Athletic-Minded Traveler

I have a Nissan stainless steel travel thermos. It’s my second one. And the only reason I replaced it was because of the gross staining and corrosion inside (and a little mishap…more on that later).

I cleaned it often, but I did not follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. I was guilty of several thermos maintenance no-nos. I stuck it in the dishwasher, tried bleach, and used baking soda to scrub the inside. These efforts, for the most part, failed and I ended up with a scratched AND corroded thermos. So when I accidentally left my travel tumbler on the roof of my car and it hit the pavement at 25 mph thereby denting the drinking area, I finally admitted cleaning defeat and ordered a new one.

I use my travel mug every day. I tote it to yoga class and sip my hot tea brew between my Bikram poses. It’s always the same mix: 12 oz water, 4 oz milk, 1 vanilla chai tea bag (Bigelow), 1 Mayan cocoa spice tea bag (Yogi Tea), 1 Splenda and 4 drops Stevia clear. It tastes and smells lovely.

So when after a few months, I noticed the telltale signs of staining, I became worried. Is my mug already wearing out??? This can’t be. I first consulted my Martha Stewart Homekeeping Handbook and came up empty. She covers stainless steel surfaces and cooking equipment and mostly recommends chemical agents. I then did a quick Google search and found recommendations for Oxyclean, baking soda and salt and harsh detergents. I already went downt that path with thermos #1.

So then I did what I have often done, I contacted the maker! Via the Thermos website, I emailed customer service and within a day or two I had my answer!

Here’s the recommendation from Jamie Jenkins:
DIP-IT (coffee pot cleaner) or Denture Tablets usually work the best for
getting out stubborn stains and odors. Put two denture tablets in your
product with hot water and let it soak overnight. (May have to be done more
than once.) Lemon juice can be used for removing odors

I purchased the cheapest denture tablets available, added three to my water filled thermos and let it sit overnight. WOW! It worked. The grime just slid off. It sort of grossed me out…Had I really been drinking from this the last months?????

The upshot: Rely on the maker of your product when you have a problem. If you travel with your hot or cold beverages, try a Nissan thermos. I love mine. And if you want to stay active and healthy when you are away from home, subscribe to athleticmindedtraveler.com!!!!

P.S., if you are a tea lover, try my mix. If you become a fan, save a bundle and order your tea online. I save 30-50% per box!

Traveling the world is an enlightening experience–sometimes in a good way, sometimes not so good, and sometimes just bizarre.

Kaidangku, aka “open crotch pants”, certainly fit into the bizarre category when viewed through my Western American lens.

Hang out at a playground in China for an hour and chances are you’ll see more than one little tyke climbing on the monkey bars with his “johnson” hanging out. At first, your impulsive reaction might be, “Oh, that’s cute…or funny.” But thereafter, the logical part of your brain might start to wonder, “Ok, what is the purpose of that…oh, they’re really going to pee or poop right there on the concrete…yuck!”.

Fortunately, more and more Chinese can afford diapers and recognize the inherent health problems with letting your kid relieve herself like a Golden Retriever. It’s a less common sight in urban China now, but venture beyond city limits and the visible little butts are more prevalent.

While Americans often look to Asia for their next trend (sushi, yoga, learning Mandarin, etc.), something tells me Kaidangku will not quite catch on here. Although, come to think of it, an adult version may make it much easier to poop or pee during an Ironman Triathlon event. Maybe I’ll pitch the idea to Nike?

We like freebies and we LOVE Farmers Markets, especially the really big ones that are open year-round, every day. The Original L.A. Farmers Market in West Hollywood at Third & Fairfax is gearing up for its 75th anniversary. And on Thursday July 16th, an all day birthday bash will take place. Part of the celebration will include an enormous birthday cake and free cupcakes for attendees.

Athletic-Minded Traveler recommends Farmers Markets (along with cafes, restaurants, grocers, etc.) in all of our covered destinations. Farmers Markets present the opportunity to experience a city on a much more local level and sample some tasty prepared food in addition to the fresh fruit and veggies.

In San Diego, The Hillcrest Farmers Market (Sundays), sells terrific salsas, chicken kebabs, gourmet salads and some really cool jewelry, bags and leather goods.

San Francisco’s Ferry Plaza Market is another favorite along with Cleveland’s West Side Market , Toronto’s Kensington Market , Portland Oregon’s Market, and Philadelphia’s Reading Terminal Market.

It’s considered unfashionable by many.

Oenophiles will lecture about superior choices.

Restaurant servers are often challenged to render a recommendation.

And, to acquire a really good one, it’s almost necessary to spend north of $30!

But, California chardonnays are still my favorite. And while I was reminded today by the Wall Street Journal’s “Tastings” column (authored by the wine expert team of Dorothy Gaiter and John Brecher) of just how difficult it is to acquire a very good chardonnay for under $20, I won’t give up.

After tasting over 50 2007 vintages, John and Dorothy could ONLY recommend five. That is it!!! They are: Chalone ($9.99 and described as “tightly wound fruit”), Newton Red Label ($18.99, “abundant oak”), Clos du Bois ($11.99, “light chardonnay fruit”); Heller Estate ($19.95, “toasty and bright”) and Simi Winery ($14.59, “lemony and crisp”).

It’s the Newton that appeals to me. I’ll look for it. I like oak. Other wines in the 20 buck range that I have found to be reliable and tasty are La Crema (around $15), Ferrari Carano (about $20), Landmark Overlook (around $20); Acacia ($18), Chateau Souverain ($15ish), Cuvaison ($18), and Merryvale Starmont ($16).

But the ABSOLUTE BEST in my mind…a true cut above others is Rombauer! I love the buttery softness and full body flavor. It is by far my favorite wine. Whole Foods often sells it for around $34/bottle. Flowers also makes a high end chardonnay that I like ($40). Mer Soleil is another big and buttery option ($35).

If you are in the “why bother with American chardonnays camp”, you may appreciate the wine notes from a true pro. He is one of the people behind the fabulous, gourmet Chicago restaurant Graham Elliot.

John wrote this to me in response to my love of chardonnays. He first prefaced that he is NOT a big fan of the varietal! But he did acknowledge that Rombauer is a good one!

From John:

“When I drink white, I lean towards Sauvignon Blancs, Pinot Gris, and Sancerre’s. Also, white Bordeaux are fabulous. Yes, more famous for red, but try Smith Haut Lafite Blanc sometime. Really great stuff. Plus, a killer riesling is hard to beat. Not cheap sweet stuff, but the really good, dry germans. They taste a bit sweet when compared to a chardonnay, but it is not at all sweet. Very very dry and crisp, but just massively fruity. I recommend Donnhoff Spatlese. Auslese might be too sweet for your taste. They make several different Spatlese’s, all good, some mind boggling. A really really great one can be a life changing experience. The fruit and acidity and crispness are so sharp that it feels like you have liquid electricity in your mouth. If that makes any sense.”

Yes, John, perfect sense thank you.

And just remember studies prove that MODERATE consumption of wine is good for your health too! Click this link to read more.

We all know that exercise is an important ingredient to a healthy lifestyle and combined with eating well, it will produce physical results. But did you know that exercise can reduce your risk of colon cancer? We didn’t. And we’re not alone.

According to news stories only about 15% of Americans have a clue that heart pumping is a colon cancer fighter. Lack of exercise is one of the HIGHEST risk factors for colon cancer, which is the third most common type of cancer! Wow.

The results of over 50 studies were pooled and reported in the British Journal of Cancer. This article from Medical News Today provides a nice summary.

So get moving. Your insides and outside will thank you.

If you’re interested in a recipe that contains colon cancer fighters, here’s a previous post

I take two showers every day. After my sweaty yoga class, I do a quick soap and rinse — just to get the Bikram stink off. At the end of the day, before dinner, I shower again and shampoo, shave etc. I shave my legs daily. I think most women do. It’s a pain. I prefer to do it at home because I have a nice spot to prop my foot. Good ergonomics are key to a good shave.

For the most part I have relied on disposable razors. Every now and then when I’ve been presented with a more expensive alternative via a freebie (at a race or in the mail), I haven’t been impressed. However, plastic disposables don’t last too long, and I feel guilty for the wasted plastic that will be sitting in some landfill for a hundred years.

So recently I asked my Facebook community for advice. One friend was so passionate about her razor that I went out and bought it the very next day — which is today! She swears by the Gillette Fusion Power. She shaves her arms and legs daily!

Since my experience with razors has been limited to cheap disposables, I am not sure how the Fusion Power stacks up against other razors with similar features and pricing. But I do know what I like. And I really liked this razor! My legs are wicked smooth and the battery power eases the shaving process. The razor just glides. We’ll see how long the blade lasts…

So for those looking to slightly improve their green quotient by upgrading from a plastic disposable and/or just want a better shave, here are a few points:

1. I picked up my Gillette Fusion Power at Rite Aid for $8.99 — on sale from $11.99
2. Refills can be expensive. Here’s a hint: If you like the razor, buy the refills online. One of my MOST FAVORITE sites to buy from is Lucky Vitamin. I get tea, energy bars, and more. And the more you buy the lower your cost. This is the link for the razor refills.
3. I used the razor in the shower with a little soap to help the glide. My friend uses shower gel.
4. Online reviews suggest that the Mach 3 is just as good. My razor guru says she tried it and thinks the Fusion is better. Also, shaving legs is much different than face shaving…Most reviews are written by men who use the razor to shave their beards/scruff.
5. I read on Green Living Tips that storing the actual blade in Olive Oil increases the blade’s life.
6. While you won’t be tossing a plastic handle in the trash on a weekly basis, you will still be disposing of blades. There really isn’t any great way to recycle them. Green Daily provides a few ideas.

Need more helpful tips and resources from Athletic-Minded Traveler? Click this link to view our blog archives on this topic. And note the categories to the right. We have a treasure chest of helpful information for those who prioritize healthy and active living.

We think the airlines’ bike carrying fees are egregious. $100 to $200 tariffs to bring your bike along on a trip are insane, not to mention discouraging to a healthy lifestyle. So, although we’re not recommending the following and cannot guarantee that the “mistake” is foolproof, several people we know have shipped their bikes on United Airlines for $20 each way:

These cyclists checked-in at the United self-help kiosk and mistakenly assumed that their bike qualified as their “first bag checked”. United’s fee for checking the first bag is $20. When the computer kiosk asked, “How many bags are you checking?” They answered, “One.” Either the computer didn’t ask whether it was oversized or if it did, they mistakenly answered, “No.” The computer printed the tag/sticker for their bag and they stuck it on their bike box, then gave the bike to the attendant (live person) behind the counter. Most of the time, the attendants put the bike on the conveyor without questions. A few times the attendant looked at the sticker and determined it wasn’t for “oversized” luggage, made a comment to the traveler but then said, “Don’t worry about it.” (The travelers did their best Paris Hilton or Steve O “dumb” impression.)

It seems that trying to credit the traveler for the amount already paid and charge the remainder is a task not worth the hassle for personnel.

I visited a new doctor’s office today, so of course I had to fill out all of the paperwork: Personal information, medical history, insurance information — the standard stuff.

Included in the papers on the clipboard was a form that I haven’t been asked to sign by other doctors…a “Physician-Patient Arbitration Agreement.” In so many words, signing this “agreement” would forego my right to file a lawsuit against the doctor and his medical group should they make any mistake in my medical care–you know, the kind of mistake that could kill me. Instead of a jury trial, any complaint that I filed (through my attorney) would have to be presented to an “impartial” arbitration panel and their decision would be final. Trust me, arbitration panels are often not impartial–your chanes of a fair hearing are much better in front of a jury (I practiced law for 12+ years).

I did not want to sign this arbitration form, but I thought to myself, “If I don’t sign, will this doctor treat me?” I walked to the waiting room desk and politely asked if I was required to sign the Arbitration Agreement. The pleasant woman said, “No, it’s optional,” and proceeded to draw a big “X” across the form.

While I waited for my name to be called, I watched three other patients flip through the paperwork and sign the sneaky Arbitration Agreement. I’m sure they were not lawyers and had little idea what they were signing — probably didn’t even read it — or, assumed they had to sign it to be treated at that office. Bottom line: Do not sign this type of form! (Or, at the very least, ask if signing is mandatory.)

I don’t know what annoyed me more–the fact that they were giving this form to patients OR they were not volunteering that signing the form is optional.

We participate in a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) and feel good about eating organic, locally sourced produce and exposing our child to an array of fresh fruits and veggies. It has just been a tremendous experience and well worth the $25/box that we pick up every other Friday.

(To read more about CSAs click this link to an earlier post by Athletic-Minded Traveler.)

But because the box is filled with what is fresh and in season, what you get may not exactly be what you want. But that fact had turned out to be the beauty of the system! When I first received two HUGE bunches of chard, I was flummoxed. After some recipe homework and trial and error, I now love chard. Same with kale and parsnips.

However, there are a few veggies I just don’t like no matter what I have tried: beets and carrots. So I give the beets away and figure out ways to “use” the carrots. (Luckily the family does like carrots.) Carrot ginger apple soup is one recipe I’ve used and it successfully deploys 4 cups of the orange beasts.

So when my wonderful neighbor Suzie, who also participates in the CSA, sent over a sampling of a salad she had made–CARROT SALAD–I was less than enthused. And then I tried it. Hmmm, could it be? I really liked it. The carrots were al dente, not raw, and the seasonings just right. I threw some of her salad onto my salad mix and loved it.

So for all those who already like carrots, this recipe from Whole Foods Market, is a delight. If you struggle to eat carrots but want to because they are packed with nutrients like vitamins A, K and C and deliver nearly 15% of the RDA for fiber, give this tangy and fresh recipe a whirl.

To read about all the nutrients from carrots, click through to this wonderful resource called The World’s Healthiest Foods.

CARROT, RED ONION AND CILANTRO SALAD

Serves 6 to 8

Ingredients
Salt and ground black pepper to taste
2 pounds 365 Everyday Value Organic Carrots, thinly sliced
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil (* My note, to cut fat/calories, reduce to 1T)
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon finely grated ginger
1/2 teaspoons 365 Everyday Value Honey
1/2 cup roughly chopped cilantro
1/2 small red onion, very thinly sliced
1/2 cup roughly chopped roasted, salted almonds

Method
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add sliced carrots and cook until just tender, about 2 minutes. Meanwhile, whisk together oil, lemon juice, ginger, honey and salt and pepper to taste in a large bowl. When carrots are done, drain and transfer to bowl with dressing. Gently toss cilantro and onions into carrots. Garnish with almonds and serve warm or at room temperature.

Nutrition
Per serving (about 5oz/146g-wt.): 170 calories (100 from fat), 12g total fat, 1.5g saturated fat, 0mg cholesterol, 280mg sodium, 15g total carbohydrate (5g dietary fiber, 7g sugar), 3g protein

Soy Crisps are one of my favorite healthy snack foods. Sort of like a chip, but with an impressive dose of protein…about 7-8 grams/serving. I love the crunch and taste–which for the BBQ flavor means a salty/sweet mix.

Calorie for calorie, Soy Crisps are a better choice over chips or other crisps (rice or potato). Months ago I created a chart comparing the nutrition profiles of Soy Crisps to a bevy of popular chip brands (Doritos, Tostitos, Baked Lays etc.). If you are interested, click this link and scroll to the bottom for the pdf file.

However, I will have to update this file, because Trader Joe’s has suddenly changed the nutrition profile of its chips! And it’s all BAD NEWS.

I first noticed that the packaging had changed and once I started snacking, the flavor and “look” of the chips also seemed altered. I was curious. Why the change? The new chips are more mild, less crumbly, and really much more like Whole Foods’ crisps. Did Trader Joe’s switch suppliers? I have no idea, but it is a possibility because the “Packaging and Distribution” address is now Monrovia, CA, versus Needham Heights, MA.

What also changed is the nutrition profile. NOW, one serving has 120 calories (versus 110), 3.5 grams of fat (versus 2g), 230 mg sodium (versus 160mg), 3 grams fiber (versus 2g), and 3 grams sugars (versus 2g).

The 8% RDA of calcium is NOW ZERO! Iron used to be listed as 10%; it is NOW ZERO too. There is still a trace amount of Vitamin A (2%), but no Vitamin C.

WHAT IS THE DEAL WITH COMPANIES SUDDENLY CHANGING THE NUTRITION INFO WITHOUT A WORD ABOUT IT TO THE CONSUMER?

Remember the brouhaha over the labeling switch for Robert’s Gourmet’s Pirate Booty?? A woman actually sued the food company for 50 million buckaroos because the incorrect fat grams listed impeded her healthy diet. The tasty snack food initially claimed 2.5 grams of fat when in actuality a serving had 8.5 grams. That is 240% mistake! The label now lists the fat grams at 5.

McDonalds paid $10 million after it was sued over a false claim that its French fries were cooked in 100% vegetable oil. Oops.

Pulmuone Wildwood, a maker of organic and natural foods produces a very tasty veggie burger. I could not believe the low calorie and fat counts. And then suddenly the label changed and the fat count tripled and the calories went up a lot too. I actually emailed the company and asked what happened and the nicest gentleman from marketing called me and explained that there was an error in their software — it didn’t take into account cooking method and these burgers are FRIED.

And more recently frozen yogurt purveyor, Pinkberry, found itself swirled in controversy over its “yogurt”, “all natural” and “low calorie” claims. The company denied any wrong doing, but did up the published calorie counts and admit that there are additives in the frozen confection.

So what is my point? Read labels. Because often these changes just “happen.” If something seems too good to be true it probably isn’t true. Will I still buy the soy crisps from Trader Joe’s? Absolutely. The taste, low calorie count and protein make them a very sensible snack. BUT, I do feel less good about them…Where did that iron go?