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Can it be Labor Day already?  Wow this summer went by fast.  This week, Chez Mike is offering us a great halibut dinner that is sure to make the summer last a little longer.

 

Olive Oil Poached Halibut with Summer Vegetable Salad & Tomato Marmalade

Pacific Coast Halibut Filet          4, 6oz portions

Extra Virgin Olive Oil                3 Cups

Whole Garlic Cloves                  5

Thyme & Rosemary Sprigs        2 Each

Eggplant, Zucchini, Yellow Squash,

Red Bell Pepper, all diced         1Each

Roma Tomatoes                        5

Red Wine Vinegar                     1 Tablespoon

Sugar                                        ¼ Cup

Juice of 2 lemons

Extra Virgin Olive Oil                ¼ Cup

Fresh Basil                                ½ Bunch

 

1) Tomato Marmalade – Deseed and dice tomatoes.  Place in small sauce pot with sugar and red wine vinegar.  Cook on low heat until mixture gets thick (about 1 hour), Let cool.  Reserve.

                       

2) Sautee vegetables on medium high heat until slightly soft.  Transfer to bowl, let cool.  Toss with basil, lemon juice, salt and pepper.

3) Heat olive oil, thyme, and rosemary on low heat to 180 degrees.  Season with salt and pepper.  Submerge fish in oil (use more if necessary).  Cook on very low heat for 8-10 minutes.  Serve on vegetable salad with tomato marmalade.

It's My Y! May 18, 2010 from Capital District YMCA on Vimeo.

During the summer of 2008, I was getting ready for High School and wanted to start losing weight.  Also, at a physical during my 8^th grade year, my pediatrician said that I needed to lose weight or I would get Type 2 Adult Onset diabetes, at that time I weighed in at 268.

I talked with my Mom about wanting to lose weight and she arranged for us to join the YMCA as a family.  At first I went to do weight training, because I wanted to build up my chest muscles but that didn’t make much of a difference in how I looked or did not help me lose weight.  In September 2008, I was frustrated that I did not lose much weight and my mother suggested that we go talk to the YMCA’s nutritionist Kendra Evans and that’s when my weight loss really began.

At the first meeting I weighed in at  260 pounds.  Kendra explained that if I wanted to lose weight I would need to eat 250 calories less a day and burn at least 250 calories.  She gave me healthy lifestyle tips sheet, food tips and a list of healthy foods to choose from.  We agreed to start seeing Kendra once a week to check in on my progress.

So, I looked at the food sheets and tried to figure out meals that I would like eating.  I got into a routine of having cereal in the morning and would pack my lunch for school which usually consisted of a peanut butter sandwich on wheat bread, an apple and 100-calorie pudding or pretzels.  At dinner, I tried to cut down on seconds, which was hard because my Dad is a really good cook.  Mostly I tried to cut down on the starches (rice and pasta).  I also stopped drinking 2% milk and replaced it with skim milk.

For exercise, I would use my mom’s elliptical machine in the basement and would try to burn at least 250-500 calories a day.  Now, I’ve worked my way up to burning 1,500 calories a day or working out for about an hour a day. 

When a year had passed around the summer of 2009 I had lost 85 pounds, and I’ve kept it off.  I want to lose more weight and go lower.  Now I’m in the 180s, but I’m starting to lose again. And I am not over exaggerating when I say that most of this is because of Kendra, a large part of it was her pushing me and me being determined to do it.

-Matt Gariepy

We'd like to thank Matt for sharing his Y story with all of us.  Everyday, someone starts their journey to a healthy lifestyle at the Capital District YMCA.  If you would like to share how the YMCA has affected your life, email Rob Totaro at rtotaro@cdymca.org.

Have you noticed the Chain Restaurants and Food Manufacturers are feeling the nutrition pinch.  Taco Bell’s Weight loss Campaign features 7 “Fresco” menu items with less than 9 grams of fat.  Applebee’s launched a new category of menu items, all less than 550 calories and this is in addition to their Weight Watchers menu.  Starbucks had expanded its food line with the addition of a variety of Panini sandwiches of 400 calories or less and will begin promoting all of its beverages under 90 calories.  Dunkin Donuts has introduced a “DDSmart” menu that features “better-for-you choices that keep you running” and include hot and cold beverage options, muffins and breakfast sandwiches.  KFC offers 395 calories for $3.95 for 2 pieces of grilled chicken, mashed potatoes with gravy and green beans.  General Mills says it will cut the sugar in 10 of its cereal marketed to children to single digit grams of sugar per serving in response to consumer desire for less sugar. 

All of this added information seems to help us exercise restraint and curbs appetites, but is it changing the way you eat at home?  At the Capital District YMCA we have dozens of nutrition programs designed to help you eat better and live a healthier life.  You can check out these programs at www.cdymca.org.

Are you looking for some fun activities with the kids this week.  Try our Easter Activity Book.  We even colored one in for our Facebook Page.

On Tuesday, March 9^th at the Albany Marriot, the Capital District YMCA celebrated the end of the 2010 Reach Out for Youth Scholarship Campaign. Volunteers, staff and community leaders were on hand when campaign chairwoman, Lynn Siebert, announced that the Reach Out for Youth Campaign not only reached its $1,450,000 goal, but exceeded it, raising $1,466,857 that will go directly to helping families and children in the Capital District.

“We appreciate that the economy continues to be a challenge for people,” said Colleen Keating, the Capital District YMCAs Director of Annual Giving and Special Events, “but the response we’ve received from individuals, businesses and the entire community is overwhelming. In tough times like these, the services we’re able to offer because of these donations will help the YMCA continue to build strong kids, families and communities.”

The Reach Out for Youth Scholarship Program is the Capital District YMCA’s annual giving campaign which raises funds to help the YMCA serve more than 30,000 families who need financial support in order to take part in the programs and services delivered by the Capital District YMCA.

The Capital District YMCA is a not-for-profit organization serving more than 118,000 members in eleven branches. Through a variety of programs and services focused on the holistic development of children and youth, family strengthening, and health and well-being for all, YMCAs unite men, women and children of all ages, faiths, backgrounds, abilities and income levels. From urban areas to small towns, our YMCAs have proudly served the Capital District’s communities for more than 150 years by building healthy spirit, mind and body for all. Visit http://www.cdymca.org to learn more about the Capital District YMCA.

The Capital District YMCA, in celebration of Healthy Heart Month, is giving families, children and seniors an opportunity to give a gift from the heart. On February 14, Valentine’s Day, all twelve Capital District YMCA locations will be waiving the joiner’s fee, a value of up to $100. “Is there a better time than Valentine’s Day to remember the importance of having a healthy heart,” asked David Brown, President and CEO of the Capital District YMCA.

A recent New York State Comptroller’s report indicated that obesity-related illnesses and complications cost the state $7.6 Billion each year in health care costs. And it’s estimated that more than 50% of U.S. adults don’t get enough exercise to positively impact their health. “At the YMCA, we’re focused on programs that get people moving,” said Brown. “A culture of inactivity has been created in this country. We need to get our children up and moving, and by doing so help form habits that provide the foundation for a healthy life.”

All Capital District YMCA branches will be open their normal Sunday hours for this special promotion. To find the branch closest to you, or for more information visit www.CDYMCA.org or call 518.869.3500.

As 2009 comes to end, many of us take the time to look back and reflect on the year that has been.  With New Years Day drawing closer by the minute we think it's time to kick off the new year with some resolutions.  What are you looking to do in 2010?  Lose weight, Spend more time with your family, eat better, Relax?  Whatever your goals, the Capital District YMCA can help.  Stop in today to find out how and remember on January 1st we are waiving the joiner fee at all of our branches.

So Tell us... What is your 2010 New Years Resolution?

Have fun. Enjoy traditional holiday meals and party foods with family and friends while maintaining a healthy lifestyle, too.

 

A very special thank you to Linda Crowley, Dietitian/Nutritionist, & Allison Eisele, Wellness Coordinator, of the Guilderland YMCA for supply us with these great holiday tips during the 12 Days of Wellness.

Plan on NOT dieting after the New Year. Anticipation of food restriction sets you up for binge-type eating over the holidays (“after all, if I’m never going let myself eat this again after Jan. 1st, I might as well eat as much as possible now!”) Besides, restrictive diets don’t work in the long run. They increase your loss of lean body mass vs. fat, slow down your metabolism, increase anxiety, depression, food preoccupation, and binge eating, and make weight re-gain more likely.