Women’s Dream Conference in Chicago offers personal attention.

o pay it forward. Over the last several years, I have been blessed with meeting some of the top women in business, social media and the healthy living industry. From celebrities like Mary Amons of DC Housewives to Marcy Crozier of the NBC Biggest Loser Program, to business icons Kerry Knee, CEO of Flirty Girl Fitness to MJ Tam, Chicago’s Social Media Mom & Chicagonista, they have taught me some of my best lessons.

Would you like to meet them? Ask them the questions to help develop your business plan, social media strategy and build your dream life. It’s time to get signed up now for the Women’s Dream Conference. This conference is unique in many ways.

The conference is made up primarily of panelist sessions, getting the most out of each topic from several view points. Speak directly with the women you admire and that inspire you and learn their secrets. Keynotes , best selling author and Celebrity Fitness Expert as seen on the TODAY Show and Marci Crozier, of NBC Biggest Loser Fame will inspire you with their stories of determination and climbing the tallest, single standing mountain in the world Mount Kilamanjaro.

It’s not easy bringing all these women together, but I want to personally invite you to this year’s first conference. With partners Jennifer Christensen and Monika Dixon of JMP Global, I know you will be inspired and more confident after your day with our team. Please take advantage of this special discount pricing of 20% off the conference fees by LIKING my facebook page www.facebook.com/andreametcalfhealth or signing up for my newsletter at www.andreametcalf.com. Then use “facebook” as the promo code to save. I hope to see you April 13th.

Let Andrea Metcalf help you strip away the excuses and feel good in your own skin. She is creator of Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is reality weight loss tv show on NBC Nonstop Saturday and Sundays 1pm www.Paidtoloseit.com
She is a healthy lifestyle spokesperson in Chicago and has been seen on the NBC Today Show, Better TV, GMA Health and NBC Chicago.

Summer events sell out quickly… evidence of the fastest sell out ever of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon this past January. But if you don’t plan on running a marathon or running yourself at the numerous 5k races, SELF Magazine’s Workout in the Park might be your ticket to inspiring a healthy life in Chicago. Taking place on Saturday, June 2nd, 2012, local fitness fans are invited to join Dolvett Quince (trainer on The Biggest Loser) at Grant Park in Chicago for a day of fun, fitness and even fashion! The event that has been inspiring tens of thousands of women to energize their lives for 19 years is also hitting San Francisco and New York, in addition to Chicago!

Bringing the pages of SELF to life and putting attendees at the center of the action, it will be a day incorporating the hottest new exercise trends and invigorating classes from CRUNCH gym, beauty and fashion consultations, nutritional know-how and tons of freebies and giveaways. And it’s all for a great cause – in honor of the event, SELF will make a donation to participating charities, Cancer and Careers and The Conservation Fund.

Tickets will be available at www.SELFWorkoutinthePark.com beginning March 15th for only $20 in advance, which includes a one-year subscription to SELF (a $10 value)!

Let Andrea Metcalf help you strip away the excuses and feel good in your own skin. She is creator of Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is reality weight loss tv show on NBC Nonstop Saturday and Sundays 1pm www.Paidtoloseit.com
She is a healthy lifestyle spokesperson in Chicago and has been seen on the NBC Today Show, Better TV, GMA Health and NBC Chicago.

I recently was introduced to Karyns Raw in Chicago. It’s an amazing place where vegan, gluten free and lactose free foods are found in familiar packages. That said, I interviewed Toby Amidor, a registered dietitian, to share her thoughts on this way of life.

Are vegetarians are healthier than carnivores?

here’s her answer: : it depends. Becoming a vegetarian is a personal choice, but once you opt in you must know exactly what to eat to stay healthy and fit.

Basic Food Groups

Vegetarian food groups include:

Grains like rice, wheat, rye, oats, millet, barley, amaranth, buckwheat, quinoa, spelt

Fruits

Vegetables

Nuts like almonds, cashews, pecans

Seeds like sunflower and sesame

Legumes like beans, peas, lentils

Types

There are various classifications of a vegetarian. All include the food groups listed above.

Vegans avoid all animal products including fish, meat, poultry, dairy, honey and other animal by-products. The stick exclusively to the list of food groups above.

Lactovegetarians add milk and dairy products.

Lacto-ovo-vegetarians add eggs, milk and dairy products.

Pescovegetarians add fish and seafood.

Pros vs. Cons

Pros

Studies have shown that going veg can help lower cholesterol and the risk of heart disease. You’ll also decrease the amount of hormones ingested from animal meats and dairy food (unless you already purchase hormone-free varieties).

Cons

There are nutritional concerns if you become a vegetarian—the stricter you are the more nutrients you need to pay attention to. But you can also be a vegetarian and go “off the deep end” (so to speak). I’ve counseled vegetarians who loved to fry, indulged in vegetarian-friendly processed foods and ate way too many avocados. The diet still needs to be balanced and healthy.

Nutritional Concerns

Here are some of the basic nutrients vegetarians need to pay attention to:

Protein: If you’re eating dairy, eggs, or fish you just need to make sure to eat your daily dose. However, vegans need to make sure they get protein from foods like beans, lentils, tofu (soy), grains, and nuts. Eating a variety of proteins helps ensure you’re getting all of your essential amino acids.

Calcium: Vegans and pesco-vegetarians need to make sure to get in calcium from foods like fortified juices and milk alternatives, leafy greens, beans, and almonds. If you don’t think you’re getting enough then consult your medical professional or registered dietitian about taking a calcium supplement.

Iron: Iron-deficiency anemia is the most common deficiency in the United States. Vegetarians who eat eggs do have a good source of the mineral, but other sources are beans, fortified oatmeal, beans, and leafy green vegetables. Using a cast-iron pan once or twice a week can also help get in some iron.

Vitamin D: This mineral is most commonly found in fish liver oils and fortified milk. You can also get your vitamin D by being exposed to the sun. Supplements are available, but it’s important to talk to your doctor as it’s the most toxic vitamin when you take too much.

Bottom Line: Before going veg, do your homework. Map out your allowable foods, ingredients, recipes and make sure you’re able to maintain a well-balanced diet.

Toby Amidor, MS RD is the owner of Toby Amidor Nutrition (http://tobyamidornutrition), the Nutrition Expert for FoodNetwork.com and the Nutrition Advisor for Sear’s FitStudio.com. Follow her on twitter (https://twitter.com/#!/tobyamidor) or Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/tobyamidornutrition)

Let Andrea Metcalf help you strip away the excuses and feel good in your own skin. She is creator of Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is reality weight loss tv show on NBC Nonstop Saturday and Sundays 1pm www.Paidtoloseit.com
She is a healthy lifestyle spokesperson in Chicago and has been seen on the NBC Today Show, Better TV, GMA Health and NBC Chicago.