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Susan Varga at the Rowing Club, Marina Del Rey, Calif.
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Essential Potential (111)Rowing is one the oldest and most basic forms of exercise, but there's nothing ancient about the way people are practicing it these days. Sara-Mai Conway has been rowing super-sleek watercraft since she was 12 years old. For her and other members of her crew, a day is incomplete without pre-dawn workouts on the water.
Next, see how planning and cooking a healthy meal can be simple and doable, even when you live alone. Eric Costen is a self-employed bachelor who doesn't have much time for healthy eating. With a little help from nutritionist Elizabeth Bertran, Costen learns how to improve his life by eating right.
Finally, take Italian for beginners with David Crossen. The Wall Street money manager dreams of traveling to Italy and experiencing the people and country in its native language. For Crossen, who takes Italian language lessons at San Francisco's Italingua Institute, learning a foreign language is like embarking on an exotic adventure.
Rowing Facts:
- Taller people sometimes have an advantage in the sport of rowing. Long legs and long arms often lead to longer strokes, allowing the boat to travel farther with less effort.
- On dry land, rowers practice on an erg machine, which duplicates the leg, back and arm motions of rowing with an oar.
- The rowing crew is directed by a coxswain. Much like a racehorse jockey, the ideal coxswain is lightweight and has quick judgment.
- Rowing in a boat of eight takes equal commitment from all eight rowers. If a single rower fails to show, the boat does not go out that day
- No time or place to join a crew? Combine the benefits of strength and aerobic training by keeping a regular date with a rowing machine. Most gyms have them.
Kitchen Essentials Facts:
- Eating healthy isn't difficult. Once you gain an understanding of which foods are healthy, you can stock your kitchen accordingly.
- Many great meals and dishes can be prepared as quickly as a frozen dinner, and much faster than having a pizza delivered by simply using a sharp knife, cutting board, mixing bowl, pot, pan, spatula, and a few staples from your pantry and refrigerator.
- Breakfast is a critical meal. Don't fall into the trap of skipping this opportunity to feed your needs at the start of the day. Keep it simple and healthful—a glass of juice, a banana or another piece of fruit, a bowl of cereal with reduced or nonfat milk—will supply necessary nutrients and go a long way to help you think clearly and avoid junk food/empty calories before lunch.
- Frozen fruits, vegetables, juices, meats and fish can be just as nutritious as fresh, if not more so, because they are often flash frozen within moments. Heavily processed frozen meals are often high in fat. Learn to read labels and avoid unhealthy foods.
- Fast foods keep you coming back for more by enticing you with heavily salted foods that are also high in fat. Help your heart and watch your gut by staying away from this type of food whenever possible.
- Feel helpless setting up your kitchen for one? Call in the help of a local nutritionist. An hour or two of his/her time will cost less than a few trips through the drive-through, and it can make a lifetime of difference.
Italian for Beginners Facts:
- The most effective way to learn a new language is to use it in conversation. Seek out neighborhoods, restaurants and stores where you can practice.
- Sometimes the simplest lesson is the most effective. Learn to properly pronounce the alphabet of a foreign language; this is often the key to speaking it.
- Language schools and institutes are available in most urban areas. Check the Yellow Pages. Courses are also available on audiotape, videotape and the Internet.
- Many cities have foreign language clubs that offer members a chance to get together for conversation, film and other cultural events.
Contact Information:
ItaLingua Institute
870 Market Street, Suite 708
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 362-6025
italian@italingua.com
www.italingua.com
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