of us. Period. It is up to each and every one of us to look after ourselves and our own bodies. Your governments are NOT going to look after this for you. You need to remember that those in the food industry are also taxpayers, and your government's job is to keep everyone happy. This is why what people are permitted to advertise is so vague, and what is considered "natural" is vague. Your government will keep as many people as possible happy, including the food industry (well, part of that is because there's a whole pile of incestuous type relationships between governments and industry, and they fund all sorts of things, but that's a whole other story)
So what do you do?
First - remember that without consumers, the food industry would not exist. If they want my money, they have to give me what I want. This is my personal stance, and it's how I shop. This means you can use your dollars as your voice. You do this every single day, when you buy your coffee, your gas, and of course, your groceries. Buy local products from Farmers Markets, and Organic Markets. When you go to a supermarket and see a customer comment card box, fill it out, and ask them to carry more local and organic items. Every time I think I am too busy to stop to fill one out or ask a question, I make the effort, and guess what...it takes me less than 2 minutes to do it. I even call and email stores to ask them where the Canadian produce is - feel free to do that as well. If there are enough of us asking for real, whole food, it will be supplied. Look at the organic industry - it used to be next to impossible to find organic produce, and now we have stores dedicated specifically to the organic market. We have businesses that deliver organic food, and even the big supermarket chains are providing it. It's because consumers demanded it.
Second- Don't believe everything you see on TV. The stuff you see advertised on TV is paid for by the food industry. Personally, I just don't buy any type of food I see advertised on TV or anywhere else for that matter, because I know if it's being marketed on television, it is not a real, whole food. Remember - a local farmer would not have the money to pay for such expensive advertising. He's busy looking after his crops.
Third - Do you know that every time you are "too busy" to make your own food, and rely on what's in your cafeteria at work for lunch, or stop at Timmy Ho's for breakfast, you're putting money straight back into the pockets of the Dirty McSneakertons in the Food Biz? I'm not saying never go out for lunch or dinner - I love to enjoy a dinner out with my friends - I'm suggesting that making it a habit to rely on someone else (who does not live in your house - and no, this does not mean get your wife to do everything for you!) to make your meals is not only making you fat and unhealthy, it's supporting the Food Industry. Get up 15 minutes earlier and make your own quick, healthy breakfast. Pack your lunch the night before. Eating healthy is cool!
Look, if you're happy in your body and would like to continue along your merry way being oblivious to all of this, or really don't care about what you are consuming, then by all means - have at it. That's your choice, and it really is not up to anyone else to judge you for it - I sincerely mean that. But, if you're curious about what's really going on in the food biz, and want to make some personal changes, do some research. Eat real, whole food - nothing packaged or processed. It's pretty simple, really. Check out the film Food Inc - here's a link to it...www.foodincmovie.com The more of us there are simply shopping for whole real foods using our dollars to make a statement, the easier all of this will become, and the more affordable it will be for everyone...which is how things SHOULD be.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Eating Well on the Run
As a fitness instructor & personal trainer, I constantly run from class to client. I'm often on the go for the entire day and if I want to fuel my body so I can actually do these workouts, I need to eat the kinds of foods that my body will thank me for and give me the energy I need. Normally I'll pack something at home and bring it along, but there are always days that I'm in a hurry and didn't make the time to make my food. Notice I didn't say I don't HAVE the time...there are 24 hours in a day...all of us have the time, it's just what we choose to do with it. When you make eating healthy a priority, you find the time :-)
First, I always have my water bottle with me. Stainless Steel (not aluminum - stay away from those), full of water. I bring it with me everywhere to make sure I never have to go without. Water is crucial for so many functions in our bodies and without it, we would die.
Second - I always have fresh fruits and veggies in my fridge that I bring along wherever I go. If you ever took a look in my bag, along with my hairbrush and lipstick, sports bra and a pair of runners, you would find a nectarine, blueberries, orange, or some other fruit, maybe a small bit of almonds or mixed nuts in a container or some carrots. I Always always ALWAYS have fresh handy fruits and vegetables around. When you get home from the supermarket (hopefully the organic market, or the farmer's market of course!) chop up your veggies, put them in some water in a container in your fridge & you have them ready to rock when you are. Remember to store them in GLASS containers, and ditch the plastic crap we've all been using for years. (Check out Jillian Michaels' book "Master your Metabolism" to see what kinds of damage the chemicals in plastic are doing to our bodies and endocrine systems and you'll steer away from it for good!)
Protein Bars are good on the run, but ONLY if they're natural and not full of crap. Good ones are hard to find, believe me! Try the brand Elev8Me - they're a Canadian product with very few ingredients in them. Gluten, wheat, and dairy free, and some without any sugar (except naturally occurring). You can buy them at London Drugs, some health food stores, and of course, online. My fave is the Blueberry Cranberry GogiBerry Boost - check out the ingredients: Whey protein isolate, dates, organic raisins, almonds, apples, cranberries (cranberries, apple juice, sunflower oil), blueberries, goji berries. That's it. Awesome much?!! Here's their website:
http://www.prosnack.com/
LaraBars are also a quick easy snack. Less than 5 ingredients in them and lots of flavors. You can get them at Costco, organic stores, and drugstores. They don't have much in the way of protein but if you're starving on the go and need to grab something, pick one up instead of some dirty, chemically protein bar or muffin.
A great place to pick up lunch is actually Planet Organic. Instead of heading to Subway for high-fructose corn syrup bread and processed cured meats that cause cancer, liver and heart diseases (mmm!! Subway anyone?!), head to the deli at Planet Organic instead. If I ever need to stop and pick up lunch, I head there to grab a couple of lovely organic salads. Hale to the Kale is one of my faves, Beet and Fennel salad, Wild Rice and Pecan, and their vegan sweet potato salad is dee-lish! They've got something for everyone - some have meats in them, others are dairy free, gluten free, vegan...check it out. They'll even let you sample a taste before you buy it so you know you like it :-) Remember when buying organic that just because it's organic doesn't mean it's good for you - you still have to read your ingredients for things like excess sugar in its many forms.
I will also stop if I must at a regular supermarket to grab a veggie or fruit plate. If the fruit comes with a sugar dip, I just toss it out and eat the fruit - it doesn't need sugar. Hummus is great for dipping carrots and veggies (instead of ranch) but again - read the labels to make sure the hummus you're buying isn't just chemicals. Planet Organic also sells several types of delicious hummus and dips. Even Starbucks now has a fruit & cheese snack, and a veggie & hummus plate. I'll grab one there on a very rare occasion.
I don't ever go to fast food joints. They disgust me on so many levels - I cannot even begin to express how little respect I have for these establishments that actually make money of poisoning human beings. Even past that, as a vegetarian it's nearly impossible for me to find anything that isn't contaminated with meat in a fast food joint, there is absolutely nothing healthy at any fast food restaurant. The things that are sold as healthy options are loaded with sugar and junk, and are merely cheap, disgusting fuel that I don't give to my body, and neither should you. Your body is worth more than that. The other options I've already noted are just as easy, cost about the same, and best of all - I get actual nutrition from them - and after all - isn't giving your body nutrition the whole point of eating?
First, I always have my water bottle with me. Stainless Steel (not aluminum - stay away from those), full of water. I bring it with me everywhere to make sure I never have to go without. Water is crucial for so many functions in our bodies and without it, we would die.
Second - I always have fresh fruits and veggies in my fridge that I bring along wherever I go. If you ever took a look in my bag, along with my hairbrush and lipstick, sports bra and a pair of runners, you would find a nectarine, blueberries, orange, or some other fruit, maybe a small bit of almonds or mixed nuts in a container or some carrots. I Always always ALWAYS have fresh handy fruits and vegetables around. When you get home from the supermarket (hopefully the organic market, or the farmer's market of course!) chop up your veggies, put them in some water in a container in your fridge & you have them ready to rock when you are. Remember to store them in GLASS containers, and ditch the plastic crap we've all been using for years. (Check out Jillian Michaels' book "Master your Metabolism" to see what kinds of damage the chemicals in plastic are doing to our bodies and endocrine systems and you'll steer away from it for good!)
Protein Bars are good on the run, but ONLY if they're natural and not full of crap. Good ones are hard to find, believe me! Try the brand Elev8Me - they're a Canadian product with very few ingredients in them. Gluten, wheat, and dairy free, and some without any sugar (except naturally occurring). You can buy them at London Drugs, some health food stores, and of course, online. My fave is the Blueberry Cranberry GogiBerry Boost - check out the ingredients: Whey protein isolate, dates, organic raisins, almonds, apples, cranberries (cranberries, apple juice, sunflower oil), blueberries, goji berries. That's it. Awesome much?!! Here's their website:
http://www.prosnack.com/
LaraBars are also a quick easy snack. Less than 5 ingredients in them and lots of flavors. You can get them at Costco, organic stores, and drugstores. They don't have much in the way of protein but if you're starving on the go and need to grab something, pick one up instead of some dirty, chemically protein bar or muffin.
A great place to pick up lunch is actually Planet Organic. Instead of heading to Subway for high-fructose corn syrup bread and processed cured meats that cause cancer, liver and heart diseases (mmm!! Subway anyone?!), head to the deli at Planet Organic instead. If I ever need to stop and pick up lunch, I head there to grab a couple of lovely organic salads. Hale to the Kale is one of my faves, Beet and Fennel salad, Wild Rice and Pecan, and their vegan sweet potato salad is dee-lish! They've got something for everyone - some have meats in them, others are dairy free, gluten free, vegan...check it out. They'll even let you sample a taste before you buy it so you know you like it :-) Remember when buying organic that just because it's organic doesn't mean it's good for you - you still have to read your ingredients for things like excess sugar in its many forms.
I will also stop if I must at a regular supermarket to grab a veggie or fruit plate. If the fruit comes with a sugar dip, I just toss it out and eat the fruit - it doesn't need sugar. Hummus is great for dipping carrots and veggies (instead of ranch) but again - read the labels to make sure the hummus you're buying isn't just chemicals. Planet Organic also sells several types of delicious hummus and dips. Even Starbucks now has a fruit & cheese snack, and a veggie & hummus plate. I'll grab one there on a very rare occasion.
I don't ever go to fast food joints. They disgust me on so many levels - I cannot even begin to express how little respect I have for these establishments that actually make money of poisoning human beings. Even past that, as a vegetarian it's nearly impossible for me to find anything that isn't contaminated with meat in a fast food joint, there is absolutely nothing healthy at any fast food restaurant. The things that are sold as healthy options are loaded with sugar and junk, and are merely cheap, disgusting fuel that I don't give to my body, and neither should you. Your body is worth more than that. The other options I've already noted are just as easy, cost about the same, and best of all - I get actual nutrition from them - and after all - isn't giving your body nutrition the whole point of eating?
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