That's Fit

I had the opportunity to speak with Jenna Vaught, Miss America Plus Elite 2007, regarding her inspiring weight loss story. You can read the first half of the interview here. But Jenna's story doesn't start and stop with weight loss. Jenna's views on body image and what makes a woman truly beautiful are inspirational for all of us -- whether we're a size two or a size 22.

It seems that you achieved not only better physical health, but better confidence through losing weight. What did the process teach you about yourself?

The process of losing weight and maintaining it has taught me that I have everything I could ever need in myself. When I was so heavy, I wanted so much for others to think I was good enough or worthy. Today, I know that I have all it takes to be a strong, successful, and beautiful woman. Literally, I found the real Jenna. Media, society, and others have no influence on the way I feel about myself externally or internally. Most days, when I am feeling great, it's because I know I am doing great things for myself and my life. There are days that really are hard, I have learned to just let that day happen and move forward. Perfect, I am far from it. Persistent, now that is a word I live by day to day!

Working on your holiday menu already? If so, you might want to add peppermint to your shopping list. I'm not talking candy cane peppermint, though -- although a touch of it might do you some good. I'm thinking more like the healthy herb peppermint.

Nothing like a hot cup of peppermint tea while you sit by a festive roaring fire. It's good for the soul, for sure. And good for the body too, especially for upset tummies.

Reader's Digest (December 2008) lists this recommended recipe for a terrific tea: Steep two peppermint tea bags in a cup of boiled water for 15 minutes, keeping the brew covered so the essential oils don't evaporate.

Want more holiday diet tips? Head on over the Holidash by clicking on the link below.

A former co-worker of mine is a Registered Dietitian. On occasion, I've asked her for advice -- both personally and professionally. Her replies are always knowledgeable and well thought out, however, they usually amuse me. Her emailed replies have two answers -- the answer she would give as an RD and how she would address the issue in her own home. Even RDs face nutrition challenges -- temptations, cravings, and the desire for convenience -- so sometimes they have to make their nutrition knowledge bend and fit what works for them at home.

Self magazine has a great blog called Eat Like Me. It's written by RD Cristin Dillon-Jones and follows her day-to-day eating habits and meals. The meals are all very reasonable, and there are plenty of tips to be found. My son and I love soup, so I'm going to be trying out Dillon-Jones' Minestrone soup recipe soon.

Picked up your peanut butter jar lately? Chances are it has a big indent on the bottom -- all part of the shrinking food packaging strategy manufacturers have been using to keep prices steady.

Could the Recession Diet deliver a 32" waist? Last week I asked That's Fit readers "Will shrinking food packaging shrink your waist?" Here's the lowdown on responses:

• Interestingly 33.3 percent (19 votes) said Yes, I can't afford to buy more. This surprised me. Are people really eating less?
• 28 percent (16 votes) said, No, I'll just buy more.
  
• Nearly 32 percent (18 votes) said, No, I won't buy more, but I'll reach for calories elsewhere. I incorrectly hypothesized this answer would garner the greatest response.
  
• 7 percent voted Other. Wonder what they're thinking?

During the height of the gas crunch, I carefully combined errands, stayed away from longer trips (when possible) and definitely drove less overall. Whether it's shrinking food packages or higher food costs, maybe there really is a reduced-calorie element to this recession.

Do you happen to have any Lean Cuisine meals in your freezer? If so, you better take stock of what you have -- nearly 900,000 pounds of Lean Cuisine frozen chicken meals are being recalled.

Nestlé Prepared Foods Company in Springville, Utah issued the recall after receiving customer complaints regarding bits of hard, blue plastic in certain meals. So far, one injury has been reported. The products being recalled include:

• Lean Cuisine Pesto Chicken with Bow-Tie Pasta.
• Lean Cuisine Chicken Mediterranean.
• Lean Cuisine Chicken Tuscan.

Only certain production codes of these meals are being recalled. If you have questions, you can contact Nestlé Consumer Services Center at (800) 227-6188.

Regretting that fatty meal or snack you just inhaled? I feel your pain. No worries, though -- just hop outside or on a treadmill and get walking.

A recent study suggests that taking a walk can counteract the negative effects fatty foods have on your arteries. Here's how: Eating high-fat foods breaks down the endothelium (the layer of cells responsible for preventing heart disease) in your arteries. But walking after you eat these foods helps your arteries recover. Amazingly, it helps them get stronger too. The experts at Family Circle magazine (November 29, 2008) recommend this walking workout for maximum benefits.

• Walk slowly for five minutes to warm up at an intensity level of two (about 2.5 mph on a treadmill).
• Walk briskly for 45 minutes at an intensity level of five (about 4 mph on a treadmill).
• Walk leisurely for five minutes to cool down at an intensity level of three (about 3 mph on a treadmill).

Think walking isn't enough to combat the effects of fatty foods? Try fighting the fat by slashing the worst of it from your diet.

The days are so short now. By the time I've helped my son complete his homework and get dinner on the stove, it's pitch black outside. When it's dark out when you start your workday and dark when you get home, it can take a toll on your well-being. There are things you can do, though, to keep your energy running high during the darker days of winter. Here they are:

• Sun exposure. This time of year, it's important to get outside and spend some time in the sun. Even if it's just a 10-minute walk during your lunch hour, the sunlight will do you good.
• Exercise. An active lifestyle helps to keep you energized. Commit to exercising every day. That doesn't mean you have to have an intense hour-long workout every day. You can vary your workout doing short 10-minute bursts one day, a moderate 30-minute workout the next, and an intense, longer session on other days.
• Nutrition. Certain foods can help boost your energy. Healthcastle has tips on foods that will help increase energy. AOL Health also has a list of fatigue-fighting foods.

NBC Nightly News anchor Brian Williams travels a lot. He's always on a plane or in the back of a cab, which makes it pretty hard to eat healthy. Combine this with is non-adventurous eating habits -- his mom's goulash was one can SpaghettiOs with one half-pound ground chuck, he's never used chopsticks, and despite his worldwide jet-setting, he's never tried Ethiopian or Korean food -- and you've got a guy who loves a good food court.

"I will do a slice at Sbarro, or I'll go to A&W -- their cheeseburgers are underrated, and need I say more about a cold mug of frosty root beer?" says Williams. "Cinnabon exhaust fumes have a hold over me like crack cocaine would over an addict." And while the friendly Arby's, Cracker Barrel, or Waffle House signs scream his name, he is making progress on the nutritious eating front -- he once drank whole milk but now favors 1%. Hey, it's a start.

Fitness fans are constantly trying to do an end run around that calorie-laden Thanksgiving dinner, whether it's a 1,000 calorie workout turkey day morning or careful starvation three days following the food feast. I know I purchase way too much sour cream, butter and shredded cheese for our treasured family casserole recipes.

How about facing Thanksgiving's cardiac casserole defensive line with an offensive move right up the middle? This Thanksgiving, I dare you to replace one of your fat-filled casseroles with a healthy vegetable. Just one. Here are three ideas from the gourmet Martha Stewart:

• Skip the sweet potato casserole with marshmallows on top for Apple, Leek and Butternut Squash Gratin.
  
• Bypass the green bean casserole with fried onions for Green Beans with Golden Raisins (pictured from wholeliving.com).
  
• Swap the creamy mashed potatoes and serve a bowl of colorful roasted vegetables instead.

Since I've laid down this dare, I'm now making roasted butternut squash instead of sweet potato casserole with mini-marshallows, and I'll definitely be working out hard Thanksgiving morning.

Apparently, millions of Americans -- including those at a low-risk of heart attack -- should be on the cholesterol-reducing drugs. In my opinion, this is scary. Don't get me wrong -- statins are a wonderful thing and have helped many, many people. But we are a very medicated society and the fact that the medical community feels the need to medicate the low-risk population is frightening. Especially when healthy living could solve many of the same problems.

People with high cholesterol aren't the only ones who should be paying attention to their numbers. Even if your cholesterol falls in healthy ranges, you should still be taking proactive measures to manage it:

• Exercise regularly. Aerobic exercise increases your HDL cholesterol. HDL (high-density lipoprotein) is the "good" cholesterol because it helps carry the bad cholesterol out of your blood stream. Your HDL levels should be greater than 40 mg/dl.

Blake Lively and Jessica Biel like to snack. Make it organic for these gals, though, because they reportedly are partial to Kopali Organcis -- snacks that are apparently both yummy and healthy.

The Kopali line -- priced at about $3.99 per bag -- includes dried fruits (gotta love Goji berries and goldenberries), dark chocolate-covered bananas, and a berry-nut mix. All treats are free of sulfites and sugar, and the guys who founded the Kopali business are proud to be profitable while keeping in mind the health of both consumers and the planet. For more on the Kopali story, view this inspirational video.

My son often begs for fruit snacks at the grocery store. Despite the hundreds of times I've told him otherwise, he still maintains that "they're fruit, so they're healthy!" Um ... no.

It turns out that my son isn't the only one confused by what actually counts as a serving of fruits or vegetables.
A recent British survey revealed lots of parents are confused as well. Some of the surprising results:

• One in 10 believed Jaffa Cakes (a cookie-like treat made with sponge cake, orange jelly, and chocolate) counted as a fruit.
• One in five believed orange squash (a sweetened, orange-flavored drink) counted as a fruit.
• One in five believed Spaghetti Hoops (like Spaghetti-O's) counted as a vegetable.
• One in 20 thought oranges and bananas didn't count as fruits.
• 15 percent of British parents don't believe it's their job to teach their kids about nutrition.

Wow. And though it's sad to say, I think a survey in North America would have similar results. Check out the gallery for some potentially confusing items.

Last week, the Houston Wellness Association is holding their 2008 Wellness Symposium at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas. This two-day health care event was designed to bring together wellness experts from across the country, to talk about how to tackle healthcare and the problem of obesity in American children. At the event, William J. Clish M.D., a professor of pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine, said, "Of all the mothers I see, the majority argue with me about their kids' right to be obese ... to be 'what they are.' I argue they have the right to be their very best."

Well put.

His presentation included several tips on how to help keep your kids in shape:

You know good nutrition leads to better health. But did you know it can lead to a more beautiful you?