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Showing posts from July, 2013

Friday Features

TGIF!  Today we've got a variety of topics, so take your pick -- they're ALL insightful and informative. Enjoy and educate! 
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Mark Sisson asks, "Are You As Healthy As You Think You Are?"
Dare you to go beyond "better" in comparison to others and shoot for your own BEST.

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Think you know what you're eating?  Think again!   Fox uncovers some scary truths in "19 Foods That Aren't Foods."
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In a similar vein, BuzzFeed highlights eight foods and ingredients
that we eat here in the U.S., but are banned in other countries.
Learn more by clicking here!  (Why oh why oh WHY hasn't this caught on here??)

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Remember when we learned about proper posture?  There's a lot more where that came from! Check out these 15 Blogs Informing You How to Improve Posture in You and Your Kids.
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This moving TED Talk by Peter Attia urges us to question our
long-held assumptions, following this surgeon's lead as he overturns his own
prev…

Listen to Podcasts

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The winner of the Tropical Traditions Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil giveaway was Elle!! Congratulations Elle, and thank you to all who participated. You can still purchase your own high quality coconut oil by clicking here.

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A podcast is essentially a radio show that you can subscribe to. Whatever you're interested in, you can search and download and subscribe to your favorite people, topics, or stories. There are podcasts for everything nowadays. Obviously, I encourage you to pay attention to some health-related podcasts, as those are where I can get a constant stream of information and motivation. There are also all kinds of other topics, such as education, comedy, politics, science, sports, culture, religion, business, art, and more. You can also develop useful skills, such as meditation or speaking Spanish!




I first began listening to podcasts during a summer job, when I spent much of my time sitting alone in a lab, working on a computer. I was doing some linguistic wo…

Take Your Workout Indoors!

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First: Quick note: Don't forget you've got 2 more days to enter the coconut oil giveaway! Ends midnight Sunday night. Click here for details.

Today's dare comes to you from Town Sports International, the owner of New York Sports Club, Boston Sports Club, Washington Sports Club, and Philadelphia Sports Club. In light of this recent heat wave, they're encouraging folks to take their workouts indoors.


From Thursday, July 18, 2013 through Saturday, August 31, all club locations will open up their doors to the public when the temperature rises to or above 90 degrees. Just cite the "heat wave promotion" at the NYSC, BSC, PSC, or WSC front desk to claim your free workout. The offer excludes peak hours: Monday through Thursday, 5:30 - 7:30 pm. As shown above, you must be at least 18 and provide valid photo ID.
Find a club near you at www.mysportsclubs.com!
(And, if you do choose to hit the great outdoors for a sweaty workout, check out these tips for staying…

Spinach and Artichoke Dip

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Quick note: Don't forget you've got 4 more days to enter the coconut oil giveaway! Click here for details.

I love spinach and artichoke dip. Who doesn't?  It's always a hit at any party, and it's especially impressive when it's homemade.


As delicious as some of the recipes are, I wondered if there was a way to clean up the ingredients a bit, simplifying complex recipes down.

Instead of sour cream, something to which I've always been averse, I decided Greek yogurt would be a nice way to add a creamy consistency, while also packing a protein punch.

It was also important to me to use some fresh, real cheese.  I was planning to go pick up some gruyere to try, since my friend Erica had just reminded me how delicious it is.  Thought it'd be a nice way to fancy up the cheese.  On my way to the store, though, I happened to pass a farmer's market, where I found this local, raw milk "Monterey Hot Jack" cheese.  Just like that, my plans changed.


Bonus…

Cook with Tropical Traditions Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil {GIVEAWAY - closed}

On Tuesday, I talked about why you should cook with coconut oil.  If you missed that post, make sure to check it out and learn about which oils are safe to use in high heat.


Lucky for you, Tropical Traditions  is going to help you get started!  In the last post, I recommended Tropical Traditions as a trusted brand of high-quality coconut oil, and upon my own request, they're offering one lucky reader a jar of this:


Win 1 quart of Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil!
From Tropical Traditions: Tropical Traditions is America’s source for coconut oilTheir Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil is hand crafted in small batches by family producers, and it is the highest quality coconut oil they offer. You can read more about how virgin coconut oil is different from other coconut oils on their website: What is Virgin Coconut Oil?
You can also watch the video they produced about Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil:
Tropical Traditions also carries other varieties of affordable high quality coconut oil. Visit the…

Cook with Coconut Oil

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I've already told you about my newfound use of coconut oil as a moisturizer, and there are loads of other beauty uses for it (like these recommended by Dr. Korson).  But today, I want to talk about cooking with it.

Did you know that every fat and oil has a smoke point--the temperature at which it begins to break down and increase toxic compounds?!  Thisrancid oil is no longer safe for consumption!  A year ago, I'd had no idea.  I had already taken canola oil out of my diet (see Balanced Bites to learn why), but I was still using olive oil for just about everything.  But was I burning my oil?

In learning more about paleo and food quality, I started learning more about cooking oils and their smoke points.  The smoke point determines which fats and oils are safe to use for cooking at various temperatures.  While I was still exclusively using olive oil, I learned that the smoke point of extra virgin olive oil is typically around 325-375 degrees.  It seems that olive oil smoke poin…

Bring Healthier Holiday Treats

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The 4th of July is tomorrow, and I hope my American readers have some fun activities planned.  If you can get outside, soak in some vitamin D, get active by walking, hiking, playing sports... all great healthy ways to spend the holiday!  Today, I dare you to add a healthier dish to whatever BBQ or party you attend!


A few years ago, I brought this "flag" out of blueberries and white chocolate-covered strawberries to a a BBQ.

Fruit can be used in other ways to create red, white, and blue desserts.  You can make these patriotic popsicles (below), recipe over at An Edible Mosaic. No sugar added!


Greatist also has 10 recipes for your 4th of July.  Check them out here.

You can also swap that apple pie for this grain-free apple crisp!

Want more ideas?  Pinterest is a goldmine for finding healthier treats to serve at or bring to parties.


Dare you to think outside the apple pie box and create some festive treats of your own!

How will you be celebrating Independence Day?  Have any favo…

See The Delivery Man

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In November, David Wozniak will find out that he is the biological father to 533 children.
Today, Walt Disney Studios is releasing the full-length trailer to 533 bloggers.


The Delivery Man looks like a feel-good Thanksgiving comedy.  It all comes down to the meaning of family, and I'm proud to be part of the family of bloggers bringing you the trailer premiere as part of this debut event.



The movie stars Vince Vaughn, who plays David, the irresponsible man who seems to be losing grip on both his job and girlfriend.  He is trying to find purpose in life, when it suddenly falls right into his lap.



Cute, right?  Looks like the perfect combination of laughter and sentiment.  So bummed I have to wait until November 22 to see it!  Mark your calendars :)

Learn more about The Delivery Man on Facebook and Twitter.

What do you think of the trailer?  
What does family mean to you?