Author: Irene Pastore

Hello! I am a Personal Trainer, Yoga and Pilates Instructor who specializes in fitness after 50. My service is Live Streaming. Connect with me from anywhere in the world. I look forward to helping you achieve your health and fitness goals.

Florida City Issues Warning About Cell Phones and Cancer

December 13, 2012

In an effort to raise awareness, and protect public health, the city of Pembroke Pines, Florida recently passed a unanimous resolution to warn its residents that cell phone radiation may be dangerous, and linked to cancer.

The resolution was inspired by Jimmy Gonzalez, a Pembroke Pines resident, who had brain tumors removed from the same region he uses his cell phone, just above his left ear, and his left hand.

The FCC (Federal Communications Commission), responsible for establishing cell phone safety standards, is long overdue in reassessing the limits on cell phone radiation.  The current standards are 16 years old.

A warning to the wise: even if you’re sceptical, take precaution when using your cell phone. Better safe, than sorry.  Some types of brain tumors are fatal.

Here are more links about the possible connection between cell phone radiation and cancer.

CNN: August 8, 2012 FCC Asked To Consider Raising Limit On Cell Phone Radiation.

PBS NewsHour Video and Transcript: May 31, 2011 Dr. Keith Black Your Cell Phone Is Not Necessarily A Safe Device.

CNN Health Video and Transcript: May 31, 2011 WHO: Cell Phone Use Can Increase Possible Cancer Risk.

New York Daily News: May 31, 2011 Cell Phone Cancer Risk: Tips On How To Reduce Exposure To Cell Phone Radiation.

Copyright 2012 Irene Pastore and Blue Moon Personal Training

Off The Grid: Quick Holiday Cappuccino

December 12, 2012
English: Classic cappuccino
CAPPUCCINO

Off The Grid means no electricity.  If you really want to get down to basics, it means no batteries either.  All the work is manual. 

Traditional Cappuccino is an espresso coffee drink.  Black coffee is poured into a cup, and then hot milk is added, and then another layer of hot milk foam is placed on the top.  To enhance flavor, powdered cinnamon, chocolate chips, chocolate powder, or carob powder might be used to top the foamed milk.

Froth, or foam are the bubbles formed at the top of milk after processing.

Veering away from tradition, and for the sake of saving time, here are three ways to make your Quick Holiday Cappuccino.  

THREE WAYS TO FROTH COLD MILK 

Equipment: A glass jar with a snug lid.  Hand powered shake method.

Pour milk into a glass jar, leaving space for bubbles to form.  Shake vigorously for about one minute. Open lid, and spoon some of the foamed milk into coffee.  If the milk foam isn’t sufficient, shake some more, or use a different type of milk.

Equipment: Hand-powered milk frother.

Purchase a hand-powered milk frother.  Follow directions that come with your frother.  There are various models, from low to high priced.  Some are made from stainless steel, others from glass. 

Equipment: Battery- powered milk frother.

Battery-powered frothers are off grid, but you’ll need to keep batteries on hand to use your frother. 

MILK TYPES FOR FOAMING

Not all milk will foam.  Some types of milk will foam, but won’t have much body.  Experiment with your favorite milk, to see what you like.

  • Cold evaporated milk will produce foam, and body.
  • Cold rice, hemp, or almond milk will not foam well, or have body.
  • Cold skim milk will foam, but won’t have much body.
  • Cold heavy cream will foam, and have body.
  • Cold soy milk will foam, but won’t have much body.

SOY MILK CAPPUCCINO RECIPE

1 Cup unflavored soymilk
2 Teaspoons maple syrup, brown sugar or honey
2 Teaspoons grain beverage powder or unsweetened cocoa
powder
1/4 Teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch ground cinnamon
Optional garnish: Chocolate shavings, Cinnamon, Chocolate Powder, Carob Powder.

Directions

Heat soy milk in saucepan until just below boiling. Remove from heat.  Stir in remaining ingredients. Beat with egg beater until frothy.  Garnish with chocolate shavings, cinnamon, chocolate powder, or carob powder.

The Doc Is In: Meat Free Meals Are Humane, Hearty and Healthy

December 9, 2012

The following article appeared in the Humane Society Guide To Meat-Free Meals, and was written by Doctor Michael Greger, Director of HSUS Public Health.

We don’t need to consume animals to be healthy – just the opposite.  Nutriton experts worldwide advise us to increase our consumption of plant-based foods and to cut down on saturated animal fat and cholesterol, which are found exclusively in meat, eggs, and dairy products.

Meat-free diets are recommended by the American Heart Association, National Cancer Institute, World Health Organization, and U.S. dietary guidelines.

The health benefits are clear.

  • People who eat fewer animal products have lower rates of obesity,dementia, arthritis, high blood pressure, kidney disease, gallstones, hemorrhoids, constipation, diverticulosis, and appendicitis.
  • People who eat completely meatless diets are half as likely to become hospitalized or require medications, and they’re less likely to need emergency medical procedures.
  • Meat-free diets are even being used to reverse chronic diseases: opening clogged arteries, curing type 2 diabetes, and alleviated obesity.

Humane diets may also boost our longevity.  The population with the longest life expectancy isn’t the Okinawa Japanese or the Mediterranean Sardinians, but California Adventist vegetarians, who live up to 10 years longer than the average American and enjoy lower rates of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and certain cancers.

Choosing animal-free foods is an easy, inexpensive way to shed unnecessary pounds, reduce cancer risk, and improve heart health.  Join millions of Americans in discovering the joys and benefits of leaving animal products off your plate.

Exercise Of The Month: December 2012

December 2, 2012

PILATES UPWARD PLANK

Pilates Upward Plank
Pilates Upward Plank

Type: Stabilization Bodyweight Exercise

Level: Intermediate.  Requires considerable strength when performed correctly.

Equipment: Non-skid mat.  Sneakers optional.

Correct Form

  • Shoulders are higher than the hips, while the hips are higher than the knees, and the knees are higher than the ankles.
  • Do not sag.  Maintain one long line from shoulders to ankles.

Variation: Turn palms outward if the inward position is uncomfortable for your wrists.

Cautions

  • If you have carpel, or sensitivity in  your wrists, this exercise may feel very uncomfortable.
  • Do not attempt this exercise if you experience pain.
  • Do not throw your head back.

Muscles Worked: Triceps, Hip Flexors, Abdominals, Trapezius, Rhomboids, Teres Major, Latissimus Dorsi.

How To Perform Pilates Upward Plank

  • From a seated position, turn palms toward body.
  • Bring chin toward chest.
  • Exhale and lift up balancing on heels and hands.
  • Lower down to start position.
  • Repeat exercise for 8 to 10 repetitions.

The exercise described in this post is informational, and not meant to replace the guidance of a personal trainer in a live setting.  Exercises performed incorrectly may result in injury.

Copyright 2012 Irene Pastore and Blue Moon Personal Training

Off The Grid Vegetable Juicer

December 1, 2012

TRIBEST MANUAL JUICER

When Hurricane Sandy hit New York City, in late October 2012, a lot of us lost power.  So I decided to start an Off The Grid category for anyone interested in learning more about household appliances that are either battery, or manually operated.

In addition, Off The Grid posts will help you find out where to buy these products, without too much searching. Continue reading “Off The Grid Vegetable Juicer”

Cast Iron Cookware: Stay Fit While You Cook

November 28, 2012

Besides being a great conductor of heat, lasting a lifetime, being an heirloom to pass down to your kin, cast iron cookware takes muscle to lift, and that’s a good thing.

Takes Muscle To Lift

Cast iron is very heavy.  If you’re a fitness buff, who appreciates home-cooked meals, then you ought to look into buying cast iron cookware.

Start out by purchasing a small 8″ skillet to learn how to cook, and care for cast iron.  If you decide you really enjoy using it, then branch out into a larger 10 or 12 inch skillet, or even a dutch oven. Continue reading “Cast Iron Cookware: Stay Fit While You Cook”