Nautica South Beach Triathlon In the Books!

So I had my perverbial triathlete cherry popped. Nautica was an amazing race and very well put together by Mens Health Magazine and Nautica. The "shwag bag" was great! got a hat and t-shirt along with an issue of MH and other goodies. Nautica South Beach was an amazing experience and I was not nervous at all I was both mentally and physically prepared for what I was about to face. The course overall was great and very scenic the bike and run portion offered amazing views of south beach and the port of Miami along the causeway. So If your looking to do your first triathlon Nautica South Beach is it!

15 Ways to Change the World (and Your Life) . . .One Apple at a Time

The average guy/woman walks into the average grocery store and, this being 2010, he faces a choice. 
Well, actually, 47,000 choices of products, many with labels touting their health benefits. Low-fat. High fiber. Natural. Free range. No high-fructose corn syrup. Organic. 
Most of the label language is marketing crap. 
Some of it is more important than you know. Click here for more Info

The Fat And The Skinny's New Sponsor: Fluid

I was just recently sponsored by a muscle recovery sports drink company called FLUID. As someone who is lactose Intolerant this was the only thing that my stomach could handle after working out, swimming, running, and cycling to help repair and recover my muscles. Fluid comes in two great tasting flavors and is also portable in a single use pack to take with you where ever you may need to replenish after a workout for instance, after BOOT CAMP. For more information visit http://www.livefluid.com. 

Benefits of Ice Baths:Ice baths are one of the most effective ways to offset the damage done on a run.

As a Triathlete I am looking for ways to help me recover faster after my brick workouts (Bike to Run). My legs feel like i have concrete cinder blocks on my feet when I run. So I have befriended the Ice Bath to help me recover after a hard day of training. Fill tub with Bag or two of ice and have a cup of hot tea to drink while I am in the bath and a magazine and relax. Click here for more information Benefits Of Ice Baths From Runner's World.com

Nike Introduces 2010 National Team Kits Designed for Increased Performance with Lower Environmental Impact

LONDON, UK (February 25, 2010) – Many of the world's leading players, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Robinho and Ji-Sung Park will take to the pitch in South Africa this summer wearing the most environmentally-friendly and technologically-advanced kit in football's history. For the first time, all of Nike’s national teams, including Brazil, Portugal and The Netherlands, will be wearing jerseys made entirely from recycled polyester, each one produced from up to eight recycled plastic bottles. Nike unveiled the new national team kits with several footballers at a global media event at Battersea Power Station in London.

“This summer in South Africa Nike will give footballers an edge by providing the newest and most innovative product for the game’s greatest players,” said Charlie Denson, President, Nike Brand. “With today’s announcement, we are equipping athletes with newly designed uniforms that not only look great and deliver performance benefits, but are also made with recycled materials, creating less impact on our environment.”

To make the 2010 national team kits, Nike’s fabric suppliers sourced discarded plastic bottles from Japanese and Taiwanese landfill sites and then melted them down to produce new yarn that was ultimately converted to fabric for the jerseys.

This process saves raw materials and reduces energy consumption by up to 30 percent compared to manufacturing virgin polyester. By using recycled polyester for its new range of national jerseys, Nike prevented nearly 13 million plastic bottles, totaling nearly 254,000 kg of polyester waste, from going into landfill sites. This amount would be enough to cover more than 29 football pitches. If the recycled bottles used to make the jerseys were laid end-to-end they would cover more than 3,000 kilometres, which is more than the entire coastline of South Africa.

The national team kits represent an important step in the process to make all Nike products more sustainable.

In addition, all the national team kits have been designed with each country’s national culture and identity in mind. Nike understands the pride athletes experience playing for their country so each kit has been designed to represent the heritage and unique football culture of the nine national teams. 

Danielle Steel writes of weight, body image in 'Big Girl'

best-selling author Danielle Steel's new novel, Big Girl, the main character, Victoria, struggles with her weight, body image and self-esteem from childhood through her 20s. Her parents frequently criticize her and favor her younger, thinner sister. The story chronicles Victoria's dieting attempts and food binges as she comes to terms with her unloving parents and finds a man who loves her just as she is. USA TODAY talked to Steel about the book.

WARNING!!!! Be Wary of Fad Diets

(HealthDay News) -- If you're looking to help kick start your weight loss program, it's important to carefully research a diet plan before you commit to one.
Look for these warning signs of an unhealthy fad diet, courtesy of the American Academy of Family Physicians:

• A diet that promises very fast weight loss -- anything more than a pound or two per week.
• A diet that promises weight loss without changing diet habits or engaging in an exercise program.
• A diet that is promoted by "scientific" testimonials and pictures of "before" and "after" success stories.
• A diet that involves expensive seminars, medications, or pre-made meals.
• A diet that focuses on very few acceptable foods, and doesn't focus on a healthy, balanced diet.
• A diet that points to simple explanations drawn from confusing research.

Recipe of the week: "Flacito's Homemade Hearty Veggie/Bean Soup"

  (Directions/ Ingredients) 

• Fill soup pot 1/2 way with 2-4 quarts of water 
• (depending on # of servings)
• add Chopped Garlic 2-3 cloves
• add 1/2 Onion red or white peeled 
• add celery 2-3 celery stocks
• add 4 bay leafs
• add chicken bullion or veggie bullion
• bring broth to a boil then add all veggies and beans 
• dice in chunks zucchini, yellow squash, carrots, 1/2 head cabbage quartered, 
• add 3-4 Corn cobbs halved
• add 2-4 cans of the 15.5 oz Cannellini beans 
• add 1 15.5 oz can of chick peas aka garbanzo beans
• chop 2 med tomato's and puree in blender then pour into soup
• stir and add more bullion chicken or veggie to taste 
• let simmer for 45 min
• Serve

• (optional) for individual serving add hot pepper sauce for an extra kick

            *Footnote:(For Non Vegetarians broth can be made with chicken breasts)

The Fat And The Skinny: This is my story

So you may be wondering who IS "The Fat and The Skinny" Well, this is the story behind the Fat and The Skinny.  

Recipe of the week: "Flacito's Black Bean Salsa Salad"

This is one of my favorite recipes that I love to make to have as a Salad and/or Salsa for parties. I named it Flacito's Black Bean Salsa Salad, here is a photo I took of what I was eating to refuel after my 65 Mile ride with On Your Mark Cycling Club on Sunday. It is a Veggie burger with my salsa/salad over it with some cholula chipotle pepper sauce. The thing I love about this dish is that you can have it as a salad, salsa, taco filler/stuffer, nachos and as a burrito. There are so many ways you can have this dish plus, it is very healthy! with stomach filling protein and fiber. I have received so many compliments from it that I think everyone should be able to enjoy this healthy dish as much as I do.

Flacito's Black Bean Salsa/Salad

(could be used for salsa or as a salad side)

Ingredients:

2 Cans Black Beans

2 Cans Unsalted Corn

Cilantro

1 Cucumber

1 Large Tomato

1 Large Yellow Bell Pepper (optional)

1 Large Red Onion
2 Limes or more (to taste)
Sea Salt

Pepper

Olive Oil

(Optional additions)

Jalapenos

pepper sauce (Cholula or Tapatio)


Cooking Instructions: (For best results prepare Fresh!)

Rinse and Drain thoroughly Corn and Black Beans into strainer
While draining, prepare the vegetables
Finely chop Onion, cucumber, peppers, and cilantro.
Chop tomato's
squeeze the juice of two limes into a measuring cup (remove seeds)
Add Olive Oil, sea salt and pepper (To Taste) and whisk.
Put the beans and corn into a large bowl
Pour the mixture over the beans and corn then add all the vegetables and then Toss. 

Want All The Benefits of Gatorade Without The Carbs and Sugar!? Then NUUN's Active Hydration Is It!

As a soccer player and runner before my training sessions I would always have a bottle of Gatorade with breakfast. Knowing that it had sugar and carbs it was the only thing I knew that could help me stay hydrated during my long runs and my intense hot summer training sessions for soccer. I was recently introduced to a product by a fellow triathlete simply called NUUN . Pronounced (noon) is an Electrolyte tablet originally the brainchild of a student and professor from the tuck school, dartmouth college’s business program.  The two became frustrated in their search for an electrolyte hydration solution to use in remote places. They longed for a lightweight, easily-dissolvable product that was free of carbohydrates. Dissatisfied by pre-made and powdered options on the market, they set about developing their own solution. The answer came in the form of a simple tablet that would come to be known as “nuun”.

Studies Show U.S. Obesity Rates Reaching A Resting Point.

The CDC (center for disease control) say that americans might be turning a corner in weight problems, but others argue that there is more that has to be done to reverse the trend. For more on this story go to the LA Times:

Want To Know The Secret To A Better Nights Sleep?

Well here's the secret: Nothing beats a little stretching before bed. Static stretching will sustain the flexibility earned from your pre- and postworkout stretches, and the nighttime sessions will release tension built up from your busy day by signaling your body to shut down for the night, helping you fall into a deep, regenerative sleep.

 Create a nightly habit of stretching your hamstrings, followed by your back and shoulders, and you'll sleep like a log. 

(taken from Men's Health: Sports Performance)

Who is to blame for obesity? Is It You!?

(Joe Raedle / Getty Images)

Or perhaps it's society or even fast food for the rapid rise in obesity rates. It seems the more pressing question is what to do about it! In my personal opinion it starts with the Individual, but some argue that thats not the case. Click Here For More @ The LA Times 

Can intervention prevent adult obesity for overweight teens?

By M. Spencer Green, AP

Paris Woods is an overweight teen from Chicago, Ill who is partaking in an intensive experiment brought on by her pediatrician. Can a year-long program of weekly sessions with a nutritionist, exercise trainer and doctor, all preaching major lifestyle changes, keep the 14-year-old from becoming obese? Want to know more? go to USA Today

Michelle Obama Kicks Off Childhood Obesity Drive Next Week

First Lady Michelle Obama starts her campaign against childhood obesity Calling it an epidemic and one of the greatest threats to America's health and economy, first lady Michelle Obama said Wednesday that she would launch a major initiative next month to combat the problem in childhood obesity. More after the Jump

Seasons 52 Is The Place To Go For Healthy Dining

If you are like me and very health conscious Seasons 52 is the place to go. Above is a photo of the entree I ordered while dining with "The Lady" which is called Winter Market Vegetable Plate with cranberry almond tabbouleh, Bosc pears, butternut squash and grilled tofu. We started with healthy appetizers Edemame and a tomato flatbread minus the cheese. Then I had the Farmers Market Vegetable Soup and spiced it up with a little Vietnamese hot sauce. "The Lady" had the Mahi Mahi with Mayan Vegetables which had a little spicy kick and for desert she indulged in a nice mini fruit cup. To compliment our meal we had a bottle of the Paso A Paso Verdejo, La Mancha 07/08 which is a crisp and clean dry white wine. Seasons 52 also offers an alternative menu which is composed of a Low Sodium, Gluten Free, Garlic Free, Vegetarian, and Vegan which can be viewed at Seasons 52 Alternative Menu. If you are someone who counts calories Seasons 52 also has a downloadable PDF file with the nutritional values of all their menu items. On a scale from 1-5 I would rate dining experience a flat out 5. Service was excellent, our waiter Peter was very knowledgeable in explaining each dish which made it easier to make a selection, and he was very attentive making sure that our wine glasses were always full, as well as our water, tea, and coffee. If you are looking for an enjoyable dining experience with knowledgeable wait staff and an excellent food selection put Seasons 52 on your list. 

I Can't Believe It's Not Meat, Pasta, and Mozzarella!

What you see here is what appears to be Pasta, Chicken, and a Mozzarella Caprese with olive oil and Basalmic Vinegar well guess what you're WRONG! In fact, what you see here is an Asian low carb noodle called Shirataki that I came across in Mens Health Magazine. The next item is a meatless product called Gardein Chick'n Scallopini which is soy protein that was featured on Oprah with "The Conscious Cook" Tal Ronnen. Finally, on the smaller plate is a Tomato Tofu Caprese which is a substitute for mozzarella for those of us who are lactose intolerant and/or vegan, vegetarian.

Grocery Shopping With Oz, Dr.Oz

image copyright by J.Gwendolynne Berry

I came across this article in Sunday's edition of the Palm Beach Post.  Dr. Oz  shows you how to make healthier and smarter decisions while shopping at the market. I would love to spend a day with Dr. Oz at the market. Click Here For More

Motivational Quote Of The Week!

"Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great." --Mark Twain

Who Stole The Cookies From The Cookie Jar?!

I DID!
I stole the cookies from the cookie jar, and the crackers, ham, soda, ding dongs, and anything else I liked.  I never understood why I had to sneak food from the kitchen and hide it at the age of four (so my mom claims). There were times when I would wake up in the middle of the night to eat food that either I hid under my bed or in drawers and my mom thought she was going crazy because she could swear she just bought the ham, crackers, and so on from the market. I do not recall how long this went on or ever being caught until I was caught by my cousin who I stepped on during a sleepover while getting up to sneak into the kitchen to grab the new bag of Oreo's that I saw my mom put away in the cupboard earlier that day. Like most kids I liked (Cheetos, twinkies , etc.) most of these foods as well as drinking soda and it was always available while no limits were ever set on how much I could have. Like Most parents, mine wanted to give me and my sister everything that they never had growing up so, our wants were always met whether it would be McDonalds, In N Out (a popular Calif burger joint), donuts, ice cream, and pizza. My constant sneaking/stealing of food forced my parents to lock the drawers and cupboards with safety locks to keep me from getting anything and everything I craved.

Why did I have the need to do that?  I still do not know, but what I do know is that it was the beginning of a serious eating disorder and only at the age of four.

Welcome!

Welcome to my Blog El Gordo y El Flaco (The Fat And The Skinny).
I will be discussing issues regarding:
1. Childhood Obesity.
2. My own personal struggle with childhood obesity.
3. Life changing events that has helped me become the person I am today.
3. Commentary on books that I have read and that I think would be of interest.
4. Changes to my lifestyle and eating habits
5. Favorite Recipes'
6. Documenting my training for my first Triathlon
7. Videos
8. Links to resources for more information
9. Quote of the week/Motivational Message
10. My Personal Workout music play list.