Renegade

Our youth are unfit, unhealthy and obese. However, this is not only due to lack of exercise but also poor eating habits as children are no longer consuming fruits and vegetables. Instead manufactured foods, in arrays of abnormal colors, now replace a diet of natural foods. These manufactured foods are poisoning our children and will have disastrous consequences on their health, including early death, if eating habits are not immediately rectified.

Children’s eating habits are so horrendous, they at not only at high risk for a myriad of obesity related diseases but are also suffering from a host of other issues including hyperactivity and attention deficit disorder. While I am not a medical doctor, I firmly believe the varieties of chemicals our children are ingesting are largely contributing to these disorders and a host of others. While medication has become the typical solution as of late, eliminating the consumption of processed foods altogether is a far healthier alternative. As a result, our children would have more energy, perform better in school, and be physically fit. Proper diet has tremendous effects on children’s health and should never be underestimated!

For more on this topic don’t miss my article and other valuable contributions from team members in the April edition of DMC ezine.

Jennifer Calderone
Hordon Health
www.hordonhealth.com

Protein

I get asked many times over and over the questions, what type of food is a protein and what is better organic vs. non-organic.  Many people make eating too complicated, when it is very easy.

My simple response to the question, what type of food is a protein, would be anything that has eyes provides a high quality protein.  These eyes proteins consist of beef, pork, fish(any kind), chicken, turkey, eggs, and milk.  Another great source of protein can come from plants.  These protein items consist of nuts and beans.  Eating a variety of protein from the eyes and plants is a great way to have balance.

As far as organic vs. non-organic, organic is the best if it is truly organic, but there is nothing wrong with non-organic foods.  People are finding that the restriction on organic foods are not closely monitored and that there are no nutritional differences between the two.  You can not go wrong eating organic or n0n-organic.

Lastly, do not make eating complex.  At every meal have a fist full of protein from the eye or plant source.  Remember KISS (Keep It Stupid Simple).  See my next post on how much protein to eat.

Ronald Lelko

Clients, athletes, society and nutrition experts make eating right to complex. KISS – Keep It Simple Stupid!  I try to convey this message to all of my clients and athletes.  Eating right is very simple!

The first thing you have to do is take all of the processed foods out of your diet.  A good rule of thumb to live by is anything that can be stored longer then a week or more without going bad can be considered a processed food.  When doing your grocery shopping stick to the outside of the food store, all of the processed foods are in the inside aisles.

Next time you go food shopping take a closer look at all of the food items on the outside of the store.  Many, if not all, of these foods are from the earth and will go bad after a week. Because of the short shelf life of these foods you should go grocery shopping one or more times per week.  These natural foods are the ones that you should be eating and come from an organic source if possible.

Look for Eating 101 part 2: Protein.

Ronald Lelko

I’ve posted several blogs regarding nutrition because it is crucial to achieving results and health. I know this firsthand, as prior to any certifications; I was like many of you. I had no idea what to eat but was looking to become healthy and increase energy. I was taking cardio kickboxing classes three times per week to shed some additional weight but often found myself with little energy to propel me through the hour long classes. I had reduced my carbohydrate intake but not changed much else about my eating habits. In fact, I still recall the frequent trips to Subway after class. Finally, frustrated with the diet info that was out there, I began my own research into what constituted healthy foods. I began to integrate these foods into my diet and got rid of all else, especially trips to Subway and other processed foods. As a result, my energy level increased and my body fat decreased. Every week I shed more weight. What had originally taken me six months to loose 10 pounds with exercise alone, now only took me three months by combining both exercise and nutrition. Best of all I am now healthy and fit.

I am currently a certified nutrition manager and personal trainer. For more information, please contact me. Nutrition appointments are handled via phone so location is not an issue.

Jennifer Calderone
jcfitnessfirst@gmail.com

The definition of health needs to be redefined. Health is not the next fad diet. It is not the next exercise craze and it is certainly not just a matter of losing weight. Skinny does not mean healthy. A lean person can be as unhealthy as an overweight one. In terms of health and weight loss, the only way to obtain health is through a proper diet of healthy foods and regular exercise. Most individuals, as a result of misinformation, view weight loss incorrectly. Instead of attempting to get healthy, they attempt to lose weight when in fact it should be the other way around. A lean figure is a result of health. If you are consuming the correct foods and working out regularly, the body will become lean and toned as body fat decreases.

For more information on changing your definition of health, please contact me.

Jennifer Calderone
jcfitnessfirst@gmail.com

Recently, while out to dinner I began observing many of the patrons at the restaurant as I waited in anticipation for my order of filet. I noticed several women wearing revealing attire and began to think about why this is. I arrived at the conclusion in the oddest of ways. My dinner arrived and the petite filet looked divine, I couldn’t wait to sink my teeth into it. It was grilled perfectly, slightly pink on the inside with juices intact. I cut a piece and bit in, however, my palette quickly became overwhelmed with salt and could barely taste the meat. This fine piece of meat was ruined with salt. Suddenly, I began to think of scantily clad women in the same regard, “over salted.” I came to the conclusion the reason why many women dress in such a revealing manner is to overcompensate for being overweight, underweight, insecure, unhealthy mentality and/or physically. By employing over-the-top clothing, make-up, and hair, attention is redirected to something other than their flaws.

Instead of optimizing beauty from the standpoint of health by eating properly and working out regularly, many women buy into quick fix topical solutions. These can never do for beauty what a diet of nutritious food and exercise can. For more on this topic don’t miss the January issue of DMC.

Jennifer Calderone
Hordon Health

The entire premise of eating is to sustain life. Proper nutrients allow the body to run effectively and maintain health. However, somewhere along the way we have forgotten this basic premise and eat anything and everything simply because it tastes good. Of course, everyone wants to enjoy a good meal but how “good” is it if health becomes jeopardized? There are many natural foods that taste good and are good for you. In fact, once you stop consuming manufactured items you will no longer enjoy their taste nor miss them. These items contain too much sodium, sugar and other chemical additives that can severely degrade health and make one feel sluggish. While many individuals possess the “nothing will happen to me” attitude, there are a myriad of diseases known to result from poor eating habits. The chance that disease will result at some point in life, due to improper eating, is enormous. The only way to curb this is to stop consuming manufactured foods and make exercise a regular part of life.

Jennifer Calderone
Hordon Health
www.hordonhealth.com

Are you feeling sluggish and can barely get through the day without your eyes lids drooping? Many individuals have the tendency, when tired, to move less. Yet this is counterproductive to increasing energy levels. In fact, one’s first thought should be, “I need to move more.” Utilizing energy produces more energy. After a workout endorphins are pumped throughout the body leaving one in a better state both mentally and physically.

In addition, to physical activity, proper nutrition is also imperative. While many individuals eat poorly, they also eat sporadically. During the long hours in between meals blood sugar levels significantly drop causing one to feel lethargic and mentally unfocused. To keep blood sugar levels even small meals should be consumed throughout the day, preferably every 2-3 hours. The solution is not to eat less but to eat more nutritious foods frequently throughout the day.

Contact www.hordonhealth.com for more information.

Jennifer Calderone
Hordon Lifestyle Management

As numerous industries desperately try to keep from drowning during these tough economic times, more and more workers are being left without jobs. Remaining employees are now more valuable than ever as they are left filling in the gaps and taking on more responsibility. Yet the health of these workers is in jeopardy. The American worker now faces great levels of stress as they ramp up hours and attempt to pick up additional workloads, all the while the threat of the unemployment line lingers. Yet there is no relief from this stress as individuals have less time to commit to physical activity. To make matters worse eating habit are abysmal and this disastrous combination result in more sick days and lost business wages.

One solution to the grave health concerns we currently face are corporate wellness initiatives. While corporations continue to cut costs this may not be viewed as favorable. Yet the long term health benefits for workers and subsequent savings in health insurance premiums are factors that cannot be ignored. The rate of this country’s health is declining faster than ever and measures must be taken now.

Invest in the health of this nation.

Jennifer Calderone
Hordon Health
www.hordonhealth.com

Centuries ago, sugar was once referred to as “white gold.” An expensive item that was not readily available to the common man. Treats as the term denotes were just that. The opposite is true today with sugar readily available and added to a multitude of products. Yet today it is not just table sugar we must be concerned with but a much worse chemical additive that contaminates most manufactured products, high fructose corn syrup. High fructose corn syrup, first invented in the 1950’s and refined by the Japanese in the 1970’s, has become a popular alternative to cane sugar. Its popularity is due impart to cost as it is inexpensive alternative to cane sugar. Additionally, it is easier to blend and transport and increases a products shelf life making it the number one preference of food manufacturers today.

For the uneducated consumer this can be dangerous as many are not aware of the popularity and addition of this additive to most food products. This reacts the way sugar does in the body spiking blood sugar levels and with excessive consumption can lead to host of diseases and obesity. While many believe they are purchasing healthy items, they are not. Upon close inspection of the label you will find many of these seemingly harmless products contain high fructose corn syrup and other chemical additives. As consumers we must not take product claims at face value. Food manufacturers are only out to make money trying to lure you in with false claims and eye-catching packaging. Before purchasing any product, make sure the first thing you do is read the label. If high fructose corn syrup is listed, put it back and look for another brand that does not contain this chemical ingredient.

For more nutrition tips and information contact
Jennifer Calderone – www.hordonhealth.com