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Have you ever hears the saying "You are what you eat"? Being an American in the 21st century, these words should really scare you...

Before you read any further,go to your cupboards and refrigerator, and take a look at how many packaged food items you have in your kitchen. Pull out one or two items and read through the label. After reading the ingredients list, ask yourself:

1.How many words am I unable to pronounce?

2.Which of these ingredients have I never heard of and/or have no idea what it is?

If you did this little exercise, you may be surprised at the number of multi-syllabic words that look more like they should be the ingredients of a science experiment than of something you’re eating. Most of these foreign looking substances are concoctions used to color, stabilize, emulsify, bleach, texturize, soften, preserve, sweeten and flavor your food!

In case you were wondering just how many of these little chemicals were sneaking into your mouth each year, current statistics say that the FDA lists approximately 2800 international food additives and about 3,000 chemicals, which are deliberately added to our food supply. When considering the number of chemicals used in the process of growing and processing food, by the food to the time it reaches our stomach we have consumed between 10,000 and 15,000 chemicals a day!

While some of you may be thinking, “I don’t eat that many food additives,” I have news for you. The FDA doesn’t require food additives considered to be Generally Regarded as Safe (GRAS) to be put on an ingredients label. Instead, all that is required are the words “artificial flavor” or “artificial coloring” or “natural”.

The use of the term "generally" scares the trans fat right out of me! The fact is, the average American eats approximately 150 pounds of additives each year.

So if we really are what we eat, we should all be making an effort to eat more whole grains, fresh produce and when possible, free range meats. I often hear that eating this way is more expensive- but you only get one body- isn't it worth a few extra dollars to keep it running for a long long time???

In Health-
KT

Hi Everyone,

Hope you are having a nice weekend! I realized today that a bunch of my friends are really into skiing. Some of them even have places at ski resorts which is really cool.

Where do you like to ski??

I guess my favorite place on the east coast is Sugarbush. It reminds me of somplace that would be in Europe.

However, I have been to Park City Utah to ski and that was a blast!!!

Good Morning!

There is a cool event for you to attend if you live in the Cap Region. Tonight, from 6-8pm at Latham Starbucks, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Capital Region will participate in Barista Night. Bigs and Littles will have fun learning about what it takes to be a barista. You can learn more about mentoring and enjoy a cappuccino!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Susan Bardack
867.7940
susan@iZoca.com

MEDIA ADVISORY/DAYBOOK ITEM

Social Networking Website iZoca.com Hosts Benefit Event For Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Capital Region

Big Brothers Big Sisters Matches Learn What It Takes To Be A Barista As Part of National Mentoring Month

WHEN: Thursday, January 7, 2009
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

WHERE: Starbucks, Latham
549 Troy Schenectady Road
Latham, NY 12110

WHO: +Natasha Pernicka, CEO Big Brothers Big Sisters Cap Region
+Jeff Goronkin, CEO iZoca, Board Member BBBS Cap Region
+Big and Little Matches, BBBS Cap Region

DETAILS: Big Brothers Big Sisters matches are highlighted though a community campaign developed by social networking website iZoca.com to bring greater awareness to National Mentoring Month.

Matches learn what it takes to become a barista and in the process educate the public about the power of mentoring and opportunities here in the Capital Region.

The Big Brothers Big Sisters organization says research shows that with mentoring 52 percent of at-risk children are less likely to skip school and 46 percent are less likely to begin using illegal drugs.

To learn more visit www.bbbscr.org

Good Morning!

And Happy Tuesday. Wow -- It's a cold one today if you live in the northeast!!

While I often start topics myself on Susan's World, I really enjoy having guests write in!

I enjoy hearing about their jobs and hobbies and good causes.

So, if you know of anyone who could make a good SW guest, please let me know. I would love to introduce them to everyone and hear what they have to say!

Good Morning!!

Coming up today.. I've renamed Karli's fitness segment on SW! Surprise!!!

It's now called the Resolution Solution. That's because where she works, at Best Fitness, they now have a program called that to help people really keep their New Year fitness goals.

Karli has some great ideas on how you can keep your fitness resolutions.

Also, iZoca.com will be at Best Fitness Schenectady today from 4:00 to 7:00pm. So stop by and say a big hello!! I'll introduce you to Karli!

Stay Tuned.. for Karli Taylor...

Greetings!

Well, if you live anywhere in the northeast you realize it's cold!!!!! And if you live anywhere else... I'm jealous! :)

So it got me thinking about warm drinks... You know.. hot chocolate, tea, coffee..

Which ones are your favorite during this cold weather?

My favorite is hot chocolate. Not just any hot cocoa... specifically the Williams Sonoma peppermint hot chocolate! It's a little bit of a project to make... but sooo worth it!

Hi Everyone!

Saw a terrific movie last night -- Avatar. It's every bit as good as people say it is. Of course the 3D graphics and design are awesome, but it also has a terrific message as well.

Today -- New Year's resolutions. I know that Best Fitness has a program going on called the "Resolution Solution" to really help people stick with their New Year goals. It's so easy to give up on New Year's resolutions so that is why the program was developed... to help folks stick with their plans.

Do you have any New Year resolutions?

A few of mine include...

Finding more creative ways to parent my daughter Ashlyn and to make the time we spend together as meaningful as possible.

Not waiting an eternity to call my long distance friends back after they call me.

Your turn now....

So I swore that I was not going to jump on the band wagon and write about New Year's Resolutions-BUT...

Honestly, I have been reading all of the articles going out this year about making and keeping resolutions and there is one very important piece of advice that seems to be missing.

Everyone says make realistic goals- good start. For the sake of this rant, let's keep our focus on weight loss as a goal. Saying that you want to lose 50 pounds by February is not a realistic goal- saying that you want to lose 10 is a bit better.

Some sources are going a step further telling you to break down your big goal into smaller more attainable mini-goals. That, in my opinion, is key. Setting your goal at a pound a week seems much less overwhleming than 5 pounds this month, doesn't it? One thing I would like to add to this step is to reward yourself for reaching these little milestones- NO- I do not mean by having a hot fudge sundae... Find something non-food related to keep you motivated. One of my clients was l*st*ng after a 64 inch plasma. His goal was to lose 100 pounds. After every 5 pound loss, he put 10$ into a jar and his wife matched it. This became his TV fund which grew as he shrunk. Not a bad idea.

The piece that I feel is vital to actually reaching your goal regardless of what it may be is this- YOU NEED A PLAN. Write it down, map it out step by step. If you are going to lose a pound a week, what steps are you going to take to do that? Make yourself a daily or weekly task list and actually check things off of it. Hold yourself accountable.

Take it a step further and include your family and friends- have them initial your task list when you do certain things. Having someone check up on you will help on those days when the warm bed is much more appealing than the cold walk to the car to go to the gym!

We have a tendancy to focus all of our energy on the big prize at the end. Sometimes that works, but more often than not it becomes a distraction. If you focus every day on the small steps you need to take to reach your ultimate goal, before you know it, you'll be right there.

So here's your homework- write down your resolution and create your own strategic plan.

Happy New Year!
KT