Thinking about trying a tri-atholon?  Or maybe you want to cross train?  Come check out the Multi-sport conference at the Zesiger Sports and Fitness Center at MIT, March 20, 2010.  There will be seminars, clinics and competitive events to check out along with 80 sponsors exhibits.

http://www.multisportworld.com/Boston.htm

Don't beat yourself up for having that delicious chocolate cake.  You need to indulge every once in a while in the foods you love that are not necessarily healthy for you.  Just eat healthy most of the time with a variety of healthy natural foods.  Stay away from processed foods.  80/20.  If you eat healthy 80% of the time and give yourself 20% of the time for indulging....you are one step ahead of many.  Just don't make 20% of the time a habit that becomes 80%.
Here's to your health.
What foods do you like to indulge in that might not be health?

Do you want healthy food that ignites your tastebuds and isn't bland tasting?  Come check out German Lam's talents, taste his healthy creations at the 18th Annual Waltham Food and Wine Festival on March 2nd starting at 6pm at the Westin Hotel.

http://www.artsboston.org/event/detail/55215

Michelle Obama announced her “Let’s Move” initiative to eliminate childhood obesity in a generation. 
http://www.letsmove.gov/

The President appointed a Task Force on Childhood Obesity consisting of leaders of multiple federal departments and agencies. One of which, SPARK which began elementary physical education (PE) workshops in DC Public Schools, and some of the CPPW (Communities Putting Prevention to Work) grants were announced and awarded to every state!  Yipppeee.

SPARK is a research-based, public health organization dedicated to creating, implementing, and evaluating programs that promote lifelong wellness to teachers and recreation leaders serving Pre-K through 12th grade students.  In addition to major subject education, kids need to be educated on the importance of healthy eating and moving!

SPARK has been helping schools deliver activity-promoting PE for over 15 years. 
http://www.sparkpe.org/

What are schools in your area doing for kids with physical education?

Do you skip meals and then overload your system with one ginormous meal?  Your body can only digest so much at one time.  In addition, you will slow down your metabolism.  Your body will think it is starving and store the food at the next meal. 

I never recommend eating less than three to five times a day (small portions that include complex carbs and low fat proteins). Do not let four hours pass without eating. This you will not starve and then binge at your next meal.

Not everyone has the same metabolism.  In the long term, one meal a day will do more damage than good to your body. Your body will burn muscle tissue before it will burn fat. This will destroy your metabolism in the long term.  Everyone has a unique metabolism, there are no cookie cutter solutions. For most people, though, if you have a normal or slightly fast metabolism, you body will be "waiting" for more food 3-5 hours after the single meal.

Fuel your body and your mind every 3 - 5 hours.
How many meals do you eat every day?

What a great way for students to understand the benefits of eating healthy by taking part in growing and preparing their own food.  An elementary school in Brooklyn, NY is ripping up a parking lot to build a kitchen classroom.  Students will be able to share foods they have grown themselves.

Read the complete article at New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/20/dining/20edible.html?scp=3&sq=Alice%20Waters&st=cse

"Where does lettuce come from?"
"The store."
will not be something you will hear from the children.

What are your thoughts?  Expensive?  But a good way for kids to learn with hands on experiences.

Chocolate, you say?  But of course, everything in moderation!

Researchers have discovered that eating moderate amounts of flavanol-rich dark chocolate has a blood-thinning effect, which can benefit cardiovascular health, and it may also boost the immune system by reducing inflammation.

So why not chocolate with fruit??  Like apricots, which are full of beta-carotene, Vitamin A and fiber.
Chocolate covered apricots
Ingredients

1/3 cup sugar
2 strips lemon zest
1 cinnamon stick
1 cup water
24 dried apricots, (about 1/4 pound)
2 ounces bittersweet (not unsweetened) chocolate, coarsely chopped
1 tablespoon chopped peeled pistachios

Preparation

   1. Line a baking sheet with wax paper and place a wire rack on top.
   2. Combine sugar, lemon zest, cinnamon stick and water in a small saucepan; bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer for 3 minutes. Add apricots and gently simmer just until tender, 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer the apricots with a slotted spoon to the rack. Let cool completely.
   3. Melt chocolate in a small metal bowl set over a pan of barely simmering water. Dip half of a poached apricot in the chocolate, letting excess drip off. Sprinkle some chopped pistachios over the chocolate half and return the apricot to the rack. Repeat with the remaining apricots. (You will have some melted chocolate left over.) Refrigerate until the chocolate has set, about 20 minutes.

Store in an airtight container, with wax paper between each layer, in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Nutrition

Per candy: 43 calories; 1 g fat (0 g sat, 0 g mono); 0 mg cholesterol; 9 g carbohydrates; 0 g protein; 1 g fiber; 0 mg sodium; 107 mg potassium.

Trying to cut down on your portions?  Try using smaller bowls or plates when you serve yourself something...maybe even smaller utensils too.

Studies have shown when people are served something, such as ice cream, in a larger bowl; there is a tendency to eat more than if served the same item in a smaller bowl.  In addition, if you serve yourself that ice cream using a bigger spoon, we are more apt to scoop more than if we used a smaller spoon.

So if you want to eat less, try using smaller plates, bowls and utensils. 

What tricks do you do to watch your portions?