NBA and WNBA Encourages Fans to Live Healthy

Live Healthy Week

Congratulations to the NBA League for encouraging their fans to live healthier through its Live Healthy Week campaign, which started January 26 through February 2, 2012. During this week, fans were encouraged to set personal health goals and make better fitness and food choices. Live Healthy Week was led by a cross-functional NBA/WNBA Fit Team, who joined community members and partners to highlight the importance of healthy living.

All 30 teams and players supported Live Healthy Week. In fact, according to Black Griffin, reigning NBA Rookie of the Year, “NBA FIT Live Healthy Week is a great way to help motivate fans of all ages to stay active and maintain a healthy diet. As a professional athlete and an NBA FIT Team member, I know how important it is for me to exercise and eat well, and I encourage our fans to make healthy, active living a priority.” Other supporters included Carmelo Anthony of the New York Knicks, James Harden of the Oklahoma City Thunder, Jameer Nelson of the Orlando Magic, Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls and Kemba Walker of the Charlotte Bobcats, all of which are members of the 2012 NBA FIT Team.

Even though the campaign has come to an end, it’s never too late to pledge to eat healthier! So visit the NBA Fit Live Healthy website and pledge http://www.nba.com/nbafit/personalpledge.jsp. You can also follow NBA Cares on Twitter @nbacares and “Like” them on Facebook.

About NBA/WNBA FIT: NBA FIT Live Healthy Week features grassroot programs and events, special oncourt apparel, and in-arena and online programming designed to inspire kids and families across the country to live active, healthy lives. The Team also works with the Let’s Move! campaign, which first lady Michelle Obama established to provide communities nationwide with resources to help kids eat healthy and get active.

The verdict is still out about the Walmart Health Initiative

First, I’ll start by saying that I am excited that Americans are finally taking an interest in becoming healthier by eating whole foods and increasing physical activity.  Second, thanks to First Lady Michelle and the Let’s Move Initiative, for continuing to raise awareness about the obesity epidemic and working to help promote a movement of change in the public health policies.  This week First Lady Michelle announced a new health program in conjunction with Walmart to offer more healthy food options in its stores.   According to Just-Food.com, Walmart plans to reduce sodium by 25% in a broad range of grocery items, including grain products, luncheon meats, salad dressings and frozen entrees; lower added sugars by 10% in dairy items, sauces and fruit drinks; and remove all remaining industrially-produced trans fats (partially hydrogenated fats and oils) in all packaged food products.  It was also reported that Walmart is committed to lowering the costs of fruits and vegetables through  a variety of tweaks throughout its supply chain, which will reduce the overall product costs.

photo credit: just-food.com

How do I feel about this new initiative?  In all honesty, I wish there were a ban on “meal in a box” food options that contained over 10 ingredients, preservatives, artificial flavorings and food engineered items that consumers cannot pronounce!  Though I know that this may not hold up in court, overall, I think that Walmart’s new health initiative is a good first step–but not the final solution– for many people who plan their family meals based on these packaged meals (likely due to time and costs).  The down side to this new program is that this “reformulation” will likely replace some ingredients with more  that may not be healthy for the body!  As for reducing the cost of fresh fruit and vegetables, I’m on the fence with this one because if the company lowers the price of fruit, then this will likely impact small farm suppliers.  Instead, I think that the reverse should happen; I think that Walmart should raise the prices of the unhealthy foods or stop offering sales such as burritos 5 for $1 or R amen Noodles 10 for $1!

Many times in rural areas, there aren’t any options for grocery shopping besides Walmart, so I plan to  keep watching this health initiative to see how things will progress and I encourage you to do the same!

For more information, visit the following sites:

http://www.ausfoodnews.com.au/2011/01/21/wal-mart-unveils-major-health-initiative.html

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/01/20/AR2011012005578.html

http://www.foodpolitics.com/2011/01/what-are-we-to-think-about-walmarts-healthy-food-initiatives/

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-01-20/wal-mart-says-it-plans-to-stock-healthier-more-affordable-food.html

Gluten-free does not mean healthy…read the labels!

Okay, I had to write this post regarding gluten-free not necessarily meaning healthy. I get so sick of new products being introduced to the market as gluten-free, but only to find in the ingredients list that it is made with a bunch of hard to pronounce ingredients that are crap for the body! Time and time again, I have heard so many people say, “It’s gluten-free so it’s healthy.” This is a huge, huge assumption.

I am gluten-free and a healthy conscience eater. I do not eat foods with artificial flavorings and try to stay with the gluten-free whole grain flours, etc. So, it’s more than just about eating gluten-free, it’s about eating healthy first. That’s the most important thing and I wish that manufacturers would stop trying to just “get in the game” by making products with unhealthy ingredients and look to make gluten-free products that are healthier for the body! So, in the event that this doesn’t happen soon, we must take charge and make the right decisions for our total well-being. Don’t just get so happy when mainstream manufacturers launch a gluten-free product. Do your due diligence and read the labels and make sure that the product has healthy gluten-free ingredients.

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Sometimes It’s Hard

Sometimes it’s hard to:

• eat organic food because it potentially costs more than non-organic food.
• avoid eating fried foods when you grew up eating it every day.
• exercise everyday when you don’t have an exercise facility near your house.
• stop eating fast foods when you have to work 8 hours a day and take care of others.
• lose 5 pounds when you have a medical problem that causes you to gain weight no matter what you eat or do.
• stop eating sweets when you are trying to “cut back”.
• have a positive attitude about life when you know that you aren’t where you need to be in terms of your overall health.

I have felt these challenges and wanted to just give up, at some point in my life!  Nothing that I tried to do worked for me.  The more I tried, the more stressed I got; which led to more frustration and problems; the cycle just kept repeating.  One day I realized that I was my own worst enemy.  I kept putting unnecessary pressure on myself, which caused me to have more health challenges.  Have you ever felt this way?

 

If you are currently feeling frustrated, talk to someone—anyone!  It can be your doctor, a counselor, a friend, a support group, or even me.  I have found that by expressing my feelings with someone, encourage and help me to see the big picture—that I am on right path of living a healthy whole life!

 

So, as you prepare for a new week, sit down for a few minutes and assess what’s going on in your life.  Strive to make small changes in your eating habits.  I want you to join me and live a healthy, whole life.  Together, I believe that we can overcome any challenge, one day at a time!  If you are up for the challenge, email me (Rhonda@rhondascooking.com) if you want help with getting started!

 

Help…I Have a Craving for Something Sweet!

I don’t know about you, but I have huge sweet tooth!  As a matter of fact, when I first found out that I was allergic to cane sugar and yeast and intolerant to eggs and dairy, I said to myself, “How am I going to bake my cakes and pies?!”  I was devastated with a capital D!  So, instead of being angry, I decided to figure out what foods could I eat that would not only be good to eat, but also healthy.  

 

So what can you do if you are feeling like you need something sweet?  Of course the best thing to do is eat fruit especially those that are season—these are in its peak and are very sweet.  (To find out what’s in season this month, please check out my article on Summer Foods.) 

 

Here are a few foods (there are more) that you can eat to satisfy your sweet tooth cravings without putting on all the weight!  Please note that you should only select one of these listed items and eat once per day (in the quantity that’s listed)! 

 

Food	Quantity
Whole Fruit	1 or 2
Fruit Smoothies	8 – 10 oz
Fruit Sorbet	1/4cup (1scoop)
Non-dairy ice cream (Rice Dreams, Soy Dreams, etc)	1/4 cup (1 scoop)
Non-dairy ice cream bars (Rice Dreams, Soy Dreams, etc.)	1 bar
Bora Bora bars	1 bar
Cliff Bars	1 bar
Lara Bars	1 bar
Granola (Bare Naked, Feed, etc.)	1/4 cup
Enjoy Life Cookies	2 cookies
Newman’s Own cookies	2 cookies
Pamela’s Product (cookies)	2 cookies
Country Choice (cookies)	2 cookies
Rhonda’s Mini Muffins	3 muffins
Rhonda’s almond butter cookies	2 cookies
Rhonda’s Granola	1/4 cup

 

 

Eating Healthy While on Vacation

I have heard many people say, “I can eat whatever I want, I’m on vacation.”  Unfortunately, with that attitude, you may end up paying for it later!  I know that it may be hard to resist those delectable five star desserts, but sometimes you have to “just say no.”  When I was vacationing at the All Inclusive Beaches Resort in the Turks, I was exposed to every type of cuisine imaginable.  However, due to my food allergies and the fact that I am trying to keep my weight in check, I had to turn the other cheek.  So, how did I survive?  Here are a few of Rhonda’s Travel Survival Tips:

 

1.    Pack healthy snacks enough to last throughout the trip (trail mix, granola bars, rice cakes, nuts/seeds, etc.).

2.    Pack healthy beverages such as Vitamin Water or juice—be sure to use storage bags.

3.    Contact the hotel prior to arrival and inquire about the types of restaurants on site.

4.    Inform the restaurant waiter that you have food restrictions; indicate what foods will work for you.

5.    If the waiter is uncertain about what’s in the food or how it was prepared then ask to speak with the chef.

 

Preparation is important in order to maintain a healthy diet while on vacation.  Never be caught off guard and forced to eat foods that will make you pay after the vacation!