I’m going to start a Walking Club!

I like to say that because I have a bunch of experience and education in the Exercise Science field (sorry if that sounds like I’m bragging), that I don’t need to use drill-sargent like techniques to get people to get results. Instead, I just choose the most effective exercises and methods of training, and keep the workout atmosphere fun! That way, people are more likely to actually want to exercise! There is a new event coming to the Phoenix area that I think captures this same attitude. It is called the Women’s Half-Marathon, and it takes place on Sunday, November 7th in Scottsdale and Tempe. It sounds like it actually could be fun! They give you a unique medal at the end that has a charm as a separate piece, so you can wear the charm by itself. Plus there’s a cookie bar at the end! You deserve a darn cookie after you’ve walked a half-marathon! Yes, I will be eating a cookie, ok maybe even two, at the end! I will be walking this event, by the way, not running it.

I am putting together a walking program to help prepare whoever wants to join me for this event. I am hoping you will come join! You don’t have to commit to the half-marathon to join the walking group; anyone can come walk and enjoy meeting a few really nice ladies (I think I can count on three ladies joining me, and they are super nice!). I am still working on the details of this walking program. Since it is hot outside, I may try to get Scottsdale Community College to let us use their indoor walking track. Check back soon for details!

Neat Vietnamese Restaurant in Scottsdale

My boyfriend and I went out for dinner last Saturday evening. We wanted to be mostly good, meaning, staying within the boundaries of acceptably healthy without being strict. We had seen a sign for Vietnamese cuisine in a little strip mall maybe a week or two earlier, and thought we should try it out some day. Neither of us had tried Vietnamese food before, though, so weren’t really sure what it was. So, last Saturday night, we walked up to it and looked at the menu posted outside to see if it would have something for me to eat (since I’m veg that can be tricky occasionally but not often). The menu looked ok, so we went in.

Wow, were we impressed! The food was GREAT! It was inexpensive, too, which is something we are definitely looking for these days. I had a veggie curry dish, and it was so good! There was some fresh basil leaves sprinkled on top of my dish, which initially I pushed off to the side since basil belongs in Italian food, I thought. I do love basil, though, so at one point I pulled off a little corner of a leaf and put it on a forkful. Oh, my gosh, could my meal actually get better?! That made it excellent!

We also had the veggie dumplings to start as an appetizer, which the menu had said come fried, but I asked them if it was possible to make them not oily, and the waiter said he could bring them steamed. They were also very yummy.

So, overall, I think Vietnamese cuisine is sort of like a mix of Thai food and Chinese, so think Asian fusion. We will definitely go back to Noodles Ranch. It doesn’t look like much from the outside, but definitely is a pleasant surprise inside! Look for it in the ACE Hardware/Albertson’s shopping center on the corner of Scottsdale Roads and Thomas.

Veggie Cuisine Review in Phoenix

I happen to be vegetarian, but don’t tell others that they need to be. I respect other people’s wishes as I hope they will respect mine. I am a lacto-ovo vegetarian (I eat dairy and eggs). I don’t eat anything made with chicken broth or cooked on the same grill as meats. Nor will I eat a salad after picking off the chicken –I’d just rather skip it and wait till I get home. I do in general think Americans eat too much meat (read “The Blue Zones” by Dan Buettner–great, fun read) but not enough fish (although I don’t eat fish myself). I had some great meals this past weekend at different restaurants around the Phoenix area, so I thought I’d let others know if they are looking for some great vegetarian options.

First, Friday night my boyfriend and I went out for our first time to a relatively new restaurant in Old Town Scottsdale. It’s called 5th and Wine. We live pretty close to Old Town, so that was convenient for us, and it was highly recommended by Jay and Susie of FoodiesLikeUs.com, both friends of mine (check out their great events! Not really designed for vegetarians, but they do great work!). We started with the bruschetta appetizer, and had two vegetarian options, the apple with brie and agave drizzle, and the roasted peppers with goat cheese. Both were great. The apple one was so sweet I was considering saving a piece for dessert! Not too icky sweet, though. Then, I had the caprese panini for my main course. It was absolutely to die for! Even my boyfriend who normally choses meat dishes said he will chose the caprese panini too next time, and that we have to go back sometime to have it again! It was fabulous. Great wine with our meals too. The only negative thing I could say is that it’s a little loud in the restaurant, so probably don’t bring someone hard of hearing. But fun atmosphere, good service, and lots of space both indoors and outdoors to sit. And decently low prices–my panini was $10.95.

Then, Saturday night, we had tickets to the ASU baseball game, so we stopped at a little restaurant in Tempe on the way for dinner. My boyfriend and his dad like this Middle Eastern restaurant called Haji Baba and have been many times. I have been a couple of times. I tried something new, and was glad I did. I had a Greek salad and an order of an appetizer that I can’t seem to remember the name. I know the first word was “foul” which seemed like an odd word to use for a food item in the US! I am sure that means something else in a different language. Anyway, I liked the foul appetizer. I would definitely order that again. It is basically fava beans in a sauce, and comes with pita bread to eat it with. Next time, I will probably order the same things, but ask for the dressing on the side for the salad–came with just a little too much for me–and then make pita wraps or something with the beans and the salad contents. Might look weird but I was thinking that would be great. Also very inexpensive; I think the fava beans were about $2.99 or something.

Then, on Sunday evening, we met friends out to eat before they all scatter for the summer. It is so unusual for my boyfriend and I to eat out three nights in a row! We went to Rockbottom at Desert Ridge. This is an example of eating vegetarian, and even healthy, can actually happen in an American-style restaurant! I had a new appetizer that they just added to their menu. It was a spicy hummus and came with lots of carrots, snow peas, and something they called Tuscan bread to dip. The plate was big, and I was happy that it was plenty for me for dinner even though it was off the appetizer menu. I like carrots and snow peas and they went well with the hummus. It wasn’t incredible, but definitely enjoyable and certainly healthy! I passed on the Tuscan bread. Not so yummy, sorry, Rockbottom!

So that was my fun weekend with the love of my life, family, and friends. I am such a lucky girl! I hope to help other vegetarians in Phoenix find some good places to eat. Enjoy!

GREAT article on fructose

Fructose is being used a lot lately in protein bars, health drinks, supplements, etc. Fructose is the sugar in a lot of fruit. Sounds like a safe, healthier option for sugar.. Or is it? Here is a link to an article that clears it up really well:

http://plandee.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=338:dee-mccaffrey-cdc&catid=37:health-news&Itemid=72

What I’m about

I believe in living life to the fullest, and enjoying every minute of it. I think there are a few things we should be responsible about… so that we can have the most fun! Namely, taking care of our bodies so that they last a long time, and are able to do more of the things we want it to do. Other than that, I think we should help others in our community and that this will translate into helping the whole globe be a better place to live.

My New Year’s Resolution

I went last night to my favorite sub shop (Silermine) for sandwiches for my boyfriend and me. The guy working there recognized me, even remembering that I am a fitness trainer. He asked me if I even have a New Year’s Resolution… He laughed, saying I’m in shape already, and he knows I already eat healthy, so do I even need to have a Resolution? What he said really struck me. Yes, I have a New Year’s Resolution. What struck me is the freedom I have in choosing one. He’s right! While I can do better as far as eating and exercise, I will say, hopefully without sounding conceited, that I am happy with myself as far as diet and exercise. So, this time of year, I evaluate my life in many different areas, and try to find something to inspire me. I can choose from my spiritual life, my love life, my career, my social or community impact, my friendships…etc. I can pick from any of those areas. Yes, I think everyone has those same options, but it seems as though society dictates that if you are overweight, your New Year’s Resolution is supposed to be to lose weight. While I do not support media or peer pressure being the reason for change, perhaps this could be the year that you pick some small, easy changes to have a healthier lifestyle. The weight will come off gradually and safely, and then when you hit a healthy weight for you, you will keep the weight off. Then, every single year after this for the rest of your life, you can feel the same freedom as I do right now! So…you may be wondering, what is my resolution? Ok, I’ll tell! I have been working on being a better person, in ways that make a difference– actually make an impact on the community or world and make it a better place to be. I have made some small progress last year- I joined Scottsdale Leadership, and also just recently applied to be a Commissioner for the City of Scottsdale. So, one part is to continue this momentum, and, in addition, I resolve this year to increase my impact to animals. I volunteered last year at Liberty Wildlife for 6 months, doing their Orphan Care program. Now I’d like to focus on dogs. I am not sure just what I want to do. I am considering either volunteering at a shelter, or maybe being a foster “mom” to a dog from a shelter, helping it get over fears, anger, etc. I will look into my options and find the one that works for me. Best wishes to you and to your success with your resolution for this year!

Healthier Options to Splenda

I went to a talk given by Dee McCaffrey, a local nutritionist with a biochemistry background. She explained how the Splenda molecule is not truly related to a sugar molecule; in fact, it is more similar to a chemical fertilizer. I am overnight petsitting and the owners have drinks out that they left me to try. They are “slenderizing” and contain Splenda. I tried them and to me they taste like perfume! I definitely prefer just good ol’ plain water. If I need a sweetener, Dee suggested a few that are possibly even GOOD for you! They include agave nectar, Stevia drops, and even honey or maple syrup. Read her great book to find out how to use them and some great recipes! It’s called Plan-D, and I have only seen it in Sprout’s stores. Probably the best nutrition book I can recommend as a nutritionist! There are a few more on my website: www.BodyDefinitions.com/pages/nutritionalbookclub.