The Golden Arches

So, I've been working on a presentation for my social problems class on negative body image, focusing mainly on the extremes of obesity and eating disorders. I've been watching a lot of clips on this subject, and this afternoon Chris and I were watching one on McDonald's.

I feel bad for McDonald's- they get so much flack for being a successful business. It really bothers me when I hear of people suing MickeyD's for compensation for their obesity. Yes, McDonald's food is absolutely horrible for you and if you eat a lot of it for an extended period of time you will gain weight and become unhealthy. However, McDonald's meets health codes and nutrition info is available online.

Eating excessive amounts of McDonald's and suffering the consequences is your problem; this is a self control issue- not a restaurant/business issue. Just like any bogus product, we have the choice not to buy it. The freedoms that we enjoy enable businesses to grow and thrive in America and we have the freedom to choose what we eat and what we spend our money on. Maybe instead replacing blame off of yourself, we could fix the problem instead of suing the symptom.

I'll get off my soap box now, I just had to get that off my chest.

Oil Pulling

I first heard about oil pulling a few months ago when a friend posted about it on Facebook. I felt totally lame because I didn't know what it was, so I Googled it. Due to my crazy early-morning work schedule I wasn't able to fit it into my routine, so I forgot about it. Anyway, now that I don't work early and I do have time in the morning, I decided to try it.

For those of you who don't know what OP is....it a holistic approach to detox your body on a regular basis. Basically, you swish (without gargling) 1 tablespoon of edible oil (any kind that you can stand to have in your mouth, however vegetable oil and canola oil are discouraged) on an empty stomach each morning for 20 minutes. The oil detracts toxins through your saliva and stores it in the oil until you spit it out. After, you brush your teeth and eat (like normal) and go throughout your day.
Based on my readings, the following are some of the benefits of oil pulling:

-Increased Metabolism (good for healthy weight loss. Score.)

-Whiter Teeth/Pinker Gums

-Fresher Breath (all that nasty bacteria is gone!)

-Harmful toxins out of your body

-Increased amounts of energy

I was skeptical...it seems like a lot of promises for such a small thing. After talking to a few people who oil pull and hearing nothing but good things about it, I decided to try it this morning. 

I used extra virgin olive oil. It was kind of gross at first, but after about 2-3 minutes I got used to it (It kinda tasted like a diluted version of the butter they put on your popcorn at the movies....just without the popcorn). I recommend having a few paper towels close by, just in case some oil squirts out while your swishing. I watched some Hulu to help keep my mind off of it, and the 20 minutes flew. My mouth felt so clean (after rinsing out the oil, haha) and I am going to keep it up to see what my results will be.

For those of you interested in trying Oil Pulling, here are some of the articles I've read. I would definitely suggest to read up on the type of oils you can use, just so you don't make yourself sick.

How to Oil Pull for Health-eHow

Natural Health: Oil Pulling

Oil Pulling: A Wonderful Therapy

FAQ: Oil Pulling

Oil Pulling Cures...

Let me know how it goes!

Pita Pizzas

It's lunch week & I am here to share a ChangeOne recipe with you.

Pita Pizzas!

Basically, you take a piece of whole wheat pita, spread 2 Tablespoons of tomato sauce, and add your toppings (being calorie conscious, of course). On this beauty I added deli ham, potato slices, and mozzarella (the healthiest cheese); finished off with garlic salt, chives, and Italian seasoning. It was legit.

Try it. Let me know how you like it!

Weigh-In

So....I weighed in yesterday.

Down one pound.

Ok, ok....I know that one pound is nothing, but at least I didn't gain or stay the same. A loss is a loss in my mind. 

I've also noticed that my wedding ring is fitting slightly looser. Sweet.

I am feeling better- less moody and exhausted for no reason. 

Looks like progress to me! :)

ChangeOne: Week 2

Week 2: Lunch (Roughly 350 Calories)

Basic Menu:

1 grain or starch (two slices of sandwich bread, a tennis ball sized potato or roll, or serving of pasta/rice)

1 protein (thin palm-sized slice of cheese, a small burger patty, or 3 CD-sized pieces of lunch meat)

1 fruit (one piece or equivalent amount of melon/berries)
Vegetables (as much as you want)
VARIATIONS: soups, salads, wraps, or chili (all done in sensible portion sizes)

Week One: Recap

I have loved my first week of ChangeOne! I really feel like I've learned a lot and become so much more aware of Breakfast and how it affects my day. Here are a few pearls of wisdom I've picked up along my first week:
-Breakfast sets the tone for the day. You have heard it a million times; Breakfast is the most important meal of the day & People who eat breakfast weigh less. Well, its true. I found that on mornings when I ate a (quote, unquote) "Big Breakfast" I stayed full longer and snacked less- which means that I ended up eating less calories throughout the day. Score.
-Breakfast foods work for lunch and dinner. There is absolutely nothing wrong with having an omelet for lunch or a waffle for dinner.
Now that I have begun to establish a good breakfast habit, I feel ready to take on a slightly harder area...Lunch! Eating a good breakfast usually left me too full for lunch at the "normal" time and I usually ended up snacking until dinner instead, so this week will take some experimenting to find the right time and size for my lunch.  

Tomorrow starts Week Two and I have my first weigh-in.  

Wish me luck!

Subway

My husband and I hit up Subway today...they had these amazing new chips:

I love them! They are healthy too (well, as healthy as chips can be). We split a bag and a footlong. It was the perfect amount of food.

In other news, Chris entered a weight loss contest at WorldGym this week. He has really cracked down on his diet and has been to the gym every day this week. I am so proud of him! The winner last year won a trip for 2 to Hawaii!

Things are going well, I am really feeling like I am improving...one baby step at a time.