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Cows and Climate Change

FitSugar — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 13:30:00 -0700

Here is yet another reason to avoid red meat. This is no joke but a reduction in livestock flatulence could possibly slow climate change. Or so says a recent study published in the medical journal The Lancet, in their special energy and health series.

Cows, goats and sheep produce methane gas when they pass gas - methane really is a gas! Experts suggest decreasing our global consumption of steaks and hamburgers by 10 percent, would cut the gases emitted by livestock that contribute to global warming. They strongly recommend limiting beef intake to an average of 3 ounces per day (that's about 90 grams) to prevent an increase in these gasses. We already know that diets high in red meat contribute to breast cancer, heart disease and obesity so now there is another reason to avoid red meat!

Next time you think about ordering a burger, or making a steak, think about your personal health and the health of the planet then change your meal plans accordingly. I don't know about you, but the concept of meatless Mondays has definitely stuck around at my house (even though it is sometimes meatless Tuesday or Wednesdays, but we have a thoroughly meatless day once a week).

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Eco-Running: Running for Good

FitSugar — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 02:30:00 -0700

We're all looking for more reasons to get out there and run. Sometimes, oddly enough, our health doesn't always make the cut at 8:00 am on a Saturday morning. What about doing it for the environment?

I've heard about Eco-Running in the past, but all this time I thought it had to do with running barefoot, something I am just not willing to do. In actuality eco-Running has nothing to do with what you're wearing and its principals are this: While you are out running, collect the trash that you find along the pathways, roads and trails. Stay on the move if possible -- Try to maintain your running motion while bending down to pick up the trash. Practice makes perfect! Get loads of more information at Eco-Runner.com.

I for one, love this idea. It's so easy to keep a plastic bag with you. Sure, if you're training for a race, maybe it's not the best training method, but if you're just running to run, why not pick up some trash?

Thanks to Diet-Blog for pointing Eco-Running out!

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Controversial Plastics and You

FitSugar — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 14:30:00 -0700

How do you feel about bisphenol A (BPA)? While you might not know what this chemical compound is, chances are high that it is in your home and even in you. I hate to sound so alarmist but a recent report on BPA alarmed me.

The chemical compound BPA is used to make hard plastics and is found in plastic baby bottles, dental sealants and linings of metal cans among other common household objects. Recent government tests found that PBA was in 95% of human subjects studied. PBA mimics the action of hormones in animals studied and has been linked to obesity, early puberty, hyperactivity, and abnormal reproductive cycles.

In a recent statement, 38 scientists said that Americans are exposed to more off this chemical than previously thought and that the level likely surpasses the governments current safety standard. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, bisphenol A is safe in doses of up to 50 micrograms per kilogram of body weight, per day. But a paper presented Thursday concludes that the high levels of bisphenol A in human blood and tissue suggest people are actually exposed to 10 times that amount. YIKES!

Although the scientists say their estimates are conservative, the American Chemistry Council, the trade association representing North American chemical manufacturers, feels the anti PBA statement is unbalanced and inaccurate.

I think we will be hearing a bit more about PBA as more studies are slated to determine how this chemical is interacting with our bodies and our environment.

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Why Choose Local Produce?

FitSugar — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 02:30:00 -0700

Summer is here and one of my favorite things to do is go to the farmers market. I love to support local farms, and I feel good knowing where my produce came from.

What are the benefits of buying local produce?

By supporting local farms, you're helping to keep them in business, which supports your community. In return, this helps to protect precious farmland from becoming developed.
You're helping to cut down on the use of fossil fuels and the amount of pollution emitted by trucks - if you buy organic apples from Chile those apples are making a very long trip on the way to your mouth. Wait until fall and buy them from a local grower and this summer eat berries and stone fruits (peaches, plums, apricots, etc.) that are in season.
The best part is that when you buy local, you are receiving the freshest possible produce, picked just hours before getting to you.

So buying local is good for the consumer, for the farmer, and for the earth. Hey, this reminds me of the 100 mile diet. You want to shoot for eating foods that are produced or harvested within 100 miles of where you live. Summertime is a great time to adopt this "diet" since the sunny warm weather brings so many gardens and farms to life.

So the next time you go shopping for your fruits and veggies, look for signs that say "locally grown."

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Plastic Water Bottles: Really Bad for the Environment

FitSugar — Tue, 15 May 2007 11:00:00 -0700

You all know I am all about hydration. I even made a cool little water calculator so you can compute how much water you should be drinking! Now, if you drink a lot of bottled water, I am urging your to take a minute and weigh your convenience against the environmental impact of all that plastic.

Most folks drink their bottled water on the go and there is no convenient way to recycle the plastic bottles. In 2003, about 40 million bottles a day went into the trash, or even more unfortunately became litter. These billions of bottles take up valuable landfill space, leak toxic additives into the groundwater and take a whopping 1,000 years to biodegrade, if ever.

The high price of bottled water is not the water but, in actuality, the cost of the bottling, packaging, shipping, marketing, retailing and transporting it all over the globe. When calculating your carbon footprint, you might want to consider the carbon footprint of the bottled water you drink. Next time you pick up a bottle of Fiji Water, think about the distance the bottle and the water have traveled before it hits your lips.

It is true that tap water is more regulated than bottled water, so you should drink from the tap. Want to read about some alternatives to drinking plastic bottled water? then read more

Filter your tap water with a Brita Water Filter, especially if lead and mercury are your major concerns.
Pour your filtered tap water into a metal SIGG bottle. They are lightweight, durable and dishwasher safe. I love mine!!!
Buy Biota bottled water. The bottle is made from 100% corn (a renewable resources) and it decomposes in a commercial composting situation in 70 - 80 days. It will take longer to break down in a home composting pile, but it breaks down!!!
If you do happen to buy a plastic bottle, just remember to recycle it!!!

Nature's Gate: Good For You AND the Environment

FitSugar — Mon, 26 Mar 2007 02:00:00 -0700

If you're like me, you can spend hours in a health food store, perusing through the aisles of natural snack foods, fresh produce, and organic dairy products.

Once I get to the beauty section - forget it. I love to look at all the brands of lotions, shampoos, conditioners, lip balms, make-up, and soaps. I read all the labels and smell everything.

The amazingly rich scent is what drew me to Nature's Gate products, and it's what had me going back to try more. My first "taste" was of the Shampoos and Conditioners. The Herbal scent for All Hair Types was a staple in my shower for many years. Then I switched to Chamomile for its unforgettable calming effects.

Since I loved their hair care products, I had to try their lotions too. I'm sorry to say that although the Herbal lotion made with aloe vera and organic jojoba oil smells wonderful, the moisturizing effects didn't last as long as I hoped. I think it might be my personal preference though, like when I buy all-natural crackers and I wish they had more flavor. Everyone's hair and skin have different needs and you may LOVE Nature's Gate lotions.

Nature's Gate also has a newer line of organic hair care, baby care, lotions, soaps, and deodorants. They make anti-aging products, whitening toothpaste, mouthwash, sunscreen, and self-tanners. If you're wondering, they also have a line for acne treatment.

What I love most about Nature's Gate products is that they are ecologically safe, environmentally friendly, and cruelty-free. All their products are packaged in recyclable containers and/or are made out of recycled materials. I know that buying these products supports a company that supports the Earth and all its inhabitants.

Fit's Tips: If you can't find Nature's Gate products at your local health food store, you can order from the Nature's Gate website.

You Asked: Jackie Warner's New Project

FitSugar — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 05:50:18 -0800

After reading our review of Jackie Warner's fitness DVD Workout One-on-One Training, many of you expressed curiosity over the future of her hit Bravo series, Work Out. After making a call to Sky Sport Spa - Warner's gym - today, I was told the unfortunate news that the show won't be returning for a fourth season.

I was a bit bummed to hear this but then I remembered Warner has a new show in the works, Thintervention With Jackie Warner. Not only that, Bravo is still looking for real folks struggling with weight loss to cast in the series. Thintervention will feature Warner working with individuals in their day-to-day environments to give them a complete lifestyle overhaul.

Learn the details of this new weight-loss reality show when you read more.
A press release from Bravo breaks down the show's formula:

Each episode of the one hour series will feature a grueling workout with Warner pushing her clients to their emotional and physical limits, a therapy session to get to the root of their weight issues, and a life lesson in nutrition such as grocery shopping or surprise raids of their home kitchens.

Thintervention seems to be banking on the success of The Biggest Loser formula, and given Warner's no-BS attitude, I'm sure we'll see more than a few tears shed as the season goes on. What we won't see is all the drama in Warner's personal life and the lives of her trainers. Personally, I think the drama is what helped make Work Out such a hit among, viewers so it'll be interesting to see how her new show fares.

Are you excited about Thintervention, or do you want Work Out to come back?

Mass Transit Commuters Walk 30% More than Those Who Drive

FitSugar — Wed, 09 May 2007 04:00:00 -0700

A recent article in Environment and Behavior finds that train commuters walked an average of 30% more steps per day than those who drive to work. They also reported having walked for a period of 10 minutes or more while traveling significantly more often, and were 4 times more likely to walk 10,000 steps per day (the recommended amount for healthy individuals) than car commuters.

Now I understand that it may be impossible for some of us to take the train, bus or subway to work so here are some other ways to get in more steps throughout the day:

Don't be competitive about your parking spot. Park at the furthest spot from your building and walk. Added bonus: No more door dings!
Skip the elevator and escalators and take the stairs. Added bonus: Missing out on awkward elevator chit-chat with a co-worker you don't particularly enjoy.
Instead of ordering your food to be delivered for lunch (or dinner), actually walk to get it. Added bonus: Actually see where you are getting food from.

I have other suggestion, so please read more

Take a 10 minute walk when you need a break. Added bonus: You actually get to take a break.
Instead of sending your co-worker an email, walk over to their desk and tell them what you wanted to email. Added bonus: You get the inside scoop on where to get those fab shoes she is wearing.
Suggest having a walking meeting instead of sitting sedentary in the conference room. Added bonus: Moving scenery gets the brain thinking much better than grey walls and a white board.
If all else fails, pencil in a walk when you get home (maybe your dog or significant other would want to join you). Added bonus: Fido may actually get a decent walk for once.

Help the Environment. Help Yourself.

FitSugar — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 02:00:00 -0700

Someone recently asked me why I post so often about green issues. While it seems obvious to me that the health of the planet influences our personal health, it is not so apparent to others.

I now have a little more unfortunate evidence backing me up. The European Environment Agency reported that the life expectancy in Europe has been cut by nearly a year, and they are pointing the finger at pollution, both air and water, as well as climate change. The agency also reported that over 100 million Eastern Europeans did not have safe water supplies. Wow!

I take this news to heart literally. It inspires me to bike and walk more. It inspires me to buy fewer goods, especially plastic. It inspires me to think globally and act locally. So do what you can to help the environment, because essentially you are really just helping yourself.

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Another Reason to Avoid Processed Foods: The Environment

FitSugar — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 03:00:00 -0700

I am not a fan of processed foods. Although I am not always successful I do try to avoid food with ingredients that I don't recognize and cannot pronounce.

I now have another motivation to steer clear of packaged, processed and engineered foods – the environment. It is fairly simple, processed foods require more energy to produce and package than do whole foods like oats, bananas and spinach. While reading In Defense of Food, I realized that my favorite cereal, Kashi Go Lean is a lot more processed than simple steel cut oats. The production of food and the supply chain takes up an estimated 19 percent of energy used in the US, and the energy sources used are most often non-renewable energy sources. By decreasing the amount of processed foods as well as eating a diet that contains less meat, you can decrease your carbon footprint as well as your waistline. What processed food do you think you should give up? Tell me in the comments section below.

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