One of the biggest marketing ploys out there is the word organic. Once something is termed as being organic, not only does it fly off the shelves faster but it can also be sold at a higher price. No matter what the cost to grow and produce the item, and no matter the condition of the economy. The average consumer assumes that an organic product is one that is produced without pesticides, hormones, antibiotics, chemical fertilizers, or GMO’s (Genetically Modified Organisms). But, is that really the truth? What Does Organic Really Mean?

After starting to read The Omnivore’s Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals by Michael Pollan (available on Amazon), I realized that I really missed doing nutrition and health posts. If you enjoyed Skinny Bitch, this book would be of interest to you. This book, which is not about living a vegetarian lifestyle like many think, has so far been incredibly eye opening. One of the main topics that it discusses is the effect that consuming Organic food vs. non-Organic food has on our economy, social structure, land, resources, and environment. From there it even splits it up into the effect had based on if that Organic produce was raised, processed, and distributed in the same country as it will be consumed vs. if it was raised, processed, and distributed for consumption in another country. It is a book that really makes you think about the ultimate effect that you have as a consumer.

One of the biggest factors that contributes to this dilemma is the fact that organic produce is not necessarily pesticide free. This is the common belief among American consumers. Organic produce is more likely to have reduced amounts of pesticide residue present, but there is no guarantee that they are free of chemicals. Especially when you take into consideration the loop holes that are provided to companies to be USDA Certified Organic.

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My immune system hasn’t been up to par lately, and I’m stuck with a cold. I spent this morning thinking about the ways that my current lifestyle has contributed to this. Not getting enough sleep, drinking alcohol more frequently, not taking my vitamins and supplements, and eating more processed food over the weekend are likely contributors. So, I decided to look back over previous posts for some references on how to prevent this from happening again.

The post Health Tips : Foods That Boost Your Immune System was the most helpful. I realized that I’ve been lacking a lot of variety in my diet lately. The produce sections of stores here are extremely poor compared to what I am used to seeing back in Oregon, so I’ve made it my goal to find a place with decent produce and to stock up. I already knew that I needed to do this because I’ve been craving fruits and vegetables constantly over the past few days. After a grocery store trip, these are always the first things that I run out of.

Another thing that I did which, I believe, contributed to me being sick is drink more artificial sweeteners than normal. I try to stay away from them as much as possible. The post The Truth About Artificial Sweeteners explains why. Whenever I put the stuff into my body, I feel it. I’m really hoping to find a decent health store around here with a good bulk section to buy some all natural sweeteners.

Well, I’m off to make another cup of green tea before I head out to work. What are your tips for avoiding illness? Do you notice certain lifestyle factors that effect your immune system?

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There’s always been a lot of debate about if snacking late at night will lead to weight gain or not. Many people say that it has no effect, while others say that you should stop eating about 3 hours before you plan to go to sleep. So, which is it? Are Late Night Snacks Good or Bad? The truth is that, just like any other time you eat food, it all depends on several factors.

The biggest factor is whether or not you are actually hungry or just bored. A lot of people snack while watching TV. This means that they aren’t really paying attention to how much they are consuming or to if they are still hungry or not. It can be very easy to just keep grazing on food if it’s sitting in front of you without even realizing how much you are consuming. Give yourself small portions, eat slowly, and pay attention to your body while you are eating.

Another major factor are the kinds of foods that you are eating. Many people eat desert foods at night. These are high in sugar, calories, and fat that won’t be burned off before you retire to bed. Stay away from empty-calories at night and you’ll do yourself a big favor. Instead, snack on fresh fruits and vegetables, soy yogurt, and chocolate soy milk. Mixing up some fresh fruit with soy yogurt and a bit of granola is a great snack that will satisfy your cravings, your sweet tooth, and fill you up without empty calories.

The important thing to remember is that it isn’t about what time you are eating, but about what you are eating. Limit empty calorie foods through out the day and allow yourself more treats by enjoying fresh fruit and other healthy options. For some healthy snack ideas for any time of the day, check out this previous post, Quick & Healthy Snack Ideas.

In an issue of Glamour magazine, the Calorie Math section compared two dinner options. A chicken Caesar salad and a steak with side dishes. You might be surprised at which is the better pick.

You could eat : A grilled chicken Caesar salad with croutons OR You could eat : Five large cocktail shrimp with cocktail sauce, a 5 ounce lean broiled filet mignon, a cup of steamed spinach, and a medium baked potato with 1 teaspoon butter.

Which do you think is the better option? You might be surprised. Option 1, the chicken Caesar salad, contains 560 calories and 37 grams fat. Option 2, the steak and shrimp with sides, contains 560 calories and 16 grams fat. The main lesson here is that just because it’s a salad doesn’t mean it’s healthy. Stay away from creamy salad dressings, such as Caesar and ranch, because they are loaded with extra fat and calories. If you want the steak for dinner, get it. Watch the content of your side dishes by choosing veggies and going easy on the butter, and you’ll be fine.

If you had a hard time shopping for Valentine’s Day this year, take the time ahead to check out some of the great promo codes that are available. I wish that I would have know about this site earlier, as I would have loved to get a great discount on something for my special loved one. They have some great deals from the Apple Store that would have come in handy (like an iPod shuffle for $49.00 USD). There are also a ton of good deals from Target that would have been nice to know about earlier. There’s even coupons for Best Buy, like $200.00 USD off certain Sony and Dell laptops. Make sure to keep these amazing promo codes in mind for next year!

In an issue of Glamour magazine, the Calorie Math section compared two drink options. A Piña Colada and a glass of white wine, specifically Pinot Gris/Grigio. You might be surprised at which is the better pick.

You could drink : 1 Piña Colada (8 ounces) OR You could drink : 1 glass Pinot Gris/Grigio (5 ounces), 10 tortilla chips (about 1 ounce), 1/2 cup guacamole, and 2 tablespoon salsa.

Which do you think is the better option? You might be surprised. Option 1, the Piña Colada, contains 390 calories and 4.5 grams fat. Option 2, the Pinot Gris/Grigio and chips, contains 390 calories and 16 grams fat. There may be more fat here, but it’s healthy fat from the avacado in the guacamole. The main lesson here is to avoid frozen drinks. They might taste good, but they are usually full of sugar.

This comparison makes me want to drink wine and watch Sex & The City on DVD while painting my toe nails. Lol. With our new and nice TV hooked up to the stereo, we’ve been thinking of setting up a miniature home “theater”. Getting some small speakers for the walls and what not. We already have dimmers on the lights in the living room, but it’d be really neat to have something that’s more like real home theater lighting. It’d be so sweet!

I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised by the comments left on my previous entry. All too often I’ve expressed those views only to have them be shot down by others. I have no idea why people have such a hard time accepting that you need to make a lifestyle change in order to be healthy, and that everyone is healthy at different weights and sizes. So many times people have gotten on my case about my weight or size, saying that I was healthy at my former size. People just don’t realize that what’s healthy for some just isn’t for others. Some people are healthy at a size 0 or 2 while others are healthy at a size 12 or 14. Our individual bodies decide what is healthy for each of us as individuals.

To follow up to that post, I wanted to make a post about food cravings. We all have them and sometimes they are hard to ignore. But, what we often don’t realize is that cravings are our bodies way of trying to communicate with us. While people often tend to crave unhealthy items (though the more fruits and veggies you eat, the more often you will crave those), it’s usually something else that the body needs.

If you find yourself craving salty and greasy foods, like potato chips or french fries, it could mean that you are dehydrated. Salt causes your body to retain water, therefore you tend to crave it when you are even slightly dehydrated. The next time you are craving salty and greasy foods, drink a glass or two of water and see how you feel.

If candy, chocolate, or other sweets are what you crave, it could mean that you need protein. I know that I tend to crave sugary foods when I’ve had a long day and am feeling tired or run down. Sugar gives your blood sugar a quick boost that will give you temporary energy. Eat some nuts (almonds are really good for you) or drink some fortified soy milk for some protein that will give you lasting energy.

If you’re a carb lover and crave bread and pasta, this could mean that you simply aren’t getting enough fuel through out your day. Carbs are easy to digest since they are already partly broken down. This means that they will give your body energy fast. Make sure that you are getting at least 1,200 calories a day (that’s right, not everyone needs 2,000). Try carrying healthy snacks with you to much on during the day. Trail mix, pretzels, air popped popcorn, fruits, and veggies are all great portable snacks.

Completely un-related, but I really wish that we had the extra cash on hand to go on a vacation. I came across Branson real estate online and they have some really awesome looking vacation rentals. Cabins on the water? Sign me up!

First off, let me say that diet is a four letter word. And you all know what they say about four letter words, right? Ignore them. Diets simply don’t work. They are pointless and will only leave you with a slower metabolism, hungry, and unhappy. Have you ever noticed that the same number (in pounds, stone, or a size tag) can look completely different on two people that are in the same height range. We all have our own healthy weight that our body will settle at. This is the weight that you will not only be the healthiest at, but you will also look your best!

Now, I know that some of you are skeptical of why you should listen to me. The truth is that I have seen for myself the results that eating correctly will have on your body. I’m 5′5″, about average height for an American woman. Back before I spent much time thinking about what I put into my body, I weighed 125 - 130 and was a size 7 or 9. Now, I’m a size 0 - 3, and 100 - 105 lbs. What caused the change? When I found out that I was lactose intolerant and could no longer eat dairy, it forced me to pay attention to what I was putting into my body. I lost weight quickly and feel so much healthier. How do I know that this is my healthy weight? By maintaining this attitude towards my body and diet, I’ve been stable at this weight for several years now. Any change in weight that I’ve had is within a normal 5 pound range.

Once your body finds it’s healthy weight, as long as you keep taking care of your body, you won’t have to struggle to stay there. It’s important to take care of your body and to pay attention to what you give it to live. Food is fuel and your body runs much easier when it’s given the proper fuel.Here are a few tips that are easy to live by. Trust me, you will notice an impact in how you feel and how you look.

1. Drink more water and tea. I really don’t think that this could be said enough. Your body is mostly made of water so it makes sense to drink a lot, right? Unfortunately most people don’t. If you get bored of plain water, add some slices of fruit. Marsadie recently blogged about some benefits of upping your water intake. Unsweetened tea is a great option too. Even better if you are drinking green tea as it is loaded with antioxidants. Herbal tea is great too, for the same reason, and black tea has been linked to a decreased risk in osteoporosis. The most important thing is that no matter if you are drinking water or tea, it should be unsweetened. Don’t rely on Propel, Vitamin Water and all those other flavored drinks for your water intake as they also will give you empty calories.

2. Re-think your portions. Fruits, vegetables, and complex carbohydrates should make up the majority of your diet. Eat meat (of any kind), dairy, fats, and sweets sparingly. When you sit down for any meal, the majority of your plate should be of those 3 groups above. They benefit your body the most out of all food groups. Lean meats, such as lean cuts of beef, skinless chicken, and some fish, are good for you but should be eaten in moderation. Eating meat every single day simply isn’t good for your body. Worried about not getting enough iron or protein? Drink fortified soy milk, eat dark leafy greens (spinach, kale, or collard greens), try some vegetarian burgers, and eat a handful of nuts.

3. Practice moderation. No food should be completely off limits. Allow yourself treats. No, that slice of cheesecake isn’t going to balloon your hips. But eating the entire thing will. Just keep track of your portion sizes and/or switch to healthier versions. Try out soy and rice ice creams, vegan cookies, or chocolate soy milk. They are all better for you and your body than regular versions.

4. Don’t live by the Nutrition Facts Panel. As long as you are reading the ingredients, you are better off than reading just the Nutrition Facts Panel. Why is this? Everyone has different needs. Also, the information isn’t completely honest. For example, some ingredients, such as transfat, aren’t required to be listed on this panel. Your body processes them as saturated fat. Yet they are not listed in the fat content on the Nutrition Facts Panel. This allowed companies to “lower” the fat content of items by replacing the fat with transfat sources. It’s only been recently that it’s been required for them to be listed on this panel at all. Think of all the years you were feeding your body transfat without being aware of it’s effects. Use this panel as a guideline and that’s it.

5. Read the ingredients of everything you eat. This is the most important thing to do. You need to be aware of what you are putting into your body. You might be surprised at the ingredients of some foods that are often considered healthy. If a product contains ingredients that you are unsure about, or can’t even pronounce, look them up online and found out what they are. Better yet, try to limit the amount of foods you eat with those items in their ingredient lists. Your body doesn’t need chemicals to live. It needs whole and natural food.

Getting to your healthy weight means not depriving yourself, not restricting yourself to odd foods, and not dieting. It means eating things in moderation. Paying attention to what you put into your body. In other words, treating your body and yourself with respect and love. It’ll be worth it in the end, in more ways that you’ll see in the mirror.