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May 2003 – Anniversary Issue

In this issue of The Quest:
1. The Quest Quote …and humor
2. The Quest Question
3. Water Anyone? Did You Know?
4. Recipe: Healthier Banana Bread
5. Anniversary Issue: What do you really want?

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 1. Quote:
Those desiring to lose weight should perform hard work before food. They should take their meals after exertion while still panting from fatigue. They should, moreover, eat only once a day. Take no baths, sleep on a hard bed and walk naked as long as possible – Hippocrates, Greek physician born in 460 BC

~Note to readers: don’t believe everything your doctor tells you, it may get you arrested!

2. Question:
I’ve just finished creating my SMART fitness goals, like you teach in your book and I’m more committed than ever to get fit. My concern is that my life is really busy and if I’m unable to workout three days a week, will I ever get into shape? Lena Rubin, submitted via email

Answer:
Lena, don’t be so hard on yourself. The great thing about exercise is that everything counts! While the Surgeon General recommends doing something physical for 30 minutes a day, the activity doesn't necessarily have to be intense, or take place in a gym. For example, you may go for a great hike on Sundays and once a week you work hard in a circuit training class. If you supplement those tougher workouts with other tasks throughout the week — say, taking a brisk lunch-time walk, mowing the lawn, opting to take the stairs up to your office on the sixth floor—you will reach your allotted “active” time.

When you are really crunched for time and can't spare enough for even one or two 30-minute sessions a week, simply run or walk for just 15 minutes, or do a single set in the weight room instead of two, and at the very least you'll be doing enough to maintain a healthy body. And remember, every time you choose to hoof it in the parking lot, do 10 minutes of floor exercises in front of the TV, or pull the weeds in your garden you are creating a positive effect on your health.

3. Did you know?

ü       75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated.
ü       Even MILD dehydration will slow down one's metabolism as much as 3%.
ü       One glass of water shut down midnight hunger pangs for almost 100% of the dieters studied in a U-Washington study.
ü       Lack of water is the #1 trigger of daytime fatigue.
ü       Preliminary research indicates that 8-10 glasses of water a day could significantly ease back and joint pain for up to 80% of sufferers.
ü       Drinking 5 glasses of water daily decreases the risk of colon cancer by 45%, plus it can slash the risk of breast cancer by 79%, and one is 50% less likely to develop bladder cancer.
ü       A mere 2% drop in body water can trigger fuzzy short-term memory, trouble with basic math, and difficulty focusing on the computer screen or on a printed page.

Water anyone?

4. Healthier Banana Bread:
Recipe from Dr.Weil.com:
Native to the Caribbean and Central America, bananas are one of America's favorite fruits. They are rich in potassium—one banana contains 450 mg, or one-fifth of the adult daily requirement (and provides a good dose of magnesium, too). Most banana bread recipes are saturated with butter and sugar. Instead, this one uses a small amount of canola oil, which is much better for your heart—and honey, which means lots of flavor. By the way, don't use regular whole-wheat flour. It's too heavy for this recipe. Try whole-wheat pastry flour instead.
Ingredients:
3 very ripe bananas
1/2 cup honey
3 tablespoons canola oil, plus a little more for oiling the loaf pan
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups whole-wheat pastry flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

Directions:
1. Heat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly oil a loaf pan.
2. Mash the bananas and mix with the honey, canola oil, and vanilla extract.
3. Stir together the whole-wheat pastry flour, baking soda, and salt. Add the nuts.
4. Blend the two mixtures and spoon into the loaf pan. Bake for 40 minutes, or until center is set.
5. Enjoy.

5. Feedback anyone?
The Quest Newsletter is 1-year old! With a growing mailing list, and new ideas for interactive chats, support groups and web forums on my site, I’d love to provide you with the information and format that serves you best. Please email me and let me know what you really think.

Ø   What have you have enjoyed over the past year?
Ø      What wasn’t so helpful? (It’s okay, I can take it J)
Ø      What do you want to see in the future?

Please submit your comments or questions by replying to this email at deborah@deborahlow.com. I look forward to your feedback. 

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The Quest for Peace, Love & a 24-Inch Waist

www.deborahlow.com