Tuesday, August 28, 2018
Ranger Eric's Product of the Week: Phenix Gear EMT Pouch
Ranger Eric overviews and highlights the Phenix Gear EMT Pouch from Ranger Joe's.
This is a great pouch, which was specifically designed to be used for your IFAK (individual first aid kit).
Military, law enforcement, survivalists, airsofters, hunters, fisherman, campers, hikers, and all outdoorsman should have quick access to the life saving gear found in an IFAK.
The Phenix Gear EMT Pouch securely holds this needed life saving gear, and provides a rugged, lightweight container to keep this gear close at hand.
Visit the Ranger Joe's website to see the product info. - Phenix Gear EMT Pouch
Eric Dempsey
MS, ISSA Master Trainer
Master Sergeant, US Army Retired,
Dempseys Resolution Fitness
for
The Chaplain Paul Voorhees Ministry
Tuesday, August 21, 2018
Ranger Eric's Product of the Week: Tru-Spec H20 Proof Wet Weather Gear
I couldn’t let a rainy, miserable, dreary day bring me down.
I rejected the option of splashing around, singing and dancing in the rain as I feared I may throw my back out, and the neighbors would probably call the Sheriff on me.
So instead, I threw on my wet weather gear from Ranger Joe’s and headed out into the fray.
I set up a hooch and cleared some storm debris from the survival site, while wearing Tru-Spec H2O proof parka & pants in multicam.
It worked great and kept me totally dry, even during the downpours.
Thumbs up!
Eric Dempsey
Master Sergeant, US Army Retired
MS, ISSA Master Trainer
for
Tuesday, August 14, 2018
4 Reasons To Stop Eating White Bread
There's nothing wrong with including bread in your diet, right? Well, it turns out it depends on the type of bread it is you're eating. Whole grain breads provide you with vitamin, minerals, and fiber – they're a great addition to your diet.
Unfortunately, white bread isn't just unhealthy, there's more to it than that. If you're trying to decide whether to ditch white bread or stay the course, check out these four major reasons that will help make your decision a bit easier.
Reason 1 – No Nutritional Value
To make white bread you first need white flour and unfortunately, white flour has been completely stripped of its nutrients. While manufacturers do enrich white flour with vitamins and minerals, it's only in small amounts.
The flour is made primarily of starch. On the other hand, you have whole-grain breads which are made from germ and bran as well, which is packed with minerals, vitamins, protein, fiber, and healthy fats.
Reason 2 – Full Of Preservatives & Additives
Additives, preservatives like calcium peroxide, ammonium sulfate, mono, DATEM, and diglycerides are all found in the average white bread loaf. There is absolutely no nutrition found in white bread, it's created with the express purpose of being a filler that is soft and has a longer shelf life.
We talk about foods being whole, living, and dead. You can categorize white bread as a dead food. Other dead foods include processed, junk foods and fast foods. If you want to eat well, choose whole and living foods – that includes lean proteins, fruits, vegetables, and whole-grain breads (and pastas, etc.).
Reason 3 – It Won't Bring You Satisfaction
While white bread is a filler, what it won't do is leave you feeling satisfied. White breads are high on the glycemic index and cause a spike in your blood sugar and with that delicious carb rush comes a nasty carb crash. Whereas, you can choose whole-grain breads which release energy slowly – whole-grain bread fills you up more, leaves you feeling fuller for longer, and you don't need to worry about a nasty carb crash either.
Reason 4 – It Will Lead To Weight Gain
Harvard University says, eating white bread in large quantities is going to lead to weight gain. You may think it's okay because you checked the calorie count and it's not too bad, but white bread can lead to cravings which will cause you to eat more calories the rest of the day.
When you strip away the benefits of a product just to leave the starchy remains you're going to go through those spikes in blood sugar and when you crash you will crave. It's a nasty cycle to get caught up in and eating white bread simply perpetuates it. Without the necessary fiber content, you end up hungrier as white bread leaves your stomach quickly.
You may have chosen to cut white bread from your diet, but you can't forget about the other sources of white bread that you may still be eating. Bagels count, as do English muffins, baguettes, French bread, and pizza. Refined carbohydrates the sugar in your blood ends up being stored as body fat.
In fact, some researchers are looking into the link between depression in post-menopausal women and refined carbohydrates. Dropping white bread from your diet is one of the easiest diet and lifestyle decisions you can make, all you need to do is reach for the whole wheat.
If you aren't convinced and you choose to continue eating white bread then you need to ensure you consume it in the appropriate portions and as part of a healthy, balanced diet. You can use the USDA's MyPlate to keep yourself on track.
It recommends a diet of 2,000 calories a day and you should only consume 6 oz of grain (each day), to put that into context one ounce is half a slice of bread. However, half of your daily grain count should be whole-grain.
Know the chemical Alloxan-another reason to avoid white bread.
Ounce wheat kernels are stripped of their bran and germ layers, it still a natural flour that is just white but still contains residual outer fibers. The industry is not happy until every trace of fiber is removed. The flour then goes through a process of whitening which is similar to any chlorine bleaching process. A similar chemical to chlorine but leaves a residual byproduct called Alloxan.
Unfortunately alloxan is very toxic for all animals causing the destruction of beta cells in the pancreas. These cells are responsible for insulin production. Alloxan is so effective in destroying beta cells that is the standard laboratory drug to artificially induce diabetes in rats for drug tests and other studies. So white bread potentially can contribute to diabetes. Not cool! Once in awhile probably won't matter, but repeated use could become a problem. Easier to just stay away from it all together.
Photo credit:
https://media.npr.org/assets/img/2013/01/11/white-bread-9aca49dd298d29eba19afe086778b821bc7f90fd-s800-c85.jpg
Eric Dempsey
Master Sergeant, US Army Retired
MS, ISSA Master Trainer
For
Ranger Eric's Product of the Week: Mechanix MPACT Gloves
Ranger Eric gives an overview of his experiences with the Mechanix MPACT
gloves from Ranger Joe's.
Law Enforcement and all branches of our military trust their hands with M-Pact gloves. Impact absorbing Thermal Plastic Rubber (TPR) is sonic welded to the glove for flexible protection against common blunt force impact injuries and skin abrasions. The uniquely designed Impact Guard frees your index finger for smooth trigger guard entry and mobility. Armortex grip panels on the thumb, index finger, and palm increase mileage and gripping power for intricate tasks. High impact PORON XRD cushioning in the palm provides relief when you're fully engaged so you can maintain your focus.
Molded TPR knuckle and finger impact protection
Rubberized grip on thumb and index finger for improved control and abrasion resistance
TrekDry top-hand material helps keep hands dry and comfortable
Second-skin fit with Hook & Loop closure
Machine washable.
S, M, L, XL, 2X.
Black, MULTICAM.
Eric Dempsey
Master Sergeant, US Army Retired
MS, ISSA Master Trainer
For
Tuesday, August 7, 2018
5 Tips to Start Eating Clean Today
Eating clean may seem like a simple notion but adopting the lifestyle itself can prove challenging for most. Whole foods like fruits, vegetables, healthy fats, plant-based proteins, and whole grains become the staple of your diet. Meanwhile, you reduce your intake of large amounts of sugar, salt, unhealthy fats, refined grains, additives, and preservatives.
Making such a change can be daunting. Upon transitioning into clean eating, it is highly likely you will encounter a few bumps in the road. The good news is that clean eating doesn’t have to be a difficult task. After all, this way of life is all about eating the healthiest of food groups. With proper tips and a clean eating playbook in hand, you can successfully navigate the bumps to reach the other side.
Here are five tips on how to start eating clean today.
Start with a Single Meal
Avoid making sweeping changes to your diet right away. Consider this; it may require a full year for you to make the transition. Instead, make gradual changes to your eating habits by starting with a single meal. According to Prevention Magazine, breakfast is an excellent choice for initiating your move to cleaner eating. Begin by removing processed meat like sausages and replacing it with two eggs or ditching those sweet cereals for whole-wheat toast and unsweetened peanut butter.
Plan Your Meals and Cook Your Own Food
Consistently planning your meals is the best first step you can take. This plan becomes the basis for your shopping list and what it is you will consume for the week. It also helps you to stay on track. Use the plan to introduce new foods into your meals slowly and as a method to gradually remove the bad stuff. Remember, try to avoid cutting everything out at once. Your body will not be able to adjust. Instead, plan each week out methodically. Keep a few of your favorites but make small changes.
Next, cook your food as much as possible. The only way to know what’s in your food and about to go into your body is to prepare it yourself. This action will enable you to feel confident in the fact that you are keeping with your new standards for clean eating. Research meals that fit the clean eating lifestyle. Sites like eatingwell.com and cleaneatmag.com are fantastic sources of information. YouTube university also offers a wealth of videos with clean eating recipes.
If planning to eat out with your friends, do all that you can in advance to prepare for the experience so that you can stay on track.
Keep Your Produce in Stock
One of the most significant components of clean eating is fruits and veggies. Make sure you stock up on your fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables will provide you with much-needed fiber which plays a critical role in reducing inflammation in the body, lowering cholesterol, and managing heart disease.
Eat Five to Six Meals Per Day
Eating clean will require you to eat frequent meals. This effort will help to ensure you are taking in adequate nutrients and keep your belly satisfied. Also, it will ensure that you avoid regular, unhealthy snacking.
Give Yourself Permission
Permit yourself to eat a little junk food from time to time without feeling guilty (Prevention Magazine). A taste of the bad stuff from time to time will not sabotage your clean eating lifestyle. If you deny yourself a few guilty pleasures all the time, it can set you up for failure down the road.
These are just five tips to help you start eating clean today. Every step you take towards clean eating will bring you closer to a healthier way of living. Make your experience a positive one. Your body will thank you.
Eric Dempsey
MS, NASM Fitness Nutrition Specialist
for
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