Girl, Get Strong! » Reviews

Discovered Health Products on the Shelf and On-Line

Crazy Legs — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:55:31 +0000

Here at the GGS Head Quarters, we love trying new food items. We get so excited when the new items we try are a hit. We’ve had many misses, like 0 calories Miracle Mayonanie (YUK) and mini cheese cakes, that were very deceiving in their calorie count. Very unimpressed. But on the positive side, we have discovered 3 new items that need a little bit of attention.

First up, Kashi. All the GGS gals adore all things Kashi.

The word “Kashi*” has many meanings around the world. In Hebrew, the word kashruth signifies simple or pure food. In Japanese, the Kashi* name implies energy food. And in Chinese, it means happy food. To us, the Kashi* name means purity and good health, and that’s just what you’ll find in our unique blend of 7 whole grains and sesame.

Although it seems like yesterday, it has been over two decades since we introduced the idea of Kashi* Seven Whole Grains and Sesame Breakfast Pilaf to the world. The reception was, to say the least, disheartening. But, guided by the belief that everyone has the power to make healthful changes, we persevered. Our whole grain mix grew in popularity and within months it was being served to Athletes at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. Since then, we’ve continued our mission to make healthy foods that taste great.

So we were super excited to find out that Kashi has come up with Crackers and Crisps to their line up. The Crisps come in Original Grain and Zesty Salsa. Both are delicious but the winner from the gals is the Zesty Salsa. It really has a punch.

The Crackers flavors are Fire Roasted Vegetable and Toasted Asiago. Both were equally as delicious, but we felt these crackers needed a topping such as low fat cheese, peanut butter or a hummus. A little too bland without. Finally, crackers and crisps you can be happy to feed yourself and your family.

Second up is Nuts.com formally known as NutsOnLine. This on-line company has just about everything NUTs plus so much more. Organic, raw, gluten-free, chocolate covered, dried fruit and the lists goes on. The prices seem very reasonable. This company is far from new and here is a bit of their story:

In 1929, on the brink of the Depression, our father and grandfather “Poppy” Sol took a bold step. 22 years old, he had already worked full time for 10 years to support his family. Yet he was ambitious, and wanted to live the American Dream and make the lives of everyone around him better. So, donning his best of suits and an assured smile on his face, Sol walked away from the bank with a loan to start his own business, the Newark Nut Company. The rest is history.

We love dealing with family companies, as you sure to know they are very passionate about what they do. Nuts.com sent us a sampler pack of chocolate covered cashews/ peanut and honey coated peanuts/ cashews. We are not really sure why they choose this blend to send to a Health On-Line Magazine and 3 GGS gals that are super health conscious but hey, maybe they had some extra stock. We all love our nuts for the fact that they are so nutrient dense, but I don’t think the ones with all that added sugar/ chocolate count. We would have preferred their organic, raw, portion control packs and ones without any added sugar, but we trust that these would be great as it seems, after all these years, they know their NUTS!

Lastly is, 3 new flavors from Powerade – Lemon-Lime, Mixberry, and Grape.

POWERADE ION4^®helps replenish four electrolytes lost in sweat. It’s formulated with a 6% carbohydrate solution (w/v) to help provide energy to working muscles and vitamins B3, B6 & B12 to help support energy metabolism.

The GGS gals tried the Lemon-Line and the Grape and liked them both. We really like that each of the flavors have 0 calories but not very fond of the added coloring. Each of the three new flavours is available in major grocery store chains and anywhere Powerade is sold.

Have you found any new healthy finds lately?

Review: P90X2 Workout

Sian — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 15:48:18 +0000

To give you a sense of what you’re up against if you attempt to make it through P90X2, the sequel to the phenomenally popular P90X fitness program, here’s a sample exercise: the four medicine ball push-up. Yes, that means having a ball under each hand and foot. “It’s like doing push-ups during an earthquake,” says Tony Horton, the 53-year-old former stand-up comedian who created the original program eight years ago.

That 90-day, 12-DVD regimen has sold 3.5 million copies, spawned an astounding number of before and after photos, persuaded politicians from both sides of the aisle to sweat it out together at the House gym and become shorthand for “really hard workout.”

Now it’s time for an even harder workout. P90X2 (Beachbody, $139.80), which shipped just in time for the holidays, is designed for folks craving more “muscle confusion,” a phrase Horton coined to describe the mishmash of moves designed to keep viewers’ bodies guessing.

What’s new for version two is that the cardio’s gone, replaced with workouts emphasizing a combo of speed, power and balance. And there are plenty of exercises Horton expects no one to be able to pull off on the first attempt, including lever pull-ups (performed with your body parallel to the ground rather than perpendicular) and a push-up variation he’s dubbed “the impossible.” “If you’re not in shape, it’ll be like climbing Everest,” says Horton, who notes that P90X2 is five days a week rather than six because anyone slogging through it will need the extra recovery time.

If you’re wondering who would pay to subject themselves to such a thing, meet 49-year-old lobbyist Stephen Sayle. The Capitol Hill resident bought P90X in September after pledging “to be in better shape at 50 than at 40.” It’s the challenges posed by Horton’s program that seem to be making that goal a reality.

“You do so many lunges you think you’re going to die,” Sayle says. But after more than three months of lugging his DVD player to Results Gym almost every day to complete the workouts, he’s a believer — and eager to take it to the next level.

He’s a typical P90Xer, as are young moms and college students and former athletes. The program appeals to a wide swath of folks who want to be told what to do without having to think about it, have the ability to work out where they want and when they want and know that they’re guaranteed to see results. Some also credit Horton’s goofy form of motivation that includes the occasional pterodactyl impression (although that’s not universally beloved).

But what really seems to set P90X apart from other DVDs on the market is that these workouts aren’t merely a way to lose weight or get healthier. They’re a kind of dare. Anyone can exercise, but it takes a certain level of persistence to keep up with such a demanding program day after day.

What worries Ed Ingebretsen, director of training at Results Gym, is that Horton’s encouragement to “Bring it!” can push people beyond what’s safe. “If you want intensity, jump out of a plane. Intensity doesn’t mean fitness,” he says. “Guys especially can blunder through something, and it can trash your body.” (Sayle admits that he developed tennis elbow from the huge number of reps of push-ups and pull-ups.)

Horton tries to temper overzealousness with his other motto, “Do your best and forget the rest.” He makes it clear there’s no shame in choosing one of the simpler modifications he offers of every exercise, or hitting the pause button while you figure out a move. And if something is deemed too risky, it’s cut from the DVDs. For instance, P90X2 viewers won’t see the four-ball pike press, a variation on the four-ball push-up that’s done in downward-facing dog position. It’s great for your delts, but not for your skull if you manage to smash your head into the ground.

The earliest clue of whether P90X2 is striking the same chord as the original will come in about three months, when the earliest adopters complete their initial pass through the program. They’ll be the first people to ever attempt it. For P90X, Horton worked with a test group for 90 days. For P90X2, he couldn’t be in any one place for that long and still manage a packed schedule that included traveling overseas to exercise with troops and writing his second book (“Crush It”).

If these people emerge buff rather than broken, it may not be long until we start seeing infomercials for P90X3.

More online Follow @postmisfits on Twitter, and read more fitness coverage at washingtonpost.com/wellness.

Review: Genuine Health Instant Smoothie a day Vegan+

Pink Panther — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 16:00:46 +0000

I prefer getting my nutrition from whole, natural foods, but since I’m a pescetarian (I eat seafood, but otherwise follow a vegetarian diet), I’m always looking for easy ways to add protein to my diet. Of course, I go with all the standards—beans, eggs, nuts—but sometimes, an active girl like me needs a little help to get all the protein she needs for the day. And what better way than protein powder?

So I was thrilled when Genuine Health sent some Strawberry flavored Instant Smoothie made with Vegan Proteins+ for this GGS gal to try.

Introducing NEW Vegan proteins+ Instant Smoothie a day- a creamy, great-tasting protein treat that’s 100% vegan.

The rich, natural, vanilla flavour with a splash of strawberry provides 20g of complete protein in a unique blend providing a balance of all essential amino acids as well as vitamins, minerals and antioxidants PLUS the recommended daily dose of organic non-GMO Vegan Vitamin D (1,000 IU) – all at only 120 calories per delicious, creamy serving!

Containing the same premium, easy to digest, non-GMO protein sources as Vegan proteins+ that is free of common allergens – Vegan proteins+ Instant Smoothie a day is a perfect blend of 5 easy-to-digest vegan protein sources, including yellow pea, cranberry seed, alfalfa juice protein, organically grown sprouted brown rice and hemp – all non-GMO. This unique combination completes a delicious vegetarian ready-to-go smoothie rich in every essential amino acid – all at only 120 calories per serving!

I love where all of the protein goodness comes from - yellow pea, cranberry seed, alfalfa juice protein, brown rice and hemp…..all so natural!

How much easier can this be?

We recently just did a post about how to get more proteins on the go and this is just more way. Since you only have to add water (which is everywhere) and a scoop of the protein powder, you really can have a smoothie anywhere. You could leave a package in your gym bag, office desk, or even the car. All you would have to come up with is some water and away you go. The serving of water is only 200ml (just under one cup) to get the all of that protein, so you could drink a half of your bought water bottle, put the protein into the other half. Shake and you are off. True protein to go.

Now to the taste. When mixed with only water, it didn’t taste like the protein shake you make at home. But, it certainly was drinkable. One serving, like I said, is less than one cup so really that is only a few sips to get down for all of the goodness that this protein offers.

When I mixed the protein in my regular shake with almond milk, frozen banana, blueberries and some flax oil, its tastes delicious.

So bottom line, to get all this nutriton in a rush, mix with water, if not, add to your regular shake or even mix with some juice.

How do you get your protein quota?

Review: Stretch Island Fruit Company

Crazy Legs — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 16:00:29 +0000

I’m a mom of 2 growing, very hungry children. I’m constantly trying to come up with creative meals and healthy snack ideas for my 13 year old and 11 year old—and for myself! It’s easy to feel like you’re offering and eating the same foods over and over again. I try to stick to whole foods to avoid added sugar and unnecessary ingredients, and a recent find is the next best thing to whole fruit.

I introduce you to Stretch Island Fruit Co. These fruit strips and fruit rolls contain fruit and nothing else. Makes reading the ingredient list very easy. Each fruit strips are just 45 calories per bar and the bars are gluten free, kosher and vegan. It’s truly just fruit. That’s it.

The company sent me several flavor combinations to try, so try I did. And so did my kids and their friends.

Make nutritious snacking on the go a tasty experience. Discover the goodness in every original fruit strip:

½ serving of fruit

100% natural

No artificial additives

Real-fruit purée

No added sugar – all sugar comes naturally from fruit

My daughter and her friends got right into the whole testing experiment and cut up all the flavors so they all could try every flavor. Between the 4 of them, cherry turned out to be the clear front runner. But the true winner was the FruitaBu (looks just like those nasty processed fruit roll-ups without all those unnatural colors). Its something about unrolling the sticky treat, stretching it out and eating it slowly. The kids love that.

Kids enjoy the wonder of real fruit in tasty FruitaBü® Smoooshed® Fruit Rolls. Portable and convenient, our Smoooshed Fruit Rolls contain:

1 serving* of all-natural fruit

No artificial additives

Real-fruit purée

No added sugar – all sugar comes naturally from fruit

See for yourself how FruitaBü® transforms fruit into yummy, chewy, stretchy fun!

Yum! A true snack you can feed yourself and your family without any guilt. You actually get to pat yourself on your back for feeding them so well. To see where these gems can be purchased…..click here.

Review: Devices to Keep Track of Calories Burnt-Do they Work?

Sian — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 15:46:08 +0000

Body Media Fit Review

When it comes to New Year’s resolutions, year after year the No. 1 spot is most likely occupied by “lose weight.” Its persistence probably has something to do with the fact that most people have trouble actually succeeding.

There is a simple reason for this. Everyone understands they have to burn more calories than they take in, said John Jakicic, a professor at the University of Pittsburgh and a researcher in the field of exercise and long-term weight control. But “most people don’t know how many calories they burn a day,” he said. “They have no clue.”

Getting a clue — or at least an accurate estimate — used to require a visit to a laboratory or the use of complex scientific equipment. Guess how often people took that approach?

Now though, there are simplified electronic monitors that are designed to accurately gauge physical activity and the calories burned, which is the silver bullet for weight loss. “There is a lot of evidence that shows they work,” Professor Jakicic said.

Some products in this area have fallen flat, like Jawbone’s Up, a wristband activity tracker that had so many technological problems that Jawbone is offering full refunds to dissatisfied customers. It is taking preorders for a new version.

How well a monitor works depends on how much it is used, which boils down to personal taste. Are you more likely to use one that offers games and challenges, one that just reports the numbers, or one that is inconspicuous? We tried four of the more common products.

STRIIV ($100) Just released in October, the Striiv may encourage even the most rooted sofa spud. Designed with the sedentary in mind, it is an ultra-simplified device that offers rewards and challenges to motivate users and keep them active.

The touch-screen device, about the size of a pack of Tic-Tacs, starts up with a jaunty song and a video with directions, though you hardly need them to operate it. Set-up is easy, and from there you wear it or carry it in a pocket to measure your steps when walking, running or climbing stairs. It was the one device tested that did not need to be synced with a computer.

Striiv has a number of ways to keep people engaged. It gives out trophies and points for accomplishments, like your record number of stairs climbed, and points can also be used to play MyLand, a game in which users build and explore an animated world.

Finally, you can choose one of three charities to receive a donation based on your activity (you’ll have to sync to a computer to make this happen). Walk 60,000 steps to immunize a child against polio. Fewer steps help provide clean water in South Africa or save a patch of rainforest. The Striiv is unique in that it offers both carrot and stick — it occasionally offers challenges, like “Do three minutes of activity.” Accept and you get a bonus 3,000 points; decline and you lose 300 points.

Striiv does suffer in a few regards. It measures only calories burned. You’ll need a separate app to measure calories consumed, like Livestrong.com’s MyPlate. And the device recognizes only the motions of walking, running and stair climbing, so it won’t spot an activity like weightlifting or cycling. That can throw off your calorie count.

FITBIT ULTRA WIRELESS ACTIVITY TRACKER ($100) Fitbit, a monitor about the size of a large nail clipper, has been around for a while, but the Fitbit Ultra brings some new features to the earlier version, which automatically transmits your data when you are within 15 feet of a Fitbit base connected to a computer.

The Ultra adds an altimeter to count stairs climbed. Like the Striiv, it won’t recognize exercise other than walking, running and stair climbing, but you can use a new stopwatch feature to log a block of time that you can later assign to an activity, like a Zumba class, using the Fitbit Web page or the companion iPhone app.

The Ultra will help you track the amount and quality of your sleep, but you have to manually set the stopwatch to do that as well. Tracking sleep is worthwhile because research shows a correlation between adequate sleep and weight loss.

There is now added inducement for the lazy in the form of digital badges, and you can share your exercise progress on Facebook. As before you can also share challenges and encouragement on the Fitbit Web site by creating groups or joining public ones.

Fitbit has a food log where you can enter what you eat to see how your calorie intake stacks up against calories burned, as well as the percentage of fats, carbohydrates and proteins you’re eating. The list of foods leans heavily toward chain restaurant meals, so you may have to approximate for food you make yourself.

For an additional $50 a year, premium membership provides more detailed data and lets you anonymously compare your stats with other Fitbit users.

BODYMEDIA FIT LINK ($200 PLUS $7 A MONTH SUBSCRIPTION) BodyMedia’s monitors were originally built for researchers like Professor Jakicic. They are worn on the upper arm and they measure heat, moisture and movement to get a picture of activity. As with other monitors, BodyMedia’s wasn’t good at recognizing exercise other than walking or running (it recorded lifting heavy weights as “moderate” exercise, which it is not).

Read page 2 here….