Strollerderby : South Beach Diet

Weekly Checkup: South Beach Creator Takes Aim at Childhood Obesity

Amy Kuras — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 16:03:00 GMT

Nobody's denying childhood obesity is a serious, and growing, problem -- but nobody seems to have any real idea what to do about it.

Now the South Beach Diet creator, Dr. Arthur Agatson, is taking a whack at it. He's sponsoring a meeting and luncheon with scientists, policymakers and celebrity chefs to create dialogue between key people, publicize new ideas and take a look at what progress might be possible.

According to a press release from the Agatson Research Foundation, some of the panelists include Jamie Oliver, Rachael Ray, Alice Waters, Joy Bauer, RD, nutrition correspondent for the Today Show, and David Ludwig, MD, Harvard Medical School and author of "Ending the Food Fight: Guide Your Child to a Healthy Weight in a Fast Food/Fake Food World."

Agatston said, "Our nation's children are currently overfed and undernourished and we can do better. Bringing experts together to influence the foods served in our schools, and to educate schools and parents about healthier options, is a positive step in moving this mission forward."

Woo, I say. Although there's a whole line of processed food with a South Beach Diet tie-in, the actual book has a lot of smart things to say about nutrition and the importance of real food versus fakey, chemically diet stuff. It's what made me aware of the evils of high-fructose corn syrup and that it's in things you'd never expect, and more importantly I actually lost weight and felt really good when I did the diet. And if anyone's going to make it easier for heavy kids to make healthier choices that still appeal, it's likely the team Agatson has put together.

Mama Time: Helping You Take the Time to be Fabulous

Rachael Brownell (Redsy) — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 20:19:00 GMT

Welcome to another new Stroller Derby feature and just in time for Mother's Day: Mama Time. Every week we'll dish about ways for mamas (& papas) to have more fun, take better care of themselves, and keep their groove groovin'.

This Week: Budget Pedicures

While most of us can agree that nice spa pedicures are relaxing and enjoyable, they are often prohibitively expensive. Enter the budget pedicure storefronts popping up all across America in strip malls and downtown areas. Usually, you can get a pedicure here (a "spa pedicure" even) for under $35. As summer sandal season nears (thank the goddess!!), your toes might need a little polish, trim, and buff.

Of course, another option is to do your own home pedicure. If you can lock your door against the grasping hoards and hide away somewhere, this can be your best option. The Budget Fashionista has some great tips for home pedicures and manicures, including properly soaking your feet, using a pumice stone to smooth rough skin, and of course buying emery boards to file those nails. Now go forth and paint those piggies, ladies!

[Photo Credit: Irving Penn]

Families that Eat Healthily Together, Stay Together?

Rachael Brownell (Redsy) — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 18:04:00 GMT

About two weeks ago, my husband and I embarked on the South Beach Diet, the veggie-filled moderated version of the Atkins Diet. Phase 1 involves cutting out all carbohydrates, sugar, and alcohol (aka: Parenting Survival Kit). We've nearly completed this portion and while we both see pasta everywhere, there is some hope that the reduced glycemic index is starting to generate more energy and less nutrition-related exhaustion.

Family meals, usually comprised of some combination of cereal, oatmeal, or scrambled eggs, now include salmon, salad, and (occasionally) a Splenda filled dessert. It isn't easy. Not by a long shot. But we're impressed with how much more energy we have for parenting: the chasing, cleaning, cooking, laundering, and fight-breaking-up that makes up our average day.

The key is how to market these changes to our girls. We don't want them worrying about weight issues, so we explain that we're eating more healthily so they can grow big and strong. Good nutrition for our family has always seemed like a pipe dream. But this little blue book makes us think that if we can do it, anyone can.