Which Is Your Favorite? (Part 2)
Posted by Michelle Moquin on June 25th, 2010
Tony: I believe this is what you asked for…
…Without further ado…here’s number 2!:
Readers: So… are you liking this one better than the last? Hard decision huh? The voting is now open. Get yours in. It is Friday…Start flapping your lips!
Zen Lill: I did kind of feel that you wanted to say more than you did, so I am sorry that our conversation felt rushed the other day – we went through quite a few of subjects in record time. It seems a lot is going on in both of our lives and we just didn’t have enough time to chat about it all. Perhaps another phone call is due. I am here if you need a sounding board….or another good sweet swift ass kicking. I can do that too :)
Larken: I haven’t seen it but I am intrigued. And now with your added comments Finley, I definitely want to see it.
Health Info: Love the article. I love all the ingredients too and I think I’ll give it a try – thanks. :)
Andrea: Thanks for your addition too, in regards to the movie. I wrote about this over two years ago….the ‘doomsday seed vault’, and briefly touched on ‘Eugenics’. I firmly believe that the whites are out to wipe out otws, and this action backed by Planned Parenthood does not surprise me at all. You seem to be in the know. Anything else you can tell us? Thanks.
Renee: It’s Hard to not agree with your statement when you see the state of our country. That video is…well I can’t even comment, because there are no words left for me to say how upset I am about this oil spill.
Perry. Interesting article. I’m waiting to collect too. But I play, everyday…do you?
xoxo peeps….enjoy the start of the weekend!
Lastly, greed over a great story is surfacing from my ‘loyal’(?) readers. With all this back and forth about who owns what, that appears on my blog, let me reiterate that all material posted on my blog becomes the sole property of my blog. If you want to reserve any proprietary rights don’t post it to my blog. I will prominently display this caveat on my blog from now on to remind those who may have forgotten this notice.
Gratefully your blog host,
michelle
Aka BABE: We all know what this means by now :)
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June 25th, 2010 at 9:25 am
DON’T GET CONNED ON CALORIES
Many fast-food outlets and chain restaurants have been posting calorie counts… even before the provision requiring this was added to the new health-care reform bill.
We’re already seeing evidence that posting calories in restaurants makes a difference — in kids’ lives, at least — as new research shows that parents are using the information to order fast food more carefully for their children.
However, it appears that we can’t trust these posted calorie counts.
When researchers at Tufts University Jean Mayer US Department of Agriculture Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging investigated 18 entrées and side dishes from chain restaurants (Olive Garden, Applebee’s, P.F. Chang’s, Ruby Tuesday and Denny’s)…
11 entrées and sides from fast-food outlets (Taco Bell, Dunkin’ Donuts, Domino’s, McDonald’s and Wendy’s)…
and 10 frozen supermarket meals (from Healthy Choice, Weight Watchers, Lean Cuisine, South Beach Living and Bell & Evans),
they discovered that the calorie counts were off — sometimes way off.
A WHOPPER — OR NOT?
In this particular study, researchers found that there were 18% more calories in foods from restaurants and fast-food outlets than were posted, on average, and that frozen foods contained 8% more than stated on labels.
Sometimes the published calorie counts weren’t all that far off — for example, Ruby Tuesday says its Asian glazed salmon contains 424 calories, and researchers found it contained 461 calories.
Occasionally, however, the discrepancy was wide indeed and it varied in both directions — P.F. Chang’s Cantonese Shrimp was posted as having 330 calories, but was served with only 268 calories…
while the same restaurant’s large Sichuan-style asparagus, posted at 260 calories, actually contained more than double that amount — an astonishing 558 calories (asparagus!).
When I spoke with Lorien Urban, MS, author of the study, she acknowledged that the researchers had analyzed just one sample of each dish, and that’s not optimal because a seemingly small shift in preparation can boost or cut calories significantly.
For example, a chef might easily drizzle extra olive oil on a serving of pasta or a fast-food cook might use more cheese.
And in the case of frozen entrées, 20% variance in calories is allowed by law, so by that standard 8% isn’t so bad.
But still, it’s clear that the food industry, in general, is feeding us more calories than it says.
HOW TO NOT GET CONNED ON CALORIES
Urban suggested keeping watch for certain signs that you should adjust your calorie estimate upward when eating out…
Portion sizes. Food portions quite naturally vary from serving to serving… so instead of feeling like you’ve won the lottery when you’re served a giant portion, eat no more than you know in your heart (and stomach) that you should eat.
Side dishes. Many of these contained more calories than the entrées (witness that asparagus).
And often, when an entrée came with a no-extra-charge side dish (such as mashed potatoes or buttered corn), those extra calories were not included in the posted calorie count.
So ask your server specifically about calories in side dishes, including how and where on the menu they are listed.
Also, if you frequent a particular restaurant, check its Web site — many offer more comprehensive calorie information than you can get from the restaurant menu.
Sauces and condiments. If you are served a dish with a cream-based sauce or one that is dripping in oil or butter, Urban suggests skepticism might be in order.
While it is possible the calorie count matches what’s posted, even a little extra of these high-calorie sauces can make a big difference…
so remember that nothing replaces taking individual responsibility for what goes into your mouth.
Source(s):
Lorien Urban, MS, PhD candidate, Gerald J. and Dorothy R. Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University, Boston.
June 25th, 2010 at 9:28 am
Oh, yes, I like it. Put me down for a double helping of that.
June 25th, 2010 at 9:30 am
Okay Michelle
You joking or what. How can I vote I have both side by side(blown up to the max) where is the significant difference.
I need to see more before I vote. I mean MORE!
Tony
June 25th, 2010 at 9:33 am
Michelle me and my girls are so intrigued by the private banter you and Zen Lill have. Why not twitter so we all can share?
Caroline
June 25th, 2010 at 9:35 am
Michelle
Don’t bother going to see Shutter. It is the most boring movie I have ever seen. It is NOT about government having a Gitmo in 1954. It is about a director f**king up an attempt at making a deep movie.
It sucked.
Luther
June 25th, 2010 at 9:36 am
Love the exercises Zen Lill. My desk will never be the same.
June 25th, 2010 at 10:48 am
Hey Tony, get over it…if I were going to bare my breasts you can bet those pics would be a paid for event ; ) no offense but they and all of me are worth it…and yes I’ve actually had a few approaches re that matter. It all occurred after I was mistaken for a porn star, too long if a story to get into on my iPhone, hahaha, but it involves me wearing a barbarella style outfit and very high heels, I’ll keep you posted ; ) it was a hot biz proposal I must say, no full nudity, no touching, no anything I don’t want…and dont anyone go getting on their moral high ground about it, apparently this person/peeps saw my personal brand of attraction (in terms of money) so why not think about it, I see no harm in that. Men make money in a variety of ways that might not seem ‘wholesome’ to me either, besides which – hmmm, I dont ever remember calling myself wholesome, do you?? : D
I also have another passion to follow…but not here and not right now.
Mischa, one exercise in Firestarter just fired me up and made me laugh my ass off, it was a breakthrough of sorts and made me write some emails and send a few texts immediately. This set of worksheets make you think…and act…and so far I would say it’s earthy and inspiring. Yes, another chat soon, have some biz to handle in the week and may change a lot of my life as I know it, I’m beginning to truly embrace change, I’ve always liked it but now I actually crave it, a great place to be : )
Bring-it-on! (fist raised high)
oh and if you look at this ouc while listening to Des’ree singing ‘You Gotta Be’ it’s the closest you’ll come to knowing me off blog hahaha ; )
Have a great weekend, Luv, Zen Lill
June 25th, 2010 at 2:17 pm
Mindi, I’m so glad you live that one. Monday or if I find time this weekend I am going to make your desk (and you) rock those biceps/triceps and any ‘secretary spread’ that even thinks of coming to visit : ) I remember my desk days very well… I made these up to prevent that ss syndrome : ) – ZL