By Cielestia Calbay

Today marks the 41^st anniversary of Earth Day. And though only 36 percent of Americans are concerned about the planet’s well-being, as surveyed by The A Harris Interactive Poll, there are many ways to eat smart and responsibly for those looking to eat green today.

When shopping for sustainable foods, you’ll likely be bombarded with labels like “grass-fed,” “cage-free” and other foreign-language-sounding terms. With the help of EarthDay.Nature.org, we’ve decoded these less-than-intuitive labels to help you make an informed decision:

Shade-Grown

Found on: Coffee

Definition: Instead of clearing land to grow coffee, producers grow coffee underneath the tree canopy, which helps keep our air clean, our soil healthy and provides habitat for animals and birds.

Dolphin-Safe

Found on: Tuna

Definition: Fishers didn’t use a certain kind of net on or around dolphins, and no dolphins were killed or seriously injured during tuna harvesting.

Grass-Fed

Found on: Meat

Definition: The animals were fed a diet of “100% forage,” were raised on a pasture and were never given hormones or antibiotics.

Free-Range/Cage-Free

Found on: Poultry

Definition: American producers must prove that the birds have “access to the outside,” although the frequency or duration of this access is not defined

Local

Found on: Almost everything

Definition: The product adheres to USDA guidelines and was transported less than 400 miles from its origin, or hasn’t come from another state

Animal Welfare Approved

Found on: Meat, poultry, pork, dairy, eggs

Definition: AWA is a free and independent third-party auditing and certification program for family farms raising their animals humanely — outdoors on a pasture or a range.

Certified Naturally Grown

Found on: Produce, honey, meat, poultry

Definition: It’s similar to USDA certification, but relies on peer-review rather than third-party inspection.

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Cielestia Calbay is the associate editor of Competitor Magazine. If she’s not the office, you’ll probably find her outdoors or scouring the area for the nearest juice bar. She may be reached at ccalbay@competitorgroup.com or @ccalbay

By Cielestia Calbay

Those observing this day will want to have a meat-free meal come dinnertime.  But cutting out meat doesn’t necessarily mean skipping out on your daily protein intake. Here is a roundup of hearty protein sources to incorporate your meatless meal:

Beans  (including soy) (approximately 20g per 1/2 cup)

Eggs (6g per one large sized egg)

Quinoa (9g per 1 cup)

Nuts and Seeds (as much as 5g in almonds and 33g per 100g per serving in squash seeds)

Cheese  (6-10g per ounce depending on sharpness)

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Cielestia Calbay is the associate editor of Competitor Magazine. If she’s not at the office, you’ll probably find her outdoors or scouring the area for the nearest juice bar. She may be reached at ccalbay@competitorgroup.com or @ccalbay

By Cielestia Calbay

The fall holiday season has a reputation for being indulgent, but Easter is just as bad.

As the Lenten season ends this Sunday, many of us will surely be rewarding ourselves with chocolate, cake and other junk food we may have abstained from during the 40-day fast.

But before you stuff yourself with the more than 90 million chocolate bunnies and jelly beans reported to be nestled into our Easter baskets this weekend, read up on how they stack up in our Easter candy nutritional value count:

4 Marshmallow Peeps

Calories: 130

Fat (g): 0

Sugar (g) 29

1 Cadbury Crème Egg

Calories: 150

Fat (g): 6

Sugar (g) 20

1 Dove Solid Chocolate Bunny

Calories: 230

Fat (g): 0

Sugar (g) 29

35 Jelly Belly Assorted Jellybeans

Calories: 140

Fat (g): 0

Sugar (g) 32

9 Brachs Malted Easter Eggs

Calories: 200

Fat (g): 8

Sugar (g) 23

1 Egg of Easter M&Ms

Calories: 280

Fat (g): 12

Sugar (g): 36

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Cielestia Calbay is the associate editor of Competitor Magazine. If she’s not at the office, you’ll probably find her outdoors or scouring the area for the nearest juice bar. She may be reached at ccalbay@competitorgroup.com or @ccalbay.

By Cielestia Calbay

As featured in the April issue of Competitor Magazine out now:

There might be some truth to the Fountain of Youth myth, as researchers at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, found that regular exercise could delay premature aging.

Published in the “Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences,” the study used a group of mice that were genetically programmed to age faster than normal mice. Some of the mice ran on treadmills for 45 minutes, three times a week, while the other mice were inactive.

Five months later, the mice that exercised were still young and that their organs and brains also seemed to have improved. However, the sedentary mice had begun to age and bald, were less active and had weakened organs.

Researchers examined their mitochondria–power centers within cells that generate energy–and found that the mice that exercised had fewer signs of damage to their mitochondria.

Several studies have found similar results; however none has shown such a prominent effect.

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Cielestia Calbay is the associate editor of Competitor Magazine. If she’s not at the office, you’ll probably find her outdoors or scouring the area for the nearest juice bar. She may be reached at ccalbay@competitorgroup.com or @ccalbay.

By: Cielestia Calbay

Some have called it the “wonder drug.”

Agility and athleticism may have taken the form of a pill with the Huperzine-A supplements, a powerful over-the-counter supplement rumored to enhance mental focus.

Researchers likely had students, athletes and the eldery in mind when they discovered the effects of the overachieving pill, as the drug is noted to improve cognitive efficiencies most affected in studying, sports and memory loss. Since it emerged on the market, Huperzine-A has been touted for its ability to treat and prevent brain diseases like Alzheimer’s and dementia.

As it gained popularity, the Chinese-derived herb established a presence at college campuses and became an alternative to similar drugs like Adderall to help sharpen memory. And then among athletes as it improved performance by balancing key neurotransmitters: norepinephrine, dopamine and acteylcholine. Neurologists stress the importance of balancing these neurotransmitters, especially among athletes, as too much or not enough of one neurtransmitters can skew performance as a whole.

Too much norepinephrine can make you jittery; too much dopamine and you can’t focus; not enough acetylcholine can slow down your memory drive.

Huperzine-A works by increasing the production of acetylcholine so that our nerves can better communicate with our brain, muscles and other areas. Though most sources have praised the supplement, others have noted its side effects, which includes breathing problems, tightness in the throat, chest pains, rashes, diarrhea, vomiting and insomnia.

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Cielestia Calbay is the associate editor of Competitor Magazine. If she’s not at the office, you’ll probably find her outdoors or scouring the area for the nearest juice bar. She can be reached at ccalbay@competitorgroup.com or @ccalbay

Quinoa fans, rejoice.

Salba is the newest nutritional “superseed” to join the ranks of the popular grain as it makes its way into foods and breads. Rumored to be higher in protein, iron, calcium, fiber and Omega-3 fatty acids than chia, flax and any other seed, Salba is native to Mexico but is currently grown in other geographic regions with similar climates like Spain, Peru and Bolivia.

Like quinoa, its microscopic size makes it ideal to be added to foods very easily. But unlike its counterpart, the light brown seed is a member of the mint family, are about the same size as the sesame seed and has a nutty flavor. It can also be used as a digestive aid due to its ability to absorb water and slow down the digestion process, resulting in an increase in blood sugar levels after a meal. Vegans will particularly find many uses for Salba as it’s gluten-free.

Nutritional Breakdown:

• Five times the calcium compared to milk

• 3.5 ounces = 28-ounce piece of salmon

• 4 ounces = 5 cups of uncooked spinach

• 12 grams = 1 ¼ cups of bran cereal

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Cielestia Calbay is the Associate Editor of Competitor Magazine. If she’s not at the office, you’ll probably find her outdoors or scouring the area for the nearest juice bar. She may be reached at ccalbay@competitorgroup.com

Former world-class runner Tegla Loroupe is now a spokeswoman for peace. Photo: PhotoRun.net

World-class runner Tegla Loroupe’s Peace Race was a huge success.

In Kenya, more than 700 warriors have reformed and surrendered 38 guns to the government following peace efforts by the world marathon ace Tegla Loroupe. Loroupe, a multiple world champion in the half marathon, had organized the 8th edition of the Tegla Peace Race held over the weekend at Makutano Stadium West Pokot, Kenya.

The Kenyan government lauded these efforts.

“We recognise the contributions by Dr Loroupe to bring peace among warring communities,” said West Pokot official Allan Macharia. “”Incidents of rustling have dropped and warriors have surrendered illegal guns to the Government. These efforts will definitely promote development in the region.”

Loroupe kicked off the anti-rustling campaigns eight years ago through Tegla Loroupe Peace Foundation (TLPF) targeting pastoralists in Kenya, Uganda and South Sudan. She called on the three countries to support her foundation achieve its objectives.

“My foundation is determined to achieve peace to enable people fight poverty. I urge the governments to support my agenda by providing funds,” she said.

For More: The Standard

Analia Rosa won in her home country of Portugal on Saturday. Photo: PhotoRun.net

A tough course with sand and hills made the race even more challenging.

It was a Portuguese affair in the women’s race at the IAAF Cross-Country Permit Series 2010/11 in Oeiras, Portugal last Saturday. Anália Rosa owon the 5K in 20:01. Rosa, the former Portuguese long and short course cross country champion, made her move just before the last lap had begun. She then ran alone with a comfortable advantage that she controlled until the tape.

“I made my race. I tried to be in first place to gain my place in the Portuguese team (for the European XC champs) and I did my best. I only believed I could win when I was right in front of finish line. I made a very good and strong race but I ran all I could,” Rosa said.

In the men’s race (9K), Eritrea’s Teklemariam Medhin the World Cross-Country silver medallist, controlled the pace from the onset and won handily in 28:33. “This was a tough course, much sand and lots of hills,” recalled Medhin afterwards. “I’ve won here because I’m in a very good shape.”

Second place went to fellow Eritrean, Kidane Tadese, Zersenay Tadese’s younger brother.

For More: IAAF

Reporter Iain Hollingshead struggles to breath inside a hypoxic chamber. Photo: The Telgraph

One reporter tells what it’s like to train in artifically thinned air.

UK Telegraph reporter Iain Hollingshead got to recently work out inside a hypoxic chamber. The chamber uses a system of specially designed generators to reduce the amount of oxygen in the air, simulating conditions at around 8,500 ft. This lack of oxygen forces the body to work harder than usual, burning 30 per cent more calories and increasing red blood cell count.

“You notice the lack of oxygen the moment the heavy, air-tight door shuts behind you,” recalled Hollingshead. “After 10 minutes I’m exhausted, my lungs aching, my stomach regretting eating sushi for lunch shortly beforehand. I press on, too stubborn to go slower.”

Inside the chamber, Hollingshead completed circuits on a stationary bike at 16mph.

“An hour later, as I struggled to keep my feet in the pedals on the bike, feeling as if I was cycling up Everest in 18th gear, it finally came to an end,” he said. “Although I ached even more than normal, post-workout, I did feel uncharacteristically healthy.”

For More: The Telegraph

Italian Ruggero Pertile upset a field full of Kenyans to win the 24th Turin Marathon. Photo: IAAF

The race was supposed to be entirely a Kenyan affair.

Ruggero Pertile won the 24th edition of the Turin Marathon on Sunday. The race had been built up as a showdown between Kenyans Benson Cherono and John Komen, so Pertile’s victory was a surprise. Running in wet and slippery conditions, 36-year-old Pertile’s finishing time was 2:10:58.

The Italian runner had placed fourth in the Euopean Championship’s in Barcelona. His marathon PR, 2:09:53, was achieved in last year’s Turin Marathon. Second place went to 20-year-old Lawrence Kimaiyo of Kenya (2:11:46). Habteselassie Lemma from Ethiopia took third place in 2:12:21.

“I have come back from a difficult 2009 year in which I ran 2:09:53 but then I underwent surgery last December. I have to thank my club Assindustria Sport Padova, my wife and my daughter Alice who were here to support me,” Pertile said. He then went on to note that the 2012 Olympic Marathon in London is in his plans.

Pertile became the first non-African winner in a major fall marathon this year.

Priscah Jeptoo of Kenya triumphed in the women’s race, running 2:27:02. Her time was the second-fastest time ever recorded in the Turin Marathon.

For More: IAAF