Eating is an official sport in Oklahoma

By Lissa Wohltmann

It’s become a national pastime to nosh around the clock. No, not rock around the clock, but nosh as in eat your way through the day. Finding the best combination of tasty vittles, good atmosphere and fun staff at restaurants, seems to score points and excites the fans. One thing that misses the mark in a number of eateries is the health factor. There are plenty of places with lovely atmosphere, yummy food, and maybe even fun staffs. However, if I want to eat out with my friends, I have to order some horrible salad made with near-white lettuce, cardboard-tasting tomatoes, and maybe something green that resembles cucumbers shipped from Brazil three months ago.

Brazilian food is good, of course, but I think we grow cucumbers in Oklahoma that would be a little fresher. Be that as it may, there is a great Latin American/Mexican restaurant in Edmond that I tried over the weekend. If you have ventured down Broadway, you would have seen what might be considered a little “hole in the wall” near 7^th Street, called Zarate’s. If you haven’t been there, you must. Yum, yum, yum and since I’m writing about it in this blog, it has healthy menu items. Plus, an added (great) bonus is that everything is made right there so if you want to change something from white rice to red rice, for example, all you have to do is mention it to your very helpful wait staff.

I ordered the vegetarian platter filled with plantain, linguine, two or three yucca fries, an assortment of vegetables, rice and a side of sauce. The party atmosphere was filled with fun music; I really wanted to get up and dance, but my husband would surely slide under the table pretending he doesn’t know me. Now, not everything at Zarate’s was healthy. There’s plenty of dishes with your fat laden cheeses, super fried fajitas, nasty double fried beans, and desserts made with sugar, salt and fat. So, if you want to go out with a group, there’s something for “them” and there’s something for “us” who want to stay healthy and away from the cardiologist. I didn’t taste any of the drinks, but maybe that should be something for you and then you can tell me about it in the space below.

Another bonus: hablamos español. Comer feliz!

You too can be über productive at work

By Lissa Wohltmann

I know I haven't blogged in a while, but I have a real excuse; I got a new job and have been settling in. There are a lot of details to learn and I haven't had the time to discuss efficient nutrition or preventive medicine here. Now that I have some semblance of what I’m doing at the new job, I want to get back to discussing mental health, happiness and a stress-less life. Notice the words “stress free” are missing from that last line? You don’t want stress free because that would mean you are dead. You just want enough stress to keep you alive but not so much as to make you miserably unhappy. One part of life that makes some people hate living (at least for 40 hours a week), is their job. They have a boss that needs some prompting on how to treat others. Plenty of evidence unmistakably shows when employees have a lack of control over their work, or lack the ability to participate in decision making, and/or have no support from management they tend to stay home more—or they wish they could stay at home and are not über productive at work. Whether they are physically ill, mentally exhausted, or just plain tired, they call in sick. I was one of those people who could not call in sick to my last job for a variety of reasons, but I often felt like it. The people were very nice, but management needed training in dealing with subordinates and getting the best from their people. Of course I have lots of stories of those days, and will probably write a book some day, but this blog is about health and maintaining or improving it, not about a wonderful misery.

Having a great job is probably one of the best ways to alleviate stress. You like your work, your colleagues, your boss; these are the things that help with sanity. If you have a less than optimal job, there really are things you can do to help with stress. The best, of course, is to move your body. Don’t worry about form or if you are doing things correctly, just move and have fun. If you like to run and/or walk, you can go to http://www.edmondrunwalk.org/ and check out the schedule for events or daily training “experiences.” Other things you can do are on the motivation page of www.edmondHEALTH.org. And, of course, my favorite page to surf through is http://www.zenhabits.net/. These are the places you can go to counter or neutralize stress. You just don’t want to let your dreadful boss get the better of you. After all, you’ll need that extra pep in your step to get away from him or her and get another job.

Health Care Spending 101

By Lissa Wohltmann

If the success or failure of an entire health care system in the United States hinges on cost alone, then this country’s health care system is a dismal failure. In the 1960s, national health expenditures were nearly $28 billion. In 2007, they grew to $2,241 billion. Since the population grew by only 62 percent during that same time period, this means the increase in per capita dollars has ballooned from $148 to $7,421.¹ With all this money spent on health, one might think that the health indicators such as infant mortality and life expectancy would be impressive, yet on a global scale it is not. Therefore, if success of a health care system is indicative on its degree of value, than this would not be a dismal failure but merely a disappointing unsuccessful venture. Compared to other industrialized nations, the percent of gross domestic product for which health expenditures are responsible, is much higher. In 1960, the percent was only 5.1 while in 2006, the percentage shot up to 15.3. Today, health care is responsible for one-sixth of this country’s economy. There are three major reasons that might account for the rise in health care costs¹: people are investing in more health care resources, higher quality health care services including high technological equipment, and increased use of insurance and higher incomes led to high health care costs in the long run.

“If the supply of health care is fixed, its competitive price rises to such an extent that the consumer is worse off in the presence of insurance than in its absence.” ²  In 1960 only 48 percent of health care costs were paid by third-party payers. Forty-six years later, that percent increased to 85¹. The technological advances in combating diseases have no doubt had an impact in people’s health of this country, yet some wonder if the financial costs are worth it. In addition, people are using more health care services whether they are through tests, consultants, or increased amounts of medications. With all of the increased use of goods and services in the health care sector, coupled with an increased population, the success or failure of the health care system is vital to the success or failure of this country’s whole economy.



Just in case you want the resources

¹ Folland, S., Goodman, A.C., & Stano, M. (2010). The Economics of Health and Health Care (6th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
² Wright, D. J. (2006). Insurance and Monopoly Power in a Mixed Private/Public Hospital System. Economic Record, 82(259), 460-468.

Enjoy eating out again

By Lissa Wohltmann

I’ve been trying to last a week without dining on anything other than what I prepare. And when I say week, I really mean a five-day business week because I know every weekend I go out to breakfast either at Java Dave’s in Edmond, The Full Cup off of Classen Blvd. or some bagel place. It’s just one of those things I do after a run (runwalk) with friends, or a long bike ride. Everything tastes better after I’ve burned off several hundred calories. Plus, I know I’ve earned that naked bagel and coffee, or old-fashioned soy oatmeal – it’s all guilt free. Remember, doesn’t matter if you walk or run a mile, it’s still about 100 calories. Therefore, just one little 5K is a bagel and coffee. A nicer 10K lets me have a bagel, coffee, and a ton of fruit. Anything more…. well, you get the idea.

However, during the weekdays, I only get to run walk maybe 15 to 20 miles and cycle the same. Every Monday, I have delusions of grandeur and think I can make it through Friday by not eating out. By Wednesday, I’m back to saying, “OK, next Monday, I’ll start again.” There are always friends to lunch with, a spouse who likes to eat out, or some other tasty morsel to share with others. Therefore, I’ve decided to drop that crazy idea of only eating my preparations (plus, the fact that I hate to cook and would rather clean your bathroom, all helped me come to this conclusion). Instead I make sure that the restaurant where I spend my dollars offer good, healthy food. Contrary to popular belief, there are many eateries where you can enjoy healthy food in Oklahoma. Simply take a look at their menus to determine what foods they stock, then create your own meals. Think plants. Think fruits, veggies, whole grains, and legumes. Usually the chef will create something just for you. Avoid the cheeses and fried foods as much as possible unless you need to gain weight and you’ve got an extra heart you can spare. You can eat just about anywhere; you simply need to be creative.

Please share your restaurants and food concoctions with us all, below.

Tired of no sleep

By Lissa Wohltmann

Sleep. Just the word makes me want to yawn. How about you? Do you feel like yawning right now? Are you? Yawn, yawn, yawn. Yup, you’re doing it right now if you are in the least bit sleep-deprived. Sleep is what so many people crave today and seldom get the amount they actually need. According to the Centers for disease Control and Prevention, inadequate amounts of sleep are linked to car accidents, industrial accidents, medical errors and other occupational disasters. Yet, if you type for a living (for example) the result of your slumber-less habits won’t be deadly, just embarrassing – but only if you are about typoes.

The lack of sleep for other desk jockeys (such as me) won’t prove lethal if we fall asleep at our desks unless we slam our heads on the computer while we literally “fall” asleep. On the other hand, falling asleep at work might be lethal to your career, especially if the boss just happens to stroll through the cub-barn and hears those melodic sounds of zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. Instead of downing a handful of uppers or drinking cupfuls of caffeine, there are alternate ways to keep you alert when necessary that won’t affect your ability to peacefully snooze when you choose.

• Drink. Not alcohol because that does strange things to your body, mind and sometimes reputation. Instead, drink really ice-cold water. In fact, if you drink eight ounces of ice cold water right after one cup of coffee, the effect will be the same as drinking two cups of coffee. Hey, two for the price of one—can’t beat that.
• Walk. Talk a brisk walk around and if the temperature has dropped, take advantage of this body-wakening weather by walking outside. Moving those legs might get that mind moving which will motivate you to creatively engage with others. That’s academic speak for “have fun.”
• Calisthenics. Remember those old jumping jacks and push-ups Jack LaLanne had our mothers do in the 50s and 60s? Well, they’re baaaaack. These are simple exercises you can do to strengthen your muscles while keeping you alert. And, if nothing else, do them in the cube-barn and people will stay clear of you as they may question your sanity. Whatever works, right?

Getting tired is a part of life – occasionally. However, don’t make it a part of your day-to-day life because going through life tired is just going through the motions. That’s not fun. And remember: he who has the most fun in life, wins.

Regroup. Recharge. Renew.

By Lissa Wohltmann

Regroup. Recharge. Renew. These are words that can help you make it through weeks of never-ending conflicts. Imagine living as if you were continuously running endless numbers of back-to-back marathons. NG—this is Not Good. You will be entering Stress City Central. The only time you’ll really avoid stress is when you leave this planet -- and I’m not talking about becoming an astronaut and zooming off to other planets. Consider the following few ideas that might work in the short run.

• Sweep everything off your desk and start over, but then you may have to get another job which could add to your stress level – no money tends to do that to some people.

• Emit a primal scream in your cubicle or office, but then again the result might be the same (see above).

• Voodoo. This helps only if you know the magic words and the magic placement of those pugnacious voodoo pins. Chanting helps, yet if you don’t chant the right verse, you may just put a spell on your office plant.

• Fantasize about another job, another life, or whatever puts a smile on your face. We won’t go into that – this is a family blog, after all.

If none of the aforementioned appeals to you, then perhaps a proven tactic for long-term effectiveness will work. Rituals and routines. Studies are clear that those who work out in the morning, for example, are much more apt to maintain their regiment. These people have created a routine. It’s like brushing your teeth. That ritual is performed every day without thought.

If you establish a run/walk ritual you won’t need to think about it. You’ll just get up in the morning, don your workout clothes and start moving. Before you actually wake up, you’re half-way through your routine. By that time, you may as well finish it because if you run/walk outside, you’re a couple of miles away and you’ve got to get home.

The question of the day is: what are you going to do tomorrow morning at 4:30? Hint, the answer is NOT sleep. You can always respond below by posting a comment either with your real name or anonymously. Would love to hear from you.

Hate to Cook

By Lissa Wohltmann


This blog will be short and sweet because it's geared toward those who are not chefs, hate to cook and/or just have no time to cook. Yet you still require fuel for running, walking or whatever it is you do. If this is you, then you need to visit Karl's Kafe. Karl's a guy who runs and walks, is in good shape but would rather clean your bathroom than cook. It's not that he doesn't know how, it's just that he hates it as much as doing his taxes. Yea, he does those once a year because he is forced but no one forces Karl to Kook. Therefore, he's come up with some delightful ideas. Check it out here. Then click on Karl's Kafe. You might get some ideas of your own.