Kathryn

I just saw one about "build muscle, loose (sic) fat."' Isn't most fat 'loose"? LOL!

So THAT'S what's going on at the VBF 'vacation'!

At least humans can make a judement call as to whether it's a good idea to jump out of the back of the truck to chase a cat, and can compensate for the truck turning a corner. I think no living creature (human or animal, but especially animal) should be legally allowed to ride in the back of a truck. It's just too dangerous. Did the guy in the original post put his dog back in the back of the truck? Or did he smarten up and put him up in the cab with him?

Be sure to rinse quinoa many times before soaking. It is coated with a foul-tasting saponin (bitter substance that protects it from insects). Also, quinoa, being so small, just needs to be soaked about 4-6 hours. Then let it begin to sprout for a short time. For lentils, soak overnight, then rinse 2-3 times a day (more rinsing is required in hot weather). Sprout for about 2 days. Several sprout 'gurus' don't recommend eating raw beans or legume sprouts, at least not in much quantity (and lentils may be better than most) because they can cause digestive upset. Steaming them for 10-15 minutes might be a good idea.

Good point!

I'm more into the 'strong and lean" look, like a swimmer's body, or even Steve Reeves back in the day.

Let's get real here. There is no exercise or food that is going to help someone get taller after they have finished growing (human growth hormone shots, which someone mentioned, have been used on children, but they are not a great solution). Pilates can help you look a bit taller by improving your posture (anything that improves posture, like yoga or pilates, will do this). I just recommend not bulking up too much, as this can make shorter men look too stocky (and even shorter IMO). Tom Cruise is only 5' 6" (not saying that he should be a role model, but it hasn't hindered his career....nor is it the cause of his whackiness! )

Most recent thinking is against doing much static stretching before a workout, and saving it until the end. You don't really gain any flexibility from the pre-workout stretches. You should, however, always warm up, doing about 5-10 minutes of lower intensity cardio (until you break a sweat) before either more intense cardio or weight training. Doing some static stretches (after a warm-up) before working out is fine, to 'loosen up the kinks' but dynamic, range-of-motion stretches are better. Save the long, drawn-out stretches for the end. Also, it's been shown that doing static stretches before weight training can result in temporary weakness in the muscles that prevents you from contracting it maximally and doing your best effort with the weights. (This is mostly for static stretches that are held for longer, like 15 seconds plus.)

Most recent thinking is against doing much static stretching before a workout, and saving it until the end. You don't really gain any flexibility from the pre-workout stretches. You should, however, always warm up, doing about 5-10 minutes of lower intensity cardio (until you break a sweat) before either more intense cardio or weight training. Doing some static stretches (after a warm-up) before working out is fine, to 'loosen up the kinks' but dynamic, range-of-motion stretches are better. Save the long, drawn-out stretches for the end. Also, it's been shown that doing static stretches before weight training can result in temporary weakness in the muscles that prevents you from contracting it maximally and doing your best effort with the weights. (This is mostly for static stretches that are held for longer, like 15 seconds plus.)

I've heard claims that if people put the lobster in cold water, then heat it up, the heat won't register in the lobster's nervous system until it's too late. (I actually read an explanation of a neurological reaction comparing it to putting a frog in water, and heating the water so gradually the frog wouldn't realize what was happening until it was too late. Rather sick comparison to explain why people become less sensitive to pain or any other sensation). In any case, boiling an animal alive (whether they are aware of the heat or not) is just barbaric, IMO. CG: what happened to your lovely avatar?

I'm still rooting for Monkey Woman. She really pushed through that attack dog challenge. And Major Victory. He's a bit cheesy at times, kind of like a parody, but he has the right attitude. I was surprised when Iron Enforcer (who seems to have one pec that's larger than the other---glad they are covering that chest!) made it almost to the door, then cried uncle. Especially after he's making fun of others for not going all the way. And those questions they asked each other: not acting very "superhero"--like, if you ask me. It made them look rather mean and petty. (and sound like a rather smelly bunch!). I think the only reason Tonya was safe this week was because 'Cell Phone Girl" had such a lame excuse and apology for not going on with the challenge (and she called her 4 seconds a good effort) and Iron Enforcer was just too into the guns to be a good superhero. He might make a good villain, though. Tonya does get quite a bit of airtime, and I think part of it is that she gives lots of good facial expressions that are telegenic.

Eat lots of dark greens: they contain many nutrients, like boron, magnesium, etc. that are good for the bones. And get some sun exposure every day, to help your body make vitamin D, and to speed healing (but don't overdo: a bit of sun can help with healing, too much sun increases risks for skin cancer).

Wouldn't it be the other way around? Use 1 1/2 TBSP whole to get 1 TBSP ground? The whole seeds don't pack down as much as the ground 'meal,' so they would take up more space.

Supposedly, if one is an omnivore/meat-eater, they can pee around a garden to help keep wild animals out (the animals smell the urine of a predator). Doesn't work for us vegans.

For vegan puddings, you can used blended tofu (that asceptically packaged "Mor-Nu' type) or soy (or other non-dairy) milk heated with some arrowroot (better than tapioca) added for thickening. There are lots of vegan mayo recipes out there, mostly based on either tofu or soy milk. Try www.vegsource.com for some recipes.

I assume it's just because of flavor transfer. Most people wouldn't want their flax tasting like coffee.

Try www.veganessentials.com

I love getting good vegan cookbooks with lots of pictures! (Though I don't use them very often!)

One thing I'd suggest is getting away from some of those isolated supplements (which are often synthetic), especially vitamin A, which can be toxic (you can definitely get enough vitamin A from a balanced vegan diet). And if you are a male or a pre-menopausal women, I'd be very careful with iron supplements as well. You may actually be putting more toxins in your body with all those supplements than you think. Dr. Fuhrman has a supplement that is good for vegans (and which doesn't include any A or isolated beta carotene, for good reasons he explains). You can check it out at www.drfuhrman.com . Supplements shouldn't take the place of a diet, and you should try to get the nutrients you need primarily from whole foods (supplementing with whole-foods based nutrients, and with some FEW additional supplements as necessary, like vitamin B12 for we vegans, and vitamin D2 if you don't get enough sun exposure to make your own). Replace some of them with whole-foods-based supplements (maca, wheat grass, things like that, which are actually 'foods' and not isolated nutrients), like Vitamineral Green (which is green-foods based). Eating a good percentage of raw foods (50% minimum, IMO) may help as well.

One thing I'd suggest is getting away from some of those isolated supplements (which are often synthetic), especially vitamin A, which can be toxic (you can definitely get enough vitamin A from a balanced vegan diet). And if you are a male or a pre-menopausal women, I'd be very careful with iron supplements as well. You may actually be putting more toxins in your body with all those supplements than you think. Dr. Fuhrman has a supplement that is good for vegans (and which doesn't include any A or isolated beta carotene, for good reasons he explains). You can check it out at www.drfuhrman.com . Supplements shouldn't take the place of a diet, and you should try to get the nutrients you need primarily from whole foods (supplementing with whole-foods based nutrients, and with some FEW additional supplements as necessary, like vitamin B12 for we vegans, and vitamin D2 if you don't get enough sun exposure to make your own). Replace some of them with whole-foods-based supplements (maca, wheat grass, things like that, which are actually 'foods' and not isolated nutrients), like Vitamineral Green (which is green-foods based). Eating a good percentage of raw foods (50% minimum, IMO) may help as well.

There seem to be some conflicting opinions on DOMS (delayed-onset muscle soreness, for those who may not know), so I thought I'd just get more! So, is DOMS a sign of 'a good workout,' or is it not necessary? I know that DOMS is most common when increasing workout intensity, or when doing a type of workout that one isn't accustomed to, and I must admit I do get a rather satisfied feeling from DOMS (especially in certain areas), but I can also have a good workout (getting to the point of failure, or having shakes while doing the last few reps) and not have any or much DOMS. Can it be that the non-DOMS times are times when one is doing something nutritionally that encourages repair, like eating a high-alkaline diet that neutralizes any acids produced during the workout? Or a high antioxidant/high enzyme diet that helps with repair? Or if one gets her/his post-workout snack in time to reverse breakdown and promote anabolism rather than catabolism? Or is some other factor involved: a workout with more rest breaks or stretches in corporated? Is it actually a preferable goal to work as hard as you can, and NOT have DOMS (because it would be a sign of quicker or more efficient repair?) At what point does DOMS indicate that there is too much breakdown happening, to the point where overtraining or lack of progress may be seen? What are others' experiences with DOMS?

I've usually seen this done using a belt (don't know if it's a special belt, or just a MacGuyvered weight belt) with a chain attached, to which you hook weight plates. A weighted vest would also work, especially if you have other uses for it (because they are pretty pricey just to do pull-ups).

There are also quite a few that joined in, what is it?, 1969! And they post pretty often.

I like Major Victory, too. I think he has the right attitude: taking it 'just seriously enough" but with a bit of hamming it up. I agree, though, that if the little girl weren't a plant, having some costumed guy come up and have her jump in his arms so he could carry her to safety is a bit creepy!

Well, I agree that that brand of "fruitarianism" would work, but it's not really fruitarianism as I understand it (which is "fruits only," including the 'veggies that are biologically fruits," like cucumbers, peppers, tomates). This sounds more like raw food veganism, omitting grains. I just got my understanding of fruitarianism primarily from Victorus Kulvinskas, and it is "fruits only." So Bigbwii, what does a typical week's menu look like for you? That would give me a better understanding of this view of fruitarianism. TIA!