Stop Hating: The Ugly Stepchildren of Natural Foods

Do you know what is so irritating to me? Listening to someone rattle on and on about why they would NEVER touch a potato with a 10 foot pole, while they pull an Atkins bar out of their bag for lunch.  It totally gets under my skin.

Hi, I have a little news flashy for you: your fat-free cream cheese and diet Cokes are making you way fatter than a potato ever will.

I'm sorry to sound mean, it's Monday, not you. It's not really our fault that we're so confused. Over the years dozens of fad diets have infiltrated our lives, most of which have vilified various fruits, vegetables, and legumes (presumably in order to distinguish themselves from the last fad). While the diets themselves have slipped into obscurity, the associations with the poor scapegoat foods that were blacklisted have found their forever homes in our consciousness.

Here are a handful of foods that have developed particularly bad but undeserved reputations, and you're totally missing on out by omitting them from your diet.



Carrots

The misconception:

 Carrots first came to a negative light when the low-carb craze took off, mostly because they're a root vegetable.  They're associated with being high in sugars and carbohydrates.

The Reality:

First of all, complex carbs are necessary for a s-load of reasons, but that's irrelevant because raw carrots actually has less sugar than strawberries (per serving) and a lower glycemic load than a large grapefruit.  Secondly, the amount of carrots you need to consume to reap the health benefits is incredibly low: you can get an entire day's supply of Vitamin A from a measly 1/4 cup of grated carrots (which is like, 3 grams of sugar. NBD.). Know the expression "eat the rainbow?" Well of all the orange/yellow foods, carrots are the most protective against cardiovascular disease. Simply put, they help fight heart disease (and cancer, btw). The dreaded carrot is an excellent source of soluble fiber, beta-carotene, Vitamin A, Vitamin K, C, B6, potassium, and a laundry list of other phytonutrients. Relax, bunny!

Potatoes

The Misconception:

Even more so than the carrot, the poor potato was totally and completely demonized by the Atkins diet and its lookalikes. Additionally, the association with french fries and loads of salty toppings have really dragged the potato's reputation through the dirt. No pun intended.

The Reality:

Potatoes are an essential source of brain fuel- and complex carbs help keep you both full and satisfied. A medium potato has half your daily requirements of Vitamin C! Potatoes are high in fiber, iron, potassium, copper, and  contain blood-pressure lowering molecules in potatoes called kukoamines.  Potatoes are extremely rich in Vitamin B6, which your body needs to produce seratonin and dopamine production.  Potatoes really do make you happy! Like many nutrient dense foods, potatoes are somewhat calorie-dense (about 270 calories in a medium spud), so if you're watching your calorie intake skip the high calorie toppings and lighten it up with Greek yogurt or salsa.

Bananas

The Misconception:

 Bananas should be avoided because they are high on the glycemic index, high in sugar, and packed with calories.

The Reality:

First of all, the glycemic index is widely accepted at being flawed, confusing, and mostly irrelevant. So let's move on from that. Sure, bananas are higher in sugar than some other fruits, so perhaps don't go stuffing your face with them (I actually think that's a pretty good rule of thumb in general). However, they're super rich in antioxidants and important minerals. Bananas are one of the best sources of potassium (467 mg, to be exact) which is essential for maintaining normal blood pressure. They produce a digestive enzyme that greatly improves our ability to absorb nutrients which is a pretty big deal, and they lower risk of colon and kidney cancer.  They're also the bomb for endurance athletes looking for the perfect food to fuel a workout.

Peanuts

The Misconception:

Poor, poor peanuts. Everybody knows they pale in comparison to the mighty walnut and almond (not a fair comparison, don't even make me tell you that peanuts are legumes, not nuts) and have come to be considered a "bad" nut as a result.

The Reality

While almonds and walnuts kick ass in general, don't shelf your peanut butter (just buy freshly ground natural peanut butter, please)!  At least five major studies confirm that eating peanuts can lower risk for coronary heart disease, are good sources of Vitamin E, niacin, folate, protein and maganese. Peanuts also contain resveratol - sound familiar? That's the same antioxidant that we use as an excuse to pour ourselves that nightly glass of red wine. They contain more antioxidants than an apple. Truth.  If that's not enough, peanuts protect against Alzheimers disease. So if you just can't let go of your love for PB, at least let go of the guilt.

Egg Yolks

The Misconception:

In recent decades, eggs' high cholesterol content has been thought to play a role in increasing "bad" cholesterol.

The Reality:

We learned a while back that cholesterol in food doesn't  cause heart disease (trans fat and & saturated fat do) but we still cling to the notion that eggs are bad. While high in cholesterol (184 milligrams in the yolk) they're relatively low in saturated fat — about 1.6 grams in the yolk. So don't skip the yolks. because whole eggs are a nearly perfect food. The yolk contains almost every essential vitamin and mineral our bodies need! It's one of the only natural food sources of vitamin D, contains perfect protein, Omega-3 fatty acids, B6, B12, riboflavin, folate, and choline, L-arginine and important amino acids. So think twice before ordering that egg white omelette: skipping the yolk actually means missing out on most of the nutrition and protein.

TBT: Jessica Simpson's Daisy Duke Workout

Remember when Jessica Simpson looked like this?



Duh, of course you do.

JS is a serious hottie, 100% of the time. To the nasty articles about her weight fluctuations and post-baby body, I say, up yours because the woman a sex bomb. End of story.

But it was widely known that Ms Simpson worked her freaking ass off (pun intended) for her Dukes of Hazzard booty. That's what we women of the naturally flatter-butted type have to do. It's an unfortunate reality for some of us.

I've been on a butt-building mission and it popped into my head that thanks to the magic of the Interwebs, I could refer to her booty-sculpting secrets for my own perusal. Voila, Throwback Thursday is born.

So either shake what your mama gave you or take matters into your own hands.  Give this legit workout a whirl if you want to grow, sculpt, or perkify your own ass. Twerk!

Jessica Simpson's Daisy Duke Workout:

Treadmill – running for eight minutes at 6.5mph to warm the legs up for intensive leg work
Bodyweight squats: A few sets of 2–25 squats, followed by dumbbell rows while in squat position
Reverse Lunges: 2 – 3 sets per leg of 12 lunges
Squat Jumps - plyometric set of squats with a dynamic jump up afterwards.
Bicep Curls while standing in a Lunge position – 18 reps. This is super-setted with;
Lateral Raises from a Lunge Position (switch leg position) 1 set of 18 reps. This superset is done for 3 sets
Dumbbell Triceps Extension (laying on back): 2 – 3 sets of 20 reps
Treadmill – running for eight minutes at 6.5mph
Incline Crunches: 20 reps
Prone Kneeling Leg Extensions: 2-3 sets per leg x 18 reps per set
Treadmill: 7 minutes of gentle jogging to cool down
Forward Lunges: 2 – 3 sets of 20 reps
Travelling (walking) Lunges: These are just lunges but instead of staying in place you walk across the room. If this is too easy, try doing it holding a pair of dumbbells at your side

Interview with Shaina Zaidi of Tu Me Turmeric Infused Water

You just may have noticed by now that I’m somewhat into food that acts as medicine- prolonging life, fighting disease- you know, the superhero foods. Anti-inflammatory Turmeric is way up at the top of my list, so when one of my running buddies introduced me to his friend Shaina and told me about her company, Tu Me water,  I was instantly intrigued. She sent me bottles of her magical turmeric infused water to try and I was like a kid on Christmas waiting for the delivery. (I know you're judging me for saying that. Go ahead, I understand)

Listen up athletes and heavy sweaters: Tu Me water is probably the most amazing sports drink ever.

I know it takes more than water to replace lost electrolytes and minerals when I run long distances, but Gatorade is prettttty nasty and honestly, as much as I want to love coconut water,  I just don't. So sampling and loving Tu Me water and it's super clean list of ingredients was a very exciting day for this runner. I'm patiently counting the days until it's available near me.  I'm so. freaking. pumped. to have an alternative to what's currently on the market!

Shaina is so incredible and was more than happy to shed some light on my new favorite post-run refresher. She's basically amazing: a world-traveled athlete, an articulate  businesswoman, a wellness enthusiast, and the creator of a product that's already being embraced by celebrities and athletes. No biggie.







Tell me about yourself.

I’m a 28 year old female health enthusiast and have always been excited about being involved in sports & health and business. I grew up in Southern California, attended Marlborough School in Los Angeles and went on to earn a degree in Political Science from UCLA. I love to travel and when given the opportunity to play basketball overseas professionally, I took it and flew with it for 4 years. I love seeing the world, trying new things, staying active, and meeting new people.

Tell me about Tu Me – I’m beyond excited about this product,

Tu Me - Turmeric Infused water is a revolutionary new sports drink. It’s all natural and made with real ingredients, with real health benefits. It has fewer calories, less sugar, less sodium, and more nutrition than the other drinks on the market. All Tu Me waters are made with our proprietary blend of TurmericXtract, and meant to promote wellness as well as enhance post-workout recovery.

What inspired you to create Tu Me and how is it being received by the general market?

My Dad and I started Tu Me for a few different reasons, all with one thing in common - to help people.  We did not have to go very far to reach out to those in need. Having grown up in Pakistan, my dad was familiar with the practice of incorporating healing herbs into his daily routine—be it the amazing curry dishes that my grandmother would lovingly prepare daily or the homemade turmeric paste she would apply to his  cuts and scrapes.  I turned to my Dad for his recollection of his tradition using the herb when I suffered from exercise induced inflammation. In my last year playing overseas I had a nagging lower back injury, and the team doctors wanted to give me steroid injections such as cortisone during the game. Luckily I declined because I was aware of the negative effects associated with such injections and anti-inflammatory drugs, such as causing irritation of the stomach and other harmful effects on the body.

It all came together when I was home visiting my family and our neighbor who was diagnosed with cancer knocked on our door because she was a believer of the growing trend that turmeric could help in the reduction of cancer cells. We feverishly went to the kitchen to prepare every curry/turmeric dish we knew, but she would have to eat tons of Indian food to achieve the health benefits of turmeric.  So it made us think- why can’t there be an easier, low-calorie way to get turmeric’s known healing powers into your daily diet?  That is when it came to us- turmeric infused water.  We began experimenting with ways to eliminate the bitter taste of of turmeric and establish curcumin potency. Hundreds of gallons later, we took their recipe to, and joined forces with a world-renown food chemist and arrived at the cutting edge formulation of Tu Me Water.

What are some of the challenges of launching a company in this industry?

Launching a company in the beverage industry takes a lot of hard work and sacrifice, and that in itself can be a challenge. Almost daily, we work 15 hour days, devoting our time to development, production, marketing, design, research, etc. Given that we are still a start-up company we are at the stage of development where we are seeking to secure partnerships and investors to take it to the next level, and that too is a challenge. I have become immune to hearing "no," and I think often times people see that as a challenge, but being able to channel those no's into lessons and moving forward only helps gain momentum. Validation was once a challenge for us. We knew we had something great, but we needed to hear others say so. A big challenge in the beverage industry is developing a product that not only is good for you, but tastes good too! After sampling at the LA Marathon for a group of over 10,000 people we had our validation - people LOVED Tu Me! We have since then done many more focused group sampling and taste testings, including the Hollywood 1/2 Marathon, Youth Football Camp, and in store tasting.

What's your favorite way to sweat?

I love to play basketball and tennis, those are my first loves and anytime I can play either I am sure to work up a great sweat. It is fun going to LA Fitness, or a basketball gym and to see all the guys faces when I ask to play next, because I am a "girl." Then I go out there and play hard and not only work up a sweat but help them break one too! Besides playing basketball and tennis I have gotten into spinning! One of my friends took me down to both Fly Wheel and Soul Cycle and I absolutely loved them!

How do you balance holding a current job, launching a company, and staying healthy?

That is a great question, that I have yet to master! Staying healthy in the chaotic world we live in is no easy task. We are constantly on the go and surrounded by mostly unhealthy choices. But thankfully, I often times look for motivation, tips, and ideas from blogs like yours - Legwarmer Nation as well as from social media, particularly Instagram. Staying active is probably the biggest way for me to keep my sanity and stay healthy. Working out and breaking a sweat is so therapeutic, it helps me think clearly, keeps me smiling, and helps me stay fit.

Favorite Natural Health/ Beauty Secrets?

Tu Me - Turmeric Infused water! =) Right now it is a secret product that has had a soft launch in regional stores across the [San Fernando] valley and online, and is soon going to hit stores all over So Cal. It is low calorie, refreshing, and delicious. It is ideal on the go, with a meal, during, or after a workout. Rich in antioxidants and vitamins that promote wellness and enhance post-workout recovery! Check it out at - www.drinktume.com. Turmeric is nature's golden healing herb. It has been around for thousands of years and has a range of medicinal properties. Its rich antioxidants and power anti-inflammatory properties are even being researched for their cancer fighting capabilities. When most of the modern day diseases are caused by inflammation, incorporating Turmeric into your diet is a no brainer! Drink Tu Me and live well!

You're Putting WHAT on Your Face?!

Extra Random Fact of the Day:  The average woman consumes 4 lbs of lipstick in her lifetime. Unless you're me, in which case the number is probably closer to 8.



I know, I'm full of 'em. Wondering how I know that fascinating little tidbit? Over the weekend I was talking to one of my best friends, who just happens to sell 100% botanical vegan skin products. When I asked her if she liked the product line, she unknowingly took the opportunity to completely freak me out.

“Well yeah, your skin is your largest organ, so everything you put on it is absorbed into your body. Why would you want nasty ass chemicals absorbed into your blood stream?”

And then a legitimate moment of awakening hit me.

I painstakingly refrain (95% of the time) from taking the can of Reddi Whip that has taken permanent residence in my mom’s fridge and putting it directly into my mouth because what the hell is Polysorbate 80? Yet I’ve never really worried about what exactly I scrub my body with or smear all over my face before I go to sleep. So I'm feeling slightly ridiculous.

I then proceeded to grill my friend interrogation-style and followed up with some fact checking. It turns out that most cosmetic products are full of some nasty crap called parabens. Parabens are the most commonly used preservative in personal care products, yet more and more studies are beginning to link parabens absorbed through the skin to breast cancer.  Another delightful additive to your beauty products are phthalates (try pronouncing that out loud), found in artificial fragrances and are a class of hormone disruptor that can cause birth defects, sperm damage, and infertility.

Yummy.

On average, women absorb 126 chemicals a day from beauty products via the skin. WTH.  I don’t care what anyone wants to tell me about how the FDA has deemed them harmless, I don't like the idea of any chemicals in my body, let alone 126 of them all at once.

If 126 chemicals a day only skeeves you out slightly, let me seal the deal.

My first job out of college was in a city called Vernon, near downtown Los Angeles. Vernon is sick (not in a good way, bros)  because it smells like disgusting, foul, nasty shit that literally makes you want to gag upon inhaling. Why? Because lovely downtown Vernon is the home of the Farmer John Rendering Plant, which is where dead animals go to die a second time. 24/7 (literally), heaps of maggoty fly-covered animal carcasses and bones are burned down and boiled into a nasty 90 degree soup, days and days after being stripped of edible meat.  (I'm describing this in the most non-gross way possible. For a real reality check, do a little research online about what actually happens at a rendering plant). The yellow tallow rises to the top of the liquid, is skimmed off, and then sold to cosmetic companies who use the fat in their products.  Almost all rendering plants in the US sell this biproduct and the FDA allows it to be listed in the ingredients under the guise of “fragrance.” WTF.

I really can’t even deal with this realty.

You couldn’t freaking pay me to drink a Diet Coke, so why do I want to put a bunch of mystery crap into my body via my skin? I don't want to sound like an alarmist, but here's the fact: I wouldn't put these products in my mouth, ever. So I believe that it makes perfectly logical sense to begin the process of phasing out my old chemically products and replacing them with new all-natural products effective like,  yesterday.

And for my fellow skincare snobs who refuse to buy moisturizer from CVS, you can find lists of the best natural skin products here, here, and here.

Link Lovin'

1. As if I need another reason to go to Beverly Hills, this Soul Cycle will have an even larger boutique than it's Brentwood & SanMo counterparts. (LA Racked)

2. WHY has this yucko issue not been addressed sooner?!  (Skinny Confidential)

3. A question I've struggled with in the past: how much protein do you really need?  (the If Life) 

4. It's time to put (most of) the summer whites away, and that includes wine.  A fab cheat sheet for the wine pairing-impaired. (The Daily Meal)

5. It’s about Damn Time: My kind of Fantasy League. (Celebrity Fantasy League)

6. My pregnant friend has been craving pudding, which has me thinking about this drool worthy dessert (Chocolate Covered Katie)

7.  I love how this super adorbs romper can go from super cozy to totally chic (Beyond Yoga)

8.  Made this for dinner the other night and it. was. divine. (A House in the Hills)

9.  Um. Obsessed, although for me I suppose this would simply mean going for a run without falling. Non Dorky Ways to Work Out in Public (refinery29)

Shots Before Noon

So I have a confession.

I’m completely addicted to throwing back a shot or two as soon as I drag my ass outta bed every morning. Call me dependent, but I swear it takes the edge off and fires me up to get my workout on.

Before you go calling my parents about an intervention, I should clarify that my little habit is 100% booze free. My cocktail of choice is a combo of freshly juiced turmeric and ginger with lemon, raw honey, and a good shake of cayenne pepper. Aside from jolting me wide freaking awake, it just so happens to provide an intense dose of antioxidant + anti-inflammatory action.

Here’s a lil’ bit about why I love my morning tradition…and why you should probably join me at the bar kitchen counter to take one too. Cheers!

Turmeric: I could go on and on about the health benefits of raw turmeric, but here's the Cliffs Notes: The main component of Turmeric, called Curcumin, is known to block cancer causing enzymes and fight free-radicals, and is one of if not the most powerful natural anti-inflammatories.  It's also a pretty color when juiced (warning: It stains)

Ginger: Alleviates nausea & gastrointestinal issues, has direct anti-inflammatory effects, is packed full of antioxidants, boosts the immune system and is thought to protect against cancers such as Ovarian and Colon.

Lemon: Lemon has amaze benefits, but who wants a tall glass of lemon juice with their oatmeal? Not me, so I add it to my AM shot for its anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties. It’s also a digestive aid, a liver cleanser, and is full of Vitamin C (which, besides the obvi, aids in preventing collagen breakdown in the face…in other words, keeps you looking young. Cheers to that.)

Raw Honey: Sure, it takes the edge of the tanginess of the ginger and lemon but it’s oh-so-much more. Did you know that honey is a natural multi-vitamin? Welp, now you do, and it’s also anti-viral/bacterial/fungal, strengthens the immune system, can keep allergies at bay and helps with the production of antioxidants in the bloodstream. Boom. I specifically use raw honey for two reasons:

1. The pasteurization process kills off most of the beneficial elements of honey


2. And because the dear ol’ FDA defines honey as “anything containing pollen.” Sketchville, USA.

Psst- Do your research on raw honey to make sure you can eat it – there are peeps (like pregnant women, people with allergies to pollen, and children under age 1 to name a few) who are advised to steer clear of unpasteurized foods. 

All you need is a juicer for the turmeric, ginger and lemon (no Vita Mix required – my iffy Breville juicer does the trick), a tablespoon of honey and a shake or two of cayenne. Combine in a martini shaker, strain into a shot glass, and toss it back like an old pro.

Hangover not included.

A Doggy Style Workout

I’ve got a long list of obsessions. Dogs happen to fall toward the  top of said list.  When I say obsessed, I mean I'm obsessed in an I watch Youtube puppy videos on Friday nights/ and talk to strangers' pets in baby voice / and dress my male dog in tutus kind of way, so when my mother in law told me that she set up a day to do land races at an Iditarod mush camp, it was pretty much all I could think about. Unrelated sidenote: When we were little kids, my brother and I collected stuffed dogs and would spend hours in our room playing Iditarod Races. This usually ended in screaming semi-violent fights over who won, but I can look past this and remember it fondly. Because I know in my heart that I was the winner. Anyway.  It turns out dogs need lots of exercise too (duh), and the the pro-athlete type in particular.  In order for the Iditarod pups to stay in shape over the summer, the dogs train by pulling go-kart “sleds.” This is opened up to public participation, which is how I ended up in a 4WD tractor bulldozing its way up the steepest hill (with a terrifyingly sheer drop on each side) ever. As we climbed toward the top, it crossed my mind that I may be participating in some sort of animal cruelty. When we finally made our way into Mush Camp, the dogs were all roped up and ready to go and they burst into a chorus of excited barking upon seeing us. I’ve never seen so many wagging tails in my life and any cause for concern passed quickly. 

I was surprised to see several dozen dogs that looked nothing like I had expected. Alaskan Huskies differ from their fluffy, wolf-like Siberian cousins – they’re smaller, leaner, and bred with labs, greyhounds, German Shepherds and a number of other dogs to attain a speed that’s faster than the Siberian husky or Malamute is able to reach. So aside from being fast, they're basically adorable, slobbery mutts.

Did I mention that when we finished, we got to play with tiny cuddly furballs? Oh, well, we did. I die.

Le Sigh.

Also unrelated: Whale spotting! I made it clear from the beginning that I would only be satisfied if I saw a whale in the sea. Preferably many whales, leaping alongside the ship and doing flips and tricks like at Sea World (I was advised not to get my hopes up). The only whale I’ve seen in “nature” was just hanging out by the boats in Marina del Rey. Poor guy was just trying to catch some rays in the shallow water, but managed to end up surrounded by chattering news crews and curious neighbors (like myself) until he grew bored with the attention and swam back to his family – not exactly a majestic encounter. But we saw dozens of them from the boat. One even lept out of the water. I can go home happy now.  ♥