Not so 'super' market

We all need to eat.  We all need to get food in order to do so.  We pop in our car (or on a bike) and head off to the grocery store to get some good eats.

What awaits us is beautifully lined shelves stocked full of our favorite treats.  Bright colors, cool temps, wide aisles and more selections than there are women for Tom Cruise to choose from.  It's all designed to be appealing and trigger impulse purchases.

Do you know there are research and design teams whose sole purpose is to get us to buy their product, regardless of its' potential toxicity?  Companies who make their bread and butter from the average shopper don't give a rat's ass about what they are peddling.  They just want us to BUY, BUY, BUY, so they keep their job.

If you're a savvy shopper, you'll pick up on their ploys and put their product back where it belongs.  Well, ok...so it probably belongs in the trash, but seeing as how most grocery stores aren't keen on  shoppers throwing their goods in the trash...just refrain from buying their trash and put the item back where you found it.

As a savvy foodie (and savvy shopper) I have started looking at most grocery store food as nothing more than child's play.  Would I eat the play-doh french fries...um no, well why should I eat the real french fries?  They are equally nutritional.  Ever think of it like that?

The next time the donut box gets passed around at the office, try seeing the contents for what they are...fake food.  Feel like splurging on a sweet roll with your coffee?  Think again!  It's nothing more than disease, fat, high blood sugar, artery clogging causing crap.  It ain't food!  Most 'super'markets peddle fake food!  What's so super about that?

And don't think by shopping at Whole Foods you'll be as safe as a little kitten.  You still have to put your thinking cap on and discern the crap from the food.  My cap comes in the shape of education.  There are certain guidelines I follow when I'm shopping.   I always flip the item over and read the label.

LOOK FOR - 

• ORGANIC
• GMO - free (Genetically Modified Organism)
• 'Meat that is organic and no antibiotics and/or raised without antibiotics' (Prevention Magazine, November 2012, pg. 16)
• Very short ingredient list
• Coconut oil is a safe oil
• Short shelf life

AVOID - 

• Put item back on shelf if the ingredients read like a novel
• If I see the words 'soy' ANYTHING listed it automatically goes back on the shelf
• Avoid pretty much ALL oils (Safflower, Sunflower, Vegetable, Canola, even Olive)
• Drop item immediately if you see the word 'corn' in any form - usually it'll read 'corn syrup'
• Shop the outside aisles - produce is safe, meat and some dairy
• If something says it's 'low-fat/no-fat' this is an automatic NO-NO.  This will alter your metabolism and the sugar is most likely amped up to make up for the lack of taste.
• Watch out for trick words like "low fat", "no fat", "all natural", "healthy" - 'this will only tell you that no artificial colors or flavors have been added.  
• Don't trust 'anti-biotic free' or 'anti-biotic residues' - these are not USDA-approved terms for meat and should raise a red flag' (Prevention Magazine, November 2012, pg. 16)

Any questions, additions or comments....please share!

In your light

                 *I found this video on YouTube and I cannot help but SMILE :-)

I recently read an article in Prevention Magazine regarding, what else...hurdles in weight loss.  The article pointed out common pitfalls we may find ourselves in when we just can't lose those last pesky pounds.  One of the ideas they highlighted was the 'birds of a feather' theory.

Meaning, folks who are trying to lose weight need to be mindful of the company they keep.  If you're going out to eat with a preferred friend and they do not have the same weight issues or they frankly don't give a damn...they may be subconsciously or consciously affecting you.  You may have heard people say to you, as you try to stand your ground, "You have been doing so good, just splurge!" or "Lets just eat whatever we want...chili cheese fries work for you?".

You don't want to be anti-social or isolate yourself, so it's very savvy to be prepared for comments like these.  Stick to your guns and tell that person it's not your 'cheat day' and hopefully they will understand.  There's a fine line between being a savvy foodie and a foodie snob.  Practice some will power and tell that person they can have whatever they want because you're not trying to lose their weight, just your own.  You don't have to get all self-righteous on them, just simply order something you know isn't going to stunt your weight loss progress.

If going out to eat is just too tempting, find alternate activities.  I know this may be easier said than done...our culture centers around food and cocktails.  Want to go out for some broccoli?  Stop over and I'll not cook.  Sounds funny, right?

Perhaps phone/text a friend who is a positive influence.  Get all food geeky and talk about what you've found to work.  I once got a friend turned on to Kale simply because we were talking about it over dinner!  I'm a savvy foodie, so usually my topics of conversation are centered around tips and tricks I've learned ;-)

It's not easy, but you're quite savvy so I trust you'll think of something.  Get in the savvy light and that is all you'll need.

*The song 'In Your Light' is one of my favorites.  Every time it comes on my iPod I just cannot help but be in a good mood.  I hope you enjoy!