Finding the Culprint

My belly has not been happy lately. Painful cramps, uneasiness ...and a slew of fun things that we are just going to skip over ;)... I've had to resort to medicines more often than I should.

I know this is not how I was created to live life although I can't seem to pinpoint the cause of all the stomach upset. I suspect a few causes but have no proof.

So I am thinking of spending the next several weeks after I am officially moved in playing around with my diet to find the culprit.
It would go something like this:

Each week I will maintain my normal diet while eliminating one aspect. If that week is pain-free, I'll be closer to figuring out what is causing my problems. Easy enough.

I currently follow a vegetarian diet.

Week 1: Dairy

Week 2: Soy

Week 3: Added sugar

Week 4: Gluten

Week 5: Artificial sweeteners

Week 6: Processed foods

I'm open to suggestions- do you have nay ideas? Do you have any food allergies or food aversions? How did you find out about them?

How Do You Flax?

I first tried flax crackers at a farmer's market in downtown Orlando and knew I had to make my own! After buying some whole flax seeds in Whole Foods bulk department, I was finally ready to make them the other night. I'm glad I did!

I used the Flaxseed Cracker Recipe here.

Modifications: I don't like how this recipe uses so much butter so I used about 1/3 less. I also used more flax and less flour. And I used soy milk and whole wheat flour. I also added some fun spices like paprika, garlic salt and nutritional yeast.

Make sure to press the crackers thin before you bake them. Also- don't overcook! These taste weird crispy (in my opinion).
So good! These crackers are a great way to get in some good-for-you flax. You can eat the crackers plain, dipped in soup or topped with jam!

Whole Foods has a great page all about omega-3-rich flax- there are too many benefits to list!

Beating Colon Cancer

I've received some sad news tonight: someone in David's family in New York was just diagnosed with colon cancer. This news definitely takes us by shock. She went to the doctor after some pains and this was the diagnosis. The last doctor said there is no treatment and she only has a limited time. So she's getting a second opinion tomorrow.

The whole thing is terrible. But since we can't dwell on the problem I started to think of solutions- and ways to prevent anyone else getting the same news.

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With 655,000 deaths worldwide per year, colon cancer is the third most common form of cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related death in the Western world. source

A recent report claims colon cancer is 24% less common among physically active people.

A 2004 MSNBC article claims colon cancer is preventable.

It is estimated that up to 70 percent of colon cancers could be prevented with only moderate changes in diet and lifestyle.

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Insulin: The new IT issue in colon cancer
One prime suspect now is insulin resistance.Insulin resistance could explain why inactive and overweight people, especially with excess weight around the waist, are more likely to develop colon cancer.

Diet: Meat
Frequent consumption of red meat or processed meat is a risk in many studies. Processed meat contains substances that can develop into carcinogenic compounds. Fatty red meat is high in saturated fat, which is the most damaging type of fat.

Diet: Calcium
Consuming enough calcium is the latest strategy to lower colon cancer risk. Calcium might be especially important for those with a high-fat diet. By binding fatty acids and bile acids – both of which promote cancer – in our digestive tract, calcium may protect the colon.

Diet: Fiber
For a long time, fiber has been considered a vital colon cancer fighter. It was consistently significant in laboratory experiments and high in the diets of populations with low colon cancer risk. But now large studies that followed people for years cast doubt on this link.

Exercise
Although physical activity does not change colon cancer risk in all studies, it is a key part of any risk reduction plan. The latest National Cancer Institute (NCI) review of steps to prevent colon cancer reports that activity lowers risk 40 to 50 percent on average.

Activity’s effectiveness might be related to its tendency to prevent weight gain, or directly affect insulin levels. The American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) recommends an hour of moderate activity daily.

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When we're young and healthy it is really easy to only think of exercise and diet in terms of appearance. But we have spouses and families and friends that will count on us. We've got to wake up and see that oatmeal, brussel sprouts, bananas and spinach are what can keep us healthy and vibrant. Don't take your bites for granted- every bite and every step is an opportunity.

Do you have any experience with colon cancer or other cancers? How have your experiences affected your diet/lifestyle, if at all?

p.s.- Please say a prayer for David's aunt. her family needs her for a long time to come!

Reviewing EAS!

Tristan from EAS was nice enough (and so sweet!) to send me some products from the EAS line to sample. Especially since I'm training for my half marathon in January, I'm looking into foods/drinks that provide my body with what it needs to keep up with my training. 

Reviews

The Myoplex Deluxe Bar in Smores was huge! 

Likes:

- This bar was huge. I could cut a piece off and save the rest of the bar for other post-workout snacks.

- It really sticks to you. I promise it will keep your belly full!

- It is tasty. This tastes just like a candy bar. Can anyone say Snickers??

- The sugar content is pretty low and the protein is HIGH!

Dislikes:

- High maltose corn syrup, fractionated palm oil, ferric orthophosphate... seriously, I am having trouble even spelling many of these ingredients. For someone who favors nourishing their body with organic this and whole that, these ingredients are a bit hard to swallow.

- The size! I know I listed it as a positive, too. It might be a negative for those of you who can't always save the rest for later... or have issues with portion control! (330 calories can be a good meal substitute!)

- 6g saturated fat? Eeek!

This is the nutrition. It also has TONS of vitamins and minerals.. which is a plus.

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EAS also sent me a few drinks to try out! Myoplex Lite Ready-to-Drink in Strawberry Cream was my favorite of the drinks. The other flavors were Chocolate Fudge and French Vanilla.

Likes:

- The strawberry flavor was GOOD.

- The shakes are really thick. They actually have substance.

- The shake split into 1/2's were great pre- and post-workout snacks.

- These shakes really kept me full!

- 20g protein for 170 calories? I think it's a deal.

- No saturated fat.

- They are portable... just like little juice boxes!

Dislikes:

- The French Vanilla tasted too rich and fake for me.

- Again, the issue with the ingredients. I like shorter ingredient lists. 

Overall: I wouldn't recommend you all to eat these products every day. The ingredients intimidate me a little. I would recommend it for a once- or twice-a-week treat for something that tastes yummy, gives you a huge kick of protein and vitamins and staying protein power. After trying these, I would buy something from the EAS line.

You can get your free sample here!

Have you had any of these products? Leave your review in the comments!

Dear Self

Yes, the scale was up. Don't act so surprised.

Inspirational notes everywhere, a personal trainer, fresh produce, fancy workout gear and plans galore will not get you to your goal if you don't put the effort in with nutrition. You know the calorie range that makes you lose. You know that that is what makes progress.

So if you continue to sneak that extra snack in at work because you're just so hungry or if your post-workout snack turns into a sampling of the entire kitchen, you will gain weight. Follow the plan (even when it is a little tough) and move toward the right direction.

You can do this.