Since the industrialization of agriculture the level of omega-3 fatty acids in our food has steadily declined. This can be directly correlated to the increase of almost every disease that is now plaguing our society. Interestingly, as mentioned by Charles Poliquin, fish oil has been linked to the improvement of every disease that people suffer from. The compound in fish oil that is so beneficial is omega-3’s.

In the coming years there will most likely be a shift in medicine to the use of natural foods to help cure disease. At the forefront of this trend will be fish oil and omega-3’s. Omega-3 fatty acids have strong anti-inflammatory properties while omega-6 fatty acids have pro-inflammatory properties. Since the industrialization of agriculture Americans have been consuming much a higher ratio of omega-6’s to omega-3’s, in some cases upwards of a 20-1 ratio. The ideal ratio is a 1-1 ratio of omega-3’s to omega-6’s. By incorporating some basic ingredients into your daily recipes you can greatly increase your intake of omega-3’s and at the same time improve your health. [more…]

I just added a new feature to the forum called “Training Journals.” This section is intended for people to share their training programs with others for the purpose of gaining recognition and seeking recommendations. I will personally be documenting my own training. I will be tracking what I do on a daily basis to stay in the best shape possible.

This section is not intended to be a place where you can find new training programs. Program design is extremely important and it needs to fit the individual. Adopting others programs can lead to serious issues.

The training journals is another attempt to help as many people get in shape and change their lives as possible.

When it comes to achieving any fitness based goal, whether weight loss, weight gain, or improved physical performance nutrition plays an extremely big role. In my opinion it is actually more important than the exercise itself. That is the reason I devote so much time and effort to help modify people’s nutritional habits. You could go to the gym everyday of the week for two hours and still see marginal results of you aren’t eating properly.

The number one issue with American’s is the quality of the food we eat. Fast-food and ready-made meals seem to be the norm in most people’s homes. We live in a world of convenience. If it takes too much thought people will rarely do it. This is definitely the case with trying to purchase healthy food from the grocery store. People can have great intentions but quickly become overwhelmed by all of the choices. I have devoted a few other articles to successfully navigating the grocery store, but this time I am going to lead you through the grocery store and actually help you pick out everything you need. [more…]

Life can seem utterly random and extremely confusing. At times you may ask yourself, how did I end up where I am today? People have spent thousands of years trying to figure out why we are here and how the universe works. If people were able to answer these questions anything would be possible. Well the good news is you might have your answer.

I do not have a broad base of information on this topic so I didn’t feel capable of providing as detailed an article as the topic warrants. Luckily my father has spent a great deal of his life pursuing answers to the questions that we are all asking. I want to introduce the world to my father and thank him for providing his insight on such an important and life changing topic.

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Words can’t describe the pride I feel watching my son in his endeavors, and the pleasure it gives me to be able to contribute. I would like to say that I came to this understanding as the result of some noble quest for truth. The reality is that I just wanted to figure out what the @#*$ I was doing wrong! Embrace adversity, it truly is our greatest teacher. And with that….

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The idea of sushi usually brings about two different reactions, absolute disgust or heavenly bliss. For many, the thought of consuming raw fish is a form of torture. I personally could only eat sushi for the rest of my life and be very happy. Once you move beyond the idea of consuming raw fish the subtle flavors become extremely enjoyable.

There are mainly two different forms of sushi, nigiri and maki. Nigiri sushi is the kind where a piece of raw fish sits on top of a little rice while maki sushi are the rolls. Most Americans seem to enjoy the rolls much more than nigiri sushi. Beyond the two main forms of sushi there are hundreds of different kinds, whether you try the common California roll or you try something a little more exotic like Hotatagai (scallops). Being adventurous can lead to a whole new world of enjoyable foods. [more…]

Watching a man walk around the gym working out can be very entertaining. Skip your favorite television show one night and go to the gym and notice what the men in the gym do to get in shape. The one difference between men and women is that most women will admit they don’t have a clue what they are doing and will be open to suggestions and advice. Men on the other hand will act like they are professional bodybuilders or powerlifters when you try to offer some help. But I guarantee they will be watching the exercises you do to get some new ideas.

Even though men are supposedly so knowledgeable about lifting weights it’s interesting to monitor the progress they make in the gym. Do a little experiment. Go to the gym and find one guy to keep track of. Go back three months later and I would be willing to bet he will look the same, no more muscle and no less body fat, and will be lifting the same weights, not any heavier. Why is it that three months later nothing has changed? Is it that this particular person doesn’t have the right genes, or is there something else going on? [more…]

There are a few occasions throughout the year where it is necessary to go out of your way to make a nice meal. Birthdays, anniversaries, and Valentine’s Day require a little extra thought and effort in preparing a meal for that special someone in your life. Sure you can go out to eat, but making a meal yourself, or even together, is much more personal and memorable.

A lot of people become intimidated with the idea of making a meal, let alone a nice meal. There is very little difference between cooking a chicken breast on the George Forman and cooking a good steak, just a few more steps and some confidence. If you are able to read, use measuring cups, and follow directions anyone can create a memorable meal. Remember, you can accomplish anything you set your mind to. [more…]

Everyday thousands of people head to the gym with the goal of getting in shape, whether it’s losing weight, gaining weight, or just improving their fitness level. Unfortunately few people every truly achieve their desired goal. Some people may claim to achieve their goals, but a lot of times that is because they lowered their expectations.

Why is it that so few people reach their ultimate goal? Could it be possible that not everyone is meant to look and feel the way they want? I believe that anyone can achieve anything and everything they want in their life. It just comes down to two things, effort and perseverance. Very little in life is easy. If it was easy it wouldn’t be nearly as rewarding when you achieve your goals. People need to evaluate what they are currently doing and decide whether or not the level of effort matches their expectations and goals. [more…]

There are a lot of people in the world who don’t like seafood. As a kid, the only seafood I would eat was deep-fried and dipped in ketchup. Not exactly the healthiest meal in the world. Today, I have learned to appreciate the taste of well prepared seafood. That is the key with any food, but I think it is even more important when cooking fish. There is nothing worse than overcooked, dry fish. With the right eye for cooking and the right ingredients I truly believe anyone can enjoy fish.

There are two kinds of tuna in the world, in a can or a steak. Actually there are lots of different kinds of tuna it was just my attempt at humor. It seems that a lot more people like canned tuna than they do fresh tuna steaks. This is a shame. There is so much flavor gained from buying and cooking a fresh tuna steak. I love the sight of a deep red piece of tuna. I suggest giving the Starkist a rest for a little while and giving the other kind a try. [more…]

I was fortunate enough to be invited to a small seminar hosted by the Poliquin Performance Center in conjunction with SportFuel. The Poliquin Performance Center gets its name from Charles Poliquin who is probably the most famous strength and conditioning coach in the world. SportFuel is run by a registered dietician named Julie Burns. To be in the company of Charles Poliquin was truly amazing and then to have Julie Burns and Dr. Bruce Fong, a homeopathic physician, in attendance made the experience that much better.

The night centered on a question and answer period focusing on how nutrition can affect both fitness performance and general health and well-being. There was so much information that was provided that I want to share some of the insights. [more…]