tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72048731933726042572024-03-05T06:51:46.711-08:00The Healthy Ph.DDochttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10252953539557435895noreply@blogger.comBlogger172125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204873193372604257.post-71971874724623398452011-10-27T16:23:00.000-07:002011-10-27T16:23:59.537-07:00This is what happens......when I am your professor.<br />
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On tap for next semester's Biochemistry II lab (primed for record enrollment!):<br />
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Extracting and measuring the cholesterol and fat profiles in traditional v. grass fed eggs.<br />
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Measuring blood glucose using chemistry. Measuring cholesterol in HDL and LDL.<br />
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Using tagged sugar to track how yeast breaks it down and uses it to build itself.<br />
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Using tagged glucose and tagged fructose to understand how yeast breaks down these two sugars differently.<br />
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Measuring the antioxidant potential of whole fruit and fruit juice.<br />
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Building the ultimate antioxidant drink from fruits and vegetables.<br />
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And finally - designing their own laboratory procedures and having the other lab sections test them (suckers!).<br />
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...but first they all need to pass this semester's class. Time to grade a quiz!Dochttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10252953539557435895noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204873193372604257.post-34087014610509921602011-10-18T16:54:00.000-07:002011-10-18T16:54:31.320-07:00Today was a good day1) I am now a funded primary investigator. I got my first grant! For small stuff - curriculum upgrades to my biochemistry courses, but it will help my research too. Baby steps. Plus, I'm hot shit because I got a grant and no one in my dept has gotten one in years...<br />
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2) I was also contacted by administration to be in a photo shoot for promotional materials for the university. I am a MODEL. That's right! I set up our biochemistry lab to do the 'prettiest' science - we did a flame test, used various methods for moving around colored water, and looked at some proteins stained on a little glass plate. It was awesome! Many, many pictures later, they told me we were awesome!<br />
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3) How do you fix vegan cornbread? Add butter.<br />
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I made this recipe sans egg:<a href="http://thehealthydoc.blogspot.com/2011/03/bbq-dinner-remake.html"> Healthier Honey Corn Muffins.</a><br />
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I wanted egg in it, but I didn't have any and was starving. I used chia seeds instead, and it was close to the real thing. A little crumbly, but DELICIOUS. With salmon and a salad, it was a great end to a great day! <br />
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<i><b>Do you have good news? Share it! </b></i>Dochttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10252953539557435895noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204873193372604257.post-45458646969560966402011-10-17T16:46:00.000-07:002011-10-17T16:46:39.329-07:00Help?Hi friends!<br />
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I have a fun activity to post later this week - I think it'll be really illuminating and we'll all learn a lot about fats and oils!<br />
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In the meantime, I'm asking for help...<br />
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Do you know any interesting metabolic or genetic disorders that I could use for my biochemistry case studies? I want to teach my students to think independently and come up with crazy ideas. My goal is to set-up online discussion boards that facillitate student discussion, crazy ideas, and problem solving. The students will them write up a document that explains the basis of the disorder. I want to use some fun, obscure disorders that they can't just find on the internet.<br />
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Some that I am currently planning on using:<br />
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1) Vitamin A deficiency and curable blindness<br />
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2) Methanol poisoning<br />
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3) Maple syrup disorder (great idea from Romila!).<br />
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Now what interesting diseases/disorders have you heard of? You don't need to know how they work...I can usually find that out...but if you know of anything super cool, it'd be awesome to hear your ideas!Dochttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10252953539557435895noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204873193372604257.post-72530612100403191162011-10-12T06:26:00.000-07:002011-10-12T06:26:00.876-07:00Survival (a food post!)The one thing grad school taught me how to do really well is to <i>survive</i>. When things are crazy, I learned how to keep myself healthy and happy by scheduling mini-workouts, eating healthily, and planning everything down to the minute!<br />
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I am settling into my new job. Some things about it are awesome - complete autonomy, the ability to say 'no' to things, a nice office, no bosses hounding you left and right...<br />
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Others are less fun. Sometimes students are whiney. I should say a certain subset of students are often whiney. I hate being a disciplinarian, but some students need to be told to get their sh*t together, and if they are going to graduate next semester, then they need to be told NOW. Also, I still work 60-70 hours/week (and I'm not even doing any research yet...still waiting for my supplies to show up!), but at least I'm fully in control and I know my colleagues work less so I can scale down with minimal consequences<br />
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...anyway, <i>survival</i>. I eat a lot of beans&rice with salad. I don't cook much anymore. I have perfected my salmon cooking technique to make salmon salad. I sometimes eat cheese + bread for dinner. Last week I ate lentil loaf for a week straight.This weekend I had a little time to myself and did some cooking.<br />
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So, key to <i>survival</i> is planning your meals ahead or, at least, having stuff on hand that makes satisfying meals. In my humble opinion, dessert makes a satisfying meal, so this week instead of eating hershey's kisses melted with some peanut butter, I made a cake.<br />
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An Apple-Walnut Cake. And boy, it's gooooooooood.<br />
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It's also really easy. Mix the ingredients together, put it in a pan, and bake.<br />
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<i><b>Apple-Walnut Cake</b></i><br />
<i><b>3/4 c sugar</b></i><br />
<i><b>1/4 c butter</b></i><br />
<i><b>1/2 tbsp cinnamon</b></i><br />
<i><b>1/2 tbsp vanilla extract</b></i><br />
<i><b>1 egg</b></i><br />
<i><b>3/4 c flour</b></i><br />
<i><b>1 tsp baking powder</b></i><br />
<i><b>1 c walnuts, crushed</b></i><br />
<i><b>1 apple, peeled and diced</b></i><br />
<i><b> </b></i><br />
<i><b>Cream butter, sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla. Add egg. Mix in flour and baking powder. Stir in walnuts and apples. </b></i><br />
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<i><b>Pour into greased pan and bake at 350 for 25 minutes. </b></i><br />
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<i><b> </b></i>So, while that was cooking, I prepped a few other things. I baked some chicken:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjvVfSj8PdJppRNs8e7zgfQQfPSOy5xqTxoOa9shchO4NlS_Cxds0qDW1y1te7VOy8_zXmaPeVnnamy_zFCwobxxLEGfzIKpsEf0j8LqFVxghI_SagOF13B3xU897HNAuOCsEA1xu74tM/s1600/P1020610.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjvVfSj8PdJppRNs8e7zgfQQfPSOy5xqTxoOa9shchO4NlS_Cxds0qDW1y1te7VOy8_zXmaPeVnnamy_zFCwobxxLEGfzIKpsEf0j8LqFVxghI_SagOF13B3xU897HNAuOCsEA1xu74tM/s320/P1020610.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Plop in ovenproof dish, Season. Saute until brown on each side, bake for 20 minutes. Done.<br />
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More with the chicken later. I knew I wanted stir fry with my bounty of fresh veggies, so I prepped the rice, the veggies, and pressed the tofu:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij7B9NpSukdQEQwID5MxqEWTy7zSkWnj5nMv37ZTKqygUx3riwmgve30yUFfKT3dke_PGHOGkUTT_bhID9dd9mAtr4X_BZtXuET_s7XeDgtRNXLIR26GQRKsjFbH6Vlgkr2YrlcPlxDsI/s1600/P1020611.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij7B9NpSukdQEQwID5MxqEWTy7zSkWnj5nMv37ZTKqygUx3riwmgve30yUFfKT3dke_PGHOGkUTT_bhID9dd9mAtr4X_BZtXuET_s7XeDgtRNXLIR26GQRKsjFbH6Vlgkr2YrlcPlxDsI/s320/P1020611.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>(Yes, it's a high tech tofu press. My mother had one just like it when I was little! And yes, my mother did feed us tofu and we liked it. )<br />
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Then I stored it in the fridge for a weeknight dinner.<br />
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Ok, back to the chicken. After my cake was done, I took a little nap, woke up, and prepped some Waldorf Chicken Salad for a couple lunches this week.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxwFOB69ZPOxzOmPUhaaLoiREFxonBk_yKqc3w-V-pp3zWdPe-dyO0Rnar-mTutlgc0uf5JVI8SWDJscE2nOJg9KBJgGjq6MIg1zOAy22eoIaOeO2nSsGoT__qSN4zI-lD68-P6k6zx9E/s1600/P1020617.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxwFOB69ZPOxzOmPUhaaLoiREFxonBk_yKqc3w-V-pp3zWdPe-dyO0Rnar-mTutlgc0uf5JVI8SWDJscE2nOJg9KBJgGjq6MIg1zOAy22eoIaOeO2nSsGoT__qSN4zI-lD68-P6k6zx9E/s320/P1020617.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I would give you the recipe, but I found it in this month's Self Magazine and I can't find it on their website. So, this is the front of the magazine...maybe you can find the recipe yourself!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj6WHc1rBfBgFb4_OI9grt8t6L5Oh1FxMzbbhdLtBZ57k5WLsBE2wTcL0a9rLV6LbxMh0DZaojpy3GlbvhTGPofZ3oDVv3ADY49H8J9kLBrSm2mq7OgYSlqLAaTjyWhffaIHfcIoNKMVQ/s1600/P1020616.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj6WHc1rBfBgFb4_OI9grt8t6L5Oh1FxMzbbhdLtBZ57k5WLsBE2wTcL0a9rLV6LbxMh0DZaojpy3GlbvhTGPofZ3oDVv3ADY49H8J9kLBrSm2mq7OgYSlqLAaTjyWhffaIHfcIoNKMVQ/s320/P1020616.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The basic premise is this:<br />
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Chicken + Celery + Onion + Apple + Grapes in a creamy dressing (they cheated with greek yogurt). Put it on salad.<br />
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So, I made too much chicken and ended up with a double batch:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN9_lHLRYxb95Kay8fluCVnAQyhCpbAOsA6GW9GIzdssHc5ayD_7JiSlNP3qnrOeiKUM1RKpPIZdeGOQOdFz5C-hbRM1EILX_OlTwOesef0g3X1bTJnDYsvUdhbjUhO48k1PGmiKDsSFk/s1600/P1020620.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN9_lHLRYxb95Kay8fluCVnAQyhCpbAOsA6GW9GIzdssHc5ayD_7JiSlNP3qnrOeiKUM1RKpPIZdeGOQOdFz5C-hbRM1EILX_OlTwOesef0g3X1bTJnDYsvUdhbjUhO48k1PGmiKDsSFk/s320/P1020620.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Add all the good stuff.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO_QPfwJ7Y52s0YMyjGqKvKAue3a4glF9Q3UZyNtadhiWCkgj4qQKqdiNtYpUKlQmhkiUFo1GKPuv3OTnQFQh72mTXHHileHmJVix8U06Oru_9xARTMK67DKK5lp_eHzNxnEps3BU0ps4/s1600/P1020622.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO_QPfwJ7Y52s0YMyjGqKvKAue3a4glF9Q3UZyNtadhiWCkgj4qQKqdiNtYpUKlQmhkiUFo1GKPuv3OTnQFQh72mTXHHileHmJVix8U06Oru_9xARTMK67DKK5lp_eHzNxnEps3BU0ps4/s320/P1020622.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Mix and transfer half to another container.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaHVWMakP8uwAv-wv6O35joMQ2-jdoJRYDozWmJk6j4l9ZYHaIg0f09W_WhDEu-e0wCsYa-f6LaJUrwWwVHFdNTz1d448LSPZWZm4ALdndSRLsiAuiWgtLSBoa-fLdTpFObrQnXchrKJM/s1600/P1020623.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaHVWMakP8uwAv-wv6O35joMQ2-jdoJRYDozWmJk6j4l9ZYHaIg0f09W_WhDEu-e0wCsYa-f6LaJUrwWwVHFdNTz1d448LSPZWZm4ALdndSRLsiAuiWgtLSBoa-fLdTpFObrQnXchrKJM/s320/P1020623.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Prep salad: Spinach + Romaine mix<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP98gAaNL4nIaZ-CGPZ9XkC_wSnHaSSumtLmm7ZCDB934i3A9tAkuj2lvu-zYacaywFi6-nC4IYrYFQrLYtJ4kTu-1MCwM6yLUFA9KiuHawTQ0p6PA_3ElTUHWRptMgHoOci44cIR9mfo/s1600/P1020624.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP98gAaNL4nIaZ-CGPZ9XkC_wSnHaSSumtLmm7ZCDB934i3A9tAkuj2lvu-zYacaywFi6-nC4IYrYFQrLYtJ4kTu-1MCwM6yLUFA9KiuHawTQ0p6PA_3ElTUHWRptMgHoOci44cIR9mfo/s320/P1020624.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Their recipe calls for pecans, but I don't like those. I had some sunflower seeds, so I put them in a baggie to retain their crunch. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXayPqcQgGnG6DusY8n9BxnCxFhhvacWR7YqQ0QDH3iDcGtPGi3cgJWnv3ohxS-4WjkppBEQ1p7pgDaLDqHLcRwBrHAfDn9B53Y-lbSAqhWbDPqRfLomq2eQXEkY_aWDRAf-Z9g96gp5I/s1600/P1020626.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXayPqcQgGnG6DusY8n9BxnCxFhhvacWR7YqQ0QDH3iDcGtPGi3cgJWnv3ohxS-4WjkppBEQ1p7pgDaLDqHLcRwBrHAfDn9B53Y-lbSAqhWbDPqRfLomq2eQXEkY_aWDRAf-Z9g96gp5I/s320/P1020626.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Then I place a papertowel in the lettuce container to soak up any excess moisture. Works like a charm. Also makes a nice "wipe the face" napkin.<br />
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I'm still too embarrassed to take my camera to work, so I will just tell you how it works. Open the lettuce container, remove the sunflower seeds and napkin. Dump in the chicken salad. Top with seeds. Eat.<br />
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I was <b>really surprised </b>at how good this recipe was. I was doubtful and dreading eating it for lunch today, but it was tasty and super filling. Lots of protein, low fat, high fiber. I followed the recipe exactly except for the mayo - I used light mayo - and the sunflower seeds. I also used Fage greek yogurt, which is creamier and milder, in my humble opinion.<br />
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Ok, so I have some stir fry + salad to get me going. That pretty pumpkin pictured with the cake...He's going to get stewed on Thursday when I have chili-making night with a friend. Have you ever tried chili with stewed squash? So good!<br />
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Finally, every day I walk/bike by a kitten adoption center. They keep them in cubicles, but they let each group of cats/kittens out to play in the room once everyday. Here are some funny kitty shots to brighten up your day! <br />
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<i><b>What is your favorite make-ahead recipe? </b></i>Dochttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10252953539557435895noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204873193372604257.post-49813874463796992022011-10-08T11:11:00.000-07:002011-10-08T11:11:44.317-07:00My Journey with Insomnia<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I have chronic insomnia. I am an insomniac. There, I said it.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5V6C5QtQrJu4Ghck2vVtd62H5IKuN23-7x7tnPxhs3MLGPdxnt3YzN1RiPC8ZL9dP4b0cTZkW8qTRjvrVdFX2hGtp9UwLzOwLgZn6O3GCQYUTmTR6dPOv0s46wYGs9WE3qTwwLFhpZio/s1600/IMG_0049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5V6C5QtQrJu4Ghck2vVtd62H5IKuN23-7x7tnPxhs3MLGPdxnt3YzN1RiPC8ZL9dP4b0cTZkW8qTRjvrVdFX2hGtp9UwLzOwLgZn6O3GCQYUTmTR6dPOv0s46wYGs9WE3qTwwLFhpZio/s320/IMG_0049.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Right. So, I've alluded to my trouble sleeping on the blog before. It's a major part of my life. It's part of the reason I don't schedule my workouts in the morning anymore. It's part of the reason I can't go out for drinks during the week. It's part of the reason that I can't drink coffee or caffeinated soda after noon or exercise right before bed. Every day is a practiced orchestration of what I can and cannot do so that I can get some restful sleep.<br />
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Insomnia is defined as the repeated ability to go to sleep or stay asleep. It is really broken down into two disorders: primary insomnia and secondary insomnia. Primary insomnia is failure to sleep or stay asleep in the absence of any other medical cause. Secondary insomnia is failure to sleep related to another medical or psychological disorder. I have diagnosed chronic primary insomnia. I'm not sick, I'm not depressed. I'm generally an anxious person, but I don't have any anxiety disorders. I just don't go to sleep.<br />
<br />
Interestingly, insomnia was not considered a primary disorder until relatively recently. It wasn't until 2005 that insomnia was recognized as a disorder that can occur separately from other psychological and physical disorders. The most common pairing was depression, in which insomnia was often caused by the primary condition but also acted to make the depression worse. For some more interesting medical information on insomnia go here: <a href="http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1187829-overview">WebMD Insomnia FactSheet</a><br />
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Statistically, westerners suffer from Insomnia at a higher rate than the rest of the world, with recent polls estimating that 23% of the American workforce suffers from Insomnia (2008-09 Harvard Medical School study containing about 7500 workers...sorry I can't find a direct link!), and around <a href="http://www.upi.com/Health_News/2011/09/09/Forty-percent-of-Canadians-have-insomnia/UPI-69321315623877/">40% of the Canadian workforce</a>.<br />
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Since <a href="http://talesofa30somethingnothing2010.blogspot.com/2011/09/sleep.html">30somethingnothing recently did a post on the benefits of sleep</a>, and why getting <i>enough good sleep </i>is important, I won't go into that. How about I tell you what you can do if you aren't sleeping well? I have, let's say, a little bit of expertise in that.<br />
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So...you're not sleeping well:<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://healthlifestyletips.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/insomnia1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="192" src="http://healthlifestyletips.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/insomnia1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(<a href="http://healthlifestyletips.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/insomnia1.jpg">source</a>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
(I chose this picture because I feel this is exactly what I look like when I'm not sleeping...probably with more tears...nothing is more frustrating that failing to sleep)<br />
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Can you isolate something that is making it hard to sleep?<br />
<i>Examples: noise, late-night excitement, excess energy, anticipation of being woken up, caffeine or drug-related jitters, alcohol consumption, stress or anxiety, fear or apprehension, depression, temperature, external stimuli (lights, sounds, breezes, people touching you). </i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
So, let's say these break up into two groups: emotional/psychological stimuli and physical stimuli. I think the physical stimuli are easier to treat initially, so let's remove them.<br />
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<i>Options: </i><br />
<i> Blackout curtains</i><br />
<i>Earplugs</i><br />
<i>Remove electronics from the bedroom/turn them around</i><br />
<i>Get a soundmachine or run a fan for white noise</i><br />
<i>Turn on your A/C or get a super-quiet portable unit that can cool just your room to about 65 F, which is a great temperature for sleep</i><br />
<i>Regulate your sleep/wake cycle: Even if it's painful, try getting up and going to bed within 30 minutes of the same time every day for 3-4 days. </i><br />
<i>Sleep somewhere new: try to go to sleep in a new location or position. I know it sounds funny, but sometimes the key to sleep for me is to move 180 degrees on the bed and 'sleep upside down'</i><br />
<i>Move your exercise routine to the morning, mid-day, or early afternoon. However, keep exercising, as it regulates your hormone levels, which can effect sleep. </i><br />
<i> </i><br />
The emotional aspects are harder to isolate and treat. Often, insomnia presents as a symptom of another disorder, whether its a chemical imbalance or a reaction to external stimuli. Sometimes insomnia occurs free of other disorders, but extended insomnia can lead to disorders like depression and anxiety.<br />
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<i>Options: </i><br />
<i>Assess your drug (Rx and non-Rx) and alcohol habits: Could one of these be causing your insomnia? Try dropping out one at a time for several days at a time. It may take up to 5 days for some drugs to clear your system, so be patient. </i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i>Is something in your life causing stress and/or anxiety. Is it long-term, or just a transient aspect of your life? If it's long-term and will have long-term effects on your sleep, you may want to look at making some life changes to avoid this stimuli. </i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i>Level with yourself: Do you have an untreated physical or chemical disorder. Could seeking medical attention or therapy help your sleep disorder? </i><br />
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Finally, it might not be any of these items, or it may be something completely unavoidable. If you believe the sleep disorder is sudden-onset for no reason, then there are a variety of Rx and Non-Rx medical treatments available.<br />
<br />
A quick overview of the major ones:<br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<b>Non-Rx 'herbal': </b>These are often mixtures or preparations of melatonin and/or valerian root. These are not regulated by the FDA, so different preparations can be prepared differently. Melatonin is a natural signalling molecule that your body uses to signal sleepiness. Valerian root is a slightly halucinogenic herb, but it does promote relaxation through an unknown mechanism. These two preparations have been used by folk-medicine for centuries, but it's important to note where you're getting your pills. If you find one that works for you, go for it, but recognize that different suppliers are more/less reliable than others.<br />
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<b>Over-the-counter sleep aids</b>: The non-herbal sleep aids tend to be antihistamines that act much like benadryl. These drugs usually use some kind of form of doxylamine, and they will work the first time, but your body rapidly adjusts to the medicine and you will have to up the dose to retain the effect (not safe!).<br />
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<b>Rx Sleep Aids: </b>These insomnia-specific drugs are relatively new drugs (within the last 10 years), and they are all in the same family. Brand names are Lunesta, Ambien, and Sonata. These are FDA approved for use on sleep, but they can be habit forming. Also, common side effects include somatic activities (sleepwalking and other activities), which the companies that make these drugs denied for many years before they were forced to include them on the warning label. These side-effects are especially prominent in women for unknown reasons.<br />
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<b>Rx 'off-label' sleep aids: </b>Before the advent of the Z-drugs, prescribing drugs for the 'off-label' (i.e. unapproved) treatment of insomnia was common. These drugs were commonly antidepressants, which were believed to treat the 'underlying' cause of insomnia. Unfortunately, many of these pharmaceuticals have extreme, sudden-onset side effects, such as suicidal thoughts and actions. If you're on these drugs and they help you sleep, it's important to monitor yourself for such thoughts.<br />
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<b>Before you go to the doctor: </b><br />
<br />
If you decide to seek medical intervention for your insomnia, your doctor will have you do a sleep survey before he/she will prescribe any pharmaceutical aid or refer you to another sleep professional. In a world where 'lack of sleep' isn't considered a serious ailment, this means most of us will wait at least a week for the doctor's appt, then be sent home for a week to do the survey, before finally getting the treatment we need. My friend's dad is a doctor (Hi Bob!) and he was nice enough to tell me what I needed to demonstrate in order to get further care.<br />
<b> </b><br />
<b>1) Track bedtimes and waketimes, and approximate sleeptimes for 3+ days. </b><br />
<b>2) Track diet, including beverages, for the same time period.</b><br />
<b>3) Move exercise/physical fitness activities out of your evenings for the same time period. </b><br />
<b>4) Make a list of possible/impossible effectors that are making your sleep difficult to achieve.</b><br />
<b>5) When you go to bed, go to bed without any external stimuli, including books, TV, computers, etc. Do this at least for the 3+ day period. </b><br />
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Your doctor might recommend a sleep study. This is the only thing on this post that I haven't tried. The fiance did a sleep study for his sleep apnea, and $400.00 later (that was the COPAY), he felt he had been ripped off because he went to the clinic and didn't sleep, didn't snore, and was told there was nothing wrong with him. I don't want to go to a sleep study to pay someone to watch me not sleep. In her book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Wide-Awake-Learned-Companies-Reindeer/dp/038552224X/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1318092267&sr=1-2">Wide Awake</a>, Patricia Morrisroe had a similar experience with sleep doctors and sleep studies. <br />
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</div><b>My insomnia and how I control it: </b><br />
<br />
I have had trouble sleeping since I was a child. I would undergo periods where I had trouble going to sleep, alternating with periods where I would sleep all the time. I also sleepwalk and sleeptalk regularly. I have fallen down the stairs in my parent's house and hurt myself. Interestingly, one of my brothers also manifests the same symptoms as a teenager. The other one sleeps like a rock. Lucky snot.<br />
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My insomnia was always transient and controllable until just before my undergraduate graduation. My boyfriend and I, who lived together, broke up. I was traumatized. I failed to sleep for a week. I then failed to sleep for more than a few hours for an entire summer. I then failed to sleep, even after we had moved to separate apartments, into the fall at the start of grad school. I took the antihistamine drugs, but I kept having to increase the dose. The doctor later explained to me that was very normal. I felt awful and groggy in the morning. I couldn't sleep, even to nap, and I was losing control. I cleaned up my diet, my habits, and my lifestyle, and I still couldn't sleep. I went to the doctor and was prescribed a month of Ambien. I took the Ambien every day for 3-4 days in order to sleep soundly for the first time in months. As a scientist, I had looked up the side effects of Ambien and understood that it was habit forming. I then worked my way from 1 per night to 1/2 per night and finally one every other night. I then stopped taking the Ambien and was sleeping well, except for the occasional bout of insomnia. I was back to my 'normal'.<br />
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Ambien was great for me, but it did have side effects. As someone who already sleep walked/talked, those activites were <i>enhanced</i>. I don't want to get into details, but you can look up other women's stories about what they did while they were asleep. I didn't eat, I didn't drive, but I did do just about everything else. And my fiance attests that you can't tell the difference between me being awake and being asleep on Ambien. That makes it very dangerous in my eyes.<br />
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My insomnia was controllable via behavioral methods for over 2 years, but it came back full-strength just after graduation. I was then living with the fiance and we had already given up so much because of my sleep disorder. We couldn't have a TV in the bedroom. I had to go to bed hours before him to be fully asleep when he came to bed. Even the cats know to wait until I'm asleep to come to bed, otherwise they find themselves launched from the bed. I wore earplugs to bed and ran a fan. I found some solace with melatonin, first as a 1 mg/mL capsule and then all the way up to 5 mg/mL. That worked for over a year, but one day, I must have just acquired tolerance over time. It didn't work anymore. And I couldn't sleep at all.<br />
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We decided not to share a bed, because the fiance snores. Even after a sound machine, earplugs, and a fan, I would be woken up by his snoring. Finally, I wasn't sleeping at all again. I would lay in bed for 8 hours, not asleep, and then trudge off to work at 7:30am. I was effectively a zombie. I went back to the doctor, who prescribed 2 weeks of Ambien and a month of Trazodone. The trazodone is an antidepressant. It is considered safer for long-term use than the Ambien. Unfortunately, it did nothing for me except give me a nasty bout of dry mouth. I instead used the Ambien and went back to sleeping intermittantly, then back to my 'normal'.<br />
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I don't take the Ambien long term, though I know some people do. For me, it leads to nocturnal activities that I'm uncomfortable with (though the fiance finds me amusing), and memory loss. Since much of my success in life hinges on my ability to remember a large variety of scientific facts and figures, the memory loss was a real problem. Also, to some extent I wish to not have to medicate myself in order to do something my body is supposed to do naturally. <br />
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A year later, I can now use melatonin again for occasional trouble sleeping. I prefer that because it has the least side effects for me. I still have to monitor my behavior in order to sleep reliably. Right now this includes:<br />
<br />
1) A strict 10pm bedtime<br />
2) No fighting or stressful discussion before bed<br />
3) No computer work after 9pm<br />
4) A strict noon cutoff for coffee consumption<br />
5) No caffeinated soda after noon. No energy drinks (period).<br />
6) No morning exercise (the early wakeup makes me anxious), but exercise must be completed by 8:30pm. Preferrably earlier.<br />
7) I must be done eating dinner by 8pm. Most days this is not a problem (c'mon, I live in the midwest. Dinnertime is 5pm, especially in the winter), but sometimes when it goes late, my stomach is too full to sleep well.<br />
8) The fiance and I still only share beds when we're traveling. This makes me very sad, but it seems unavoidable at this state of our lives. <br />
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<b> </b><br />
<b> </b>I hope this helps you if you are also one of the insomniatic people in the world and don't know what to do or what your options are. If you know someone else who suffers from insomnia, my main advice would be not to judge them or tell them how to fix it. Insomnia is incredibly complicated and emotional. I feel as though my loved ones are annoyed by me and my hyper-tense attitude towards sleep. I hope they know that I do everything I can to control it, and I wish it would go away too. Unfortunately, I have been symptomatic my whole life and suffering for 8 years. The prognosis isn't good at this point, so I have to learn to deal with it. And so do your loved ones who suffer, so be sympathetic and supportive, not judgemental.<br />
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<i><b>Any other non-sleepers out there? </b></i>Dochttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10252953539557435895noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204873193372604257.post-39196465332063938152011-09-25T12:29:00.000-07:002011-09-25T12:29:46.592-07:00Yummy Vegan Tacos (a post for Ashley)This grey and dreary Sunday morning, I went on a nice long run/hike around town and up into the surrounding bluffs. I ran ~2.5 miles across town, climbed the stairs build into the bluffs until I reached the top, and looked out onto the town. I then descended the stairs and ran back home via a slightly different route. Total mileage was probably in the realm of 6 miles. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbCwUhqRmg5lvMe-jwWYhfhwGdDEHY41rI93U8of34QzzAX9cF9GJHI2ATjh250zAn-jqAJnbVRMskgyLMVHV9YWAnGrF4ItB-njwZhHw8YtQO-dJr12MZ8EcY0Q5k0ZgDTcHJzDAGRAM/s1600/P1020292.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbCwUhqRmg5lvMe-jwWYhfhwGdDEHY41rI93U8of34QzzAX9cF9GJHI2ATjh250zAn-jqAJnbVRMskgyLMVHV9YWAnGrF4ItB-njwZhHw8YtQO-dJr12MZ8EcY0Q5k0ZgDTcHJzDAGRAM/s320/P1020292.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I didn't take any more pictures, but the rest of the sights were pretty much the same as this post: <a href="http://thehealthydoc.blogspot.com/2011/08/sunday-walk.html">Sunday Walk</a>, as I used the same route. <br />
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I came home exhausted, but mentally centered, and it occurred to me that this is exactly the type of workout that <a href="http://healthyashley.com/">Ashley</a> would love. Ashley, if you don't read her blog, is a vegan athlete. She is inspiring in her endeavors, and though she pushes her body to its maximum, she doesn't compete with others. She is very centered on her personal goals and her body's well being. She's inspiring, as very seldom does she let things get her down. I've been reading her blog for years, and I've actually met her in person, which is something that rarely happens in my neck of the blog-world.<br />
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A couple of weeks ago, Ashley had an accident. She was on a long bike ride in preparation for completing yet another 70.3 triathlon, when she apparently fell (<a href="http://healthyashley.com/2011/09/the-fall/">post here if you didn't see it</a>). She woke up as they were taking her to the ER. She's sustained multiple injuries and right now can barely walk, nevermind compete in the races that she loves so much. She can't work for months, and I'm sure the hospital bills will be incredible when they finally come, but she is putting on a brave face and doing her best to stay positive. I wish I could be there to help her. I have been wishing I could do something for her for a while, but as she's in North Carolina, and I'm in Minnesota, I feel stuck. I don't get vacation days, and anything I know she would like (vegan treats, etc) would probably rot in the mail on the way to her. I don't make a ton of money, but I am making a donation to the fund that has been set up in her name to help her get through this time (<a href="http://healthyashley.com/2011/09/how-you-can-help/">link here for details</a>). Right now, I want to do more. I want to dedicate this post to Ashley.<br />
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So today, I present to you a vegan meal in honor of Ashley's diet, and a very Ashley-like workout. In addition, I plan to donate the proceeds from my blog for the entire month of September to Ashley's recovery fund, along with matching funds from my personal bank account. This won't be much, but every little bit helps.<br />
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If you want to help, you can help in two ways:<br />
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1) Go to the link above and donate to her fund.<br />
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2) If you can't spare the money right now (and we'll all understand), please take the time to click on my foodbuzz banner on my blog. If you're in a reader (like Google reader), you'll need to go to my blog site. My blog earns money by those clicks. Click as many times as you like. All the funds are going to Ashley when the payments post.<br />
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Finally, some yummy vegan tacos for you to enjoy for your troubles:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNL6mJeWDSK6bIfz9jx0Q-7FEpRb91sRE7klqJqy7MlruwZZcwI3Fte6jDTRuJBRoPn7Km9Z2gKN-vLRBGpsFVuUuPccTKuUcEaN2LOINEm10iZxK9ygpL7DTbaaq9gC9-PIvcGHfSOcw/s1600/P1020604.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNL6mJeWDSK6bIfz9jx0Q-7FEpRb91sRE7klqJqy7MlruwZZcwI3Fte6jDTRuJBRoPn7Km9Z2gKN-vLRBGpsFVuUuPccTKuUcEaN2LOINEm10iZxK9ygpL7DTbaaq9gC9-PIvcGHfSOcw/s320/P1020604.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><i><b>Yummy Vegan Tacos</b></i><br />
<i><b>1 zucchini or yellow squash, cubed into small pieces</b></i><br />
<i><b>1 onion, diced</b></i><br />
<i><b>1 tbsp minced garlic </b></i><br />
<i><b>1 can/~1.5 c black beans</b></i><br />
<i><b>1/2 c chunky tomato salsa</b></i><br />
<i><b>1 c corn (fresh or frozen)</b></i><br />
<i><b>salt</b></i><br />
<i><b>1/2 tsp pepper</b></i><br />
<i><b>1/2 tsp chili powder</b></i><br />
<i><b>1 tsp cumin</b></i><br />
<i><b>1 tbsp oil</b></i><br />
<i><b> </b></i><br />
<i><b>corn tortillas or other chosen wrap</b></i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1lQRq6ShZA7Vqhq1jBTVt0Pid0d8BegJpvQHuC7xukhqrSCshvZSI8nrC33actDDU5p9RJp8Qr9mjRCvnp8is-325MhVcXo0rjGcKLvzf2nRFVUy9WRXAatCGh2P41gRnoV0wtmwXEPQ/s1600/P1020595.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1lQRq6ShZA7Vqhq1jBTVt0Pid0d8BegJpvQHuC7xukhqrSCshvZSI8nrC33actDDU5p9RJp8Qr9mjRCvnp8is-325MhVcXo0rjGcKLvzf2nRFVUy9WRXAatCGh2P41gRnoV0wtmwXEPQ/s320/P1020595.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><i><b> </b></i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Prep your veggies. My corn came frozen this week, but if you have fresh sweet corn, take this time to cut it off the cob. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiERjPWj-jL2bk5jk2xtobphePtYTuka0b_GEbbnOsMXjE3DuGzF9S-ai7zVtVAJ_szKXjc9PRRKUm6oCwcFa4u-a1ykrJ_OSsuiSUTsmv_34JW_h05GFgGUOVPUAo1CrtYRRBpD7wdxqI/s1600/P1020596.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiERjPWj-jL2bk5jk2xtobphePtYTuka0b_GEbbnOsMXjE3DuGzF9S-ai7zVtVAJ_szKXjc9PRRKUm6oCwcFa4u-a1ykrJ_OSsuiSUTsmv_34JW_h05GFgGUOVPUAo1CrtYRRBpD7wdxqI/s320/P1020596.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Sizzle, sizzle! Preheat oil and start sauteeing your veggies. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBgawXZoH2lYwO8-r55luK1pKu_fFdOltrACJquWh0pbIcN2gPYsm1MzNv52O9gd0lbr6xT2uiH2QjrkkW_SXCTbRarrxGAKw1qXtcTD2RXIbdNIfhRHcJNUVN9CFmD_i0Gfob3TuCyTo/s1600/P1020598.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBgawXZoH2lYwO8-r55luK1pKu_fFdOltrACJquWh0pbIcN2gPYsm1MzNv52O9gd0lbr6xT2uiH2QjrkkW_SXCTbRarrxGAKw1qXtcTD2RXIbdNIfhRHcJNUVN9CFmD_i0Gfob3TuCyTo/s320/P1020598.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Season: Once the onion/zucc start to brown, stir them around and add garlic, chili, pepper, and cumin. You'll also add salt. How much? To taste, but I use a lot of salt in this dish. It really tastes better with it! In any case, stir in the spices and keep cooking another 1-2 minutes until the dish starts to get dry.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghA5Es-eIE3sIE9TaqwcJ0nYCe02erqjHQuGYtue7bSNWOhfqnqnULP2Vuc3clha_-QzyVTKNDoYGSPPszIxPHw-MIKhiKJ_Tt2A5nlxV3_kZ5Rc6vtKYaYmeg96J0ExQc-H5rMxPYmoA/s1600/P1020599.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghA5Es-eIE3sIE9TaqwcJ0nYCe02erqjHQuGYtue7bSNWOhfqnqnULP2Vuc3clha_-QzyVTKNDoYGSPPszIxPHw-MIKhiKJ_Tt2A5nlxV3_kZ5Rc6vtKYaYmeg96J0ExQc-H5rMxPYmoA/s320/P1020599.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Add beans, corn, and salsa. If you use canned beans, rinse them well. That can-muck is pretty nasty, imho. The beans and corn will let off a lot of moisture, so let them hang out for a couple minutes. The corn will start to break down and the starch inside with naturally thicken the juices into a sauce.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPbktyDApgVnmk5U75-HOqqqYsYR_0cg3UaeG_V40qh8_9ohZhlAQxnKKdqXjnWgmnRPkolkkoRh9i_qU2mQQAbcZPupEu5OBoNCNGkJrvvPm0Pqhyu_LblSlpEd9gTUXSFOMexzTmXSY/s1600/P1020602.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPbktyDApgVnmk5U75-HOqqqYsYR_0cg3UaeG_V40qh8_9ohZhlAQxnKKdqXjnWgmnRPkolkkoRh9i_qU2mQQAbcZPupEu5OBoNCNGkJrvvPm0Pqhyu_LblSlpEd9gTUXSFOMexzTmXSY/s320/P1020602.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>When it's done, it looks like this. It has a little bit of a pan-sauce holding it together, but it definitely has texture.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6R3ZYD4y0as1qzg1R18-nmvstqwMHtPq3a-ejd1SkJhSJgTJdCpjlip-_PT83_QyiJp_QjKCSzS9HY0EuJMdwePg9q4Ab3X1ekHkTdNyT72GcpwVF9FjZuVcVfgyOBe3q1tRbAY7iVSM/s1600/P1020603.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6R3ZYD4y0as1qzg1R18-nmvstqwMHtPq3a-ejd1SkJhSJgTJdCpjlip-_PT83_QyiJp_QjKCSzS9HY0EuJMdwePg9q4Ab3X1ekHkTdNyT72GcpwVF9FjZuVcVfgyOBe3q1tRbAY7iVSM/s320/P1020603.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>And just look at all that veg! (For those of you who would comment that my pics would look better if I waited for the food to cool down before I took them, you should know that it's currently 57 F in my house and I wanted to eat something warm, not hot. This was an even 5 minutes after taking it off the heat. I can see my own breath after I drink coffee today!)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkcnJl1bdnvNlEtO9u_bnoN_-DKwTtwrVllwijdhGBAPRjkwHd0ylZMBhBSXXOA-RtTqbxD5lsSC-NfdYXsn5_Yc9F1dJPstjmh2NfDkjANkSUpBgfc9CYqfTHNzuBGiG-VonHe3cTx7E/s1600/P1020600.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkcnJl1bdnvNlEtO9u_bnoN_-DKwTtwrVllwijdhGBAPRjkwHd0ylZMBhBSXXOA-RtTqbxD5lsSC-NfdYXsn5_Yc9F1dJPstjmh2NfDkjANkSUpBgfc9CYqfTHNzuBGiG-VonHe3cTx7E/s320/P1020600.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Microwave your wrap of choice for 1 minute. If you make fresh wraps, more power to you. You should do a post on that so I can learn!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNL6mJeWDSK6bIfz9jx0Q-7FEpRb91sRE7klqJqy7MlruwZZcwI3Fte6jDTRuJBRoPn7Km9Z2gKN-vLRBGpsFVuUuPccTKuUcEaN2LOINEm10iZxK9ygpL7DTbaaq9gC9-PIvcGHfSOcw/s1600/P1020604.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNL6mJeWDSK6bIfz9jx0Q-7FEpRb91sRE7klqJqy7MlruwZZcwI3Fte6jDTRuJBRoPn7Km9Z2gKN-vLRBGpsFVuUuPccTKuUcEaN2LOINEm10iZxK9ygpL7DTbaaq9gC9-PIvcGHfSOcw/s320/P1020604.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Assemble tacos. Now, if you were starving, you might take the time to dice a mango (its delicious with this recipe, I've tried it) or an avocado (they all looked nasty today). If you like it spicy, you might want some hot sauce or more salsa, but this is a really filling and satisfying lunch or dinner. I truly recommend it.<br />
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Ok, I hope that you enjoyed the post, and I hope you can take a minute to donate some pocket change to Ashley, or at least help me do it.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU1s8i9HJtQ3dcsKjl-19EalHQmmsSB75LMvMMayyCTRWXcy4COUEfefHMELmWdEaAjP0ixJXQ_mVVmFBFl4wuXTdHA4II16l9_UujOPWuGXUbyfprER0DUAho-TV9yFRLjjTiXpyFUzY/s1600/P1020601.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU1s8i9HJtQ3dcsKjl-19EalHQmmsSB75LMvMMayyCTRWXcy4COUEfefHMELmWdEaAjP0ixJXQ_mVVmFBFl4wuXTdHA4II16l9_UujOPWuGXUbyfprER0DUAho-TV9yFRLjjTiXpyFUzY/s320/P1020601.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><i><b>Have you ever been in a traumatic accident? What happened? </b></i><br />
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PS: Insomnia post is still coming. My students had a test this week, and I spent all week prepping them and then 8 hours grading. Good news: Average 75%, which is pretty damn good for a first year teacher handling an upper-level course. Historically we tend to kill them with knowledges. <br />
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</div>Dochttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10252953539557435895noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204873193372604257.post-83406356002544094822011-09-22T14:25:00.000-07:002011-09-22T14:25:58.949-07:00Extraordinary Claims Require Extraordinary EvidenceA girl I knew in grad school wrote this excellent article about how irresponsibility by scientists (in this case, a letter, probably well-intentioned, but premature) can be expanded/exacerbated in the media and cause high public fear and low morale/belief in science. It's a really good article and I hope you read it. <br />
<a href="http://www.biofortified.org/2011/02/extraordinary-claims%E2%80%A6-require-extraordinary-evidence/">http://www.biofortified.org/2011/02/extraordinary-claims%E2%80%A6-require-extraordinary-evidence/</a>Dochttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10252953539557435895noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204873193372604257.post-51668424206090487512011-09-20T17:27:00.000-07:002011-09-20T17:27:41.570-07:00Random Breakfast MusingsStill no insomnia post. It's 2/3 written. I am getting there verrrrrrrry slowly. In the meantime, I have some breakfast to present:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieHPttRCDiNIKvHWvh4SRMwDSdGGy7ooR9p4M69d0oz6jz83CUO6w2QoKyEEYA7IJbYM7f9iCJNLGKGb9XJL8wVzP6IWad_rZxNkgV_IcCYWkZFApzF08J0toc9JtAvZLXHxReQpDRLtA/s1600/P1020590.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieHPttRCDiNIKvHWvh4SRMwDSdGGy7ooR9p4M69d0oz6jz83CUO6w2QoKyEEYA7IJbYM7f9iCJNLGKGb9XJL8wVzP6IWad_rZxNkgV_IcCYWkZFApzF08J0toc9JtAvZLXHxReQpDRLtA/s320/P1020590.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Fall is in the air. It's cold...50 degrees in the AM is too chilly for smoothies and oat parfaits when you walk to work. It's time for OATMEAL!<br />
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This beauty contained 1/2 c frozen blueberries, 1/3 c regular oats, dash vanilla, 1/8 serving protein powder (~5 g), and 1 tbsp peanut butter.<br />
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It kept me so full! I was full from 7am to 1pm...which only happens with oatmeal. That got me thinking...why does oatmeal keep me more full than a <a href="http://ohsheglows.com/2010/04/08/easy-vegan-overnight-oats/">vegan oat parfait</a>, which contains most of the same ingredients?<br />
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In fact, the way I made them, the vegan oat parfait has more calories.<br />
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<u>VOP</u><br />
<br />
1/3 c oats 100cal<br />
1/2 scoop protein powder 70cal<br />
1 scoop chia 81cal<br />
1/3 c almond milk 20cal<br />
1 whole banana 100cal<br />
1/2 c other fruit 50cal<br />
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Total: 421, with approximately 21g protein, 6g fat, and 8g fiber before fruit is added<br />
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<u>Oatmeal (as pictured above)</u><br />
<u><br />
</u><br />
1/3 c oats 100cal<br />
1/8 scoop protein powder 20 cal<br />
1/2 c blueberries 50cal<br />
1 tbsp PB 100cal<br />
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Total: 270, with approximately 13g protein, 9g fat, and 8 g fiber before fruit is added<br />
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So, the fat is higher. For a real experiment, I will have to alternate and make the recipes equivalent in fat/protein/fiber (which are linked to satiety). I think I might try it...because I'm curious...<br />
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<i><b>Is there any research that consuming warm food helps dietary absorption? </b></i><br />
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If that's out, the only thing I can think of is that microwaving my oats actually allows more soluble fiber to escape from the husk of the oat...and that soluble fiber makes me feel more full.<br />
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<i><b>What do you think it is about oatmeal that makes you so full? </b></i><br />
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I promise to come back with the Insomnia post. My students have a test this week, but it's surprisingly quiet on the western front....do you think they've started studying yet? The test is Thursday AM. Nah, I don't think so either. <i><b> </b></i>Dochttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10252953539557435895noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204873193372604257.post-24247082760373742112011-09-12T05:25:00.000-07:002011-09-12T05:25:17.440-07:00#1 Reason not to eat junk food before bed......you sleep poorly and wake-up with a 'food hangover'.<br />
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Ugh. Lesson (re)learned. No amount of delicious/devilish/high-sugar/high-fat food is worth the 'morning after' effect: bloating, excessive fullness, aches from poor sleep, and a slight headache no doubt leftover from the sugar-high I was feeling last night.<br />
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Think about it...some people feel like this every day and don't know why they feel so listless and sick. I am so grateful to know how to make myself feel better and to avoid feeling like this in the future. I just need the willpower to do it.<br />
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Also, the promised insomnia science post is half-written. I'm moving slow and this week is crazy, so hopefully you will see it before friday.<br />
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<i><b>Do you get the dreaded food-hangover? </b></i>Dochttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10252953539557435895noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204873193372604257.post-47331038569040043322011-09-07T18:55:00.000-07:002011-09-07T18:55:15.469-07:00A teaserI'm a little overloaded right now...but I have a half-written post on some science and health-related issues....<br />
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In the meantime, you can check this out:<br />
http://scienceblog.com/47554/insomnia-costing-us-workforce-63-2-billion-a-year-in-lost-productivity/<br />
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<i><b>Hi, my name is Doc. And I'm an insomniac. Anyone else with me? </b></i>Dochttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10252953539557435895noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204873193372604257.post-1078749670478701412011-09-01T17:18:00.000-07:002011-09-01T17:18:55.386-07:00One DayJust a taste of one day in my 'new' life...<br />
Morning: 6:30am. Wake-up. Groan about waking up.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirbHUEx81mL7ln_A_uq3qXOOM4jJAozjs_Wg05xjixIciNWeGMS5x7ajfI118b5UOi99ueSD0G1IgBxZeTfmJYUjeJMgxGK1OFveWbl_bHCvcWnJjsfmgMfVx0YQcAt37SbX3TdkL4_z4/s1600/P1020572.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirbHUEx81mL7ln_A_uq3qXOOM4jJAozjs_Wg05xjixIciNWeGMS5x7ajfI118b5UOi99ueSD0G1IgBxZeTfmJYUjeJMgxGK1OFveWbl_bHCvcWnJjsfmgMfVx0YQcAt37SbX3TdkL4_z4/s320/P1020572.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Breakfast - overnight oats (1/3 c oats, 1 tbsp chia, 1/2 scoop whey protein, almond milk) topped with banana soft serve, and chopped mango.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5esaLMmfixjdDGjwpgpU_zwmWJG7oP7pGlGxiEEMtW5XpPcuXvOuGt2lMSQO_JIU-uBHmPjAKrQPauvVrdqH2hCN-FyIQQzR-vrx-0PTWYkmIia14f1A3IL9vfvgzXxNIr2SkkGdmJYA/s1600/P1020573.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5esaLMmfixjdDGjwpgpU_zwmWJG7oP7pGlGxiEEMtW5XpPcuXvOuGt2lMSQO_JIU-uBHmPjAKrQPauvVrdqH2hCN-FyIQQzR-vrx-0PTWYkmIia14f1A3IL9vfvgzXxNIr2SkkGdmJYA/s320/P1020573.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>With coffee (and e-mail).<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiayZbEgTc-LE0tWoYJSzjzc3082C2pvahJLY9lny4GV308bib1OymkHG6Zfut7TSiy1IMh7PiLbIzUiy1UsEDIh5kXk79RmK2dNxvONr97ivUDMq9W1qptaMZ3OieT-xrcZkA4ObVMh2A/s1600/P1020577.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiayZbEgTc-LE0tWoYJSzjzc3082C2pvahJLY9lny4GV308bib1OymkHG6Zfut7TSiy1IMh7PiLbIzUiy1UsEDIh5kXk79RmK2dNxvONr97ivUDMq9W1qptaMZ3OieT-xrcZkA4ObVMh2A/s320/P1020577.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Dressed for work (grey pinstripe slacks, black tshirt, teal cardigan in the bag for my FREEZING OFFICE). Out the door I go for work...<a href="http://thehealthydoc.blogspot.com/2011/07/extreme-makeover-steel-beast-edition.html">jump on the steel beast...</a>arrive at work around 7:30/7:45.<br />
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Why do I go in so early? Well, I don't teach until 9:30. Occasionally I have an 8:00 meeting. I really do the early thing because no one bothers me before 9 and I get a lot done. Plus, I just woke up and I'm not tired again yet.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuREApmgeb0KUZ7FUCvmjIfBSYGQOFQ48voCQahOI2lML7pBmdihRGddgc66G-zC3XB7QC8NESHd0wnBF2WT654uwdVgPbMGqC0Mi_aumPzptEul4zrI4wiz5IEsLXDpsLWQDZlFGKXQI/s1600/P1020574.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuREApmgeb0KUZ7FUCvmjIfBSYGQOFQ48voCQahOI2lML7pBmdihRGddgc66G-zC3XB7QC8NESHd0wnBF2WT654uwdVgPbMGqC0Mi_aumPzptEul4zrI4wiz5IEsLXDpsLWQDZlFGKXQI/s320/P1020574.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Lunch consists of leftovers...or if there are no leftovers, then a sandwich (turkey, mustard, lettuce on wheat), fruit, and veggies. With 'fuzzy water' as Mandy would call it.<br />
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Work...in my office, lab, or classroom. Today I prepped 7:45-9:30, taught 9:30-11am, and taught 12:30-4:20pm.<br />
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I left for home around 5 and was starving...and I made the mistake of going to the grocery store. It ended badly...<br />
<br />
...but first, an explaination. It's 100 degrees today. I only had 'hot' food at home, but I wanted a salad. I figured I could make taco salad by <a href="http://thehealthydoc.blogspot.com/2011/08/i-finally-cooked.html">repurposing the chicken from the other day</a>, but I had several problems:<br />
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1) No chips.<br />
2) My cheese is in the freezer...(why? I don't know!)<br />
3) No yogurt or sour cream<br />
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I knew these factors would make it the least satisfying taco salad EVER, so I decided to at least get some chips and yogurt for toppings.<br />
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At the store, I had to walk by the bakery section to get to anything, and I saw french silk brownies.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQRMLmJUqAau9trObUlamfEtvPk8FUn5xkKwkxH_JMEwWDAmzERihuNnh7w1fe7ZmTjrvCEW3d0HZes2wBHULevBIY9MoP1IOjzZSH-ubYeN2SWhOO8IzwacROQazUsTZwrIBSjXvcK00/s1600/P1020588.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQRMLmJUqAau9trObUlamfEtvPk8FUn5xkKwkxH_JMEwWDAmzERihuNnh7w1fe7ZmTjrvCEW3d0HZes2wBHULevBIY9MoP1IOjzZSH-ubYeN2SWhOO8IzwacROQazUsTZwrIBSjXvcK00/s320/P1020588.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
cookie crust, chocolate mousse, white chocolate drizzle...obviously one died a sad death IN MY MOUTH.<br />
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Back to the taco salad. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOqjymgE97AKgwvc6CRl_WRC9_JW1tAG46TxzMUjD16KOx0Ka6zC9z4d8vzPCbyrVCp0L19kfZixPfFURUi6qrWUFzO_PRhUn7c7X-2Yz_1xWc2dxCjTUfzYvpYcjInY-T_yulww4LPl8/s1600/P1020578.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOqjymgE97AKgwvc6CRl_WRC9_JW1tAG46TxzMUjD16KOx0Ka6zC9z4d8vzPCbyrVCp0L19kfZixPfFURUi6qrWUFzO_PRhUn7c7X-2Yz_1xWc2dxCjTUfzYvpYcjInY-T_yulww4LPl8/s320/P1020578.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Roasted chicken. Cut in half and chop it up. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjytyq5Un51QptYVU8zyHGtemUM_W4OdB4ed94LecWuGY3ThmZLnPNAg5_gc7BkxCzA8tpi5km8rY5yyvL6YG9G6QnrINgozRiTxaFKX9I88YGlnh0z-iqKJ6ip-YMd0z-t6aKwA5aaVjY/s1600/P1020579.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjytyq5Un51QptYVU8zyHGtemUM_W4OdB4ed94LecWuGY3ThmZLnPNAg5_gc7BkxCzA8tpi5km8rY5yyvL6YG9G6QnrINgozRiTxaFKX9I88YGlnh0z-iqKJ6ip-YMd0z-t6aKwA5aaVjY/s320/P1020579.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Leftovers for another day. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqaHOG-_UEldqvPTD4bbW5nK8jFGgV8hAdhtGVdVfxjtoDBX9hOLeQh_ZimIBfwwSKNCwWObTAwc8OW4F_X65yh0a_P-Jcn7F2EbVLHEakoR9Ax9gUS_Vh2rZ2QEdIWWTgx6jcLcOUhHI/s1600/P1020580.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqaHOG-_UEldqvPTD4bbW5nK8jFGgV8hAdhtGVdVfxjtoDBX9hOLeQh_ZimIBfwwSKNCwWObTAwc8OW4F_X65yh0a_P-Jcn7F2EbVLHEakoR9Ax9gUS_Vh2rZ2QEdIWWTgx6jcLcOUhHI/s320/P1020580.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> I mixed up the chopped chicken with some salsa (green and red), taco seasoning...in a pan heated it up.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhayz31V5M0i_TrqAGpbPN74oiHIgDgiB7eEpPbsu4OWMHT-LLKOwQm7I2rblagRZ9ylf7wnHqSGAPbm7s5ek5BmfTdiPmAouvyxyHusWArMplUUuLiMNqk0HYk8PjePjP_bVevQs5IcCk/s1600/P1020581.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhayz31V5M0i_TrqAGpbPN74oiHIgDgiB7eEpPbsu4OWMHT-LLKOwQm7I2rblagRZ9ylf7wnHqSGAPbm7s5ek5BmfTdiPmAouvyxyHusWArMplUUuLiMNqk0HYk8PjePjP_bVevQs5IcCk/s320/P1020581.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>What to do with this frozen cheese...no good way to quickly defrost it, so I just added some to the chicken.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif4heSTRduukQh99HHEDp5M6yZ1lJvEDfW6qNXBNJglsQu_sTd35ghz6pYjPHK9VbuyhGK1I-pJYFhNd2NrAThl7X6DGwrcM0_3QI2L5WgJRWwhp8qvVY_kLEoPBFSb0ALzUH9TbfNpws/s1600/P1020582.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif4heSTRduukQh99HHEDp5M6yZ1lJvEDfW6qNXBNJglsQu_sTd35ghz6pYjPHK9VbuyhGK1I-pJYFhNd2NrAThl7X6DGwrcM0_3QI2L5WgJRWwhp8qvVY_kLEoPBFSb0ALzUH9TbfNpws/s320/P1020582.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnoRTdkBorR0pZDZK71Lv4DymWn0b1s25Rnd6TFtxyheBc9Wjs8gWX8zSFGU4x1XtsufKZGqb7Q0jODbT71ziWIOQrOB6a8lddgPjLciWcKzvPY9Z_rIBjal864ZlLU2WNKACpRwvO7hY/s1600/P1020583.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnoRTdkBorR0pZDZK71Lv4DymWn0b1s25Rnd6TFtxyheBc9Wjs8gWX8zSFGU4x1XtsufKZGqb7Q0jODbT71ziWIOQrOB6a8lddgPjLciWcKzvPY9Z_rIBjal864ZlLU2WNKACpRwvO7hY/s320/P1020583.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Assemble the salad....chips....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlJf9rJ_hgjGK6pMXOr6iNFycB6b0w7z719UmB020HDOOoFSuFroYlFve_V3pbJ30b6HYw2G91TDA4pmUfsIujfx9CmwRJW7h1h1rLXdk5RafsFnqy-aA-bkKQle3Zdoe4EStW0zeZNDQ/s1600/P1020584.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlJf9rJ_hgjGK6pMXOr6iNFycB6b0w7z719UmB020HDOOoFSuFroYlFve_V3pbJ30b6HYw2G91TDA4pmUfsIujfx9CmwRJW7h1h1rLXdk5RafsFnqy-aA-bkKQle3Zdoe4EStW0zeZNDQ/s320/P1020584.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Salad<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrnzqjQvy_anWDfm0dPi_Or56gpZR82TJ3M0XcsY_05YitRAqybgPpu4mKcnmAgsevlaXiq4BS_nB9WeNWykehaA6XTI0eVjC3xa17FrFQkJN68Ah3LrX6GtupnCl3O441FpaFqvvZZ8M/s1600/P1020585.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrnzqjQvy_anWDfm0dPi_Or56gpZR82TJ3M0XcsY_05YitRAqybgPpu4mKcnmAgsevlaXiq4BS_nB9WeNWykehaA6XTI0eVjC3xa17FrFQkJN68Ah3LrX6GtupnCl3O441FpaFqvvZZ8M/s320/P1020585.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Top with chicken mixture, salsas, yogurt<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizm5r2NnXpnAEgBivhMHHnf-iGgrgoTqKb-0RaTJUwuiIYz4A0aqTbMkUSIG3bfCv8VuqrzmkCDhsmjnwvBf7KhDD4mNq4NqPwg0z9__1UYECI2-uOtYohaXWwrCVlOc2Xdw0_r67ULGk/s1600/P1020586.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizm5r2NnXpnAEgBivhMHHnf-iGgrgoTqKb-0RaTJUwuiIYz4A0aqTbMkUSIG3bfCv8VuqrzmkCDhsmjnwvBf7KhDD4mNq4NqPwg0z9__1UYECI2-uOtYohaXWwrCVlOc2Xdw0_r67ULGk/s320/P1020586.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Obviously it was horrible.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ6eVBrK9rPNz26iDaWkzgNY774fehS7vllnrgkNURY_PaMIQO1r44rGGYwzgTuU50U5eDD41ChvTaEFgweqU-_NiZqWBbzz8wdnS5B4ERdL44nKeLX42u0teIawCC-eLkRzzUzPLnUIg/s1600/P1020589.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ6eVBrK9rPNz26iDaWkzgNY774fehS7vllnrgkNURY_PaMIQO1r44rGGYwzgTuU50U5eDD41ChvTaEFgweqU-_NiZqWBbzz8wdnS5B4ERdL44nKeLX42u0teIawCC-eLkRzzUzPLnUIg/s320/P1020589.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Ok, I was going to do a speedwork session, but it's flippin' hot out, so it's time for a leisurely walk around the lake with some podcasts...<br />
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<i><b>Happy holiday weekend! Keep safe! </b></i> <br />
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Dochttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10252953539557435895noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204873193372604257.post-75290063488544643222011-08-30T18:05:00.000-07:002011-08-30T18:05:34.276-07:00I finally cooked!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZB-uUhw1jRwGtdBxa-irPffmRo4sOgIdQ-4EWTEhUTFRMKwa-bI4zyOcZe3PBQDJxN6uHQTe_Uk0epWb8OJNIbsEGfXVs864Aq22kfHD9mfiCfrungqeita4QUNnn5URC7ZivJJMi-3k/s1600/P1020566.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZB-uUhw1jRwGtdBxa-irPffmRo4sOgIdQ-4EWTEhUTFRMKwa-bI4zyOcZe3PBQDJxN6uHQTe_Uk0epWb8OJNIbsEGfXVs864Aq22kfHD9mfiCfrungqeita4QUNnn5URC7ZivJJMi-3k/s320/P1020566.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I finally got ambitious and cooked something other than eggs...and rice. Other than eggs and rice, I haven't done much in that arena for way too long.<br />
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The motivation? It's gross outside. Time for comfort food! Plus, this was super-passive comfort food. If I had a crockpot, it would've made an awesome crockpot meal! The veggies and fruit pictured above (onion, small red potatoes, carrots, apple) received a rough chop.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgPLgtkRNRM1iIpYpyIBsvZSFhdNtxD46qKIX0uy_vL88Zr7VUiCvSzina29OMvhKsMUTzKQKHBfqjPakgM0KNPR9b7DY0RaE9BLCA2CTPtWsisMIiRNdUYHQd9GZR9kr6mSq7qsdFmMw/s1600/P1020568.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgPLgtkRNRM1iIpYpyIBsvZSFhdNtxD46qKIX0uy_vL88Zr7VUiCvSzina29OMvhKsMUTzKQKHBfqjPakgM0KNPR9b7DY0RaE9BLCA2CTPtWsisMIiRNdUYHQd9GZR9kr6mSq7qsdFmMw/s320/P1020568.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>I then placed two chicken breasts (they were monster ta-tas!) on a greased pyrex 13x9 pan and topped with the veggie mix, minced garlic, salt, pepper, rosemary, and thyme.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA_rzqozrOU5ChZ3eLvd8wcZ7FhEaNubsRPC5VhA1cwk0NFVejxJBj3HoUKLwHhqCzUmfqJiUmOrhrEqIkUpH6Oyc_EapKHau93c3kNZzawXMBvvx2vihLPr1RSQEItHTCFhzuG2u-E1A/s1600/P1020567.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA_rzqozrOU5ChZ3eLvd8wcZ7FhEaNubsRPC5VhA1cwk0NFVejxJBj3HoUKLwHhqCzUmfqJiUmOrhrEqIkUpH6Oyc_EapKHau93c3kNZzawXMBvvx2vihLPr1RSQEItHTCFhzuG2u-E1A/s320/P1020567.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>See the chicken hiding in there?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiUCZ-T24G4og8VgpcRlczfcHBjjeicxM7-1K5u1Mv9FX3Qg2AgYuU3vJcRXQXbjBbdvpzC3HVSUraBBpQm4gg8F6UV8xpEncFSM_zlBS8xdBj_4ArYVgEnykv514z5320AHCOW46GMmE/s1600/P1020569.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiUCZ-T24G4og8VgpcRlczfcHBjjeicxM7-1K5u1Mv9FX3Qg2AgYuU3vJcRXQXbjBbdvpzC3HVSUraBBpQm4gg8F6UV8xpEncFSM_zlBS8xdBj_4ArYVgEnykv514z5320AHCOW46GMmE/s320/P1020569.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I then poured in chicken broth. How much? <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyYshDDGYKjh-8Q1rJgqQyE1amtx9HMYedibcv76Lv3BJ-0hxhIjMVfuBZjn4aVxlLnXx-XG0pVvXLPULMS5zWREEw9AA1k0rNWGSOG0zXIkKeBnTH5vR3vhew6NFyQiWOy2W9bBn7Kvo/s1600/P1020570.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyYshDDGYKjh-8Q1rJgqQyE1amtx9HMYedibcv76Lv3BJ-0hxhIjMVfuBZjn4aVxlLnXx-XG0pVvXLPULMS5zWREEw9AA1k0rNWGSOG0zXIkKeBnTH5vR3vhew6NFyQiWOy2W9bBn7Kvo/s320/P1020570.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>That much. Maybe half a carton?<br />
I popper her in the oven at 400C for 50 minutes. In the interim, I graded a quiz and I ate my dessert first (3 hershey's kisses, 1 tbsp peanut butter, 1/4 c oats - microwave 30 seconds, eat. Try it!) Then I raised the temp to 450 for the last 10 minutes and got the golden brown look going on.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGxkZoh7GS4zf3GcyvhWiiU36Wr0OiRSxX_6ifUCU9LIARiE_e5zpLpQF7XwaqCt1Frqt65KWn6O-J1PPh4DRg1FwT7UIlr1r6s-BfA5e3JJja3RYO9p1FkFAOcqfz5uUzd0SkJ1p7Seg/s1600/P1020571.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGxkZoh7GS4zf3GcyvhWiiU36Wr0OiRSxX_6ifUCU9LIARiE_e5zpLpQF7XwaqCt1Frqt65KWn6O-J1PPh4DRg1FwT7UIlr1r6s-BfA5e3JJja3RYO9p1FkFAOcqfz5uUzd0SkJ1p7Seg/s320/P1020571.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Veg and chicken. It's a huge plate, so I'm sorry it looks like a tiny portion. I also have tons of leftovers to last me all week! <br />
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<br />
This was perfect for me because I'm a chicken-phobe. First, I don't really like to eat meat, so I'm more than happy to eat beans, eggs, veggies, protein powder for most of my protein sources. However, I get super low energy when I don't eat any meat, so I like to pepper it in occasionally. Since I started living alone, my meat consumption has been limited to deli lunchmeat. I have a whole bag of chicken in the freezer, so I thought one huge dish of chicken that can be eaten all week would do me well. And I only had to touch it once and it only touched one dish, and that dish got up to temp and can't be filled with salmonella. Chicken-phobe, see? <br />
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Plus, if I don't like the way the chicken tastes later, I can always respice it and repurpose it in tacos, bbq, salsa chicken, etc. Don't believe me? Tune back in!<br />
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Also a teaching tidbit: I teach biochemistry and biochemistry lab at a small state school in Minnesota. At this school, they are a little behind-the-times in equipment, so they actually have a lab for the students to do that involves pureeing raw chicken in blenders and extracting an enzyme (a special type of protein) from the raw chicken. OMG. The fiance laughed so hard when I told him this was the first thing I was going to change in my curriculum for next year. Imagine, 110 students over 5 days (we run labs Monday-Friday), 4 blenders, and 7 chicken breasts. I will be rocking the lysol spray that week in class!<br />
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Ok, take care. <i><b>Do you have any food phobias? </b></i><br />
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Dochttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10252953539557435895noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204873193372604257.post-12188884267798032352011-08-27T07:07:00.000-07:002011-08-27T07:07:00.064-07:00Crazy, crazy, crazinessWell. I'm getting busy again. I'm the kind of busy where my to-do list is so long that it literally doesn't matter what I do because even the smallest task gets something checked off the list. This is roughly the same situation I had when I was finishing my Ph.D. Neverending work! At least now I have some fun students to keep me entertained.<br />
<br />
I teach biochemistry, which may sound terrifying, but is pretty fun. I do a lot of inclass activities, so I figure I'll share them with you all after we do them. I'll explain what's going on, since many of the topics assume a strong chemistry background. But that could be fun...maybe we'll all learn something?<br />
<br />
Otherwise, this is what I've been up to:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOBDF_OQZYTCK-lVR64FxU204GEyB50x9GO5mkp1CxGlvGT8Fa5DaZrKADK-auiAU-udYACgi7I8Kc7tC5b4qkretzuE6VQwbDr0irXCSUV3OUYtEBDwF36Ja7b1M57wNH4STqYT9FOf0/s1600/P1020559.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOBDF_OQZYTCK-lVR64FxU204GEyB50x9GO5mkp1CxGlvGT8Fa5DaZrKADK-auiAU-udYACgi7I8Kc7tC5b4qkretzuE6VQwbDr0irXCSUV3OUYtEBDwF36Ja7b1M57wNH4STqYT9FOf0/s320/P1020559.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Still carrying my ratchet...gotta get that bike looked at!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn7RG8zIkDv5Ul2NG7Fxb4rv6X1uQeOwWqkj7Y_58zhURjhqw1qWW31OA52RxVwTv2zEGJmQesmfP-DMpnKt6EpNaxZKyyYTlFbUwwSsY3MaXQFxrbMHfHm1VxPO4TEX_YRNUNvAdSmuI/s1600/P1020565.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioJlk_A2M0u67ODPS1YZE-_h00VvJyNEsNLr9VDjYFuB6AxqU1iS_bnvYenxJD-rwdspuliQzDUzCv65MXFfAneh0Kxji6TgjwQanjJcAd3YgrXLqyRu7n6qqAf2UL4mdPsvYO7bhGIA0/s1600/P1020558.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioJlk_A2M0u67ODPS1YZE-_h00VvJyNEsNLr9VDjYFuB6AxqU1iS_bnvYenxJD-rwdspuliQzDUzCv65MXFfAneh0Kxji6TgjwQanjJcAd3YgrXLqyRu7n6qqAf2UL4mdPsvYO7bhGIA0/s320/P1020558.JPG" width="320" /></a><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn7RG8zIkDv5Ul2NG7Fxb4rv6X1uQeOwWqkj7Y_58zhURjhqw1qWW31OA52RxVwTv2zEGJmQesmfP-DMpnKt6EpNaxZKyyYTlFbUwwSsY3MaXQFxrbMHfHm1VxPO4TEX_YRNUNvAdSmuI/s320/P1020565.JPG" width="320" /></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyR7Mz7i9nkP-B9llUuL4LZmlR5YPnmFMEJCmKWbJaijCxTv8xIK2lnM4QRhzE5F8mILOZNMpZ3PdegudNHGXmI5Gd7foSXiOCqsTxhUGtZEJUJ-H06z6qSpTMI-8foib6jkwtTeQYzSg/s1600/P1020564.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyR7Mz7i9nkP-B9llUuL4LZmlR5YPnmFMEJCmKWbJaijCxTv8xIK2lnM4QRhzE5F8mILOZNMpZ3PdegudNHGXmI5Gd7foSXiOCqsTxhUGtZEJUJ-H06z6qSpTMI-8foib6jkwtTeQYzSg/s320/P1020564.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I'm a terrible food blogger lately. I ate the <a href="http://thehealthydoc.blogspot.com/2011/08/new-kind-of-lifestyle.html">marinated chicken, veggies, and rice I told about </a>for about three days straight. I ran out last night, so I had to think fast in order to have a lunch to pack. My friend Maggie makes a lot of frittatas, so I asked her via gchat if she could tell me what to do. So I sauteed some onion, yellow pepper, and zucchini together in a pan with some fresh basil and oregano...took a picture...and promptly forgot to take pics of the rest. So, the final product in a very unglamorous tupperware is what you get. Final product had 4 eggs, some parmesan, and around 1 oz of chopped turkey lunchmeat. It is actually pretty good. Eggs do the trick! I added a salad for fiber, but I think I needed more carbs. I was starving 3 hours later.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv-Xzl677bpSKySPc7wOxL5DjaTcJWZyewWo0O5BhglRoazfCAzglK8UBO35NdvjwxtepHZ5mXfQUEHMEtd44nHxFJyugi9a-5rQ6NsaoFb7yVUY_ZZO8imWrqbejSYMaWe3zVDk2TrNI/s1600/P1020563.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv-Xzl677bpSKySPc7wOxL5DjaTcJWZyewWo0O5BhglRoazfCAzglK8UBO35NdvjwxtepHZ5mXfQUEHMEtd44nHxFJyugi9a-5rQ6NsaoFb7yVUY_ZZO8imWrqbejSYMaWe3zVDk2TrNI/s320/P1020563.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> I found this super tiny bottle of balsamic for my office. That's a 6 oz coffee mug (You can see an 8oz one in white in the background). I usually bring salad dressings and condiments in little plastic bags, but vinegar smells terrible in the trash. 90% of the time I just want a splash of balsamic anyway. I figure I can bring a baggie when I want something else! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQS21JfSuF6_TM3rdNAwjriSbatgCEb9XspzMIQfwPBdvh7OU_JVwM_8z7Ahm_GQ-M4hFBy8K463JLF6S0L-FaWrxueQ2EAAtTabIsEdDNJzbFhT_FTvBqslnLKzQ8BJUig1eWPIo-IIU/s1600/P1020560.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQS21JfSuF6_TM3rdNAwjriSbatgCEb9XspzMIQfwPBdvh7OU_JVwM_8z7Ahm_GQ-M4hFBy8K463JLF6S0L-FaWrxueQ2EAAtTabIsEdDNJzbFhT_FTvBqslnLKzQ8BJUig1eWPIo-IIU/s320/P1020560.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> I'm also back on the soda bandwagon after pretty much being soda-free all summer. I used to allow myself to get it when we went out for a meal, but lately I have been craving it so badly. The interesting thing is that they contain so much sodium and I can tell that I feel thirstier after I drink one. So, I drink a lot of water, too. In my awesome metal waterbottle (gotta love race swag). But soda is a 'treat', albeit calorie-free.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz7KCf4lLPDVobN8Q42gFHSevvGrK69exnoTcWdFsUpbKPiqlCzqi9UfCQdY-nENXrK109pUW1z1Qp3a6-8uCbpBS7b003TJWK9OYtX2QfkKSinCEEmRP9zoObdSS8WgmFJs-Nqi891Pc/s1600/P1020562.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz7KCf4lLPDVobN8Q42gFHSevvGrK69exnoTcWdFsUpbKPiqlCzqi9UfCQdY-nENXrK109pUW1z1Qp3a6-8uCbpBS7b003TJWK9OYtX2QfkKSinCEEmRP9zoObdSS8WgmFJs-Nqi891Pc/s320/P1020562.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Yes, still a coffee fiend too, but just in the AM and usually about half the travel mug. Coffee isn't that bad for you (I drink it black), and I keep the rest of my caffeine in check.<br />
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Finally, the weather sucks here. Humidity came back and is killing my hair. I can't get a good hair day for anything....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin4BIoVlzgGQ9U0WJgZFLAwa4FAouQZ37bF0A-MtXscWQUH5u3buwglq4x1Ym5wLrEGO9mIw6SluFTRC6y7peizHHMm_Dw57XbH452zw9qMmmPR_wvCodo451MjkxOBI6xWqNb25oU4DQ/s1600/P1020561.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin4BIoVlzgGQ9U0WJgZFLAwa4FAouQZ37bF0A-MtXscWQUH5u3buwglq4x1Ym5wLrEGO9mIw6SluFTRC6y7peizHHMm_Dw57XbH452zw9qMmmPR_wvCodo451MjkxOBI6xWqNb25oU4DQ/s320/P1020561.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Frizzy even post-flatironing!<br />
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Going to a wedding back in Iowa this weekend and then we'll see what's up for next week. Take care blog-world! <br />
<i><b>Anybody have a cure for humidity-frizz? </b></i><br />
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Dochttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10252953539557435895noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204873193372604257.post-83340472282830000992011-08-25T06:49:00.000-07:002011-08-25T06:49:00.178-07:00Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead (a review)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.azreporter.com/news/media/admin/20110204-FAT%20SICK%20and%20NEARLY%20DEAD.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.azreporter.com/news/media/admin/20110204-FAT%20SICK%20and%20NEARLY%20DEAD.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>Friday night was a celebration of being far enough ahead in my classes to reward myself with a movie. Having already determined that the DVD I had from Netflix was terrible (Time Traveler's Wife...ugh. I am way too much a scientist for that crappy movie. No offense if you liked it), I went to the internetwebs to find something that might be streaming. I found 'Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead.'<br />
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To be honest, this was actually not a typical movie choice for me. I might be a food/healthy lifestyle blogger, but there are a lot of movements that I don't generally buy into. For instance, I'm not a huge fan of 'The Biggest Loser'. Why? I think they do a great service for morbidly obese people to get them to a point where they can then do 'normal' activities without difficulty, but the lifestyle they teach is not something that can be maintained in the long run. There have been finalists and winners that relapse back hundreds of pounds. Those people go back to their jobs, their families, and their food and need to be able to cope when a literal and figurative carrot isn't dangling in front of them.<br />
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I also really dislike one-sided arguments. Michael Moore movies bother me (I don't like people who yell a lot in general). I have read Michael Pollan's books, and the best thing about them is that in one he admits that he doesn't have all the answers. Because I think food, food policy, and the social aspects of food complicate the story in ways that he never gets to. I will say that I really enjoyed 'Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution' series, but that's because he really exposed America's problem with food in a new way and had to 'learn on the go' how to reach people.<br />
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Ok, so now I've let you in on why I generally wouldn't choose this movie. But I did, and so you probably want the synopsis and the review.<br />
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Synopsis:<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>Joe Cross suffers from an autoimmune disorder that is making his life miserable. He has tried all of the modern and alternative medicines that he can find, and nothing is helping. He decides to drastically change his diet via a 60 day juice fast, which he does while facing his enemy in the food-lover's haven: the USA. Along the way he interacts with a variety of people, talking about food, lifestyle, and morbidity and mortality. He also recruits two 'real world' examples of everyday people to try his method. </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Hopefully I didn't give too much away! Ok, the review: </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><u><b>Good</b></u></div><div style="text-align: left;">-Joe Cross is likeable. He doesn't come off as pompous. He's a little self-depricating. He's understanding when people disagree with him. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">-He seeks and acquires the correct medical supervision. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">-The auto-immune disorder gives him a good case for removing unnecessary stimuli in the form of food from his diet. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">-He talks with experts. One expert, Joel Fuhrman, who is a medical doctor, has built his career around a new food pyramid with a plant basis. This isn't a vegetarian or vegan food pyramid. It's just a new way of thinking about food consumption (and the fiance will attest: even though I had no idea about this pyramid, it's how I cook and eat). Here is the pyramid: </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlDWpMUmyR4VIE_655FfZbFyHEJFDrEjrtFTJ0P2hVeUEW9gUpau4E0ADELLqqrXuft0sNzsJbfAPKcUgq9WhucDGOOrhuKedJdH5cZPaC4jIzTsZZS7sQkJbVo2F9OVShDFp51yRF64I/s1600/nutrient+dense+food+pyramid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlDWpMUmyR4VIE_655FfZbFyHEJFDrEjrtFTJ0P2hVeUEW9gUpau4E0ADELLqqrXuft0sNzsJbfAPKcUgq9WhucDGOOrhuKedJdH5cZPaC4jIzTsZZS7sQkJbVo2F9OVShDFp51yRF64I/s320/nutrient+dense+food+pyramid.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>He also did a study correlating diet to weight loss, cardiovascular health, and metabolite counts (like cholesterol, triglycerides) from patients following this diet vs. a traditional food pyramid diet over 6mos-2 years in treatment. Those patients following this plant-based pyramid lost and kept off the most weight. Here is a link to the study summary:<a href="http://drfuhrman.com/library/high_nutrient_diet_n_weight_loss.pdf"> Plant based High Nutrient Diet and Weight Loss. </a><br />
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-He gets regular people to try it and they like the results. They stick with the program. This will become more important when I get to the things I wasn't crazy about.<br />
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-He never talks about calorie consumption. He isn't trying to sell you a 1200 calorie diet. One of the regular people weighs over 400 lbs. He gets to start by drinking more juice. Obviously, 400 lbs requires more fuel than a 200 lb person. <br />
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-The juicer he uses isn't fancy-schmancy.<a href="http://www.brevilleusa.com/juice-fountain-plus-je98xl.html"> It's a Breville. You can buy them at any big-box store. </a>He does have this battery generator that lets him juice out of the back of his car, but that's not neccesary. One of the regular people in the film just juices enough to fill a pitcher in the morning and carries it around with him for the rest of the day. It shows two reasonable ways to juice all day if that's what you're going to do.<br />
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-He doesn't demonize specific foods or the people who eat them. <br />
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<u><b>Not for me</b></u><br />
-Juicing as your only source of food? I don't think it's necessary. However, juice does contain less fiber than whole fruits and vegetables, so it will be better for people who are transitioning from a low-fiber diet. One of the regular people talks pretty candidly about her GI problems when transitioning to the juice fast. The influx of 'micronutrients' really does a number on the osmotic pressure in your intestines. Diarrhea is a normal side effect. (Want more details? <a href="http://thehealthydoc.blogspot.com/2011/05/food-fears-toxins.html">How diarrhea and food poisoning works</a>)<br />
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-He never talks about calorie consumption. We all know that if you want to lose weight, calories in << calories out, right? Well, that's never addressed. The experts claim that you don't really have to measure calories because the nutrient dense foods keep you full, but I'm going to say that people can still gain weight with that mentality. I am a bigger fan of the counting calories (at least initially) or listening to your body and understanding how that correlates to calorie consumption.<br />
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-He's really very wealthy. He can fly to the US on almost no notice. He's spent his lifetime building his wealth, and while he does work, he is the boss of his work. In fact, only one of his regular people continued to work during the fast. And one of his regular people actually decided to change jobs because of this lifestyle change (was a truck driver, now works at the YMCA). This is probably not a good lifestyle for those of us who work 40+ hours per week or are in a transitional period of our lives because it requires so much dedication and control.<br />
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-While all three of the people profiled in this documentary had major medical problems that are not understood by modern medicine: migraines & auto-immune disorders. I definitely think a healthy lifestyle is a way to keep these problems under control and that weight loss is going to help regulate the way your body responds to stimuli, but I don't think a juice fast is the only way to do it. <br />
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-Finally, I am afraid this is going to become a weight-loss gimmick. And it shouldn't be.<br />
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<i><b>Ok, so my final grade for this movie was B+. </b></i><br />
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Not too much propaganda. Involved real, everyday people (from Iowa!) and was narrated by an approachable enough person. It was fun to watch. You wanted people to succeed. And there wasn't too much demonization of specific foods or the people who ate them.<br />
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<b>What is your favorite diet or food and lifestyle philosophy? </b><br />
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Dochttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10252953539557435895noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204873193372604257.post-7979395519478181582011-08-22T17:37:00.000-07:002011-08-22T17:37:39.379-07:00Balance...Balanced dinner:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB31-AjoO5zTEGjxLX-FAajX14moU95DXZE0rVvHquuxhNSk0r6J1PiJlHaShrjfyzotGF6sHEt1772b339T86Bm9aMdaWm7m3TrimAUtuLGyHhsAf3rf4k-hHhxcf4o758iZPAtQiWf0/s1600/P1020545.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB31-AjoO5zTEGjxLX-FAajX14moU95DXZE0rVvHquuxhNSk0r6J1PiJlHaShrjfyzotGF6sHEt1772b339T86Bm9aMdaWm7m3TrimAUtuLGyHhsAf3rf4k-hHhxcf4o758iZPAtQiWf0/s320/P1020545.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">AND</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqRZ_9oU8N2v4CeHxLf5qBdmX86ZM6mnz2-eIK0ggcY1VHZ4XLuT-sFgknW2lzNGcUY51XYhe2Wt7MlyHQnvfOVGf5Y_Jk9MG7lxx5IuRkJ0JG-xoYOTt-JJOnK0xe3eiJ1QrIJFgBXig/s1600/P1010114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqRZ_9oU8N2v4CeHxLf5qBdmX86ZM6mnz2-eIK0ggcY1VHZ4XLuT-sFgknW2lzNGcUY51XYhe2Wt7MlyHQnvfOVGf5Y_Jk9MG7lxx5IuRkJ0JG-xoYOTt-JJOnK0xe3eiJ1QrIJFgBXig/s320/P1010114.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">EQUALS </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">+ 2 slices turkey and cheese and mustard rollups (added 30 minutes later)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">A balanced dinner! ...right? </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> And now my brain is so overwhelmed that I'm watching shows meant for tweens! </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Dochttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10252953539557435895noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204873193372604257.post-8701061497429263452011-08-21T17:58:00.000-07:002011-08-21T17:58:52.365-07:00Sunday Walk<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRxDEOi7J2DIjVUWwyWPf5dKuOXVGb9-wpcSk1DNjhbkHISXRFR9vb1SBKMyDFeTtEAsjOESvGOVhL8jv0PFJO5qar3MQOh-Kkq89_bBdpwfgoeiFywjKqvU09xmzcUJNMxiEc0suFgzM/s1600/IMG_0059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRxDEOi7J2DIjVUWwyWPf5dKuOXVGb9-wpcSk1DNjhbkHISXRFR9vb1SBKMyDFeTtEAsjOESvGOVhL8jv0PFJO5qar3MQOh-Kkq89_bBdpwfgoeiFywjKqvU09xmzcUJNMxiEc0suFgzM/s320/IMG_0059.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeO56M93GZqd-Y904irlJfGr3TVB553AccF8kZBGBsM6nrDOVGZRcB3Jt1puu6NZ2Gds2omJxB1jhIjkOhOpcZWAq2Qmgf0XSNnAxHlzR9F_mxqdhdtpTWQAd_umAglGmGBS3qBAmJ7rM/s1600/IMG_0079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeO56M93GZqd-Y904irlJfGr3TVB553AccF8kZBGBsM6nrDOVGZRcB3Jt1puu6NZ2Gds2omJxB1jhIjkOhOpcZWAq2Qmgf0XSNnAxHlzR9F_mxqdhdtpTWQAd_umAglGmGBS3qBAmJ7rM/s320/IMG_0079.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEtRjOpzDC7sCE44y8Ae7dWeYfJO46HQxBZ5M1ZQaa5_-_aRfJbme22nINa09_Mqvio3stRQMcGngO6BLDgVgUfgYJpJrsFTdmXHjl__nmyHdWDgvwT79tQlbwbhuUJFrhN-F1aJd-0tY/s1600/IMG_0080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEtRjOpzDC7sCE44y8Ae7dWeYfJO46HQxBZ5M1ZQaa5_-_aRfJbme22nINa09_Mqvio3stRQMcGngO6BLDgVgUfgYJpJrsFTdmXHjl__nmyHdWDgvwT79tQlbwbhuUJFrhN-F1aJd-0tY/s320/IMG_0080.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Duration: 2.5 hours.<br />
Miles: 4.5 flat, 1.5 stairs/hiking<br />
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Dochttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10252953539557435895noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204873193372604257.post-15287980733735012582011-08-20T10:45:00.000-07:002011-08-20T10:45:42.557-07:00A new kind of lifestyleI have survived my first week of work! In fact, I feel alert, exhilarated, and really, really tired. BUT this job is more wonderful than I could've imagined. Here are the highlights (and some exercise, science, and food fun thrown in).<br />
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I live 3/4 of a mile from work, which is about a 15 minute walk or a 10 minute bike ride including all the crossings. The 'Steel Beast' is still acting up, so I carry a ratchet with me. Yes, I'm that awesome. I'm the girl with a ratchet. Anyway, it's kind of awesome to have 20-30 minutes of exercise build into my day.<br />
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Living separately from the fiance is lame and boring. I eat the same things everyday because no one tells me that I can't.<br />
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...that said, I've lost weight again and it might be from the food and it might be from the exercise. Either way, I would really enjoy another 10 lbs off this semester.We'll see if that happens for me.<br />
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So, this is what I normally eat:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGYz9UhcKgy92TBYiohgDXqon5KtTV34bSaW2niaaJooTDNpTGoUtR0c2LDipYX33zRUg9xadKMOx9Y1zCFI4qf-n0ND5fOP2-R1WPZjRtQ1LHm5A4HCieMK76rJV7xUqQkaSWsG6QtJI/s1600/P1020539.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGYz9UhcKgy92TBYiohgDXqon5KtTV34bSaW2niaaJooTDNpTGoUtR0c2LDipYX33zRUg9xadKMOx9Y1zCFI4qf-n0ND5fOP2-R1WPZjRtQ1LHm5A4HCieMK76rJV7xUqQkaSWsG6QtJI/s320/P1020539.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Bed of spinach, rice, salmon, Japanese eggplant sauteed in teryaki sauce.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ZkF5Fn-wJKJDAL9O6zmfdTU4Y7LYWHzdywUUuq53aFGxMJMsIYEJ93c242HaKGiG6VbI0lizWDClVNAbmjBJxU9QgM32TD-kUuGd8y7Cd4aPuY0L8gIyJz2kjOtsh7wLv_xgfjz-DMQ/s1600/P1020540.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ZkF5Fn-wJKJDAL9O6zmfdTU4Y7LYWHzdywUUuq53aFGxMJMsIYEJ93c242HaKGiG6VbI0lizWDClVNAbmjBJxU9QgM32TD-kUuGd8y7Cd4aPuY0L8gIyJz2kjOtsh7wLv_xgfjz-DMQ/s320/P1020540.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Oh! And I found this preservative free and amazing soy-sauce. It's kosher...and MSG free...maybe it might be ok for people who are sensitive to MSG? In any case, it was low calorie and tasted amazing as well. Two points for SoyVei! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFfyGZHVgcV74LYeMSJGENYmQs08CZouJe7GLu0lfttA6KzT_XseF85EWB6ULu9MoHZLMYPBS5HTG-rcjTk2k2v3yp9Yzp6SWdo_Awj-wwWXmeKbTjsNXj6wTJAfY4Jv1kgQEDMxXNCfU/s1600/P1020541.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFfyGZHVgcV74LYeMSJGENYmQs08CZouJe7GLu0lfttA6KzT_XseF85EWB6ULu9MoHZLMYPBS5HTG-rcjTk2k2v3yp9Yzp6SWdo_Awj-wwWXmeKbTjsNXj6wTJAfY4Jv1kgQEDMxXNCfU/s320/P1020541.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Ok, I lied. I don't actually cook like that most of the time. I make a giant pot of rice and MOST of my meals are rice/beans/lettuce/salsa with the occasional treat of cheese or avocado. Delicious, but not the most interesting.Or photogenic.<br />
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Moving on... <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwCmilPvuVvq4zrProyy2OC4JyMHsslVW9ppgviWlsT22OvOvWL-_7NIm01ij8BLxw8SFduOUs8PncoQAODO3oUSp7O26I4TpQx-H299k9nQsGFxRXjMLQxm5CHQpaUdiluCAPao6vBvs/s1600/P1020535.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwCmilPvuVvq4zrProyy2OC4JyMHsslVW9ppgviWlsT22OvOvWL-_7NIm01ij8BLxw8SFduOUs8PncoQAODO3oUSp7O26I4TpQx-H299k9nQsGFxRXjMLQxm5CHQpaUdiluCAPao6vBvs/s320/P1020535.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>This is kind of what I wear to work. Slacks with a dressed-down top OR jeans with a dressed up top. I tried a totally dressed up look for my first day, but decided it was too much...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheTWtD0_1v9PLHDnDbE82HsxrXkYqH2L4RgCeNCFxmBXXEyoM_Oza34BaYhJC6bfvyr3uTo0PPNSheUHDGDIiGliRGeou4OhTJBmEfK6IuGqYqn3CIM9CglCglr-7fKcQxzyhYR2MMgLM/s1600/P1020533.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheTWtD0_1v9PLHDnDbE82HsxrXkYqH2L4RgCeNCFxmBXXEyoM_Oza34BaYhJC6bfvyr3uTo0PPNSheUHDGDIiGliRGeou4OhTJBmEfK6IuGqYqn3CIM9CglCglr-7fKcQxzyhYR2MMgLM/s320/P1020533.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Cute, but too dressy. I'll save it for another occasion. <br />
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<br />
I have a giant office (wheeeeeeee!!) and more drawers than I know what to do with, but I do have several predetermined drawers:<br />
1) Tenure drawer: For documents that will win me job security.<br />
2) Class drawer: For students that I advise and documents associated with the classes I teach. <br />
3) Administration drawer: For things that I better not lose OR ELSE!<br />
4) Snack drawer. Because by 4pm I need a snack. My favorite addition:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT16xZSgwysKc1r-z2qvh7HLTQYbLE4Sve9kUWUpyP8uVRKJqvmKCuvSJOT0DGjDMLpLK93L8OUMxjllmCK85_GnOhL1UskX61E_N5LHb-qtTn9K8JC1AbR5saxR7iNmWhIOnV5HNa1Sg/s1600/P1020551.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT16xZSgwysKc1r-z2qvh7HLTQYbLE4Sve9kUWUpyP8uVRKJqvmKCuvSJOT0DGjDMLpLK93L8OUMxjllmCK85_GnOhL1UskX61E_N5LHb-qtTn9K8JC1AbR5saxR7iNmWhIOnV5HNa1Sg/s320/P1020551.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3N6aIzOu_bxmBE3BEr8Hx7bs9u2iusI-amxStF4leAonu_oTwIsk_13aCaWZYOIp0xmcNFPGhyQQvwocobLoUqZCyRJrZE7d2YSYmwS-deBRU2WJYWVf-IXvrbXTdO-2i4z3xXXCCoE4/s1600/P1020552.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3N6aIzOu_bxmBE3BEr8Hx7bs9u2iusI-amxStF4leAonu_oTwIsk_13aCaWZYOIp0xmcNFPGhyQQvwocobLoUqZCyRJrZE7d2YSYmwS-deBRU2WJYWVf-IXvrbXTdO-2i4z3xXXCCoE4/s320/P1020552.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I also have some PB filled pretzels and some dried pineapple. These get me to 5-6pm and the commute home.<br />
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Speaking of food, lunch was provided every day this week. Luckily, academia usually promotes healthier lifestyles, so they had good arrays of cut fruits, veggies, and usually some kind of sandwich-type foods. It was fine, but my veggie consumption was pretty narrow (especially since I ate beans and rice with salad for dinner 3 nights out of four). So, I'm determined to do a little better next week. I did a little prep work this morning in anticipation:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9RjTEWQtK1fw4mLnDeuhJ3llwbw_22LJBiGpz3RGrzCvCqYM3yvATTeOvy9L-INcnLdRDBJJkW-xaSmOO8BRfnLfz8r1LS6aXUdSsSalLWg_nIXWeNZnJcxttQDVcFeNS8tDK8hrblsY/s1600/P1020546.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9RjTEWQtK1fw4mLnDeuhJ3llwbw_22LJBiGpz3RGrzCvCqYM3yvATTeOvy9L-INcnLdRDBJJkW-xaSmOO8BRfnLfz8r1LS6aXUdSsSalLWg_nIXWeNZnJcxttQDVcFeNS8tDK8hrblsY/s320/P1020546.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Cut Honeydew</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSnw_TXAt-cSwXEjbQAIIKmvnV7f6dHJe2hhsm6o9PwWvqaaPF8ALK2o8d3iV8UnVPSN_DeWcywiTMfduAiQYwv403Kk6_42CXuCQeMhyAtuHNiBXeMgP64_-6CvlMrJQhBoUwph8foQE/s1600/P1020554.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSnw_TXAt-cSwXEjbQAIIKmvnV7f6dHJe2hhsm6o9PwWvqaaPF8ALK2o8d3iV8UnVPSN_DeWcywiTMfduAiQYwv403Kk6_42CXuCQeMhyAtuHNiBXeMgP64_-6CvlMrJQhBoUwph8foQE/s320/P1020554.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">My dad left this at my house when he came last week. He also left the appropriate chicken to marinade, too (thanks Dad!). So, I'm marinating some chicken...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuLVUs9gJk0rrn-1RcY5JAZnZPd9ge4qEYnTY1SpBQ8e-emiYJU_8M5d9WNsMfOIMEdmfz-vxUgXUe9It5y1Tjoyz5jMe-DjSvc5PZopiVCpouuMZU7TetAEJeYeyQsAiQy-7NWstINVE/s1600/P1020550.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuLVUs9gJk0rrn-1RcY5JAZnZPd9ge4qEYnTY1SpBQ8e-emiYJU_8M5d9WNsMfOIMEdmfz-vxUgXUe9It5y1Tjoyz5jMe-DjSvc5PZopiVCpouuMZU7TetAEJeYeyQsAiQy-7NWstINVE/s320/P1020550.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">...and a big pot of rice to go with it (and obviously required for beans + rice when I run out of chicken).</div><div style="text-align: center;">My dad also left a bunch of zucchini, peppers, and onions so I figured I can make a chopped veggie hash to go with the chicken. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhplJioBrXBdxLYXqtoRDVGphKfXIuAgNCDJwRejLdmADEk8XO2-XWmBaxdzXy01S5-uYeHaGXkNYhiyWKs5AGZREJBi7DYTiOOktwHchlwo8SNbVMbfakL4LrBQpqhDUgMAVzARoyWqsw/s1600/P1020547.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhplJioBrXBdxLYXqtoRDVGphKfXIuAgNCDJwRejLdmADEk8XO2-XWmBaxdzXy01S5-uYeHaGXkNYhiyWKs5AGZREJBi7DYTiOOktwHchlwo8SNbVMbfakL4LrBQpqhDUgMAVzARoyWqsw/s320/P1020547.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ-ls3YRUmNE5D2PEAh7PFPuOYIZOrMdx_mtSOI1rYIwR6bbWTEUvj6m_ul1_x_xUqsmw1BhqCAyS10Jrqa0jORJN3Mgr1iofLSKGt0XaHeUOViY9qPO9dZT5yA99DvAcswIYPS-iUd9k/s1600/P1020548.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ-ls3YRUmNE5D2PEAh7PFPuOYIZOrMdx_mtSOI1rYIwR6bbWTEUvj6m_ul1_x_xUqsmw1BhqCAyS10Jrqa0jORJN3Mgr1iofLSKGt0XaHeUOViY9qPO9dZT5yA99DvAcswIYPS-iUd9k/s320/P1020548.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXUq75N07K5-76XGcwjacSlfHoVLdMVy-UPR7y6q44CS_pWqyPZ1_OZAluXnEFywDAtTSg4AEt6OhIFg1cTYspBBRd0DsB2Z2wnrQFwr8bUfiViKBY_EdGOncBjH4AMlZTRwHNGCyBppg/s1600/P1020549.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXUq75N07K5-76XGcwjacSlfHoVLdMVy-UPR7y6q44CS_pWqyPZ1_OZAluXnEFywDAtTSg4AEt6OhIFg1cTYspBBRd0DsB2Z2wnrQFwr8bUfiViKBY_EdGOncBjH4AMlZTRwHNGCyBppg/s320/P1020549.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">Cleaned fruits and veggies for juices</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB31-AjoO5zTEGjxLX-FAajX14moU95DXZE0rVvHquuxhNSk0r6J1PiJlHaShrjfyzotGF6sHEt1772b339T86Bm9aMdaWm7m3TrimAUtuLGyHhsAf3rf4k-hHhxcf4o758iZPAtQiWf0/s1600/P1020545.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB31-AjoO5zTEGjxLX-FAajX14moU95DXZE0rVvHquuxhNSk0r6J1PiJlHaShrjfyzotGF6sHEt1772b339T86Bm9aMdaWm7m3TrimAUtuLGyHhsAf3rf4k-hHhxcf4o758iZPAtQiWf0/s320/P1020545.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Yummmm....this one had some kale from the fridge in it. And a nib of ginger. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiRE1l8FBqJqEwlO0mte6EujGQ3RfK5Qw53whQy7_iLcXxhxNBy5vKmPvL51E9RIQoU0i_C0esnZTrv4PnNnG6AoIH4GeNlyB6B7KvQoejgpGsLbWi4VBD1zfyyxjeWWe2pQbfMsDZJUk/s1600/P1020555.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiRE1l8FBqJqEwlO0mte6EujGQ3RfK5Qw53whQy7_iLcXxhxNBy5vKmPvL51E9RIQoU0i_C0esnZTrv4PnNnG6AoIH4GeNlyB6B7KvQoejgpGsLbWi4VBD1zfyyxjeWWe2pQbfMsDZJUk/s320/P1020555.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Finally, I'm making pesto for quick weeknight dinners. The beauty of pesto is that you can freeze it, unlike fresh basil. The oil (and I only use 1-2 tbsp in a double batch) allows the volatiles that give basil its amazing taste to go into the mix</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlY6M8DWcSKGgPjcTIuznev32PlJD-Ldgr6_VVIN3S6hodiP8mPf1s4b5wd9SXRyYb-bNyZ4B8_auKysyGmxIHIQu8fYOjGIomVxqyriQZvCqNJOrEznNflfxxYnpqfmgRnslRZKtZNkc/s1600/P1020556.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlY6M8DWcSKGgPjcTIuznev32PlJD-Ldgr6_VVIN3S6hodiP8mPf1s4b5wd9SXRyYb-bNyZ4B8_auKysyGmxIHIQu8fYOjGIomVxqyriQZvCqNJOrEznNflfxxYnpqfmgRnslRZKtZNkc/s320/P1020556.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">It has a 1-year shelf life, but I doubt it'll last that long. Think about it...as a spread to jazz up some sandwiches, marinade some chicken or pork, or tossed with pasta + beans + tomatoes for a lovely side dish. Yummmm! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Ok friends, I have to go study....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxbVHnRMr0UmGBzKo065w5BCtqt6tDhP9bL-orHUcZ1x5eOqAL1OezhEwEJRi7jNwYHXHm-0CBVAGcANY_XRaXVKOfV6PwSHvCIaNPnEoZvmoWUP3r-4ht-GFzdW7wxWAMEcZuCv4ucjk/s1600/P1020553.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxbVHnRMr0UmGBzKo065w5BCtqt6tDhP9bL-orHUcZ1x5eOqAL1OezhEwEJRi7jNwYHXHm-0CBVAGcANY_XRaXVKOfV6PwSHvCIaNPnEoZvmoWUP3r-4ht-GFzdW7wxWAMEcZuCv4ucjk/s320/P1020553.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Oh yeah. I might be done with my formal education, but I'll never be done studying. That particular binder contains the details of our health, dental, life insurance policies as well as our retirement plans. I have to make choices, but this is not my forte....so it's time to study up!<br />
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<i><b>How do you prepare for the upcoming week? </b></i><br />
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Dochttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10252953539557435895noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204873193372604257.post-91829317410311995332011-08-19T06:46:00.000-07:002011-08-14T20:06:38.257-07:00Extreme Makeover: Steel Beast EditionI couldn't help it. The name was just too fun :)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkjryuHzhRGcJDoNAycc8OBe7eS_aUxt4tUb1QpRqW9qBi5LVfWx2kDch6KNubtSJ9_P7aQGdZ3aADYKTgiAleD69pm1yHURRK-lZ-DD3-S-kiiC7o4AZpjb6yxJIaLIEsRGj4a0ue-Cc/s1600/P1020454.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkjryuHzhRGcJDoNAycc8OBe7eS_aUxt4tUb1QpRqW9qBi5LVfWx2kDch6KNubtSJ9_P7aQGdZ3aADYKTgiAleD69pm1yHURRK-lZ-DD3-S-kiiC7o4AZpjb6yxJIaLIEsRGj4a0ue-Cc/s320/P1020454.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>My lovely bike, 'Steel Beast', got it's 'ultimate commuter' makeover to become my 'go-to-work' bicycle.<br />
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This bike was in tough shape. You can't see the damage from this angle, but here are some closeups: <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg57Z5dttAXjDKqhhWQWbPK3I52GdhYo8f3PyEX-d68O5v7K_MkbQiga-KAln1YKrjLv_Hc2eAL_Yh5axtIMSablugB3QksY5D9H6NU8LJkPnEa8gMeZHoTn7i8GHFBSm5YrhefGFQJgUY/s1600/P1020455.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg57Z5dttAXjDKqhhWQWbPK3I52GdhYo8f3PyEX-d68O5v7K_MkbQiga-KAln1YKrjLv_Hc2eAL_Yh5axtIMSablugB3QksY5D9H6NU8LJkPnEa8gMeZHoTn7i8GHFBSm5YrhefGFQJgUY/s320/P1020455.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The seat was all torn up...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNSKQrGiq7WrebWMcQEOhaLRcD6WOdNLbyQLAGNmbqOZuhRmZV48jCRHFjrYobqsYAeMd_c1nUCJX7P6diR0VJJeuKDcQeucMrS2b0imZpbMxn1rAv9Uu7xWnukDC2gn4b308M7RVSPLs/s1600/P1020456.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNSKQrGiq7WrebWMcQEOhaLRcD6WOdNLbyQLAGNmbqOZuhRmZV48jCRHFjrYobqsYAeMd_c1nUCJX7P6diR0VJJeuKDcQeucMrS2b0imZpbMxn1rAv9Uu7xWnukDC2gn4b308M7RVSPLs/s320/P1020456.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0eqZN86szRIwGkZxnSRclFitYUl3ESSNMQ9ik0JVq7Lc5n4l1uc7uOk1Se2-VXPLKTJW86w0PCZutnI9b6V7dr9x5Jusfo80edkW35wfYRjByw8Ow-4Ra_-td3mk-h-YosQghWxGy-KU/s1600/P1020457.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0eqZN86szRIwGkZxnSRclFitYUl3ESSNMQ9ik0JVq7Lc5n4l1uc7uOk1Se2-VXPLKTJW86w0PCZutnI9b6V7dr9x5Jusfo80edkW35wfYRjByw8Ow-4Ra_-td3mk-h-YosQghWxGy-KU/s320/P1020457.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The chain was rusted and the gears were all out of whack.<br />
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This bike was once a great bike: it is an old steel touring bicycle from the 80's. It once saved my life, as I was hit by a car (T-boned) and the bicycle took damaged, but it <bounced> and that in itself probably saved my life. I was thrown off rather than pinned under a car. Since then, it's taken a few winters outside and sustained some damage. But I saw that it could once again be great. </bounced><br />
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I took it to the bike shop and got a new chain, new gear lines, and got it tuned. I then got on the internet and ordered some 'ultimate commuter' accessories. I got some saddlebag baskets and a new seat. Check out the Steel Beast!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUGd-Gl17Evov-HBEO6HoRXzk1c2aZMlpaCbkTYUGuPBd-Z8m-arcAqcxN38KlF9FuDEhq8KDMGWcHAjr-_l5pW4phzq8o33menyVQUm3HO_cy1NmujC0onzbOJhHraWz4RUxhY0AdS20/s1600/P1020508.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUGd-Gl17Evov-HBEO6HoRXzk1c2aZMlpaCbkTYUGuPBd-Z8m-arcAqcxN38KlF9FuDEhq8KDMGWcHAjr-_l5pW4phzq8o33menyVQUm3HO_cy1NmujC0onzbOJhHraWz4RUxhY0AdS20/s320/P1020508.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I took him out for an inaugural ride a while ago...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUx109c6RAMa_ryLLR4zspnjdZ0cK7rdIXHKa2eGcC7D9w3iuZyT_TnGTdiM_eExNDqDoUeLxnkD_xPHbg6Wh6x1omks0e8oUqV-vuDHYqWoH0hGiHqwT4sB6gw5rnUPZWSr2aNN8yfLc/s1600/P1020510.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUx109c6RAMa_ryLLR4zspnjdZ0cK7rdIXHKa2eGcC7D9w3iuZyT_TnGTdiM_eExNDqDoUeLxnkD_xPHbg6Wh6x1omks0e8oUqV-vuDHYqWoH0hGiHqwT4sB6gw5rnUPZWSr2aNN8yfLc/s320/P1020510.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
And during that ride, the pedal bolt broke!AhhhhH!<br />
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The exact bolt couldn't be found at the hardware store, but I think I have something that will work in the short term. Hopefully my 'fast-fix' holds for the 0.75 mile commute in the morning! <br />
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Dochttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10252953539557435895noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204873193372604257.post-31042499077412563002011-08-17T05:49:00.000-07:002011-08-17T05:49:34.212-07:00I made the healthier choice...Last night's facebook status update after a grueling 10-hour day of human resources explaining the intricacies of our health, life, dental, and retirement benefit plans (Please!? when do I get to go do science!...as soon as I sign up for this stuff, I suppose!):<br />
<br />
<br />
<h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":1}"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}">Original plan for tonight: work until 6, eat dinner, go running. New plan: Work until 6, eat dinner, drink wine and write lesson plans...</span></span></i></h6><h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":1}"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"></span></span><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"> </span></span></i></h6><h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":1}"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"></span></span></i><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"></span></span><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"> </span></span></i><span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I won't lie to you, blogging world. I wanted to have that glass of wine. But, after ingesting part of a greasepuddle this weekend (<a href="http://thehealthydoc.blogspot.com/2011/08/you-never-know.html">Restaurants use more fat and oil than you think is possible!</a>), I knew my body really needed the better choice. I started a glass of wine, and after a while, I threw it down the sink. I got some water, worked on my lesson plans until I didn't feel the alcohol in my system anymore and went for a run/walk. </span></span></span></h6><h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":1}" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">I made the healthier choice</span></span></span> </span></span></span></h6><h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":1}"><span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Why? Because the wine was going to help me relax, but it wouldn't make me feel better the next day. The run also made me relax and I feel great today because I didn't drink last night. For me, the tradeoff was worth it. </span></span></span></h6><h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":1}"><span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}">What healthier choice have you made lately? Let's celebrate those choices. Your body appreciates them, and so does your community. </span></span></i></h6><h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":1}"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><br />
</span></span></i></h6>Dochttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10252953539557435895noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204873193372604257.post-9931296373450699332011-08-14T19:48:00.000-07:002011-08-14T19:48:24.701-07:00You never know......until suddenly YOU KNOW what is in your food.<br />
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Hi. I've missed you all! Thanks for sticking by me while I lived through the turmoil of moving, squatting for a week without furniture, moving again, squatting in the fiance's new apt for several days, and then finally moving for good...only to have my family show up for a few days. Woooo-eeeeee....it was a busy time.<br />
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<br />
But this post isn't about that. It's about food (I know, I know...about time!). See...the fiance came to spend the weekend with me, and we went to Trader Joe's...to buy such staples as dried flattened mango and pineapple...and we went out to this excellent italian restaurant that my friend Claire's parents took us to one weekend a few summers ago (Hi Claire! I miss you!). It's an excellent, pretty cheap italian restauant, and the food was really high quality...so we thought.<br />
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We each ate a pasta dish - he got a triple mushroom dish over spaghetti with white wine sauce. I got this very strange dish that caught my eye. I don't really remember what it was called...but it had EVERYTHING. Tomato sauce, cream sauce, peas, carrots, mushrooms, squash, zucchini, almonds, walnuts...maybe some cheese. It was crazy and really different. I decided to call it 'leftover pasta dish' because I firmly believe that this dish is what happens when the restaurant has just a little, tiny bit of everything that they use to prepare the other dishes leftover. Voila! Amazing, random leftover pasta dish.<br />
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Now, I was hungry when we started. I wanted to eat all of the pasta, believe me. However, even with the fiance's help, we only managed to finish 1/4-1/3 of the dish. We packed it up and brought it home to eat for lunch the next day.<br />
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So, today we sat down after a long walk to eat lunch. I assembled a big salad of romaine, tomatoes, squash, peppers, herbs, avocado, a little olive oil, salt, pepper, and some lemon juice. The fiance was in charge of getting the dish out of our combined leftovers, transferring it to a plate, and microwaving it.<br />
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That is when we knew we had a problem. The pasta was so congealed together, it was difficult to get out of the box. We warmed it up and it loosened up but made a huge pile of grease on the plate. We used some paper towels to sop up some of it and ate as much of the food as we could. Then I got curious. Exactly how much fat was actually there?<br />
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I measured it.<br />
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I measured 1/4 cup of fat. That really means that there was at least 1/2 cup of fat in our entire dishes combined.<br />
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Before you tell me that it was 'good fat', olive oil and such, I want you to go over and look at your bottle of olive oil. If you don't have olive oil, veg oil will give you the same effect. What phase is it in? Solid, liquid, or gas?<br />
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I bet it's a liquid. If it's not freezing in your house, it's liquid. If you put it in the fridge, it'd still be liquid.<br />
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The fat in my dish was not liquid in the fridge, meaning it came from short chain, unsaturated fatty acids. Once we heated them up, they didn't go back into the creamy sauce that they had come from, similar to when you heat up salad dressing. Anyway, short chain fats: The ones that are REALLY, REALLY bad for you. (Need a primer on fats? <a href="http://thehealthydoc.blogspot.com/2010/07/fats.html">Read this post.</a>) And there was a lot of them in my meal: way more than I would have ever cooked with in my own house.<br />
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Which reminds me that restaurants always use MORE fat, sugar, salt, and carbs than I ever would and I need to be careful. Nothing like the visual reminder of a puddle of grease...<br />
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Dochttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10252953539557435895noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204873193372604257.post-67716113909276785822011-07-25T06:09:00.000-07:002011-07-25T06:09:00.205-07:00Summer Goals Recap 6My last recap was terrible, and this one isn't about to get much better. I am going to admit something that is really hard for me to admit. I might have been...<i>overtraining</i>.<br />
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As far as overtraining goes, it's not that what I was trying to do wasn't possible...it's that it isn't possible with everything else I'm trying to do this summer. I can physically work out 1-2 hours per day 5x per week. I cannot do that while:<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>working on a variety of research projects</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>planning for my transition into my own lab this fall</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>assembling materials for a course in the fall</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>planning and executing a move to another state</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>trying to keep track of a student intern</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> managing the lab in my boss's absence</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>being under financial strain of saving for moving, paying double rent, and bridging the gap between incomes</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I'm not complaing about my life in the least. I have many great things going on. I do think I bit off more than I could handle for exercise. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">So, my sixth summer goals recap is one of defeat, but it's also one of appreciation. Without these goals, I undoubtedly wouldn't be as fit as I am right now. I wouldn't be able to run whenever I want with ease. I wouldn't be working out as much as I am. They are definitely keeping me accountable, and for the most part, I'm definitely still <i>trying. </i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">1) Run 60 miles per month. July total to date: 43 miles. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><i> </i></div><div style="text-align: left;">2) Bike up to 50 miles: I actually got to 45 so far. I think this one is possible...but I haven't been working on it in the heatwave. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">3) Swimming has happened 3x. I bet I get to 4x, but that's all I can imagine at this point. Swimming won't happen very much in August because I won't have a gym membership right away in my new town. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">4) Pushups have been abandoned...after the crazy chest muscle scare, I tried one more time, but I have something strange going on there. The fiance suggested that I'm actually dislocating my collarbone and it might be because it never healed correctly after an old bike accident. Once I have better medical insurance (the one I have thru the university now is pretty craptastic, but better than nothing), I'll probably go get it checked out. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">So that's it. Not very inspiring this week. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><b>How are your summer exercise programs treating you? </b></i></div>Dochttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10252953539557435895noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204873193372604257.post-56555974643911272562011-07-24T11:22:00.000-07:002011-07-24T11:22:11.289-07:00Numbers GameHoping to get in a few more posts this week...but in the meantime you can read some of my recent highlights...<br />
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<i><b>2: </b></i>The number of grey hairs this last year has incurred in my head. Previously I had <i><b>0</b><b></b></i>, so I am very upset by this. <br />
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<i><b>2.5</b></i>: Weeks I was sick with some undetermined virus. I have just regained the ability to run without having my lymph nodes swell and my fever return.<br />
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<i><b>3: </b></i>The number of scientists it takes to get an overstuffed full-length couch through a standard screen door. This weekend I learned that if that couch can go through that door, <i><b>anything is possible. </b></i> <br />
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<i><b>3: </b></i>Also the number of times I have been directly asked by random citizens of my new town if I am a student at my University...which is followed directly by them directly stating that I don't look old enough to be faculty. In their defense, I've always been moving or in the process of moving and wearing gym clothes and no makeup. <br />
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<i><b>4: </b></i>The number of days until my current boss returns, takes back control of his own lab, and releases me to be my own boss. <i>This cannot come quickly enough. </i><br />
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<i><b>5: </b></i>The number of days until my summer student is done. She finished her research paper, and this week she has to purify her last protein, make a poster, and do her oral and poster presentations. Busy busy!<br />
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<i><b>6: </b></i>The number of freezer boxes I think I'll be bringing with me from my old job to my new job. Isn't it crazy that an entire research program fits in 6 4x4x1 boxes?<br />
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<i><b>7: </b></i>The number of days that I could not stomach the idea of alcohol after my going-away party. Thanks for coming out everyone!<br />
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<i><b>8: </b></i> The number of miles I'm going to attempt to run on a treadmill this afternoon. Why a treadmill? See the next number.<br />
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<i><b>9: </b></i>The number of days in a row that the temperature has been godawful and made it both painful and dangerous to run outside.<br />
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<i> </i><br />
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<i><b>16: </b></i>Weekdays left on my contract....<b><i>7</i></b><i>: </i>The number of days I'll actually work if the world doesn't end up exploding. Yes, I negotiated this prior to the contract.<br />
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<i><b>21: </b></i>The number of days the government in my new (and old) home state was suspended due to political deadlock. Also the number of days that I didn't know if I'd be able to start my job in August.<br />
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<i><b>40: </b></i>The number of miles to the nearest Trader Joe's from my new place. This is still closer than it was in Iowa.<br />
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<i><b>66: </b></i>The number of unread items in my Google Reader. Gotta get reading!<br />
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<i><b>What do your numbers look like this week? </b></i>Dochttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10252953539557435895noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204873193372604257.post-56498043148759560782011-07-16T17:50:00.000-07:002011-07-16T17:50:38.104-07:00Please help?Hi everyone! Hope your weekend is glorious. I had a going-away-party last night and am still recovering (locals, keep the snickering to yourselves ;)).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio-iHiP1Tu0QNwwfTOJrUj4FRHGviecJSMLMRaGxVdJaY1Wwjs8EmpNwYQNpkGxLjaDFexEf6WXUS2dRpDxZp9dcUdT0G6cRR8Zs6qH4SIg0mORz4GdflSVFsafOyh9taeJ-pnq2sGroM/s1600/P1020400.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio-iHiP1Tu0QNwwfTOJrUj4FRHGviecJSMLMRaGxVdJaY1Wwjs8EmpNwYQNpkGxLjaDFexEf6WXUS2dRpDxZp9dcUdT0G6cRR8Zs6qH4SIg0mORz4GdflSVFsafOyh9taeJ-pnq2sGroM/s320/P1020400.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>(Crazy oven-mitt dance)</i></div><br />
So, I have a favor to ask. I know many of you know that the coming weeks are going to be crazy in my neck of the woods...I'm hoping to blog 1x per week, but in the interest of entertainment and broadening exposure, I'm looking for a couple guest bloggers? Anyone interested?<br />
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</b></i><br />
<i><b>I am open to all kinds of content from all kinds of bloggers. </b></i><br />
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<i><b>If you don't have a blog, but you still want to say something, this is the venue for you! </b></i><br />
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</b></i><br />
<i><b>If you have a local business and want to reach out to people near-and-far, maybe a blog entry would help? I reliably get 2000 hits per month, and I'd love to share audiences. </b></i><br />
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<i><b>If you are into some awesome exercise craze, please tell us about it!</b></i><br />
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<i><b>If you have a great recipe to share, please, make me drool! </b></i><br />
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So, I'm officially looking for help starting this week and going through August 15th. If you are interested and want to throw together a blog entry, please send me an e-mail with the content (pictures ok too) at thehealthydoc (at) gmail (dot) com. <br />
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<i><b>Ok, look for a couple fun and scientific posts coming up. Emily requested a brain-food blog, so what are your favorite brain foods? Gingko? Blueberries? Pomegranite? Wine? What else...</b></i>Dochttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10252953539557435895noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204873193372604257.post-6474629960019886092011-07-13T18:26:00.000-07:002011-07-13T18:26:01.411-07:00MusingsI am having a little writers block for my midweek post, so I guess you get tidbits of how life is going this week...<br />
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<i><b>1) I'm now kind of healthy again. </b></i>I am tired of whining about my energy and general health on the blog, so let's suffice it to say that I was sick, ran a 5k sick, made myself worse, and am now solidly on my way to feeling better. I hope. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg6PhEPGBFQLjAosDY4DadW7tQ-OdcmTrE53wgLYfgLb71x7kttFlFbFWD7heUc48OUmYI0Zt2A09AwQCbDS__DeBBNFecxMjHd0rjFOf3XIIliSlVsKtL6QnxNY9Y88tSToReYUcTKGI/s1600/P1020479.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg6PhEPGBFQLjAosDY4DadW7tQ-OdcmTrE53wgLYfgLb71x7kttFlFbFWD7heUc48OUmYI0Zt2A09AwQCbDS__DeBBNFecxMjHd0rjFOf3XIIliSlVsKtL6QnxNY9Y88tSToReYUcTKGI/s320/P1020479.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<i><b>2) It's been a good week for achievements - my first undergraduate student, Emily, got her Master's degree. Jill, my first graduate student, got a job. My friend Andrew, got a new job, complete with a raise. We are all #Winning! </b></i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwxC3RJWMQi7MkTy8BXNo3okPj-FceHSZey-6ehH5Ukh-iNPNMcVvDajUPSLQPDmH89Usl3iqdQWE5lG-OKqoDg7ki6ulq6HI-F9iLwlI_8hXunGZ9x0VSPW39skhoUFSM2f8i6kuqxvw/s1600/P1020442.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwxC3RJWMQi7MkTy8BXNo3okPj-FceHSZey-6ehH5Ukh-iNPNMcVvDajUPSLQPDmH89Usl3iqdQWE5lG-OKqoDg7ki6ulq6HI-F9iLwlI_8hXunGZ9x0VSPW39skhoUFSM2f8i6kuqxvw/s320/P1020442.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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<i><b>3) Waiting at a train crossing on your bicycle makes you a lot more self-aware and kind of paranoid about people watching you...</b></i><br />
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<i><b>4) How long do you think I can go without a haircut or color? This pic is from 2-3 weekends ago, and after a severe amount of flatironing...so frizzy. </b></i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5V6C5QtQrJu4Ghck2vVtd62H5IKuN23-7x7tnPxhs3MLGPdxnt3YzN1RiPC8ZL9dP4b0cTZkW8qTRjvrVdFX2hGtp9UwLzOwLgZn6O3GCQYUTmTR6dPOv0s46wYGs9WE3qTwwLFhpZio/s1600/IMG_0049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5V6C5QtQrJu4Ghck2vVtd62H5IKuN23-7x7tnPxhs3MLGPdxnt3YzN1RiPC8ZL9dP4b0cTZkW8qTRjvrVdFX2hGtp9UwLzOwLgZn6O3GCQYUTmTR6dPOv0s46wYGs9WE3qTwwLFhpZio/s320/IMG_0049.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<i><b>5) An interesting trend: since we stopped buying pantry and freezer staples in preparation for our move, we are now eating a lot more vegetables and fruits...last week we went through 1 1lb tub of spinach, a honeydew melon, 2.5 lbs of strawberries, a pineapple, three bell peppers, a pint of grape tomatoes, a yellow squash, at least 5 bananas, and several carrots. I think we're avoiding eating the food we should be eating in the pantry! </b></i><br />
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<i><b>6) I was supposed to run today, but I've decided to take it easy...to rest-up for my last 'night on the town' in Iowa on Friday. Locals: I'm pub-crawling downtown Ames starting at Olde Main in the pub at 6pm! </b></i><br />
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What have you been up to this week?Dochttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10252953539557435895noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204873193372604257.post-27282122636895423152011-07-10T11:04:00.000-07:002011-07-10T11:04:03.741-07:00Local Flax-fed beef<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipKoK8UbBEIIrmrpEevNDc2O6a7DQFq7IpywL7t2HIqPaHmH0AVIKX9msRuneOiO4urVOJqNAgHZfJXMHj6zjDlEQkOd-gSyjTb71yICws6I2J8hMkow7KhQT_M-d_wMaFfmDw4q_1uYw/s1600/IMG_0041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipKoK8UbBEIIrmrpEevNDc2O6a7DQFq7IpywL7t2HIqPaHmH0AVIKX9msRuneOiO4urVOJqNAgHZfJXMHj6zjDlEQkOd-gSyjTb71yICws6I2J8hMkow7KhQT_M-d_wMaFfmDw4q_1uYw/s320/IMG_0041.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>A few weeks ago (ok, almost 2 months ago! eek! This post has been a long time coming!), I had the pleasure and privilege of meeting some amazing people at the Des Moines area farmer's market. These people run a grass-fed, flax-fed, hormone-free cattle company and are passionate about making healthier alternatives to commercial beef products.<br />
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Honestly, I didn't know about this company until I stumbled upon it, largely due to the fiance's almost magnetic attraction to any kind of beef stick EVER. I was actually at the next booth over trying to acquire some organic tomatoes when he excitedly called me over and started telling me about the flax-fed beef company.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdphMxDyUq1RFPB2bmICgs_b6WKjBa2oWVM-Vey67nW25dNaHZaDK-dGXrbVSiAUrlbO_nPSBaasmVKCJ3uzHGB6I3Hy1nIQZQdph5yaR-ZovsgkxltZTumg0yVT5XshJ8joifin8QvSk/s1600/IMG_0038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdphMxDyUq1RFPB2bmICgs_b6WKjBa2oWVM-Vey67nW25dNaHZaDK-dGXrbVSiAUrlbO_nPSBaasmVKCJ3uzHGB6I3Hy1nIQZQdph5yaR-ZovsgkxltZTumg0yVT5XshJ8joifin8QvSk/s320/IMG_0038.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Meet Peter Woltz, who was very friendly and excited to tell us about his products. I missed the name of the lovely lady in the picture, but I assure you that she was equally friendly and knowledgeable :)<br />
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These two own and represent <a href="http://timberridgecattle.com/index.php">Timber Ridge Cattle</a>, which is located in Osceola, IA. They have a passion for creating healthy beef products, and they take the science of nutrition very seriously (people after my own heart!).<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqw8FSKvIj-BUM_gt6BU9qY_g1UTEfnvJB3QHU-nqGzxnuHnD2XLAodZbs88hgQyY0uikB_ENfbpWKvbAqF9NVz7A4n0Cl5sfQlJH8E-Sl8l6zbOf7aV-zAmrkKYtkligtjJSMZ9qbdTc/s1600/IMG_0043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqw8FSKvIj-BUM_gt6BU9qY_g1UTEfnvJB3QHU-nqGzxnuHnD2XLAodZbs88hgQyY0uikB_ENfbpWKvbAqF9NVz7A4n0Cl5sfQlJH8E-Sl8l6zbOf7aV-zAmrkKYtkligtjJSMZ9qbdTc/s320/IMG_0043.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Their journey began when they acquired a commercial cattle feed-lot, with corn-fed beef and an aggressive antibiotic regimen. They immediately knew that this was not the way they wanted to run their cattle company, as the cows were often sick and very unhappy. The meat quality was also sub-par, and they knew that they could make a better product.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivVEVthuKb9qlcN7hpkGKvP-gqvamLNRHCf-DhB2F8qJD_wMrFgHBRuNAUk6Woi3UWnG6PqjYW-9X8CR-22GiW0_ibFCpcSCuPxSu75-A2mfBUuxJf6hSDc9gln1Ig-yrOt27MysLe3ig/s1600/IMG_0044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivVEVthuKb9qlcN7hpkGKvP-gqvamLNRHCf-DhB2F8qJD_wMrFgHBRuNAUk6Woi3UWnG6PqjYW-9X8CR-22GiW0_ibFCpcSCuPxSu75-A2mfBUuxJf6hSDc9gln1Ig-yrOt27MysLe3ig/s320/IMG_0044.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
They were introduced to some interesting scientific literature indicating that grass and flax fed beef had a larger percentage of omega-3 fats, a better ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 fats, and an overall lower saturated fat profile than their corn-fed counterparts. I've done a little bit of research, and I think that this is the paper they were reading: <a href="http://jas.fass.org/content/86/11/3054.short">Flax-fed beef study. </a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyq2-QqotOUObDqc_t7ezYBqWcEKe19ktoKCXSvKfRCeVDJtIdTvsGtgMMdbDWxfiiglva9TDTLDWkK52LbY0TSIwbgJtEIMDFWra_tcUAHkbyzjXceP-fWHOP7yXNvTBRQ4zC-sqNJDY/s1600/IMG_0040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyq2-QqotOUObDqc_t7ezYBqWcEKe19ktoKCXSvKfRCeVDJtIdTvsGtgMMdbDWxfiiglva9TDTLDWkK52LbY0TSIwbgJtEIMDFWra_tcUAHkbyzjXceP-fWHOP7yXNvTBRQ4zC-sqNJDY/s320/IMG_0040.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
This is just one of several studies that indicate that what we feed out livestock strongly effects the nutritional output of their meat products. In fact, a recent very nice review on the topic can be found here: <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20219103">Fatty-acid profile of grass-fed vs. grain-fed beef. </a>Importantly, <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21257060">feeding oilseeds like flax results in amazing health benefits, but the addition of omega-3's and monounsaturated fatty a</a>cids doesn't quite get the same beneficial outputs, which indicates that we don't quite understand how or why fatty acid metabolism works in animals. I like to refer to this as the 'Wonderbread Conundrum', which refers to the inability of fortified foods like Wonderbread to completely meet our nutritional needs. This is why I am a fan of a varied, whole foods diet rather than a stringent diet that requires supplements. We just don't know enough about nutrition and bio availability at this point. This is also why we should support academic science.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1gGkJEyK5ZmxF77W-AVDoE30mJyoBs_rONtQ4aSKTRFws_UUJrJkLPpCj8HyW5A4BYQTjAxtKR03NaDlkK1rH1H5FkT-KXgQaBtP9cSobtAbag883J-XrHif4_BfjZFYBCz4V7IS3H8g/s1600/IMG_0042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1gGkJEyK5ZmxF77W-AVDoE30mJyoBs_rONtQ4aSKTRFws_UUJrJkLPpCj8HyW5A4BYQTjAxtKR03NaDlkK1rH1H5FkT-KXgQaBtP9cSobtAbag883J-XrHif4_BfjZFYBCz4V7IS3H8g/s320/IMG_0042.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
In fact, the Timber Ridge Cattle Company works closely with the <a href="http://www.fshn.hs.iastate.edu/">Food Science and Human Nutrition at nearby Iowa State University</a> to monitor the nutritional profile of their cattle. Recent results indicate that their flax-fed beef have 500% increase in omega-3's, a 3-1 omega-6 to omega-3 output ratio, and 20% less saturated fats than traditionally farmed beef. They are continuing to monitor their cattle, and they are working to find ways to make the flax even more bioavailable to their cattle, thus improving the nutritional output even more.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ghbPJypkq6uIFRl8-yiqX9i6ZBsysQL60sWZ3mmSg8VotAWH6Jr6h2TOWd94svOkNaFCdVh4Avw4gqzqr4UGv-88K5iW7nGAnc8kEWLCXKRqOnNw1qPlUt1UWrPgOHWSOUy3NLuTYF4/s1600/IMG_0039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ghbPJypkq6uIFRl8-yiqX9i6ZBsysQL60sWZ3mmSg8VotAWH6Jr6h2TOWd94svOkNaFCdVh4Avw4gqzqr4UGv-88K5iW7nGAnc8kEWLCXKRqOnNw1qPlUt1UWrPgOHWSOUy3NLuTYF4/s320/IMG_0039.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>They market their product as a smoked beef product to further preserve the omega-3 content. Also, because of the unsaturated nature of the beneficial fatty acids, they are worried about side reactions that may occur upon high-heat cooking, rendering the fats partially hydrogenated or isomerized to those pesky trans-fats. How does it taste? Amazing. We bought a beef stick to take home and it was honestly the best beef stick that I've tasted. I'm very picky, and I usually find summer sausage-type foods too fatty or greasy, but this product had the robust flavor of summer sausage without the grease.<br />
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They were also nice enough to provide nutritional information, which I've taken the liberty to compare against traditional beef summer sausage at Nutritiondata.com. I'm actually really, really impressed with the difference that a flax- and grass-fed cow has over a traditional corn-fed cow:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwG0E4mF5d-a_HVKwoU3_swMoeiioor9TFFjMNhMR2VujXEAUoOMvKTfXnxB0BBlyvpPMGfHVWr1CCCYqG51Jp2vG2Ut9yNDcFNHtnzeKcpmd-hG9_LQ_ovCkGIfr7rhXbSaqc64tLuL4/s1600/Nutrition+stats.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwG0E4mF5d-a_HVKwoU3_swMoeiioor9TFFjMNhMR2VujXEAUoOMvKTfXnxB0BBlyvpPMGfHVWr1CCCYqG51Jp2vG2Ut9yNDcFNHtnzeKcpmd-hG9_LQ_ovCkGIfr7rhXbSaqc64tLuL4/s400/Nutrition+stats.png" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">(all numbers are in grams unless noted otherwise)</div><br />
Wow, I mean that's almost a 30% difference in calories, it's a solid 30% difference in saturated fat AND the flax- and grass-fed beef contains more protein. That, my friends, is science at work ;)<br />
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So, as a final statement, I just wanted to say that I was totally impressed with this company, their dedication to making a fantastic beef product, and their interest in the science behind farming healthier, more nutritionally dense cattle. If you want to get your hands on some, locals can visit the Des Moines downtown farmer's market, or you can visit their website where they will ship you some goodies of your choosing: <a href="http://www.timberridgecattle.com/">Timber Ridge Cattle Co. </a><br />
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<i>Disclaimer: This highlight and review was completely of my own accord and I have received no compensation (other than the free samples offered to anyone who stops by their booth) for my opinions and advertisement. I purchased one 8-oz Jalapeno Summer Sausage with my own money, and it was delicious. </i>Dochttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10252953539557435895noreply@blogger.com3