March 07, 2014

Tasty Links!




By Crabby McSlacker

Yep, it's been a while since the last links post, so this should be more than a short rushed slopped-together compilation, and yet... that's exactly what we got.  After I put this up, I'm planning a quick playground workout and then the Lobster and I are whisking off to a mystery destination for an exciting event.

OK, so maybe not such a mystery location.

We're talking Anaheim,where we're motoring up to cover the Natural Products Expo West.


And if this year is anything like last year I'm going to be very busy...


...stuffing my face (and pockets) with all the free food I can cart away! Er... I mean, carefully researching new health innovations and interviewing natural food industry experts and gathering info to report back on.

But still, we got a few fun links for you to check out...

Boomer/Middle Age Stuff:

There are a few in this category, otherwise we don't have much of a theme going.

First off, I was horrified by this protein and mortality study that seems to be saying that middle-aged people should NOT be eating a high protein/low carb diet, (defined as 20% or more of calories from protein) because it can lead to cancer and kill you. Whereas after 65, more protein is better. Animal protein from meat and cheese is especially problematic.

This totally depresses and confuses me because I've been eating fairly low carb based on a bunch of studies about managing blood sugar, and may have possibly been overly influenced by the paleo/primal people who see all kinds of evil in grains and legumes, which I don't digest all that well myself.   I haven't scoured the study yet looking for loopholes, but I wanna find out more about this. Could it be time for me to say f--k it to the whole low carb thing? I mainly eat lean meats and egg whites and tons and tons of veggies and some fruit and nuts (and of course treats like dark chocolate and wine) and maybe the subjects were more the triple-cheeseburger types? Or maybe I'm barking up the wrong tree after all?  Sigh.  I hate science sometimes!

But not all middle aged links were depressing, and I was quite taken with the Singing Uterus Explaining Perimenopause that our pal Jody shared (thank you Jody!)



And I also wanted to let you know about "Fun and Fit," which is a blog and website devoted to "healthy aging for Boom Chicka Boomers." As it happens, Alexandra and Kymberly have also given some thought too to the whole bucket list issue I was pondering.

Other Stuff:

If you enjoyed UltraKaz's recap of the Jackpot Ultra-Marathon, Caitlin at Fit and Feminist also shares an Ultra Report on what it's like to run an absurd number of miles all at one time. You gals are nuts! But admirably so.

Or, if you're considering running while pregnant, check out the always amusing Marie at Cheaper Than Therapy.

And what is there to say about a twitter chat between Domino's customer service and a Man Who Claims he was Burned Having Relations with a Pizza?

OK, heading off soon to don my Official Press Badge and do some Serious Health and Nutrition Investigative Reporting!


What's on you mind today, awesome Cranketeers?  And got any fun plans for the weekend?

24 comments:

  1. Yay!!! Road trip AND goodies?!…. OFFICIAL badge & lanyard?!

    We Cranketeers know that you will use the Powers of the Press for the forces of good, Crabby. But, given that this is such a fun trip, inquiring minds are curious as to how you may incorporate some level of crankiness??

    The flame of our fervent hope is that there may also be a downstream reader give-away? Unless the products are all crap, in which case…

    I personally would probably try something anyway.

    Have fun and don't worry about carbs, protein or MCAs or anything that might keep your eyes off the prize!

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    1. ooh, I didn't even think of the giveaway potential! you're right though... fun.
      Are we officially Cranketeers? That's good. Are there hats?

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  2. Oooh, road trips and freebies, a recipe for win! I look forward to your report on the stuff they're expo'ing.

    Regarding the protein study, I've read some analyses of it that say the science of it was extremely shoddy. From what I remember, their data came from surveys, they had zero controls, and they fished through age groups until they found something "significant" they could key in on. The correlations were weak and they found no causation at all. The head researcher of this study is also the head of a company that makes plant-based protein products, so of course they're going to find animal proteins bad. Honestly, I think you can disregard this one. I sure have. Let us continue to nom meat and cheese in peace and prosperity!

    Also, I found UltraKaz's marathon report completely inspiring. At this point, I'd just love to run at all, but the thought of being able to finish an ultra really gets me to dreaming. What a great read. :-)

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    1. Thanks, Heather! (sorry to horn in again, Crabby - but, I couldn't help myself...) Keep your dreams alive!!!

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  3. Also, I so love the links picture. It makes me snortle. Every. Time.

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  4. Increase your wine and dark chocolate intake. It'll make up for everything else.

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    1. This pretty much my answer whatever the question is.

      Looking forward to your reporting back!

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  5. I am heading on a roadtrip north too, but to L.A. for the LA Marathon. Pretty much all morning so far I have had a knot in my stomach because I am SO NERVOUS. I mean, I'm prepared, it's fine. But jangly nerves!!!!

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    1. Ok - I promise this is the last one for today. I just HAD to say bon voyage and best wishes on your marathon, OTF!!! Will be thinking of you and just know that this nervousness will actually HELP propel you to the finish line :) At least that's what works for my sister - like a charm!

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    2. I will take all the thoughts I can get. Onward!

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    3. wow, that's amazing! I'm in L.A. but will be nowhere near the marathon... I'll think of you though! Enjoy it.

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  6. Death Ride GrandmaMarch 7, 2014 at 12:14 PM

    Well, it wouldn't be the first time a major headline health story turned out to be less than the whole truth. I always remind myself, when we see that sort of study, that a statistical link is NOT a cause-effect link. So if I were you, I'd just keep on eating whatever makes you feel best.

    That, of course, may or may not include the goofy quantities of samples you get at your (non)mystery destination! Have a great time - it'll be great to hear of any magical discoveries.

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  7. I was hesitant to watch the Menopause Mambo video I thought it might show the newest and biggest threat to the female reproductive system these days. " Matthew McConaughey is sooo dreamy! Oh my ovaries just exploded! Oh my Uterus exploded!" UGH that is one of my pet peeves on social media!! I can not wait for that concept to fall out of fashion. Yuck!

    Have fun in Anaheim!! Pace yourself on that wholesome food frenzy. You get too much goodness inside you and next thing you know you are seeing Unicorns and talking grapes.

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  8. Enjoy your road trip, and remember that next week they will come out with another study.

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  9. Definitely need to find a loophole in that study. (Thanks, Heather Lee.) I'm a few years short of 65 and I have no intention of cutting back on protein (though I certainly don't eat low-carb.)

    Go forth, Crabby, and find strange new foods!

    Mary Anne in Kentucky

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  10. Have a great trip. The video made me laugh.. too silly. But I didn't have the stomach to click on the Domninos link.

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  11. Have fun on your trip! And find a low-protein substitute for my beloved Quest bars.

    Sorry I haven't been commenting much lately. Honestly, I find the frequency of posts a bit overwhelming. I'm wishing you well, though.

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  12. I read the same study and I don't put a lot of faith in it. First, their human data came from a group of folks who maintain voluntary food diaries - part of NHANES III. Second, they talked about animal protein, but in reading the paper I didn't see a difference between animal protein - real chicken, beef, turkey, and pork from the processed crap you buy in the freezer section. Third, Cox proportional model does a good job of providing computational ease and makes the math easier, but that doesn't mean by a long shot that the model is correct! Fourth, it was basically an observational study.

    I've got more to say, but I'll stop.

    Pfft...Give me my meat!

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    1. Wow, I'm impressed. You know your statistics.

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  13. oh my god, the protein thing... the carb thing... I can't take it anymore. I believe that if we stick to actual food, meaning not processed, as close to origin as possible, and we eat reasonable amounts and variety, that's about it. I haven't been able to do that and so that's where my problems came from. Some people are sensitive to grains and some to dairy, etc... though I don't really ever hear of anyone who can't tolerate any fruit and veggies...
    My goal is to get my own system clear enough that I can tell what makes me feel better or worse... then eat clean. I honestly wonder if people are sensitive to wheat and gluten or to the overprocessing of most of those products and the chemicals and now the freaking GMO's.
    oh, I blather...
    the peri-menopause video is my new favorite thing. thank you for that!
    and can't wait to hear about your latest adventure.

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  14. CANT CANT CANT WAIT to hear about the expo!!!!!!!

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  15. Sorry to have been offline when these came in but you guys always make me smile, I love reading these, and I really appreciate the perspective on the Study that Had me Freaking Out!

    I'll be in and out today, but will be Dead-Blogging the expo off and on and a little more present on that post if anyone wants to say hi.

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  16. Hey, thanks for including me in your tasty links! Lots of fun going on in this blog, looking forward to more crankiness.

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  17. I saw that protein study a few days ago. I am now 65! :)

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Thanks for commenting, Cranky Fitness readers are the BEST!

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