EMPOWER TOTAL YOU

Fun Fitness Has Arrive!

What exercise equipment will allow all ages to have fun and the time will go by very quickly.  You will enter a interactive virtual world of exercises and skill drills driven by on-screen activities.  You have entered the world of The "Cybex Trazer". You will experience a powerful and fun exercise time. The Trazer workout is a dramatically different exercise experience. You can play games and work on specific sports skills.  The Trazer can be used by kids to seniors, from world class athlete to the little league ball players.  The entire family can exercise together; mom, dad, sister, brother, grandma, and grandpa.

                                                  The Benefits of Trazer Interactive Workout

• Better Reaction Time
• Increase Acceleration
• Increase Speed
• Improve Power
• Improve Balance
• Develop Cardiovascular Endurance
• Heightened Spatial Awareness
• Improve Flexibility
• Excellent Tool For Weight Management

Check out the Cybex Trazer.

Download tk_strength_trazer_62.flv

Foods That We Love To Eat - Are They healthy For Us

Need less to say you need a score card to keep track of the updates concerning how our favorite foods affect our health. Sometimes it can be very confusing with all the different research coming out about the foods we eat. Couple of things to remember about our foods - chemicals or natural/organic ingredients and the sugar content.  A high sugar content can be the silent killer.
Lets take a look at some of our favorites;

Eggs

• Almost the perfect food.
• Highest rating for protein.Has all the amino acids that the body needs.
• Egg yolk contains lecithin, which helps dissolve cholesterol.
• Contains B1, B6, folic acid and B12.
• Contains calcium, magnesium, potassium, zinc and iron.
• Also has Choline and biotin, which is essential for energy and reduction of stress in the body.

Chocolate

• Dark chocolate which needs to contain at least 70% of cocoa contains polyphenols and flavonoid antioxidants.
• May reduce the risk of blood clots which can cause a heart attack or stroke.
• May also reduce your blood pressure.
• Can also effect your mood and energy level.
• High in saturated fats...need to moderate your consumption...maybe 2 - 2.5 oz a day.

Pizza

• Does contain healthy ingredients, tomato sauce, cheese and bread.  All your major food groups. Tomato sauce contains lycopene, a powerful antioxidant.
• Lycopene may reduce your risk of cancer, low your cholesterol level and low blood pressure.
• Pizza can be good for you plain or with veggies, stay away from the meats.
• Eat in moderation, 1-2 slices not a whole pie.

Soda and Diet Soda

• Probably the one of the worse foods for your health.
• High in Fructose corn syrup - regular soda; diet soda - artificial sweeteners. Just Bad For YOU.
• Affects your pancreas - your insulin levels are effected.
• Possible increase in weight gain due to the sugar.
• High Fructose corn syrup may increase your risk of diabetes.

Before buying or ordering food, think about the sugar content and the chemicals in the food.  Remember you are what you eat.

Information gather from Dr Mark Liponis and Dr Eric Berg

Chia Goodness

I found the perfect breakfast meal; Ruth's Chia Goodness-Apple Almond Cinnamon. The cereal can be made either with cold or hot water or a milk product.  There is no cooking.  I decided to go the cold water route.  The cereal was pretty good, it did look kind of weird.  The seeds are black, so the meal looks dark except for the almonds.  The taste was light and refreshing, it could have been a little crunchy. Besides tasting good, the product is a superfood. The chia seed contains more than five times amount of calcium than milk,a good source of fiber, lactose free, gluten free, low in sugar and good amount of essential fatty acids. The cereal is also a raw food.
I did not become hungry until 11:30am.  Usually after eating cereal in the morning I would be hungry within an hour, not this time. i will be eating Chia Goodness the rest of the week.  I might add the Chia to my yogurt, a suggest by Ruth.
Well folks it might be worth trying, its good to start your day with a superfood that might keep you on an even keen all day.

Check out the web site www.ruthshempfoods.com

Healthy Snacks

                                                      Chicken Nugget Dippers

Olive Oil for brushing
2 boneless, skinless chicken half-breasts (4-5 ounces each)
1 cup panko bread crumbs
1/4 cup whole-wheat pastry flour
2 1/2 teaspoons garlic salt
1 1/2 teaspoons natural cane sugar
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 eggs

1. Place rack in center of oven. Preheat broiler to low. Brush a large baking sheet with a little olive oil.
2. Cut away the tender flap of meat from under each breast into 1-inch strips, then cut each strip in half. You should have 10-12 small pieces for each breast.
3. In two batches, lay pieces between sheets of parchment paper and gently pound with a kitchen mallet or the bottom of a wine bottle to about 1/4-inch thick.
4. Mix panko, flour, garlic salt, sugar, and pepper together on a large plate. Dip chicken pieces into panko mixture, coating all sides. Dip into eggs, then again into panko until coated. Placed pieces onto baking sheet and brush tops with a little olive oil.  Broil for 3 1/2 minutes or until golden and cooked through.

                                                     No-Bake Apple-Butter Pecan Balls
2 cup pecans
1 cup oat flour
1/4 cup ground flaxseed
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons agave nectar or honey
2/3 cup apple butter

1. Place pecans in a food processor and process until roughly ground. Add oat flour, flaxseed, cinnamon,nutmeg,and salt; pulse to mix. Pulse in agave nectar until finely ground and mixture holds together(be careful not to over-process or mixture will become too pasty).
2. Remove 1/3 cup and set aside. Stir apple butter into remainder. Roll into walnut-size balls and roll in reserved nut mixture. Cover and refrigerate 1-2 hours. Serve chilled.

                                             Roasted Yam and Onion Dip
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
2 medium sweet potatoes or garnet yams, halved lengthwise, skins on
1 yellow onion, halved,skin on
6 cloves garlic, skins on
2 tablespoons tahini
2 teaspoons natural cane sugar or agave nectar
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
Dash of cayenne pepper

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place rack in center of oven.
2. Drizzle 1 tablespoon olive oil onto a large baking pan and spread evenly. Place sweet potato or yam and onion pieces, cut sides down onto oiled pan. Roast for 45-50 minutes, until yam is tender and onions are golden brown. Remove from oven to cool.
3. When cool enough to handle, scrape yam pulp into a food processor, discarding skins. Slip skins from onions and garlic and discard. Add onion and garlic to food processor. Add remaining ingredients, including remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil, and blend until fairly smooth but pureed. Chill or cool to room temperature.

Gather from deliciousliving      

Watch Out Athletes: A Test For HGH

A test for HGH was announced by Ceres Nanoscience.  Researchers at the company have developed a urine test that can detect HGH in an athlete.  This is a significant break thru for drug testing in sports.  This was one drug that could not be detected in an athlete. The use of HGH is probably high among athletes since there was no way to detect the drug. Over the next ten years we will see the side of affects of the HGH drug on athletes.
The NBA, NFL, NHL, MLB told Congress they were hoping for a urine test for HGH. Lets see how fast they adopt the policy of testing for HGH.  I'm sure there will be a waiting period to make sure the test is accurate.
It's great we have developed testing for performance enhancement drugs.  The problem some athletes know how to cheat.  Some athletes will paid any price to win.  You will hear some Olympic athletes say they would give up their life for a gold medal. Testing is necessity, still we need to educated our athletes at a young age the side effects of performance enhancement drugs. We have lost our way in the sports world and probably in the world generally.  After all sports is a mirror of our society. I hope with education and proper training we can make a difference in the thinking of an athlete. Testing is a step in the right direction but remember people know how to get around testing and someone comes up with a new drug. In the next five to ten years we need to improve our drug educational policies for our young athletes.

Start Of A Health Crisis- The Teen Years

As American children enter they teen years their physical activity level drops significantly.  Here's the alarming statistic; 90% of 9 years old will participant in couple of hours of exercise most days but only 3% of 15 years old will exercise.  This report came from Dr. Philip Nader, a pediatrician and professor emeritus from University of California at San Diego.  Dr Nader conducted one of the largest studies in children physical activity level. Dr. Nader's study tracked 1,000 US children from 2000 - 2006.
The study also discover fewer than a third of teens even exercise the recommended 1 hour of cycling,brisk walk,swimming or jogging. Teens have started to develop bad health that might continue into adulthood. If the teens continue their decrease physical activity this could lead to a serious health problem. As we know, inactivity leads to possible heart disease, obesity and diabetes.
Today kids spent too much time on the computer. It's important parents balance their kids activity level.
Kids should be out playing with their friends, like riding a bike or playing baseball or basketball.  I remember as a kid my parents only let us watch maybe 1 - 1.5 of TV  2- 3 times a week. Most of the time we where outside playing. Computers are a great tool but we should not let our kids become obsess with the gadgets. We might actually develop Androids instead of children. 

Acai Berry

This past weekend I indulge in the wonder drink Acai Berry.  The taste was refreshing and enjoyable.It has a unique taste. It was not sugary nor sour. I could not finish the drink in one serving, it is rich. It's not like drinking orange juice, or any other juice.   It was difficult in finding a pure Acai Berry.  Most of the Acai Berry drinks are mix with apple, or some other berry. I would definitely purchase the drink again. It's on my weekly shopping list.

Health Concerns

South L.A., California has ban opening of new fast food restaurants for one year. The Los Angeles City Council committee unanimously approved the new regulation. The regulation will have to be approved by the full council and signed by the Mayor before it will become a law. The law basically defines a fast food restaurant as limited menu, items prepared in advanced or prepared or heated quickly. The food also comes in a wrapper or a containers. There are no waiters or waitress serving a table. The question does this law apply to McDonald's or Burger King?  Their menus have expanded in the last couple of years. The fast food chains that are concern with this possible new law are Ben & Jerry's and Smoothie King.
The reason the council wants the new law is due to the obesity rate in South L.A.. South L.A. has a higher obesity rate than the national average and the area has more fast food chains than healthy restaurants and grocery stores.
Its good the local government is concern about health of their citizens.  Instead of dictating the choices of restaurants allow to be open, maybe the council should be concern with educating and promoting physical activity to their citizens. There are still fast food restaurants in the neighborhood and people will still seek them out, unless educated about their unhealthy choices. Yes, maybe exposure to healthy restaurants or buying healthy foods will help the citizens. The best way to change a person's habit is education. The best consumer is the educated consumer.  An educated person will dictate  to the fast food chains, type of foods they will consume. This is how a capitalist country works.  The government is becoming too much of a big brother.  Slowly we are losing our rights,freedom and choices.
We are entering a dangerous period by our government.

                                                   Cell Phones and Possible Cancer Link
This past week a prominent cancer-research doctor issued a warning memo to his staff and faculty concerning the possible risk of cancer by cellphones. Dr. Ronald B. Herberman , University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute suggested that his staff and faculty limit use of their cellphones. His memo based on unpublished data. Dr. Herberman quoted as "err on the side of being safe".
I know I will think twice before using by cellphone directly to my ear, my blue tooth will become my best friend.  We should also think twice about our kids and cellphones.  Yes generation Y does text most of the time but we should make sure our kids use the blue tooth while talking.

What is an Acai Berry?

One of the new buzz nutritional products is the Acai Berry! What is a Acai Berry?  Well the Acai Berry can be located in the large palm trees of the northern Brazil Amazon rainforest. The fruit is a distinct purple berry that grows in bunches. The berry can also be found in the following areas Panama, Ecuador, Trinidad and the French Guyana.

                                         What nutritional value is found in the Acai Berry?

• Massive amounts of antioxidants as well as Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids.
• Anthocyanins
• Fiber, protein,vitamins B, C And E, potassium,magnesium,calcium and iron.
• Amino acids; praline,tryptophan,theorine and lysine.

                                                  The Benefits of Acai Berry

• Increase in energy and stamina.
• Helps with digestive function and health of the liver.
• Healthy Immune system.
• Helps the cardiovascular system function properly.
• And many more.

This weekend I will explore the Acai Berry. I know it may take time to feel the benefits. I'm open to try to improve my health.  After all I'm a baby boomer, need to say more.

Healthy Recipes

                                            Mediterranean Grilled Vegetables
Marinade
1/4 cup balsamic or red wine vinegar
1/4 cup olive oil
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1/2 tablespoon dried thyme
1 tablespoon dried rosemary
1/2 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Vegetables
1 small eggplant, sliced into 2 inch thick rounds
3 baby summer squash
3 baby zucchini
3 baby pattypan squash
1/2 medium red onion, peeled and cut into 1/2 inch slices
1/2 cup cherry or grape tomatoes, left whole
1/2 yellow bell pepper, cut lengthwise into 2 inch wide slices
1/2 red bell pepper, cut lengthwise into 2 inch wide slices

1. Combine all marinade ingredients in a glass jar; shake well.
( This can be made ahead and refrigerated up to 4 days )
2. Place all vegetables in a large glass dish or plastic container with lid. Pour marinade over all; toss well to coat. Let sit 30 minutes to 2 hours.
3. Preheat grill to medium-high. Remove vegetables from marinade and place on grill; use a grilling basket for smaller pieces. Grill until tender, 5 - 10 minutes per side. Transfer to a platter.


                                                Sesame-Soy Halibut

1/3 cup toasted sesame seeds
3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
3 tablespoons mirin (Japanese rice wine)
2 cloves garlic
2 teaspoons seeded and minced serrano chile pepper
1 tablespoon honey
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
6 4-ounce halibut fillets
olive oil for brushing
2 scallions, thinly sliced

1. In a food processor, coarsely grind sesame seeds. Add soy sauce, mirin,sesame oil,garlic,chile pepper,honey,lemon juice, and orange juice. Process for another 30 seconds.
2. Preheat grill to medium. Brush fish lightly with olive oil. Apply sesame-soy mixture thickly on each fillet. Grill fish until just opaque in center, about 7 minutes, turning occasionally and basting with additional sesame-soy mixture.


                                          Grilled Peaches and Cream

1/4 cup mascarpone cheese
1 tablespoon honey
1/4 teaspoon fresh orange zest or vanilla extract
1/2 tablespoon canola oil
3 large ripe freestone peaches, halved and pitted
1/2 cup fresh raspberries
1/4 cup toasted slivered almonds

1. Lightly coat grill with cooking spray and preheat to high. In a small bowl, combine mascarpone, honey, and orange zest or vanilla. Brush peach halves with canola oil. Grill peaches, cut side down, for 3 minutes, until grill marks form. Turn and grill for an additional 3 minutes. Remove and spoon a dollop of mascarpone mixture into each center. Top with raspberries.

Gather from deliciousliving.