Wednesday, December 9, 2009

A thumbs up kinda day!


The treadmill has arrived! It took 2 guys, 2 hours, and a lot of patience…but it is together, operating, and ready for miles or fun. I was up at 5:30 this morning and got in 1 mile before needing to start my day. Any other morning when puppy isn’t going to camp, I’ll have plenty of time for at least 3, if not 4 or 5 miles. Needless to say, I have a steamy date (#2 for the day!) with Mr. T after work. I’m excited! Here’s what the hottie tottie looks like…



After my brief (but good!) run this morning, I was craving something cold and nutritious. So what better than a fresh fruit smoothie!? I threw in: frozen pears, peaches, bananas, pineapple, papaya, mango, kiwi, strawberries, and apple along with V8 Fusion Light (got some veggies in there, technically!), 100% apple cider, and fat-free milk. 






Blend and enjoy! My morning creation even got my stubborn husband eating breakfast.





I am just beginning the book Food, Inc. So far, so wonderful! I feel like I am learning a lot (more to come, I assure you!). An interesting article caught my eye in the 
ADA Daily News – Organic vs. Non-Organic.

Did you know that in order for an organic food manufacturer to receive USDA certified organic recognition, the farmer must sell more than $5,000 a year in organic foods? Otherwise, they are exempt from obtaining USDA organic certification.

Organic Facts:

-         While evidence is not conclusive, there appears to be no added nutritional benefit found in organic fruits and vegetables when compared to their non-organic counterparts.
-         Due to organic produce availability, organic foods may be sitting longer before getting shipped, or may be shipped for long periods of time. Organic produce may also sit longer before being sold due to the inflated cost associated with organic foods.
-         Most experts agree that the amount of pesticides found on non-organic fruits and vegetables poses very little health risk.
-         Organic farming aims to protect the environment in ways that conventional farming does not.
-         Organic produce costs more due to the more expensive farming practices, tighter government regulations, and lower crop yields. Organic farming practices include more labor-intensive methods of controlling weeds and pests, as well as more expensive herbicides or pesticides.
-         Seeking out local farmers can help guide you to organic produce and support of sustainable farming practices and your local communities
-         Nearly everyone could improve their health by eating more fruits and vegetables, organic or not.

On a lighter note…today was my holiday cookie taste testing at work. Surprise, surprise…more people than ever signed up to taste – 16, in fact! Considering there’s only 35 in the office, that’s a huge success!



Here’s the set-up! Notice the “Taste Testers Only” sign. Lots of employees get into the goodies on taste test days. I know free food is great, but I’m holding strong to my $1 request from participants. Money doesn’t grow on trees, ya know!? And until RD’s getting a major pay raise, I’ll be needing those dollars!


 (I wanted to know their favorite cookie!)


Biggest Loser Finale



I avoided Blogland last night as I didn't get to finish the last 20 minutes of BL til this morning. While I am happy Danny won (yay Oklahoma!), I am slightly perturbed at a 239-pound (239, right?) weight-loss in SEVEN MONTHS. I don't know, that's just completely...not right. From the bottom of my heart, I hope the contestants have instilled healthful eating and exercise habits that will last them a lifetime.

Did anyone else think Allison Sweeny looked healthy and...stunning?

Question: What’s your absolutely favorite kind of cookie?

 
P.S. Check out Steph Chow's Cookie Exchange! I'm in!

16 comments:

  1. Thanks so much for the shout out!! So which cookie won???

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  2. I love Mrs Fields Chocolate Chip Cookies but not the prepackaged ones...they have to be from the actual store so they are nice and warm yuuuums!

    I am so jealous of your treadmill! It is my dream to have one in my apt but I am not really sure how my downstairs neighbor will feel about that since he already hates when I workout with dvd's grrrrr.

    Dude did Tracy scare you? cause she scared me hahaha and yup Allison looked amazing!

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  3. YAY for the treadmill!! that is awesome! ive never seen the biggest loser.. i feel like im totally missing out?!?! i can see how you dont like pita pit-either you love it or hate it.

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  4. We watched BL last night. They all looked good! I never buy cookies, I make my own. They taste better and are better than the packaged stuff. I hope Thomas can help you. Keep me posted. He is the best!

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  5. Yeah, Allison looked great, but both Danny and Tracey lost a bit too much, in my opinion. Tracey look emaciated, like skeletor!

    Love the new treadmill, it looks like something I would absolutely love. When we have more room I want to get an elliptical, or a treadmill.

    It's ok that you didn't know about Clean Eating, I didn't know much about it either. While we are on the subject of "new things learned" I had NO IDEA you had to sell $5000 worth of product in order to be considered for organic certification. That is crazy. No wonder many of the local farmers aren't organic, makes sense now!

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  6. Hooray for the treadmill! That thing looks fabulous. Gotta love being able to stay in top shape even when the weather isn't cooperating. :)

    Can't wait to hear the results of your taste test!

    xxoo
    Heather

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  7. Congrats on the treadmill! It's so nice to have workout options... :)

    My favorite cookie: My mom makes some jam-filled sugar cookies, and they are REALLY good.

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  8. I thought Alyson looked awesome too except for the weird frill on the front of her dress. Both Tracy and Rebecca looked too skinny too me.

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  9. Treadmills are great, especially in the winter. I'm so glad that you got it all set up.

    Looking forward to the taste tests!

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  10. Great insights on Organics. I really want to read this book. It's on my Reading List so hopefully I will get around to it soon.

    What a great idea of having a Cookie Tasting at work! You guys really prove that even RD's are entitled to some delightful cookies (I hate that so many people think that RD's or nutritionist don't eat cookies or cake! That's crap!)

    Have fun with your new toy! :)

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  11. Wow I totally would pay $1 to taste test cookies, yum!

    Enjoy your new treadmill!

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  12. OK I don't really get your list about organic foods? I thought for sure you were taking an anti organic side, until your 7th or so point when it all the sudden it seemed you were all pro organic?? You confused me:) I would like to dispute, however, that "most experts agree the amount of pesticides found on non-organic fruits and vegetables poses very little health risk." I suppose it depends who you ask, but there are PLENTY of "experts" (what exactly constitutes an expert:) btw...?) who think that pesticides pose a very serious health risk. anyway..

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  13. Jenny, thanks for your comment. The list is a summary of the Chicago Tribune article linked above -- Organic vs. Non-Organic. For what it's worth, I do tend to side with the "pesticides should be avoided due to potential health risks" side of that debate. I liked the summary in the article because it did represent valid reasons for and against organic foods.

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  14. Congrats on the treadmill...perfect timing with winter rapidly approaching! (Okay, there is snow on the ground, so it is here...I'm in denial). :-) That is so exciting!

    I thought Ali looked SO gorgeous - she is such a great role model, I think! And, yeah...on the "Where Are They Now?" special of the BL, they said the contestants have to exercise on AVERAGE 2 hours a day to maintain their weightloss. Holy cow?! I hope none of them go/have gone to unhealthy extremes. Tracey looked almost scary, and Rebecca (while gorgeous!) was a little borderline. I'm SO thrilled Danny won!!

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  15. Congrats on your new baby! I had no idea Food, Inc. was also a book? It's interesting to read these facts about organic vs. non organic. I had no idea about the "wait time" before they even hit the gorcery shelves - definitely peaks my interest to learn more!

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  16. Good to know!!! Thanks Nicole:) PS you need to do that whole reply comment email thing... when i try to respond to your comments I get: "noreply-comment@blogger.com" its somewhere in your dashboard email settings... everybody's doing it!!! ;-)

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