Beef Labeling Guide

Women's Health provides the truth behind the labeling on the beef you're buying:

If it says...

Natural:  All fresh meat qualifies as natural (captain obvious) as long as it is not more than minimally processed - which is what the USDA requires.  Don't choose "natural" beef, especially if the price is marked up.

Organic:  According to USDA, the criteria to state that foods are organic "cannot contain hormones or antibiotics, and the animals must have been fed a vegetarian, pesticide-and herbicide-free diet without genetically modified sources or animal by-products, and had continuous access to pastures."  This is why I love organic.

Grass-fed:  Another captain obvious moment here since nearly all cattle are fed grass at some point in their lives, making the term "grass-fed" meaningless.  Don't choose "grass-fed" beef, especially if the price is marked up.

Pasture-raised:  There is no specific pasture-raised certification, but animals raised this way can roam freely in their natural environment.

Certified Angus Beef:  Nearly 65% of cattle are black-hided and receive the Angus stamp, but only 25% meet the Certified Angus Beef standards, making it the best quality beef.

rBGH-free or rBST-free:  Signifies that the beef product come from a cow that was not treated with a genetically engineered growth hormone that artificially increases milk products, which may cause human health problems!

So next time you're at the fresh meat market at your local grocery, you'll know what to stay away from and what to take home for dinner.

Tidbits

Is it just me or did June completely fly by!?  I didn't realize it was nearly July until I got my Women's Health magazine in the mail on Friday!  And we know what that means...time for your FilthyFit Tidbits!

I liked this picture.

 

*Aim for 3 portions a day of fruit to reap the benefits without packing on the pounds (from high sugar content.)  Benefits of fruit:  decreased heart attacks, stroke risk and some cancers.

*One in six cell phones are contaminated with fecal matter (EW) that could contain E. coli.  So, make an effort to clean your phone once a week.

*On average, lean people chew their food 21 times before swallowing, compared to obese people who chew their food only 17 times.

*Women who ate 2 or more servings of citrus fruit a day had a 10% lower stroke risk compared with those who ate fewer than 2 servings.

*A recent study found that three-fourths of weight equipment was contaminated with cold causing rhinoviruses.  So put down a towel on the bench or mat, shower immediately, change into clean clothes and of course keep your hands washed.

*Make sure your bike fits you:  seat height should be at or right below your hip; the seat should be just far enough from the handlebar that you are able to relax your elbows; your handlebar should be at the highest position that feels comfortable (which alleviates pressure on your back).

*Fight summer headaches by 1) not skipping meals 2) going fragrance free as strong odors can induce a headache 3) passing on that third cup of caffeine (limit to 200 milligrams daily) 4) taking a break from staring at a screen 5) throwing out leftovers as tyramine levels rise with time and can therefore balloon blood vessels 6) taking your hair out of a pony tail.

*Alcoholic drink add-ins not only add flavor but add extra calories.  Calorie counts for two ounces:  club soda-0; tomato juice-10; tonic water-21; other soda-26; fruit juice-30-39; simple syrup-100; grenadine-214; coconut cream-271.

*Make your long term relationship last by having more fun!  Kid around with each other, go on a double date, compete with each other (in a friendly game), head out to the ballpark or engage your fear factor.  

*It's summertime...in Dallas.  It's hot so exercise accordingly.  Sand, concrete and tennis courts absorb heat and transfer it to you.  On super hot days choose to exercise on a dirt trail or a grassy field.

*Surfing your own Facebook page (not your "friends'") may boost your self esteem.  So spend some time updating your wall.

*32% of people live alone; 13% percent live with their parents; 0.5% think living with their parents is the ideal situation......

*The first step in getting bikini-body-ready is to eliminate processed foods.  They may be satisfying and taste good but they make you crave more food than your body needs.

Have a healthy and great July!  xoxo

Tidbits

Look, it's there!  Women's Health finally managed to surface from the pile of bridal magazines and was even able to divert my attention from wedding planning for a couple minutes ;)  So here you go, your FilthyFit Tidbits to kick off your summer, 2012!

*"Make a set of stair rules.  For example, promise yourself you won't take the elevator fewer than six floors unless you're carrying a heavy load."  -Sharonee N. Hays, M.D.
*Go vegetarian just one day a week as it may make you healthier.
*Make your muscles appear longer and leaner by strength training, cardio, stretching and Pilates.
*The FDA limits the amount of radiation that microwaves produce, therefore posing no real risk to standing next to the microwave.
*When you have a craving, tell yourself you can have it later.  Research shows that when volunteers postponed having a snack, they ate less than the volunteers that indulged immediately.  
*Making eye contact with others makes you feel more socially connected and is a simple way to boost your self-esteem.
*There is a 243% increase in the risk for depression for those that work 11 or more hours a day compared to those who work 7-8 hours.
*Making it known that you hit the gym makes a good first impression - those that lead a healthy lifestyle are rated more positively and even rated as five years younger.
*Women that have a high risk for breast cancer lowered their risk by 24% by exercising 45 minutes a day.
*Using lip gloss on your eye lids gives a watery effect, which is less dramatic than adding shimmer.  I'm definitely trying this trick this summer!
*Beets are the newest super food as reports say they may reduce high blood pressure and the risk for cardiovascular disease.
*As if we all didn't already know this, combining exercise and eating right is the best form of weight loss.  Research shows that weight-loss supplements are no more effective than placebos.  Duh.
*Opaque pastels are summer's hottest pedicure colors - peach and yellow look best on golden or olive skin and light blue or lavender looks best on fair skin.
*According to Jillian Michaels, the 4 tummy troublers are stress, too much dairy, bad ab equipment and alcohol.
*The cardio equipment at the gym can be pretty inaccurate.  Next time you're doing your cardio, increase your goal by 30%.
*Meditation can be the heath booster that changes your body and your brain for the better:  may beef up the grey matter in your brain; increases positive thoughts and emotions; decreases blood pressure; decrease anxiety; lowers blood sugar levels and may cut salty food cravings; increases your body's ability to fight off infections. Hummmmmmmm...
*Women have PMS while some men may have irritable male syndrome - a man cycles on a 24 hour testosterone swing with the hormone dropping at night and spiking in the morning.
*Boxed wine is in.  High-end wineries are putting the same wine in bottles and boxes, so you can save a little money.  Boxed wine will also last longer once opened:  6 weeks as opposed to three days for a bottle.
*A diet high in vitamin D can speed up weight loss by 70%.
*Step in place during commercials and burn 67 more calories per hour than your fellow couch potato.
*62% of people throw on sweatpants within half a second of getting home.  Yup, I'm in that percentage.

Being engaged

As most of you know, I'M ENGAGED!  Matt proposed May 5 and I've been on cloud nine and apparently too busy to post anything fitness related ;)  I promise to post the very important things you need to know to stay healthy!  But I won't be blogging anything fitness as often since I am busy planning my wedding and blogging my engagement.  Here's my new blog for all things engagement:

CLOUD9DALLAS

Enjoy, stay in touch and stay healthy my friends!

XOXO

Ronald McDonald, Dallas

Check us out @


Ronald McDonald House of Young Friends' Charity Event

Tidbits

Wow, I can't believe the end of April is here.  You know what that means...FilthyFit Tidbits!  This issue of Women's Health is full of great facts you need to know so scroll down to read my favorites!

*Chai tea contains ginger, which may help ward off colds, and cinnamon, which is great for your heart.
*Chewing gum increases heart rate and cerebral blood flow, therefore students who chewed gum before their test did better.
*Working out twice a week (strength or aerobic) helps ease symptoms in women with general anxiety disorder.
*People work harder if their progress is tracked, so wear a heart rate monitor, pedometer or challenge a friend.
*Obese women earn 15% less compared with heathy weight women.
*Make sure the color of your plate contrasts the food you put on it as it makes it easier to see how much food you're eating. 
*Choline, found in eggs, may protect your brain, improving your memory as you age.
*Organic ketchup contains significantly higher levels of cancer-fighting and heart protecting substances than nonorganic ketchup.
*Exercising large muscle groups can increase oxygen and nutrient delivery to your skin cells.
*Hey girls, exercise can relieve the discomfort of cramps.  Also, when you have your period (and the week after) your levels of female hormones are at their lowest.  This slight hormonal shift makes you more dude-like, making you feel more powerful during exercise.
*Limit your fiber intake before you go for a run.
*Foods with healthy fats, such as avocado and nuts, take longer to digest, keeping you fuller longer.
*According to a study in the journal Diabetes Care, a diet rich in monounsaturated fats may prevent abdominal fat.
*Stay away from trans fats, which are man made (ew), as they increase LDL (bad cholesterol) and decrease HDL (good cholesterol).
*Expert guidelines suggest that 20-30% of your daily calories should come from "good fats".
*Each weekend people consume, on average, 419 extra calories.  Yikes!
*Eat breakfast and have a cup of coffee every morning to rev up your metabolism.
*According to Zac Efron, a sense of ambition and sense of freedom makes someone marriage material.  
*Giada De Laurentiis eats everything, but doesn't eat a lot of anything - moderation is key.
*"Often, meat, dairy and eggs are going to taste better, be safer and more nutritious, and have a higher quality when the animals they come from have been treated well." -Kathi Brock, senior director of the farm animal program at the American Humane Association.
*Meat proteins are a part of a balanced diet.  Our bodies cannot convert grass into a viable protein like cows can, so consuming red meat 2-3 times a week, compared to once a day, may reduce your risk for premature death.
*Regarding your job, when passion and purpose are your biggest drivers, your bank account will thrive.

5K, Dallas

While I was on the Katy Trail today, I walked by this...

Yup, I found the next race for Matt and me to run!  It's the Katy5k, benefiting the Friends of the Katy Trail. Click to REGISTER.  

I ran this 5k four years ago.  Wow, I can't believe that was four years ago!  Spring 2008 was when I graduated from UNT and was when I started my career!  Yikes...  Anyway, I remember it being competitive (probably because I made it that way) and so fun!  After the race there is an outdoor party featuring drinks (beer!) and food from 50 local restaurants - a perfect setting to refuel after the race ;)

Join Matt and me for the Katy5k!  You can run and/or walk, so mark your calendars and make sure you register.  

May 10 @ 7pm

Reverchon Park, 3505 Maple Ave.

$40