Diets: Do they work? Let’s see…

There is a ton of info out there that is questionable when it comes to diet and exercise. So each week, we at WASGC are gonna put some popular diets to the test and see which ones get a passing grade or a big fat “F.” We know, we know, it’s all about changing your lifestyle and not dieting, it’s about being healthy and not skinny, it’s about (insert example here!), you get the picture. But we thought it would be fun and interesting to try out some popular plans every week and give feedback.

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Here’s how it’s going to work:

• We are still going to log into MyFitnessPal
• We are still going to exercise (10,000 steps a day)

These will be the only two constants during our weekly experiments everything else will be a variable. Is high school science class coming back to you yet? Each week we will try a different diet or piece of advice and log in our blog about how it’s working or not working. Then, at the end of the week, we will post a summary of the good, the bad and the ugly-no holds barred. This is the schedule of what we’ll be trying, (btw we won’t be mentioning any names of diets but you’ll get the picture) and loving or hating.

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Week 1-Wednesday February 17th to Wednesday February 24th, 2016

Will eating within a specified time frame cause weight loss? Eg. Eating within an 8 hour window…(See? Told ya you’d get what we were talking about!) and only during that time period.

Rules: You can eat what you want within a specified amount of time eg. an 8 hour window. You must not consume anything outside of the assigned eating period. This particular diet we’re speaking of offers 8 foods you should be eating, but we aren’t basing this experiment around that. We are keeping it simple because there are a lot of opinions out there that say, as long as you eat within a certain time period, or not before or after a certain time of day, you can eat what you want and still lose weight. Well, let’s see if those people are right…On your mark, get set…go! Check back for our entries to see how we are doing and how much we’ve lost or gained.

A popular opinion is that you can eat whatever you want, as long as you eat it within a set time…bring on the pizza.

Tasty Tips…

A few awesome and easy tips to make your life easier in the kitchen!

1. Here’s a really simple tip for those of us who love natural peanut butter but hate the oil slick that rises to the top of the jar. All you have to do is store the jar upside down! This helps the oil to distribute evenly, leaving you with a yummy treat and not a goopy, oily mess.
2. You’ve made pancakes but have run out of syrup. Before saying, “What’s the point?” and being super disappointed, try this trick. Combine 2 cups of frozen berries (mixed berries are really great for this) and 1/2 cup of water. Bring the berries and water to a boil and simmer for about 2 minutes until it thickens. Then drizzle over pancakes and you’ve just saved the day plus some precious calories!
3. After preparing a beet salad, you’ve got purple stains all over your fingers and hands-the easy solution is a potato. Cut a potato in half and rub the cut side over the purple stains. There’s a natural acid in potatoes that helps breaks down colour pigments and acts as a, “bleach.”

Stay tuned for more tricks and tips that will save you money, headaches and time!

 

Laugh of the day…

Lie Detector Test…

O.k. this is a really cool test to do, it’s called Pinocchio’s arm. At work, a friend and I were talking and somehow we came to discuss lie detector tests…pretty sure it was in regards to a current episode of the Maury Povich show where a guest was sure he wasn’t the father..sigh. I suddenly remembered this really cool thing that I had read somewhere, about finding a different form of detecting lies, a human form, not the standard machine way. So, instead of working, we decided to try it out!

The instructions are: Stand up and raise your arm horizontally away from yourself (out to the front with your palm facing down), get someone to ask you simple questions that are true but lie about one answer. For example; “Are you married?” If you say yes to this but it’s a lie, the person asking the question should be able to push down on your arm easier than if you were telling the truth.   The theory is that when you ask a person something that is true, they should be able to resist you pushing down on their arm, if they’re lying their arm will not be able to resist being pushed down because their brain is working harder to produce a false statement.

I told my co-worker to stand up and hold her arm out to the front of her body, horizontally to the floor. I started with a simple question, “Is your name Tami?” She looked at me and raised an eyebrow, “Yes,” She answered as I pushed down on her arm and she resisted with no problem. Next question, “Do you have 3 kids?” “Yes,” Still resisting with no problem. Third question, “Are you a vegetarian?” “Yes,” She lied and I was able to push her arm down and it was harder for her to resist. This was really cool, fun and entertaining but perhaps not a perfect method for human lie detecting and please remember this when you try it on your unsuspecting spouse or friends!

Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth?

Hot Toddy…

Today’s recipe is great when you have a cold. Following the bourbon theme from our recently posted, Bourbon Spiked Hot Chocolate recipe, we’ve come up with this treat for anyone who is suffering with the sniffles. A simple list of ingredients and taking only minutes to whip up, makes this drink a winter winner!

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• 1/2 cup hot water
• 2 oz orange juice (no pulp)
• 1 oz bourbon (Jim Beam is our favourite)
• 2 oz of apple cider
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1/8 tsp ground cloves

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Mix all of the ingredients together and enjoy! You should be feeling better in no time:)

 

Bourbon Spiked Hot Chocolate…

This recipe is SO GOOD! It’s easy, delicious and perfect for a long winter’s night.

Ingredients:

1 1/4 cups of milk

1 1/4 cups of hot brewed coffee

1/2 cup of Bourbon (our fave is Jim Beam)

3 tablespoons of hot chocolate mix

Whipped cream and chocolate shavings

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Warm up the milk in the microwave until it’s piping hot. Add the brewed coffee and bourbon, stir in the hot chocolate mix and top with whipped cream and chocolate shavings. Share with two of your best buddies or pour an extra serving for you and a friend!

 

Myth vs. Fact…

Today’s MvsF: Electric toothbrushes clean better than manual ones. So, what do you think, it this a myth or a fact? The results are in and here’s the answer!

I’ve had an electric toothbrush for years and I’m happy to say that yes, this is a FACT, electric toothbrushes DO clean better than manual ones. Can you believe that most people only brush their teeth once a day and most of us only brush for about 45 seconds?  So unless you’re the world’s greatest brusher do yourself a favour and trade in the manual brush for an electric one. Now there is a catch, the electric toothbrush you purchase should have bristles that rotate in alternating directions. This ensures that more plaque is removed and also means that gum diseased is reduced.Remember that dentists recommend brushing twice a day for at least two minutes and flossing at least once a day. Your toothbrush should be replaced every 3-4 months, (just replace the head) and it will stay germ free plus your teeth and gums will be happy & healthy.

Deep Conditioning Hair Mask…

Here’s an awesome recipe for a deep conditioning hair mask. It’s perfect for the winter conditions that tend to dry out hair and cause static because it contains moisturizing ingredients that will make your stressed tresses say, “Ahhh!”

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• 1/4 fresh avocado
• 1 tsp virgin coconut oil
• 1 tbsp of pure sesame oil (not the toasted kind)
• 3 drops of rosemary essential oil

Directions:

Place all of the ingredients  EXCEPT the rosemary in a small bowl and microwave for 30 seconds. Remove from microwave and stir in the rosemary oil. Apply to ends of hair, working your way up to the scalp. Massage gently and let it sit for 30 minutes while you relax. Shampoo and rinse, follow with your favourite conditioner and repeat once a month for best results!

My Fitness Pal…

I know a ton of people use the app MyFitnessPal and I am also a user. I absolutely LOVE it and it’s really helping me stay on track with calories and exercise. I usually exercise a TON but decided today that I would only eat what the app allotted for my daily caloric intake-man was that HARD! So according to my stats and goals, I am allotted (I hate the word allowed when it comes to calories…it makes me rebel) 1290 calories for the day WITHOUT exercise. I didn’t realize until today how difficult it is to not overeat- I also realized that 1290 calories is not a hell of a lot and I need MORE FOOD! So here’s a taste of my day; Breakfast was 520 calories, Lunch was 360 calories and Dinner was 410 calories=1290. It is taking every ounce of me not to eat everything in my entire house but I’ve decided that this was an experiment and these are the results. I’ve also learned a lot about myself…that I CAN do this but I will be hungry, that I didn’t DIE and that I really do need those extra calories from exercise to feel satisfied. But it also taught me discipline and not to give in just because I want something now, it’s delayed gratification in knowing that I am that much closer to my goal and that even though I’m going to bed hungry, I survived. Try it and see if it works for you. It’s good to move out of your comfort zone every once in a while to find out what works for you and what doesn’t and what you need and what you don’t.

In the news…

So a lot of people are talking about the Grammys last night. I didn’t watch the whole thing only bits and pieces. I did happen to catch Demi Lovato’s performance of Lionel Richie’s, “Hello,” and Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech. Let’s talk about Demi first! I’ve been fortunate enough to see her perform in concert two times, the first time was at Niagara Falls on New Years eve and the second time was in New York City in Times Square again on New Years eve. Both performances were awesome and girl can siiiinnngg! I really admire her because she is so open about her life and doesn’t apologize for it. She is doing so much good for people who have mental illness and has launched a mental health awareness campaign called, “Be Vocal:Speak Up for Mental Health.” She’s battled bulimia, self-harming, self-medicating and bi-polar disorder. I think she’s an amazing person for being so up-front about her struggles unlike so many other celebrities who wear the mask of perfection.

Image from Pinterest Demi Lovoto

So, onto Taylor Swift. After everything that has happened between her and a certain rapper who thinks he’s more important than he actually is, I will say it’s about time. He had it coming. Anyone who thinks it’s o.k. to have THOSE lyrics in a song is way off base. I think Taylor’s speech was spot on, it was classy and well spoken. She didn’t say any names but it was obvious who she was speaking about and I admire her for not getting in on the mud-slinging. Is she my favourite artist? No. Do I like some of her songs-of course (Love Story was our 1st dance at our wedding:) She was extremely inspirational for ALL women last night, every single one of us when she said, “There are going to be people along the way who will try to undercut your success, or take credit for your accomplishments…but if you just focus on the work and don’t let those people sidetrack you, someday when you get where you’re going, you’ll look around and you’ll know that it was you and the people who love you that put you there…” YES. It doesn’t matter that those accomplishments are far from winning a Grammy or are something that you’re not famous for-I think the entire speech added up to, IT’S ALL YOU and THOSE WHO LOVE YOU that matter. So say good-bye to those who don’t have your best interest at heart or those who think they are responsible for what you’ve done with your life-it’s been you and those who love you who have made you who you are today. Those who have supported you, the ones who have believed in you and the ones who have said from the beginning that, “You can do this!” Not some idiot who steals the mic from you on-stage while you’re accepting a well deserved award for YOUR talents and HARD WORK. Remember that and it will serve you well.

Image from Pinterest Taylor Swift