Potatoes – Boring but Necessary
December 31st, 2009 § 1 Comment
How often do we dream of eating a potato. Hardly ever, unless you grew up in Ireland, are extremely hungover, or have a Mom nice enough to cook them up in style. As a result, potatoes are not the most popular food. THEY SHOULD BE.
Running this food through the Cave Chow gauntlet give it 12 stars.
NUTRITIOUS – 4 stars.
- Excellent source of Vitamin C (yes, 45% of your daily value)
- Great source of potassium (18% of your DV)
- Potato skins fiber content rival that of hearty grains
- Extreme source of carbs (for when you need lasting energy)
- Protects against colon cancer, improves glucose tolerance, and more
AFFORDABLE – 5 stars.
- Yes, Yes, Yes. A 5lb bag for $1.99. Are you kidding me?
- Price per Pound – less than 50 cents. Crazy good deal.
SIMPLE – 3 stars.
- Unless you really live in a cave, you’ll want to cook these
- Frying, Baking, Boiling, Nuking, and spicing them up all take a bit of time. Cook a lot and freeze the rest.
The extreme affordability of this food would have made it Cave Chow Approved even if they took 4 hours to cook. And if you’re and athlete, it’s excellent fuel for you. Plus, if you take a little time in the kitchen, these can be absolutely delicious.
Cave Cook
Bananas – Jungle Food 4 U
December 30th, 2009 § 1 Comment
Monkey see, monkey do. Picture a bunch of monkeys hanging out in the hungle. swinging from trees, scratching themselves, and generally doing nothing. If you think I’m talking about you, you should make some changes. Regardless of that, at some point, we humans were impressed with the athletic abilities of these jungle gymnasts and decided to borrow their favorite food. And we’ve been dining on that deliciousness ever since.
Let’s break down the benefits:
- High energy food
- Phenomenal source of potassium (essential for keeping your blood pressure normal and your heart operating smoothly).
- The particular potassium found in bananas has also been shown to promote bone health and slow bone thinning by improving your bodies ability to absorb calcium
- Bananas have strong anti-acid effects – translations – great for protection against stomach ulcers
- Reduce kidney cancer risk and is a high fiber food that helps prevent heart disease
So next time you see a monkey, shake it’s hand. And next time you make a discovery, consider a patent.
Cheers!
Cave Cook
Almonds – All in One
December 29th, 2009 § Leave a Comment
If you had to choose between two types of nuts, and you chose almonds, you’d be wrong, because almonds, are actually fruit.
Native to the Middle East, California has recently (in cave years) taken over production and now grows around 80% of the world’s supply of this little fruit. Even more interesting, around 50% of an almond is oil. Omega 9 (approx. 80%) and Omega 6 (approx. 20%) oils, to be specific.
Almonds contain almost no carbs, so if you’re heading out for a run, you might want to consider another food. BUT, they are packed with Vitamin E, and monounsaturated fat (which has been shown to lower that “bad” LDL cholesterol). Other highly touted benefits of almonds are improved skin complexion, improved colon health, and cancer prevention.
Almonds also have similar benefits to many common fruits and vegetables – except they stay fresh and edible much, much longer.
The next time you see them on sale – Get Some!
Cave Cook
SMOKE, Smoke, smoke that cigarette. Then Stop.
December 27th, 2009 § Leave a Comment
Many of us have substance addictions, most of us can control them, and some have real problems going even a day without their fix. Alcohol, Cigarettes, Caffeine, Drugs, Marijuana, etc. – the list of addiction possibilities are endless, socially accepted, and readily available. There are different definitions or telltale “symptoms” of an addiction, but basically, if you’re body starts to freak out in some way when you don’t get your daily dose, you’ve got an addiction.
Some manage their addictions quite naturally, and are able to live healthy lifestyles, be a good friend and family member, and take good care of their bodies. Others among us are not so lucky. And with all the bull*&%$ methods of quitting that are advertised, it’s no wonder people trying to quit or slow down on substance consumption find it so hard.
If you’re serious about getting control of your addiction, here’s a new thing to consider: MODERATION through PAIN. Yep, that’s right, we love pain around here! Not only does it keep you awake and get you in shape, but it is a beautifully natural and common sense way to manage your addictions without making schedules (boring), holding to set amounts of a substance per day/ per week (not conducive to fun), or getting the substance from another source, like nicotine gum (cheating).
OK, so let’s break this down:
- It’s commonly accepted that many of the commonly used substances are OK, even beneficial for you, when consumed in moderation (cigarettes aside). Therefore, indulging in a managed amount = totally OK (pregnancies, etc. aside). Therefore, MODERATION is the goal.
- It is also widely known through experience that when you deprive your body of the addictive substance, you don’t feel so good. It causes PAIN. The more addicted you are, the more pain you will have when you have to go without.
- There is a direct relation to the amount of substance consistently consumed, to the amount of pain felt when the substance is taken away. Example – if you smoke a pack of cigarettes a day, when you go 1 day without, you will morph into a crazy, angry person. Likewise, if you only have 1 cigarette a day, you’d likely notice no change.
Like the Sunday morning tequila hangover of a guy that never drinks, you’re body will punish you for an extreme addition / retraction of any substance. And therein lies the key to MODERATION. If you commit to taking 2 DAYS PER WEEK off the substance (every 3-4 days), it will be in your PAIN MANAGEMENT interest to be watchful of how much of the substance you consume on the days that you do that. Let’s look at a real example (my coffee consumption) habits.
- SUN – off (I get no coffee, bummer)
- MON – on (I get coffee – delicious)
- TUES – on (yes… awesome)
- WED – off (ouch!)
- THURS – on
- FRI – on
- SAT – on
Here’s why this approach works: On my ON days, I’m conscious of the consequences that I’m inducting for my OFF days. Instead of sucking down 4 large cups of coffee on ON days, I go for two, because while I’m fine with a slight headache for half a day when I’m OFF, I’m very not OK with an all-day splitting headache on the same day (makes work a little tough).
Is this the easiest way to attack the problem? Maybe, because it actually works. It’s an honest approach that doesn’t let you take any shortcuts. Perhaps the biggest benefit of this approach is the knowledge that you are in control. So unless your goal is to completely quit the substance once and for all (in which case, you should just quit, and deal with the consequences), use pain to your advantage.
Oh yea, and this way’s free. Cheaper than that food.
Right On.
BREAKTHROUGH!!! A New Natural Painkiller – Your Body!
December 27th, 2009 § 4 Comments
Unless you’re a super athlete, think that marathons / triathlons are fun, or born with a wonderful ability to move at high speeds with low pain, building endurance HURTS!
The benefits of regular run/swim workouts are almost incredible – but for so many people, so are the challenges they face when starting out. And let’s not beat around the bush here – the main challenge new runners/swimmers face is PAIN. Leg cramps, abdominal cramps, foot pain, lung pain, nausea, an unexpected regurgitation of your last meal, and many others are all common examples of pain. And the LONGER you go, the more it HURTS.
Or does it? And with that open-ended question, comes an answer from the most unexpected place – your body. It seems that, the body itself has a limited tolerance for pain. Think of it as the brain getting very tired of hurting, and producing a solution that allows you to be a little more comfortable.
That sounds ridiculous, so let’s explain:
- When you first start running/swimming, pain comes from two places – your lungs working way harder than they are used to and muscle fatigue (for the same reason)
- Like so many other things our brain has a built in tolerance for pain, and once it’s had enough of a consistent dose of pain from the same activity, it gets really tired of feeling that way
- While we have no clinical evidence to support this statement, we’ve talked to enough endurance athletes to believe that your body eventually starts to produce some type of a numbing effect on that pain, allowing you to feel more comfortable
OK, so GREAT! What does that have to do with anything? OK check this out.
- If you’re new into running or swimming, you probably hate it, pain being no small factor in that feeling. IF that is the case, we have wonderful news for you.
- All you need to do to run/swim comfortably is give your brain enough consistent pain for it get bored with feeling painful and start this numbing effect. SO… while you may feel pain at miles 1 2, and 3, you might be able to run 4, 5, and 6 with significantly less pain
- We realize that sounds counterintuitive, but it’s true. Everyone’s body is different, of course, and some brains might be more willing that others to numb, but once you find that right dose of pain your body needs, you’ll start to notice the effects
For all you Cave Chow doubters out there, we have tested this theory personally, and it checks out. I will give you my own example. I typically do a longer, low intensity run once a week. I run half a mile, stretch, and then get started. Here’s a graph of my pain over the next 10 miles (very consistent week to week):
- Mile 1 – Nice and easy, feels good
- Mile 2 – Ugh, body feels unnatural
- Mile 3 – K, I might stop and do this tomorrow
- Mile 4 – Jeez, I have 6 more miles of this? This hurts
- Mile 5 – K, cramping, tightness, easing a bit
- Mile 6 – Flying, making great time, little effort or pain
- Mile 7 – Same story, sped way up for a while but now back to pace
- Mile 8 – Starting to feel the effects of lack of hydration / carbs (if I didn’t prepare properly)
- Mile 9 – Hitting mini pain threshold from reasons other than muscles/lung capacity
- Mile 10 – K, now almost 100% numb, finish the last mile in almost a sprint
Don’t believe me? Might want to give it a shot and see for yourself… running/swimming is a little harder to hate when you can’t feel anything…
Cave Crew
Help! Tripping on Lactic Acid!
December 27th, 2009 § Leave a Comment
Here’s a topic that is rarely discussed, maybe because it rarely occurs in selective people. Regardless, we have 2 people on the Cave Chow crew here in San Diego that have experienced what we THINK is Lactic Acid buildup/sickness during workouts, and after exhaustive research online, a visit to the doctors for a diabetes check-up (negative), and several other attempts, we still don’t really know what it is.
Here’s what happens, in our experience:
30 minutes or so during intense muscular workout (not running, not swimming – no issues there), you start to feel nauseated. You feel like you need to burp, or regurgitate something in your stomach, but you can’t. As you continue your workout, it becomes more and more paralyzing. No matter how you breathe, how well hydrated you are, how much cold water you drink, or what your diet or that food is before/during is, it gets worse. Slight nausea turns into intense dizziness and a feeling of total sickness. The more you push ahead, the worse it gets.
We’ve tried to push through these to the point of puking, assuming that they may clear some nausea, but haven’t been able to induce this yet via fingers down the throat. The same things always happens – hanging your head or lying on the floor for 20-30 minutes until it subsides.
Is there anybody out there who’s experienced anything like this? It’s a very different feeling than throwing up while you’re running, or over-exerting yourself in cardio fashion. Our assumption has that it’s a lactic acid thing, since most of the workouts that we do are circuit based, high rep, no rest sessions that go for an hour +. Very crossfit like, if you will.
Example:
- High rep core workout, no rest, 20 minutes – FINE
- 40 pushups, 40 sit-ups, (4 sets, very little rest) – OK
- 10 pull-ups, 1 minute shoulder work (4 sets, very little rest) – UGH
- Weights – FEEL TERRIBLE
We’d love to hear suggestions from anybody who has suggestions on this or knows where we can find some additional advice. If someone knows a fix / solution / remedy, please chime in.
Cheers,
Cave Crew
Apples – Not for Vitamin C, Not for Cancer Either
December 16th, 2009 § 1 Comment
… Keeps the doctor away.
The crunch of a crispy apple can not only be the loudest thing in your office building around 2PM (if you work in quiet settings), but it can also be one of the most effective cancer prevention – colon, prostate, and lung, yep, apples just may be your saving grace from all three and more.
While not as potent a source for Vitamin C as some think apples are also great source of antioxidants and have also been shown to prevent aging in mice. Now does that translate to humans? Who knows – not us anyway. Scientists need something interesting to write about, so why not the effects of apples on mice. Anyway, you can bet your lucky stars that these are a better bet for you than anti-aging pills, miracle surgical solutions, and most other things you see on TV with a hefty price.
Start eating well. Apples are a fast healthy food low fat, and are just plain delicious, if you get the right ones. Here’s to you, mom’s. An apple a day, just might keep the doctor away.
Cave Cook
Peanuts – A Healthy Nut for a Healthy Price
December 16th, 2009 § Leave a Comment
Peanuts. Peanut Butter. Ballpark Peanuts. Peanut Butter Cookies.
Love them or hate them, peanuts are delicious, and better yet, they are VERY good for you – especially if you work out.
Peanuts are nutrient rich – 30 nutrient rich, to be somewhat exact. Fiber, magnesium, vitamin E, a great source of antioxidants, and a PHENOMENAL source of protein – 7 grams per serving – the most of any nut. Specifically in regards to the antioxidants, peanuts actually have MORE than most fruits, and as much as strawberries and blackberries. More than carrots and apples. SO – what is easily stored, not easily bruised, and lasts for a long time in comparison to fruit? You got it! Peanuts are tough to beat.
Also, for all you middle age folks who have actually considered synthetic solutions to slow their aging (from a external perspective), consider this: peanuts are a significant source of resveratrol – which lowers cardiovascular risk of disease, is a cancer resistor, and has significant anti-aging effects.
Go figure! All that benefit from a little nut that you can by for less than $3/lb – that’s about the price of chicken, but you can store it for longer, take it anywhere, and enjoy that unique, delicious taste.
Cave Cheers – to the peanut. Reconsider that food your are eating.
Cave Cook
Coffee – The Buzz about the Buzz
December 10th, 2009 § 1 Comment
Sniff, Sniff.
Hmmm? What’s that? Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
Just like the Folgers commercials many of us know so well (“The best, part, of waking up, is …. )” nothing warms the heart, pleases the brain, and stretches a furrowed face into a smile like a steaming, delicious, cup of coffee. We love it, and don’t know too many people that don’t.
So what’s all the ruckus about? Coffee is good, coffee is bad. The caffeine will kill you – no, wait, it’s actually good for you. Blah, Blah, Blah. Let’s get down to the facts, since this is a Cave Chow food list approved item and can sometimes make or break that breakfast healthy food you dive into in the AM.
The Accusations:
- Caffeine is bad for you.
- Caffeine causes birthing problems with pregnant women.
- First time coffee drinkers may experience increased blood pressure and even heart attacks (OK)
- Unfiltered coffee increases the LDL (bad) cholesterol
- Coffee can increase the increased blood sugar affect you get from your normal eating habits
- Drinking too much coffee can lead to sleeplessness, anxiety, etc. (wow, really? Amazing!)
The Accolades:
- Coffee helps ward off type 2 diabetes
- Coffee consumption has been shown to prevent strokes
- Drinking coffee can help prevent skin cancer and liver cancer
- Coffee may protect against Alzheimer’s Disease and Parkinson’s Disease
- Coffee is a fantastic source of anti-oxidants
And what is the Cave Chow opinion? Well, given that we haven’t gone to school for 12 years so that we can spout insightful philosophies such as the above, we’ll refrain from a technical analysis but offer the following: It seems that the positives outweigh the negatives, if you’re a normal functioning, non-birthing human, and capable of an appropriate consumption level (meaning you are a mature adult). Also, if you’re body doesn’t like coffee, you’ll know it, if you’re listening to it. Coffee just doesn’t work for some people, and they are smart enough to switch to tea or proceed without it – excellent!
Listen to your body whenever possible, as it will tell you, that food or drink you are having – it’s good or it’s not so good.
Cheers,
Cave Cook
Oats – Ode to Oats
December 10th, 2009 § Leave a Comment
Oats are the #1 recommended item of food here at Cave Chow, because it simply is the finest blend of simplicity, nutrition, and affordable food characteristics that we could find.
The history of oats is slightly blurry, after all, who was around when the first oat was grown? They are probably not here anymore. That said, we do have some fantastic facts to share with you about these small white food flakes.
- Oats have more soluable fiber than other grains. Than ANY other grain. This basically means that as a meal, oats pack a punch, with slower digestion time, consequently making oats a long-lasting fuel when you won’t be eating for a while.
- This soluable fiber has proven to reduce LDL cholesterol, or “bad” cholesterol, and is actually believed to reduce the risk of heart disease. Now, we’re not doctors here and shy away from most food proclamations made, but if any grain were to actually do this, we wouldn’t be suprised to hear it’s oats.
- Oats are the only cereal grain found to contain good amounts of protein. Protein levels in oats range from 10-25%, making it a phenomenal post-workout high protein food. Who knew?
Best of all, Oats are Cave Chow food list approved because they are easy to find, affordable, and of course, make for eating well when you’re on the run or settling in for a Sunday breakfast.
Here’s to you, Oats.
Cave Cook
