So....

The nerd diet

As a scientist... (who'm I kidding, you all know me).. as a nerd, I like equations and methods of quantifying behavior. This is probably why my dad's hypothesis of "Zero Sum" or "Conservation of Fatness" as I like to call it, rang so true to me. Its analogues of mass, momentum and energy have been permanently engrained in my nerd-brain. The idea is that if you are loosing weight, someone else is finding it. And if you are gaining weight, you are probably making some poor Ethiopian even hungrier. This is probably more humorous than true for most, but I find my calorie counting method employs a similar mentality. I love the fact that we are quantifying energy intake/outake but making a rigorous record every time our bodies make a deposit or withdrawal. We are relying on a fundamental law of physics to guarantee our success.... conservation of energy. The only assumption is made when we convert energy to mass... which is 3600 calories = 1 lb. The remainder of the error is measuring error... or accurately accounting for energy lose and gain.


Physics is beautiful and physics is about to get DE-FAT.

What's for dinner?- Day 1

Broiled green beans

Swiss chard, sauteed in garlic

large salad with caesar dressing

painfully small slice of ciabatta with a bit of pesto

Broiled green beans recipe: (even my kids like them)

toss prepared green beans with 1 tsp olive oil, salt and pepper

Spread in a single layer on a cookie sheet

Broil for 8 minutes until they begin to brown, tossing once about midway.

Sauteed Swiss Chard:

2 tsp olive oil

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 bunch of swiss chard, washed, stems discarded, leaves cut into 1/2 inch strips

1/4 cup balsamic vinegar

heat olive oil in pan over medium heat. Add garlic and cook for about 2 minutes until fragrant. Add the swiss chard and balsamic vinegar and stir. Cook for about 5 minutes until chard is wilted and tender. Season with salt and pepper and serve.

note: I got to the garlic stage of this recipe and realized I didn't have any balsamic vinegar so I just sauteed it in garlic and it still turned out pretty yummy.

What did you have for dinner?

Throwing down the Gauntlet

I willingly accept Erins challenge to make 2011 the year of health. When we open that time capsule ten years from now, I want to look at our pictures with amazement at the improvements.

Here are my goals:
1- Lose 20 lbs
2- Continue daily exercise add Saturday activities when possible.
3-Improve health so I will no longer need blood pressure or cholesterol medication.
4- Get at least 6 1/2 hours of sleep a night (7 would be better)

It will be fun to see how our various methods fare. I'm having a cherry chocolate spinach shake for breakfast. If it's good Ill post the recipe.

Welcome

Hello Family,

I started this blog so we could each record our progress in getting healthy as well as share recipes, ideas, and inspiration with each other. I've made you all blog authors so feel free to post frequently! Phil and I are doing Weight Watchers, Mom and Dad are going vegan, and Britt is counting calories. Three somewhat different ways of achieving the same goal. My own personal goal is to live a more health centered lifestyle, losing weight is just one aspect of that. The Doctrine and Convenants promises us that if we obey the Word of Wisdom, we shall find "...great wisdom and treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures." and that we shall "...run and not be weary, and walk and not faint." I could use a lot more wisdom and energy in my life, especially in keeping up with my kids.

What are your health goals for 2011?

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The Word Of Wisdom- Read it.

1A ^aWord of Wisdom, for the benefit of the council of high priests, assembled in Kirtland, and the church, and also the saints in Zion—

2To be sent greeting; not by commandment or constraint, but by revelation and the ^aword of wisdom, showing forth the order and^bwill of God in the temporal salvation of all saints in the last days—

3Given for a principle with ^apromise, adapted to the capacity of the ^bweak and the weakest of all ^csaints, who are or can be called saints.

4Behold, verily, thus saith the Lord unto you: In consequence of^aevils and designs which do and will exist in the hearts of^bconspiring men in the last days, I have ^cwarned you, and forewarn you, by giving unto you this word of wisdom by revelation—

5That inasmuch as any man ^adrinketh ^bwine or strong drink among you, behold it is not good, neither meet in the sight of your Father, only in assembling yourselves together to offer up your sacraments before him.

6And, behold, this should be wine, yea, ^apure wine of the grape of the vine, of your own make.

7And, again, ^astrong drinks are not for the belly, but for the washing of your bodies.

8And again, tobacco is not for the ^abody, neither for the belly, and is not good for man, but is an herb for bruises and all sick cattle, to be used with judgment and skill.

9And again, hot drinks are not for the body or belly.

10And again, verily I say unto you, all wholesome ^aherbs God hath ordained for the constitution, nature, and use of man—

11Every herb in the season thereof, and every fruit in the season thereof; all these to be used with ^aprudence and ^bthanksgiving.

12Yea, ^aflesh also of ^bbeasts and of the fowls of the air, I, the Lord, have ordained for the use of man with thanksgiving; nevertheless they are to be used ^csparingly;

13And it is pleasing unto me that they should not be ^aused, only in times of winter, or of cold, or ^bfamine.

14All ^agrain is ordained for the use of man and of beasts, to be the staff of life, not only for man but for the beasts of the field, and the fowls of heaven, and all wild animals that run or creep on the earth;

15And ^athese hath God made for the use of man only in times of famine and excess of hunger.

16All grain is good for the ^afood of man; as also the ^bfruit of the vine; that which yieldeth fruit, whether in the ground or above the ground—

17Nevertheless, wheat for man, and corn for the ox, and oats for the horse, and rye for the fowls and for swine, and for all beasts of the field, and barley for all useful animals, and for mild drinks, as also other grain.

18And all saints who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments, ^ashall receive^bhealth in their navel and marrow to their bones;

19And shall ^afind ^bwisdom and great ^ctreasures of ^dknowledge, even hidden treasures;

20And shall ^arun and not be ^bweary, and shall walk and not faint.

21And I, the Lord, give unto them a promise, that the ^adestroyingangel shall ^bpass by them, as the children of Israel, and not slay them. Amen.