Defying Stereotypes

Recently, in New York City, I enjoyed a meal at Slice, The Perfect Food. The restaurant’s menu reads:

Stop pizza profiling! Millions of Americans assume that because pizza is pizza, it must be bad for them. But nothing could be more unjust. As SLICE proves, pizza can be more than the stereotype suggests. It can be HEALTHY, WHOLESOME, and ORGANIC, yet still utterly delicious.

Amen!

At Slice, I opted for "The Radha," described as honey whole wheat crust, organic hummus, kalamata olives, and fresh bruschetta topping. The rectangular, crunchy crust was the perfect foundation for the flavorful hummus, tomatoes, olives, onions, and spinach. As promised, the pizza was healthy and yummy.

Another pizza restaurant that defies all stereotypes is the Pizza Research Institute in Eugene, Oregon. Several years have passed since my visit to Eugene, but I can still visualize the most unique, delicious, and nutrient-dense pizza I’ve ever tasted. I ordered the "chef’s choice," a concoction of fifteen DIFFERENT vegetables and fruits. The chef’s creativity is astounding. On the crispy crust, among a phenomenal array of produce, sat a juicy slice of peach, a perfectly seasoned cauliflower floret, and a small chunk of corn on the cob!

Pizza CAN be nutritious. A whole grain crust, topped with tomato sauce, an assortment of colorful veggies, and a light sprinkling of cheese (or tofu) can be a good source of dietary fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. When preparing pizza at home, consider using whole wheat pita or flatout bread for a crunchy, portion-controlled crust. And, be creative. Have you ever tried a Mexican "pizza"(featuring salsa, black beans, and veggies)? ¡Qué rico!

Resolve to improve your life

Did you make a New Year's resolution? Studies show that 80% of Americans who make New Year’s resolutions do not follow through. The findings suggest that success depends on creating goals that are realistic, specific, measurable, and fun. In addition, keeping track of progress and being prepared for inevitable obstacles are key.

Which area of your life are you ready to improve? How committed are you? Can you identify one goal that is measurable, practical, and fun?

If the word "exercise" makes you wince, come up with a fun way to burn extra calories this year. Perhaps you would enjoy an hour of wii or wii fitness two or three times per week? Wii tennis and wii boxing can be excellent cardio workouts. And, Wii fitness will keep track of your progress for you.

To be successful, lose the “all” or “nothing” mentality. Many of us are either “on” or “off” a program. We label behavior as “good” or “bad.” We categorize foods as “good” or “bad.” Dichotomous thinking is often counterproductive. It leads people to believe “I just ate three cookies, so I’m OFF the program… I might as well devour the entire box.” Instead, allow yourself one small treat each day. In moderation, all foods can fit into a healthy, balanced diet.

Expect unforeseen hurdles along the way. Setbacks are normal. Be patient with yourself. Significant changes do not happen overnight. We all fall down. The key is to muster the strength to get back up. For a bit of inspiration, check out this short video of Nick Vujicic, a man with no limbs.

A hoot and a HOLLA!

Devon Hiking Spa recently wrapped up another successful program in Tucson. The schedule included hiking, stretching, eating, massages, fitness classes, lectures, and workshops. In addition, we explored native flora and fauna at the world-famous Sonora Desert Museum, and scrutinized food labels at a local supermarket. We talked, listened, sang, danced, laughed, tracked our daily steps, and took lots of photos. The all-women group was both fun and funny. The word of the week? Holla!

Avon Walk for Breast Cancer New York

(Pictured from left to right: Marilyn, Pam, Liz, Greer, Elaine, Me, Jamie, Abby, Lena, Marissa.)



More than 4,500 people took to the streets of New York City this weekend to participate in the sixth annual Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. The two-day (26.2 or 39.3 mile) event raised a record-breaking $11.5 million for breast cancer research and treatment. As the official health spa sponsor of the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer New York 2008, Devon Hiking Spa hosted a cheering station along the route. THANK YOU Liz, Pam, Greer, Marilyn, Jamie, Abby, Ale, Marissa, Lena, Josh, and Elaine for coming out on Saturday morning to help support the walkers!

The Power of Music

For the past 30 years, a Brooklyn high school band has set up along the route of the New York marathon to perform the motivational theme song from “Rocky.” The song, “Gonna Fly Now,” debuted in 1976 while Rocky Balboa, in his gray sweatsuit, ran up the steps of the Philadelphia museum of art, and emotionally charged the audience as he pumped his fists in the air. "Gonna fly now," an Academy Award nominated song, continues to inspire millions of runners and stair climbers to “kick it up a notch.”

Last week, in Bilbao, Spain, I had my very own “Rocky” moment. Wandering around the pedestrian-friendly, architecturally endowed, gateway to the Basque Country, I happened upon an impressive staircase, which climbs from the river-side promenade to the tapas-bar-laden city above. With the “Rocky” theme song blaring in my head, I raced up the steps, immersed in the music. At the summit, my heart was beating quickly and my endorphin levels were rising. I refrained from pumping my arms, but I was feeling ready to take on the town.

Countless studies show that listening to music while exercising can lead to a longer and more vigorous workout. Research by Costas Karageorghis, at Brunel University in England, found that music distracts us from feeling fatigued and lowers our perception of exertion, making the experience more enjoyable. And, listening to a song with a faster beat encourages us to move at a faster pace. Tempo, he discovered, regulates movement and can prolong performance. Upbeat, faced-paced music can increase performance levels by up to 20 percent. According to Karageorghis, “The key to successful application of music is to use it at points when motivation is likely to ebb.” Since taste in music is quite subjective, there is no prescribed playlist. Instead, Karageorghis recommends selecting rhythmic songs with positive lyrics that energize and inspire you. Rock on!

Unsolicited Advice

After reading the blog entry entitled “Grease on Top of Grease,” Allan’s friend Mark surmised “I for one am not convinced Allan wished he was eating tomato paste on crust pizza, but will refrain from commenting on the blog as to my suspicions.” Mark insinuated that I wanted Allan to eat something other than what Allan wanted to eat. Assessing the situation from Mark’s point of view, I understand why he presumed that a dietitian who adheres to her own set of dietary guidelines would want her significant other to adhere to those guidelines.

Unfortunately, Mark is not familiar with my role as a dietitian. Rather than prescribe a one-size-fits-all diet, I present my clients with nutrition information, based on sound scientific research, and empower them to make their own decisions. Because each individual is unique, the most effective “diet” is the food plan he/she chooses for him/herself. Only he/she can determine which foods are most satisfying, which foods create gastrointestinal discomfort, and when he/she experiences hunger and fullness.

When determining which foods to choose, I, personally, consider many factors: how hungry I am feeling, my preference for particular flavors and textures, the way my body responds to particular foods, the nutrition knowledge I have acquired, and my schedule with regard to when I last ate or when I will eat next. With so much to think about, I rarely pay attention to what my friends and family are choosing. In fact, I recently ate a meal with Mark and I honestly have no idea what he consumed!

Although my food choices are “pescatarian” (see previous blog entry for more information), most of my friends, family, and clients would not fare well or be happy without their much-loved meat and poultry. Hence, I believe it is in their best interest to include lean meat and poultry in their diets.

Months ago, at the restaurant with Allan, I was feeling very hungry while our food was being prepared. When my pizza arrived, I was elated and entirely focused on the plate in front of me. Allan drew my attention to the plate in front of him and he suggested I blog about his experience ordering and receiving his pizza. Fearful that I would put words in Allan’s mouth or misconstrue his experience, I insisted that he read and edit the entry before it was posted. Although Allan loves cheese, he also loves colorful, well-seasoned, chunky tomato sauce!

I’d like to thank Mark for sharing his suspicion with me because considering someone else's point of view always proves to be a great learning experience. I understand why people might assume that a dietitian is overly concerned with what his or her friends and family are eating. Having studied the science of nutrition and understanding the role that saturated fat plays in contributing to heart disease, I should be concerned with the saturated fat intake of my friends and family. However, very early in my career, I learned that providing unsolicited advice or information is not very productive.

As a dietetic intern, in a New York City hospital, I was responsible for recommending special diets to patients with various ailments. I’ll never forget the day that I entered the room of an 85-year-old patient with hypertension (high blood pressure). Armed with several handouts on sodium and hypertension, I was prepared to explain the benefits of a low sodium diet. Smiling, he listened to my entire spiel. When I asked if he had any questions, he looked me straight in the eye and said, “I am 85-years-old. I have been adding salt to my food since I can remember. I’m sorry, sweetie, but that is not going to change.” He was a very kind man and his honest words were so effective. I learned a very important lesson that day. Some people are interested to make dietary changes and some people are not. I thanked him for his time, I wished him well, and I walked out of his room. At that moment, I made a conscious decision about my future as a dietitian. After completing my hospital internship, I would choose to work with people who are genuinely interested in making positive lifestyle changes and I would refrain from offering unsolicited advice!

Welcome “Pescatarian”

Merriam-Webster added the word “pescatarian” to its newest edition of the Collegiate Dictionary! Apparently, those of us who eat fish but no meat or poultry have effectively communicated the concept to the American population. Woo hoo!

“Edamame” made the list as well. On my “Quick and Healthy Snack” handout, which I created at least four years ago, edamame was a word that necessitated a parenthetical explanation. Even those familiar with the green soybeans in their pods were not quite sure how to eat them. At lectures, I would describe the process of placing the pod between the teeth, using the teeth to strip the soybeans from the pod, and then discarding the empty pod. As I spoke, I would scan the faces in the room and inevitably I’d find one very puzzled expression. Apparently, some people had written off edamame because the pod was just too tough for their teeth.

Although our public nutrition education programs are severely lacking, I continue to feel optimistic as our dictionary grows to include words that may enrich our diet as well as our vocabulary.