Isabel De Los Rios Talks About Misconceptions With Food

Q: You clearly state that soy is NOT a health food. Does this go for everyone including those people who want to gain muscle?

A: This goes for absolutely everyone, but especially for those who want to build muscle. I would even say the effects of eating soy will contribute to the exact OPPOSITE hormonal changes in your body that you want if building muscle is your goal. This is because most soy products on the market today contain phytoestrogens. These phytoestrogens mimic the effects of estrogen in the body and have been shown to decrease the testosterone levels of rats, monkeys and other animals, including humans. It has been known for quite some time that soy lowers testosterone to the point that there is an old Japanese wives’ tale that says women punish straying husbands by feeding them a lot of tofu. Now what do you think that means?

If building muscle is your goal, definitely stay away from any protein powder or protein bar that contains soy or soy protein isolate. Make sure to read labels carefully as it is in more products than you think.

Q: When choosing a protein powder, should I really be concerned about artificial sweeteners harming my body?

A: Artificial sweeteners have been found to be one of the most toxic substances we can put inside our bodies. Besides the fact that it causes brain and metabolism dysfunction, they clog up your liver to a point where it can not fully function.

Why is your liver so important? Your liver is not only responsible for eliminating toxins from your body but it is also responsible for metabolizing fat. If it is so busy processing through artificial sweeteners (a harmful toxin), it will not spend a sufficient amount of time processing through the unwanted fat you are trying to lose.

Believe it or not, I have had clients give up Diet Coke and lose up to 10 lbs in 2 weeks!

Q: Why are artificial sweeteners so bad if they supposedly have "zero calories"?

A: Zero sugar foods are actually much worse than sugar containing foods. Artificial sweeteners (like aspartame, sucrolose, and saccharin) are poison to our bodies. Whenever the body reads an ingested food as a potential danger, your liver comes to the rescue to help ward off any danger these foreign substances may cause. People who eat and drink “diet” foods and “diet drinks all day, are overwhelming and taxing their livers. Your liver is crucial in the weight loss/fat burning process. So if your liver is taxed and not working at optimum, it becomes near impossible to lose any weight. This is why I give my readers many alternatives to sugar free foods and sugar containing foods. There are natural alternatives that are ideal replacements for any of these diet foods, without the potential harm to the liver.

Q: In your program, you talk about good dairy and bad dairy. Any tip you can provide before I buy any more dairy?

A: Dairy is one of the leading reasons most people can not lose weight or, worse yet, are constantly gaining weight. The shocking truth about dairy is that it is only healthy in its raw form. All of the pasteurized dairy in the supermarkets today are really keeping people fat and making them fatter. Besides the countless amount of research that has been done showing us how healthy raw dairy is, the proof is really in the thousands of people and children that are overweight or obese and drinking several glasses of pasteurized milk each day.

Q: Eating organic food is really expensive. Is it worth the extra cost or completely over rated? Will it really make a difference in building muscle faster and losing fat quicker?

A: The answer to this question takes us back to the function of the liver. The pesticides, antibiotics and hormones that are being added to most foods are clogging up our livers. Again, a clogged up liver can not burn fat. And worse yet, will continue to store fat. Yes, organic food may be a bit more expensive. But most of my clients notice their grocery bill is the same once they eliminate the expensive cereals and “so called” expensive diet foods they were eating before.

Q: Do you think fat burning pills are helpful in the weight loss process?

A: I think people really don’t realize the severe damage they are causing their bodies with fat burning pills. Whenever you attempt to artificially spark your metabolism with harmful pills, you are essentially creating a “lazy” metabolism. When you go off these pills, your metabolism is too lazy to do anything. Almost every person I know who has taken fat burning pills complains of gaining even more weight when they attempt to get off of them. Of course this happens. Their metabolism is now "on vacation" and not sure if it will ever come back as strong as it was before. The best way to spark your metabolism is to eat good amounts of healthy protein, fat and carbohydrates all day long. This is what your metabolism was designed to do: metabolize healthy food into energy and muscle for the body to utilize.

Q: Are there really certain foods that are toxic to our bodies? How do we know which foods to look for?

A: The amount of toxic chemicals that are now added to our foods is actually quite frightening. The same pesticides that are designed to kill bugs are all over conventional produce and these pesticides go into our bloodstream when we eat these sprayed fruits and vegetables. The 2 worst forms of chemicals are hydrogenated oil and high fructose corn syrup. Hydrogenated oil is a toxic change in oil to make it more shelf stable, hence keeping foods like packaged cookies, cakes and most processed foods in the stores longer to make maximum profit by these companies. My program teaches people exactly which chemicals they must stay away from if they want to finally lose their excess weight (and often times, these chemicals are exactly what’s keeping them from achieving their desired goals).

Activities for Kids ~ Doll Dresses!

I remembered my childhood days when I made dresses for my dolls and wanted to make them for my daughter. It was some months ago that I thought that I should do. But Konda's vacation got over and another one has also come. Now I thought I should surely make else the vacations would go waste without me not teaching her anything.

I finally came around making them for her Barbie dolls. Since almost a week she has been asking me. Every evening when I get back home, the first thing she asks me is to make those dresses. And every time I tell her Saturday! So I thought I will be able to make only if I take off a day and when morning came, She was ready with the question.

I finally sat down making these. Gosh I really wondered how I managed to make so many all those years ago!

Konda was patiently sitting with me, watching me cutting and hand stitching these. I even gave her a piece and asked her to complete. I still have some frocks and shirt in mind.

I had another type in mind, but taking a needle after almost many years, I was struggling to get going. This took me some 3 hours of labour! I guess most experts would get this done in 10 minutes time. But well I was happy remembering all those years back when I had made similar dresses and I was happy I could make these again for my daughter.

As I thought about not letting our kids experimenting with scissors, i think if you explain and show them how one should handle, they will do fine. I have overcome the fear that she might hurt herself.

As far as activities for girls, there is nothing more interesting than playing with Dolls. Will have to see what to plan when it comes to my boys!

Infact I showed her how to get the needle going. Anyway long way to go for us to learn each other!

Gooseberry Rice ~ Usirikai Annam!

I have been wanting to post some good recipes that are healthy and recommended for people who suffer from diabetes mellitus, but never seem to come around them. So when we made this rice, I thought yes, this is the chance I was waiting for. I have even roped in my Dad to help me with the project of getting a good exposure and awareness on Diabetics and how one has to handle it. Will be out with the notes soon!

Meanwhile here's the first in the series of dishes that are suitable for people diabetic. This is a simple rice dish made with Gooseberry which is a rich source of vitamin C and mostly recommended to be consumed.

Ingredients needed:

Rice - 100 gms
Gooseberry - 1 big
Garlic - 4 pods
Green Chillies - 4
Turmeric a pinch
Oil- 1 tbsp
Salt to taste

For Seasoning

Bengal Gram - 1 tbsp
Mustard Seeds - 1/2 tsp
Urud Dal - 1/2 tsp
Ground Nuts - Hand full
Cashew Nuts - 5 - 10
Green Chillies - 1 slit
Curry Leaves a few

Method to prepare:

Soak rice for 10 mins and pressure cook it Once its done, transfer to a bowl and let it cool. The grains should be separate.

Meanwhile take Gooseberry, chillies, garlic and run it in a mixie to get coarse paste.

Heat oil, add all seasoning items, fry till they are light brown in colour. Add the gooseberry paste and Turmeric. Add salt and cook till the raw smell goes away.

Finally add the rice to the pan and mix well. Adjust the seasonings according to your taste.

Udhi Bonda ~ Urad Dal Bondas!

It all started when we had gone to Tirumala for Darshan along with both my sils families, for the twins tonsure function. The kids had a great time with so many of them and they even didn't bother much about us being with them. They simply went off with their uncles and aunts. During one such event, Peddu went off happily with his uncle to the shop and ended up eating Bonds. When hubby dear went in search of them, he saw Peddu, happily gobbling away bondas without qualms. Since then whenever he thinks of them, he says Booonda Boonda. Last night, when I was trying to make them sleep, he suddenly remembered those tasty bondas and wanted them right away. I somehow convinced him otherwise. He finally went off to sleep.

He infact kept saying boonda for a while.

This evening when I came home, I saw Athamma being very busy. On asking her, she said Peddu has been after her to make boondas. As she couldn't make anything right away, she had soaked some Urad dal as its very healthy. Finally we made the bondas and much to Peddu's merry, the boys enjoyed the bondas. They came out very tasty and simple to make.

Ingredients Needed:

Urad dal - 1 cup ( small cup)
Ginger garlic - 1/4 tsp
Green Chillies - 2 nos
Thick Curds - 2 tsp
Salt to taste

You can use coriander leaves, curry leaves as per taste. Use your judgment for the chili spice

Method to prepare:

Soak Urad dal for 30 mins, grind along with green chilies to a smooth paste without adding water.

Then mix in the ginger garlic paste, salt, thick curds and set it aside for 5 to 10 mins. You can add coriander leaves, chopped coconut pieces as per taste. But since this is for 2 year old kids, I didn't add anything.

Heat a kadai with oil enough to fit small bondas. Scoop spoonful of batter and gently drop into the hot oil. Cook on both sides and drain to kitchen towels.

Adjust the spice as these are small kids. But the kids simply loved these and they disappeared within minutes of making them!

Creamy 4 Cheese Macaroni

I have been hard pressed to get an American dish ready for the AWED event hosted by Dhivi. Since the time she announced, I have been looking for a suitable one that would fit my schedule. Because of the Recipe Marathon, I found it really tough to fit in another one to experiment. Then I came across this simple recipe from one the of the sites that Dhivi sent across. I really don't remember which one it was. But I noted the recipe down, I had to get most of the things but they were easy to find and some replaced with what I had. Peddu and Chinnu were keenly observing what I was doing. The moment the clicking was done, they came with plates to taste the macroni.

Though Chinnu didn't like it, Peddu liked and went on to complete the plate. Looks like both of them have different tastes. This does get done in minutes if you are doing it in Microwave. Yes I have an entry waiting for my event MEC themed on Cheese and hosted by Pavani this Month.


I am giving both the original recipe and what I have modified for reference.


Ingredients:

Flour - 1/3 cup
Milk - 2 2/3 cup
Low Fat 1%
Fontina cheese - 3/4 cup-
Parmesan cheese - 1/2 cup
Cheddar cheese shredded - 1/2 cup
Processed American cheese -- 3 oz
Macaroni -- 6 c
Salt to taste
Melba toast -- onion flvr : crushed - 1/2 c (I used regular one)
Butter - 1 tablespoon

Method to prepare:

Take the Macroni in a bowl of water and micro for 5 mins or till its well cooked.

Place flour in microwave pan, add milk stirring until blended. Cook for 2 mins
Add cheeses, micro for 2 min or until cheese melts. remove from heat.

Stir in macaroni and salt. Spoon mixture into another mw pan and coated. Combine crushed toasts and butter in a small bowl; stir until well blended.

Sprinkle over macaroni bake 3 min. until bubbly.

I didnt' have Melba toaste, used little of the regular one. Velveeta cheese was advised, but I used regular one.

Sending this to Dhivi for her AWED American, not sure how original this recipe is, but my kid sure liked it.

Sending this to Pavani for MEC: Cheese, which is a Microwave Easy Cooking.

Interview with Isabel De Los Rios of The Diet Solution Program

I'm very pleased to talk to Isabel De Los Rios whose recent book, The Diet Solution Program, has not only been getting great reviews but great results for clients as well. A certified nutritionist and exercise specialist, Isabel De Los Rios is also owner of New Body – Center for Fitness and Nutrition in New Jersey. She not only teaches her clients the principles of natural weight loss with good nutrition and a healthy diet plan but inspires and motivates them to achieve their goals and live a life of health and vitality.

1. Isabel, I just finished your ebook, The Diet Solution Program, and get the sense of an interesting and diverse background. Can you tell a bit about yourself?

The Diet Solution Program is really a culmination of my search for answers to my own weight loss and health problems. I can remember going on my first 'diet' in the 7th grade. You name the diet and I tried it. Not until I found the true answers to weight loss and how to keep it off was I able to finally reach my own ideal weight and level of health that I enjoy today.

It was also my mother's and my grandmother's struggle with obesity and type 2 Diabetes that led me to research how blood sugar affects our ability to lose and gain fat. As I studied Diabetes more and more, I found that the same principles that could be used to control a diabetic's blood sugar were the same principles that all people needed to use to lose fat and keep it off. Once I figured this out, I was almost amazed at how easy the answer was the whole time and couldn't believe all of the past unhealthy plans I had attempted with no success.

2. How did you happen to get into the Nutrition industry? What were the deciding factors?

As I continued to work on my own health and weight struggles, I became fascinated by the human body. I was truly amazed by the discoveries I had made in regards to weight loss and blood sugar control and could not believe that this information wasn't main stream. Even worse, I could not believe that doctors and food companies were actually recommending the exact opposite of the information that I had discovered to be the only way to lose weight. This led me to be as passionate as I am now about communicating this exact information to the world.

3. It looks like the ebook is getting great reviews - what has been the response so far?

The response has been incredibly positive. People have been emailing me and telling me what an eye opening experience it has been for them. They also just couldn't believe how simple weight loss could really be with all the right tools and information on hand. After the first 2 weeks, people tell me they have lost weight that they have been struggling with for years.

4. What was your inspiration for The Diet Solution Program? Did you follow some other diet or fitness guru's before your own ideas developed?

Writing the Diet Solution Program was inspired by seeing hundreds of clients in my private nutrition practice in New Jersey. All of the nutrition principles that I would teach my clients was a combination of several books, classes and seminars that I had read or attended and grabbed the best principles taught in each. I knew there had to be a way to put all of this great information together in an easy to read, easy to follow program. Don't get me wrong. Actually putting the information together and laying it out in a way that would be easy to understand by all people was not an easy chore. But once it was complete, it really was a culmination of 15 years of research and study.

5. Getting into the diet and nutrition industry can have a ton of positive benefits - has there been a downside at all?

No, I wouldn't call it a downside. But I will say that I do encounter a lot of resistance to my not very mainstream ideas. I tell people "If you have been following the same nutrition and diet principles with no results, isn't it time to take a new approach?" When people see the kind of results my clients get, they realize that a new approach may be the only way they will successfully lose weight.

6. After reading The Diet Solution Program I discovered that I am a serious 'Protein Type' - what the main thing I should do to increase my energy?

The main thing is not to be afraid of eating healthy fat and healthy proteins. Everyone thinks chicken breasts and egg whites is the only way to lose weight but, especially for a protein type, that is not the case. Actually a protein type may gain weight by only eating low fat proteins and a low fat meal plan. Someone like you needs whole eggs, dark meat poultry, beef, and healthy fats.

7. What is your advice for someone just starting your Diet Solution? Can anyone do this?

Absolutely anyone can follow and succeed on The Diet Solution Program. My mother started following the program at 63 years old after a kidney transplant. In 6 months, she lost 40 lbs and has never been healthier or felt better in her life. Not only has she lost a significant amount of weight, but she has greatly reduced the number of medications she was previously taking. If she can do it, anyone can do it!

I would start by incorporating one principle at a time. People get very overwhelmed and think they need to completely overhaul their life all at once, but this is not true. My own nutrition changes took almost 3 years. Now you may incorporate these principles sooner than I did, but remember that getting to your health goals at a pace that is do-able for you is much better than not doing anything at all.

8. If there was one Diet Solution secret you could share with everyone what would it be?

Just one? Oh that's tough. I guess it would be to learn your metabolic type and follow an eating plan that is specific to that type. Without this information, you may actually be following a healthy eating plan but one that is not specific to your metabolic needs. If it's not what your body needs, you will not see the results you're after.

9. Any exciting new plans for the future?

Of course. We are now in the process of recording The Diet Solution Program as an audio program so that you can listen to the entire book in the car or on the go.

I am also in the process of putting together The Diet Solution for Children and The Diet Solution for Diabetes. Lots and lots of exciting projects in the works.


Thanks so much, Isabel, for sharing your inspirational success story! You can pick up a copy of Isabel's ebook at: The Diet Solution Program - Start Eating and Start Living

Healthy Sprouted Moong dal Pulao!

The other day I was chatting with my old friend, who now lives in UK. As he is living on his own, I was very interested to know what he eats. I was really impressed when he said he is cooking for himself and not the simple ones, mind you! He said he makes Sambar, Mutton curry, Biryani and lot more. He even sets his own curds for curd rice. He said living in a different country on his own, he finds ample time to spend on cooking, when eating out, everyday is not the good option. I was totally taken in and even invited him to do a guest post for Bachelor's corner, which he said he will.

So when bachelors are able to cook up such elaborate dishes, this simple and healthy sprout moong dal pulao, would be a chore! All you need is to get the moongs sprout and if they are available ready made, you can just include in the rice and get a pulao for yourself. This one pot meal is very simple and gets done fast. I strongly recommend this, when you are in a hurry to fix a quick dinner but still want it to be healthy! Check out How to Sprout, for sprouting process!

Check out How to Sprout, for sprouting process!

Ingredients Needed:

Moong Sprouts - 1/2 cup
Rice - 1 cup
Onions - 1 medium
Green Chilies -3
Ginger garlic paste - 1/2 tsp
Garlic pods - 2 small
Cumin seeds - 1/2 tsp
Cloves - 2
Cinnamon - 1"
Salt to taste
Oil - 2 tsp
Lemon juice -1 tsp

Method to prepare:

Wash and soak rice for 10 mins.

Heat a cooker, sauté chopped Garlic, clove, cinnamon, cumin seeds. Fry for a min, then sauté onions till they are brown Then add the ginger garlic paste, green chilies and sauté well.

Wash the sprouts and add to the pan, fry in sim for 2 mins, add the drained rice. Mix.everything well. Add 3 cups of water, salt and cover and cook for 3 whistles.

This takes about 15 - 20 mins to get done. Serve with Buttermilk raitha.

Sending this to Vegan ventures, hosted by Suganya!