This morning’s trivia on KOIT:

Q: The Cannery in San Francisco was built in 1907 by which food processing company?

A: Del Monte, hence the name Del Monte square. The Del Monte logo is still on the building.

Del Monte used to can peaches there until the late thirties when the building was converted into a warehouse.  Would you believe it was slated for demolition in the early sixties? What a mistake that would have been! In 1966 a developer snapped up the property and turned it into the jewel that it is today.

Six Flags in Vallejo wants you! And the theme park is holding a job fair this Saturday (1/23) to fill over thirteen hundred openings they’ll have for summer employment.  It’s going to be held at the University of Phoenix, 5253 Business Center Drive in Fairfield  from 10-3. Openings include ride operators, games staff, tram drivers, among others. They ask that you fill out an online application here before coming to the job fair. Good luck!

At the gym, I couldn’t help but peek at the magazine with Jillian Michaels on the cover. For anyone who doesn’t watch reality TV, she’s the tough-as-nails fitness trainer from The Biggest Loser. Now that she’s a star, she’s offering nutrition advice. My only fear is that people are listening.

In the article, the reporter describes how Jillian gives her  a cup of coffee with coconut milk. Jillian explains that the coconut milk is “super good for you, and has more vitamin D than regular milk”. Huh???

The reality is, coconut milk is very high in saturated fat, which is known to increase the risk of heart disease. And it contains no vitamin D. In fact, a cup of coconut milk has 552 calories and a whopping 57 grams of saturated fat. That’s more saturated fat than a stick of butter! While virgin coconut oil has become the in-thing in many health food circles, there is very little scientific research to support most of the health claims.

On the other hand, a cup of whole milk is only 150 calories and 5 grams of saturated fat. And yes, it is an excellent source of vitamin D.  Use a reduced fat version and you’ll save even more calories.  If you’re trying to lose weight and protect your heart, which would you rather put in your coffee?

Jillian Michaels’ expertise is in fitness training. And of course, she’s a celebrity. So does that make her an expert in nutrition? Does she understand  biochemistry and how to examine scientific research? Be careful who you listen to for nutrition advice. Just something to think about over your next cup of coffee. And be sure to use the milk.

Kim Kulp, RD

www.healthtastesgreat.com

* USDA Nutrient Database

I Had been in the Philippines 2 or 3 days. I was being spoiled rotten. I’m not used to being spoiled, cuz I am always the one spoiling girlfriend Joy. But her family was treating me like royalty. I was sitting enjoying lunch with Joy’s brothers in law-Nester, Jay and Francis. “Guys, I’m feeling a little guilty,” I said. “So far, the family is doing everything for me.
I want to chip in. I’d like to buy lunch for everyone.” It was Nestor who said: “Larry, just relax, and enjoy the Filipino hospitality.” Hmmm Well in that case, I think I’ll have seconds. LOL
The patriarch of Joys’ family is 82 year old “Papa Choy,” who is making a miraculous recovery from a stroke. He still puts in a full day of work managing his properties, and doing his therapy. His lovely wife “Mama Luming” has a weakness for chocolates, so I brought her a few boxes from the states. (sugar free, of course)
“Papa Choys’” one request to me was to bring his daughter home to the Philippines more often. I promised him I would.
A big thanks to Joys’ family for everything. I slept in their houses, enjoyed their delicious Filipino food, and most of all their company. There was always a lot of laughing, singing, dancing, and love. As they told me: “A typical Filipino family.”
Before I left, I wanted to keep a promise to my Filipino friends in the states. They wanted a Manny Pacquiao t-shirt. The boxer is a super star in the Philippines, both for his boxing artistry and his charitable work. I kept my promise. My suitcase was packed with Manny Pacquiao. And Joy’s sister Terry presented me with a going away present of a Pacquiao “team jacket.” Beautiful. Joy’s kids saw it, & they wanted it.
Sorry guys, that jacket is off limits.
And “Papa Choy;” I promise I’ll bring your little girl back home within a year.
(I have lots of pics of the trip. You’ll see ‘em soon)

I KNEW THE QUESTION WAS COMING.
JOY’S OLDER SISTERS WERE SITTING ACROSS THE TABLE FROM ME. TERRY AND SUSAN ARE WONDERFUL WOMEN, AND THEY CARE DEEPLY ABOUT THEIR SISTER.
AND THEIR SISTER IS LIVING WITH ME. ‘DO YOU HAVE PLANS TO MARRY?” JOYS’ YOUNGER SISTER YOLLY WAS LOOKING AT ME WITH A ”OH POOR LARRY” LOOK. LOL
‘NO, WE ARE NOT PLANNING TO GET MARRIED,’ I REPLIED. I TOLD THEM THAT JOY IS RECENTLY DIVORCED AND WE HAVE NO PLANS TO MARRY. I TOLD THEM AT THE MOMENT, I JUST WANT TO MAKE JOY HAPPY. THEY SEEMED HAPPY WITH THAT ANSWER. I TRIED TO EXPLAIN HOW WELL THINGS WERE GOING. YES, THERE ARE OCCASIONAL PROBLEMS, BUT I THINK THE WORLD OF JOY.
THERE WAS A MOMENTARY PAUSE, AND THEN SUSAN SPOKE: ” WE ARE A STRICT CATHOLIC FAMILY, AND WHAT DO I SAY TO MY DAUGHTERS ABOUT YOU SLEEPING WITH JOY WHEN YOU ARE NOT MARRIED?” HMMMM. THE QUESTIONS ARE NOT GETTING ANY EASIER. ‘WE ARE TWO COMPLETELY DIFFERENT CULTURES,” I OFFERED. “COUPLES LIVING TOGETHER IN THE U.S. IS A VERY COMMON OCCURRENCE.”
THE CONVERSATION CONTINUED FOR ABOUT A HALF HOUR. TWO WOMEN WHO LOVED THEIR YOUNGER SISTER MAKING SURE MY ATTENTIONS AS JOY’S “SUITOR” WERE HONORABLE. AND I THINK THEIR OPINIONS WERE GOING TO BE RELAYED TO MOM AND DAD.
THE CONVERSATION ENDED WITH HUGS. I NOTICED JOY WAS WATCHING. AS I WALKED TO HER TABLE, SHE GAVE ME A ‘THUMBS UP.’
I THINK I PASSED.

IT WAS A TERRIFIC WEEK IN THE PHILIPPINES, INCLUDING 4 DAYS AT BORACAY ISLAND, WITH ITS’ STORIED WHITE POWDER BEACH. (more later)
NOW I’M STANDING WITH ABOUT 50 OTHER PASSENGERS WAITING TO BOARD MY PLANE FOR THE FLIGHT HOME. IT’S SATURDAY NIGHT, ABOUT 8PM. A SECURITY GUARD APPEARS, AND ORDERS US ALL TO PUT OUR CARRY ON BAGS IN A NEAT LINE.
MOMENTS LATER, ANOTHER GUN-TOTING GUARD ARRIVES WITH A LARGE GERMAN SHEPHERD ON A LEASH. THE DOG, WITH TAIL WAGGING EXCITEDLY, PROCEEDS TO SNIFF ALL OF THE CARRY-ON BAGS. NO PROBLEMS. MY CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE WENT UNDETECTED.
NEXT, IT WAS TIME FOR THE BAGS TO GO THROUGH A SCREENING PROCESS. I FIGURED THIS WAS THE END OF IT, RIGHT? WRONG.
AFTER THE BAGS WERE CHECKED, 5 PEOPLE IN LATEX GLOVES GIVE IT THE PERSONAL TOUCH. THEY THEN HAND CHECKED THE CARRY-ONS. I LOST MY COOKIE. WE ALSO WENT THROUGH THE BODY “PAT-DOWN,” SHOE EXAM, ETC. WOW. VERY VERY THOROUGH.
THE ENTIRE TIME, TWO GERMAN SHEPHERDS WERE SNIFFING EVERYTHING IN SIGHT. HMMMM. THE LADY BEHIND ME SAID SHE HEARD SOMETHING HAPPENED WITH AN AIRPLANE IN THE
U.S.
DESPITE THE INCREASED SECURITY, MY PHILIPPINE AIRLINER LEFT RIGHT ON TIME.

With the eating and drinking of the holidays behind us, many people are looking for a fresh start.  In Hollywood, cleanses and detox diets are all the rage. When we look at these beautiful stars, it’s easy to believe they are doing something right.  Fasting, juicing, vinegar, pills and powders all have their following.  While this might sound  like a good idea, does it really work?

Our bodies have their own built-in detox systems – the kidneys, liver, lungs, colon and lymphatic system. These systems are pretty efficient at getting rid of toxins introduced from our environments, as well as those created through normal metabolism. While it sounds magical, there is no scientific evidence to show that special diets, vitamins or herbs, help us eliminate more unwanted toxins.

Not only don’t they work, some detoxing regimens could actually be dangerous. While a one day fast offers no benefit, and is probably harmless, longer fasts could be risky for some. As for the powders and pills, these are considered supplements and are not regulated.  In the past, some supplements have been found to contain prescription drugs, as well as contaminants, like lead.  If this is the case, you could actually be eating toxins as part of your detox.

What’s the best way to detox? Start the year with a healthy diet.  Fruits, vegetables and whole grains contain antioxidants, which neutralize the free radicals, or “toxins”, created by normal metabolism. These same foods contain fiber which most of us need more of.  And eating enough fiber will help move things through your digestive tract, naturally “cleansing” your colon.  Avoid processed foods when possible, include some lean protein and low-fat soy milk or dairy, and you’ll have a balanced diet.  Now that’s a “detox” plan for a healthy 2010!

Kim Kulp, RD

www.healthtastesgreat.com