Bev Sklar-related stories
Lunch Boxes - What's Hot (and Healthy) in the Cafeteria
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| Photo: Bev Sklar |
You can do better. Check out these healthy-to-go tools for your back-to-schooler, with a few featured here:
Laptop Lunchboxes. This American-style bento box encourages you to pack portion-right sizes of a variety of foods -- without any baggies landing in the garbage. No phthalates, BPA or lead, and it's reusable, recyclable and dishwasher safe. You can even purchase an extra set of inner containers just in case you left the containers in the sink. My second grader (pictured) loves his new black Laptop Lunchbox with red containers. This earth-friendly invention is forcing me to steer away from single-serve yogurt or applesauce and buy in bulk jars/tubs instead. One major complaint, missing a slot for an ice pack. May have to splurge on the carrying case with velcro mesh pouch and this non-toxic ice pack instead.
Jillian Michaels is Your Favorite Trainer
Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Celebs & Entertainment, Motivation, Nutrition & Supplements
That's Fit readers love Jillian. In fact, in our Biggest Loser Couples premiere coverage last week, I asked you which trainer you'd pick, if you had the chance -- Bob Harper or Jillian Michaels?It wasn't even close. Here are the stats:
- 26.8 percent chose Bob (30 responders)
- 63.4 percent chose Jillian (71)
- 9.8 percent said they love 'em both (11)
I privately hypothesized Jillian would win, and she's my favorite, too. While Bob is wonderful, Jillian offers that special something -- she beats up her team's bodies like no other, uplifts their hearts and facilitates emotional healing. Although I'm now paying close attention to Ballistic Bob after his slurry of f-bombs at Gray team's Joelle this week. Let's see if he can get to the core of why she's not laying it all out in the gym. Will those f-bombs transfer into a transformational event for Joelle or was Bob's exasperation all for nothing?
Biggest Loser Couples - Bob Goes Ballistic
Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Celebs & Entertainment, Motivation, Nutrition & Supplements
It's only the second week over at the Biggest Loser Couples ranch, but the drama seamlessly continued from week one's surprise wave goodbye to nine contestants. Trainer Bob, Mr. Cool Hand Luke of the Bob and Jillian Show, lost his cool. That's Bob going ballistic in the pic above at Gray team's Joelle. More on that in a minute, for now let's kick-off from the start.
The nine contestants sent packing are a busy bunch back home. Some are hiring personal trainers, Stella cleaned all the fat out of her cupboards, and David 'watched' his diet by only ordering two hot dogs and fries while reconnecting with family. Obesity is obviously a family affair for David, meeting together at a hot dog joint is not a good sign for the Orange team.
The nine contestants sent packing are a busy bunch back home. Some are hiring personal trainers, Stella cleaned all the fat out of her cupboards, and David 'watched' his diet by only ordering two hot dogs and fries while reconnecting with family. Obesity is obviously a family affair for David, meeting together at a hot dog joint is not a good sign for the Orange team.
1 in 200 Kids Don't Eat This
No, the answer is not french fries, it's meat. It's probably more like one in a million kids who don't eat french fries. But back to the young veggie tale, the Centers for Disease Control recently released the first estimate of how many children younger than 18 avoid meat. The number is 367,000 or about 1 in 200. Not a number indicative of veggie world rule.Maybe that's a guesstimate as other surveys forecast the rate could be four to six times higher for older teens. If you're old enough to drive a car, you're certainly mature enough to decide if you want pepperoni on your pizza or not.
While the long-term data is too slim to quantify whether YouTube animal slaughter videos are the main motivator behind adolescent veggies, some say animal welfare is the primary spark, not health. I went veggie for five months once, but I felt tired -- yes, I was getting enough protein -- so I returned to the land of the occasional carnivore. I consider myself a flexitarian. Have you ever been or are you a teen or adult veggie?
9 Biggest Losers Sent Packing, Blogosphere is Ranting
Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Celebs & Entertainment, Motivation
NBC's Biggest Loser Couples message board is mostly ranting, not raving. Just as viewers didn't like the dirty gaming of Vicky, Heba and Ed last season, they weren't happy watching nine head home after only one week of salads and sweat, even if over half will return. Here are a few sample Rants and Raves:
RANTS
- "That is the cruelest thing they have ever done on this show."
- "Why call it Biggest Loser Couples if you're going to send nine people home the first night?"
- "So sad a good show is ruined ... that's not fair."
- "Deeply cruel."
- "I don't mind twists, but not this early."
- "Way to wreck a good show!!"
RAVES
- "I find the show very inspirational despite the contrived drama."
- "What is the big deal here? I just don't understand how people can be so flabbergasted when this has happened before [Season 3], and it has been proven how well people can do [lose weight] at home."
Hmm ... same ol', same ol' doesn't sell on reality TV, but was this producer strategy cruel, genius or both? Weigh in your Rants or Raves in the poll below. See you next week, I'm still watching.
Biggest Loser Families - And The Winner Is
Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Motivation
The Biggest Loser Families finale didn't disappoint last night, awarding Michelle (pictured, right) the Biggest Loser crown. Really, it should be a tiara, she is beauty-contest gorgeous. America loves a happy ending, and the blogosphere clearly was rooting for kind-hearted Michelle. She played an honorable game, the exact opposite of drama queens Manipulator Vicky and Pick-On-Phil Heba. Trainer Jillian did it again, a key player in facilitating Michelle's growth on the inside, so she could ultimately chip away at the outside. Here are the juicy finale details:
America Votes Third Finalist -- Ed won with 84 percent of the nation's vote. Even though he pleaded his wife's case, an overwhelming majority did not want Heba to be a finalist. Smart call, she lost an amazing 138 pounds, dropping from biggest-woman 294 pounds to 156. That 46.8 total percentage weight loss narrowly inched out Picked-On-Phil's wife Amy P. for the $100,000 at-home prize. I didn't think Heba had it in her, she proved me wrong. Phil looked pretty good, didn't he?
Bailout Bucks for Bike Commuters
The $700 billion financial bailout has an interesting fitness benefit -- $20 a month for employees who commute to work on two wheels. The bike-commuter benefit goes into effect January 1, but if you're a two-wheel commuter, don't get too excited. The dirty details are still pending from the Internal Revenue Service.Supposedly, bike commuters can receive a $20 reimbursement from their employers for any month they regularly hop on the bike for a substantial portion of their travel between home and work. Here enters semantics: Does regularly the first Monday of each month count? Is riding four blocks to the train station substantial enough? How would this transit benefit be impacted by other popular employer-sponsored transit benefit programs for parking, rail, subway and bus fare assistance?
Before you start spending a $240 windfall that hasn't fallen -- such the American way -- knock on Human Resources' door for guidance. Read the full article over at the Chicago Tribune for more confusing details.
Albino Veggies Should Blush
If white twinkling lights are elegant and creamy cashmere is a classic, why do we keep forgetting about the lonely colorless veggies? White veggies may be shy at the party, but they're secretly blushing inside with nutritional pride.- Cauliflower -- fantastic source of vitamin C, and its glucosinolates are linked to a reduced risk of several types of cancer and lower blood pressure.
- Celeriac -- aka celery root, may resemble a knobby knee, but it's high in potassium, vitamin K and a solid source of vitamin C, phosphorus, manganese, vitamin B-6 and fiber. Possibly an osteoporosis-fighter, too.
- Parsnips - good source of vitamin C, fiber, potassium, folate and a heart-healthy B vitamin. Stir steamed sweet, nutty parsnips with your mashed potatoes for less starch. I add chopped parsnips into my chicken noodle soup.
- White beans -- with half your daily fiber needs in just one cup, they offer plenty of phosphorus, protein, potassium and folate, too.
- Onions -- who can forget onions? A best source for quercetin, a phytonutrient protecting against lung cancer, diabetes, death from heart disease and Alzheimer's disease.
Hoopin' Skinny
My daughter is hula hooping all over the house. Even with her personal instruction, I'm having no luck swiveling the hoop. She makes it look easy, and I'm getting a tad annoyed because she's only four. It's momma hula Google research time.
Turns out my hula deficit may have nothing to do with pathetic dance club moves, it's probably the size of the hoop. Unless you're sassy special, you'll fall flat on your face if you try hooping with a child-sized hoop. Hooping.org shares two big secrets for hooper-wannabes:
- Find a big enough hoop -- when standing with the hoop in front of you, the right hoop will fall between tummy and nipples.
- Put one foot in front of the other and shift your weight -- do not try to swivel your hips in a circle like the hoop.
I've got a new fitness goal for 2009. Find a big enough hoop, (here's how to make one) then practice, practice, practice in hopes of hooping away to the above hula video featuring the exotic Boys Noize remix of Feist's My Man My Moon. Ooh, lovin' it -- a sexy, calorie-burnin' core work out. Jacki has shared hooping burns 400 calories an hour, not bad.
Biggest Loser Families - America Votes
Diet & Weight Loss, Celebs & Entertainment
Biggest Loser Families did not fall short on drama this week. Michelle and Vicky landed above the yellow line, which leaves below-the-liners Ed and Heba's fate up to you, America. Vote via phone or on-line by 3:00 pm ET on Monday, December 15 and make your voice heard.
I voted for Heba because my favorite contestant, Michelle, has a better chance against her. Also, why should Ed and Heba win both categories for a $350,000 haul? Blogosphere resentment still runs high against nasty Vicky -- if she wins the top spot at next Tuesday's finale, there will be shattered plasmas.
So is it Ed or Heba? Let us know in our That's Fit poll:
I voted for Heba because my favorite contestant, Michelle, has a better chance against her. Also, why should Ed and Heba win both categories for a $350,000 haul? Blogosphere resentment still runs high against nasty Vicky -- if she wins the top spot at next Tuesday's finale, there will be shattered plasmas.
So is it Ed or Heba? Let us know in our That's Fit poll:
Kick Father Time and Your DNA Right In Their Fat Guts
I lost track of time at the gym yesterday. After an hour of Bodyflow, I did a half hour of cardio, then upper body weights. Suddenly, I realized I had only 10 minutes to pick up my daughter from preschool. No worries, it all worked out and I didn't have to sacrifice building my lean body mass -- an important tool to prevent weight gain over the holidays.Most of us throw consistent healthy eating out the window in December as easily as we toss down the second appletini. OK, fine, eat the gooey appetizers, spritz cookies and slosh it all down with a calorie-filled cocktail or two. But don't let temporary holiday insanity put a halt to your resistance training. Outside Magazine explains exactly why:
- Quantified, muscle burns 13 kcals/kg per day compared to 5 kcals/kg per day for fat. Even if you're not eating perfectly over the holidays, do not stop partying in the weight room.
- About 80 percent of your energy expenditure is due to body composition, while the things you can't control -- genetics, age and gender -- make up the rest. Building your lean body mass kicks Father Time and your DNA right in their fat guts.
That's Fit Giveaway - Slip Into a Pair of Crocs
Fashion and Beauty, Reviews & Products
Crocs rock. I have the pickiest feet ever after an achilles rupture 18 months ago, and my feet adore their new pair of mossy oak Mammoth Crocs. Complete with a furry lining, this gal's winter-cold feet are toasty warm, and ergonomically supported during nonstop mommy duties. Amazingly, the odor-free, washable liner is the real deal -- I've been slipping into them barefoot for days without a scent.
Crocs offers a variety of colorful styles for days at the beach, to a night on the town. Why feel foot pain when you can run around in lightweight comfort? That's why I'm excited to announce Crocs is offering a free giveaway to That's Fit readers this holiday season.
To enter, simply visit Crocs.com, pick out your favorite pair, then shoot us a comment letting us know what's the first active adventure you plan to do in your Crocs-of-choice. The lucky winner will receive a Crocs gift certificate worth up to $50. Don't miss the gallery for a sneak peak at five women's, men's and kid's styles.
Read on for official Giveaway Guidelines ... and good luck.
Crocs offers a variety of colorful styles for days at the beach, to a night on the town. Why feel foot pain when you can run around in lightweight comfort? That's why I'm excited to announce Crocs is offering a free giveaway to That's Fit readers this holiday season.
To enter, simply visit Crocs.com, pick out your favorite pair, then shoot us a comment letting us know what's the first active adventure you plan to do in your Crocs-of-choice. The lucky winner will receive a Crocs gift certificate worth up to $50. Don't miss the gallery for a sneak peak at five women's, men's and kid's styles.
Read on for official Giveaway Guidelines ... and good luck.
Dip Into This Spicy, Healthy Chocolate Fondue
While window shopping on Black Friday, I walked past a chocolate shop with three sets of smiling braces indulging in a fresh fruit chocolate fondue. What were 13-year-olds doing in adult female territory? They deserve an overtightening at the ortho. I've been salivating, braces-free, at the thought of a fresh fruit chocolate fondue ever since.
Make your holiday party unique and memorable with ChefMD's Dark Chocolate Fruit Dip, featuring antioxidant-rich cinnamon, cardamom and cayenne pepper. This gourmet recipe is a snap and it's good for your health -- with portion control, of course. Hmm, cayenne pepper and chocolate. A PMS-fighter?
Check out the video, then click on Holidash to make your holiday season is the healthiest yet.
Bear Grylls Busts His Shoulder For Green
Bear Grylls won't bite down on a maggot for awhile. His remote survival expeditions are on hold thanks to a busted shoulder he sustained in a remote part of Antarctica. In this Man vs Wild, score one for Antarctica, zero for Bear. Grylls wasn't injured while filming his famous survival show. It turns out the fit one was on a dual green expedition raising cash for a children's charity and researching alternative energy.
He's expected to be airlifted for further treatment in South Africa this Wednesday. Stay warm, Bear. Lick your wound, hibernate a bit, then get back to foraging for creative meals. If the hospital food is bad, there might be a bed bug to crunch. We're rooting -- not for exotic tubers -- for you.
Biggest Loser Finale - Both Amys Battling For Second?
Whoever takes it all on Biggest Loser Families will win $250,000. But the second place pot is golden, to the tune of $100,000, inspiring eliminated contestants to keep shedding pounds at home.
Meredith Vieira over at the Today Show recently interviewed Amy (Shellay's daughter) and Trainer Bob. What's up with the beard, Pirate Bob? Are you interviewing to be the Sea Shepherd's at-sea trainer on Animal Planet's Whale Wars? Anyway, Meredith's first big scoop is sweet Amy is down to a svelte size six right now, hoping to lose maybe one more fat cell before the Biggest Loser finale on December 16. From the wispy looks of her on fattening TV, she only has one fat cell left. I'm happy for her as I'd predicted she'd win the title, until villainous Vicky scrawled her name.
Now here's Meredith's even bigger scoop. According to Bob and Amy, the second place contest looks to be between Amy and the other Amy (Phil's wife). We've haven't seen South Carolina Amy in weeks, so her reveal will be a shocker, especially if she's entered the land of size six. Set your DVR so you don't miss the penultimate Biggest Loser this Tuesday, December 9 at 8/7c on NBC, and the live finale scheduled for December 16 -- same time, same channel. Do watch the full video above to score a couple stay-thin-over-the-holidays tips from the fit pirate.
