Attitude is Altitude: A Must-Watch Story

My friend, Caitlin, often shares heartwarming links and stories. She's a blogger-turned-author and motivational speaker. Last Friday she shared this one. Whoa. I loved it!

Having been born without arms or legs, Nick Vujicic suffered bullying, depression and loneliness. Instead of letting this get him down, he fought back--by doing things people said he never could and inspiring others in the process. The Australia native earned a college degree and moved to the US, where he operates the nonprofit Attitude is Altitude. He's also recently engaged.

From Attitude is Altitude: "Imagine being born without arms. No arms to wrap around someone, no hands to experience touch, or to hold another hand with. Or what about being born without legs? Having no ability to dance, walk, run, or even stand on two feet. Now put both of those scenarios together: no arms and no legs. What would you do? How would that effect (sic) your everyday life?"

Watch Nick's inspiration video now:

Let Go of Your Life Raft--I Promise, You Won't Drown.

Last week just wasn't my week. Personally, professionally, emotionally, physically, I felt off. I was exhausted. I was stressed. I was miserable.
 
And for much of the week, I didn't tell anyone.
 
The week started off fine, but it quickly turned on me. One thing happened, then another, then  another. I tried to invoke the 90-second rule for dealing with emotions. I tried to breathe through it. I tried to use yoga to deal with it.
 
Nothing worked.
 
So I held it in.

Food for Thought: Should We Tax Junk Food, Subsidize the Good Stuff?

We all know that, as a country, we're eating too much salt, sugar, and fat, and not enough "real" and unprocessed foods. We also know that eating right on a budget (especially for Americans who receive public assistance in order to buy food) can be a challenge (though not an impossibility), and that in many parts of the country, food deserts are a sad reality.

But what's the answer? I recently an interesting plan, along with a small-scale example of how we can discourage people from buying unhealthy foods by charging more for them.

We're Giving away $200 in MISSION Athletecare Products (CLOSED)

The winners: MIAMIA7 ($100), and MOM2KATEANNA, DWKINSEY, CJFARR, and SHABBAGRL ($25 each).

Monday was the second most humid day on record here in Cincinnati. This month has been full of 90-degree days. Does that mean we're all staying inside and skipping workouts? No way! We have SparkStreaks to keep. What it means is that, in addition to staying hydrated and resting when needed, we're paying extra special attention to sun protection.

Our friends at MISSION are making that a bit easier for us--and now for you!
Today they're giving away five prizes: $100 in MISSION products to one lucky reader, plus $25 in products for four other readers! Not only do you get to enter to win great products, but you can choose the ones you want, too. Score!

To sweeten the deal, they're offering 30% ALL products now through Aug. 15 for all SparkPeople members. Use the code SparkSummer30 at checkout. MISSION says that you don't have to wait to see if you've won: They'll credit your account or refund your purchase if you win! They also offer free ground shipping on orders of $50 or more.

What would I choose if I won? Tough choices.

Get Ready for 'The SparkPeople Cookbook'

Here at SparkPeople, we have yet another reason to shout "Woohoo!"

Earlier this year, we spilled the beans that we were working on our first cookbook (and we wanted help naming it).  I'm happy to say that "The SparkPeople Cookbook: Love Your Food, Lose the Weight" is almost here!

Written by our very own Chef Meg and myself, the cookbook contains everything you would expect from SparkPeople!

The book combines Meg's cooking expertise with SparkPeople's proven weight-loss and nutrition know-how for what will be the only healthy cookbook you'll need. Like the SparkPeople site that inspired it, "Love Your Food, Lose the Weight" uses education, entertainment and community to prove that healthy living, dieting and weight loss don't have to be boring, dull or difficult.

Though Meg trained at the prestigious Le Cordon Bleu in London, where she learned classic (and calorie-laden) French cuisine, her at-home meals are like the ones she creates for SparkRecipes--the ones she blogs about each Monday. Meg truly believes that food should be healthy and delicious. As a World Master Chef (one of only 20 women in the world to hold that title!) and a chef instructor at the Midwest Culinary Institute here in Cincinnati, Meg knows that food has to taste great and satisfy the appetite.

But Meg is also a runner, a busy mom of three teenage boys, and a farmer's daughter, so she knows it also has to fuel her body. It's her passion to create food that tastes great and helps you stay slim and healthy. She knows how to cook mouth-watering food while still maintaining her weight (no easy feat for someone who eats for a living!).

It sounds impossible that we were able to create such recipes, but that's exactly what you asked for--and it's what you'll find in "The SparkPeople Cookbook"!

Since our best-selling book, "The Spark," was published in early 2010, members have been asking us for a follow-up--a cookbook! This long-awaited cookbook shows that healthy eating can be simple and fun. In fact, it proves it!

According to our taste test: If people eat flavorful, satisfying foods, they can eat fewer calories without even realizing it, yet be more satisfied while losing weight! We presented dieters and SparkPeople members with two meals: one comprised typical, bland diet foods. The other comprised recipes from our cookbook.

We asked: Which one is healthier? Which one do you want to eat again? Not surprisingly, people thought the “diet” foods were healthier, but they didn’t want to eat them again. What they didn’t know was that our flavorful foods were actually healthier (and lighter) than the diet foods!

We debunked several diet myths, including the thought that you have to eat bland, boring foods to lose weight!

But this is more than a collection of recipes—it’s an education. The SparkPeople philosophy is about encouraging people to achieve personal goals with the support of others. So along with the recipes, you’ll find:

5 (Almost) No-Cook Summer Recipes

 In the summertime, I eat a from-scratch meal almost every night, but I only turn on my stove and oven once or twice a week.

I don't like air conditioning, so I take creative steps to avoid having to turn it on. So far, despite several stretches of 90-degree weather, I haven't been tempted to turn it on, and my first-floor apartment hasn't been warmer than 78 degrees F.

That said, I keep windows open when I'm home and closed--along with the curtains and blinds--when I'm not. I take cooler showers. I wear as little as possible while not giving the neighbors a show--tank tops and running shorts or sometimes just sports bra and shorts.

I have noticed that this summer, unlike years past, I haven't gained weight. I think it's because I am not craving large and heavy meals or snacking mindlessly because my body is more in tune with the weather. When it's cold, I crave heavier fare, but then I feel miserable when I step out into the heat if I eat a large meal.

And I turn on the stove only when necessary, and I rely on big-batch cooking a couple of times a week. I cook quinoa, rice, beans, and the like, then store them for use later in the week. No-cook meals save time and energy. When I come home from yoga practice or a run, and I'm so hungry I could eat my arm, these meals are life-savers. They require a little more time than a standard salad (like Coach Nicole's latest favorite salad), but they're still easy enough for a weeknight meal. I often pair them with big batches of gazpacho (lately I've been adding watermelon--yum!) or another chilled soup.

Other favorite no-cook meals: pita pocket sandwiches with homemade hummus and veggies (or you could add grilled chicken), black-bean and corn salsa with baked tortilla chips and avocados, almond butter-and-jelly sandwiches with fresh fruit and carrot sticks, smoothies, and leftovers of any sort. (Eat them cold or at room temperature--you might like it!)
 
My boyfriend is thoroughly impressed each night that I am able to create such filling and beautiful fare without turning on the oven. And, these meals showcase the beautiful colors and textures of summer.

Review: Vata Brasil Workout Clothes from ActivewearUSA.com

Editor's Note: SparkPeople has partnered with ActivewearUSA.com, and we are part of an affiliate program with the company as well. Bloggers have received clothing free of charge to review.
 
We're back with another review of workout clothes from ActivewearUSA.com. I'm going to be honest: We've heard your complaints that the company doesn't have an expansive selection of plus-size clothing. They are working to expand that, and they are taking your feedback seriously. ActivewearUSA.com is a small company (just like SparkPeople) that is committed to healthy living, and they have some great new plus-size lines coming in 2012. We do apologize if some of these posts exclude some of you because of size limits, and we will be featuring some non-clothing (accessories and fitness equipment) soon!
 
ActivewearUSA.com is helping us to Spread the Spark by promoting SparkPeople on their site, too.
 
Today we're highlighting VATA Brasil, a company that sells a unique type of clothing: one size fits most.
 
They say: VATA Brasil is a unique line of active wear "Active WearEver" and inspired by Brasilian beach wear. Designed in Vancouver by a Brasilian designer and athlete (Ananda) and manufactured in Sao Paulo, Brasil. VATA Brasil helps you make the most of your active life, dresses you in excitement, outfits you with innovation, pushes you to greater performance and fills you with true Brasilian energy.

What We're Reading This June

Each month, we like to share what we're reading. Here are the healthy and inspiring titles that have piqued our interest this month.

Taking the Leap: Freeing Ourselves from Old Habits and Fears by Pema Chödrön

They say: In this book Pema Chödrön shows us how to break free of destructive patterns in our lives and experience a new sense of freedom and happiness. Drawing on the Buddhist concept of shenpa, she helps us to see how certain habits of mind tend to “hook” us and get us stuck in states of anger, blame, self-hatred, and addiction. The good news is that once we start to see these patterns, we can begin to change our lives for the better.

The key is learning a new way of facing the inevitable difficulties and insecurities of our daily lives: we must learn how to stay present and open our hearts. “This path entails uncovering three basic human qualities,” explains Pema. “These qualities have always been with us but perhaps have gotten buried and almost forgotten. They are natural intelligence, natural warmth, and natural openness. Everyone, everywhere, all over the globe, has these qualities and can call on them to help themselves and others."

This book gives us the insights and practices we can immediately put to use in our lives to awaken these essential qualities. In her friendly and encouraging style, Pema Chödrön helps us to take a bold leap toward a new way of living—one that will bring about positive transformation for ourselves and for our troubled world.

We say: This book changed my life. I'm not a brave person by nature, and I've been through some tough stuff in the last 12 months. I read this book at precisely the right time. I learned to confront my fears and release them. I recommend it to anyone who is going through a rough time. This book taught me how to avoid feeding negative emotions.  




You Can Trust a Skinny Cook by Allison Fishman

They say: Co-host of Lifetime's Cook Yourself Thin Allison Fishman shows you how to eat great—and look even better!

In You Can Trust a Skinny Cook, Allison Fishman teaches you how to stay thin and trim without giving up on the good things in life. She shows you how to take control of your health by taking charge in the kitchen with delicious, healthy meals served in the right portions.

We say: I met Allison last month, and she shared a copy of her book with me. I love it. I kept saying, "these are like my recipes!" That is, as a healthy eater, it's rare to find a cookbook that contains so many recipes that are not only good for me and easy but also interesting and inspiring. Allison's no-nonsense style in the kitchen and affable personality make this a must-read for healthy eaters.

Guacamole without the Guilt: 11 Great Recipes

I love guacamole. It's one of my favorite foods to eat. And while it is higher in fat than its brethren, the salsas, it is packed full of fiber and heart-healthy fat.

To save the reputation of my favorite dip, I did a quick comparison to see how two tablespoons of guacamole stacks up against some other popular dips.

	Calories	Fat (g)	Saturated fat (g)	Sodium (mg)	Fiber (g)
Guacamole	85	5	0	103	3
Spinach dip	70	6	2	110	1
Onion dip	60	5	4	160	0
Nacho cheese	150	11	2	750!	1

 
Guacamole's looking better already, isn't it?

We Asked the 'Doctors': How Can We Improve Oral Health?

Recently, we had the chance to connect with Dr. Travis Stork, co-host of CBS' popular morning show "The Doctors."

I sent Dr. Stork a list of questions, and he sent us a video response in return, as part of his work with Crest. (Isn't technology helpful?)

I was pleasantly surprised by how much he covered during the five-minute video. He told us about some of the worst foods for your teeth, how to improve your oral health--and more!

Watch the video!

What Can You Do with Chia Seeds? Plenty!

Mother knows best. Back in 2005, my mom starting telling me about this "amazing" seed that was great for health. She added it to smoothies, granola, breads, and just about everything else. Flax, I quickly learned, was versatile and an easy way to integrate those heart-healthy Omega-3 fatty acids into my diet.

But as much as I love flax for its nutritional benefits (fiber, lignans, the aforementioned Omega3s and protein), there are a couple of caveats when using it in recipes:

Flax must be ground for our bodies to process it. Whole flaxseeds pass through the body undigested, meaning they're only providing us with fiber. If a product contains whole flaxseeds and boasts that it's a great source of Omega-3s, it's like they gave you a treasure chest but forgot to give you the key! Sure, those heart-healthy fats are in there, but they are locked inside the seeds.

Their nutty flavor is tasty but hard to disguise, which makes it difficult for it to blend in to the background in a recipe.

A couple of years ago, I discovered a food that's become as much of a staple in my kitchen as flax (which I still use almost daily and love!). This seed is a bit harder to find and perhaps slightly more expensive, but it's a great product that I love to use.
What is it? It's chia seed. (Also called salba.)

**crickets**

You know, like Ch-ch-chia? (Rings a bell now, doesn't it?) As in Chia Pets? Those terra cotta sculptures that grow "hair" use the same seeds that grace my morning smoothies and afternoon "puddings."

Don't Miss SKINNY COW's 'Perfect Cup' Events!

This is a SPONSORED POST from a SparkPeople Advertiser.

The folks at SKINNY COW™ have been B-U-S-Y! In addition to finalizing the cities for the "Perfect Cup" events, they also launched some new products. We have the scoop on both!

New for 2011, SKINNY COW™ has a new line of "Single Serving Cups": Fudge Brownie, Dulce De Leche, Strawberry Cheesecake, Cookies and Cream, Caramel Cone! Like all SKINNY COW™ products, they're high in taste, low in fat and calories!

Tummy Troubles: How I Learned to Embrace My 'Flaws'

Confession: My stomach is my least favorite part of my body. When I was in high school, I had a taut, toned belly that my angst-ridden adolescent self couldn't appreciate. But by the time I realized how rockin' my body really was, it was too late: Years had passed, and eating disorders had given way to lax college eating and weight gain.

Much of the weight settled on my stomach, and, as a woman with fair skin, every bump, ripple and dimple was more visible.

A total of 50 pounds fell away in three phases: the bulk of it during my year in Korea, another 10 pounds when I started working at SparkPeople, and the final 15 since I underwent some major life changes late last year. (If my math seems fuzzy, it's because I gained and lost 10 pounds a few times!)

Everyone loses weight at different rates and in different places. For me, the upper body is the first area to see results, especially my breasts (TMI, but ladies, you know what I mean!). My arms and legs see changes next, followed by my hips and rear end. But the belly--that one's the last to go. It's so hard for me to see results there.

Thanks to years of yoga, I have strong abs... but they're still buried under some softness. (I don't use the "F" word.) I have no trouble baring my arms in tank tops or wearing open-backed tops, and I even overcame my aversion to wearing shorts. But I don't wear bikinis, and I feel self-conscious baring my belly. I pause during yoga practice if my tummy hangs out, and I often tuck in my shirt to avoid anyone seeing it.

A couple of weeks ago, I turned 30, and I celebrated with a yoga retreat in Honduras. With temperatures topping 90 degrees most days, I wore as little as possible to stay cool.

On my birthday, we took a 3-hour hike. About an hour into the hike, my clothes were drenched with sweat. I shed my button-down shirt and wore only my sports bra and hiking pants. I was nervous at first.

Were the other people on the hike staring at my belly, with its soft whiteness? Were they wishing I would cover up? Did they think I didn't have the body to bare my belly?

This SparkPeople Employee Quit a Big Job for a Healthy One

At SparkPeople, it won't surprise you to learn, we encourage our employees just as much as we encourage our members. That same philosophy, of healthy living, making your life an adventure, and setting small goals en route to larger ones, is embraced by all of employees, from Founder Chris "SparkGuy" Downie right on down to our newest hires. We aren't just in the business of healthy living; we're also living that way.

Many of SparkPeople's employees have been here from the start 10 years ago, but most of us who've joined along the way have left corporate jobs and hectic careers where work-life balance and healthy habits weren't supported and, in some cases, were outright discouraged.

SparkPeople's Tami Booth Corwin is a great example of how much we truly value the very habits we advocate.

She's a wife, mother, and also SparkPeople's President. Despite having two young children and a busy schedule, she always makes time for fitness and healthy eating, something that just wasn't possible when she worked in publishing.

Kindle Version of 'The Spark' Just $1.99 for a Short Time

If you've been waiting to buy a copy of SparkPeople founder Chris Downie's best-selling book, "The Spark," now is the time to do it!

As part of a special promotion on Amazon, the Kindle version of "The Spark" is available for just $1.99. The discount was a bit of surprise to us (we just found out!), but we wanted to be sure to quickly share it with our members. The low price is in place for just a short time (until next Wednesday), and it is good on the hardcover edition.

This special low price is part of Amazon's "Sunshine Deals" program, which discounts popular books--including "The Spark"! Currently, we're #7 on that list. Can I get a WooHoo!?

The Kindle version has everything the original hardcover version did:

• Our first-ever "secrets of success" survey: the best habits of SparkPeople’s most successful members
   
• A 28-day program that brings together the most effective practices from SparkPeople into an innovative 4-stage plan, available only in this book
   
• Dozens of photos—including stunning before-and-after shots and easy-to-follow exercise images
   
• Dozens of success stories that show the power of this transformational program
   
• Plus you'll get SparkPoints just for buying the book!