Happy 7th b-day Ryan

My wonderful nephew turns 7 today. How adorable, huh?

Watermelon for inflammation

While pineapple has been used to control inflammation, watermelon also has similar properties. This thirst-quencher may also help decrease the inflammation that contributes to conditions like asthma, atherosclerosis, diabetes, colon cancer, and arthritis.

Produce Labels

Curious about the numbers on the labels of the produce you buy? According to IDEA contributing editor Jennie McCary, MS, RD, the labels have 3 different meanings:

- A 4-digit number means the item was conventionally grown
- A 5-digit number beginning with a "9" means it was organically grown
- A 5-digit number beginning with an "8" means it was genetically modified


Now you know!

Breaking in the weight room

My nephew had to break in the new weight room at the recently-built Revere Police Station. Pump it up Ryan!

Another burger joint?!?!

Ironic the Globe has the following stories in today's paper: the first is about a burger joint franchise setting its sites on Massachusetts, while the second is about the continued rise of children's cholesterol numbers and its contribution to increases in childhood obesity. The first story may make you hungry, while the second may make you opt for a better dining experience for you and your children than another burger joint.

http://www.boston.com/ae/food/restaurants/articles/2008/07/12/set_to_flip_in_massachusetts/

http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/editorials/articles/2008/07/12/rx_for_obese_children/

Cool song on a hot day

Time for a random song suggestion. One of my all-time favs. Perfect to listen to on the way home from work with the A/C cranked. Enjoy...

A Gourmet Meal for $10?

TIME Magazine ran a story last week I thought was worth sharing:

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1820125,00.html

Came across this trailer on a colleague's (Alwyn Cosgrove) blog. Looks awesome! Should be released around the holidays later this year.

July Newsletter Released

July Newsletter is available for viewing at the following:

http://pcconditioning.com/newsletters/2008Jul.pdf

Killer snack

Killer snack: good carbs, fiber, protein, and calcium.

Avocado tips

Courtesy of WHFoods.com:

Tips for preparing avocados:

Use a stainless steel knife to cut the avocado in half lengthwise. Gently twist the two halves in opposite direction if you find the flesh clinging to the pit. Remove the pit, either with a spoon or by spearing with the tip of a knife. Place the halves face down, then peel and slice. If the flesh is too soft to be sliced, just slide a spoon along the inside of the skin and scoop it out. You can prevent the natural darkening of the avocado flesh that occurs with exposure to air by sprinkling with a little lemon juice or vinegar.

A few quick serving ideas:

Use chopped avocados as a garnish for black bean soup.

Add avocado to your favorite creamy tofu-based dressing recipe to give it an extra richness and beautiful green color.

Mix chopped avocados, onions, tomatoes, cilantro, lime juice and seasonings for a rich-tasting twist on traditional guacamole.

Spread ripe avocados on bread as a healthy replacement for mayonnaise when making a sandwich.

For an exceptional salad, combine sliced avocado with fennel, oranges and fresh mint.

For a beautiful accompaniment to your favorite Mexican dish, top quartered avocado slices with corn relish and serve with a wedge of lime.

Funny clip

Funny clip from my favorite show:

Become Legendary

Celebration

Thanks Red

Banner #17- How Sweet It Is!

So I was only 7 years old last time my boys in green won banner #16 in 1986. Needless to say, I'll never forget the night they won #17. Here's a few of my favorite pics:

Napping

If you know me well, you know how big I am on rest & recovery. Acitivities such as napping, massage therapy, and acupuncture all fall udner the rest & recovery category of training. That being said, here's a fantastic chart from The Boston Globe on "How to Nap." Enjoy...

http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/ideas/naps/

To cook or not to cook

The April 2008 IDEA Fitness Journal suggests it may be better to cook certain vegetables, such as tomatoes and carrots, to ensure an increased release of phytonutrients. Lycopene is the nutrient in tomatoes and beta carotene is the one in carrots.

Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli and cauliflower are recommended to be eaten raw or lightly steamed to preserve their nutrients.

Now you know :-)

Delicious breakfast

http://whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=recipe&dbid=121

Sooooooooo good! :-)

Product recommendation

Mini band walks are a great way to warm up to engage the abductors (i.e. glute medius). I highly recommend mini bands, sold by Perform Better, for this exercise. You can order them here: http://www.performbetter.com/detail.aspx_Q_ID_E_3893_A_rnd_E_35