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Rob  Posts:2
 Newbie
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| 09/11/2009 2:38 PM |
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Hello everyone! I apologize if I've missed this topic elsewhere. I got some great tips from the thread stickied at the top of the forum. I did the Zone Eating Plan for about 3-4 months at the beginning of the year and loved it. I felt great, and combined with time with a personal trainer, I was getting fit and losing weight. However, what was my undoing was that I couldn't put enough variety into my diet. Seemed like every day was steel cut oatmeal for breakfast, doing the best I could at lunch (we have a go out for lunch culture where I work), and then a chicken salad, veggie omelette, or chicken/pork with veggies/fruit. Eventually I just got sick of the grind, and fell off the wagon. I'm jumping back on now, but the problem is just that I loathe cooking. I get home pretty late at night, and the last thing I want to do is spend too much time in the kitchen. I hate grocery shopping even more. I'm overwhelmed thinking about having to measure foods and plan menus and recipes and such, but I'm repulsed by thinking about falling back into the same meal rotation I had before. I suppose what I'm asking is that it seems like everyone on the forums has such a wide palette of foods in their menus and almost effortlessly partitions things into proper blocks. I'm a bit overwhelmed with it all, and looking for some pointed tips about how to experiment a little more, and some easy ways to cut corners on food buying/preparation to stay in the Zone but avoid tons of time in the kitchen/store. I want to eat right, I just hate I have to make the food. If someone opened a Zone fast food restaurant, I'd make you a millionaire, haha. |
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Sue K  Posts:8674
 Zone Expert

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| 09/11/2009 3:07 PM |
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Hi Rob, You can do the Zone very successfully without ever cooking or counting a block. Use the plate method (dividing the plate into thirds, see the EATING tab above) to solve the block counting problem. As for not cooking, that’s easier to do than today than it's ever been with all the convenience foods that are available. Use the pre-made bagged salads, deli-style meat, pre-cooked carved chicken adn turkey (like Perdue shortcuts; also Hormel in the brown paper bag colored boxes; I think Tyson makes a similar items) pre washed and cut veggies, and pre-cut apples in single serving sizes. More no cooking ideas are shakes, smoothies, cottage cheese and fruit, yogurt, deli- turkey and hummus rollups, canned chili (just zap in a microwave to heat it), guacamole, salsa...endless choices. Also take advantage of the excellent Dr. Sears Zone functional foods offered here on this site, like shake mixes, bars, protein powder and cereal. Think out of the box and get creative. If you have a Whole Foods nearby, they have a great variety of prepared foods that changes daily, even soups, chili and cooked entrees warmed and ready to eat. And then there's there's the Whole Foods Antipasto Bar where you can put together an entire meal of antipasto items and salads. Trader Joe's has lots of convenient ready to eat Zone favorable foods that don't require cooking (vacuum packed steamed lentils, egg white salad, hummus, a large variety of pre-cooked chicken sausages, cheeses, tofu...). They also have entrees, some of which fit the Zone very well, and frozen cooked steel cut oats (just read the ingredients and nutrition labels). You can check out tips about Trader Joe's convenience foods in the following thread in the Cooking Tips forum: http://www.zonediet.com/Community/Forums/tabid/121/forumid/3/postid/44518/view/topic/Default.aspx There's been a lot previously written in these forums about how to do the Zone without cooking. Keep searching and reading the archives and you're bound to find more. For more easy ideas, you can also take a look at both my recipe thread (many are very quick and easy, some requiring no cooking at all) and my Zone foods photobucket album (link in my signature). Some require cooking, an others, no cooking at all. Good luck! |
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sue
Lost 100 lbs 14 yrs ago, off BP meds, thanks to the Zone diet and Zone fish oil!
To view my before/after pics and meal photos scroll over this picture and click when the link appears.
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Cranberrycat  Posts:5313
 Zone Expert

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| 09/11/2009 3:07 PM |
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Hey, I will be happy to open up a Zoned restaurant. I love cooking, just don't have the time, either. But, if that were my job, I would have plenty of time! So, as far as quick meals, you could do steel cut oats as you have, or you could crack open a container of cottage cheese, a bag of frozen blueberries, and a bag of sliced almonds. 1.5 cups of blueberries, microwave for 45 seconds to thaw, then top with 3/4 cup cottage cheese and the almonds. Delicious breakfast, I think this is my hubby's favorite thing to eat! And, if blueberries are not your thing, then try another fruit. I usually eat a block's worth of this as a snack every day. One of my favorites, too. For your lunch, I suppose you will continue to go out for lunch. For other snacks, you can spread hummus into rolls of deli meat, or you could even make this into a meal pretty easily. I have discovered the Hormel Natural slices of turkey and ham in the maroon colored box, no nitrites or nitrates. For dinner, don't forget frozen veggies. Yes, maybe some cooking involved, but pretty easy to do out of the bag. And, some of those steamer bags make it even better. I made an antipasto salad earlier this week, makes several servings, and it keeps nicely in the fridge. Again, it did take some prep, but it relieved me of the trouble of finding an appropriate carb for my lunches this week. I don't have the recipe off the top of my head, but I can get it later if you are interested. Actually, there are lots of veggies that are sold prepped these days, they are more expensive, but saves a lot of time. And time is money! Just a few ideas, off the top of my head! |
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Cranberrycat
We don't own the earth; we borrow it from our children.
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Rob  Posts:2
 Newbie
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| 09/11/2009 3:18 PM |
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| Thanks for the great ideas, I'll let you know how it works out! You two truly are the MVP's of this forum, haha. So fast to reply! Thanks! |
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Cranberrycat  Posts:5313
 Zone Expert

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| 09/11/2009 5:16 PM |
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| LOL, thanks! |
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Cranberrycat
We don't own the earth; we borrow it from our children.
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Sue K  Posts:8674
 Zone Expert

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| 09/11/2009 5:18 PM |
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| Happy to share info Rob! MVP, ha ha, good one. (and much appreciated!) |
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sue
Lost 100 lbs 14 yrs ago, off BP meds, thanks to the Zone diet and Zone fish oil!
To view my before/after pics and meal photos scroll over this picture and click when the link appears.
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vonda  Posts:22
 Aspiring
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| 09/12/2009 4:39 PM |
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| you sound like my twin. i hate to cook so i found kashi. and some organic pre made meals just heat and eat. they are perfect ratios look on the back. going out i have to use the eye method. i have to have quick and easy and the fruit yogurt and nuts i use greek it has liitle carbs . have protien powder to make any thing balance out. my fav is a apple chicken and almond butter or peanutbutter. it dont get no easier |
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ActiveForums 3.6
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Dr. Barry Sears is a leading authority on the dietary control of hormonal response. A former research scientist at the Boston University School of Medicine and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dr. Sears has dedicated his research efforts over the past 30 years to the study of lipids. He holds 13 U.S. Patents in the areas of intravenous drug delivery systems and hormonal regulation for the treatment of cardiovascular disease.
A turning point in his research occurred in 1982. That year, the Nobel Prize in Medicine was awarded for discoveries of the role that specialized hormones, known as eicosanoids, play in the development of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, auto-immune diseases, and cancer. Since eicosanoids are only generated from dietary fat, Dr. Sears reasoned that one could apply intravenous drug delivery principles to nutrition in order to control these exceptionally powerful hormonal responses with laser-like precision. In essence, his approach treats food as if it were a drug.
This area of his research led to various patents in the area of hormonal control by essentially using food as an oral drug delivery system to modulate eicosanoids especially for cardiovascular, diabetic, and neurological patients.
The impact of Dr. Sears’ revolutionary work in the dietary control of hormonal response began with the publication of his landmark book, The Zone. Since its publication in June 1995, The Zone has sold more than 2,000,000 hardcover copies, and became a #1 best seller on the New York Times book list. In addition, The Zone has been translated into 22 languages indicating a worldwide response to Dr. Sears’ research. His second book, Mastering the Zone, published in 1997, also became a New York Times bestseller with hardcover sales in excess of 500,000 copies to date. His third book, Zone Perfect Meals in Minutes, published in 1997, quickly became one of the best-selling cookbooks of 1997 and an another New York Times bestseller. The Anti-Aging Zone was published in 1999 and provides the molecular insights into how the Zone Diet can reverse the aging process. The Omega Rx Zone, published in 2002, explores the molecular foundation of chronic disease and how high-dose fish oil can dramatically reverse it. His latest book The Anti-Inflammation Zone discusses how to combat silent inflammation in order to reduce the risk of cancer, heart disease, diabetes, dementia, and many other inflammatory conditions—and how to reverse these conditions if they are already present. To date more than 5 million hardcover copies of his Zone books have been sold in the United States.
His research has elevated food from more than simply a source of calories to being recognized as an exceptionally powerful drug. Because of his revolutionary research, Dr. Sears has been a frequent guest on many national programs such as 20/20, Today, Good Morning America, CBS Morning News, CNN, and MSNBC.
Dr. Sears continues his ongoing research as President of Zone Labs, a biotechnology company in Danvers, MA as well as the President of the non-profit Inflammation Research Foundation in Marblehead, MA. In addition to continuing research on the hormonal effects of food, Dr. Sears has expanded his research in developing innovative dietary approaches to treating cancer and neurological conditions, as well as his on-going work in treating cardiovascular diease and type 2 diabetes.
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I have been taking the Fish Oil for over 3 years now. I am 44 playing hockey and working out. The Fish oil helps with the pain that I get from playing hockey. It greatly enhances my performance on the ice and while working out. I have noticed a big difference in my energy, attentiveness and memory. If I miss a day for whatever reason, I notice a huge difference and it feels like something is missing. Anyway that is my short little story and it comes from the heart.
– Carter B.
I am a nutritionist and Ph.D. doctor of health and nutrition. For Dr. Sears to figure out balancing fat, carbs and protein, is really beyond brilliant. It is a milestone in diet history. I go over people's diet/emotional journals. Mostly all the time, we discover that the fatigue, irritability, unstable emotions were due to the imbalance in their diet. Using the Zone to balance them out, helps control weight, roller coaster emotions and gives them energy. Dr. Sears is so right when he says food is medicine. He has figured out the most powerful drug combination going, called The Zone.
Best and healthy wishes,
– Elaine W., Ph.D., N.C., M.A.
I have a very exhausting job as a flight attendant. I read the "Omega Rx Zone" about 4 years ago and started taking the fish oil. I am 47 and have been flying for 22 years. I am very active, I run and lift weights. But combining lack of regular sleep, a physically demanding job, and irregular eating patterns this job takes a toll on the body. Since taking the fish oil, I have noticed that I do not get exhausted. I get tired, but not exhausted. I stopped taking it for a couple of months and then started taking another company's fish oil. I started getting exhausted again. I came back to Zone Labs and will continue with the fish oil for the rest of my life. I believe in the product and it makes a huge difference in my life. It makes a difference with my running as well. I also bring the bars and shakes with me on the road. It is almost impossible to eat the way I should at work. I haven't found the right secret. At least I have my Zone fish oil, bars, and shakes.
– Kathryn S.
I have been in the Zone, for about 1 month now. I wanted to share with you how wonderful I think this program is. I have been a personal trainer for almost 10 years and actively compete in numerous athletic activities. The Zone program has helped me to achieve a better awareness of my nutritional needs and the results I have seen are amazing! I have lost nearly 13 lbs since I have been in the Zone. I feel more mentally alert, more focused at work, have greater intensity during my training, have made significant strength gains, and just feel better over all. With that said, I would like to thank you for helping me in my quest for "super-health"!
Thank you!
– Rob Y.
I read 'The Zone' and as exactly as I could followed the advice for diet. I noted weight loss progress. Over six months, I lost 33 pounds. One year has passed since then. I have maintained the new weight, guided always by Zone concepts. The Zone is powerful - I have found it fantastic and I am very grateful to Dr Sears.
– Lyn S.
Before I stumbled across the Zone I was weighing close to two hundred pounds and I was depressed. I used to be a gymnast as a young man. I would think, "look at me now," when I looked in a mirror. The day I found 'The Zone' book, I was intrigued and as I read it the science made sense and so, I began to follow the "treatment". I began to lose weight and I was feeling way more energetic. I am forty two years old, I am very active and my weight is down to 162 lbs, 38 pounds lost on the Zone. I cycle, walk, jog, swim and I can now perform some of the more simple gymnastic skills I did twenty years ago...I literally feel like I have turned back the clock.
Thank you!
– Jack J.
I have been on the Zone diet for 7 years. I did not go on the diet to lose weight necessarily; but fairly quickly I lost 25 pounds, going from 190 to 165; from a 36-inch waist to a 32-inch waist. I primarily did the Zone to live healthier. My health is excellent now. I just turned 62 years old. My Zone is my eating lifestyle now; I seldom stray; and I do not miss anything. It is The Good Life.
– Curtis Y.
My wife's doctor told her to read "Enter the Zone" and to do the diet, so I told her I would do it with her. After only one week on the plan we went on a strenuous hike (the first of the year), and when we stopped at our favorite coffee shop on the way home I was able to get out of the car and stand upright and walk into the place without pain or stiffness. The Zone had eliminated all the inflammation that had always forced me to stumble all humped over into the coffee shop any time we skied or hiked all day.
Thank you, Doctor Sears.
– Larry C.
I used to have a lot of knee pain when I walked or ran. I have been taking Omega Rx for almost a year now, and rarely have any pain. I believe it is the anti-inflammation action of the oil. I feel smarter as well. Thanks for developing such a superior oil!
– Joe W.
Prior to following the Zone Diet, my body fat was around 15% and my weight around 153 pounds. No matter what I did, my weight and body fat did not change much. I regularly cycled 20-30 hours per week logging well over 400 miles. That had little impact on body fat or weight. Diet also seemed to have little impact on body fat or weight. Within a couple of months of following the zone diet, my weight dropped rather quickly to 142 pounds and body fat to about 8%. I still regularly cycle up to 20 hours per week (during the summer). I have also started strength training. I eat about 16 blocks per day. I take 3.6 grams of fish oil per day, along with Vitamin E, Alpha Lipoic Acid, CoQ10, and B & C vitamins. I also take GLA, which in my opinion, has significantly reduced fatigue and improved recovery times after exercise.
– Jeremy S.
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All polyphenols have antioxidant properties than can be measured by their Oxygen Radical Absorption Capacity (ORAC), but not all polyphenols have anti-inflammatory properties. The polyphenols in Dr. Sears’ Zone Polyphenol Plus have been carefully chosen to have both.
Polyphenols are the phytochemicals that not only give fruits and vegetables their color, but also help regulate inflammation. In addition, polyphenols also activate the key enzyme (AMP kinase) that helps restore cellular ATP levels. Polyphenols also help regulate the activation of inducible inflammatory proteins (such as COX-2 and inflammatory cytokines).
There are more than 4,000 known polyphenols, and the richest sources are fruits and vegetables. In general, the more color a fruit or vegetable has, the richer the polyphenol content.
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Zone Labs’ Ultra Refined Omega-3 Concentrates are three times fresher and contain less than 1/10th the mercury than what is allowed by the Norwegian Medicinal Standard and European Pharmacopoeia Standard
Zone Labs adheres to the International Fish Oil Standard (IFOS), an independent third party validated laboratory quality standard that is more rigid than any other global standard for purity.
- No company in the worlds runs more tests with IFOS than Zone Labs
- Zone Labs receives a 5 out of 5 star IFOS rating for every batch it tests
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| Standard |
IFOS Standard for a 5-Star Ranking |
Council for Responsible Nutrition |
European Pharmacopeia |
Norwegian Medicinal Standards |
| Peroxide |
< 3.75 meg/kg |
5 meg/kg |
10 meg/kg |
10 meg/kg |
| Totox Levels |
< 20 meg/kg |
26 meg/kg |
NA |
NA |
| Lead |
< 10 ppb |
10 ppb |
100 ppb |
100 ppb |
| Mercury |
< 10 ppb |
10 ppb |
100 ppb |
100 ppb |
| Dioxans and Furans |
< 1 ppt |
2 ppt |
2 ppt |
2 ppt |
| PCBs |
< 45 ppb |
90 ppb |
NA |
NA |
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"IFOS – THE TOP GLOBAL PURITY STANDARD FOR OMEGA-3 FROM FISH"
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Zone Labs products show no detectable lead or mercury when tested down to 10ppb, which is 10 times below the Norwegian Medicinal Standard and European Pharmacopoeia Standard limits.
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Zone Labs products are three times fresher than the minimum allowed by the Norwegian Medicinal Standard and European Pharmacopoeia Standards (based on average peroxide values).
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Zone Labs starts with only wild, small fish from pristine Chilean waters and ends with proprietary validation and testing processes to achieve an IFOS certified 5 star rating.
8-Step Manufacturing Process - Quality Assured
Testing to specification all raw materials, bulk products, packaging material and finished products – always using stringent internal standards and in-process testing.
- Extraction of fish oil
- Winterization – remove limited amounts of saturated fats
- Absorption – remove heavy metals
- Preliminary Molecular Distillation – refining “touch up” to reduce contaminants
- Oil conversion to ethyl esters
- Ethyl ester thermal fractionation – remove additional saturated fats
- True Molecular Distillation – final refining to remove pcb’s and long-chain monoenes
- Rigid Processes – proprietary validation, inspection and encapsulation methods. Independent lab verification of IFOS requirements and certified 5 star rating
No farmed fish. No large fish. Pristine waters.
Zone Labs starts with wild sardines & anchovies fished from cold, pristine waters off of South America where there are less environmental impurities.
A recommended serving of Zone Labs Ultra-Refined Concentrates delivers 8 times more omega-3’s than a typical retail fish oil supplement.
Most fish oil supplements have 30% or less of the healthy omega-3s EPA and DHA, with the remaining 70% of the capsule containing unbeneficial, lesser refined fatty acids that contribute to their bad taste and gastric side effects.
Getting a clinically valid dose of omega-3’s is easy with Zone Labs’ Ultra-Refined Omega-3 Concentrates.
Typical Retail Dose = 300mg omega-3
Standard Zone Dose = 2400mg omega-3
A serving of canned tuna has 12 times less omega-3’s than
Zone Labs Ultra-Refined Omega-3 Concentrates
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Commonly consumed fish and shellfish in the United States
Mercury Source: Food and Drug Administration, FDA 1900-2004, “National Marine Fisheries Service Survey of Trace Elements in the Fishery Resource". Omega-3 Level Source: American Heart Association Website.
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Mercury level
in parts per million (ppm) |
Omega-3 fatty acids
(milligrams per 3-oz. serving) |
| Zone Omega-3 Products |
< 0.01 |
2400 (standard 4 capsule serving |
| Salmon (fresh, frozen) |
0.014 |
1200 |
| Flounder or sole |
0.050 |
480 |
| Pollock |
0.041 |
450 |
| Crab |
0.060 |
400 |
| Scallops |
0.050 |
290 |
| Shrimp |
ND* |
290 |
| Catfish |
0.050 |
270 |
| Clams |
ND* |
250 |
| Cod |
0.095 |
210 |
| Canned Tuna (light) |
0.120 |
200 |
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Zone Labs’ leading product. OmegaRx delivers all of the benefits of Zone Labs’ ultra-refined omega-3 concentrates.
Advantages
- Delivers clinically proven health benefits from the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA*
- Promotes a healthy heart, healthy brain, healthy immune system, healthy circulatory system, healthy joints, healthy moods, healthy triglyceride levels and a healthy pregnancy*
- Combats silent inflammation
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