The Wall Street Journal published an article yesterday (here) on the new book, The Skinny, by Louis J. Aronne, “longtime director of the Comprehensive Weight Loss Program at NewYork Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center.”

The book essentially deals with Aronne’s study on carb intake and satiation (how full you feel).  His studies reveal that refined carbs and foods with high sugar and fat content may interfere with the hormone signals that tell the brain the body is full.  I have paid attention to my body and have found that if I do eat refined carbs (such as those little, seemingly innocent 100-calories packs, I often feel my hunger is triggered instead of appeased). I’d have to read the book to tell you how useful the information is from a practical standpoint, but – so far – his recommendation that people eat veggies, fruits and whole grains (as written in the article), seems like something we’ve all heard before.  I guess the best tidbit of info. to take from this is: listen to and monitor your body.  If you notice that your hunger is not quite quenched when you eat certain meals ask yourself what could be the culprit (was it the food itself, the portion, the fact that you just ran 8 miles, etc.) and see if this is a recurring theme.  If you pay attention to what foods work for you, you’re golden.

(Thanks for forwarding along the article, dad!)

Buy The Skinny online:

• Amazon.com – $14.97
• Barnes & Noble.com - $16.21
• Target.com – $16.47

Now on to Barney Butter news:  Just found out this morning that the crunchy version of Barney Butter has now joined his brother, the smooth version, on Amazon.com in the form of a 3-pack, also for $23.08.  This price, that’s $7.69/each, is the cheapest price you’ll find around.  Shipping is free, which is great b/c if you buy online directly from Barney Butter it’ll cost you $7.99/jar plus $6.92 for UPS ground shipping – the cheapest shipping option they have available. Note other prices for one 16-oz jar: $8.99 at Whole Foods & $7.99 from yummy.com.

Nutritional info. on Barney Butter crunchy, two tablespoons: 180 calories, 16 g fat, 1.5 g saturated fat, 3 g fiber, 6 g protein; 8% iron, 20% vitamin E, 25% magnesium

See my previous blog, “Battle of the Butters,” for my favorite nut butters!

That’s it, folks!  Tomorrow I will be writing you from the Utah-based home of my best friend and soon-to-be-marathoner, Tamara!

Ok two cool-looking things out on the e-market I wanted to share with you!

1.  Hungry Girl’s 200 Under 200 Recipe Book just came out today!

The book features 200 recipes for dishes under 200 calories.  For someone who counts her calories, this is awesome.  Based on HG’s previous book (and on her awesome e-newsletter), I am confident this one will rock as well. I’m buying mine tomorrow and hope to have the author, Lisa, sign it when she visits L.A. on her book tour!  If you would like to buy your own, you can price shop for it online.  Here are the top vendors and their prices:

• Amazon.com = $11.97
• Barnes & Noble.com = $12.96
• Borders.com = $12.97
• Target.com = $13.57
• Walmart.com = $10.00

2.  Vitalicious Muffin and Brownie Assortment 24-pack became available on Amazon.com for $36.60 TODAY!

Pack includes:

• One four-pack of Deep & Velvety Chocolate Vita Brownies
• One pair of Vita Tops Sugar-Free Banana Nut (90 calories each)
• One pair of Vita Tops MultiBran (100 calories each)
• One pair of Vita Tops CranBran (100 calories each)
• One pair of Vita Tops Double Chocolate Dream (100 calories each)
• One pair of Vita Tops AppleBerry (100 calories each)
• One pair of Vita Tops Sugar-Free Velvety Chocolate (80 calories each)
• One pair of Vita Tops BlueBran (100 calories each)
• One pair of Vita Tops Golden Corn (100 calories each)
• One pair of Vita Tops Deep Chocolate (100 calories each)
• One pair of Vita Tops Fudgy Peanut Butter Chip (100 calories each)

Why are Vitalicious products so good? “All Vitalicious products are Kosher certified & all natural with no artificial additives or preservatives.” All items are 90-100 calories.  As someone in marketing, I have to say they are geniuses in two of their messaging points: 1.  “The VitaMuffin has less sugar and more nutrients than an apple, plus the advantages of whole grains, and berries – and just as much fiber!” and 2.  “All it takes to walk off the 80-100 Calorie 2oz Vitamuffin or Vitatop is 13-15 minutes.”

For a girl who used to eat those double chocolate Costco muffins coming in at 690 calories and 38 grams of fat, this is a good switch!!

Now here’s my gripe.  Why $36.60?  When I do the math via the Vitalicious website, they would charge about $25.00 for this assortment.  The only thing is: they don’t offer this assortment via their own site! But, they do offer another assortment of the Vita Tops – get 4 boxes of 2 oz. tops (you choose the variety) for $15.45.  Then the brownies are $22.65 for 16 of them.  This way of selling them is annoying.  Plus, to keep the item fresh, you have to pay for UPS shipping of at least $12.89 if you’re on the West Coast to guarantee they arrive on time (if buying directly from Vitalicious.  Shipping from Amazon.com is free). They will not arrive frozen, but you should freeze them immediately.

This is too much like Holey Donuts who I have been DYING to try but refuse on principle of hating their ordering process. Unlike Holey Donuts though — Vitalicious is supposedly sold at Vons and Whole Foods (find ‘em in the freezer section).  If this is true, I’d say pick out one or two when you’re there.  No point paying almost $40 for an assortment that includes BlueBran.  I haven’t tried it, but really?  BlueBran? It just sounds less than stellar.

Speaking of Holey Donuts — Place an order before midnight tomorrow, Wednesday 4/15/09, and in the discount code at checkout, type “6glazed” then click recalculate, and you will get a full box of 6 jumbo Ultra Low Fat Glazed Donuts for free.  I think I might just cave…  Just remember, you have to order at least $35 worth of goods and pay for UPS shipping.  It aint’ cheap!
But maybe worth it for six of these beauties?

Am I the only one who feels like a goober for getting excited about these things?

p.s. Can you tell I have my budget in mind when I write these blogs?  FeedMeImBroke.com is next?

What I do get is being super excited about PEANUT BUTTER (or almond butter or any nut variety butter for that matter!)!  Just found out this morning that a 3-pack of Barney Butter almond butter in smooth is now available from Amazon.com for $23.08 – that’s $7.69/each, which is the cheapest price you’ll find around.  Shipping is free, which is great b/c if you buy online directly from Barney Butter it’ll cost you $7.99 plus $6.92 for UPS ground shipping – the cheapest shipping option they have available.   I get why companies want to use UPS for shipping – they’re responsible, yes — but the added cost is really not something I am willing to pay for (even if it’s for almond butter!).  This is why I have yet to purchase anything from Holey Donuts (and how I could use a donut right now!).  Is having three jars of Barney Butter a good idea?  Yes, if an exercise in self-control is a good idea.  I’ll keep you posted as to when the crunchy version of Barney Butter almond butter becomes available via Amazon.com.

If I’ve got you thinking about what you could do with three jars of almond butter, I shake my head at  you. The options are endless!  I mean you could just leave them be until you’re ready to use them…but you could also just make a ton of goodies and send me some! Muahah! Or, *sigh*, you could also buy one jar directly from Whole Foods for $8.99.

Check out this site called Peanut Butter Boy for peanut-butter-related recipes that could easily use almond butter or cashew butter instead.  You will be amazed at how delicious and original his recipes look and a lot of them are actually healthy! Wow!  I haven’t tried any out yet, but I hope to this weekend as an Easter treat!

Alright, I’m drooling…