Thursday, February 28, 2013

BONUS POINTS!

Sign up (and pay for) an event this Spring, Summer or Fall.  Use it as motivation to help train / work hard!

Examples:
5 K
Half or Full Marathon
Triathlon

Award yourself 50 points in the Bonus Point cell for doing so.  Award yourself 100 points if this event is associated with the Coe Community (i.e. Relay for Life - details forthcoming from Megan Fiala).
 

Recipes!

Buy slaw mix (carrot, broccoli, cabbage) and put on WHOLE Wheat Tortillas.  Spread the following sauce (derived from Clean) over the top.  I ate two of them for dinner, and had the glass of wine pictured.  Wine at 5 according to Blue Zones, right!

1 T almond butter
1 t grated fresh ginger
1/2 lemon juiced
1 t apple cider vinegar (I use just a dash; otherwise overpowers in my opinion)
1 clove garlic
1 t nama shoyu or wheat free tamari (you can get the latter in the health food section at Hy-Vee)
pinch of cayenne (additional spice if desired)
Blend together all ingredients.

Recently, and out of simplicity (easy for you too!), I have started eating hummus spread on a WHOLE wheat tortilla or WHOLE wheat bread and then topped with peppers, raw broccoli, etc.  The crunch added by the vegetables is fantastic.  Use as a snack, or eat 2 of them for lunch/dinner.

A homemade (NO OIL) hummus recipe for you below.  Store bought hummus is fine too.  

Forks over Knives White Bean Red Pepper Spread

1 16 ounce can cannelloni beans, drained and rinsed
4 teaspoons mellow white miso (I substituted chile pepper paste because did not have miso on hand)
1 roasted red bell pepper
1 garlic clove, minced
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Zest of 1 lemon
Cayenne pepper (to taste)

Puree in a food processor until smooth and creamy.

Saturday, February 23, 2013

Weekly Challenge - Feb 25th - March 3rd

Your daily challenge this week is to not consume food and/or beverages (other than water) after 8 PM.  The reasoning behind this is attributed to your body's natural cycle; further explained in Fit for Life.

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Pumpkin Muffin Recipe

Instead of cookies, try......

KT's Pumpkin Muffins

(Pumpkin is a SuperFood, and Dark Chocolate is included as such in the second edition.  I usually double the recipe below)

  • 1 Tablespoon Chia Seeds (optional)
  • 1 1/2 Cups Whole Wheat Flour
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 Can (16 Ounces) Pure Pumpkin 
  • 2 Eggs
  • 1/4 Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 1/2 Cup Agave Nectar 
  • 1/4 Cup Applesauce (when recipe is doubled, this amounts to one small container; cinnamon flavored applesauce is fine)
  • 1 Tablespoon Vanilla
  • 1/2 Cup Dark Chocolate Chips (or walnuts if preferred)
Mix all ingredients together.....using a spatula is fine; needn't have a mixer.  Bake at 350 for approximately 22 minutes.  When doubled, yields approximately 36 muffins.

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Leader Board!

THANKS to all of the participants thus far.  Keep up the great work!

Being SuperFood week, yesterday's fitness class consisted of teams having to name the 14 SuperFoods, and being assigned an activity for each (i.e. Beans = Mile on the Track, Tomatoes = 25 Suicide Jumps).  Team Deuce got all 14 for the win; the Mosquitoes and Team Won each had 13.

Lastly, please help me track down those with 0 points.  Offer to help them set up, and start tracking, via the spreadsheet.

As of 2/18....


JAZ 275.17
Kayla 271
Angie 260
Michele 245.83
Susan 245
Debbie 243.33
Susanne 220
Jen N. 210
Tiedter 202
Emily B. 200.83
Fenter 200
Kim B. 192.5
Leah F. 183.33
Chris 182
Fiala 163.33
Shaun 159
Melinda B. 157.5
BJWinner 145.83
ERod 140
Tom G. 135
Lincnlewn 135
Dan M. 132.5
Appleby 132.5
Heidi 130
Thetastar 130
Katelyn W. 124.17
Mary B. 120
Jamie 110.83
Lisa 108.33
Nicki T 108.33
Flower18 103
Nancy R. 103
Erica L 102.5
Amber M. 92
Tammie 90
MelissaLR 85
M White 80
Rod 80
Paasch 76.67
Tom W 75
Sara 75
Judi 70
Bahr 70
Shaner 69.17
Chandler 65
Tammy 60.83
Amy L 55
you betcha 55
Roger J 54.67
Hakes 41.67
Mike F 30
Stina K. 30
George ;-) 15
Steve S. 0
Beth S. 0
Darlene 0
Shelby 0
Kylee 0
DeAnn 0
Evelyn 0


Thursday, February 14, 2013

Weekly Challenge - Feb 18th-24th


The purpose of last week's challenge (logging food intake) was to raise awareness with regard to what you're putting in your body.  This week, we'll address the fuel itself.  The more nutritious or higher the quality of fuel that you put in your body, the better you will feel (about yourself, state of energy, productivity, etc).  Hence, SuperFoods are in order!  This happens to be my favorite term by the way.
In short, your challenge is to consume 3 SuperFoods (of the original 14) per day.  These foods should of course be in lieu of other consumption, rather than in addition to (i.e. pumpkin bread/muffins INSTEAD of cookies, broccoli INSTEAD of mashed potatoes). 
The 14 Original SuperFoods included in this challenge:

I will also share a bit more information about my own intake/approach for your own general knowledge.


My personal nutrition plan is a compilation of:
  • High intake of SuperFoods/Magic Foods (I try for 12 a day and plan to transition to organic over time since many of those foods fall within the Dirty Dozen)
  • A limited intake of sugar (Sugar Busters)
  • Proper food combining (science based) and timing of intake / particular foods based on your body's cycle (all derived from Fit for Life)
  • Common Sense (much of that mapped out in the Fit for Life book as well and quite a comical read at times because of)
  • Indulgence / Moderation.....easier to follow "plan" as a whole if allow self to indulge now and again.  Personally, I have 12 weaknesses......with Fountain Coke being at the top of that list.  I usually allow myself 3-4 indulgences per week, but that varies depending on the week, month, competition schedule, etc.

Additional references:

The second edition includes these additional SuperFoods (with sidekicks listed):


Apples - pears
Avocado - asparagus, artichokes, extra virgin olive oil
Dark Chocolate
Dried Superfruits - raisins, dates, prunes, figs, apricots, blueberries, cranberries, cherries, currants
Extra Virgin Olive Oil - canola oil
Honey
Kiwi - pineapple, guava
Onions - garlic, scallions, shallots, leeks, chives
Pomegranates - plums

SuperSpices: Cinnamon, Cumin, Garlic, Oregano, Thyme, Tumeric

Although there is much overlap, I also consider "Magic Foods" to fall under the category of SuperFoods. There are 57 in total - apples, avocado, barley, beans, beef, berries, bran, broccoli, brown rice, brussels sprouts, bulgur, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, cheese, cherries, chicken (and turkey), cinnamon, citrus fruits, coffee, eggplant, eggs, fenugreek, fish, flaxseed, garlic, jerusalem artichokes, lamb, lemons, lentils, melons, milk, nuts, oats, olive oil, onions, pasta, peaches (apricots & plums), peanut butter, peas, pork, pumpernickel bread, rye bread, seeds, shellfish, sourdough bread, soy foods, spinach, sweet potatoes, tea, tomatoes, tumeric, vinegar, wheatberries, wheat germ, whole wheat (bread and flour), yogurt.





Thursday, February 7, 2013

Weekly Challenge - Feb 11th - 17th

For this week, Feb 11th – 17thyour challenge is to log your intake of food/beverages on a daily basis.  It is often the case that we’re simply eating too much.  I would encourage using a website such as:  http://www.myfitnesspal.com/ to do this.  Feel free to friend CoachKris12 if you’d like me to follow along (you will also need to change your settings such that friends can view your nutrition log). 

In a previous post, I mentioned moderation.  The article linked expands upon that concept and is merely more insight into my own personal outlook (for those interested).




Recap of Week 1 Challenge


I must admit that I was hesitant to throw the first week's challenge at you for the simple fact that it was based on "restriction"......in other words, a variation of "dieting".  The cycle of a diet usually goes something like this....
The evening before restriction begins....
The infamous cabbage soup!
Reward for having choked down cabbage soup for the 12th time.
Per Fit for Life, "Diets are temporary; therefore, the results have to be temporary.  PERMANENT measures bring about permanent results."  In other words, the development of healthy HABITS is paramount.  

Do I expect you to develop the HABIT of limiting yourself to water, tea and almond milk?  No.  I ultimately went forward with the first challenge in hopes that you'd experience some type of desired benefit from it.....increased energy, better sleep, weight loss, etc (shock factor).  The "coach" in me also wanted to test your resolve/will from the start.  :)

With the formation of habits in mind, I challenge you to build on last week from the standpoint of moderation:

  1. If a coffee or Coke drinker, try to limit yourself to one cup/can a day (or less than you normally drink).
  2. If you consume milk, consider a nut milk alternative, or again, limit.  Also, if going to drink milk regardless, do so after a workout such that the protein within is of peak benefit.  Also, see note about calcium below since I’m sure that question will arise.*
  3. If alcohol, how about wine at 5 per the Blue Zones movement.
Following the deprivation, PLEASE do not indulge / fall in to the trap....
The "dieter's" morning after....
*  “Some people insist that dairy products are necessary for calcium.  We’re led to believe that milk is a major source of calcium, and if we don’t drink milk, our teeth will fall out and our bones will collapse.  The fact is that all green leafy vegetables contain calcium.  All nuts (raw) contain calcium.  And raw sesame seeds contain more calcium than any other food on earth.  Also, most fruit contains ample calcium.  If you’re eating fruits and vegetables daily and some raw nuts even occasionally, you can’t have a calcium deficiency.” – Fit for Life

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Update!

45 participants thus far!  Please encourage fellow faculty/staff members to join us in this endeavor to better the health and well-being in our community.

I have received a few notes of gratitude for having set-up this challenge.  However, I must give credit to the other minds behind the operation.  A THANK YOU to Michele Oswood, Angie Dvorak and Megan Fiala for their time investment to date, and moving forward!  Christina Kroemer also assisted with logo development (gave Charlie Kohawk his set of abs!).

Nut milks (i.e. almond milk) have been added to the approved list for this week!

If you were to read one book throughout this challenge (or this Summer), I would recommend Fit for Life.

Simple Banana Shake

Frozen Banana(s)
Almond Milk
Nutmeg (to taste)

In a blender, combine the ingredients above per your own taste, and texture.

Or, substitute strawberries (fresh or frozen) for the nutmeg.

Gene's Green Machine Smoothie (from Forks over Knives)

2 cups nut milk
1 banana (optionally frozen)
1/4 cup frozen blueberries
2 large leaves of kale
1/2 cup spinach
1/2 English cucumber (optional)
1/2 tablespoon flax seeds and/or 1/2 tablespoon chia seeds
1 date, pitted (optional)
Ice (optional)

Friday, February 1, 2013

Weekly Challenge - Week of 2/4


I have 8 nutrition books at my side, and have read many more.  The first topic usually covered is hydration/fluids.  Thus, we will start our set of weekly challenges at the COrE of well-being.

“70% of the Earth’s surface is water; our bodies are also 70% water.  It is one of the essentials of life.  Without enough water, the cells cannot function properly.  Most people today are dehydrated not only from not drinking enough water, but also because many foods and drinks, especially caffeinated ones, soda and alcohol, have a dehydrating effect.”[i]

As such, the YES fluids allowed by Clean (see footnote below) include water, green tea, herbal teas and seltzer or mineral water.  Although caffeinated beverages land themselves on the NO list, tea has significantly less caffeine than your typical cup of coffee, or soda.  Not to mention the fact that tea (green and black) is a SuperFood[ii]!  Thus, tea is approved so long as consumed in moderation.

To sum, and keep this briefing actually brief, your CHALLENGE this week is to consume ONLY the following beverages on a daily basis:
1.  Water (seltzer or mineral included)
2.  Tea (green or black)….and NOT the bottled version purchased at the gas station nor “diet”; rather, straight up…
 
How much should you be consuming?  Technically, 6-8 glasses is recommended.  However, eating foods that are high in water-content will also suffice, and are arguably a better source of hydration than water itself.[iii]  As such, a quota will not be set.  The intent is more to eliminate sports beverages, coffee, alcohol, diet beverages, etc from your intake and replace them with better “well-being” options per the approved list. 

Tips:
- Add a squeeze of lemon (increases metabolism) or lime juice to your water.
- High-water-content foods include watermelon, broccoli, tomatoes, grapefruit, avocado, cantaloupe, strawberries, etc (i.e. fruits and vegetables). 

Participant Question:
Q:  So, if I have Gatorade, I have lost my weekly challenge points for that day?  What about milk, juice, etc.
A:  Yes, Gatorade = failure and no points awarded.  In reality, sports beverages aren't good for you, nor necessary.  When/if Kohawk tennis players drink sports beverages, they are encouraged to dilute it to 1/2 water.  As for milk (or dairy in general), it is highly criticized as well.  The common sense argument is that why would HUMAN'S drink COW'S milk?  100% juice (no added sugar) is obviously healthy.  The kicker here is quantity.  When one juices, they are typically consuming TOO MUCH (i.e. 2 apples, 3 carrots, 1 orange, etc.).  This fruit is better consumed naturally/whole so getting fiber, etc. and in a normal portion size.

Questions?  Comments?  Post them here, or email me.



[i] Clean - http://www.amazon.com/Clean----Expanded-Revolutionary-Program/dp/0062201662/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1359685628&sr=1-1&keywords=clean
[ii] The SuperFoods Rx Diet - http://www.amazon.com/Superfoods-Rx-Diet-Weight-SuperNutrients/dp/B00375LMFW/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1359687270&sr=1-2&keywords=superfoods+rx
[iii] Fit for Life - http://www.amazon.com/Fit-Life-Harvey-Diamond/dp/0446553646/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1359688669&sr=1-1&keywords=fit+for+life