Personal Sustainablity Project (PSP)

I recently heard about the Personal Sustainability Project (PSP) and want to share it will all of you blog readers. The PSP looks at ways you can improve your own health while also making impacts on the world around and saving money (something that is becoming increasingly important). Most examples have taken place at work sites and the description below explains it from the work site point of view. However, it is something you could start with your family, friends or any social group.

Here is a description of the PSP:

The goals of the PSPs surround healthier eating and lifestyle habits, replacing inefficient lighting and home appliances with better ones, using environmentally-friendly and non-toxic home cleaning products, and getting involved in projects in one's community. The basis of PSP involves establishing self-initiated plans, so employees have numerous options and ideas from which to choose and create their own pledges towards improving their personal sustainability. This might include cutting out fast food, stretching or exercising several days a week, quitting smoking, and incorporating organic food into their diets. Some employers have created incentives, such as a reduced price on healthier meal options, should employees continue dining inside the store. The money saving incentive also carries over to pledging to become more energy efficient at home, turning off the television, and taking preventative health measures through fitness programs, all of which promise a little more savings in the bank.

Try to use the PSP when discussing ways to be more healthy as a family or how you can all work together to save money and help the environment.

This weekend, try walking to the grocery store instead of taking your car and you will be on the way to a more healthy and more sustainable future.

Another video tip

Sorry, but I have got to take the easy way out this week. Here is another video tip from Dr. Josh Klapow.

Video Tip

There is a new link in the links portion of the blog that I would like to introduce: Healthy Habits with Dr. Josh Klapow. On this site you can find a ton of resources that can assist with healthy behavior change. There are tips to help you continue healthy habits, tools that you can use, links to other valuable information and video clips designed to help individuals eliminate barriers to becoming healthy. Click on the picture below to view one of the many clips you can find on the site:

Enjoy!

Recipe of the Week

Broccoli Salad with Avocado

Serves 4

Ingredients:

1 pound broccoli

1 ripe avocado

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

1 tablespoon grainy prepared mustard

Cooking Instructions:

Trim and wash the broccoli and cut it into bite-sized pieces. Steam or boil the broccoli in a large pot until it is just crunchy-tender and bright green, then drain it well, and cool. Peel and pit the avocado, then cut it into small cubes. Fold the avocado into the broccoli. Whisk the olive oil, lemon juice, and mustard together in a small bowl, until well mixed. Toss the broccoli and avocado with the dressing.

Nutrient Information:

Per serving

Calories 177

Fat 15 g

Saturated fat 2 g(76% of calories from fat)

Protein 4.6 g

Cholesterol 0 mg

Fiber 4.8 g

This recipe and others can be found here

Eat Right Montana

The February 2009 issue of Eat Right Montana provides some economical strategies to assist you with eating healthy, staying active and reducing waste. Click on the picture below to view the publication.

Recipe of the Week

Chicken Enchiladas
Serves 4Ingredients:
4 corn tortillas
1 1/2 cups shredded cooked chicken (skinless, white meat)
1/2 cup black beans
1/2 cup sweet corn
1 cup medium or hot salsa
1 cup plain low fat yogurt
1/2 cup reduced fat sour cream
1/2 cup reduced fat shredded Jack cheese

Cooking Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat an 8-inch by 8-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Warm tortillas according to instructions on package. Combine shredded chicken with black beans and sweet corn. Mix salsa, yogurt and sour cream and spoon half the salsa mixture into the chicken, beans and corn. Blend well. Divide chicken mixture among the tortillas. Carefully roll tortillas and place them seam down in the baking dish. Spoon remaining salsa mixture over the tortillas. Sprinkle cheese on top. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes.

Nutrition Information (per serving):

Calories 368

Calories from Fat 78

Total Fat 8.6g (sat 5g)

Cholesterol 75mg

Sodium 883mg

Carbohydrate 39.7g

Fiber 3.7g

Protein 32.8g

This recipe was found here

Super Bowl Weekend

As many of you know, this weekend is the Super Bowl. One of the most watched sporting events world wide, which basically translates to: "during this 4 hour time period more people will be sitting on their couch enjoying finger foods and washing them down with their favorite beverage than any other time of the year."


The game will feature the Pittsburgh Steelers VS Arizona Cardinals


It seems as though many of the "professional" analysts are predicting a close game, and with about a 50/50 split when it comes to picking the winner. What I also noticed was many are predicting a high scoring game, which should make for some exciting football.

To make the game more interesting try to do some physical activity after each point scored. A simple activity that will work is jumping jacks.

• Field goal: 3 minutes
• Touchdown: 6 minutes
• Extra point: 1 minute
• 2 pt conversion: 2 minutes
• Safety: 2 minutes

So each time points are put up on the board, rally your fellow viewers to get on their feet and burn off some chicken wings. If you don't want to miss Larry Fitzgerald's touchdown celebration you could wait until half time to take care of your activity, although that may be a large jumping jack deficit to make up.

My prediction is: Cardinals 28- Steelers 24. If my prediction rings true, that will be 52 minutes of jumping jacks and around 500 calories burned.

Feel free to post comments including your predictions, or alternatives to sitting down and watching the game. Enjoy the Game!