Lecture Quotes

Below are a few of my favorite quotes from the first Nutrition Challenge lecture on Saturday, January 9th:

"Here’s what I’m advising for anyone with young children: eat exactly what your kids are eating. If you can feed your kids junk then you simply don’t get it. I’d rather believe that you love your kids and not yourself than the other way around."

“It's not hard to eat well; it is just way easier to eat poorly. There will always be an easier choice than the healthy choice.”

"We have screwed up this world we live in in a variety of ways, the food supply is just one of them.

Humans have always been hunters and gatherers. Our diet was dictated to us by nature. We ate what was available, when it was available, and what was available for the least energy expended to acquire it. Our choices were few. We didn't always like that arrangement, but it turned out to be mostly nutritionally correct for the species.

The key aspect of this arrangement was that food was strictly about nutrition, never entertainment. There was no obesity; there was no degeneration brought on by poor nutrition.

I’m going to attempt to teach you about that model for diet, not so you can copy it exactly - because I think you can do better. But in order to improve on it, we have to understand the fundamental concepts of nutrition. Ultimately your diet will differ from that model in minor ways, not major ones."

Three problems with consumer diet advice:

1. it has no clear and stated test for efficacy
2. it assumes you don't exercise
3. it assumes that your only goal is weight loss

"And what if we make some positive corrections in our diet, but don't exercise; what have we done? We've controlled our body composition, and given ourselves an advantage over disease. But can we call that outcome "health" when we haven't addressed our physical capacity and quality of life. Can you be healthy without those? No rational person would say the definition of health can exclude physical capacity and quality of life."

Special Offer on pre-made Paleo meals

Gravity Janes is pleased to offer pre-made and paleo-accurate meals through our exclusive caterer and delivered fresh daily to our refrigerated cooler. These discounts are available only to those participating in the Nutrition Challenge.

All food plan prices reflect a 10 - 18% discount (depending on plan)

We Do It For You

• Duration: 6 weeks
• Meals / Days: M-F, 2 primary, 1 snack
• Cost: $585

Learn How To Eat

• Duration: 6 weeks
• Meals / Days: M-W-F, 1 primary, 1 Snack
• Cost: $207

Sampler

• Duration: 6 weeks
• Meals / Days: Weds, 1 primary, 1 Snack
• Cost: $69

These are only sample plans. Please feel free to recommend another plan that might work best for you. You will receive similar discounts for being a part of the Nutrition Challenge. 

In addition to the above plans, Gravity Janes stocks a small selection of the same meals available on-demand daily.

A New Nutrition Challenge Begins

Welcome to the first Nutrition Challenge of 2010.

It was great to see so many of you at Gravity Janes first lecture of the new program. For those of you who do not already know them, I would like to introduce you to the great people who will be making this program a success for you. Gravity Janes is proud to have great people like Moe, Jake, and Stephanie on our staff. They have devoted themselves to this Challenge and to teaching you what you need to know to be in complete control of your health. Please get to know them and take advantage of their wisdom and knowledge. They are the most valuable asset we have.

I would also like you all to know that the next lecture will be the most specific of them all on the matters of human nutrition. What, when, and how to eat will all be discussed. Please bring your questions. The next lecture is Saturday, January 23rd.

All of us at GJs are here to make you successful in your new eating habits. Please let us know how we can help.

Letters To Jane

Below are a few letters we received from participants in the last Nutrition Challenge:

"The first couple of days were really rough, so it might be good to warn people.  :)

I felt like I learned some things that made it easier like:
- plan, plan, plan
- always have lots of good food on hand. I made poor choices when I didn't have any.
- expect to get negative feedback from friends + family

I've enjoyed getting to know more people at Janes and am really proud of the changes I've made. Thank you!"

Rachel 

"I am glad that there is a gym out there more interested and invested in health instead of vanity.  Not everything can be weighed on the scale and I appreciate your investment into showing us that eating in a very healthy way can improve overall well being.  I do feel a lot better and i think my performance is reaping the benefits."

Lynn H.

"I just wanted to say a HUGE thank you for all the work you’ve put into the Challenge over the last six weeks. I found the nutritional information and recipes you provided extremely valuable.

During the last six weeks Lisa and I have made it a point to do our own cooking versus dining out.  We’ve even found some recipes that have now become some of our favorites.  I have found that my craving for unhealthy foods has dramatically increased and is especially present after workouts or days up in the mountains.

We’re looking forward to continue to transform our eating habits and taking the nutritional information to better our quality of life."

Thanks again,

Ryan

"Overall, my commitment to diet correlates directly to the committment to my overall well being.   My payoff is in feeling great and being strong.  I have chosen to have an extraordinary commitment to my wellbeing.  No amount of working out will compensate for poor eating.   For success food and workout must be in line.  I know I need to keep workout and diet clearly in front of me daily.  If not, my default patterns show up.  My default patterns always move towards comfort.  Comfort for me is eating pastries and drinks with whipping cream at Starbucks :).  Growing up food always related to comfort and nurturing.  I am shifting paradigms with food now.  Food is directly related to keeping my body and mind strong and healthy - that's it!!  Food is medicine.   

This is a journey.  One where I will continue to learn and refine."

Darlene G

The Evolution of Your Diet

One of the symptoms of a modern diet is that it  makes you numb to how diet affects your quality of life. However you're feeling - good or bad, however you're performing - good or bad, you never tie it directly to your diet when your eating is flawed. You are in a state of blissful ignorance about the various short-term side-affects of a flawed diet. You are so numb to those affects that you don't even think about your diet until you become aware - most often, painfully aware - of a longer-term affect: excess body fat. Making you more sensitive and aware of food's short-term affects on your body is the number one goal of diet. With that in place, the potential for ever creating a state of excess body fat is practically eliminated.

What we know is that there is not one perfect long-term diet for everyone. What there is is a near-perfect preliminary diet recommendation that serves as a stimulant for positive shifts in body composition and function. This phase of the process requires absolute adherence to the preliminary diet for a period of 4 - 6 months, and there is no substitute. The process of making you more sensitive begins with weaning you from your food addictions and balancing the body's organ function.  This preliminary recommendation serves that purpose.

That recommendation may come in the form of Zone, Paleo, or any of their many derivatives, and Gravity Janes is constantly refining this generic diet to provide a more powerful catalyst for nutrtional sensitivity. Conforming to this preliminary recommendation begins the process of sensitizing your body to the affects of food. As that heightened sense takes hold, it will lead you naturally to the next level; one that is far more specific to you. You will begin to make choices based on how those choices make you feel. This is when things really start to get good.

I won't go into what those choices may look like so as not to plant any seeds in your head that aren't directed by your feelings, but some foods will work better for some people, and others don't work as well. However your feelings lead you in your food choices, we know this: your ultimate diet will not differ in any large way from the generic recommendation,  but it may differ in many small ones.

The Holidays are coming! The Holidays are coming!

The Holidays are quickly approaching; baked goods are being brought into the office, invites to parties are coming in, and family gatherings filled with food are on the horizon.  This time of year people are most likely to stray from their routine and succumb to the sugar filled temptations around them.  Here are some tips to get through the holidays this year while having fun and maintaining your healthy lifestyle.

 

1.  Make time for your workouts.  They will keep you energized through the hectic holiday season.

2.  Keep healthy snacks, vegetables, fruits, and nuts on hand at the office.  Skip the brownies, cookies, and candy. 

3.  If you fall off the wagon, don't beat yourself up, get back on track.

4.  Bring fruit plates and healthy snacks into work. 

5.  Come up with a no sweets game plan in the office.  Chances are people that you work with are also concerned about their health and would like to avoid sugary snacks.

6.  Offer to bring food to parties and family gatherings.  Bring healthy vegetables, fruits, and lean protein dishes that are good for everyone.

7.  Give the gift of health.  Leave the candy out of the stocking this year.  Substitute the candy with oranges, stickers, cars, or other little gifts that your family will enjoy. 

8.  Replace alcohol with club soda.  If you do drink at parties, take it slow and drink a glass of water between drinks.

9.  Make the focus at parties and gatherings about having fun, not food.  Play football, Sing songs, organize gift wrapping events, or go for a family hike.   

10.  Create "Paleo" versions of your favorite foods. 

 

Keep your fitness regimen going, stay on track with your nutrition, and you will make progress over the holidays.  The topic of pie did come up in the Paleo Nutrition Challenge, so here is a slightly (butter and honey are debatable) Paleo Pumpkin Pie recipe. 

 

Crust:
2 and a half cups crushed pecans
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
4 tbsp unsalted butter melted

Chill crust in fridge until hard. Then add filling.

 

Filling:
2 small edible pumpkins (about 2.5 lbs each), or 4-5 lbs winter squash of your choice
3/8 C (which is 6T) of sweetener  (honey, maple syrup, etc)
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp ground cloves
pinch of nutmeg
2 large eggs
1 cup coconut milk

Cut all of your squashes in half and roast them, cut side down, at 400F for about 30-40 minutes.

Let them cool off a little, peel them, cut them into chunks, and puree them.  You should have about 6 cups, but it doesn't need to be exact.

Cook the puree on the stove top over medium high heat for 30 min, stirring often.  Reduce the heat to medium and continue cooking/stirring for 15 min.  Reduce the heat to low and cook until you have 1.5 C puree remaining, stirring occasionally.  It will be dark brown and fragrant.

Preheat the oven to 350.  Mix the puree with all the remaining ingredients, pour into the pie dish, and bake for 45 min to 1 hour.  Set the timer to about half an hour and check frequently after that. Be careful not to use too high of a temperature since the nut crust will burn more easily than a normal one. Let it cool thoroughly before eating.

-Moe

Winter Nutrtition

Those that choose to indulge in the act of destructive eating this time of year often use as their justification the belief that they can "work it off" at the gym. Let's state for the record once and for all that this has never been - nor will it ever be - a realistic proposition. There is no amount or type of exercise that will undo the damage of poor nutrition. In fact, exercise just makes it worse.


Contrary to tradition and the holiday ritual of over-eating the wrong things, your winter nutrition should actually be a little lighter than at other times of the year. This is based on the fact that most people are generally less active during the winter months - if only slightly. This may not apply to you, but it is typical. 

One of the goals for performance eating is to think seasonally. Strive for being aware of - and sticking somewhat close to - a diet comprised of foods you might obtain in your area and at this time of year without benefit of grocery stores or restaurants.

Frankly, that's a pretty restricted list. It should mostly serve as a check on your inclination to eat poorly, but also makes a good diet principle for those looking to realize the greatest benefit from their diet or to produce a significant shift in body composition (read: drop some body fat).

Tell someone you know and care for about the next Nutrition Challenge beginning January 9th.