They say variety is the "spice of life."

But it seems that when it comes to food, "boring" is the way to go. I've just come across a 2011 study published in The Journal of Clinical Nutrition that suggests being boring with your food choices can help you lose the pounds. For this study, researchers set out to investigate long-term food habituation in obese and non-obese people. So we're on the same page, let me give you a brief explanation of what habituation is. Simply put, it's when a repeated action no longer produces the same result. A quick example... do you drink coffee?

Put together three different 30 minute resistance training workouts, where you train the entire  body, using stability balls, bands, tubing, free weights, machines and of course your own body weight. Do one workout on Monday, the second workout on Wednesday and the third on Friday. This is called Progression. Basically, never repeat the same workout two times in a row. Change it up as much as possible. You can work the same muscle groups, just with different exercises.

This is why you will have three separate workouts. If you do the same workout over and over again, you will soon plateau! No one wants to plateau! To keep getting the results you want switch things up as much as possible. If you want to completely change every workout, feel free. The more change, the better.

The NBC National News, quoted the Washington Post in March 2000 about the concerns that the FDA had over the mixing of supplements and conventional medications. There was concerns that millions of people are taking supplements (considered herbs, homeopathic, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, enzymes and some diet products) and having reactions when they mix these things with common and prescribed medications.

I have studied this phenomenon for over 20 years and do know for a fact that with conventional medications, these reactions are quite common. The AMA is calling for the FDA to reverse their ruling on supplements implemented in 1997. Is this really the best approach?

Many Universities across the nation have closed their Ethno -botany and Botany labs, disallowing many with the gift in this field to aid in the search for new cures, and to determine which plants will have adverse reactions when combined with other chemicals A good example is the treatment of Gout.

In the brain, a typical protein can live for approximately ten days. The thoughts, feelings and memories of a human being are made up of what was in the stomach only a few days before. As you can see, in choosing one's diet, you actually can determine who and what you are going to become.

About 2500 years ago, Hippocrates said, "Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food." Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals are designer foods and supplements that are combined with nutritional value that are disease-preventative and have medicinal benefits. These are usually natural products which may reduce or prevent chronic and acute disease or promote good health.

'Poor Chef' to demonstrate healthy, inexpensive meals at Southern Women's Show in Savannah

By Linda Sickler
Posted: February 17, 2012

Eating smart

Inquiring minds want to know: How can you cook a family meal for just $7?

“Start off by going to your local produce market, where you can get some good herbs and vegetables,” says Charles Mattocks, better known as the Poor Chef. “Then swing by the local butcher and ask him to cut a piece of meat. You’ve got all the ingredients for a healthy and fresh meal, all under $7.”

Mattocks will be in Savannah to speak and do cooking demonstrations at the Southern Women’s Show, which runs Feb. 17-19 at the Savannah International Trade & Convention Center.

“I’m going to be doing some healthy cooking and going back to my roots and heritage,” Mattocks says. “I’ll cook my famous curry chicken with brown rice.”

The author of “Eat Cheap but Eat Well” is famous for recipes that are healthy, cost-effective and delicious. Mattocks also is the founder and director of The Diabetic You, a foundation aimed at promoting health and wellness among diabetics and people at risk for diabetes.

Yes, Mattocks says, it is possible to find the ingredients for a healthy $7 family meal at a grocery store.

“Say there’s a piece of pork or pork chops or even steak, you can ask the butcher to cut it in half,” he says. “You don’t have to just buy what’s on the shelf.

Question:

Response:

• Monitoring your blood glucose level before meals. (2am, 6am, 12noon, 4pm, 8pm)
• Readings can trigger strong emotions but do not get discouraged, flexibility is needed to accommodate care.
• Have a healthy breakfast within your range of accommodation for food exchanges. This depends on your reading. Blueberries are a good source of anti-oxidant and are good for the brain. You may want to incorporate this in your meal plan.
• If you are on medication, take meds ½ hr before meals - This will help to control the amt. of glucose in the blood. DO NOT increase tablet (dosing) without consulting your physician.
• Exercise daily for 30 min.
• Take frequent breaks when you study. Stand and take a deep breath, then let it out slowly.
• Deep inhalation increases the flow of oxygen to the brain and glucose which facilitates learning.Get a Foot Detox – It stimulates your blood cells and enhances memory. It is very beneficial.

As soon as you’re diagnosed with diabetes, you’ll meet with a dietician or diabetes educator to discuss your diet. A certified diabetes educator (CDE) is usually a registered nurse with special training who is certified by the National Board of Diabetes Educators. A dietician, physician, or pharmacist also can be a CDE. Your CDE will help you understand diabetes and teach you how to balance your insulin or pills with food, blood tests, and exercise. A registered dietician (RD) is trained in the field of nutrition (an LD credential means the person is licensed). Many registered dieticians are also CDEs. You’ll meet with your dietician once or twice to work out a special meal plan tailored to your situation, taking into account how much you still need to grow, what your lifestyle is like, and what foods you like best, while keeping your blood sugar levels within your target range. Portion size, the right amount of calories for your age, and healthy food choices are also important.

Why exercise?

• Exercise burns calories, which will help you lose weight or maintain a healthy weight.
• Regular exercise can help your body respond to insulin and is known to be effective in managing blood glucose. Exercise can lower blood glucose and possibly reduce the amount of medication you need to treat diabetes, or even eliminate the need for medication.
• Exercise can improve your circulation, especially in your arms and legs, where people with diabetes can have problems.
• Exercise can help reduce your cholesterol and high blood pressure. High cholesterol and high blood pressure can lead to a heart attack or stroke.
• Exercise helps reduce stress, which can raise your glucose level.
• It can lower your risk for heart disease, reduce your cholesterol levels and your blood pressure.
• In some people, exercise combined with a meal plan, can control Type 2 Diabetes without the need for medications.

People’s Grocery Hosts Celebrity Chef Charles Mattocks aka The Poor Chef,

Announces New Program and National Campaign

WEST OAKLAND, CA (April 17, 2012) – People’s Grocery, a nonprofit organization at the intersection of health and economic development in West Oakland, is hosting a cooking demonstration & tasting event with Celebrity Chef Charles Mattocks, aka “The Poor Chef” on Monday, April 23, 2012 from 9:30am to 11:30am at Bay Fellowship Community located at 1015 Campbell Street, Oakland, CA, 94607.  To RSVP for the event, please contact Razonia McClellan at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or by calling 432.352.7477.

The VIP/Media* event will begin with People’s Grocery Executive Director Nikki Henderson making some exciting announcements outlining: a new regional program featuring Oakland’s very own Minh Tsai, Owner of Hodo Soy Beanery, as well a national campaign set to kick off during the event. Next, Chef Charles Mattocks will conduct a cooking demonstration alongside People’s Grocery Growing Justice Institute (GJI) graduate Shalina Allen.

After the demo, People’s Grocery Program Director Jumoke Hinton-Hodge will introduce the current GJI graduates. Each graduate will then have the opportunity to express how the program has positively affected their lives.  To end the event, guests will taste the meal prepared by Charles Mattocks and Shalina Allen.

*In addition to inviting Media and VIPs (such as Dr. Will Courtenay and a former major league baseball player), People’s Grocery invited children from the local school system to enjoy the demo and tasting.

When Charles Mattocks, aka "The Poor Chef," discovered that he was a diabetic, more than his eating habits changed. Mattocks was inspired to extend his brand with a new website, TheDiabeticYou.com dedicated to diabetes awareness and a sugar-free, gluten-free and low in net carbs candy bar, Charles Bar. Now he is using his national platform with appearances on "The Dr. Oz show" to educate the public about diabetes with a forthcoming diabetes testing mall tour across the United States. Rolling out spoke with Mattocks about his brand's transformation.

An interview with Charles Mattocks by Jaclyn Holtzman of The Los Angeles Post

Step away from the cookies and cake; I repeat, step away from the cookies and cake. Just because 'tis the season to be jolly, does not mean 'tis the season to get diabetes. Seem extreme? Not so. It is easy to splurge gastronomically during the winter months because, other than our jeans fitting a bit snug for a few days, there are no repercussions. Right? "Wrong," says celebrity chef Charles Mattocks. In a recent conversation, he reminded me that, "diabetes isn't something you can feel. So, I can eat a chocolate cake tonight and never feel an effect, but over time I can have heart disease...I could lose a toe, a foot a leg."