Jane Goodall on what separates us from the apes | Video on TED.com

Jane Goodall on what separates us from the apes | Video on TED.com

 

Jane Goodall hasn't exactly found the missing link, but she's come closer than just about anyone else on Earth. Her extensive research into the behavior of chimpanzees, which started in Africa in the 1960s and continues today, fundamentally altered scientific thinking about the relationship between humans and other mammals.

Goodall, who founded a research institute in her name in 1977, is an internationally recognized authority on the primate world. She's written books for adults and children, contributed to documentaries, and serves as a National Geographic explorer-in-residence, a United Nations peace messenger, and the president of Advocates for Animals. For her efforts to observe and preserve all species, Goodall has received honors and accolades from governments, nonprofits, universities, and professional organizations, including a medal from UNESCO and the French Legion of Honor in 2006.

It really is "up to us". What We do Matters... a lot. We can change the World.

iPad arrives and some thoughts...

So I watched... yup.. Live Blogging from Engadget and the New York Times . Here's the official video from Apple.  ..and I am going to let all the smart guys figure this out... but I'm not buying one... I like my 13-14" dell laptop and I like not having to be concerned with compatibility issues. After a half dozen of cupertino's finest devices (other than my iPhone and Apple TV and a music express system that streams music through the house) I use a PC...I use Quicken and I have been sorely disappointed with nearly every Apple product I've bought (including the iPhone but not AppleTV and the Extreme/Express Music System)... 17" MacBook Pro (loaded) spent weeks getting new parts put in it... Hard drive problems... iPhone battery is slow and so forth.. They command top dollar and the service better be good because you'll need it... But I'm not here to bash them.. I love what Apple does for technology lovers... They energize the on-line community. Steve is cool.. The culture is weird and immature but so what? I know 75 year old Apple fanatics... they love the design and ease of use... they have nothing to compare it to...so will you buy one? Answer here: Mashable.

Today we get the latest version of Apple Pie..

"They’re (Apple)  capable of raising people’s expectations and restoring a sense of joy and delight in technology". How True.. and there is  more of where that came from Here. A great article about the Apple tablet and what may be expected of it... Technology should be useful, fun and help the world get along better... communicate great ideas to a lot of people quickly. When we were building the Internet we only thought about network design and how much money we were spending to put the fiber in the ground and under the ocean... who might connect and how much they'd spend to do that. Eventually we thought of applications that would require bandwidth so we could sell more capacity and raise more money based on projections of what folks would pay for that privilege. So things have changed of course and today we'll get a look at what will no doubt be considered somewhat revolutionary. Gotta have... or Gotta have when it gets this must have feature it doesn't have yet... It's a first gen product. an Kindle killer? Some say so.. Hearing it has dual camera  (or lens) for video conferencing. Sounds neat... no cost to connect... hard to believe but read this:  Thoughts on what an Apple tablet should be – or not. And you can follow the fella who wrote these articles here: Andy Ihnatko . So I'll get some sleep between now and 10AM  PST tomorrow when I will be like my friend Kyle Reimer who will be   ..."paying way too much attention to Twitter and Wired and not enough attention to my (his) job". Think we are waiting for Jobs to really deliver something special... I'm finding it hard to believe anything could fulfill the promise, unless he adds speed, better battery life, a good network (no dropped calls) and a keyboard to my iPhone... for me the best thing yet while digging around for the latest spy fotos was to be told about an iPhone app called WAZE: Real-time maps and traffic information based on the wisdom of the crowd.  Gonna try it... maybe join me..

...and in the morning, I'll be tracking Engadget and Twitter.

Charity: Water

The story of charity: water - The 2009 September Campaign Trailer from charity: water on Vimeo.

Please also see Fresh2O.

4 Children die every minute from dirty water. You can help change that!

Project Kaisei

Project Kaisei is a non-profit organization based in San Francisco and Hong Kong, established to increase the understanding and the scale of marine debris, its impact on our ocean environment, and how we can introduce solutions for both prevention and clean-up.

The Pacific Ocean's Garbage Patch/Charles Moore on The Colbert Report

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
Charles Moore
www.colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor Economy

Some attempts at humor here, but important to know a bit about what's going on... did we really think that "out of sight, out of mind" was going to be a sustainable strategy for our beautiful planet?

Another Tip of the Hat To Bono...Ten for the Future

"IF we have overindulged in anything these past several days, it is neither holiday ham nor American football; it is Top 10 lists. We have been stuffed full of them. Even in these self-restrained pages, it has been impossible to avoid the end-of-the-decade accountings of the 10 best such-and-suches and the 10 worst fill-in-the-blanks.

And so, in the spirit of rock star excess, I offer yet another.

The main difference, if it matters, is that this list looks forward, not backward. So here, then, are 10 ideas that might make the next 10 years more interesting, healthy or civil. Some are trivial, some fundamental. They have little in common with one another except that I am seized by each, and moved by its potential to change our world." (link to Bono's Op-Ed in the New York Times)

So Bono gets the floor at the New York Times (sub link for Kindle) and makes news talking about intellectual property rights and what has happened to the Music industry and what might happen to the Movie business.... but there  is a lot more here and it's worth plowing through I think... not just because I'm a fan but because there is a lot of next decading going on and this list has a couple of surprises... what do you think?

I think Bono remains relevant because of his faith, his  sense of wonder  and  his tremendous curiosity about all things good.... not just because U2 rocks!... and they do!

newMedia Advisers...Social Media Consultants

Seems the Ventures always start the same way... minding someone else's business I was discussing how to structure a joint venture/partnership with a client and at the end of our conversation, that had gone rather well, he cleared his throat and said, "after we do this deal I want to ask a favor of you. I have an online presence (or is it a personality?) going back a couple of years but it is fragmented and ineffective and I'd like to create a cohesive, easy to find and understand online Brand of One as you say. Will you help me?" He went to ask if I had the time to work with him as a Senior Adviser and of course the answer was "sure"...He's a Great Guy with a Heart of Gold. (it's really possible to run a big organization and tell the truth and be compassionate). Every venture has a humanitarian thread or two in it's basic fabric...  "when you are back out on the Coast come by and we'll walk through it and then off you go"... never thought of doing this, but I started counting the Blogs (Mine are listed over there on the right side with all the Affiliates) and profiles and so forth... I'm a regular Gman... Google and Goss..

Hardly an online personality. I do have 20,000 followers on Twitter (would Love to have you Follow Me and I auto follow back btw)  and have a purpose to it all. Been suspended a few times as I sorted out what you can and are discouraged from doing on what I believe will be the most powerful personal and professional medium when integrated with Wave (still have a couple of invites for the asking: pegoss@gmail.com ...with a "why you" please) for the foreseeable future.... and then there is my partner Richierich who has a few thousand devout followers as well.. We have done some promos and driven some traffic to various sites and causes and at this point we've tried a few of the get rich quick scams (STOP IT!!!) and all the "get thousands of followers" jive programs ... somewhere in this blog is the story about how we got here, but suffice to say for a lot less than my client was willing to pay me we can help an individual out with the personal technology and ways to go about creating a presence on-line for individuals and Execs... and We are a nice mix.. and then there is Facebook where I have some friends and family but have not done a lot of networking... OK for "sharing".

Richie is 30 and a Mac (Genius actually) and I'm a soon to be 60 ex-corp exec and former Mac and now a PC... and then there is Ali who, though less visible, has a wonderful business sense (Commercial Real Estate on the Monterey Peninsula) and one of the world's biggest hearts  as well as more service commitments in the areas of Ecology and Social Services than anyone I know (Mother Teressa in a Business Suit)... So we get what it means to be relevant and responsible and can help guide anyone through the maze that at first seems confusing.. Let's make some sense of it... Next thing is the one man  Your Board of Directors... and I think I'm doing that again... gratis! Love to Help... Safe Travels!... a Sort of Social Media Mentor..hmmm. Feel free to call or write.

Feel Good Holiday Gifts...

Happy Holidays Everyone...Ali here. Okay, normally I post stuff that is important for the planet, its people, our spirits, etc...and don't push products. This time, because of these two products, I must dive into promotion. Here goes, okay? For me, my mornings are so important because they set up the day. A wonderful cup of good coffee, meditation, exercise and then preparing to go to the office...all important and, thanks to two products my husband found for us, there are two parts of the preparation part that I actually look forward to every day.

The first is my shower with my Oxygenics shower head. Honestly, every day I look forward to my shower because of how fabulous and magical the water is coming out of this rascal. Low flow but designed to super-charge the water, the water makes you feel brand new because of the oxygenating engineering in this shower head. See the ad for more info...(another Amazon link below)...I've had friends and associates thank me for suggesting this to them and I bet you'll be the favorite in your family for the Oxygenics Shower Heads you put under the tree for others.

The second thing I do in the morning that tickles my spirit is brush my teeth. We have the Oral-B Triumph electric toothbrush. I know, I know, you already have an electric toothbrush, right? Not like this puppy! The Triumph comes with a wireless Smart Guide that tells you when to switch quadrants in your mouth, when you may be brushing too hard, when you've done a great job (smiley face, winking smiley face...) and, with so little effort, cleans and whitens and protects your mouth while almost making a game out of it. Check it out...(another Amazon link below).

Good health and putting a smile on the morning face...what a fabulous gift to share with others.

Peace and happiness to you all, Ali

What We Do is Important!

Too often we wait for the perfect idea or concept to get going with worthy projects... I am reminded of the Monk who said, "start where you are". She meant the only mistake is to not start. When I'm wealthy and can afford a solar powered off the grid, zero carbon, Tesla lifestyle... then I'll get going... but today we can all turn off the light when we leave the room.. shower a minute less. Walk to the store..or to the mailbox (in my case a 1/2 mile down the hill) ... we can all recycle... it just means we start where we are and build from there... We are fortunate to have friends who keep track of their carbon use and offset their flights to foreign lands and so forth. I'm proud of them. I'm good with saving the recyclables on the floor of the passenger seat until I can put them somewhere where I know they will be properly recycled. We found ourselves going through 5 flats of 16 oz plastic bottles of water a month... we are now down to two. We bought and were given metal refillable bottle to use and we are using them... it's a start... that's a long way from where we were 10-15 years ago.. It started with the newspapers and petitions to get community bins put in local shopping centers for cans, plastic bottles and newspaper.. we just need to start and then look for more ways to do more...We run the beach Clean-Ups for Surfrider and think they are a great organization with a decent conscience and a rock n roll soul...Our oceans are filled with garbage. They need our help.. Please help.. Just start where you are with what is comfortable.. It will make you feel good... You'll want to do more...

..this first appeared on the site Environmental Booty. Our future depends on our knowledge and actions. What choices will you make today? Many Thanks to Shane Shirley-Smith

TOMS Shoes.. No more Sweaters for Christmas...

TOMS Shoes was founded on a simple premise: With every pair you purchase, TOMS will give a pair of new shoes to a child in need. One for One. Using the purchasing power of individuals to benefit the greater good is what they're all about.

I've  heard too many shopping stories already this season to have much sympathy for the endless waste of time and money when we could simply put an effort into helping the less fortunate among us in the world and get a firm grasp on the big picture.

Am thinking that Heifer International, an organization that focuses on teaching the poor to fish rather than giving them a fish just might be what this life is all about...happy, healthy, wealthy and wise is of no consequence unless it is shared.. Could we seek the true spirit of Christmas this year?   ..for a change? or is it more popcorn and politics down at the local bar...

Being the Helping Hand I Wish Had been There for Me...

A little over a week ago I got to do something I thought I never would have the honor to do. I got to share some of my life experience with a group of kids at a local middle school. Kids that are surrounded by a lot of mixed messages, a lot of pressure and a lot of uncertainty. I had to remember how it was for me when I was that young. All of the things that were going through my mind at that age. I can remember many outside forces that I didn't understand and really wanted some help with. The trouble was that I really didn't know who or how to ask. There really wasn't anybody there for me, at that age, that I could completely trust. So now, going into this opportunity, I wanted to be that person that these kids could talk to, and ask those questions.

Here is a little back story on me, I am a recovered alcoholic.  Really that says it all. I have been sober for over 600 days and if you want a little more info on me, check out my recovery blog here.

When I was in elementary school there was DARE, or Drug Abuse Resistance Education. Basically local police officers came into out classroom and talked to us about drugs and alcohol. What I remember of DARE was more of an education on drugs, more interest then resistance. A lot of people that are my age and went through some kind of DARE type program when they were kids often say the same thing that I do. It was more of an education about drugs and really didn't deal with the problems that were facing kids. For me it made me want to try more drugs now knowing how they were going to effect my body.
Drugs and Alcohol really changed the course of my life, really altered the very fabric of it. Not all of the changes were bad because it introduced me to the people that would introduce me to an entire new way of living. One that I never knew existed because I was never really looking. Now I have the chance to be of service to my fellow man, the still suffering alcoholic, and to a bunch of kids in a middle school.

I really wanted to talk to these kids and tell them my story. How drugs and alcohol effected my life. How it affected my schoolwork, my sports, my hobbies, my family and my future.  I really wanted to connect with them.

So I laid it all out on the line.

I told the kids all about the choices that I had made in the past. The way that those choices made me feel. How others affected the way that I made my choices in life. I just wanted to connect with them so that maybe they would feel comfortable enough with me to ask some questions. They asked a lot of great questions about all aspects of things that I covered, and even some things that I didn't. They wanted to know how I handled things like peer pressure, getting in cars with people that were intoxicated, family members that drank... basically all over the board.

After the assembly, I got to talk to a class of boys in a smaller group setting. We basically opened up the discussion to the boys, and really gave them the opportunity to get whatever off their chest that they wanted to.  It was something that I will never forget and I hope I get the chance to do again in the future.  The feeling that I had was simply marvelous. If I even connected with one of the kids in those rooms, and made them think about those choices in the future, then I did my job.

Some Reality Re: The Public Option-Polls Pressure Senators

Think it's very hard to get accurate information regarding Heath Care Reform... We still see this has an issue of compassion for our Friends and Neighbors and know at least one person who would be here today if this legislation were in effect....If you want to support this point of view perhaps you will want to sign this petition.

Take a Stand for Darfur

Sometimes, it is very hard to believe the atrocities that go on in this world. I often find ecological and health care related interests to focus on at the Treehouse,  but Darfur is different somehow. So please watch, listen, cry and then do something. Be aware and speak out against the insanity. Support the groups that are working tirelessly to bring an end to the politics of genocide. Please start with the producers of the top piece: 1800Genocide. Become more educated and horrified and Please Support: Genocide Intervention Network and Amnesty International USA

Beach Cleanup-Feelin' Good by Doin' Good

Last Saturday saw an intrepid band of volunteers gather on Del Monte Beach at the shore of beautiful Monterey Bay. I was there and we all were a part of the Surfrider Monterey October Beach Cleanup. Although we certainly expected more volunteers, I like to see the glass as half full and loved watching the folks who came walk off into the kelp-strewn, surf-tossed natural mayhem that is a natural beach on a dynamic Ocean Bay. They had their litter tally sheets and their love for this Mother Ocean who knows no bounds to her generosity in the life she gives us. It's just a little thing we can do each month to give back to that which sustains us all. When all was said and done, over 2,000 pieces of plastic, styrofoam, bags, butts, fishing line and general "yuck" was picked up in just a couple of sun-kissed hours. Hey, next month, come join us...we do a different beach every month...we'd love to see you. To find out which beach and when, go to the Surfrider Monterey site. If you aren't in the Monterey Bay Area but are lucky enough to be close to the oceans, you can get involved with Surfrider Foundation's awesome work. Check it out by starting with Surfrider Foundation's 122 Victories for the Ocean since 1/1/2006. Feelin' Good...doin' good...life is good.

--Your friend, Ali

A Fad? What Fad? Social Media is Now ...and the Future

I think that it was in 2003 sometime when I realized just how great that "social media" thing was... even though I really had no idea that's what it was going to be called. I just thought that it was a really good way to see what all of those people from high school were doing. This was way before Myspace and Facebook.. back then I was on Friendster.  I could feel that this way of interacting with people was going to be how it was done in the future. e-Mail was OK. Just OK... for the business guys. This was way before the revolution in mobile devices that has swept the world. The concept of instant interaction with the rest of the world was not even on my scope back then. I was just interested in what everybody else was doing with their lives.

I do understand how people could think of social media as a fad. Something that was going to fade away just like 8tracks, audio cassettes, laser discs, and car phones. I think that people think that way because they are scared of it or really just don't understand it. They fail to see the power that social media can wield. When it comes down to it, how they can make money with it.  For me, it all comes down to straight shootin'. Honest advertising... and how it can help the little guy. How it effects small, local businesses that have always had to go out of their way and spend a bunch of money to get widespread exposure. They have had to take out ad space in a local newspaper or mailer to get it out to their neighbors that they have a really great new pumpkin spice yogurt flavor. (which is awesome by the way. @myofrozenyogurt) They can now use Twitter and Facebook as real weapons for their business. The other side of the coin is that for people like myself who are fiercely loyal to businesses that I love... we can spread their messages with a simple retweet.. or by sharing their link to our friends. It helps everybody in the long run because local business is the key to everything in my mind. When local businesses are doing good then I am feeling good.

So yes, maybe Twitter and Facebook may come and go, but this way of interacting with the world is here to stay. And how about the proliferation of Blogs in their various forms . It's not a fad. It's more like a revolution. ...And here seems to be the proof!..btw.. you can follow us on twitter: The Monk, Richierich, Ali.

Rebranding America...Bono's Latest

Bono's Op-Ed in the New York Times this morning says what I've been thinking and saying over the past few months as people here in this wonderful, dynamic, blessed America have been grumbling and turning away from opportunity.

When did Americans start saying and believing "No, we can't."? Our President gave us permission in his campaign and victory to follow him in saying "Yes, we CAN!"

The United States of America was founded on radical and revolutionary beliefs about creating a New World. Now, we are faced with the daunting and pressing challenge of leading the Old World in creating another New World...a world of peace, prosperity and care for all of our brothers and sisters. The result will be a global security and stewardship of Our Creator's gift of this Earth that we both deserve and have a responsibility to achieve.

Hoorah for those who dare to dream of a better world. Hoorah for Barack Obama. Hoorah for you in finding ways that you can take part in creating this world.

Peace to all of my brothers and sisters...today is a gift...go for it! Love, Ali

I love you Mister President.

Watch CBS News Videos Online

It really takes a fourth grader to ask the question that has been perplexing me for the past couple of months.. Why do some people in this country hate you Mister President? I will always remember where I was when I found out that you had been elected the President of the United States. An office that I have so much reverence and respect for.. and the reason that I have so much respect for it is not because of the man that was in the office before you but because of my my LOVE for "The West Wing." It was on that show, during an episode that was portraying the State of the Union Address that I first heard the Sergeant at Arms yell..."Mister Speaker.... the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES!" I always wondered why I would get excited and almost teary eyed when I heard that.  Well that time is now.. Like you say in this clip Mister President... its just politics.. and some people out there just need something to hate. It feeds their fears of progress...

Well I want you to know that I'm not scared.. and this guy, me.... Loves You.

A Call to Action?? Relax...

I woke up to Chris Brogan imploring us to "get in the game"... then Twitter informed my it was blog action day (we write a lot about the environment here and don't need a "day" to do it but will anyway...later) ... I started to think about what a two-time Olympic athlete told me when I ran for the Oregon Track Club (many years ago) ... He said, "today you may need to rest and today you may need to go hard. Whatever you do, just make sure you are stronger tomorrow because of what you do today." That Athlete was  Kenny Moore and he looks like he's followed his own advise. The trick here is to get quiet. To Meditate and listen to how your body feels... That's my call...Slow down.. We run the race for more followers on Twitter and readers in the blogosphere and fast times in the marathon of life... remember it is not a sprint... You'll need energy in the end... take it easy and help your brother with his load. Relax for a change. It will come.

Senator Snowe helps make History. Finally..

What a huge day in Washington it has been with the Senate Finance Committee moving to pass the fifth and final health care reform proposal. The measure passed with a 14-9 margin. Republican Senator Olympia Snowe was the lone republican that supported the bill. In her remarks she said.."when history calls, history calls."

For someone that is my age that statement really hit me. It seems to me that it is the people that see the importance of these moments in history are the ones that make history.. they see the consequences of not acting... and they act.  They see something that is more than themselves and they act.

When I was younger my father gave me a hypothetical situation to think about... it would always stick with me in whatever I do. He asked me what I would do if I saw someone in the street as a car was coming at them...

What would I do?  Would I wait and see what would happen? Or would I just react and do what I thought was right... When he asked me that question I couldn't really give him and answer. I was really pretty young... probably about 13 years old and I had no idea what I would do.

Now I know what I would do.. it seems like that is the attitude that makes things move forward.

By moving this bill out of committee there will be more debate on it on the floors of both houses of Congress. That is the way that this whole thing is supposed to work...

So I have to say Bravo to Senator Snowe for showing a little "out of the box" thinking... and moving things forward.

Rachel Maddow: Obama is Given the Nobel Peace Prize, Responds Appropriately and Then Out Come the Fools

Americans should be proud of electing Barack Obama as our President. He will encounter great resistance for many ugly, hateful reasons... we need to evolve a bit quicker I think. Sink the ship of Fools. There is, I've sadly come to understand, a bit more going on here than just politics. Growing up in NYC it never occurred to me that I would pick my friends and associates based on race, color or creed... I still find it hard to swallow... We really are all in the same canoe... one end will not sink by itself. Take my hand and let's go... We have things to do. There are injustices to deal with. Lawns to mow and houses to paint. Remember as a child how none of this stuff really mattered? Just Come on out and play. Now... Speak out against the madness. Speak up for Peace and Justice. Hear them call your name and do something that matters. Something for your brothers and sisters.

Health Care Coverage for the Uninsured Has Become a National Crisis

Where is it written that every citizen should have health insurance? Or every child should get periodic physicals? Or pregnant women should have regular prenatal exams? Nowhere! Yet common sense tells us maintaining one's health is vital. And having health insurance encourages people to do the right thing, such as getting regular checkups and needed attention before situations turn critical.

It's a matter of having "coverage" and not just "access" to medical attention. Not convinced? Let me explain.

We all pay

Anyone can walk into a hospital and receive care in an emergency. That's "access." But if the person has no insurance, the cost is allocated in part to the patient and in greater part to those who have insurance -- to the tune of nearly 20 percent of their premiums. If the patient has insurance -- "coverage" -- then the cost is borne by the patient's insurance plan and the patient. If everyone has coverage, you and I stand to pay less for our insurance -- and for other products.

Business Basics 101

So why do we care that nearly 48 million Americans are without coverage? Or that the number of uninsured Kentuckians is approaching 700,000? Or, that eight out of 10 are working and are too poor to pay or have no plans available? Well, first of all, because people should stay healthy. And, second of all, because businesses need workers who are what I call "action ready" -- physically, medically, and psychologically ready. (They also need educated workers, but that's a different problem.) Unhealthy workers do not motivate businesses to expand or relocate new businesses to areas where the work force is not "action ready."

Taking control

Certainly, there is a cost associated with getting everyone insured. So why change? Because, as the saying goes, "You either pay now or pay later, but rest assured, you will pay." Indeed, we are paying -- right now! And the cost is only going to increase unless we take control. In these uncertain economic times, some think the cost is being deferred, if not completely avoided. Any number of small employers say they can't afford health insurance for their employees. And many workers are choosing food and fuel over health care, assuming they have a roof over their heads. Yet everyone is paying the price. More than 25 percent of the cost of a new automobile is attributed to employee benefit costs. And that cost reflects both the wellness of the manufacturer's workers and the 20 percent up-charge noted earlier for those without insurance. Add to the equation indigent and emergency-room costs that are increasing exponentially, and the total tab begins to look like the national deficit.

Where the action is

Something has to be done. Just as buildings and equipment have to be maintained, so does our work force. And, while presidential candidates campaign on the subject of health care reform, any number of states are actually doing something about it. Tennessee has launched Cover Tennessee to provide schoolchildren, the elderly and small-business employees with affordable health insurance and medication. California has proposed a plan that is stalled in the legislature, but the governor continues to bang the drum in support of adoption. Massachusetts now requires coverage for all its citizens, just as any number of states require no-fault auto insurance.

Still others are moving ahead to address the need, such as Maine, with the Dirigo Health Reform Act, which is aimed at improving the quality of care while containing costs. And Community Care of North Carolina, a provider-led health care network, has gone statewide to ensure patients have a primary care doctor and a medical home where chronic diseases are monitored and treated -- all in the name of improving access and quality of care while saving millions.But while it's tempting to think everything can be done at the state level, the reality is that action needs to be taken at every level.

-R. Brayton Bowen is a business consultant with The Howland Group, a strategy consulting and change management firm based in Louisville. He is also author of "Recognizing and Rewarding Employees." This article appeared in Business First in April of 2008.Reprinted by permission.

Choosing To Be Healthy-An Active Lifestyle and Good Food. Eating Out Guide

Choosing to eat healthy, workout, and live an active lifestyle is not always an easy decision.  Although ideally we would all love to be in great shape, and eat nothing but health food all the time, realistically our busy lifestyles take over, and don’t always allow for that choice.  Here are a few helpful tips & tricks to eating healthy, even when we are on the go!

Eating-Out Guide & Guidelines

• Request all sauces & dressings on the side, and then use them sparingly.
• Avoid added fat!  Avoid fried foods.  Choose steamed, baked, broiled, boiled, poached or grilled instead.
• Avoid restaurants that are “all you can eat” or pride themselves on large portions.
• When ordering a salad, don’t be afraid of being picky; ask for extra vegetables and no croutons and dressing on the side. 
• If it is OK with the rest of your party- ask the server not to bring bread (you will save 200 calories or more)
• Plan ahead, pick out what you want to eat before arriving to the restaurant and stay focused.  Don’t let other people in your party effect your food choices.
• Have a low fat, high fiber snack (fruit, raw vegetables, or yogurt) before you go out to eat so that you avoid feeling too hungry, and prevent the temptation to over eat.
• Ask for the waiter/waitress to pack ½ of your meal in a to-go box before bringing it to the table.  (will save you ½ the calories & will provide you with lunch for the next day)
• Eat your calories, don’t drink them!  Order water or non-sweetened iced tea instead of soda or juice.
• When ordering soup, choose brothy, vegetable soups like minestrone over creamy soups like clam chowder.  You will save yourself hundreds of calories, and be careful of sodium.

 

General Guidelines-

• Mexican Food

-Ask for whole beans instead of refried beans ( avoid the extra fat)

-Order a tostada without the fried shell

-Order the vegetable or chicken fajitas and hold the sour cream, cheese and tortillas.

• Italian Food

-Skip the bread before your meal, order a side salad instead

-Opt for marinara sauce instead of Alfredo, and always ask for the sauce on the side so you can add it yourself.

-Ask for some steamed vegetables to be added to your meal.

-Limit your wine consumption to 1 glass (200-300 Calories per glass)

• Chinese or Thai Food

-Avoid fried foods or any dish in a heavy sauce (sweat & sour)

-Ask the server for your food to be steamed instead of fried.

-Skip the rice and noodle dishes, choose a dish with vegetables instead

• Sushi

-Avoid fried rolls like spider rolls or crispy shrimp rolls.

-Avoid extra fats like cream cheese and cream sauces.

-Ask for the chef to use brown rice instead of white rice.

-Order rolls that are wrapped in seaweed instead of rice.

-Order a side salad or a cup of miso soup (a very healthy choice).

-Skip anything tempura fried.

• American Food

-Avoid fried foods, onion rings, French fries, and stuffed peppers.  (These don’t count as vegetables, but good try!)

-Opt for a vegi burger instead of a traditional hamburger, and ask for it to be wrapped in lettuce instead of a bun.

-Eat your calories, don’t drink them, stay away from calorie packed sodas, milkshakes, chocolate milk and even juice.

-Don’t cave into the craving for dessert!!!  But…if you must, share 1 dessert with 2-4 people.  Opt for a berry cobbler, or sherbet instead of chocolate cake or cheese cake.

-Always order a side salad or steamed vegis on the side INSTEAD of French fries or cole slaw.  (Remember dressing on the side!)

Most of all, remember to enjoy your food, taste it, savor it, enjoy it. 

-This article was submitted by Sarah Sanders who is the Owner of OmOasis in Monterey, CA. OmOasis is a Full Service Yoga and Wellness Studio on the corner of Cass and Webster in Downtown Monterey, CA offering classes in Vinyasa Flow, Power and Karma Yoga, Spin, Pilates, Personal Training and Nutritional Consulting. There you will also find a Boutique with Workout/Yoga Clothes, Gifts and handmade jewelry. 831 917-0177/info@omoasis.com

Global fisheries are in bad shape from decades of overfishing. Our Oceans Need Your Help

Global fisheries really are in bad shape. Due, quite simply, to decades of overfishing.

In an accelerating battle over the fate of one of the last great lions of the open ocean – the bluefin tuna. Its succulent flesh is so popular in sushi that its very existence is threatened. A single bluefin – they typically grow to eight feet and 800 pounds – may sell for $100,000 in Japan.

Such price tags, and humanity’s hunger for protein, have put a bull’s-eye not just on bluefin, but on scores of other species as well. Nine of 23 tuna species worldwide are “fully fished” – meaning catches should not be increased. Four more are “overexploited” or “depleted,” according to the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

The tuna’s plight is shared by many marine species now being hunted by large, modern fishing fleets that use satellite tracking and sophisticated fishing gear, scientists say.