Back in skinny jeans

Do the food pyramids make sense to you?

Everyone knows about the USDA Food Pyramid, but did you know that there are other food pyramids that challenge the USDA's version?

At Noshtopia today, I compare the USDA Food Pyramid to the "Healthy Eating Pyramid" created by Harvard Medical which is based on the best available scientific evidence about the links between diet and health, and the University of Michigan Integrative Medicine, " which is based on a more holistic view of foods which grades foods more on their healing characteristics. I think these 3 pyramids are great to compare as each has a good representation of governmental, scientific, and holistic views.

I ask the question, "Which food pyramid makes sense to you?"

"Two Tiny Changes": 5 tiny tips + update

Two Tiny Changes Tuesday is that weekly reminder that small changes are easier to do, and will help you get to your healthy weight goals in the long term because eventually all the little changes add up, and best yet, the tiny changes do not trigger your Inner Resistance Monster which can kick you into procrastination mode or "I don't wanna" mode. It's better to move slowly than not at all as Confucius say.

• At work, instead of emailing a co-worker a question, get out of your seat and walk over to their desk to ask them. This will get you to move thus burning calories, and it's a nice way to build bonds with your co-worker.

• Try one new non-white processed sweetener like Stevia, Agave, or Brown Rice Syrup

• Gimme 10. If you are a web worker or someone who sits all day staring at a computer, take at least 2-3 10 minute breaks during the day to rest your eyes and to get off your tooshie. Why not go outside and do a loop around the office building or your home or apartment if you work at home, or run up and down some stairs. If you're at home, workout mommy has this awesome squat kick exercise that will definitely help banish Blogger Butt.

• If you go out to dinner this week, cut your food in half, and eat half at the restaurant and get the other half to go so you can eat it the next day for lunch. Most restaurants serve honkin' huge meals, and you are better off eating only half the meal rather than the whole enchilada.

• The next time you pass through the toll gate, pay for the driver behind you. It will be a random act of kindness to help some stranger half a wonderful moment.

What I did last week:

• This is not tiny but I (re)launched my food blog Noshtopia and changed the theme to eating wellness. The food emphasis will be on light meals, snacks, tapas, and appetizers. There will also be reviews, tips, and commentary. Adding Noshtopia will help me and my readers stay focused on healthier and cleaner eating versus eating "diet" foods.

• I weighed myself only once this week. Working towards once a month weigh ins.

Quote on greatness

Famous web marketing guru Steve Rubel twitters one of the downsides of working at home

My faux pas, please forgive my bad and check out National Eating Disorders Awareness Week

One of my posts today is about why I don't talk about my ED recovery more, and I did not realize that this week is also "National Eating Disorders Awareness Week." I didn't get the memo until just now. My timing is off. My bad.

I just want to emphasize that learning more about Eating Disorders and ways you can help and spread the word is very important especially if you or a loved one is currently in the midst of an ED.

There are some who are concerned about how the Internet and places like MySpace and Facebook are contributing to a raising glorification of Pro Ana and Mia messages which yes, I can see the concern, but personally, I think the Internet is a place loaded with way more information and education on recovery from EDs, and the dangers of EDs.

As someone in recovery or thinking about it, you can go to these Pro Ana and Mia sites and see just how much in pain these girls are, and decide if that is how you want to live your life. Most would say no, and some will say yes. Ultimately, we all choose the way we want to life regardless of what is happening around us. Humans are empowered, and at any time we can choose something different, and something better for ourselves and those around us. You choose.

There are also countless blogs of people who are talking about their recovery, and for someone who is afraid to ask for help just yet, roaming around the Internet anonymously to see what people are talking about helps to take away much of the stigma and fear. I think today's girls have that advantage. When my bulimia was the worst during my early 20's, I did not have the Internet like it is today. Amazon and Yahoo didn't even exist yet when I was in college.

Had I the access to blogs, forums, and social sites, I think my healing would have progressed much further because I would have felt less alone and less like some piece of damaged goods. My head was really in a serious self-loathing place back then. It would have been great to be able to connect with others like me, and other people who would offer support and love. I share this not to feel bad for myself, but to emphasize what great abundance for those who are suffering have access to. You don't have to suffer alone and in silence any more.

Valerie Bertinelli does something different on the back cover of her new book "Losing It"

TIVO alert: Valerie Bertinelli will be on Oprah today to talk about her new autobiography, "Losing It: And Gaining My Life Back One Pound at a Time." The book goes on sale today.

Anyway, I thought it interesting what is on the back cover of Valerie's book. (click on image to see larger version)You don't see this kind of thing that often and I thought it was a quick yet interesting peek into what Valerie is all about. It's almost setup like an online dating profile. One thing that Valerie and I have in common is "You'll never see me...without my clothes on." I'm starting to be able to do the naked thing in my house for short bursts of time usually right before shower time, but normally, even with boyfriends, I have found it hard to go fully nekkid in front of others.

What I found interesting is that Valerie listed "emotional eater" as a fault. It's interesting to me because I have never viewed being an emotional eater as a fault. It's certainly a challenge, but I've always just seen it more as a characteristic which is neither good nor bad. And again, why is being emotional bad or faulty? Being over emotional, and clouded by emotion I can see, but the state of being an emotionally driven person can be a good thing in my eyes, and it is a common trait in almost all creative type people.

On the upside, emotional eaters are very creative with food, they are adventurous with food and will try almost everything, and they are passionate about food. On the flip side, using food to stuff feelings or numb yourself is not a healthy way of eating, so I think she means the fault part more as using food unhealthily as a way to cope with the stresses in life. Instead of "faults, I think I would have put, "Needs To Work On."

I'm curious to see if Valerie's book can top Eckhart Tolle's New  Earth on Amazon tomorrow. Usually, when Oprah talks about a book on her show, the next day it becomes a #1 seller on Amazon. Valerie looks fantastic on the front of the book, and I'm looking forward to watching her on Oprah tomorrow.

"Why don’t you talk about your ED recovery more Steph?”

A reader asked me this the other day, so I thought I would share my answer with everyone, since I have a feeling that many of you are wondering the same thing.

At the beginning of the year, I came clean about having a relapse with bulimia last Fall and since that confession, I have not spoken about the relapse or my healing again. It’s not that I don’t want to talk about it or that I am ashamed to talk about my journey with bulimia recovery. In fact, making that confession showed me just how supportive my audience is, and how kind and thoughtful all of you are. I keep saying this, and I won’t stop saying it, but you my readers, are truly a blessing for me, and I am grateful every day for the joy you bring me. I truly mean it when I say, that I don’t know where I’d be without this blog.

There is really two simple answers.

Nosh bits: Dr. Weil Food bars and Vegan strip clubs (but not together)

On Noshtopia, for your eating wellness pleasure:

• Review of Dr. Andrew Weil's new Weil Food Bars
• Did you know there is such a thing as a vegan strip club?
• 5 snack ideas under 150 calories

Humor: Check out my cute and "Skinny Ass"

Okay, I may have thought Skinny Bitch was ridiculous, but I can appreciate some of the humor. So, if Back in Skinny Jeans were to do her own Skinny Bitch inspired books, this is what satirical fun I would have.

Please Welcome "Skinny Ass" for your basic diet for getting back into your skinny jeans. This is the book for omnivores who love to sink their teeth into a nice piece of grilled chicken with a tasty mango reduction.

In order to get a fierce looking Skinny Ass, you must get your ass to workout especially you bloggers who sit on your ass hours on end getting what I call "Blogger Butt." But, not to worry! Skinny Ass on the Treadmill will show you smart-ass ways to get your bootie ready for those Daisy Dukes, the shorts version of skinny jeans.

And lastly, because you got back into your skinny jeans, you are probably now having sex like a rockstar. But remember, have sex with only one man during each period cycle so you at least know who your baby daddy is. If you end up on one of Maury Povich's "Who's My Baby Daddy" episodes then well, we have another book for that.

In case you do get preggers before you say your "I do's" this summer, there is no longer any need to feel any fret or shame. You can still have a perfect day. Just look at all the celebrities who lend their helpful tips in this insightful yet practical guide to being a ravishing knocked up bride on her wedding day.

Fun huh? And just in case, these are all done in mock fun. I'm not seriously going to write these....unless you want me to go there.

Gabrielle Reece makes pregnancy look fit and fabulous

Gabrielle Reece graces the Feb/March cover of Fit Pregnancy magazine and believe it or not, the woman is 30 weeks pregnant here. Oh yeah! The other pictures of Gabby inside of the magazine are truly stunning. I have alway thought that Gabrielle Reece was such a positive role model for health and beauty. I know it's a pipe dream, but don't you think it would be so cool to see more models on the runways look like Gabby? I do.

For those of you who are pregnant now, Gabby has 6 great exercises you can do to keep fit during your pregnancy. For general fitness and vitality, whether you are pregnant or not, Gabby has launched her new site Go To Gabby. There is some pretty cool stuff there like workouts, recipes, style, and advice from various experts.

BTW, Gabby had her baby girl Brody Jo Hamilton on January 1, 2008. I saw her on a TV interview and the woman is already back in shape. She says it's mostly due to the fact that she stayed very fit during her pregnancy. Congrats to mommy Gabby!