Oh!mino - July 2021

Oh!mino - July 2021

STAY FIT!

OLYMPIC RINGS MEET GOLDEN ARCHES HOW MCDONALD’S HELPED ME FALL IN LOVE WITH THE OLYMPIC GAMES JULY 2021 OHMINO.COM

I’m a pretty lucky guy — out of the 7.9 billion people on the planet, I’m one of the relative few that has actually been to the Olympics. My dad worked for First Interstate Bank in 1984 when the games were staged in Los Angeles, and as a corporate sponsor he was swimming in tickets. He handed a few off to college-aged me, and I took my friends to see the diving and baseball events. The athleticism, strength, flexibility, and explosive power the athletes displayed was incredible, and the full set collector pins from those games hung in my parents’ hallway for decades. But what’s funny is that my most vivid Olympics memory isn’t from the '84 games at all. It’s from 1976, when McDonald’s put the Olympics on my radar. I know this sounds like a joke coming from the founder of a fitness supplements company, but hear me out. Way back in fifth grade, before I knew a thing about macros or calories or muscle mass, McDonald’s was my world. Big Macs, fries, and fountain Cokes were luxuries I could only access if I begged my mom. So, it made headline news for me when McDonald’s started running a special promotion for the Olympics: scratch-off cards. If you were a kid in the '70s, you probably remember this as well as I do. When you scratched the card it would reveal the name of an Olympic event. And if the U.S. medaled in that event, you won a prize. A bronze medal was redeemable for a soda; silver earned French fries; and gold won you the holy grail: a free Big Mac. All of a sudden, free food was possible, and there was no purchase required to get a card! It quickly became the best summer ever. Every time my mom drove by a McDonald’s my brother and I begged her to pull over. Then we dashed in, joined the line, and came out holding our cards high. I always prayed for track and field events when I scratched my cards, but really I’d take any event the U.S. dominated in and didn’t suck at. Even sports I’d never heard of were on the table, and when the Olympics came on my brother and I sat glued to the TV.

That summer introduced us to dozens of new games through the gateway drug of the McDonald’s scratch-off tickets. Amazingly, I struck gold more than once. When Team USA walked away with three medals, I scored an entire McDonald’s meal. I ended that summer with a pile of scratchers and a massive amount of free McDonald's — what could make a fifth-grade boy happier? The icing on the cake was that I could bike a few blocks and pick up my Big Macs and Cokes by myself any time I wanted. I’d never felt more independent! Even the Fourth of July, which my friends and I spent lighting off illegal firecrackers and bottle rockets, couldn't compare. (I hope that this Fourth of July you’re smarter and safer than I was.) Do you remember the 1976 Summer Olympic Games and the magic of McDonald’s scratch-off tickets? Or maybe the repeat in 1984 when the giveaway backfired on McDonald’s after Soviet Union and East Germany boycotted the games, costing the chain millions in Big Macs? I’d love to hear your stories. Shoot me an email this month while you’re watching the summer Olympics.

Stay fit, my friend!

–Michael

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BOOST YOUR MOOD AND ENERGY THE EASY WAY WITH THIS TIP FROM CONSTRUCTION WORKER HEATH MCMEANS

where I was just going through supplement after supplement —

“Oh!mino didn’t put major weight on me but I started gaining two pounds here, two there, and by the time all was said and done I had put on 12 pounds, something I’d never been able to do,” he said. Heath lost a bit of that muscle after a shoulder injury forced him to take time off from the gym, but Oh!mino has helped him retain as much muscle as possible. He swears by the product’s mood- and energy-enhancing effects. “I see a lot of people [on Facebook] talking about the price of it … But I’m always like, ‘Just give it a try!’ I was skeptical at first about it as well, but it has replaced my protein powders, any other kind of aminos, my pre-workout, and other stuff like that. The only other thing I take is a nitric oxide pill along with the Oh!mino. To me, it saves me money!”

proteins, aminos, pre-workouts, all that kind of stuff — and I never could find anything that really felt like it was doing anything. Then I tried Oh!mino.” Heath says the effect was immediate! He tossed the rest of his supplements and protein powders and replaced all of them with servings of our Oh!mino Muscle Synthesis Activator with Caffeine. “I don't just take it for working out,” he says. “I take a serving of it at lunchtime, too, because of the energy it gives me. It's not just energy either; for me, it's a mood enhancer as well.” Oh!mino helps Heath power through this workday and his early morning gym sessions. After just a few months on the product, he also noticed significant muscle gain, which can be tough for a skinny, active, 45-year-old guy to achieve.

Alabama-based construction worker Heath McMeans spends his days swinging a hammer and working a saw. When he isn’t renovating and remodeling, he's lifting weights in the gym. With all of that activity, it’s no wonder he was struggling last year to gain weight and keep his energy levels high! “I’ve been in the gym off and on my entire life, and I’d gotten to a point

EAT LESS MEAT WITHOUT GOING MEATLESS

3 CELEBRITY CHEFS PROVE IT’S POSSIBLE AND DELICIOUS America is the land of the free and home of one of the world’s highest per capita meat-consuming cultures. While veganism and plant-based diets seem to be trending among celebrities from Beyonce to Bill Clinton, most Americans are not ready to relinquish their burgers and bacon entirely. A recent Gallup poll found that the percentage of Americans who identify as vegetarian or vegan has barely shifted in the last 20 years, holding steady at 5% and 3%, respectively. But two trends are starting to converge, making flexitarian diets — ones with plant-based and meatless meals — more appealing: The concern over high carbon emissions tied to meat production and the increased availability of plant-based meatless but meat-like options. Add that to the evidence of the negative health effects of consuming too much red meat, and shifting to a flexitarian diet starts to make a lot of sense. Who better to lead this shift in American eating habits than well-known chefs? These three celebrity chefs are proving that eating less meat doesn’t have to mean sacrificing flavor. Gordon Ramsay Ramsay has made jabs at the animal rights organization PETA and other characteristically brash comments against

vegetarianism in the past, but after judging on Vegan Celebrity MasterChef in 2018, Ramsay says he lost weight by eating five small flexitarian meals a day. He’s also started experimenting with plant-centric dishes like beet wellington, subbing the earthy root vegetable for traditional red meat. Jamie Oliver It’ll come as less of a surprise that Oliver has gone flexitarian and started incorporating more meatless meals into his diet. Oliver’s 2010 show “Food Revolution” took a peek behind American school lunches and sought to bring healthier fare to kids around the country. Oliver has since released a meat-free cookbook and says eating less meat has improved his sleep and is better for the planet. Martha Stewart Known for her cooking as well as her crafting, Stewart has been championing plant-based meals since 2013 when her vegetarian cookbook “Meatless” was published. Last year, she joined forces with the innovative plant-based meat substitute company Beyond Meat to help launch their new breakfast sausage line.

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THINK BEYOND THE KERNEL 3 WHOLE GRAINS YOU CAN EAT LIKE POPCORN

When it comes to snackability, it’s hard to beat popcorn. It’s easy to make, has a satisfying crunch, and allows for endless seasoning options. That’s what makes it the most popular snack food by volume. In the U.S., Americans consume a whopping 1.2 billion pounds of popcorn each year. But did you know that there are three whole- grain cousins to the kernel that are equally delicious when popped?

lack of familiarity or their long cook times. However, since popping them takes less than 10 minutes, it’s a great entry point to varying your whole-grain diet! The Benefits Whole grains are great sources of fiber and protein, and these three powerhouse grains really deliver. Fiber has been shown to help lower cholesterol, move waste through the digestive tract, and decrease the risk of forming blood clots that can lead to heart attack or strokes. Harvard School of Public Health also notes that whole grains can help stabilize blood sugar levels and may even protect against some cancers. That’s because they contain phytochemicals and essential minerals like magnesium, selenium, and copper. The Technique Are you ready to get popping? Cook’s Illustrated magazine suggests this simple technique for grains: In a medium saucepan, add 1 quart of boiling water to 1/2 cup of wheat berries, kamut, or spelt and simmer for 15 minutes; drain well and let dry for 15 minutes on paper towels. Heat 1 tsp of neutral, high-heat oil (vegetable or coconut oil works well) in a 10-inch skillet over medium heat. Add the 1/2 cup of grains and cook while stirring constantly about 6–8 minutes. The grains will pop and “jump” in the skillet, turn a deep golden brown, and smell delicious. When that happens and the popping slows or stops, you’ll know they’re done. Sprinkle with sea salt and let cool before snacking. Eating a diet rich in whole grains can support you on your journey to having better health. And popped kamut, spelt, and wheat berries prove that journey can also be delicious!

The Grains While most whole grains

can be popped on the stove like popcorn, larger grains like wheat berries, spelt, and kamut are the ones that really

shine with a satisfying popcorn-like crunch and a delicious nutty flavor. Whole grains come with tons of health benefits, and there are many options to try, from well-known brown rice to the more obscure amaranth. But many people skip these grains because of a

MEXICAN CORN SALAD

TAKE A BREAK!

Inspired by JoCooks.com

INGREDIENTS

• 4 cups of fresh corn, cut from 5 cobs • 1 tbsp olive oil • 1/2 red bell pepper, chopped • 1/2 red onion, diced • 6 green onions, chopped • 1 jalapeno, diced • 1/2 avocado, cubed • 1/4 cup fresh-squeezed lime juice

• 1/2 tsp ground cumin • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika • Salt and pepper, to taste

• 2 tbsp sour cream • 2 tbsp mayonnaise

• 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped • 1/2 cup cotija or feta cheese, crumbled

DIRECTIONS

1. In a cast-iron skillet over medium- high heat, add oil and corn. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 3–5 minutes or until corn starts to char. 2. Add the corn to a large bowl and let cool for 5 minutes, then add

the remaining ingredients and stir together until well combined. Taste and adjust seasoning. 3. The salad pairs well with grilled entrees and can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

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3020 Old Ranch Parkway, Ste. 300 Seal Beach, CA 90740

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

1.

Olympics Make Michael Think About McDonald’s

2. The Easy Way to Boost Your Energy and Mood Celebrity Chefs Prove Flexitarianism Is Delicious 3. 3 Whole Grains You Can Eat Like Popcorn Mexican Corn Salad 4. Kickboard Pool Exercises

Arms: Pushdowns Land lovers do pushups and water lovers do pushdowns. The principle behind both exercises is the same, but doing it in the water means less strain on your muscles. To perform the pushdown, stand in waist-deep water and hold your kickboard in front of you with your elbows bent and your hands shoulder-width apart. Keep your core muscles engaged as you push the board down into the water until your elbows are straight. Slowly bring the board back to the starting position. Do 2–3 cycles of 10 reps each. Legs: Flutter Kicks This exercise is great to do in the lap lane at the pool and is probably one you’ve seen before. Grip the top of the board (the round end) with both hands and extend your arms in front of you with the board on the surface of the water. Lift your hips so your body is horizontal and be sure to slide your shoulders down and engage your core as you start performing small kicks with your legs. Engage your thighs to power the kick and keep your knees slightly bent while your ankles remain relaxed. Abs and Hip Flexors: L Sit In shallow water that still allows you to float, lean your chest and outstretched arms over your kickboard. Keep your back straight and your legs at a 90-degree angle to create the L-shape this exercise is named after. Engaging your core muscles and keeping your back long, move your legs in tandem up toward the kickboard, then return slowly to the starting position. Do 2–3 sets of 10 reps.

THE HUMBLE KICKBOARD A POWERFUL POOL WORKOUT TOOL

If the heat of the summer is zapping your energy and motivation to exercise, it’s probably time to head to the pool to cool down and get moving without breaking a sweat. While swimming laps is a great low-impact exercise, there are many other ways to work out in the water. And there’s one humble, versatile, and widely available piece of equipment that can provide a full-body water workout: a foam kickboard. That’s right, those colorful kickboards you often see lined up poolside are perfect for elevating your aquatic workout. High-quality kickboards are made from foam that is both long-lasting and hygienic, but if you’re taking extra safety precautions and don’t want to use shared boards, they are also inexpensive to buy.

Here are three exercises to get you started!

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