Halloween Candy Alternatives, Daylight Saving Time Facts

Healthy Movement Show Notes—Episode 7

 

[door knocking] yes, who’s there?

BBW: It’s just three pigs out here man.

S: Pigs? Hell no! We ain’t done nothing wrong.  (go tell everybody it’s the cops man). Eh, You got a warrant?!?

BBW: Uh, no dude…like the three little pigs…you know the fairy tale?

S: Well, I do love bacon, but now the WHO says I shouldn’t so…thanks anyway.

BBW: God damnit, man…it’s the big bad wolf. I’ve got your audience out here. Let us in before the real pigs roll by.

S: Oh, shit…why didn’t you say something? Geez…sorry everybody. (aside: it’s ok…y’all can go back to what you were doing). Hey, thanks for making through those creepy paths and sleepy hallows for our Healthy Movement….podcast Halloween-Spooktacular. [howl]. We’ve spared no expense and blown the whole budget on sound effects and noise makers this week, too! [noise maker sfx]

But first, I’m your ghoulish guide on this ride, call me the Count of the count, I’m Shawn Staerker, and I’m gonna give ya all that I can re-count. Those of you who are here in studio can see, but for y’all at home, I’m ready to go today in my Bea Arther get up.  circa. Dorthy Spornack, of course. All courtesy of J. Edgar’s Fashions and Costume Jewelry.

And to my left, in the permanent Jersey Cow outfit, is the narcoleptic producer himself, the o to the t, the t to the o, he’s otto…and he’s here all show.

Like a rookie on the Taco Bell line, we’ve packed this informational burrito side splittingly full today, and we’re in danger of spillin over onto your shirt. No matter, it’s all solid stuff, and I’m sure y’all can spare a few extra minutes.

Since those clocks fall back this weekend, we’re gonna rip into some facts about Daylight Saving Time, specifically, from a health and wellness slant.

What would a Healthy Movement Halloween be without a few alternatives to be handed out in place of traditional candy? We’re gonna cover some obvious and some not so obvious choices for kids this holiday. And, if you’re more of the trickin’ type, we will accommodate that as well!

Of course, we’ve got a frighteningly-good meditation minute, and we dare to open some listener emails again, too.

Before we get into all of that, however, since we’ve got the “open” sign on, we’re burning oil, and that means we outta’ pay a few bills. Let’s get that out of the way, and we’ll come right back…

[J.Edgar’s promo]

 Healthy Trick or Treat

 

In talking with many of y’all out there, I was amazed at how many of us preach healthy lifestyles and try to follow moderately healthy diets, yet we don’t hesitate to fill little Susie’s pillow case with two fistfuls of Charlston Chews or Chunky Bars come Halloween. Listen, I don’t have anything against candy…I’ve been known to knock down a few bags of gummies as a lunch option during my days of ill repute, but let’s be real…little Susie ain’t gonna go candyless just ‘cause we’ve opted to throw a touch of health into the mix. Seriously. Maybe, little Susie could benefit from the fiber or something. Bottom line is that we can feed the beast without giving the little bugger type 2 diabetes in the process. And I’m not talking about being that d-bag who’s slinging home-made popcorn balls to the beggers…(popcorn ball rant).

Anyway, let’s have a look at some healthy options that are readily available. Our sources were mainly Amazon and Costco. I’m sure Whole Foods has some great stuff there, but we haven’t been able to shop there since, oooh….9? Meh, whatever. Tasty, but a little rich for my blood these days.

First up are the obvious replacements…organic candies:

1.) Surf Sweets: not only a pretty gnarly name, but this easy-going company makes a line of delicious 100% organic jelly beans, gummy worms and all sorts of other squishy sweets. 24 individually wrapped packs will set you back around $20.00.  www.Surfsweets.com

2.) Natural Candy store.com—I think the name pretty much says it all here folks. Not much more for me to do with that. We like the organic fruit and chocolate rolls. They’re kinda’ like modern day hippie tootsie rolls. ½ lb runs sub-$7. Some of you may notice that this site sells individually wrapped popcorn balls. So help me God, if my kid comes back with one of those suckers, whoa be unto the gifter. That is all.  www.NaturalCandystore.com

3.) My personal favorite among all of the candies are the “bug bites” from Endangered Species. While $40 for 64 individually wrapped pieces is a skosh north of our budget currently, at least we take solace in knowing that these organic chocolates have been fairly sourced. What’s more a good portion of the profits is donated to helping save endangered animals around the world. Pretty John Stewart of em.  I know that Fresh Market carries these things, too, so if you need to pop out locally, there’s availability. http://www.chocolatebar.com/

Alright, so let’s line up some of the other options now…

Juice boxes: they make for a nice individually wrapped treat and will show that you care about keeping the little ghosts and goblins hydrated during their long candy surfaris. As a point of note, here locally, we are also keeping cold adult beverages available for the grown up support wagons. It’s an adult sort of Halloween, I reckon. We’re hoping it catches on.

Costco has Apple n Eve Organic jb’s, 27/$7.89 and Hanson’s brand for $19 and ya’ get 44 of them suckers, too. If you really want to show your concern for juvenile health, Amazon carries Pea, Spinach and Apple Puree Juice Boxes from Peter Rabbit. 10 for $15.

Granola:

The choice of Birkenstock-wearers everywhere, this hearty snack is readily available in small servings and usually has something sweet in there, so it’s not like you’re being a total sugar kill joy. And, since they’re basically cereal, they’re not that expensive, either. Some are packaged by actual hippies and will thus give your child’s candy vessel that nice patchouli scent, too.

Cascadian Farms Granola bars are $13 for 56 at Costco, and Nature Valley sells a whopping 98 1.5 oz. granola bars for less than a $20 sack. If you’re one of those rich hippies, try 18 Rabbits Organic Granola, available on Amazon and only $14 for two dozen.

Fruit Snacks:

Maybe you’re more of a fruit snack kind of person…well…there are some good options that can be given out instead of candy that won’t cause the same sugar overdose. Applesauce comes to mind, and it’s available from Mott’s in an Organic variety. 36 3.9 oz. cups for $12. Costco’s Kirkland brand of organic applesauce is about the same price per cup, at $10 for 24.

Cliff, makers of the popular energy bar, have a nice organic fruit rope that comes 24 to a box and cost only $11. Bare Natural Apple Chips are also a great treat and are found in a nice 24 bag variety pack with 6 bags each of Granny Smith, Fuji, Cinnamon, and Sea Salt Caramel flavors.

Non-Edible Treats

Honestly, I have mixed feelings about even including this category, lest some schmuck take it as free reign to hand out whatever dry goods he’s got in between the couch cushions, but maybe a nice temporary tattoo will fill the bill here. Or some silly putty…non used, please.

For those who really are stuck on giving away money for Halloween, then pony up and bring some cash. Don’t hand out a coupla’ pennies and expect your house not wear a nice shade of Charmin come sunrise. I’m not saying make it rain, but don’t make cheap it up either. $.50-$1/kid outta’ do the trick. Again, use your discretion, and fellas, if your hot neighbor brings her kid over, then pony up a few more bucks…I think the investment will be well worth it over time.

And y’all enjoy your night too. Be safe. Remember that Halloween can be a dangerous time on the roads, so slow down and give our super-heros and dragon-slayers a wide birth. You never know which way these hopped-up sugar-heads are gonna go!

Daylight Saving Time Facts

 

[Pink Floyd, Time]

You know what the music means…the annual end of Daylight Saving Time on November 1st …time to grab that extra hour of sleep, or extra hour of work if you happen to find yourselves on a good meth binder. In honor of receiving that most precious of gifts, let’s have a look at a few facts about Daylight Saving Time, shall we?

1.) First and foremost, it’s Daylight Saving time, not Daylight Savings Time. (Don’t worry—you’re not alone if you thought otherwise, Google reports that “far more people [search] the wrong term than do the right one). Smarten up, Indiana…under a 2007 state law, every city’s on the bandwagon, now.

2.) Finnish researchers [Swedish chef] have determined that the transitions into and out of Daylight Saving Time can be harmful vis-à-vis the fact of losing or gaining an hour of sleep. Apparently night owls are most susceptible to this disruption.  Kazakhstan feels so strongly about the negative health effects of DSL (that’s daylight saving time), that they did away with it all together in 2005.

3.) A 2008 study seems to support some of these negative health effects, too, since hospitals report an uptick in heart attacks during the transition into Daylight Saving Time. When we end in the fall, a short drop in the ol’ MI can be seen. Seems that losing an hour of one’s sleep may have increased risks for heart attacks. Take heed folks.

4.) [skid…Crash sound] Reports also show, however, that observing daylight saving time could possibly reduce the number of traffic deaths—since people tend to drive a little safer in the daylight hours. Or at least that’s what the “experts” tell us, anyway.

So, whens’t the witches and goblins of Halloween are vanquished, and the early dawn hours of All Saints Day falls upon us, so too, will a new time schedule. Whether you’re sleeping off a ghoulish hangover, or using that extra hour to bake a few more turnovers for Sunday service, enjoy a little extra time this weekend…y’all know we will!

Right now, I’m gonna use the time to pay a few bills. When we come back, I’ll answer a coupla’ listener emails and stay with us as we wrap things up with Here Come the Mummies and a spooky version of our Meditation Minute.

[New YobCo promo]

Listener Email

 

Ok…you guys know I’m a man of the people, and I love to interact with as many of y’all as possible. And you guys never fail to disappoint, either, as I just looked into the email bag, and it’s as full as an overeater at the Golden Corral.

Guys wanna’ have a look at a couple?  Let’s do it!

Logan from Pennsylvania asks “I’m putting together a workout plan and I’m wondering if I should workout 2 days in a row and take a day off, or lift every other day? What do you think?”

First, let me say, Logan, what a thoughtful question…it’s nice to get these. I’ve been over the research, and continue to look at as much of the current stuff as I can—and I have seen no conclusive evidence one way or the other. I mean, I see studies which promote one way or the other, but there doesn’t seem to be a mountain of support for one method or another. Try ‘em both out and see what works best for you is my advice.

On to another email from one of our faithful beach bums right here in Florida, here’s one from Emmitt in Coca Beach:

“Hey Shawn, I’m a 51 year old male and I’ve just retired. I’d like to pick up surfing and maybe travel down to Costa Rica. Problem is that the last few times I have been out, my shoulders are making a popping sound and I get some pain afterwards. Am I gonna’ have stay off the waves and just carry my board around the beach like a kook?”

Great Scott, Emmitt…or can I call ya’ Doc? Ha! Oh man. Ok. Anyway, I don’t think you’re doomed to floating around the hotel pool on a blow up alligator with what you’re telling me. Keep in mind that I’m no Dr. (though if you’re a hot college gal, I might care to play one), but that popping you’re hearing is most likely due to a little weakness in your rotator cuff muscles. Check out our blog post from this past summer about how to warm up and exercise those specific muscles, and you should find you’re good hang ten in Jaco this spring. Pura Vida, my man!

And finally D-Low from Lancaster askes “Dude…CO took my lighter and I ain’t go no way to participate in the meditation minute along with you guys. What can I do?”

D-Low! What’s up my man? I’m guessin’ that’s not Lancaster, PA, eh? No matter, bro…I gotcha’. Since you tell me that you’re listening to the podcast, I’m assuming you have a rechargeable device that you’re listening on. Well, that requires a wall socket and plug, and what is a socket, but a lighter waiting to happen? I know it’s in short supply, but grab a fistful of that state toilet paper and twist it up like it’s a big heater. Fray one end a little, so it’s torn up pretty good and will hold a spark. Now, you’re gonna need to straighten out a paper clip and jam it into the end of an ink pen (so you don’t get shocked). Stick that paper clip across both terminals of your outlet, and be ready to catch the spark with your TP wick. Boom! Good to go, my bro! Just be careful you don’t pop the breaker, or you’re beat on watching Maury Povich until the next shift comes around.

That’s gonna wrap up this week’s mailbag. Unfortunately, I came across a few bills in that bag that could use a little paying. What’s say we step out for just a second and earn a few bucks. I’ll see y’all in a minute.

[Colombian Men’s Warehouse promo]

Meditation Minute

 

Whoa! Spooky! You know what else is scary?!? This drought, man! Shit’s dry as the Hollywood Hills around here. And, I mean, dry, too…as anything I can seem to find is crustier than Sancho’s drawers.

Thankfully, this show’s got some wide reach, and a few friends of ours sent a care package with a little Ghost Train Haze from out in San Diego (sounds scary). In fact, they were supposed to have been on the show to review today’s offering, but it seems like business calls—and I can’t hate on the almighty dollar. So, let’s read what Leafly.com has to say on the matter:

First bred by Rare Dankness, Ghost Train Haze is a sativa cross between Ghost OG and Neville’s Wreck. Unlike typical sativas, Ghost Train Haze grows dense buds blanketed in white, crystal-capped trichomes. With a sour citrus and floral aroma, Ghost Train Haze delivers a potent dose of THC to knock out paindepression, and appetite loss, but patients prone to anxiety should steer clear of this heavy-hitter. Low doses are conducive to concentration and creativity, but you may notice some cerebral haziness as you administer more. Ghost Train Haze is a suitable outdoor strain for warm climates and has a 65 to 80 day flowering time indoors.

Well, call me Locomotive Breath, ‘cause I’m about to board that Long Dark Train—destination: middle of nowhere. [Train sound, scary laugh]. And in the spirit of things, I’m paired up with a with a hearty Swamp Ape Double IPA from The Florida Beer Company right over there in near Emmitt in Cape Canaveral. Why don’t we crank up a little Here Come the Mummies for this wild rail ride and let our freak flags fly

[HCTM, “Freak Flag”]

Well, seems we’re at the end of our show, but this Ghost Train ain’t yet pulled into the station. I think I hear her building a little head of steam to round that bend, in fact. And at around 10%, that Swamp Ape has me in a funky monkey sleeper hold.

Before we get outta here, I wanna’ give some props to my man Leo Navarro down at Florida Gulf Coast University. His senior project feature length film “The Path” is set to premier Thursday, December 3rd from 5-7 at the art gallery at FGCU. Leo has done some great special effects work in the past, and his first film looks to be a real thriller. Congrats to my man for sticking to your dream and being true to what you want out of life. That’s what we preach here at the Movement. Any of y’all in the SWFL area wanna check it out, tickets are on the house.

Be sure to take caution out there…be safe…stick to the roads…beware the moors and the mor-ons and enjoy your Halloween.

Join us next week, as we up the credibility factor and bring in Dr. Nicole Ingrando from the Center for Recovery and Exercise… Don’t worry, guys, we’re still gonna have the mediation minute.

As always, keep up with us on social media and our original Healthy Movement Weblog @ www.thehealthymovement.net

As you know by now, I’m Shawn Staerker—this has been The Healthy Movement… Podcast. Y’all keep it clean and cozy, and here’s hoping for lots of healthy movements… until next week.

[HCTM, Freak Flag]

The Healthy Movement Podcast is distributed on the Broke Ass Radio Network

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