Friday Five

A weekly round-up of tidbits, tips, ideas, news articles, random cool things from the weight, health, nutrition, food, fitness, weight loss surgery world...

1. Love this...


2. New Food Find:  I am loving this Gazpacho Soup from Trader Joe's. Found in the refrigerator section $2.99/12 oz. container.

 

Gazpacho is a chilled soup made from tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, touch of sherry vinegar, a traditional dish served in the southern Spanish region of AndalucĂ­a. There is only about 45 cals in a 1/2 cup. I usually put about 1/2 cup in a bowl and thin it slightly with a Tablespoon or so of veggie or tomato juice and then to add some protein I sprinkled the top with a little cheese shaved Parmesan or a few fresh mozzarella cubes or some cooked shrimp or crab. Perfect meal for hot summer nights. You could certainly make it yourself easily enough but sometimes even I don't want to cook.




3. Some articles I read this week that were worth checking out:

Bariatric Surgery Follow-up – It’s Important! (includes a great list of some signs and symptoms of post wls nutrient deficiencies to watch for)

Healthy Bargains -  a great PDF from the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) comparing the costs of fruits and vegetables with other commonly consumed snacks and side dishes - though I think it is important to note some areas of the US sadly have access (food desert) issues.
Weighty Matters: What Reading That Artificial Sweeteners "Study" Actually Told Me (I use them and I often get emails from people trying to save me from them... P.S. Thanks but save the keystrokes)

'Fat shaming' actually increases risk of becoming or staying obese.
Lots in the media about the policy the Boy Scouts have excluding participants with a BMI over 40 from taking part in their Jamboree event :( but here's an article offering a solution Experts suggest modified activities for Boy Scouts - if you are interested in sharing your thoughts about this weight bias issue with the Boy Scouts. Here's a way to do that.
Applicants Affected by Obesity More Often Denied Entry to Graduate Schools Study.
Study: Physicians Less Likely To ‘Bond’ With Overweight Patients.
Recap from a recent #HAChat Twitter Chat I took part in about what qualities make a great health care provider.

4. Treat recipes are back at Starbucks. So if you buy a drink in the AM (or anyone in your family does) take back your receipt after 2 PM (through 8/18) and you get any Grande Iced Beverage for $2. Some decent choices are available for us... Iced Lattes or Iced Coffees with Sugar Free Vanilla, Hazelnut, Caramel, or Cinnamon Dolce Syrup. 2% Milk is standard but you can ask for non-fat or soy (FYI: the soy is vanilla soy and sweetened.) Not a coffee person... try the Shaken Iced Teas but be sure to ask for unsweetened or if you want it sweet... have them replace the full sugar Classic Syrup they use with SF Vanilla Syrup or a grab a few sweetener packets from the milk bar. 


My summer order is: Grande Iced Sugar Free Vanilla (3 pumps, so 1 less than standard) Soy Latte. Whatever you do don't even look at that new Mocha Cookie Crumble Frappuccino: 480 calories, 69 g. sugar and 76 g. carbs for the Grande. Eeek.

5. We are getting close to the "Your Weight Matters" National Convention in Phoenix. It's less than 3 weeks away!! I hope some of you have decided to make the trip and join me. For more information: www.YWMConvention.com advanced ticket purchases can be made till August 1st (check out the current issue of Your Weight Matter Magazine page 9 for a coupon)

Can't be in Phoenix that weekend and want to still take part? Here's a few ways:  Follow the action on Twitter. Be sure to friend @ObesityAction, @Eggface and follow the #YWM2013 official hashtag.

Me (left) and my pal Sarah (right) at Dallas Walk from Obesity

Donate to the Walk from Obesity happening that Sunday and I will walk for us both!