Frosted Flakes:   130 cal, 0 g fat, 31 carbs, 1 fiber, 13 sugar, 1 protein

Raisin Bran:       140 cal, 1g fat, 33 carbs, 5 fiber, 14 sugar, 3 protein

Rice Krispies:    100 cal, 0g fat, 22 carb, 0 fiber, 3 sugar, 1 protein

Frosted Mini Wheats:   130 cal, .5g fat, 30 carbs, 3 fiber, 8 sugar, 4 protein

Fruit Loops:       100 cal, 1 fat, 23 carbs, 3 fiber, 12 sugar, 1 protein

Cheerios:            60 cal,  1g fat, 13 carb, 2 fiber, <1g sugar, 2 protein

Corn flakes:       90 cal, 0g fat, 20 carb, <1 fiber, 2 sugar, 1 protein

Kashi:                140 cal, 0g fat, 30 carb, 10g fiber, 6 sugar, 13 protein

Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying you should all run to the nearest grocery store and stock up on Froot Loops and Frosted Flakes. I’m simply reminding you how incredibly important it is to check the labels and make sure that you’re actually eating what you think you’re eating!

But to give you a good sense, here’s how it started: “Throughout the year and at year-end, I am proud and satisfied by who I am being and what I am creating.  I lead with love, seek to focus on the best in others and myself, and appreciate the little things.  With joy, compassion, humility and lightheartedness, I introduce people to being healthy and happy both in relation to food and in their lives–imparting ‘The Secret of Food.’  Effortlessly, I have a balanced life.  My work feels like play and I find myself with plenty of time for actual play and for ‘me’ time.”

Hey, I told you: It’s a dream document–the things I will strive to do and see and be by December 31. I know some of those things are impossible to complete in such a short time but a girl can dream, right? I also have dreams about love found and teams built. I dream about my charity finally helping teenage girls who struggle with weight and body image issues. I dream things I hope will still happen (making a difference in people’s lives with the work I do) and will FINALLY happen (like “I learn to crave truly healthful foods as much as I crave the decadent treats I’ve so come to desire”).

Okay so maybe I won’t “effortlessly enjoy 9 servings of fruits and vegetables per day” and my diet won’t “be full of whole grains, lean meats and fresh foods”…or maybe it will?  But I will continue to try every single day to get there, including foods I never imagined I’d enjoy and avoiding any emotional eating.  By having it on paper, and viewing it often, I’m faced with the reality that this is what will make me even happier so I want to be (and will be) constantly reminded that it wouldn’t be the worst idea in the world, as I dash into the grocery store, to pick up one more veggie that I haven’t tried in a while. 

Truth be told, I recognize that a document like this is simultaneously freeing, intimidating and inspiring. It will push me and remind me of who I am and want to be. Will I “get outside at least a half hour every day with people who love to workout with me”? Will I “sleep like a baby as days end, then bounce out of bed grateful, refreshed and eager with a sense of deep satisfaction, ready to be tickled by the possibilities each new day brings?” (Holy cow would that be awesome!) Will my house and kitchen be miraculously organized and clean AND warm and homey? Will I get the exact TV show I’ve been dreaming about that will positively impact more people than I possibly could have imagined?

I don’t know but I do know that I will do more than dream – I will go all-out to get there. And this document sets it all out before me and will remind me of how far I get and how far I still want to go. Really it is all about not just setting goals but saying what those goals are and writing them out. There is something wonderful about seeing them on paper. And scary too. But they wouldn’t be real if they weren’t scary; they would be too easy or more of the same. Lord knows, many of us could use less of the same in 2010 in so many ways.

So, I say dare to dream and get yourself out there!  Here’s to more realities and less dreams 10-1/2 months from now! Okay, time to start writing….

Happy Cooking (& Dreaming!)

Devin

Hi Kelly,

Thanks so much for a GREAT question!
If you’re that sure that you’re doing it right, I bet you are…especially since you’ve had great results with other dishes.  It could be that your oven temperature is off???  I recently moved as you probably know.  We get our ovens calibrated every 6 months (or when we start a new book) to make sure everything in our books is always accurate.  We had a new guy calibrate this time and he told us they were right.  Then, we started cooking recipes that we do all the time and they were taking way longer.  We called him back and he shot one of those guns into the oven to check the temp. It was set at 350 and the gun said 350.  I told him there was no way it could be right and he didn’t believe me.  So then, I said, well, let’s try it at 450.  As it turns out, my oven NEVER went above 415…even if I set it to 500.  Might something like that be happening? 
If you think that isn’t possible, let me ask: you don’t have foil in the bottom of your oven to “keep it clean”, do you?  That affects the temperature and the disbursement of heat and is NEVER a good idea. 
If you’re still not getting results, I would try either boiling the fries a tiny bit longer to release a bit more moisture (though this may make them break if it goes too long) or cooking them longer (do they burn before they crisp)?
Does this help?  If not, please report back on your experience and I’ll continue offering other options!

Happy Cooking (& Un-FRYING!)

Devin

From getting to be the face of the (first ever!) healthy chapter of the Costco Cookbook to appearing at the Taste of Chicago (the very first time all vendors were required to provide at least one healthy offering), to cooking in front of 1,800 people for the first time at a health fair, to speaking to Culinary Educators, Restauranteurs and Chefs (who really cared about healthy offerings for the first time) at the American Culinary Federation to actually having my very own dishes on a chain restaurant’s menu for the first time, to seeing my first cookbook become a textbook at more than one high school, to getting a call from Office of the (now former) Surgeon General of the United States for the first time (and actually sitting down with him), to speaking on a panel of all M.D.’s and even being flown to a panel discussion via private plane for the first time, to watching numerous healthy shows get picked up for the first time, etc., it certainly was the biggest year of firsts for me in memory, but also in the promise of reversing the obesity epidemic.

Without a doubt, this was an unforgettable year in the battle against obesity.  Though it may not feel that way to everyone, I  promise, as someone who has a longterm commitment on the front lines, that more strides were made this year alone than I’ve seen in the previous 10 or more!  So if you’re still struggling or want to help someone you know is struggling, know that there WILL be more resources in years to come!

YAY 2009!!!!

 
Q: Doctor,  I’ve heard that  cardiovascular exercise can prolong life..  Is this true? 
A: Your heart only good for so many beats, and that it…don’t waste on exercise.  Everything wear out eventually.  Speeding up heart not make you live longer; it like saying you extend life of car by driving faster.  Want to live longer?  Take nap.  

Q: Should I cut down on meat and eat more fruits and vegetables? 
A: You must grasp logistical efficiency..  What does cow eat?   Hay and corn.  And what are these?   Vegetables..  So steak is nothing more than efficient mechanism of delivering vegetables to your system.  Need grain?  Eat chicken.  Beef also good source of field grass (green leafy vegetable).  And pork chop can give you 100% of recommended daily allowance of vegetable product.

Q: Should I reduce my alcohol intake?  
A:  No, not at all.  Wine made from fruit.  Brandy is distilled wine, that mean they take water out of fruity bit so you get even more of goodness that way.  Beer also made of grain.  Bottom up!

Q: How  can I calculate my body/fat ratio? 
A: Well, if you have body and you have fat, your ratio one to one.  If you have two bodies, your ratio two to one, etc.

Q: What  are some of  the advantages of participating in a regular exercise program? 
A: Can’t think of single one, sorry.  My philosophy is: No pain….good! 

Q:  Aren’t fried foods bad for you?  
A:  YOU NOT LISTENING!  Food are fried these day in vegetable oil.  In fact, they permeated by it.  How could getting more vegetable be bad for you?!?  

Q:  Will  sit-ups help prevent me from getting a little soft around the middle? 
A: Definitely not!  When you exercise muscle, it get bigger.  You should only be doing sit-up if you want bigger stomach.  

Q:  Is chocolate bad for me?  
A:  Are you crazy?!?  HEL-LO-O!!  Cocoa bean!  Another vegetable!  It best feel-good food around!

Q:  Is swimming good for your figure?  
A:  If swimming good for your figure, explain whale to me..

Q:  Is getting in shape important for my lifestyle?  
A:  Hey!  ’Round’ a shape!  

Well, I hope this has cleared up any misconceptions you may have had about food and diets.

For  those of you who watch what you eat, here’s the final word on nutrition and health.  It’s a relief to know the truth after all those conflicting nutritional  studies.  

1. The Japanese eat very little fat
       and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

2. The Mexicans eat a lot of fat
       and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

3. The Chinese drink very little red wine
       and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

4. The Italians drink a lot of red wine
       and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.  

5. The Germans drink a lot of beer and eat lots of  sausages and fats  
       and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

CONCLUSION:

Eat and drink what you like.
Speaking English is apparently what kills you.

Just a quick checkin since I haven’t “been here” since Friday.  I’ve had the most amazing few days, which I will tell you all about in detail as soon as I get through the next couple of days.  But the highlights were:

-Participating on a panel at USC medical center with the Larry King Cardiac Foundation–I was the ONLY panelist who was not an M.D.–such cool company!  And, to boot, it was lead by Mr. Larry King, himself!

-Attending a benefit for the Foundation.

-Shooting “Healthy Kitchen” segments for AOL, which was a very long day of prep yesterday, a long day of shooting today and will be another long day tomorrow, but will be available online already this Tuesday.

Needless to say, it’s been crazy, but every day I have been “punched in the face” in the best way imaginable with how lucky I am to be doing what I love and sharing it with other people. 

As I said, I’ll be back soon to gush about all of the amazing experiences of this week, but right now, I have to play a bit of “catch up” (Wednesday is the media launch for the Koo Koo Roo menu and Thursday I’m down in San Diego at Bed Bath & Beyond) before hitting bed early so I look as excited as I actually am to be shooting.

I hope you’re all having a GREAT start to your week!  Make it a healthy & DECADENT one!

Devin

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One of my favorite parts of my job is meeting all of the immensely cool people I get to meet!  Definitely sitting among the top on that list is Julie Hadden from “The Biggest Loser”!  She’s just too cool for words.   Not only is she immensely fun, she walks around with lots of wisdom…that when asked, she’s ready and willing to share openly.

I’ve confessed lately that I’ve been having trouble finding time to workout with all of the craziness going on.  So I thought it would be a good idea to call upon Julie to get me (and all of us) moving again.  I sat down with her and asked her a few questions. 

Me: As a wife and mother of 2 young children and now a popular speaker and up-coming author, I’m sure that you have to make an effort to find time to workout.  Do you have any tips for those of us who convince ourselves, “I don’t have enough time?”

Julie: I think we make enough time for the things that matter to us the most.  And our own health and well-being has got to be a priority.  When it comes to finding enough time to work out I think you’ve got to set yourself up for success in that area.  And that means – to me – proper nutrition and plenty of rest so that you will have the energy to actually do the workout.

It also means prioritizing your life.  It’s tough, especially when you have so many things pulling at you in different directions – but it’s something you have to do. Let’s face it, we’ve all got a list a mile long of things that need our attention.  Some things are “nice to do’s” and some things are “have to do’s.”  Be smart and be honest and know the difference.  (For me, working out is a “have to do.”  Without it my brain and body just don’t work the same.)  

It also requires sacrifice.  You may have to get up earlier or stay up later to manage your day and get your workout in.  But in the end it is so worth it!  And when you make yourself and taking care of yourself a priority you can do everything else you need to do so much better.

Me: What do you tell yourself on days you REALLY don’t feel like going to the gym that actually gets you there?

Julie: I have this mental image of the 218-pound fat girl who couldn’t bring the groceries in from the car without being winded; and the reminder of the mom who deprived her child of playing outside because it required too much exertion; and memory the wife who never accompanied her husband to anything because she was embarrassed of the way she looked.  It’s that fat girl who gets me up and going to the gym when I really don’t want to go.

I don’t ever want to be that girl again.  But at the same time I don’t want ever forget her.  It will be the reminder of everything fat stole from me and from my loved ones that keeps me on track and motivated to continue this life change.

Me: I’ve recently had the pleasure of reading an advanced copy of your soon-to-be released book, “Fat Chance…Losing the Weight, Gaining My Worth”.  Can you tell everyone a sentence or two about what you expect they’ll gain from reading the book.

Julie: I hope that anyone who reads the book will gain the same hope and motivation to make a change that I did through my experience on The Biggest Loser (and beyond).  I still say there is nothing extraordinary about me.  I was just given an incredible opportunity and I chose to make the most of it.  My story is simple.  But hopefully that’s what people can relate to the most.  We all deserve to live the life of our dreams!  And the power to achieve that life is within each of us.  Everyone’s journey getting there is different – but it is possible.

(Also, there’s some neat behind-the-scenes Biggest Loser stuff I hope people will love!  As a die-hard fan of the Show, I know I would.)

Me: What do you crave more than any other food?

Julie: I’ll be honest…I will always crave pizza and chocolate cake.  But more than that, now I truly am hungry for a healthy life and crave things that nourish my body from the inside out.  I guess I can say that I’ve learned to view food as fuel rather than just as fun.

Me: What is your must-have cheat food?  How often do you allow yourself to indulge?

Julie: My must-have will always be pizza.  I don’t indulge in pizza every week, but I do allow myself a high calorie day once a week.  On this day, I increase my caloric intake and enjoy a splurge if I want it.  I have learned that it keeps my metabolism stimulated and prevents me from feeling deprived and falling off the wagon.  I’ve always said you have to learn to live your life within balance.  This isn’t prison I’m living.  It’s real life.

Me: Please share one thing that people who haven’t had the ultimate pleasure of meeting you, definitely won’t know about you (but isn’t too personal to share—would love it to be something that even your fans from the show, your book, etc. don’t already know).

Julie: My personality is pretty outgoing and some might say loud.  I like to always be cutting up and joking around.  So most people would assume that those characteristics echo my taste in decorating.  I’ve had friends tell me they expected my home to be loud and colorful and vibrant.  When in actuality the complete opposite is true. 

I like very conservative, traditional style with absolutely NO color.  My entire home is beige, crème and taupe.  I have very few personal items around; no knick-knacks at all.  In fact, when my friend Hollie from The Biggest Loser recently came to Florida to stay with us for a week she walked through the door and said, “Good gosh Julie, does anybody even live here?”  I took that as the best compliment she could give. 

Now, it’s tough being this way with two kids.  And decorating two nurseries with a completely neutral pallet was a challenge.  But that’s just the way I like it.  My personality may be over-the-top but my taste in décor is very subdued. 

Many many thanks to Julie and wishes for a NY Times Bestseller and continued success!  Julie’s book is available December 1^st where books are sold and can be pre-ordered now: http://juliehadden.com/. 

Well my team recently realized that on the ends of nearly every box of plastic wrap, foil, wax paper, etc. there are little tabs you can push in (how did we not know this?!?) to keep the roll in place.  I realize that this may very well be common knowledge to some of you, but since no one on my cooking team had any idea that those little tabs existed (and it has since made our very frequent wrap-sessions much more pleasant!), I thought I would share in case any of you are still in the rocky, instead of rolling smoothly!

I’m curious what are you handing out?  Any great last-minute ideas for others?

I tend to be about a year behind in fashion (I got extra when it came to the cooking gene, but am still in need of a great stylist–need I say more?), so I’m going to throw on my pink chef coat with mouse ears, a mouse tail and a mouse nose and be Ratatouille’s Girlfriend (I bought it for last year, but got a last minute appearance so never haad a chance to use it)! 

I hope you all have a wonderful healthy & DECADENT holiday!

Devin