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I am not sure when the alerts stopped; that awareness just occurred to me yesterday as I headed south on I-95. (Another driving moment.) A distant and faint memory; one that many will be unfamiliar with in 2012. Growing up, television stations/networks were required periodically to stop all programming and for about 30 seconds, as I recall, give a cautionary loud auditory warning signal which was followed by the unforgettable directive: This is only a test. If this had been a real emergency . . .

Today, we have a real emergency, and it has nothing to do with the Russians, Iranians or China. It is ours alone.

As a population, we are “overweight and obese “. The food guidelines that have been offered up are wrought with special interests, greed and dishonesty. The primary purpose of these guidelines is to provide the public with information on what to eat, but sadly we are instead influenced by catchy slogans and slick advertising campaigns. America’s food consumption is lagging behind the USDA’s recommendations. Our nation spends about 3.8 trillion dollars on its annual budget and spends absolutely nothing promoting the food guidelines or healthy eating. When was the last time you saw an ad suggesting we eat vegetables or exercise? Ask your child, where a carrot comes from; the first comment probably won’t be from the ground! Isn’t it time to wonder why a wealthy country that has reached pandemic weight and obesity issues refuses to budget funds to begin campaigns of “eating awareness” to its children–or to those who feed them? “We are what we eat”–right? What can I do today?
First, the red alert:
1.) Avoid anything with Trans-fat. They are simply a metabolic poison. Check at labels.
2.) Avoid Soda pop. Period. There is nothing healthy about this beverage, “diet”or not.
3.) Choose your carbohydrates carefully. There are better cereals than corn flakes, Lucky Charms or Trix and alternatives to fat-free sauces, orange juice. Low fat yogurt is misleading; skip it. Baked potatoes and fat-free cake also lead to weight gain. Foods like these have a high glycemic index because they are rapidly absorbed. Better choices will not give a sudden spike and then the all too familiar blood sugar crash which sends us all running for something else to eat to quiet those pangs of hunger. Instead try Kasha, quinoa, or steel-cut oats. Try fresh lemon and olive oil. A whole fresh grapefruit or apple. Skip the dairy all together. Sweet potatoes are a better alternative, and if you really need the cake, have a small slice of the real thing–or natures gift, a fresh seasonal fruit selection. And, FYI, the mango’s have been heavenly this year!

An excuse of “not enough time” is only resistance. Ask yourself, “what am I committed to?”

For a fast, healthy breakfast that you can take with you in the car, try making a green shake. It will take you less time to make and clean up than going through the drive through. This is something that really “does a body good”! Try this for a week, and see how you feel. 🙂

Make your internal guidance your Emergency broadcast system. Imagine the new directive: the green challenge. How many veggies did you eat today?
Be Well!

• In Vitamix, place all ingredients, blend and enjoy the benefits of health and vitality!

2-3 generous handfuls of baby organic spinach

2-4 leaves of organic kale.  (I use the leaves and save the big stems for my green juice.)

A big handful of fresh organic sunflower sprouts

1 ripe avocado scooped and placed in blender (The seed has more phytonutrients than the actual ‘fruit’-feel free to add it to your shake.  The Vitamix will easily incorporate it into the shake!)

1 ripe banana (Option: I like to freeze mine and just break them into 2-3 pieces.  Peel before freezing and put them into a zip lock bag.)

1-2 scoops  “live” organic powdered greens and reds

(Optional) scoop of organic protein powder—such as Sun Warrior or GreenOrganicsInternational

Udo’s Oil  3-6-9 to taste

Blend, pour and Go!

Filed under: Exercise Benefits, Good Eats, Healthy Living | Tagged: Childhood Obesity, Healthy Food for Children, healthy living, Obese Nation |