As my friends and family gather for Thanksgiving today, I realize how blessed we all are. I am thankful that we live in a time and place where so many independent thinkers, businesses, and tastemakers can thrive and grow while continuing to push the envelope. I am thankful that we have the opportunity to create this magazine and be a part of the solutions. But most of all I want to to express my gratitude to all the LEGENDmag staff and readers for making this magazine so successful, and for always pushing me personally to do things better. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, and I hope your day is a wonderful one too!
Fortunately this bear didn’t show up for dinner but he does know the health benefits of eating salmon.
Going to a friends house for dinner is my new favorite past time, especially when Melinda is cooking. Every time I’m at Melinda’s house she makes some delicious food and it’s also something that is good for you just by it’s look and smell. It’s hard to leave her home without asking yourself, why can’t I cook that way at home? Well this time I told her I wanted to start sharing some of he meal ideas and she sent me everything we had to eat and why it’s healthy!
So here you go people, next time you’re wondering if you should have brown or white rice, use vegetable or olive oil, or just need an idea of some great healthy things to eat, remember Melinda and this post (and don’t forget LEGENDmag).
LEGENDmag readers meet Melinda Penny-Washington
The first thing you should know is the less processed the better the food. All ingredients were fresh (ie, not canned or pre-cooked).
Salmon - Omega-3 fatty acids (polyunsaturated) help prevent blood clots, protects against irregular heartbeats, and lowers blood pressure.
Olive oil - (monounsaturated fat) Olive oil delivers valuable phytochemicals that help to protect against heart disease.
Sweet potato- (major vitamins) Vitamin C, Vitamin A, high source of fiber. Vitamin C is an antioxidant. Helps build collagen. Vitamin A promotes vision, maintains the health of skin cells. May act as an antioxidant which protects the body against disease.
Spinach / chard greens- (Major vitamins found in food source listed, many other vitamins are in greens, but in small amounts) Vitamin K, A and C. Vitamin K participates in bone building as well as blot clotting. May also protect against osteoporosis, heart disease, colon cancer, arthritis, and other diseases. Foliate is used in synthesis of DNA. Helps in formation of neurotransmitters in the brain.
Garlic – Excellent source of manganese, vitamin B6, vitamin C, and selenium. Manganese aids in synthesizing important proteins in the body used to create energy. B6 is used in the metabolism of amino acids in the body. Garlic is an antioxidant. Studies have shown it may lower cholesterol and blood pressure.
Sage - Holds volatile oils. Helps reduce microbes which cause gingivitis. Indigestion, lack of appetite, oral inflammation, perspiration, rhinitis and sore throat are all ailments for which Sage has an application. The German Commission E approved internal use for stomach problems and excessive perspiration as well as for external use in conditions of inflamed mucous membranes of the mouth and throat.
Brown rice - An antioxidant and an excellent source of fiber. Fiber helps prevent colon cancer.
(information below was taken from The>www.WHFoods.com)
The difference between brown rice and white rice is not just color! A whole grain of rice has several layers. Only the outermost layer, the hull, is removed to produce what we call brown rice. This process is the least damaging to the nutritional value of the rice and avoids the unnecessary loss of nutrients that occurs with further processing. If brown rice is further milled to remove the bran and most of the germ layer, the result is a whiter rice, but also a rice that has lost many more nutrients.
At this point, however, the rice is still unpolished, and it takes polishing to produce the white rice we are used to seeing. Polishing removes the aleurone layer of the grain-a layer filled with health-supportive, essential fats. Because these fats, once exposed to air by the refining process, are highly susceptible to oxidation, this layer is removed to extend the shelf life of the product. The resulting white rice is simply a refined starch that is largely bereft of its original nutrients.
Our food ranking system qualified brown rice as an excellent source of manganese, and a good source of the minerals seleniumand magnesium. The complete milling and polishing that converts brown rice into white rice destroys 67% of the vitamin B3, 80% of the vitamin B1, 90% of the vitamin B6, half of the manganese, half of the phosphorus, 60% of the iron, and all of the dietary fiber and essential fatty acids. By law in the United States, fully milled and polished white rice must be “enriched” with vitamins B1, B3, and iron. But the form of these nutrients when added back into the processed rice is not the same as in the original unprocessed version, and at least 11 lost nutrients are not replaced in any form even with rice “enrichment.”
For those of you who have not yet seen the above video, let me start by pointing out that the overlay of “I Will Always Love You” is at once cheesy as hell and completely appropriate. There are so many things that we cannot explain or give a name to as we each stumble through this life, doing our best to make lasting connections and meaningful choices. These unquantifiable things and moments in our lives are the things that make each day so surprising and precious. Take a moment today to think of someone who you have loved, who you miss, who you may have hurt or been hurt by and reach out with an olive branch or a hug to thank them for helping you to create a moment you cannot name. There is no day other than this one.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced the 15 titles on the shortlist for Best Documentary feature for the Academy Awards (airing Feb. 22).
Which films do think are the best in this bunch? Are there some that aren’t on the shortlist that the Academy should have included? Let me know your thoughts…
Had the pleasure of attending this month’s Ask a Scientist lecture down at Axis Cafe in San Francisco where they were talking about surviving in space, and more specifically the tribulations of water reclaimation.
What impressed me the most about this discussion, was the simple terrestrial uses taken from current space technologies. Using the water reclamation membranes that astronauts rely upon (pee to gatorade conversion!), to repurpose water back here on Earth; Sherwin Gormly–this month’s guest lecturer and Water Process Research and Development Engineer at NASA Ames Research Center—presented win-win waste treatment plant opportunities. Such ideas were standard osmosis techniques which not only cleaned waste water, but also generated megawatts of power in the process.
It was a fantastic talk, in an equally fantastic setting. And if you ever have had burning desires to learn about science, Ask a Scientist lecture series is definately for you. Upcoming lectures include How computers look at art, and BIGFOOT!
Axis Cafe is located at 1201 8th Street (btw. 16th & Irwin) San Francisco.
You can find more information on the series at askascientistsf.com.
Upon returning from a weekend of sun and sand in the Caribbean, I have given in to one simple, but hard truth: I’m out of shape. In fact the phrase “out of shape” is too nice, as are analogies like “spare tire” and euphemisms like “my metabolism is slowing down”. Plain and simple: I’m fat.
It hasn’t always been this way. Ever since high school, I have been strong and lean. Going to the gym, getting exercise, and playing sports weren’t something that went on a to do list, they were just a part of everyday life. Exercising or choosing the right foods were no more an inconvenience to me, as say breathing was. Fast forward to 2008, it’s safe to say that my fitness train has derailed. It’s time to get my fitness train on the right track!
This return to fitness got me thinking. I’ve already signed up at my local independent gym, what else can I do to ensure I stay on the right track? Below (and in no particular order) are the top five independent online fitness training and tracking sites to aid us on our path to fitness.
Customized workout given to you over your iPod or mp3 player.
Integrate your favorite workout tracks with the trainer’s workout.
It’s like having your personal trainer with you no matter where you workout.
Great for those who want the instruction and encouragement of a personal trainer at a better price
$19.95/month.
Creates a customized workout.
Creates customized nutritional and meal plans.
Gauge progress in five areas of fitness with one FitScore number.
Great for those who workout in the gym and focus on strength-training.
$14.95/month.
Applies the same detailed charts and graphs, like like those in personal financial programs.
Compare your fitness rankings to your friends, or to everyone on Fitness Journal.
Helps smokers kick the habit by tracking cigarette use.
Great for those who want to keep detailed fitness data… also great for iPhone users.
$7.95/month.
Uses online communities for encouragement and accountability.
Join groups of up to four people based on different criteria or create one of your own.
Broad motivational network.
Great for those who have good workout/diet routines, who also want social web aspect.
FREE.
Diet finder allows you to input what you want from a diet, then makes diet type suggestions.
Includes many essential health trackers including exercise, water intake, and sleep trackers.
Social community allows you to track your progress against others in your group.
Great for those who want detailed tracking of every detail on the way towards fitness goals.
Last year, my roommate Jeff sported a killer mustache (which I miss, by the way, bring it back!) and a button that read “Ask me about Mustaches for Kids.” It was a great fundraising effort where instead of running a marathon or having a bake sale, Jeff and other men grew sponsored mustaches to raise money for kids. This year, my friend Ryan is doing the same, but in the name of Prostate Cancer research. This is a great grassroots movement with a sense of humor that not only raises money, but spirits as well. Viva el Mustachio!!! Guys, I know it’s not comfortable, but go get your prostates checked! We girls go to the “Lady Doctor” once a year and let me tell you, it’s NO fun, but it’s SO important for our health. So, get ready for the lube, the glove and the “funny feeling” in your bum. It could save your life. Oh, and go donate to the cause, ya’ll!
The money raised by Movember is donated directly to the Prostate Cancer Foundation which will use the funds for high-impact research to find better treatments and a cure for prostate cancer.
Did you know:
Prostate cancer is the most common non-skin cancer in the US with one in six American men developing the disease and more than 28,000 men dying of the disease every year.
African American men and those with a family history of prostate cancer are twice as likely to develop the disease and should have regular annual testing starting at 45. All other men should commence testing at 50.
*Prostate cancer is 90% curable if detected and treated early.* WOW!
OR
Write a check payable to the ‘Prostate Cancer Foundation’, referencing my Registration Number 1375306 and mailing it to:
Prostate Cancer Foundation
Attn: Movember
1250 Fourth St
Santa Monica, CA, 90401
All donations are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.
This month, D-Structure SF transformed their shop into a place of worship, paying homage to religious artwork and vinyl toys. Quite a good party, and they one-upped the typical show by adding stained-glass panels, wooden columns, and all the little accouterments which really made the environment cohesive with the spirit of the event!
There is a great debate happening over at Create Digital Music (of all places), regarding the complete failure of Google AdWords during the past week.
For those who didn’t know, the internet was ablaze in the last week (especially on Monday) with Yes on Prop 8 ads—popping up in completely inappropriate places. We too were bombarded here at LEGENDmag, and chose to remove the ads and instead promote our amazing new issue 23 instead.
The thoughtful conversation CDM embarks on is very poignant for those of us who care about independent thought!! And although it’s a little on the long side, it’s an important one.
UPDATE: The CDM site has a follow-up post talking about what Google is doing to rectify this situation… still doesn’t really ensure trust like it was before however…
I would really like for everyone to embrace this new time that we live in. It’s a time to evaluate the values we love so that we can keep them and purge the values that will do us no good in our new future. We have to starting thinking in ways that include both the rural and the urban, the elite and the common, and red and the blue.
I received an email today that talked about the blue states forming a new america and leaving the red states behind. The email was funny, I’m always up for a good laugh but the email address a real issue going on right now in America that this election has really brought to the forefront. People really believe that we are less alike. They believe we have more differences then similarities and that’s a shame.
There’s no room in our evolution for that kind of thinking. We don’t have the luxury to not be one nation. This art by Diem Chau is a great example of the subtle things we can do to make ourselves question what the norms are (the piece is called American Girl) and move forward as one nation, one people, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
The morning after Halloween, I headed down the block to the grocery store to pick up some bacon. (MMMMM….bacon.) Before leaving, my roommate warned me that I would be in for some audio bombardment over the speakers in the aforementioned store. Upon arriving, I discovered that she was right. Christmas has come early to San Francisco! Typically, you don’t start hearing Christmas music piped into every available store, dentist’s office, cab, or department store until after Thanksgiving, but there it was. We have hit a new low in consumerism. Christmas is no longer about a specific season or a day of religious significance. It’s about buying as much as you can for as many as you can, even if it means the rent will be late. I was absolutely horrified to see candy canes for sale at the check-out and Santa hats for sale in the wine aisle (why there? They should sell lampshades in that aisle all year round!). Thanksgiving has been totally overlooked here! Where are the Pilgrim lollipops and Turkey aprons? Where are the Native American corn holders and Smallpox hand towels? Have we all forgotten that there is an order to things? Or are we simply overlooking Thanksgiving because it does not involve present exchanges?
Christmas means different things to everyone, but I think we can all agree that there is a time and a place for the Christmas Spirit. It is not on November 1 in my local chain grocery store. It does not come before Thanksgiving. We are in a staggering economic crisis, the last thing we need is a reminder that soon we will need to find a way to spend more on crap no one needs. Call me Scrooged, but it’s true. I am sure my tune will change as we near the actual day and I become filled with good will toward men, hope for the future and peace in my heart, just like I do every Christmas. But don’t rush me!
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