Lost 100

Fun Updates from a very hilly city

Ricearoni.  The Maltese Falcon.  Hills.  Austentatious mansions.  The Palace of Fine Arts.  The Giants & 49'ers.  Chinatown.  Fisherman's Wharf.  Cablecars.  The Slow Food Movement.  Sonoma.  Muir Woods.  Redwoods.  Yoga.  Tantra.  Alcatraz.  Sweatshirt weather year round.  Golden Gate Bridge.

Where am I?  I'm sure you guessed it after Ricearoni, which for the record I haven't seen ANY ricearoni here in SanFran!  But I have eaten at Burma Superstar, an authentic Burmese restaurant that was to-die-for AND raises money for a good cause-the liberation of Burma!  The food was amazing--the salads are mixed tableside (like guacamole in an authentic or pseudo-authentic Mexican restaurant) and have amazing raw ingredients like tea leaves and a host of seeds and nuts.  Curries, coconut rice, refresing teas, melt-off-the-bone chicken and lots of veggies.

We also ate at a slow-food urban farmers market.  The slow food movement is all about local, organic, fresh, etc.- check out www.slowfoodusa.org for more info.  I met someone from a dried kale company that literally was the yummiest new thing I've had in awhile.  I could have eaten an entire tub of dried kale in about 5 minutes.  Fresh, local and amazing.  I'm going to do my best to beg, plead, cajole them to send some to NYC (which I realize makes no sense since they are working on the local aspect--but hey, it's all about me sometimes-haha)!  If you want to check them out, http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mighty-Mouth-Foods/149157505118102  or @driednotfried on Twitter.

Besides all the amazing and healthy food we've been eating we have been getting in several miles of walking/day- and we can feel it!  These hills are unlike anything I've ever seen!  Today we are setting out on bikes to check out parts of the city that are too far to walk to in a day, to bike the Golden Gate Bridge, bike around Salsalito and other areas.  Looking forward to it!

Tomorrow we head to Santa Cruz for a surfing lesson.  Yes.  I'm going surfing.  You know why?  Because I'm done letting things hold me back in life.  I am fit and and I'm going to live my life.  Sure, I'd love to have a great bikini body before I go surfing, but I want to say to any women (or men for that matter) out there, to stop letting things hold you back from LIVING.  Live out loud.  When you EMBRACE LIFE, when you love your life and yourself you'll start making changes to support that.  So go out and do something today that you never thought possible- you'll honor yourself through that action!

Yesterday I participating in an art project at the Museum of Modern Art here in San Francisco.  'You're an artist, Jennifer?'  Yes, I am.  It dawned on me as I looked at the pictures they had posted of these amazing artists who were guests of MOMSF just like me.  I am an artist.  And this is what I wrote:  My art is my words, my art is my embracing of life, my art is helping women, empowering women to love themselves, their body, their life!  Every woman is beautiful in her particular way!  And I really believe that!  When we step back and look at something through a different lense, through new eyes we can see it!  Sure, I'm no Picasso, no Matisse.  But I'm Jennifer Griola.  I matter, I have worth.  AND SO DO YOU!!!!!!

Cheers!

Interesting article...check it out!

Self-help treatment effective for binge eating, researchers say

By Madison Park, CNN

April 1, 2010 9:54 a.m. EDT

Using a book about binge eating combined with sessions with a health educator was called effective in stopping the behavior.

(CNN) -- Help to control binge eating could be as simple as a self-help book and check-ins with a health educator, according to new research out this month.

Binge eating is the most common eating disorder in the United States and remains a difficult condition to identify and treat.

Many patients who suffer from the disorder believe they are overeating and seek weight-loss treatment rather than mental health help, experts said. Even when they receive a proper diagnosis, the treatments for binge eating are expensive, time-consuming and sometimes difficult to obtain, according to eating disorder experts.

Researchers at Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research examined whether a self-guided program would help 123 study participants. They were mostly women with an average age of 37, who binged at least once a week.

Half the participants were assigned to treatment as usual. They received notifications about available nutritional services, medical treatments, healthy eating and weight management programs.

The other half were assigned to a self-guided program for 12 weeks detailed in a book called "Overcoming Binge Eating" (its author has no affiliation with any of the researchers) and met individually with a health educator for eight sessions. Under the program, binge eaters kept food diaries and wrote what triggered their behaviors.

"The health educator is there as a coach to support their learnings through the book," said study co-author Lynn DeBar, a clinical psychologist at the Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research.

These findings are published in the April issue of the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology.

"The feedback we got back from people suggests some of the things that seemed simplest made the biggest difference," DeBar said. "Those who binge eat go for long periods without eating, and one of the primary things we encourage people to do is eat regularly, to eat breakfast and not go too long between eating."

A year later, 63 percent of the study group stopped binge eating, compared with 28 percent in the control group. Those results suggested a simple and low-cost intervention could be effective, authors said.

Binge eaters lose control and consume significant quantities of food at once. It would generally be equivalent to "two sizable meals," DeBar said.

"If someone goes to a fast-food restaurant and orders two super combo meals -- that would be a binge. What differentiates it from overeating is not only the amount of food, but they feel they can't stop. And it happens once a week for over three months -- often more frequently than that."

The disorder could be added as a psychiatric condition in the next edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. It is included provisionally in the current edition.

The standard treatments for binge eating are cognitive behavioral therapy, which helps people identify thought patterns to better control their behavior and eating patterns, and interpersonal psychotherapy.

The latter focuses on the premise that difficult relationships cause negative moods, so people "are using food to soothe how they're feeling," said Marian Tanofsky-Kraff, an assistant professor of medical and clinical psychology at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences who researches binge eating. It also explores the root of problems that turn people to food.

While these methods are effective, they're not widely available, because it requires highly specialized therapists.

Using a self-guided book could reach more patients who can adopt the steps and "rely on themselves and can continue to do these things when they're not under a health coach or therapist," DeBar said.

Yummy dinner!

Made a delicious dinner last night of grilled tilapia (I love my George foreman grill) with a warm mango salsa & broiled zucchini & yellow squash- yum!

For the zucchini:
Cut up veggies, put in large bowl (that has a fitted lid), add fresh garlic, fresh Rosemary, ground pepper, 1/2 tbsp evoo, a pinch of sea salt. Place lid, shake it up--put on broiler pan & put under broiler for 10 minutes or so. Enjoy!

My Salad!

Check out this salad I made for lunch today...approx. 4 cups mixed greens, 3 oz. grilled chicken, 1 small apple, cucumber, 2 tbsp. walnuts...no dressing. Perfecto!

Later I'll have a blueberry smoothy later on today :-)

Helpful Advice for Eating Healthy When Eating Out

How to dine out without hurting your heart

• Story Highlights
• Dietitian: Be heart-friendly by asking how things are prepared, making requests
• "Chinese food can be a hidden salt mine," another dietitian says
• At steakhouses, portion size can present a challenge
• Watch out for "kewpie," or Japanese mayonnaise, at sushi restaurants

By Debra Alban

(CNN) -- Americans talk a good game about wanting to eat well. More than 75 percent claim they want to see more healthy options on restaurant menus. But when it comes time to order, only about half say they actually make nutritious choices, according to a recent survey.

Steakhouse portions often exceed the recommended five to seven ounces of animal protein per day.

On the other hand, 77 percent rank taste as the top priority for a restaurant dinner, and 44 percent say satisfying hunger matters most, according to the responses reported in June by Mintel, a market research firm. Of 2,000 adults polled in February, 20 percent said food health is an important factor when they order dinner.

Still, nutrition experts stress that it is possible to satisfy your taste buds and hunger while making nice to your heart.

"Eating out with friends and family is a pleasure you don't have to give up when you're on a special diet," said Anne Cain, a registered dietitian and senior editor at MyRecipes.com. "You just need to arm yourself with information about heart-healthy choices and not be afraid to ask questions about the menu and make special requests." (MyRecipes.com is owned by Time Warner, the parent company of CNN.)

Every person's needs are different when it comes to what he or she should eat, health experts say.

"There are some people that really have to worry about calories, there are some people that really have to worry about sugar, some people that really have to worry about salt. All of these bring in different kinds of mandates for you," said Riska Platt, a registered dietitian and spokeswoman for the American Heart Association.

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Still, some foods are more likely than others to derail a heart-healthy diet. Here are some tips to help you eat for your heart when dining out.

Chinese
Instead of oil- and fat-laden dishes such as lo mein, egg rolls, kung pao chicken or fried rice, try steamed chicken, seafood or tofu with vegetables, and ask for sauce on the side.

"Chinese food can be a hidden salt mine,"said Sari Greaves, a registered dietitian and spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association. Ordering it "as unadorned as possible" and with sauces on the side will help you control your sodium intake.

Soups such as egg-drop and hot-and-sour are low-calorie and low-fat, but may also be "salt bombs," Greaves said. But despite the poor reputation eggs have for their high-cholesterol properties, low-fat dieters don't have to steer clear of egg-drop soup, she said: "It's saturated fat and trans fat in your diet that raise your blood cholesterol, more so than cholesterol in your diet."

Stir-fried dishes are also a safe bet because they're generally cooked quickly and with very little oil. On the other hand, watch out for foods designated "crispy" or "double-sauteed," which indicate deep-fried dishes, said Greaves.

Sandwich shop
Instead of a sandwich on white bread, a white roll or white wrap and topped with mayonnaise or cheese, try whole-grain bread options topped with vegetables, mustard or olive oil, and little to no cheese.

Watch out for deli meats, which often contain a lot of salt, Platt said.

Hummus can be a good alternative to mayonnaise or cheese, as it contains heart-healthy fat. Platt endorses hummus, which is made from chickpeas, because it helps Americans fit legumes into their diet. Just don't overload on it, because the calories can add up.

Platt also suggests skipping oversized muffins. Even if they're bran muffins and consequently high in fiber, they're full of fat, sugar and calories. Breakfast wraps can also be detrimental to a heart-healthy diet, especially when an entire salt- and fat-heavy meal of eggs, cheese and bacon is packed into a compact package.

Italian
Instead of pasta topped or filled with cream, cheese or meat, try grilled, broiled or poached seafood with a small order of pasta with garlic and oil or tomato sauce.

Greaves suggests ordering shellfish such as shrimp, mussels or clams at an Italian restaurant, as long as they aren't deep-fried or cooked in butter. Although these shellfish might be higher in cholesterol than salmon or tilapia, she said, they're still very low in saturated fat.

If you do want cheese in your meal, add a sprinkling of parmesan atop a dish instead of gobs of cheese as the centerpiece of your meal.

And for an appetizer, Greaves recommends skipping the meat- and cheese-heavy antipasto salad in favor of shrimp cocktail, which is low in saturated fat. Also, pair bread with heart-healthy olive oil, not butter. Oil is rich in calories, though, so don't overdo it.

Japanese
Instead of tempura-style rolls or rolls with mayonnaise (think spicy tuna), try fresher sushi with fish high in cardio-friendly omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, tuna, mackerel or halibut. The avocado in California rolls also carries heart-healthy benefits.

Edamame, which are green soybeans, may indirectly lower your blood cholesterol and are a good source of fiber and omega-3s, Greaves said. But if you're monitoring your sodium intake, request that the salt be omitted.

Be on the lookout for the word "kewpie," or Japanese mayonnaise, if you're trying to cut back on saturated fat.

Steakhouses
Instead of a full portion of steak, try limiting your meat intake by ordering a beef kebab, or a chicken or seafood selection cooked without butter or salt.

Choose lean cuts of beef such as round, sirloin, chuck, flank steak or tenderloin. Remove any visible fat that may be attached to the cooked meat, Cain said.

The American Heart Association recommends eating five to seven ounces of animal protein per day, and a 12-ounce steak at a restaurant far exceeds that, Platt said. Split a steak with one of your dining partners, or eat half and take the rest home for another meal.

Steakhouses also offer deceptively fattening sides, such as creamed spinach or fully loaded baked potatoes. Swap out those fatty sides for steamed vegetables, and you'll be in better shape.

Mexican
Instead of a cheese-filled burrito or taco, try a seafood, chicken or vegetable fajita.

The seafood or chicken will provide lean, healthy protein, while a vegetable centerpiece will boost your fiber intake. If you get beans, make sure they're not refried; black beans provide protein and fiber without artery-clogging saturated fat, Greaves said.

You can also cut down on saturated fat by opting for pico de gallo or salsa instead of sour cream. Since it's made from heart-healthy avocados, guacamole contains good fat that can lower bad LDL cholesterol while raising good HDL cholesterol. Just limit your intake to about two tablespoons, Greaves said, because it can carry a lot of calories.

Greaves also warns that you should watch out for salted rice and rice with cheese -- no-no's for people on low-sodium or low-fat diets.

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Anatomy of a Breakdown

So, I'm back from our vacation.  I have to say, I think I've learned a bit about myself over the past few days.  I went into my Easter trip to my mother-in-law's larger than life (eek, that pun WASN'T intended!), I had it all figured out--I had MASTERED my eating/diet!  Boy, just when you get a little cocky that's when life kicks you in the ass.  And can I say one thing...'ouch'.

Prior to our trip I had adopted a new way of eating & frankly I was kicking butt and taking names.  I dropped 14 lbs in 2 weeks!  I realized a lot of this was detoxing my body and water weight, but I did take it off and keep it off, my clothes felt looser, I even wore a couple pairs of underwear that normally rode too low on my tummy and 'rolled' over (well, actually, under) my infamous low-belly overhang.

So, I'm going gangbusters, so what happens?  A total breakdown of the mind-meets-food-meets-mouth.  Yes folks, I went off the plan.  Yep.  Did it feel good?  Hell no!  Every bite I was taking I was screaming at myself, crying internally, yet somehow did not stop.  I even snuck into the bathroom with my journal and tried to figure out what the hell I was doing.  It didn't work, everyone thought I was sick and then people needed the bathroom and so I exited and had yet another slice of ham.

Not that I believe everyone must eat only a prescribed number of calories every single day of their life.  But I guess my frustration stemmed from having made a 32 day commitment and then breaking it.  I learned that I still have some issues around food.  I eat for emotional reasons, and what's great is that I'm doing a bit of work right now to figure out exactly what those emotions are and how I can handle them differently (in the past I would say to myself, well at least I eat and don't starve myself, cut myself, smoke pot, am a nymphomaniac--I call this the Jerry Springer phenomenon:  we compare ourselves to the least common denominator in humanity, instead of striving to live up to the best role models). 

So I know I eat for emotional reasons.  I know I wasn't hungry.  I also learned that I need structure.  Some people can 'wing it'.  I hate those people.  I am not a 'winger'--first off I don't have long blond hair and a twin and a famously deceased dad (sorry, bad 80's rocker joke).  Seriously though, structure is what I need, at least right now.  A plan.  A way to quantify the stuff I'm putting in my body.  This is why they recommend you 'write it down'--because most of us must need this--quantification!  

Now my only saving grace in all of this is that I became violently ill with a stomach virus (imagine that?!).  So, I actually did not gain (or lose) a pound in my week and a half 'off program'.  I would not recommend this method.  It is not fun to be as sick as I was, it really sucks when you are so sick you don't want to read, check e-mail or even watch TV.  If you can't even watch TV or a movie you have become a true slug!

I am back to being cognizant of my food choices....planning....journaling....choosing better foods for each meal.  I feel more in control and that's good.  AND I found out I'm going to be featured in Health magazine and have my picture taken (yikes!) so I have some extra motivation for staying in control and staying focused.  Wish me luck!

I CAN Eat 1200-1600 Calories/Day and NOT be Hungry!

So, I'm 8 days into a new eating plan...I feel different than I have in the past about eating--this is big news for me!

My plan consists of 4 meals/day, no more than 4 hours apart and no more than 400 calories each.  For the first 4 days (yes, there a freaky '4' thing going on) I ate 1200 calories total and was amazed that I was truly, sincerely (not being paid to say this, believe it to my core) not hungry!  I have continued eating this way and now can have 1600 calories/day and continue to be amazed that I am not hungry.

I remember back a little over a week ago, as I was reading this mystery diet book (sorry, not ready to promote this book yet, but maybe in a few weeks), I seriously thought I was going to be famished and shaking from hunger.

I took stock at the end of each meal & again 1 hour later, I said: 'self, are you hungry?'  And my truly honest answer was 'No!'  And it still is.  Sure, there was one meal where I was thinking...this frankly wasn't enough food, it was a pasta meal...so I'm learning that they may be a trigger for me. 

I also have lost a good deal of weight this past week, much of it water weight, but nonetheless a great deal of weight. 

So, the message for today is...don't sell yourself short and don't be afraid to try something new--afterall I did and I am and I'm seeing results that I thought were only possible in my fantasy world!

I'll keep you posted on my progress!

Starting a 4-day Cleanse Tomorrow

So, my mom & I are starting a 4-day cleanse tomorrow.  I must say, I'm a bit nervous.  I'm a strong, determined, successful woman, business owner, mom, wife, homeowner, yadda, yadda....BUT I still haven't proved to myself that I can be 100% successful at completing a diet or 'diet plan'. 

Sure, I've dropped a great deal of weight, but let's be honest, we all know that I haven't met my goal of losing over 100 lbs. yet.  And quite frankly, I've gained some back.  I haven't thrown in the towel, but I've been frustrated by my lack of success and what feels like the worlds longest plateau ever.

It's not that I'm throwing all my eggs in the basket of this cleanse.  I know very well that in 4 days all I could hope to lose would be water weight.  I also know it's not going to solve everything.  But I think by completing this cleanse I can prove to myself that I certainly can survive on 1200 calories a day and I can thrive.  Just the knowledge of that must be worth something, right?

So, I'm heading to bed, ready to get up in the morning, make my special water and eat the small amount of food I'm allotted and I will somehow trick my brain into truly believing that everything I have eaten is and will leave me completely satisfied. 

Afterall, the pain of losing a limb to diabetes, or a breast to cancer, or my life to heart disease is surely much worse than being a bit hungry!

LOW FAT? LOW CARB? WHAT 'DIET PROGRAM' is BEST????

COOL CALORIE-TRACKER SITE

I just found this GREAT site (it's FREE!@#$@#$%@$%@$%$@--Woozers!)

The Daily Plate

You put the food in, it tells you how many calories it is, plus how many calories you have left to eat for the day!  You can track it everyday and it will start to see what foods you eat the most and put them in the sidebar so it's easier to find. Pretty cool stuff.  So far I've eaten just shy of 400 calories for the day....off to the Y in a few minute to do a long swim...more later!