While I'm only a fish-eater, my husband is a meat/fish-eater. With his appetite being extremely low, I wanted us both to go grocery shopping in hopes that he'd see something enticing. Most of the time I grocery shop solo and zip past any deli meat counter. During today's trip however, that was one of his stops AND it turned out to be totally encouraging!!!
Boar's Head has this Nutritional Information guide that is totally fabulous. It includes the nutritional facts on their meats, cheeses and even condiments!! They have a page listing their American Heart Association approved products that offer low sodium, cholesterol and fat. At the HEB at William Cannon & Brodie, they are in a plastic stand on the top of the case for Boar's Head products.
...seemingly small things like this are high-jumps over the HUGE hurdles we've experienced traveling this path of living without sodium...
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Sunday, July 20, 2008
The man who removes a mountain begins by carrying away small stones. Chinese Proverb
It's now the law. New York restaurants with 15+ locations across the country now have to post calories. Seattle is next then San Francisco. KVUE.com has a great clip on this article and long term health, it comes down to one thing: Simply think about the food you eat.
Austin nutritionist Deirdre Earls was quoted: “I don’t think calories alone is enough,” she said. “I like the idea of them providing more information and providing calories. However, what I really think would be a public service is in addition to providing calorie information, you also let people know there are genetically modified ingredients. You also take out the trans fats that are directly connected to heart disease, diabetes, obesity." In addition, amazingly fantastic news is from the founder of Zen Japanese Food, Adam Weisberg: “We got all of our recipes tested from an outside company to prove which meals were ‘Heart Smart’ approved, and that was based on sodium, cholesterol, saturated fats, fats, calorie counts,” he said.
Austin nutritionist Deirdre Earls was quoted: “I don’t think calories alone is enough,” she said. “I like the idea of them providing more information and providing calories. However, what I really think would be a public service is in addition to providing calorie information, you also let people know there are genetically modified ingredients. You also take out the trans fats that are directly connected to heart disease, diabetes, obesity." In addition, amazingly fantastic news is from the founder of Zen Japanese Food, Adam Weisberg: “We got all of our recipes tested from an outside company to prove which meals were ‘Heart Smart’ approved, and that was based on sodium, cholesterol, saturated fats, fats, calorie counts,” he said.
This news has given me renewed energy and hope.
There are local restaurants that do care about
the health of their customers.
I was so wrong as I thought Zen was simply fast food.
I'm excited to know about them and will be going there soon!!
Saturday, July 19, 2008
The universe will reward you for taking risks on its behalf. Shakti Gawain
With nutritional information easily available from chain restaurants, how can people still eat there - specifically, how can parents in good conscience take their children there? I found where some of them took top honors: Sodium insight from iVillage:
The Saltiest Dish in America
Romano' Macaroni Grill's Chicken Portobello: 7,300 mg sodium
Saltiest "Healthy" Food is Chili's Guiltless Grill Chicken Platter:
2,780 mg sodium
Saltiest Beef Entrée, Bob Evans Steak Tips and Noodles:
4,131 mg sodium
Sadly, also loaded with sodium from the kids menus:
Chili's Little Chicken Crispers: 1,300 mg sodium.
Fazoli's Spaghetti with meat sauce: 1,020 mg of sodium
Captain D's Kids Fish dinner: 2,100mg sodium
From Today's Show on-line: The 20 saltiest foods in America
The Saltiest Dish in America
Romano' Macaroni Grill's Chicken Portobello: 7,300 mg sodium
Saltiest "Healthy" Food is Chili's Guiltless Grill Chicken Platter:
2,780 mg sodium
Saltiest Beef Entrée, Bob Evans Steak Tips and Noodles:
4,131 mg sodium
Sadly, also loaded with sodium from the kids menus:
Chili's Little Chicken Crispers: 1,300 mg sodium.
Fazoli's Spaghetti with meat sauce: 1,020 mg of sodium
Captain D's Kids Fish dinner: 2,100mg sodium
From Today's Show on-line: The 20 saltiest foods in America
Sunday, July 13, 2008
It is not length of life, but depth of life. Emerson
A photo I took of this amazing cactus that lived in our backyard out in Wimberley. It produced these soft delicate coral buds that bloomed into bright yellow flowers, right next to a zillion sharp pointed thorns... totally explains what this chapter of life feels like for me.
Friday, July 11, 2008
Anything's possible if you've got enough nerve.... J. K. Rowlings
My theory has always been if you have the courage (or guts) to ask, the worst thing that can happen is that the answer will be no. However, the answer just may be yes. Or I've also realized it could be silence with no answer at all.
I would just like to know that my request has been heard. I've received a total of 3 responses from my numerous requests for nutritional information. I do realize Austin is a big city and our local eating venues must receive lots of emails each and every day... I'm trying to be patient I really am.
To eliminate the chain fast food and restaurants, for my husband and I, no problem as it was really a no brainer. It is easy especially when you live in a city like Austin. I mean seriously, with all of the delicious local venues for every type of cuisine imaginable... plus the farmers markets... Sun Harvest, Central Market and of course Whole Foods... healthy food for a healthy lifestyle is easily accessible and affordable.
One of the best ever places to experience is Sunset Valley Farmers Market between Brodie and West Gate just South of 290. Along with having tasty vegs & fruits, they offer some great looking plants from It's About Thyme. My favorite booth is M Squared Jewelry... gorgeous unique jewelry designed and created by Mae-Mae Stiles. Open each & every Saturday, rain or shine, all year round, 9AM until 1PM... check it out, it will definitely kick-start your weekend in a good way.
I would just like to know that my request has been heard. I've received a total of 3 responses from my numerous requests for nutritional information. I do realize Austin is a big city and our local eating venues must receive lots of emails each and every day... I'm trying to be patient I really am.
To eliminate the chain fast food and restaurants, for my husband and I, no problem as it was really a no brainer. It is easy especially when you live in a city like Austin. I mean seriously, with all of the delicious local venues for every type of cuisine imaginable... plus the farmers markets... Sun Harvest, Central Market and of course Whole Foods... healthy food for a healthy lifestyle is easily accessible and affordable.
One of the best ever places to experience is Sunset Valley Farmers Market between Brodie and West Gate just South of 290. Along with having tasty vegs & fruits, they offer some great looking plants from It's About Thyme. My favorite booth is M Squared Jewelry... gorgeous unique jewelry designed and created by Mae-Mae Stiles. Open each & every Saturday, rain or shine, all year round, 9AM until 1PM... check it out, it will definitely kick-start your weekend in a good way.
Monday, July 7, 2008
Do not wait for leaders; do it alone, person to person. Mother Teresa
I just can't seem to get something out of my thoughts... I'd had such great hopes in finding a spokesperson to advocate for nutritional information at local restaurants... in previous posts, I mentioned that I reached out to "Dear Dale" among others to encourage local restaurants to provide nutritional information. While he didn't respond to mine, he did respond to D.C. even though he didn't answer his question, only told him what to do which I'm sure D.C. knew already. What I read saddened me, not just for D.C. but for everyone who is genuinely concerned about nutrition....
Dear Dale, I read your column regularly, and I thought you might be able to assist me in locating restaurants with low-sodium items on their menus on a permanent basis. My wife had a minor stroke in February, and has had to lower her sodium intake drastically. I went online and found a great many choices. Although these recipes are easy for me to prepare, I would like to offer her a treat of having a restaurant meal for our anniversary in July, but one which is truly low-sodium. Appreciate any information you can provide.
Thank you.
D.C.
D.C., That's actually easier than you might think. Virtually any fine-dining restaurant in Central Texas will be happy to accommodate your needs if you call in advance, talk to the chef and explain your dietary restrictions. The problem is that many items — such as salad dressings, sauces and mashed potatoes — are made in advance and are salted. By talking to the chef ahead of time, you often can have a portion put aside before it's seasoned. Also, any chef should be able to handle a low-sodium request if you simply walk into a restaurant unannounced. However, that might limit your choices to items such as grilled meats or fish — minus the sauces — with fresh vegetables for a side. That actually sounds like a pretty good meal to me.
D.C. was asking for restaurants that offered low-sodium items on a permanent basis. Instead of addressing this situation, Dale responds how easy it is, yet is it really?? Call in advance, explain your restrictions... or limit your choices to grilled or fresh items.... While absolutely, I agree with Dale that "grilled and fresh" is a pretty good meal yet why should D.C. have to take on this responsibility?
Honestly, I have always considered myself a conscientious eater. I have been literally blown away with what I've learned. Congestive heart failure with my husband, a stroke with D.C.'s wife... we shouldn't wait until it's a life-threatening situation to be concerned with what is in our food.
Dear Dale, I read your column regularly, and I thought you might be able to assist me in locating restaurants with low-sodium items on their menus on a permanent basis. My wife had a minor stroke in February, and has had to lower her sodium intake drastically. I went online and found a great many choices. Although these recipes are easy for me to prepare, I would like to offer her a treat of having a restaurant meal for our anniversary in July, but one which is truly low-sodium. Appreciate any information you can provide.
Thank you.
D.C.
D.C., That's actually easier than you might think. Virtually any fine-dining restaurant in Central Texas will be happy to accommodate your needs if you call in advance, talk to the chef and explain your dietary restrictions. The problem is that many items — such as salad dressings, sauces and mashed potatoes — are made in advance and are salted. By talking to the chef ahead of time, you often can have a portion put aside before it's seasoned. Also, any chef should be able to handle a low-sodium request if you simply walk into a restaurant unannounced. However, that might limit your choices to items such as grilled meats or fish — minus the sauces — with fresh vegetables for a side. That actually sounds like a pretty good meal to me.
D.C. was asking for restaurants that offered low-sodium items on a permanent basis. Instead of addressing this situation, Dale responds how easy it is, yet is it really?? Call in advance, explain your restrictions... or limit your choices to grilled or fresh items.... While absolutely, I agree with Dale that "grilled and fresh" is a pretty good meal yet why should D.C. have to take on this responsibility?
Honestly, I have always considered myself a conscientious eater. I have been literally blown away with what I've learned. Congestive heart failure with my husband, a stroke with D.C.'s wife... we shouldn't wait until it's a life-threatening situation to be concerned with what is in our food.
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Every day brings a chance for you to draw in a breath, kick off your shoes, and dance. Oprah.
The 4th of July weekend... a holiday where we gather with friends & family. The downside is that more than not, people tend to overeat. This morning I've read blogs and chat-boards of people confessing their food intake and now jumping back on that exercise treadmill. I know that many items were on the menu at our house that are typically never there. Even though we don't even have salt in our house, many of the foods naturally contain sodium. Amazing. Ridiculous. Unnecessary. There's no way to totally escape sodium.
In researching the past 7 months, I've found some great internet resources I want to share. They are enlightening on just how healthy (or unhealthy) the food you are eating (or feeding to your children & family) truly is...
For a list of individual items in a spreadsheet format:
http://www.megaheart.com/sodium_veggies.html
For the sodium in a smaller food chart:
http://www.healthyeatingclub.com/info/books-phds/books/foodfacts/html/data/data5a.html
If you are more inclined to support chain restaurants/fast-food, this is a resource for those items:
http://www.calorie-count.com/
In researching the past 7 months, I've found some great internet resources I want to share. They are enlightening on just how healthy (or unhealthy) the food you are eating (or feeding to your children & family) truly is...
For a list of individual items in a spreadsheet format:
http://www.megaheart.com/sodium_veggies.html
For the sodium in a smaller food chart:
http://www.healthyeatingclub.com/info/books-phds/books/foodfacts/html/data/data5a.html
If you are more inclined to support chain restaurants/fast-food, this is a resource for those items:
http://www.calorie-count.com/
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