What am I putting in my body?

I was shocked the other day. As I was sautéing some veggies, I grabbed the garlic salt out of the pantry and happened to check the ingredients. It must be simple. It couldn’t contain more than garlic, salt and parsley, right? Well I was so wrong. Among the list of ingredients was the dreaded partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. I knew it was bad for you because of trans fatty acids. However, I wasn’t really clear on the whole hydrogenation process so I decided to do a little research. Here are my findings.

What are hydrogenated vegetable oils?

Hydrogenation is an advanced process. First vegetable seeds are washed and bleached to eliminate all colors, taste, smells and impurities. Next, the liquid vegetable oil is heated at high temperatures. They then add a catalyst. The most common catalyst used is nickel, but palladium, platinum or rhodium may also be used. Hydrogen is simmered throughout the liquid. They filter the concoction to remove the metal. What remains is the hydrogenated vegetable oil.

Why are these oils added to our foods?

The benefit to the manufacturer is that they can produce a product that can remain at room temperature as well as a product with an extended shelf life. We the consumers continue to purchase these products therefore manufacturers keep producing them.

What is the problem with these oils?

The hydrogenation procedure modifies the makeup of some of the fats. It is changed to a type that the body does not easily recognize: trans fatty acids. What does trans fat do? First, it raises LDL cholesterol levels. LDL is the bad carrier for cholesterol. Trans fats may also lower HDL cholesterol which is the good carrier for cholesterol. Trans fats have a tendency to raise total blood cholesterol levels. The association linking trans fat and cancer risk is unclear. Some studies conducted suggest that trans fats may raise the risk of certain cancers such as breast cancer. The smartest move you can make for your health is to cut the ingestion of all solid fats in order to decrease the danger of heart disease and possibly cancer.

The most important lesson for me: READ THE LABELS OF EVERYTHING YOU CONSUME NO MATTER WHAT IT IS OR HOW SAFE IT MAY SEEM!

Also, if you frequent fast food restaurants, obtain a copy of their nutrition information. This is a real eye opener.

This website has some good information: http://www.bantransfats.com/index.html

This is Just the Beginning...

I am starting this blog as a source of encouragement for others. I am in the midst of my journey of life and have found that I have the power to accomplish things in my life that once seemed impossible. You too can be powerful and strong...you control the choices you make. YOU have the power to do whatever you want to do. I found the phrase "power to do" in a local community magazine. I had recently lost quite a bit of weight and at that point I realized that I had possessed the power for so long but never released it. I remember sitting there staring at the phrase in print and amazed at the things I had accomplished. The most important aspect of my achievements is that I accomplished them on my own.


My Recent Accomplishments

Weight Loss

I recently lost over 40 pounds. At one point, I felt I was destined to be big forever. I accepted that was who I was meant to be. I accepted the phrase "big boned." I was in denial. I was bitter and I didn't even realize it. I had always been interested in health and fitness and had never quite made the decision to plunge into it head first. It was the beginning of spring 2009 and I had recently started drinking kombucha tea which is pretty pricey at $3.25 a bottle. I had just finished that bottle and was reading the label and all of its benefits. Then it struck me. Why am I drinking this? I weigh 180 pounds (that was my starting weight) and I eat way too much crap. What is the point? I can't just add one little thing to my life and expect it to change me. It was then that I decided that I had to figure this out on my own. I didn't want to join a gym but I did want to be healthier. I had worked out previously, mostly running, but it was never consistent enough to yield results. I had to do this for me and for my family. My teen daughter is a track athlete and I have two small girls that I stay at home with. I had to be healthy for them....I wanted to be a strong and healthy role model for them. My husband has always been into fitness. I knew I had to do this for him too. I had to do it for me. I needed to feel better. I needed more energy.

I discovered the secret. The secret is that there isn't any secret. I knew what to do. There was no pill or magic diet. I had to eat healthy and I had to work out. I had to commit. I did just that. I started shopping at health food stores and farmer's markets. I worked out every single day in my living room when my little ones were napping. I did it. I am now 136 pounds and am smaller than I was in high school. I am not big boned or destined to be large. I am healthy, strong and happy. I found that health extends into all of the other areas of your life.

Community Involvement




I recently was the team captain for Team Sassy. As a team, we raised about $2300 for the Susan G. Komen Foundation and participated in the Race for the Cure. It was a great feeling.




I have also recently become involved in donating food to local food banks.


It's a good feeling to help others and it's a great way to be a role model for your children.

Athletic Accomplishments






I have ran a few 5k's. My average time was 29-30 minutes for a 5k which is 3.1 miles. When I ran the 5k a few weeks ago, I ran the race in 26:10 which is 4 minutes faster than my previous times. I came in 9th out of 27 women in my age group. What a great moment it was when I saw those race results!



Those are my most recent accomplishments. I will have many more to come. I am excited to share this blog with others and even if I inspire just one person to unlock their power within, then it is worth it. Enjoy!