Blog Posts by Brett Blumenthal - Sheer Balance

If you remember the 1980s Wendy's commercial where three little elderly women ask "Where's the beef?" when referring to their lackluster hamburgers, then you may come to realize that the real question should be "Where does your beef come from?" after reading Michael Pollan's The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals. The book has been out for over three years. I admit: It took me a bit longer than most to read it. But after releasing "GET REAL" and STOP Dieting!, many individuals commented that my book is aligned quite closely with Michael Pollan's In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto. So, I decided to read The Omnivore's Dilemma (it came before In Defense of Food) and will be embarking on In Defense of Food next.

Let me preface this review with the fact that I am wholeheartedly a meat lover. I am never going to be a vegetarian, a vegan or any other type of food eater that abstains from it. Yet, at the same time, I've always pretended to not know where my meat

When it comes to shopping for healthy and organic foods, I've heard many people complain about the price, stating that it is much more expensive than unhealthy food. Whole Foods may not be cheap, but there are many other stores that provide healthy options that won't break the bank. My recent favorite: Costco.

Many argue that being a member isn't worth it because they'd never go through the amount of food you have to buy, but Costco's offerings are making it more and more worth the price of admission. Having been a member over the last few years, I continue to stumble upon healthy items that make me more and more appreciative of the $50 fee.

At Costco, organic and healthy foods can be 30 - 50% cheaper than in regular supermarkets. And, in my household of only two, we EASILY go through the perishable items within two or three weeks and those that have long shelf lives within a reasonable amount of time, as well. Since each region's local supermarkets' prices vary, I've listed our

We all know that certain oils are healthier than others, but your oil health goes beyond just the type. The health of your oil can be related to how you use it too.

Each type of oil has what is called a "smoke point." The smoke point is the specific temperature at which the oil starts to break down…or in more technical terms, its molecular structure begins to change. These molecular changes result in changes in flavor, as well as changes in nutritional value…specifically, the nutritional value of the oil starts to degrade; changing what once may have been considered an especially healthy oil (such as Olive or Flaxseed which is rich in Omega-3s), into one that is unhealthy.

The higher an oil's smoke point, the higher the temperature the oil can withstand. As a result, each type of oil should be used for the cooking method that is most appropriate to its individual smoke point and heat tolerance. Here is a quick guide for the next time you reach for your favorite oil.

Heart Disease is the Number 1 killer of women in America and to drive further awareness and donations, the American Heart Association is sponsoring National Wear Red Day on Friday, February 5th. Get on board and help support this initiative…it's easy!

1. Show YOUR Support: Wearing red will tell the world that you are supporting the American Heart Association's goal to build awareness and urge women to take action to reduce their risk of heart disease.
2. Drive Awareness: Spread the word and tell friends and family about the big day. If you can't get others on board by this Friday, pick any day in February that you want to show your support collectively and wear red that day!
3. Save a Life: The Wear Red campaign has helped to raise millions of dollars over the last six years. Those funds help women learn to live longer and stronger lives. Each person who wears red is asked to donate $5 or more to support research and educational programs. If your company doesn't

If you are a woman in her 20s or 30s, you may not have been all that concerned with the health of your heart. Statistics show that there is a serious lack of understanding among women about the dangers of heart disease and stroke. As we enter American Heart Month this February, however, there may be reason to start paying attention. Here's why:

1. Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) is the #1 Killer Among Women: According to the results of a 2003 study, only 13 percent of women in America believe that heart disease and stroke are the greatest health threat to women. The reality is, however, that CVD is THE largest cause of female deaths in America. Specifically, in 2005, CVD claimed the lives of 454,613 females, while cancer of all forms claimed the lives of 268,890 women. Further, American women are 4 to 6 times more likely to die of heart disease than of breast cancer.

2. CVD Can Affect Women of Every Age: Heart disease develops over time and can start as early as the teenage years.

I've written numerous articles and posts on difficult people, personalities and relationships: Everything from Manipulative Marys to Bullies in the workplace to people who break boundaries to toxic personalities. Let's face it: In life, we come across all kinds! As humans, we often focus on those who are negative or toxic leaving it difficult to appreciate those who are positive and healthy. Seeking out individuals with healthy, positive traits, however, may do a lot of good. The more we can surround ourselves with those who are positive and healthy, the more we may model those positive behaviors.

If you really think about it, once in awhile you come across a person who knocks you off your socks…legitimately. Maybe they have a fantastic outlook on life, even during difficult times. Maybe they are really humble, although they are extremely gifted. Maybe they make you feel special. All of these are good.

Below, I've listed some of the traits I admire most in people. Although I

If you are anything like me, you may end up falling into a routine when you go to the gym. Recently, my routine has been a bit…boring. One of the best things you can do if boredom sets in is to shake things up a bit. Boredom is by far, one of the least motivating feelings!

Today, they are offering really fun and interesting classes that go way beyond the days of Jane Fonda. Trying new classes will keep you challenged and motivated. As with any group fitness class, you want to make sure that you are getting a good workout, having fun and that the instructor is good at what they do. Also, make sure to round-out your exercises so that you incorporate all exercise types.

One of my biggest sayings is "Small changes for big impact." When it comes to creating change in our lives it can be really challenging: The older we get, the more difficult habits are to break...the more we have done something one way, the more difficult it is to do it another way...and, the longer we have a perspective, the harder it is to change the way we see things. This is human nature.

So, why do we assume that change should be easy and that it can be accomplished within a short period of time? Well, that is human nature too. Many of us suffer from a need for instant gratification and when something takes too long, we give up or move on.

Unfortunately, when it comes to making change, however, instant gratification isn't very realistic. The secret to making big change that lasts is to realize that change takes time and that it requires many small steps. Here's why:

1. Big Goal (a.k.a. Many Small Goals): In reality, there is no big change that doesn't require many