Disgusted

I know I recently wrote a post regarding my amazing weekend in NYC at ECA. And it may seem to0 early for another one, but I feel so compelled by the article at which I am staring right now, that I had to get this out! I am disgusted, shocked and angered by a recent issue of the member only publication "Costco Connection" So your first question may be: "Jennifer reads magazines from Costco?" And rightly so. Not really. Actually, I believe Costco might contribute to our culture's demise. I certainly do not promote the processed and packaged foods that line the shelves and aisles of most grocery stores, much less in bulk form. Regardless, it happened to come to my apartment here in NYC addressed to my grandmother. And although my first impulse was to throw it out, I figured I would peruse it to see what America is reading. Or more appropriately, what Costco is pushing.

Originally, I was disgusted at the cover celebrating "The People's Court", Costco's food court. It illustrates many happy people, young and old, eating pizza, Coke, hot dogs and Polish sausage and praising it's "25 years of serving up value." How about 25 years of serving up heart attacks, fat, processed food and an overdose of sodium? I think that would have been a better tag-line. And I am well aware of the state of our economy, however, eating cheap processed foods does not equal value. It is a recipe for sky rocketing health costs, hospital stays and an increasing amount of people becoming overweight, unhealthy and depressed.

However, I am very cognizant of how big industry works with millions of dollars in advertising spent to ensure people spend money at their store, with a blatant disregard for our society's health, wellness and overall happiness. So while I am disgusted, I am not shocked.

What I found on page 49 of this issue however, did absolutely appal, shock and infuriate me. Jorge Cruise, a proclaimed "internationally acclaimed health expert" wrote an article called "Shrinking Those Waists" about his new report/book, "The Belly Fat Cure". In it, he promotes his theory, the "S/C Value," which he claims is the key to eating smarter instantly and start losing belly fat by ensuring you get the right amount of sugar and carbs. Ok, I'm having trouble even knowing where to start here . . . let me begin by quoting one of Jorge's 'success' stories. "The best thing is . . . I got to eat things I never though I could eat, like chocolate, Doritos and ice cream." WOW. That sounds like the epitome of a healthy person, doesn't it? Yes, Karen's waistline may have shrunk, but at what cost? Can you tell me what about Doritos and ice cream resembles good health? And balance and nutrients? BUT she DID follow Jorge's wonderful "S/C Value" which aims for no more than 15 grams of sugar and six servings of carbohydrates each day.

Well, I don't know Jorge. I have a steaming bowl of oatmeal or barley with stewed figs or prunes, ginger, cinnamon and almond slices, plus agave nectar every day, and my belly is pretty darn flat. (I think I am already over double your daily recommended intake of carbs and sugar!!!) But I know what is in my food and where it comes from . . . there are no hidden ingredients. It is a whole meal complete with loads of cancer preventing fiber, and natural, digestible sugars. And it sustains me well into the mid afternoon. I don't snack. I am full and satisfied. And I eat it because it is what MY body needs.

What really angers and astounds me are Jorge's answers to the questions posted. When one person inquired about carbohydrate portions, Jorge replies:

Using the S/C Value, one serving of carbs is anything that has 5 to 20 grams of carbohydrates. One of my favorite examples is 27 Cheez-Its; with just 17 grams of carbs, this snack counts as a 1 on the S/C Value. The added bonus is that Cheez-Its don't have any sugar, so their S/C Value is 0/1.

Again, words can not describe how upsetting this is to me. Millions of people look to Jorge for health and wellness expertise and he is serving up this?!? In another question he disses bananas. In a nutshell, Jorge would rather you eat CHEEZ-ITS than a banana because of their "S/C Value". Do me a favor. Go read the ingredients on a box of Cheez-Its and compare it to the ingredients of a banana. And then tell me, honestly, what does your body intuitively decide is better nourishment? Last time I checked, there were no CHEEZ-IT trees or bushes in my back yard. Not to mention the suggestion that people now have to count how many Cheez-Its they are eating. A sure way for people to begin obsessive calorie counting and mind games when it comes to eating. Trust me, I've been there. And how many people do you know stop at a mere 27 Cheez-Its? Those snacks are filled with ingredients that induce addictive eating.

Then comes my favorite part. In the last question on the page, a reader requests a sample breakfast for "The Belly Fat Cure". Here is Jorge's recommendation:

A quick and easy breakfast on The Belly Fat Cure is two Eggo waffles with butter, two to three scrambled eggs (depending on how hungry you are) with salt and pepper, and one Morningstar Farms sausage patty. This whole breakfast has just a 2/2 S/C Value. Or you could add one more sausage patty and skip the waffles and your entire breakfast would have a 0/1 S/C value.

Excuse me, I have to pick up my jaw off the floor. I wonder how much money Jorge has been paid to mention Eggo and Morningstar Farms in his recommendation? This disgusts and truly incites me. I don't have to read the label of these products to know the nutritional value of these foods (aside from the eggs . . . which I'm surprised he didn't throw out some brand name) is pretty much zilch. Very little fiber. Very processed. And very wrong. If time and convenience are his motivation, I bet I could whip up a healthier, more nutritious and satisfying meal faster than you can say "Leggo my Ego."

Here is the worst part. After reading this article, I of course went to Jorge's website where I discovered a picture of him and a smiling Dr. Oz, Jorge's mentor. I am ashamed that Jorge insinuates that someone as well renowned and admired in the field of health and wellness as Dr. Oz endorses his philosophy and recommendations. And nor am I exactly thrilled that Dr. Oz would support Jorge's efforts if he recommends foods such as the items mentioned above.

If this is what the health and wellness industry has become, we are in trouble and have a long, hard fight ahead of us. It's time for these so called 'experts' to stop lying to people and promoting absurd quick schemes for weight loss just to make a buck. As fitness professionals, health and wellness consultants, and leaders in our industry, it is our duty to guide people inward to re-discover their intuitive sense of eating. To encourage them to take responsibility for their own health and happiness rather than relying on one size-fits-all plans to reduce a number on a scale. To inspire them to live up to the amazing potential each and every one of us has inside. Only then will we have a happier, healthier and more loving world.

Food and Health and Being a SKINNY BITCH!

It's been bombarding me lately. All the talk, news, buzz about ORGANIC. So I saw it as a sign to blog about it.

How important is it really?  I'll tell you what.  Pick up a copy of the SKINNY BITCH book by Rory Freedman and Kim Barnouin and you'll never want to touch anything that could remotely be considered an animal or a by-product of an animal again.  That includes DAIRY people.  And eggs.  And fish.  Of course I really got going on the book right after my egg white fritatta yesterday and a trip to Maui in which I consumed enough fish to feed a small family.  Hey, when in Rome!

Anyway, back to the book.  I've heard about it for a long time and even met the authors to discuss their upcoming fitness DVD's by the same title.  But oddly enough, never read it.  It happened to be sitting on my friend's shelf, calling my name the night prior to my departure to paradise.  Looked like an easy read which is EXACTLY what you want on a vacation to Hawaii, right?

In a nutshell, they support everything I've said for the past two years or so.   Plant based diets are best.  However, they go into much more graphic detail about the meat and poultry industry that I can't even begin to discuss here.  READ IT.  It will blow your mind and keep you as far away from that section of the grocery store as you can possibly be.  Granted, I didn't follow up on their accounts and sources, but just the idea of the possibility of what goes on in the ranching and farming industries, and to what extent our government goes to protect corporate interests at the expense of OUR HEALTH disgusts me. I've been bitching about it recently as well ... somehow I am paying an arm and a leg for health insurance which won't cover the doctors I see to prevent me from getting sick (i.e. holistic health practitioners like chiropractors, herbalists, meditation healers, etc.) but supports a health care system that thrives on keeping people sick and then prescribing drugs to help them 'get better'.  Bullshit.  I haven't been sick in about six years (aside from a nasty 24 hour stomach flu here and there) and that's because I spend the money to take care of myself.  Someone reimburse me for that.  Not likely. 

Ok, so I've gone off on a total tangent.  But it's all related.  Diet and disease.  It is not rocket science.  You know what is good for you and what isn't.  I've been saying this for years, and Rory and Kim will back me up.  READ YOUR FOOD LABELS!!!!  Do you know what hell "sodium acetate, red 40 or disodium inosinate" is?  My spell check doesn't even recognize these words.  Yet they are just three of the unfathomable ingredients in Doritos Cool Ranch "100 Calorie" mini bites.  Ah yes, shit food posing as 'diet food'.  Because, somehow, if it's smaller and in a little package, it's better for you.  These people are smoking crack.

Sorry for the somewhat 'strong' language here.  Not my usual tone, I know. But sometimes, it's the only way to go.  And Rory and Kim will set your ass straight in the same way.  Straightforward, direct, no b.s.  I'm all about it. 

And click here for another great article on the home page of the New York Times today in the Health section.  People so often confuse organic with vegetarian or vegan.  NOT the same.  Organic is a term reserved for HOW food is produced or grown: without pesticides, toxins, or hormones. (that's the short version of the definition!) Whereas vegan or vegetarian refers to WHAT food is or made with.  Basically a plant based diet.  My favorite quote from the article is this one: "If you don't eat meat at every meal, if meat becomes more of a side dish than a centerpiece, you can fill the plate with healthy organic food for about the same price." Which debunks the myth that organic always means more money.  NOT TRUE! 

My recommendations?  Read all you can about nutrition and health and decide for yourself.  Do you REALLY want to get healthy?  Do you REALLY want to have more energy and as Rory and Kim so fabulously put it, become a "Skinny Bitch"?!?  Then toughen up and take the steps necessary to put you on that path.  I'm not saying you have to go drastic.  Start making small changes. Email me with any questions you may have.  It's not about saying 'NO' to food.   It's about saying 'YES' to a healthy, vibrant and happy life. Love, Live and Laugh.