Welcome

We will be discussing a wide range of topics regarding Health and Fitness Training.  Not trying to sell you anything! I do Not own a Fitness or Health Food company. I an Not affiliated with an Political Party either. This is just a place to share information that can help us all improve our health. I will also be adding training videos as I embark on my own weight loss fitness training.

My interest in Health and Fitness began at an early age - I took a Judo class at age 6 and continued to study a variety of martial arts - well into my 20s. At 16 I worked in a natural food store and trained under the owner - Monty Wolford - a Weightlifting Guru and Pikes Peak Marathon winner.  So, I started exploring Natural Foods about 30 years ago. In my early 30s, I had the pleasure of training with some of the LA Raiders before they moved back to Oakland. More recently I was lucky enough to train with Karch Karily for a day and worked with Hans Stolfus as he rallied to put the AVP back together. I have been following the tour and playing Beach Volleyball for about 20 years.  

I want to point out that I am not fanatical about natural foods. You can't spend every minute worrying about what you eat. However, I hate being ripped off - spending extra money for a supplement or workout program that isn't even good for me. If I need a doctor - I go see one. However, I am not a fan of hospitals or death and try to avoid both whenever possible. That inspired me to start this blog.

A common Sense Approach
Make a list of healthy foods for each meal of the day. Go to the store. Get your ingredients. Include 2 vegetables you like.  Prepare them as side dishes or dice them up raw and use them in a variety of dishes later.  Buy a jar of diced garlic. Dice up a couple onions and keep a container in the fridge. Take a few hours - once or twice a week and prepare your ingredients. Rice, pasta, they have Quinoa pasta now that is really healthy and tastes good. I make a big container of shredded chicken every week and use in everything for Chilli from tacos to pasta and egg rolls.  Eat what you make most of the time. Then splurge once a week or so and you won't feel like you're dieting. I'll post a full article on this later.

I am not an expert at anything - this blog is just a way for all us to share information. Always check with your physician before you start a New training Program or try new supplements and foods. Always check for allergies too. For instance - I love the way MSM helps me recover from a work out. But! If you're allergic to shellfish/Sulfur - it will kill you dead.  

If you do not play sports - the topics we will cover apply to everyone, regardless of lifestyle. Your comments are appreciated and encouraged. Please share your knowledge.

Invasion of the Body Snatchers

Please Excuse the Crazy Title of this article - But - a Nasty poison has creeped into our so-called "Natural" Foods and supplements. I'll explain. 

This morning I was drinking my coffee (Cup a day and trying to quit) and handicapping Golf. I always drink electrolytes with any caffeine beverages, as Caffeine dehydrates your body, electrolytes rehydrate you. As I sipped my coffee and Emergen-C (Electrolyte/Vitamin C Drink) - my stomach felt a little empty. I went to the Fridge and grabbed some Yogurt. After 3 or 4 Spoonfuls my stomach felt queasy. I went back to the Fridge and just out of curiosity - checked the label for artificial sweeteners. I have been buying Lucern Dairy products off and on for years. All they had was Low Fat at the Grocer, but wasn't concerned. Anyway, I was really startled to find "Aspartame" on the label. If you are a diet soda drinker - you probably wouldn't have noticed. I never drink soda and artificial sweeteners taste like liquid mayonnaise to me. I tossed the Yogurt in the trash and wrote Lucern a Nasty email. (see Video Below). The stuff literally kills brain cells. Afters years of watching Network TV and unknowingly consuming Aspartame,  I probably have very few left.

I had also picked up some Greek Frozen Yogurt that tasted a bit funny. So, I went in the freezer and checked that label. The Brand was "Open Nature", sure enough, "Aspartame". Upon further inspection of the Label, guess who makes "Open Nature? Lucern Dairy. 
BTW Danon Yogurt and Yoplait Light also contain Aspartame.

I was on a Roll at this point. So, just for the hell of it - I checked the ingredients on my
Emergen-C. I had already checked it for "Aspartame" years ago and have been living on the stuff for years. We drink it when we train for Sand Volleyball at 110+ degrees here in Vegas. 
Well, no "Aspartame". But I had overlooked another - similar ingredient. "Aspartic Acid" 
So, I looked it up. My Jaw Dropped. Turns out "Aspartame" is 40% "Aspartic Acid". Although these amino acids in natural forms are fine - these synthetic additive versions are caustic poisons.  

To Be Fair: The company claims the "Aspartic Acid" is just a naturally occurring Amino Acid. 
However: As you try to decide whether to trust them or not - you may want to consider This:

Other Questionable Ingredients and Alternatives

http://healthywithsam.blogspot.com/2013/03/the-truth-about-emergen-c-packets-and.html

Re: The Aspartic Acid:  
http://www.psychiclunch.com/2009/11/so-should-i-take-emergen-c-then.html
Pfizer Acquires Alacer Corp

http://press.pfizer.com/press-release/pfizer-acquires-alacer-corp-leading-vitamin-supplements-company
Wiki Alacer Corp

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alacer_Corp.

Short History of Aspartame

Complete Documentary Sweet Misery

I am not Familiar with DR Mercola or his Organization. 
I just found the information interesting. Form your own opinion 

Last week I was also sent an article regarding my favorite "Natural" Juice Drink. "Naked Juice". I love their "Green Machine". Not anymore!. Guess who owns Naked Juice? Pepsi! Part of the bad news included claims that in addition to being Non GMO  it contains calcium pantothenate - which is somehow related to formaldehyde. They just settled a 9 Million Dollar Law Suit.

http://www.naturalnews.com/041412_naked_juice_food_labeling_all_natural.html

In closing, Al ll I can say is Read the Label and Consider the Source of your Food and Drink. As you can see from the Aspartame video (above) - there are Big Bucks involved and Powerful People with a vested interest in adding things to our food that you wouldn't feed your dog. 

Update:
When I heard about Naked Juice - I though I was really smart.  The next day I went to Von's and bought some OdsWalla Green Drink to replace my Green Machine. Ha Ha! Just Read:

- In its early days, Odwalla was a small company owned by a few individuals that made real, raw food juices. Since its acquisition by Coca Cola in 2001, almost everything has changed.
Read the Full Article:

That article recommends:
- Amy's Kitchen
- Late July
- Nature's Path