The Truth About Supplements

Every day we hear something new in the media about different supplements. This one can stop Alzheimer’s and this one can prevent you from getting fat! It’s hard to know what to trust or what to believe in. You become hesitant with everything OR you simply start trying everything. Recently, my coworker showed me this incredible infographic on supplements and correlating studies. I got really excited about it because I am a firm discourager of fads. Most often, many supplements (I’m talking health supplements so things like coconut oil and garlic extract are included here), are popular fads without real grounding. Take a look at the Interactive: Snake Oil Supplements (no it’s not about snake oil, it’s just the title).

Screenshot

So how does this infographic work? It’s hard to understand at first. If you’re starting from the top, you’re looking at supplements with the most studies behind them which make them “Strong.” And if you scroll to the bottom, you’ll find “Slight” or “None” meaning there are very few studies behind it. This provides a wonderful foundation for the infographic–it’s all based on research. In addition, to keep this infographic fresh, the bubbles are all tied to a google doc. So when more studies come in, the infographic gets immediately adjusted. Pretty freaking cool, I think!

There’s also the size of the bubble which–at first–could be misinterpreted. We usually think big is better, but not necessarily. You’ll notice garlic high at the top in the “Strong” field yet its bubble is smaller than, say, copper, which is at the lower end of the spectrum. The bubble simply represents the popularity of the supplement. So even though egg shell membrane is a tiny bubble, it is backed by many strong studies.

I love infographics. I love health and fitness. And I love when they come together to provide free information to the masses. What do you think of this infographic? Are you going to start taking garlic extract now? Don’t forget your probiotics or B3! It’s always fun to learn more about supplements and I believe this infographic is a great way of doing so. Tell us your thoughts in the comment section below! And as always, stay hungry and fit!

BONUS ANIMAL PIC

Nymeria keeping an eye on Noke

Dec162014

Cafe Ugo Review

The sun is down and it’s a cool night in early December. The allure of downtown Culver City draws us in and after parking, we walk Main Street. It’s a hip area for that demographic that loves small plates and craft beers but we LOVE food and we want a meal. After checking out a few menus and feeling the auras emanating from each location, we are seated at Cafe Ugo.

Service:
It was impeccable. 4/5. We wanted to sit outside and they brought us our own heating tower. It wouldn’t work so they got someone to fix it on the spot. We were slow to decide and our waiter put down the load he was busing in order to take our order when we looked ready. We didn’t even call him over. He had recommendations (and they weren’t based on price), he had patience, he had class, and he had a personality. My water was almost always filled, and if it wasn’t for a lapse near the end of the meal I would have given a perfect 5. When our heater went out, they immediately swapped out the propane tank for a new one. Just excellent.

Atmosphere:
A large restaurant with indoor and outdoor options, busy bar fronts and quiet back rooms. 3/5. The tables were just not a comfortable size. It was awkward but everything was clean and orderly. I didn’t love the makeshift walls for the patio but recognize their convenience for weather changes. While I had no major issues, there was nothing to set this place apart from a normal restaurant, dare I say, even a Cheesecake Factory.

Food:
There are always faults when you aren’t at a Michelin restaurant but they aren’t significant here. 3/5. The ravioli needed more sauce. They were dry and the spinach filling did not compensate for the somewhat dry pasta. Still, they had flavor. The pizza was a true delight to eat. It hit every flavor profile. Salty cheeses with acidic tones from balsamic that were tied together nicely on a well made crust. The structural integrity was questionable, but this is pizza from Naples and not New York so that can’t be taken into consideration. The fried calamari was well cooked but the sauces were a necessity because the breading was not seasoned.

Pricing:
Let’s just say they could have easily charged us more and while the portions were not massive, the food quality made it a good value. 4/5. It’s downtown Culver City, it’s a prime location, and it’s a specialty. Authentic Naples style pizza is not a common dish around here, especially with an 1000 degree oven and serving it uncut. We were more than happy to pay the price on the bill and tip accordingly.

We were glad that we stopped by Cafe Ugo that night. It was enjoyable, we were relaxed, well fed, and left happy. We recommend it to groups of 2, 4, or 6 that are passing by or in the area. It might even be worth a little drive in non-peak hours. We’ll be back if we’re in the area and we’ll bring some family next time. And as always, stay hungry and fit!

Dec112014

Who is Team Botan? Cafe Go-Go App Review

The last thing the world needs is one more app like every other. How many times have you heard yourself saying “if I get one more Candy Crush invite I swear I’m going to…” Nevertheless, we can’t help but check the app store, see what’s new, what’s cool, and what’s fun. Today, there is a new kid on the block that is looking to make its own unique impact on the market. It’s bringing back the enjoyment factor, but instead of telling you about it from our point of view… here’s one of the founding members and a Producer of Team Botan, Scott Polhemus (part of our video game brain trust), in an EXCLUSIVE Hungry & Fit interview!

First, a brief word about the game. Cafe Go-Go is a brand new app/game where the user plays as a worker taking orders at a cafe. As the orders come in, the barista must press the corresponding pictures for the items in the proper order. The faster you put a complete and accurate order in, the more points you get. It’s a game that is all about reaction time, hand-eye coordination, and focusing.

Hungry: We downloaded Cafe Go-Go and played it for a bit. It’s a fun game that’s easy to pick up and play. What were you trying to achieve by creating this app?

Scott: Our hope was to produce an original game based on the classic, coin-op arcade games we grew up loving. We wanted it to have a charming, retro look — and for the gameplay to be simple & accessible so anyone could pick up and play while on-the-go (or killing time on a train or in line).

Hungry: What exactly makes Cafe Go-Go different from the million others apps on the market?

Scott: Well, for starters, we didn’t build it to fulfill some sort of licensing gimmick or “sequelitis” sort of situation. Simply, three of us came together and felt it’d be cool if we could put a game together. After a few months of crazed development, we actually succeeded and released Cafe Go-Go.

So, what makes it different? Well, sure, we want it to sell, because it would be amazing if we could do this full-time (we all work day jobs, and this was sort of a moonlit labor of love)…but, we weren’t too keen on the philosophy of “pump-out-n-profit” that a significant number of apps these days adhere to. So, we tried our best to create a game with a charming atmosphere, and a healthy dose of challenge tossed in.

It’s our take on an age-old gaming concept, the ol’ time-based puzzler. We believe its worth & value are immediately apparent from its careful sprite-work to the featured SFX and music produced by our friend, Jack Vanoudenaren (better known as ABSRDST). Simply, that it’s a labor of love from three friends — and we hope the rest of the world shares in the fun.

Hungry: As Hungry & Fit, we’re always focused on the health benefits of activities. What does Cafe Go-Go contribute to a healthier lifestyle?

Scott: If you boot up a quick round of Cafe Go-Go right after waking, it’s a sure-fire way to get your brain going. Of course, no game can compete with the health benefits of going for a run outside, but if you can keep a round of Cafe Go-Go going for over 15 minutes, you’re sure to challenge your mental stamina, as well as your heart rate. Granted, I might just be an out-of-shape fatboy, but, I’ve played a couple rounds that lasted over an hour, and I’d managed to work up a sweat and profound thirst. That was probably the nerdiest sentence I’ve ever said.

Hungry: It seems like a good way to pass time while on a piece of cardio equipment. How much mental stimulation does it offer?

Scott: When you really start rolling, and string orders together in rapid succession, you can feel your concentration reaching higher levels, and before long your fingers work in tandem with the order commands your eyes perceive. Throw in the tip & time bonuses that float across the screen every so often, and you add a whole new layer of concentration and adaptability that challenges the mind.

Hungry: What can we expect next from the company that brought us Cafe Go-Go?

Scott: We’ve got a few projects in the tank currently. One won’t see the light of day until we (hopefully) secure serious funding. The other two, well, it’ll come down to what Team Botan’s brainchild (and programmer extraordinaire), Anthony Delia, feels like tackling first. He’s been storyboarding an idea recently, which I already believe should be our next baby.

Frankly, we just hope to make games with a fine blend of challenge & charm.

The kind of games that’ll have you sometimes gritting your teeth, but always smiling.

Hungry: If Hungry & Fit decided to make an app, would Team Botan be up for the challenge?

Scott: Of course! But, you better find your way to the top of our Leader Boards for Cafe Go-Go!

Right now, the score to beat is: 32,242,000

Think you can beat it?

And there you have it! Team Botan is to the point and looking to bring something new without breaking your bank account! No tricks, no schemes… just fun from some guys that obviously do this out of a love for gaming, not profiting. Still, I’m sure they wouldn’t mind making some money to help fund their newest projects in development that Scott gave us a heads up into! You can check them out on Twitter or purchase the Cafe Go-Go app in the app store!

And let us know what kind of app you’d want to see from Hungry & Fit? Exercise routines for different populations? Nutritional plans? Comment below! And as always..stay hungry and fit!

Nov252014

Hungry’s Hearty Hash – Veggie Mode Engaged

Here is a vegetarian breakfast option that packs a ton of protein! It also has a decent amount of fats and carbs too, so this is a real winner in my book! It’s simple too. You’ll only need one burner, one skillet, one spatula and or your favorite thing to move stuff around in a pan with! And a microwave doesn’t hurt.

Hungry's Hearty Hash (Vegetarian Style)

2014-11-24 22:40:34

Serves 2

A vegetarian style of a hearty breakfast--a complete meal with protein, carbs, and fat!

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Prep Time

3 min

Cook Time

8 min

Prep Time

3 min

Cook Time

8 min

Ingredients

1 potato
3 eggs
1 cup spinach
4 cloves garlic
2 Morningstar sausage patties
1 piece toast
Olive oil
Salt pepper

Instructions

Wash your potato and cut into small cubes so they cook faster.
Throw them in a skillet at medium heat, then treat with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
Throw your patties into the microwave for a minute. Use that minute to rough chop your garlic.
Put your garlic in with the potatoes.
Cut your patties into 8-12 pieces each and wash your spinach.
Put the patties into the skillet, then cover everything with the slightly wet spinach.
Once the spinach has cooked down, crack three eggs into the skiller.
Add some more salt and pepper as you spread the egg around the pan evenly.
Now, once it looks like a beautiful omelet that is ready to flip, smash it into a hash.
Serve with your favorite ketchup or hot sauce!

By Hungry and Fit

hungry and fit https://hungryandfit.com/

It’s a fast one that should take under ten minutes total! It filled us for an amazing Sunday. We believe starting the day includes a great, hearty breakfast. Especially if that day includes Dragon Age and workouts. We believe it’s good to include all macronutrients in a meal, if possible. And we show you despite being a vegetarian, it is possible to get all your nutrients! Even a meat-eater like Hungry knows it. Eat this breakfast to stay hungry and fit!

Question of the Day: What’s your favorite breakfast?

Nov132014

Cafe Korobokgur — Koreatown, LA

Although Los Angeles brings its hardships in living and finding our way, Koreatown is certainly not lacking in its culinary scene. Get ready for a ton of reviews on Koreatown restaurants. We love to walk around our neighborhood and find hidden gems to feast our faces on. We almost always come out smiling. Especially from places like today’s review– Cafe Korobokgur. Sound like a mouthful? We think so, thus we call it “that little gnome place.” And we mean it in the best way possible.

Cafe Korobokgur is an American-Korean fusion cafe. I keep wanting to call it “little” but it’s actually quite large for a cafe. It’s adorably decorated with cute things here and there (with Miyazaki things too which is a plus). It has an incredibly friendly atmosphere. It is certainly a place I would call “hip” but not overcrowded with people, which is nice. It has its own character and feel to it, which I really appreciate in food establishments. They are them and they aren’t afraid to show it. You’ll find cute quotes, sayings, and pictures all over this place. There’s a little “cafe front” and then we assume the kitchen is in back. This cafe is not just for drinks, but for food too. They also have an adorable restroom.

Can you find the Cat Bus?

We came here for dinner one night. There were other Koreans and Korean-Americans here–mostly our age–that brought their study supplies or friends to enjoy. Again, we come in with a smile to a relaxed atmosphere. When we are in good, generous moods, we like to spoil ourselves with food. And that means 3-course meals. After bringing us some fruit-and-cucumber-infused water, our waiter took our order. For appetizer, we got seasoned fries and fried calamari. They served different seasonings for the fries which was fun to try out and it was certainly delicious and cooked well. The fried calamari also pleased us. After appetizer, it was time for our main dishes. I got the kimchi fried rice and Hungry got Don Katsu. We were both satisfied with our entrees, though I couldn’t even finish mine. The kimchi fried rice was nice and spicy, so that I had to take slow. For dessert, we got something original by this place called a “Jarming.” Basically it is a mini mason jar filled with a dessert. We decided on the banana nutella sponge cake Jarming and it was absolutely fantastic. I seriously cannot stress enough how good this little thing was. They also make them in tons of different flavors and make seasonal ones too!

Fried calamari

Full of YUM

The service was a bit slow, so don’t come here in a rush. However, it is part of the relaxed atmosphere, I think. We are definitely going to head back to Cafe Korobokgur again and enjoy its adorable details and its yummy food soon. The drinks were rather expensive, but if nothing else, that Jarming will reel me in for another round for sure. If you’re in Koreatown, be sure to stop at Cafe Korobokgur and don’t leave there without a Jarming! I promise, you won’t regret it. And as always…stay hungry and fit!

BONUS KITTY PIC

Sajah resting in between a set of reps

Oct282014

Kick-Butt Morning Smoothie

Some days, it’s tough to get out of bed. It’s even tougher to pretend like you’re bright and shiny as you proceed throughout your day. I know when I wake up sluggish, it’s going to be rough. So, yesterday, I whipped up a concoction that I knew would make me feel better. I know that I have limited time in the morning with giving Noke a walk, feeding everyone, and getting myself ready so I can’t make a four-course breakfast during the week. My breakfasts need to be quick–but enjoyable! Luckily for me, we have a blender. This kick-butt morning smoothie will awaken, energize, and leave you feeling light and airy for the day. There’s no heaviness to it–very simple and delicious.

Kick-Butt Morning Smoothie

2014-10-27 22:46:30

Yields 1

A great, fast way to get good nutrients in order to start the day out right

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Total Time

2 min

Total Time

2 min

Ingredients

1/2 cup mixed berries (I use frozen)
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup cranberry juice
1/2 banana
1 scoop unflavored protein powder
1 tbsp olive oil (for good digestion--not obligatory)

Instructions

Mix all ingredients together in a blender. Blend to your liking--the longer you blend, the smoother and thinner it will be

By Hungry and Fit

hungry and fit https://hungryandfit.com/

An easy, healthy, quick way to start the day–and in the morning, all those three qualities are necessary. This recipe by no means has any border or boundaries. Use what’s in the fridge and what you know sustains you for the better part of the morning. This is my tool to kick butt, and I hope it will help you as well in the battle against sleepy mornings! Use this recipe to stay hungry and fit!

*Question of the Day: What’s your favorite smoothie?

BONUS PUPPY PIC

Oct232014

Pack a Sandwich!

A short post that is to the point! You need to eat! Whether you are trying to gain, maintain, or lose weight, eating consistently is important. You have to continue to provide your body with the proper macro and micronutrients. Proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, etc. Those substances help you live a healthy life with body systems that function properly! Now, if you don’t have a specific goal or program, keep reading because this is for the people who just want some general guidance in their eating. Since I am telling you that you need to eat, now I will tell you how to construct a simple sandwich that will help you get through the day.

Yes, that is a sandwich.

Step 1: Bread

Try to steer clear of anything that has your typical “bad” ingredients. The less ingredients, generally, the better. (Remember that) Stick to breads that have a lot of whole grains to regulate your digestion. Look for whole wheat and nuts or seeds if you can tolerate them.

Hungry’s Choice: Rudy’s Honey Sweet Whole Wheat

Step 2: Condiments

I love mayo, but mustard is a much friendlier option for your body. It should really only have mustard seed and vinegar, too much more and it’s a bit over-processed. Again, look for whole grains for some texture and don’t be afraid to try something spicy. Remember, nutritionists say that spicy foods actually help you burn calories because of their heat-bearing properties.

Hungry’s Choice: Inglehoffer Stone Ground Mustard

Step 3: Cheese

My favorite! Please don’t be afraid to eat some cheese. It may not be a primary source of protein, but good cheeses contain some healthy-ish fats. And we need fat. Cheese will be the main source of fat on your sandwich, so don’t feel too bad about it! If you’re not on a super tight budget, try to splurge on a higher quality cheese… it’s less processed and the proteins haven’t been denatured as much, often.

Hungry’s Choice: Kerrygold Dubliner Cheese

Step 4: Meat

Who doesn’t love bologna, taylor ham, salami, or any other fatty meat? I certainly do, and while a slice or two may find its way onto the sandwich for some extra calories… we all know that lean meats should be your primary protein source. I’m looking at you turkey and chicken breast. (Or tuna for the fish eaters. Or big mushrooms for the veggies. Or Morningstar products for whoever wants those!)

Hungry’s Choice: Columbus Cracked Peppered Turkey Breast

Hungry’s Spurge: Hormel Di Lusso Genoa Salami

Step 5: Vegetables

Yes, pickles count as vegetables! But you should have some more nutritious ones as well. Darker leafy greens are a good source of iron and help add that fresh taste. Spinach is a front-runner but arugula gives you that bitter bite. Also, consider using kale since it’s just so popular now!

Hungry’s Choice: Organic Baby Spinach

Hungry’s Splurge: Bubbie’s Bread & Butter Chips

OH, and here is my game changer to the sandwich game. I only put mustard on one slice of bread. On the other, I put HUMMUS. TAKE THAT! Whatever it may be, make your sandwich something you want to eat in order to keep that fuel tank running! Make sure to use whole grains when you can and make it healthy! And as always, stay hungry and fit!

Oct142014

Tofu Pad Thai Recipe

Who doesn’t love Pad Thai? Well, I’m sure plenty of people don’t, but I do. I invited my brother, Kai, and his girlfriend, Sophie, over to have dinner and hang out last night while Hungry was in San Diego with his brother. Sophie had the fun idea to cook Pad Thai for dinner. I had never made Pad Thai completely from scratch, so this was a fun project. There were certainly the ups and downs, like roasting the peanuts to perfection and then overcooking the noodles, but it’s all a part of the journey! Sophie came up with this recipe and it is really simple to do, even if the directions look lengthy. It’s basically cut, cook, and season! It’s an incredibly easy Pad Thai recipe that will make sure to load you up with your vegetables. You can add or take out whatever you’d like–make it your own and most importantly, have fun!

Chop it up

Sophie and Noke cooking

Easy Pad Thai

2014-10-13 22:33:05

Serves 6

A fun dinner to cook at home for the whole family

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Prep Time

15 min

Cook Time

15 min

Prep Time

15 min

Cook Time

15 min

Ingredients

3 cloves garlic
3 carrots
1 red bell pepper
1/2 cabbage
1/2 a bunch of green onions
Olive oil
Soy sauce
1 block firm tofu
3 eggs
1 package of flat thin rice noodles
1 cup bean sprouts
Hoisin sauce
2 limes
1 cup peanuts
Red pepper flakes

Instructions

Cut up carrots and red bell peppers into strips. Slice up cabbage and loosely chop up green onions
Put water on to boil in a large pot
Put raw peanuts in a skillet with salt on a low heat
Square the tofu and put in oiled skillet, top with soy sauce. Cook tofu on medium-high heat with a lid on it
Heat up a wok and saute garlic in olive oil. Add carrots, green onions, and red bell peppers for 5 minutes and add soy sauce
Put in the cabbage and add soy sauce (only if low sodium)
Scoot the vegetables to the side in order to scramble the eggs on the other side. Once the eggs are cooked, mix in with the vegetables
Once the water in the pot is boiled, cook noodles as directed on your packet
Drain noodles and put in the with vegetables and olive oil. Add the tofu. Mix together with tongs
Chop the roasted peanuts
Serve with lime, bean sprouts, and chopped peanuts

By Hungry and Fit (and Sophie!)

hungry and fit https://hungryandfit.com/

Pad Thai always fills me with warm good memories of eating it growing up with friends and family. This will be another great addition to the string of happy memories. Even if it may seem intimidating, I want you to try it! Go out and get the veggies you want and then dive in. This is a great meal for a group and even more fun to cook with people! The most important part of journeys, whether they be exploring a new recipe or diving into a new career path, is that you should never take yourself too seriously and always allow yourself to have fun. What’s the point otherwise? Anyhow, enjoy and use this recipe to stay hungry and fit!

BONUS PUPPY PIC

Noke certifiably shredded up her bed yesterday

Oct072014

Having Gastrointestinal Issues? Try Pickle Juice

First disclaimer, I might be applying to and enrolling in school for a degree in Dietetics but I am not a doctor, so take this all with a barrel of salt. Second disclaimer, I do firmly believe that everyone’s body works uniquely to a certain degree; therefore, what works for me most certainly may not work for you.

Nevertheless, when I am having a pain in my throat, chest, or midsection (top or bottom), and I can’t figure out what it is, it is usually related to digestion. Something is upset in my gastrointestinal tract. If you’re reading this far, you’ve had those countless sleepless nights where no position is comfortable. You’ve went to every specialist, the emergency room, and there are still tons of unanswered questions. You’ve tried western medicine and homeopathic options. Heck, you’ve even tried not eating… but nothing works.

Personally, I went to the emergency room last year and was told that I only had gastritis. It was pain for days, and I have a high pain tolerance. But getting to the point, I had a similar pain a few months ago and used the “gastric cocktail” they made me at the hospital. It didn’t work. This must have been worse. What did work? Pickle juice. That’s right. Someone recommended using pickle juice and I was in so much pain (and nothing professional had worked) that I said, might as well.

How hilarious are these

So, I ended up chugging the whole jar of pickle juice. It was from Claussen’s Whole Kosher Dills, which is a higher quality pickle, in my opinion. Third disclaimer, I love pickles and pickle juice. I enjoyed drinking it. Fourth disclaimer, we are not sponsored by Claussen’s! Within fifteen minutes of drinking it I started to feel pressure alleviating from my chest. Burning dissipated from my throat and my stomach settled. After about 90 minutes, I felt completely fine.

So, it might be a long-shot, but it might work. It’s not expensive. I keep three jars of pickles in my fridge, and if you’ve had mysterious GI issues like myself for as long as you can remember, it might work for you. It might help you stay hungry and fit!

BONUS KITTY PIC

Nymeria being silly

Sep302014

Iowan Surprise Recipe

Growing up, I was the luckiest girl when it came to food. My family is full of recipes. From my mum’s recipes to my grandma’s recipes, I was surrounded by flavor and diversity. One that particularly stands out to me is Iowan Surprise–or simply “Surprise” for short. This one comes from my Grandma in Iowa. You’re probably asking, What is “Surprise” anyway? Well. it’s basically a special version of chili, if you want to relate it to another food. It’s a wonderful comfort food while being a great family meal. Plus, there is so much variation allowed in this recipe. There’s a meat version, a vegetarian version, a spicy version, a non-spicy version, and so on! I obviously had the vegetarian style, while the rest of my family had the meat version. All you have to do is leave out the beef. Let’s get to the recipe.

Iowan Surprise

2014-09-29 23:29:28

Serves 8

A wonderful version of chili atop crushed tortilla chips

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Prep Time

2 min

Cook Time

15 min

Prep Time

2 min

Cook Time

15 min

The Goop

1lb ground beef (for meat version...obviously)
1 15oz can condensed cheddar cheese soup
1 15oz can enchilada sauce
1 large can of refried beans
1 4oz can chopped green chilies

The Toppings

1 bag tortilla chips
1 cup grated cheese
1 cup chopped tomatoes
Guacamole or avocado
1 cup chopped lettuce
Salsa
Peppers (for spice)

Instructions

Brown the beef and drain the fat
Add all the canned ingredients except the chopped green chilies
Heat the ingredients through and then add the chopped green chilies right before you're ready to serve
To serve, crush your tortilla chips up, then put the goop on top, and then add your toppings!

Notes

If you like it to be spicier, add the green chilies earlier

By Hungry and Fit

Adapted from Grandma

hungry and fit https://hungryandfit.com/

This recipe always brings a smile to my face and I always try to fit another serving in my belly even when there isn’t room. It keeps really well for leftovers and it takes no effort and next to no time to make. This is the perfect Fall recipe for busy families, and people like me! It’s a treasured family recipe that will continue to put smiles on eater’s faces. Make this recipe to stay hungry and fit!