Just Because It Made Me Laugh So Hard

What are we having for linner?

Linner is the time between lunch and dinner. And all this time I've just been calling it a snack.

The Mariner by Dahon

My red folding bike was stolen while parked at NYU's Cole Athletic Center. Not deterred, I purchased a second Dahon Folding bike at A Bicycle Shop on 22nd between 6th and 7th Avenues.

My new ride...is made for boaters

"stashes easily into even the tiniest of boat holds. But when you arrive at a port of call it unfolds in seconds to help you explore or shop for supplies. The perfect accessory for your boat."

So yeah, I know my port of call is 600 square feet in Chelsea but I'm holding on to the dream that one day I'll roll into Barbados on a sail boat and unfold my bike. For now I'm content to suck up some bus smog en route to midtown.

And for those of you who need some encouragement, here is a great article that reviews the city's plan for expanding bike lanes.

$15.00 Date Night, Flor De Mayo

Annie and I were on the UWS a few weeks ago and happened upon a Cuban / Chinese restaurant named Flor De Mayo. We shared a Peruvian style chicken served with black beans, rice and plantains.

Total Bill: $15.61

The restaurant itself isn't a destination but if you find yourself on 101st street and Broadway looking for cheap eats it's worth the stop.

The Onion Video on Yum Brand Feedbags - Very Funny

New Wearable Feedbags Let Americans Eat More, Move Less

International Flavors

A few months ago Cooking Light published an International Soup Pantry where they listed ingredients that define the tastes of different nations. Below are the key ingredients they featured. I was proud to see Cuban on the list of countries with distinct flavors

France: Mirepoix (onion, carrrot and celery), leeks, mushrooms, wine, broth, beans, seafood, duck, and cuts of pork










Russia / Ukraine: Beets, potatoes, cabbage, mushrooms, sour salt or vinegar, highly seasoned meats like sausage and sour cream












Cuba: Black beans, sofrito (onion, green bell pepper, garlic and often ham or pork), oregano, cumin, olive oil, garlic, plus starches like plantains, or a root, such as yucca

Ecuador: Potatoes, corn, beans, cilantro, chile peppers and lemon (more affluent cookds may add lard, chicken, meat or seafood)














Greece: Salty and acidic flavors, such as fresh lemon juice or vinegar, feta cheese, olives, olive oil, garlic, oregano, mint and lentils






















Japan: Ginger, miso, green onions, shiso, tofu, mushrooms, mirin or rice wine, soy sauce and noodles. (most Japanese soups are based on dashi)

China: Ginger, soy sauce, sesame oil, eggs, rice wine, muschrooms, nodles, meat broths, cornstarch, star anise, and five spice powder

Thailand: lemongrass, galangal, ginger, shallots, garlic, hot peppers, kaffir lime leaves, coconut milk, tamarind, fish sauce, basil, jasmine rice, noodles, shrimp and chicken

Met Life Insurance - Good for weight loss?

Last week I requested a life insurance quote from Snoopy endorsed Metlife. A few days later I received a call from an agent named Meng Primack (212.514.4770), who lives in Jersey and keeps an office in Chinatown.

We met with Meng this week to complete our application. The process was painless. They asked some general health questions that I expected to answer. Questions about weight, height and tobacco use. I was a little surprised by the random lifestyle questions they ask: Do you scuba dive? Do you plan to go on safari or rock climb in the next six months. Sadly, I checked no and canceled my NOLS trip.

After we completed the application Meng gave us a quote of $67 per month for a 1 million dollar 30 year term policy and told us that a physical and blood test are required. The combined examinations determine whether I'm "health elite" or health ok. The health elite guy pays $67, the fatter riskier guy pays $87 and I think the smoker pays a whopping $120ish.

If I qualify as health elite, I'll pay Metlife $24,000 over the 30 year term. That same $24K invested in a mutual fund, earning 7% a year will be worth $87K in 2038 when I'm 62.

The question becomes is the $24K premium paid over 30 years worth it?. I really hope its money wasted but I do know its good for my short term health because until that guy comes to my house to take my blood its salads and veggies for me.

Three Nutritious Websites

Three Nutritious Websites

The Nutrition Source
The Department of Nutrition at Harvard School of Public Health explores the very latest science about healthy eating for adults at this tip filled site.
www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource

USDA My Pyramid
Check out the new food pyramid at this site from the USDA.
www.mypyramid.gov/pyramid/grains_tips.html

My Recipes
Great if you are looking for delicious, healthy meals.
www.myrecipes.com/recipes/healthydiets.com

Can I finish the Miami Man Triathlon?

I've started to hear the Siren's call from PJ Clarks, my local burger joint.

To keep the cravings at bay, I've signed up to compete or I should say participate in two triathlons. The first is an August 24th sprint in Miami similar to the one we just finished. The second is a much longer olympic distance race called the Miami Man triathlon on November 7th.

Hopefully both events provide sufficient motivation to keep me losing weight until El Cubano III.

Spring (Body) Cleaning

Today at the supermarket I purchased a Complete Body Cleanse formula. The front of the package claims to revitalize from within using a gentle non-stimulant laxative. Greater claims appear on the back of the box: detoxifies the digestive, liver, lymph and circulatory systems.

I opened the box this evening and found 3 vitamin bottles named Cleansing Fiber Blend, Herbal Regularity and Milk Thistle Liver. I'm curious to see how frequent my cleanses occur and what impact if any this has on my general wellness. Perhaps that Penny I ate as a kid will emerge.

Free Healthy Heart Cookbook and Recipes from NIH

The NIH and the U.S. Department of Health have partnered up to produce a special collection of 75 free recipes that are low in saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium.

Click here to download a free PDF of the recipes.

Triathlon Story - NY Times

WHEN Jenny Higgins started doing triathlons, she discovered something peculiar. She had been on her high school cross country and swim teams and her college swim team. But in 2003 she started running, swimming and cycling, and tried to excel in all three at once.

Link to NY Times Triathlon Story

Who is the new El Cuban Gordo? Pete Meyers!

The 2nd El Cubano Gordo challenge concluded Sunday morning in Miami, Florida.

Overall El Cubano Gordo Champion
Pete Meyers, a huge underdog entering the challenge engineered a fantastic victory by losing 9 pounds over the three month long contest and completing the Ameriprise Triathlon in 1:30 for a combined 9 Fat Is Wack Points.

Weight Loss Champion
The weigh-in portion of the competition occurred on Friday night with a pork-filled celebration at Frankie's apartment. I walked away as weight-loss champ after losing 15 pounds. Chris Brand came in a close second after losing 14 pounds.
















Triathlon Champion - Tom Hughes
After several large meals 7 Fat Is Wackers participated in the Ameriprise Sprint Triathlon in Key Biscayne. The course is comprised of a quarter-mile ocean swim, a 12-mile bike over the Rickenbacker Causeway and a 3.1-mile run through Crandon Park. Tom Hughes emerged the Tri Champion with a 1:27 minute finish.
















Pete, Chris, Tom & Al Post Run

Pete and Mary Lee (Pre-Twins)
















The 1st El Cubano Gordo Champ from 2007 (Steve Lee)
makes an appearance...still looking good 12 months after the original contest.

Fat Is Wack Numbers - Photos Below

Kristie's Contribution to the Event

New Pizza Hut Pastas -- What Do They Cost Calorically?

New Pizza Hut Pastas -- What Do They Cost Calorically?

by Charles Stuart Platkin

Wednesday, 23 April 2008

Have you seen the new Pizza Hut advertisements – about the Tuscani Pastas? I wondered what they cost calorically. It’s actually nice that Pizza Hut post their nutritional information. They serve these pastas in trays, and it supposedly servers 4 people. Each ¼ portion for the Chicken Alfredo is 620 calories, 32g fat, 56g carbs, 1300mg sodium. For the Meaty Marinara, it’s 510 calories, 24g fat, 48g carbs, 1310mg sodium. It’s funny b/c the Pasta Bakes Marinara w/ Meatballs, which is NOT served family style, is double the supposed serving size of the Tuscani pasta, and is 1010 calories, 46g fat, 3550mg sodium, 103g carbs… I guess Pizza Hut believes that you will eat less if you get your food family style (the way the Tuscani Pastas are served)? Really?

Week 14 - The Final Week

Annie here. The final week of the competition is here! (Al is too busy to post because he is furiously training, so I'm putting up the numbers from this week.)

On Friday all participants will get together for the last weigh-in, and then on Sunday they will compete in a sprint triathlon in Key Biscayne, FL. The winner will be determined then and there, and then we will feast!

Though Pete has suggested a lettuce-only and spray-tan diet, I would advise running through the triathlon once at your gym before Friday. (I mean, not that my 36-minute 3-mile run is an example in any way.) Just remember it's fun and exciting and just like a long workout. Provided you've all been swimming...

Tri Times from Last Year

Last year a few El Cubano Gordo participants completed a Sprint
Triathalon in Key Biscayne Here were the times for the race ....and yes, despite starting a two minutes after our wave Annie did come out of the water before all of us

Swim

Annie: 8:50

Al: 10:55
Steve: 11:32
Frank: 13:33

Bike
Steve: 31:32
Al: 46:13
Frank: 48:27
Annie: 48:00

Run
Steve: 23:27
Al: 36:04
Frank: 34:44
Annie: 36:00



Transition Times
Steve: 5:46
Al: 16:00
Frank: 11:10

How many push up can you do?

Great NY Times article about the value of push ups as a measure of health.

Dunkin Donuts Today

i'm not trying to sabotage el cubano or anything - but, i was just at Dunkin Donuts

and, all day today - buy any size coffee and get your choice of donut for free :))))

just thought i'd share the healthful news :)

also, happy tax day! - xoxo - dea