Shalom from Philadelphia

by Esther Fox

I’m sure that a lot of you can agree that, when you’re about to go on vacation, the last thing that’s on your mind is keeping up with the healthy lifestyle you’ve been living for the last few months. Right? Why go to the gym? The hotel you’re staying at likely won’t have a fitness center quite like the JCC. The pool won’t be anything like the aquatic center. Your trainer will still be at home. Eat what you want and don’t tell anyone!

NO! STOP! WAIT!

You CAN be healthy on vacation! You can eat all that delicious food in MODERATION. You may be able to get away with stuffing your face when no one is looking, but at the end of the day, the only one who will know about it is YOU. And believe me, I know how to guilt myself after eating a meal of some less-than-savory foods. No one else may know about it, but I do. The self-induced guilt trip is not a nice feeling.

So I am in Philadelphia, PA for a week. I’m faced with such wonderful food options here like hoagies (they aren’t subs!) and authentic cheesesteaks (Pat’s anyone?). While I may not be back home in Indiana to go to the JCC every morning, I can do what I can to ensure that I am enjoying my vacation in a somewhat healthy way.

I keep repeating these words in my mind: eat less, move more. If you can’t get to a gym, stay active to burn those calories! If you can’t get to water aerobics, go to the hotel pool and do some of the exercises you do in class! Eat that cheesesteak, log those calories, and remember that you’re human. Enjoy your vacation and stop worrying.

The JCC will be here when you get back.

More About Esther Fox

Why buy local, seasonal produce?

by Katherine Matutes

Grapes from Chile in December are no problem in our global economy. Or, are they? Global produce on average travels 2,000 miles before being sold. The cost of covering these distances is not only significant in terms of energy, dollars and climate impact, but also in a decline of nutritional value.

Many nutrients are lost to oxygen and light exposure during transport and storage. Produce quality and flavor also suffer from early harvesting, forced ripening in greenhouses and plant breeding designed to enhance product shipping tolerance.

The "buy local” food movement has been growing rapidly as more consumers become concerned about agricultural impacts on the environment, and yearn for healthier, tastier produce. Below are some great ways you can get started going local.

Where is your favorite farmers market?

Be sure to check out Greenbean Delivery at the JCC's upcoming Discover & Dine Health Fair on Monday, August 22. You’ll have an opportunity to meet professionals in the health field as well as join us for a healthy and delicious dinner.

Check out the smart phone app, locavore $1.99, it lists produce that is in season in by area.

For further reading pick up Diet for a Hot Planet by Anna Lappé or How to Pick a Peach by Russ Parsons.

More About Katherine Matutes, PhD