My Big Fat Greek Yogurt...

Taken on my kitchen counter

If you have read any of my previous posts you may have caught the hint that Greek yogurt is one of my favorite treats. Greek yogurt has a very distinct bittersweet taste.  I would definitely say that it's an acquired taste and if you're interested in adding it to your little bag of healthier alternatives, please make note that not all Greek yogurt is created equal.
There are many Greek options out there. Chobani, Fage, Oikos, are some of the most popular selections. Greek yogurt is yogurt that has been strained to remove the whey. The lack of whey makes this type of yogurt higher in protein and lower in sugar. The straining technique also adds to the rich texture that Greek yogurt has.

Below are of some of the brands that I've tried with a little feedback. My go-to brand is Chobani so for some brands it's been a while since I've had a taste. However, I wanted to refresh my taste buds so I went to my local supermarket and purchased a few for review.

Olympus (Cherry Lowfat)

• This flavor was unusually sweet for a Greek yogurt
• Very smooth and creamy
• The taste was very similar to regular yogurt
• Thick, rich texture
• Visit the website for more information

I think that if someone isn't quite ready to ride the Greek chariot then this brand may be a good option because it reminded me a lot of regular yogurt.

Oikos (Vanilla)

• EXTREMELY tart - this is probably the tartiest of the bunch for me. Despite the extreme tartness I really liked it. I don't recall this brand tasting as tart as the one I purchased today. So maybe it was just a fluke.
• The color and consistency reminded me of sour cream.
• Strong smell
• The vanilla taste was very faint. It was dominated by the tart flavor.
• These Greek-style yogurts seem to have fewer calories than their counterparts
• Other flavors come with the fruit on the bottom
• Visit the webpage for more information.

Cabot (Vanilla)

• We really liked this brand and flavor
• Good mixture of sweetness and tartness
• Creamy and a decent amount of vanilla flavoring
• Check out the website
  

Dannon

• Definitely not a fan of is brand
• The flavor is too faint
• It doesn't really have the texture that most Greek yogurts have. 
• Nutritional Information is about the same for many of the Greek yogurt brands.
• Read more about it here

Fage

• Tasty
• Tangy
• Many flavors to choose from
• Rich and thick
• Check out more information here
  

Chobani

• Flavorful
• Fruit on the bottom options
• Great combination of sweetness and tartness
• Thick and smooth

This brand is by far my favorite brand!! Not only is it good but it's ALWAYS on sale at my local supermarket. Greek yogurt can be a little pricey depending on the brand. If I purchase it using my customer value card I can get 10 yogurts for 10 bucks...can't beat that! I love this brand so much that I contacted Chobani and was able to have their Communications Manager, Emily Schildt, answer a few questions about the product. Sure, I'm a little bias when it comes to Greek yogurts...but it's my blog and I can do whatever I want...hehehehe! See below for the Q&A.

Chobani Questions

1. What separates Chobani’s Greek yogurt from the rest of the Greek yogurts on the market?
1. The yogurt story in this country is just getting started, and we’re simply happy to be a part of it. Our CEO, Hamdi Ulukaya, founded Chobani with the belief that Americans have great taste, they just need better options.  That’s why we’ve created a creamy, delicious yogurt using only the best natural ingredients for an authentic taste that packs twice as much protein.
2. How much of the sugar in Chobani’s yogurt is from added sugar?
1. There is no added sugar in our yogurt. Our recipe’s about as simple as food gets- just milk and cultures. To the fruit in our fruit-on-the-bottom flavors, we add less than a teaspoon of evaporated cane juice, an all-natural, unrefined sugar. This helps keep the fruit separate from the yogurt, maintaining its thick texture.
3. How many Chobani flavors are on the market? Which flavor is a customer favorite?
1. We currently have 14 flavors on the market, and are continuously coming up with more. Our best-selling flavor is Blueberry, though Pineapple has a very fanatic following.
4. How did the Chobani brand get its name?
1. Chobani is derived from the word “chopani” which means shepherd in many Mediterranean languages. It’s a symbol of safety, giving, and good.
5. How did the idea of creating a Greek yogurt develop?
6. Is this product safe for individuals who are lactose intolerant?
1. Many Chobani fans with lactose sensitivities find Chobani goes down easily, as the majority of lactose is removed during our straining process. That said, it’s always best to proceed with care.
7. How is Greek yogurt different from non-Greek yogurt?
8. What are the health benefits from eating Chobani yogurt?
1. Where to begin?! Chobani is packed with twice as much protein as regular yogurt, made with only natural ingredients, and contains low or no fat.
9. Does the company have any plans on expanding the Chobani brand into other products (i.e. smoothies, shakes, etc.)?
10. How long has Chobani been on the market?
1. Four years.
11. How can fellow yogurt lovers find out if Chobani is available in their area?
1. Fellow yogurt lovers, hop here: http://chobani.com/products/where!
12. Are there plans on making the low-fat flavors into no-fat versions?
1. We carefully develop each flavor according to a combination of fan request and level of deliciousness. Should a certain number of requests lead us to take a 2^nd taste of any of our low-fat flavors, we’re open to the offering, so long as it’s tasty of course!

Whether you choose regular yogurt or Greek yogurt you are making a healthy choice. Both yogurt types have probiotics, which are healthy bacteria or yeasts and both are good sources of calcium. However, if you look closely at the nutritional data on some Greek brands, you may find that Greek is the better option. Remember to read the labels before you purchase and always eat in moderation! Cheers to healthy eating!!

Do you eat Greek yogurt? What's your favorite brand?

Peace!

Is it Really the Hair??

I really did try to avoid this topic like the plague because I feel as though it's like beating a dead horse. But hey...let's commence with the beating. Recently, Surgeon General Dr. Regina Benjamin, had the internet all abuzz with her comments about Black women, obesity, and lack of physical fitness.  She partially linked the problem of obesity amongst Black women to us making our hair a priority over health. Although this was only one of the possible reasons the Surgeon General attributed to why Black women have a higher obesity rate than other demographic groups, this really got people up in arms. It lead me to ask the question, "Well, is it really the hair??".

The facts are the facts...some Black women don't workout for fear of ruining a perfectly coiffed hairstyle. I remember being a little girl and dreading hot summer days, fearing that my freshly pressed hair would revert back to those kinks I learned to hate. Oh and let's not mention gym (physical education for you southern folks). I think one semester I skipped everyday because the teacher actually made us do physical activity...how dare he?!?! I would hide from the rain as if it was acid trying to melt my skin off the bones. It all sounds exaggerated but it was the truth, child!! This mentality did transfer over into adulthood for me.

Women in general are taught that their hair is their crowning glory, regardless of ethnicity. Therefore, it has to look good at all times. You had to get that wig split every other Friday or whenever, sitting in the hair salon for hours, waiting to emerge with beautiful hair that other ladies envied. But at what cost are Black women willing to sacrifice their health in order to maintain gorgeous locks??

According to The Office of Minority Health (OMH), Black women have the highest rates of being overweight or obese. About four out of five Black women are overweight or obese. Things that make you go hmmmm. In addition, when it comes to diseases that can be linked to being overweight or obesity, Blacks (male and female) are twice as likely to be diagnosed with diabetes than their White counterparts. Black people are 1.5 times more likely to suffer from high blood pressure. Black people are also more likely to be diagnosed with coronary heart disease and more likely to die from heart disease. Now, there are some stats for you!!

This information is not new. So, if this data is accurate, which I am sure it is, why wouldn't someone want to manage their weight?? It has to be much more than a hair issue. I believe that in addition to hair, it's a lack of knowledge, support, finances, time, and resources. However, we can work around these issues. If lack of knowledge is the issue, go to the library and borrow any fitness magazine to find routines that work for your fitness level, speak with someone who is active and get tips, or simply Google it. If you need support, join a group, download a training app, start a blog or join an online fitness forum or support group. You don't need money to workout, so don't let finances stop you. All you need is space not necessarily in  a gym. There are items around your house that can assist with your workout. I plan on writing a post about being fit on a budget, so be on the look out.

With all that said, I still cannot deny that hair is part of the issue. Therefore if hair is your issue, here are some tips for that, too.  I will always recommend that you choose to wear your hair natural because you won't have the issue of the hair reverting back to kinks, coils, naps, curls, whatever you call it, because it's already in that state. I wear my hair natural and sweat like crazy during my workouts. The natural hair allows my hair to remain unaffected by those sweat sessions. It would be a waste of money if I wore my hair in any other form. However, I understand that this is not an option that many women are willing to choose. If you prefer to wear your hair straightened, wigs are always an option. They have come a loooonnngg way from the days of our grandmother's wigs...LOL. No, no Brillo pad wigs in 2011.  Lacefronts, half wigs, full wigs, hair pieces, oh my!! Just choose a style and have fun with it!! I've worn my share of wigs and loved it. They are very low maintenance.

If this is still not your cup of tea but you are determined to put your health first, try wrapping your hair and tying it with a scarf during your workouts. A gym buddy, who has relaxed hair, says that she lets her hair dry completely before unwrapping it to avoid a poofy style. You can choose to blowdry your hair after each workout but I wouldn't recommend that due to potential heat damage. Putting the hair in a high ponytail has also worked well for a few of my gym buddies.

One day while in Sally's Beauty Supply, I ran across the product Dri Sweat Edge Women's Headband. See photo on the right. It's designed to absorb sweat and help maintain your style. I've never tried it because my hairstyles aren't really affected by my workouts but it may be worth a try. If you try it out please let me know how it works out for you! Braids, Senagalese and kinky twists are also great options!! You can wash and style many braided styles as needed.

I don't have a definitive method that will solve the hair and workout epidemic that has plagued the nation (sarcasm) but I can offer you suggestions. What's the point of having great hair if the rest of you (inside and outside) is jacked up?!?! At least your hair looks good, right?!?! Uhhh, no...LOL. The benefits of exercising and proper nutrition are amazing.Whatever your reason is for not working out, get rid of it.  Find reasons why you should workout. If you can't find any reasons, please scroll up and reread this post. Please encourage all the women in your life to get out and get active. NO EXCUSES!!

I'm curious to know your thoughts on the subject. What do you or your friends do about their hair when working out? Share in the comments section.

PEACE!!