Archive for December, 2008
9 Strong Reasons To…
Posted in Uncategorized on December 23, 2008 by J.Johnson9 Strong Reasons To Eat Slowly
I like chocolate candies a lot. Most of the time I have to eat 3 candies to be totally pleased. But recently I noticed that if after two candies I take a 10-15 min pause, I have significantly less or even no desire at all to eat the third one. I started wondering why this happens and began my research, which turned into learning the effects of slow eating.
The most prominent benefit of eating slowly is reduced intake of food and, therefore, weight loss, which has its own health benefits like lowering blood pressure or arthritis prevention. Other positive moments of slow eating include:
1 First of all – It can’t hurt you!
Slow eating rate doesn’t have any negative effects on your health, but can bring you a number of benefits without extra cost.
2 Appetite reduction
Eating slowly gradually reduces the appetite from the time you begin to eat. It takes the brain about 15-20 minutes to start signaling feelings of fullness. And if you have no appetite, you end up eating less.
3 Portion control
It is the direct sequence of the point #2. Slowly eating can make it much easier to eat less without feeling deprived. It takes some time to feel the fullness, so give this time to your body. Eating fast lets you eat too much before you are fully aware of it. Slowing the rate of eating can allow the satiety signals to develop before your plate is empty. (Guide to Behavior Change National Institutes of Health, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI))
4 Weight control
Points #2 and #3 turn into staving off extra pounds. Portion size and eating speed seem to be the part of the reason of famous “French paradox” — the relatively low incidence of heart disease and overweight in France as compared to the United States, despite the generally high intake of calorie-rich foods and saturated fat. It is well documented[1] that the French take longer to eat than Americans despite French eat smaller portions. Recently Japanese researches found strong positive correlation between rate of eating and body mass index (BMI) and obesity[2-3].
5 Digestion
It is well known that digestion begins in the mouth, where the saliva is mixed with the food and starts to break it down into smaller chemicals that can be absorbed and nourish the body. Chewing food thoroughly promotes smooth, complete digestion. Basically the slower you eat the faster and more efficiently you metabolize the food. When food is swallowed whole it makes it more difficult for the body to absorb all the important nutrients (e.g vitamins, minerals, and amino acids).
6 Taste and enjoy your food!
When you eat slowly, you end up tasting your food more. Eating slowly lets you experience more of the flavors, textures and smells of the food you eat. Your food will become more interesting. And again, French experience. They focus more on the impression and less on the health effects of eating.
7 Quality versus Quantity
Slow eating may become a small step to a more healthy diet. If you won’t like what you eat when you eat it slowly, probably the next time you will choose something of a better quality and enjoy the pleasures of good food. Fast eaters are more prone to consume “junk” and “fast” foods.
8 Insulin resistance
Japanese researches found[4] that eating fast is associated with insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is a silent condition that increases the chances of developing diabetes and heart disease. Also, fast eating seems to be a risk factor for the metabolic syndrome[5] (combination of the symptoms such as high blood pressure, obesity, high cholesterol, and insulin resistance).
9 Heartburn & Gastroesophageal reflux
Rapid eating may cause acid reflux[6]. It may be especially true for people suffering from GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease).
20 Classic Hip Hop Album Covers Recreated in LEGO
Posted in Uncategorized on December 13, 2008 by J.Johnson
After 50 years as an industry leader, LEGO has become a staple in any kids toy box. In more recent times the mini-figs and legendary building blocks have been used to recreate famous landmarks, classic photographs and now: 20 Classic Hip Hop Album Covers Recreated in LEGO.
Mos Def — New Danger
The Game — Doctors Advocate
De La Soul — 3 Feet High and Rising
Common — BE
A Tribe Called Quest — Midnight Marauders
Gangstarr — No More Mr. Nice Guy
Ghostface Killah — The Big Doe Rehab
Dr. Dre — The Chronic
EPMD — Back in Business
KRS One and Marley Marl — Hip-Hop Lives
Nas — Stillmatic
Jedi Mind Tricks — Violent By Design
Method Man & Redman — Blackout
Outkast — Stankonia
Wyclef Jean — The Carnival
Run DMC — King of Rock
Slick Rick — aka RickyD
Alkaholiks — Likwidation
Beastie Boys — Hello Nasty
Biz Markie — The Biz Never Sleeps
TI — King
Big Pun — Capital Punishment
Super Lover Cee and Casanova RUD — Girls, I Got ‘em Locked
Old Dirty Bastard — N***a Please
Shot in the Format studio by Nick Hanekom with styling/art direction by Jaici Chen and layout/design work by Glen Manucdoc.
Black Friday Huh?
Posted in Uncategorized on December 12, 2008 by J.Johnson
I know supposedly that its called “Black Friday” because the company’s sales are suppose to be in the black. But this photo has painted a different picture in my mind. Maybe this is called Black Friday because this is the only time “niggas” can get out and afford these overpriced items that they sell in all these retail stores. You cant afford that laptop at regular price for that loved one, so you wait 15 hours in the freezing cold…you and the other 100 people, caught up in this media controlled panic, for that one…yes one laptop thats on sale for 400$ bucks. Its really sickening if you think about it. Cant believe that was me in 2007. Never again!
PS- that pic is actually suppose to be a rendition of the gentleman who lost his life at Wal-Mart when he was trampled to death. So thats what you think of “us”…got it… i thought so.
