Contrary to popular belief, Cinco de Mayo isn't actually Mexico's Independence Day (it's September 16, for the record). Instead, the fifth of May memorializes the triumph of the underdog Mexican army over French forces at the Battle of Puebla. But enough history lessons — are you ready to party like it's 1862? In the United States and the region around Puebla, Mexico, Cinco de Mayo is a day to fete Mexican heritage and history with plenty of tasty food, friends, and of course, margaritas. From drinks to dessert, here are 10 recipes to celebrate the healthy way.   Copy and paste link below for details and beautiful presentations of these recipes.

http://greatist.com/health/best-cinco-de-mayo-recipes-042913

The following blog posted by Nichol Nichols in the Daily Spark (dailyspark.com) resonated with me.  Not only did I once share this perspective (delaying happiness) I hear it way too often.  People look at me like I'm out of my mind when I ask them to love and accept their bodies where they are.  My hope is that this blog will inspire you to find beauty, gratitude and acceptance TODAY.

The Secret to Loving Your Body Isn't Losing Weight

 
But many people who have lost any significant amount of weight will probably be quick to tell you that even as a thinner person, life doesn't change that much.  You may have lost weight—and that's great for a lot of reasons—but you are likely the same person with the same outlook, same personality, same level of overall happiness.  Weight loss alone won't cure you of your body hatred, your lack of confidence, your shy personality or your low self-esteem.
 
I battled body hatred for many years. It compelled me to diet and exercise until I lost too much weight.  I liked the attention I received, but my life really didn't change in any significant way. I still didn't feel like I still was good enough.
 
On the flipside, I gained back all the weight I had lost and then some to reach my all time heaviest weight.  For a while, I felt worse about myself than ever. My confidence level and self-worth was very much wrapped up in my weight. Although I slowly (painstakingly!) lost the excess pounds over the course of several years, it wasn't weight loss that changed my outlook. In fact, I began to love myself at my heavier weight which is something I never thought possible, and these days, I'm trimmer and fitter than my heavier self of year's past, but I'm nowhere near the ultra-thin body I once achieved. Still, I'm happier with my body than ever.
 
When it comes to loving—and accepting—your body, weight really has little to do with it. In fact, research shows that one key ingredient can help you improve your body image and confidence regardless of your size.
 
What has really helped me appreciate, accept and love my body is exercise. Working out regularly helps me feel strong and powerful. It makes me feel capable and accomplished in a way that almost nothing else in my life has ever affected me. It drives me to work harder, to be a better person, to always be improving myself—inside the gym and outside. It inspires me to reach new goals, which helps me build a work ethic and increased confidence as I reach more milestones. It has given me access to the exclusive club of "exercisers" who "get" each other. I love the simple look, head nod and small wave that runners exchange on the street, which to me always says, "I'm in the club, too. Thanks for showing up today. You rock."

And as I get stronger, faster, fitter, better…I stand taller, feel better about myself and appreciate all that my body has achieved. It propels me to take better care of it. I want this body to carry me through life stronger and healthier. I don't care what I weigh, but I do care how much weight I can lift and how many miles I can run. That says so much more about who I am and what I'm worth than any stupid scale can ever tell me. I don't care what I look like while I'm doing these things—just that I show up and try my hardest.

My experience with exercise has been an education is self-care and body awe. When you put the work in, you do see changes and improvements. It's a virtuous cycle that feeds on itself. You exercise. You feel good. You take better care of yourself. You appreciate your body. You lose weight, or maybe you don't, but either way, you feel good about yourself, so you keep on going. Eventually, the weight takes care of itself. For me, loving myself was the key to losing weight.
 
Some research shows that even without changing a person's weight, exercise alone can help people feel better about themselves and improve their confidence. That's a win in my book! Why? Because when you feel good, you take care of yourself, and you do more healthy things for your body that ultimately result in settling into your healthy weight.
 
Do you agree? Does exercise improve your confidence and body image or are you still stuck on the scale?

We are getting into the holiday season and with competing demands on our time we need to be extra vigilant on taking time for self care.  I found the following review very helpful when discussing options with training and wellness coaching clients.  The application I am currently testing out is Lose It and have to say am VERY impressed.  It actually makes tracking pretty fun!  For those who are motivated by numbers this stuff is right up your wellness ally!   Happy tinkering!

http://www.epicurious.com/articlesguides/healthy/news/diet-apps-iphone-android-blackberry-smartphones

Aloha!  I recently returned from an incredible 8-day vacation on Kauai.  One of the commitments I made to my Wellness Coach (yes, I do actually work with one) was to completely break out of my comfort zone and explore new forms of exercise and adventure.  I am not one to struggle with motivation in moving my body, however, I tend to stick with those activities of which I am familiar and have some skill.  The amazing unexpected “aha” moment I experienced by exploring each new activity was that I was completely present and focused on the movement and where I was in relation to the unfamiliar environment.  For example, on a hiking trail I had to pay attention to where my feet were placed at all times to avoid any slippery or dangerous terrain.  BTW I also had to overcome fear of the unknown and concerning my ability to even complete the trail (how much farther is this climb?  Will I be able to successfully navigate myself back down this thing without falling on my face, will it completely begin to rain while we’re out here???).   Fortunately, I made it down feeling much more invigorated way more empowered then I do after completing a session on an elliptical trainer.

Another example is taking a Stand Up Paddleboard lesson.  As much as I LOVE the beach I shy away from independent activities out on the water.  There are just too many elements of the unknown to contend with – eeks!  However, I was committed to giving this a shot.  After a 1-hour lesson, my husband and I were free to take the boards around the bay on our own for an additional hour.  My first inclination was to say “no thanks,” and feel like I could officially check this off my list. However; I knew I would regret not giving a solo tour a shot.   After talking myself through the anxiety the first few minutes, I absolutely fell in love with the sport!!!  Again, I was completely captured by the moment.  I had to pay attention to my stance on the board and keep myself balanced as the ocean continued to roll under my feet.   No ipod or TV necessary to motivate me through 5 more minutes of exercise.   In fact, that hour just FLEW by.

Being on vacation and making this commitment provided the perfect excuse to explore these (and many more) new activities.  In return I enjoyed way more then a workout.  I believe in today’s quick fix, “have it now,” culture we tend to want to be instant stud(ette’s) at our first attempt or we want a guarantee the short time invested will yield results we are looking for.  The true reward comes when we actually follow through on intention, tolerate the uncertainly, and surrender the result.

What activity have you put off trying?  Your life is waiting?

Disney’s Skinny Minnie Mouse & Daisy Duck on a Crash Diet?

Minnie-As We Know Her

What happened to Minnie Mouse? Has she been on a crash diet or done a liquid fast? Has she always secretly dreamed of a career as a runway model? Could she be anorexic?

Nope, Disney has given her a makeover for a new holiday campaign designed for Barneys New York. (Photo on right from Barneys’ Campaign. You can see images of the skinnier Daisy Duck, even Goofy, in the Women’s Wear Daily article announcing the new campaign.)

So, what message does this send to everyone, kids especially, who love the happy, fresh faced, approachable and lovable Minnie Mouse–compared to the barely there, high fashion, not-sure-when-I-last-ate version with ‘attitude’?

I know. Some people reading this might be saying, how many kids will actually see the 3-D film Disney made for Barneys New York’s Holiday Campaign that shows Minnie heading off to Paris to meet up with her high fashion model friends? Who knows? But I’m guessing Barneys will be promoting it, as this is a sales campaign. In my opinion, even if it’s seen by one impressionable little girl who loves Minnie, or one teenager who used to worship Disney characters and today finds herself vulnerable to an eating disorder, or one grown up with fond memories of Minnie and now feels her own body is too fat…I think this is just plain unnecessary, misguided and, frankly, dumb–from a marketing standpoint! Counter to popular belief, not all publicity is good publicity.

Remember Disney’s Habit Heroes Exhibit which launched early in 2012? It was promptly shut down due to a loud outcry over its blatant “weight-ism” and potentially damaging messages connecting self-esteem and size? So, this is the second time in less than a year that Disney has launched an initiative that shows a great insensitivty (even ignorance) about people of all shapes, sizes, weights.

This leaves me scratching my head. So, what’s up with Disney’s decision makers and their judgment? Have they looked out their windows and seen the people who stand in line at Disney’s theme parks. Do they know anything about those of us who buy Disney products? We come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes! We don’t want to look at our beloved childhood characters and suddenly wonder, “Hmm, she’s lost so much weight. Is she telling me I should get rail-thin skinny, too.”

Imagine what could be accomplished if Disney were to make a corporate-wide decision to promote healthy body image in all of its endeavors? Wow! Wouldn’t that be amazing?

In the meantime, get ready Disney. We in the eating disorders treatment, advocacy, and health at every size communities are once again preparing an all-out campaign to let you know of our great concern and disappointment in your judgment!

Even if you never compete in the Olympics, you can think, and feel like an Olympian. The result? You perform like one in every part of your life.

We often read about athletes overcoming physical disabilities. I interviewed Oscar Pistorius, who makes his Olympic debut this year, the first double-amputee athlete. The "Blade Runner" races using carbon-fiber blades that raise blisters and rub his stumps raw. Pistorius, born without fibula bones due to a congenital defect, lost his legs at 11 months. Now he competes with the best in the world. And we're talking about the Olympics, not the Paralympics. Out of challenges like these, athletes develop a fierce desire to succeed.

Examples like these help hammer home the lesson that desire is sometimes more important than even talent or a healthy body.

Olympic athletes push their bodies beyond what seems possible. Why? More importantly, how? Because they believe they can. To excel in sports and in life, you need that belief. More, you need the motivation and the inspiration, as well as a hunger. I am coaching many Olympic athletes for the 2012 London Games. Those same Olympic athletes tell me it starts with a dream. But the dream alone won't work. Somehow you must light an inner fire or never reach your goal.

As an elite sports psychologist and champion athlete, I've coached athletes and people at all levels, training for every kind of sport. That includes running to tennis to golf to major league professional sports. Right now I have five Olympic gold medalist clients.

In them, I've seen a true Olympic mindset -- the love of your sport and a burning desire to achieve the best you can. Nothing easier than to skip a workout now and then. Cut just one or two small corners. Give yourself that half an inch of slack when it comes to standards. A coach or parent can give support and guidance, but you have to supply the rest, the mindset to strive for excellence. Only one person can push yourself when you're tired and alone, or work out despite countless distractions.

You. All the real power lies in you. Nowhere else.

I recently interviewed the legendary six-time Ironman winner Dave Scott. He said, "The most satisfying Ironman races for me were the ones when I competed in my 40s where I came from behind, where I felt awful, where I had to dig down deep, and do a major mind shift to get back in the game, find my passion, to go from 26th place to second place." That kind of drive comes from within, regardless if you're a novice, a serious athlete, or competing at the most elite of levels.

Here's the good news. Building and maintaining that self-motivation is a learned skill. Anyone can acquire it!

Motivation is all. Self-direction remains the single most powerful source of personal energy. Energy enough to shift whole lives. From individual passion comes the will to persevere to endure discomfort and even pain, and to make what sacrifices prove needed in moving closer to your goal.

Profile of the Olympic Gold Medal Mindset

What are the key characteristics of well-motivated Olympic athletes? And how do we achieve them? Through my extensive work with numerous Olympians over several years, I have developed a constellation of traits that defines the champion's mentality. Elite athletes do not possess superhuman powers or extraordinary qualifications limited to a selected few. The characteristics that make a champion can be attained and developed by anyone who wants to excel in sports, business or in life.

JoAnn Dahlkoetter, Ph.D., Olympic keynote speaker and leading sports psychologist, is the founder of Performing Edge Coaching International Association, offering coach certification training, and the editorial director of www.DrJoAnn.com as well as #1 bestselling author of Your Performing Edge.

WASHINGTON -- The reality TV show "The Biggest Loser" sends patients an unhealthy and unrealistic message about weight loss, a researcher said here.

The message that overweight people can and should lose significant amounts of weight in a short period of time is unhealthy and makes it seem that extreme dieting, plus hours of daily exercise, are what heavy people should strive for, Natalie Ingraham, MPH, of the University of California San Francisco, told attendees at the American Public Health Association meeting.

Ingraham and her colleagues studied the "cultural ideologies about fat, fitness, and the body" that they believe are addressed on the popular TV show.

"The Biggest Loser" contestants live in relative isolation on a ranch in California, where they exercise for many hours a day, cut calories, and compete in challenges to see who can drop the most weight. A contestant who fails in the challenges runs the risk of being kicked off the show.

While at the ranch, contestants have access to exercise facilities, fitness trainers, and meals prepared by chefs.

While Ingraham eventually hopes to assess 12 episodes from seven seasons of the show, her early findings revealed that the show stigmatizes people who are heavy or overweight and suggests that the contestants seek redemption through drastic weight loss -- up to 100 lbs in one television season.

But the show rarely depicts contestants eating or focuses much on healthy food choices. It also rarely follows up with contestants from past seasons, Ingraham said.

Ingraham told MedPage Today that the show promotes unrealistic expectations about the weight loss process. For example, most physicians recommend that overweight patients safely lose one or two pounds per week, but a patient may tell the doctor "A contestant on 'The Biggest Loser' lost 50 pounds in a few weeks," she added.

Ingraham's continuing research will include a statistical analysis of weight loss results and a content analysis of remarks made by trainers and contestants during the show.

Ingraham is an advocate of the grassroots "Health at Every Size" (HAES) movement, which focuses on healthy living regardless of a person's size.

She spoke at a presentation on "The Politics of Obesity," sponsored by APHA's committee on women's rights. All the panelists advocated for the HAES approach and argued that fat should not be used as a proxy for health. Instead, other biomarkers, such as cholesterol levels and psychologic well being, should inform the definition of "health."

"What we think of as obesity has been as much socially constructed as medically constructed," said panelist Sonya Satinsky, PhD, MPH, of the University of Kansas in Kansas City.

The panelists also spoke out against:

• The use of terms such as "overweight" and "obese"
• The use of the body mass index (BMI) as a way to label people as "fat"
• The use of national obesity reduction and prevention programs that vilify large kids and adults

According to the HAES website, the nation has "lost the war on obesity" because making fat the number one enemy of health hasn't resulted in a slimmer nation. However, it has resulted in the "collateral damage" of preoccupation with one's body, eating disorders, and discrimination, according to HAES.

While the APHA panel drew a huge crowd, many other sessions at the meeting focused on anti-obesity strategies, such as healthier school lunches and creating more walkable neighborhoods.