I personally am not getting the H1N1 flu shot, but I have never gotten any type of flu shot.
Please do not use my decision as a guide to make your own.
You must assess for yourself as I suggested! Do your homework!
Make a decision that works for you and your family.
Trick or treating is just around the corner! My house is prepped with corn husks and pumpkins and mums and more. We don't get any trick or treaters since we live so far into the country, but I have definitely had my fair share of Halloween nights with my 3 girls to know the best way to avoid sugar overload. My girls would take their sacs out with them for the evening and and then reconvene at home to sort through the goods. They would pick out all of the things they didn't like, trade things here and there with each other, and throw out any damaged products. The remaining stash was theirs to keep for a week. They could have a few treats here and there, but going overboard was not allowed. Once the week was up out went the candy! I would try to counteract the effects of all that refined sugar with lots of fruits and vegetables at meal time. There's only so much a mom can do! This year I would encourage you to keep a close eye on your child's candy consumption. Simple sugars are especially harmful for immune strength, which we all need during cold and flu season. Try discussing your own candy schedule with your child so they feel involved in the process rather than just a recipient of the ruling. Happy Halloween!
Last night I attended a talk put on by Suzanne Somers here in Toronto. I have been following her since her days on Three's Company. I definitely OWN a Thighmaster and have a number of her books. I was especially interested to see how Suzanne Somers performs as a public speaker. I am always looking for tips and tricks to improve my own public speaking abilities.
Last night's talk focused on the use of Bio Identical hormones in the maintenance of the body and the prevention of cancer. It's a controversial topic for most people, but her lecture was very thorough and informative. Both myself and my daughter have used Bio Identical hormones in acute cases with much success. She touched on a 5 pronged approach to avoiding cancer which includes cleaning out your home, avoiding chemicals, eating well, sleeping and using Bio Identical hormones. Notice that eating well is 1/5 of this approach. She focused a lot of attention on making sure we understood how important it is to eat wholesome, Clean foods.
I really enjoyed her talk and would have loved to shake her hand afterward. She is a bit of a one-woman powerhouse! I would encourage you to check out her speaking engagements. If you have already, what did you think of her discussion?
This is the same message I posted on Facebook...
Hi All,
Thank you so much for your enthusiastic response to my Facebook status yesterday. It was a lively discussion and I learned a lot from all of you.
Here's my opinion on the situation:
There is a paranoia in the air regarding the H1N1 virus. I felt it myself when I learned that a 13 year old boy apparently died of the virus near where I live. It’s easy to get upset and confused about this impending epidemic. But it is also easy to become afraid of the vaccination itself since it has been developed in a hurry and there are still questions about it. There are two sides to the story, as always. The best we can do is to be well read and accept responsibility for our own health as a result. I am no doctor so I will never tell you what to do. I will suggest however that you check out all government and disease control websites to gather as much information as you can.
In the end, regardless of whether or not your choose to vaccinate, common sense is to bolster your own immune system by not mistreating it. Take simple precautions including getting enough rest, eating plenty of nutrient dense foods, washing your hands, sneezing into a tissue or sleeve (I think that is gross, but what can you do!?) and getting exercise. Also, stay away from people who are sick and if you are sick stay away from others. Prevention is still a reliable approach.
Stay healthy everyone!
Tosca
Here's an interview I did with Natural Muscle Magazine. Jump to pages 56 - 57.
Also, pick up the October issue of Men's Fitness Magazine to learn more about Eating Clean for men! Here's a peak:
After a busy week I decided to travel to Kingston to see Kelsey and Kiersten. It was a nice day for a drive – clear, sunny and not too busy on the roads. I listened to motivational tapes from Zig Ziglar on the way. I want to be a better public speaker so I am making myself a student of public speaking. I am also going to listen to Suzanne Somers this Thursday at a presentation she is giving here in Toronto.
Anyway my girls and I met for lunch and enjoyed catching up on little details about their lives. Kiersten had to go back to her studies quickly because she is in the middle of midterms
. Kelsey and I looked for a Halloween costume. She will be Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz! Then she took me to her art studio space at Queens and showed me her work
. Her style has already changed so much from high school. She looked happy and glowing.
I am a lucky mom. I have worked hard to build strong relationships with my daughters and I think it is paying off.
I'm hanging out with my friend Franca today and enjoying the lovely fall weather.
Well, Clean Eaters we have made it to the middle of the week. We're even nearing the end of October!!! Looking for a little motivation today? Check out the hard work I did on Friday, when I had the pleasure (and the pain) of attending Jenny Hendershott’s annual Toronto Phat Camp. Don’t know who Jen is? She is the multi-medalled, uber fitness star, talented physique competitor who possesses 2 Olympia titles and 2 Fitness International titles. She hosts a Toronto based Phat Camp here every fall – just when we need it most – and teaches us all a thing or two about fitness. I am honored to have participated in the last 4 camps as her special guest. It gives me a chance to meet her fans and to spread the word about Eating Clean in addition to getting my butt whooped in a little Jenny-Hendershott-style training. If you haven’t tried her camps you might want to – I don’t know anything better for busting through a plateau, getting your heart rate up and learning a few new tricks from the pro herself. Any Phat Campers out there? How did you like the event? I will let the accompanying photos tell the rest of my side of the story.
Keep it tight!
Tosca
Jenny Hendershott and I at the 2009 Toronto Phat Camp.
Addressing the Campers (who have no idea how hard they are about to work).
Okay! Everybody go!! Time to work up a sweat!
Running with a taped calf. Don't worry, I was being careful not to overdo it.
Jen and I rooting on the campers. Cheerleading is very important you know! You can do it!
My friend Franca and I at Phat camp!
Jenny's fabulous assistants, Licia Dean and Heather Bear. Thanks for the flawless event!
Tomorrow I will be appearing the 7th Annual Women's Health and Wellness Day in support of Humber River Regional Hospital in Woodbridge, Ontario.
I will be speaking at 11:40am about Eating Clean and exercise, including a demo.
At 3:15pm I will be signing books!!
I hope to see you there.
Here is some information on the event: http://hrrh-foundation.ca/Page.aspx?pid=262
Paramount Conference and Event Venue
222 Rowantree Dairy Road
Woodbridge, Ontario
For those of you who caught the Extra segment or if you have picked up my new cookbook, you'll notice a new favorite of mine. It's coconut oil. This stuff is just fantastic!!
A few of you are wondering how to eat it. Here's some info:
You can eat a few tablespoons a day off the spoon or use it for cooking. It tastes wonderful and is heat stable so no free radicals are released in the heating process.
Look or a fair trade variety that is packaged in a dark container so the light does not get at it. Store in a cool dark place.
You can also use it to moisturize your skin and hair and apparently your private bits, too!
Delicious!! Give it a try and let me know what you think.
Happy Saturday!
-TR
Here's last night's Extra appearance in case you missed it. It's all about what you put in your body this flu season!!
Don't forget I'm on The Doctor's today as well. I don't think I'll be able to post that link. Hopefully you can see it.
Let me know what you think!
-Tosca
This past weekend my family gathered to celebrate the harvest over Canadian Thanksgiving. My brother, Rene, his wife, Jody, their 3 kiddies, my mother, my kids, and some of their friends joined 
us for a delicious weekend. Saturday was our big turkey dinner.
I spent most of Friday prepping with help from my girls. Here Kiersten and I are testing out a fresh batch of homemade applesauce. Some of us took 
advantage of Rachel's massage skills, including Kelsey-Lynn.
On Saturday we played outside in the sunshine before setting in for our big meal. The turkey was delicious and made the whole house smell incredible! We also dined on stuffing, beets and Brussels sprouts, b
read, mashed potatoes (made with yogurt cheese for extra creaminess), carrots, parsnips, and more.
We were all in intense food comas after the meal as proved here by Kiersten who passed out on the couch after dinner.
To work off a bit of the meal my sister-in-law, Jody, took me for 10K run on Sunday. Phewf!! That little lady is a powerhouse. She had me working very hard. I'm always so impressed with long distance runners. I can sprint, but I don't do well at the other stuff. Thanks for the challenge, Jody. We went into the gym for a weights session afterward. That was my opportunity to show her a thing or two!!
All in all it 
was a great weekend!
There is a lot going on this week in the world of Eating Clean.
Be sure to catch me tomorrow on Extra. Click here to find out when it will be on in your area.
On Thursday my segment with The Doctors is airing. Click here to watch the promo video.
Finally, check out this delicious recipe for Molasses Bread Pudding from The Eat-Clean Diet Cookbook featured in the Omaha World Herald. Yummy!
Enjoy!
Last Sunday I participated in a Breast Cancer fashion show. My dear friend, Lesley, is a survivor of breast cancer. She has been putting on fabulous fundraiser fashion shows for years and years. I've participated in quite a few. It was a great reunion of some of my best and oldest girlfriends who participated in the event. Best of all, the show boasted 145 men and women all gathering to raise money for Dr. Mark Levine, M.D., M.Sc. F.R.C.P(C) who spoke at the show regarding the new developments in cancer research. He is Chair of the Dept. of Oncology at McMaster University here in Hamilton, Ontario. All monies raised that day will go directly towards one of his research programs. In the words of my strong survivor, Lesley: "More people are living with cancer now than ever before - and that I believe it is because of the research being done."
Here I am with Lesley who has been my friend forever. I admire her tremendously as she is a cancer survivor and an incredibly courageous woman. She organized the whole event!!
Erica and I. Not only are we long time pals, we are also Dutch!! We love coffee.
One of the first looks of the event. I love red!!
Dean and I working the leather.
I got to rock the Oscar de la Renta one more time!!
Another very close, long time friend of mine, Anita, and her handsome partner work the runway.
Oops!! My long time friend, Franca, has a clothing malfunction. Luckily she caught the straps before too much was exposed.
Franca, July and I after the show. We are friends and Sisters in Iron.
I filmed a segment with CHEX TV this morning in Peterborough, Ontario.
You can catch it tonight at 5:30pm EST on CHEX Television.
It's also available via satellite across Canada on Starchoice (channel 348) and Bell ExpressVu (217).
Check it out!!!
Heading out to the Peterborough Womens' Business Network event tonight! More tomorrow...
I am glad everything is cleared up with the treadmill post. Phewf! You all are such fantastic readers and I love your comments. Please keep them coming. I read them this morning and they pumped me up for the Oxygen shoot I have today!
I told you I was knee deep in canning materials! I spent Saturday at home training and canning. Food and fitness are my 2 favorite things. Here's a photo log of the day:
Kickin' it in the gym:
Ham curls and leg extensions!!
Leg press! Killer! I’m pulling my legs in nice and close to my chest.
Straight arm pullovers. A favorite of mine after leg work. It gets lots of air into my lungs bringing my breathing back to normal after heavy leg work.
Gotta' love a strong finish with ab work!
Now it’s time for the kitchen:
Getting prepared for ratatouille and tomato sauce. Look at these goodies!
Tomato sauce: the mill requires strength!
Pickled beets in preparation for Thanksgiving dinner coming up in less than a week here in Canada.
YUMMY!!!
I usually run fairly fast. I have never tested myself to see how fast and for how long I could run. I do love to sprint. When I posted about how fast I was running I certainly did NOT mean I ran that fast for miles on end. Rather, I am doing HIITS (intervals) so I am running at a slower pace (usually the 4 - 5 setting) mixed in with faster sprints for 1 or 2 laps on the treadmill at speeds between 7 and 9. I do this for about 30 mins or more. Don't forget these are treadmill speeds that are different from outdoor running speeds. Don’t get me wrong – I am NOT a world class athlete. Not even close. I intend to find out what I can do by training for a sprint distance triathlon but will take my time to train since the event is not until next year.
I did not mean to mislead anyone with that post but it seems I have confused most of you. My mistake. But I do want to maintain that I do have a bit of speed even for an old gal. And my calf is much better – today I ran 3 miles uphill on the treadmill at a pace of between 4 and 5. Now by posting this I wonder if you all are thinking I am full of crap or just royally confused! Guess you will have to ask Bob – he was in the gym with me.
To my Sisters (and brothers) in Iron! I hope this makes sense!
Tosca
A few posts ago a blogger asked about my skin care routine:
My favorite tool is the Clarisonic Plus skin brush. I use it every other day without fail with a mild cleanser containing AHAs. I switch up the brand, but right now I'm using an Obagi product. I also use their Vit C serum on my face, neck and chest after washing. I am using the Aveda Green Science line for moisture and eye cream. I also put an SPF 30 on after all of that.
I eat so very little sugar in my diet and I think this really contributes to the look of my skin. I also drink A LOT of water. These very basic things can make a huge difference!!
In regards to running at 9 mph:
It really wasn't a typo. I really do run between 7 - 9 mph for about 30 min right now. My legs are pretty long and I've always been pretty fast... I was a dedicated soccer player long ago! Perhaps I should have waited a little longer to recover before resuming this speed. My injured calf tightened up quite a bit after that!!
Hello Clean Eaters,
So I'm still on the mend from my calf injury. I am doing much better though. I managed 30 minutes on the treadmill yesterday at a pace of 9mph. Phewf!! It was tough. I had physio yesterday afternoon to assess my progress. So far so good. I am really happy to have so much mobility back after such a short period of time.
I also decided to make homemade applesauce today. I had a bushel of apples that needed to be put to good use. Tastes del
icious!!! There's a recipe for No Cook Applesauce in the original Eat-Clean Diet Cookbook if you're looking for something to do with apples you have lying around. It pairs so well with a handful of nuts, on a healthy muffin instead of butter, and atop oatmeal in the morning. Yummy!!!
Of course, talking about all of this delicious food is no fun for me right now. I am preparing for an Oxygen photo shoot and need to be in tip top condition. Cooler #1 all the way!
I've been crazy busy with appearances this month on The Doctors, and Extra, and more and will continue to be. Keep an eye on my Appearances schedule for things in your area. I'll be in Peterborough, Ontario on Wednesday. Read about it here!
For those of you who have a copy of the NEW Eat-Clean Cookbook I'd love to know what you're thinking about it?? Any favorite recipes yet??
-Tosca
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