Oxygen MagazineD's Editor-in-Chief Blog

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Power Foods

As some of you may know, I'm a creature of habit when it comes to my diet, particularly Monday through Friday, 6am-5pm. I eat the same breakfasts, lunches and snacks all week long. I can usually go for months on end eating the same thing and not get bored. (Dinners have to be a little more exciting though.) But recently I've added something new to my rotation. Shortly after Christmas I was lucky enough to receive a gift of grapefruit. I couldn't tell you the last time I had eaten a grapefruit. But I treated myself to one and now I'm hooked. I eat it alone as a snack, or along side a bowl of oatmeal. When I was a kid I would sprinkle it with sugar (tsk tsk), but as an adult I enjoy the tartness.
I'd love to know what foods have been reintroduced to your diet. Email me at skennedy@oxygenmag.com

Thursday, January 20, 2011

January blues?

This past Monday was tagged as The Most Depressing Day of the Year. Apparently people are down in the dumps because the credit card tab they ran up during the holidays has come calling, the weather is dreary, and people feel let down as there January resolutions faltered after only a week or so.
On that day, just outside Toronto, Ontario, we were hit with a fluke snowfall during our morning commute. Traffic came to a halt and everyone was late for work. But as I looked around the photo studio the Oxygen team was at, the mood was anything but depressing. Energy levels were high, people were jovial and the shoot was a success.
As the week progressed, same thing. People were working hard, excited about their work. The company gym was buzzing. Things couldn't be better. January blues? Not here!

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Just an observation

Sunday night I tuned in to the Golden Globes. Now due to my short attention span I only lasted until 9pm, but this gave me enough time to see (and judge) the evening's fashions. Much to my surprise, most of the big names on the red carpet opted or more forgiving gowns this time around. Flowy, breathable styles and fabrics seemed to be the hot look. Always glamorous, this year the Hollywood beauties seemed a little more conservative and comfortable.  I was completely in support of this. Aside from Claire Danes, I don't think there was a pair of Spanx in site.
Is this the way fashion is going for the moment? Or perhaps like me, the celebs indulged a little too much during the holidays and haven't found their way back............Whatever their reasoning, I loved it! Should be interesting to see who kicks their fitness and clean eats into high gear in time for the Oscars.
A few of my favorites: Anne Hatheway, Sandra Bullock (although not crazy about the bangs) and Eva Longoria. Olivia Wilde looking stunning and I had a new found appreciation for her when she said something to the effect of loving her dress because she could eat whatever she wanted. I'm sorry to say Michelle Williams and Nicole Kidman topped my worst list.
How about you? Tell me who topped your best and worst list!

Thursday, January 13, 2011

More Changes

Along with my new gym tactics (training legs 2x a week) I've made a few tweaks to my diet and overall routine. Instead of hitting the snooze five times and finally dragging myself out of bed, I'm proud to say I now wake up at 6am, sit down and have a good breakfast, and then get on with my morning prep. In the past I would rush around and try and do everything in the shortest amount of time and get my butt out the door. This is in the winter at least. In the summer I have no problem bouncing out of bed in the morning.
So let me just say, waking up earlier and not rushing seems to have given me added energy and a better mood throughout the day.
With my diet, I've started to incorporate ground flax seeds. I sprinkle them over my oatmeal first thing in the morning and then my salad at dinnertime. By doing this I seem to stay fuller a little bit longer and don't feel the need for snacks in the evening.
I'd love to hear some ways that you've tweaked your diet. Send me an email: skennedy@oxygenmag.com

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Wish me luck

I pride myself on the fact I rarely get sick. I joke to friends and family I have an immune system of steel. If memory serves I've only really been knocked out by the flu once in my adult life, and other than that I usually get a typical winter cold once a year. However, if I can make it to March, that will make it two years since my last cold.
People ask me what my secret is.  I credit it to two things: Getting lots of sleep and eating a ton of spinach. Monday to Thursday I easily get eight hours sleep each night and those same days I eat spinach twice a day, with lunch and dinner. Add to that plenty of clean eats and exercise, and I would say there's my formula.
Right now we're right in the middle of cold and flu season. Fingers crossed it bypasses me!

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Trying New Things

I've never been one to really break out of my comfort zone. I'm definitely a creature of habit and enjoy my routine. But every once in a while, the urge to try something different sneaks in, and I can't relax until I've committed myself to it.
A few years ago it was a belly dancing class. Talk about an abs workout. Then last year it was joining the company slo-pitch league. It was so much fun even though I ended the season with many scrapes and bruises. And now (drum roll please...........) I've signed up for skiing lessons. It's been about 20 years since my last attempt and now I'm ready to give it another go. Wish me luck!

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Welcome Back!

Happy New Year! I don't know about you, but after an almost two-week hiatus from the gym, I'm anxious to get back to it. My gym clothes are ready to go, I'm stocked up on clean eats for the week, now let's just hope my energy level lasts throughout the day.
I've got a few new fit tactics I plan to begin pronto, number one being to train legs twice a week, I've always just done a really intense leg workout once a week, but now I'm ready for a change.
How about you? What's your plan of attack for 2011? Write me at editorial@oxygenmag.com, subject line Dear Stacy.
PS, I never got to see the King's Speech. It was sold out so we opted for Little Fockers instead. It was pretty entertaining. I also saw True Grit (it was my boyfriend's turn to pick the movie) and was pleasantly surprised. Really enjoyed it!
PPS, over the holidays got caught up in a real page turner. If you get a chance to read The Help by Kathryn Stockett, I highly recommend it. Over the past few days I haven't been able to put it down. I actually can't wait to get home tonight to read it. What can I say, I've always been a bit of a book worm.