Bio Link
Fit at 52
Age: 52
Gender: Female
Astrological Sign: Scorpio
Zodiac Year: Rooster
Location: Irvine, Ca. USA
Email: Jody@Truth2BeingFit.com
About Me:
Fitness enthusiast, Advocate
and Advisor for over 25 years
Interests:
Working out at Gym
Reading fitness related
magazines and books
Learning as much as possible
about fitness, nutrition and
health
Love the Hawaiian Islands
(Especially The BIG Island)Syndicate
Sunday Jog; More Exercise Options
Just wanted to do a quickie on my Sunday morn jog. Some of you may know that southern CA has been getting a lot of rain. Well, once again, it cleared up beautifully for my Sunday morn jog. As usual, I got out early enough to see an awesome sunrise & the snow on the mountains in the distance before any clouds came in to cover them. It is so beautiful here after a rain with no smog & actually being able to see the mountains in all their splendor! Check out this post for a similar pic of this morn. I did my abs/core prior to the jog to warm up the bod & legs. Part of the ab/core workout are bicycles, scissor & flutter kicks along with other good ole stuff so yes, the legs get warmed up as well!!! A good jog.
Now, a follow up to my exercise options post last week when I discussed supersets, compound sets and drop sets. Here are a few more advanced techniques to try in your workouts:
1. Negatives: With this technique, you use a weight that is heavier than you can actually lift for the concentric part of the movement. Your partner or trainer assists you for this portion & then you will perform the eccentric or negative portion (the release portion) of the movement. This move helps to build muscle. You will get very sore from these so don't try to do this multiple days in a week! Pull-ups are a good example where you are assisted up but you control the movement down. Machines can also make it easier to spot & do these & you may want to try negatives on machines first.
2. Monster Sets: This is when you do exercises back to back with little to no rest in between the exercises. A typical monster set would have 4 moves done in a circuit training fashion. You choose which muscle groups you want to work & rotate sets of all 4 movements with a moderate weight as quick as you can BUT with correct form for 10 minutes. You can also try to do one monster set for upper body & one monster set for lower body for a 20 minute workout that will work your butt off! If you are short of time & NOT a beginner, give this a try.
3. Burnout: Ah, just the sound of it, scary!!! Love it! Sorry, I do!!! This technique is when you vary either rep speed, length or power. This burnout can be half reps when the range of motion is decreased & you do smaller half reps at the harder portion of the move. Many people do this with side lateral raises. You can do pulses which are small 1 inch pulses up & down in the middle on the range of motion & of course at the tougher end. Perform to failure. You can also do slow reps with a 5-10 count eccentric & 5-10 count concentric move. And lastly, power moves like plyometrics.
These are all more advanced moves so be careful & certainly do not try to do all these in one week!!! I might be crazy enough to try a couple (or more) in one week but I am crazy!!!!
Focus Creates Reality; Healthcare Reform; Happy Bday!
First, Happy Birthday Ray! Big #40!! Hmmmmmmmmmm, how old will you be when Linc is in his teenage years! YIKES!
OK, I have to share this great article from Care, What Are You Focusing On? It is a great reminder to us all. I will let the article speak for itself below. I bolded that main statement. I need to pay more attention to that!
We really have no idea how powerful we are. We tend to see ourselves as tiny individuals in an enormous world, doing our best to sway the tides that come between us and our fulfillment. But there is a truth that can change this perception, destroy the feeling of victimhood and bring true freedom:
What you focus on grows.
Our focus creates our reality. If we are focused on what is wrong in our lives and our worlds, what are we going to see? What’s wrong. But if we are focused on the things we love, the things that inspire us and fill us with joy, we start to see the beauty we were so blind to before. You can transform your experience of life in an instant, just by choosing to focus inwards. Just by bringing your attention deep into yourself, instead of getting caught up in the dramas and worries of the world around, you can break lifelong patterns of discontent and preoccupation.
So if it’s so simple, why don’t we do it? I know why: because we don’t want to. We don’t want to be happy: we’d prefer to fight for what we think should be fixed. We don’t want to surrender: we want to win. We don’t want to embrace our reality: we want to chase our ideas of how things should be, instead of accepting them as they are. Why? because we are convinced we know best how our lives should be. The truth is, our idea of the perfect world has been forged by the opinions of so many, by the fears and insecurities caused by so many life experiences, that it is not really our idea at all.
Children don’t do this. (from Jody. This reminds me of my Susan Boyle song post) They embrace what they have without question. When I lived on the Colombian coast, the local boys would play football barefoot with coconuts. They weren’t moping around thinking, If only I had some Nike runners! then I could play much better. If only we had a real ball instead of this coconut! They don’t think like that: they are having so much fun as it is, enjoying what they have.
I am not denying the importance of working towards a better world. I admire any activity that helps unite humanity and improve the quality of life on this planet. But if we are focused on what’s wrong, even with the intention of making it right, we are perpetuating discontent and inconformity. Let’s focus on what we have achieved, on the wonderful, incredible world we live in and the passionate and inspired individuals who are giving their best to humanity every day. Let’s focus on what we can give: on the ways we can lead more joyful, fulfilling lives. Let’s focus on being fully present, on knowing ourselves, accepting ourselves, embracing ourselves. Then naturally we will share that love with those around us.
What are you focused on right now? On the frustrations of the past, or the worries of the future? Why don’t you try, just for today, to focus on enjoying each moment? On giving the best you can in each situation that is presented to you?
Give it a try. Discover the power of focus, and in doing so, take responsibility for your own happiness.
I can't leave today without some healthcare reform. This past Wednesday, there was a free clinic in Hartford Connecticut. This state's Senate & House passed Universal Healthcare Reform for all BUT THE REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR VETOED IT! Along with that, Joe Lieberman from this state fights healthcare reform in Washington even though he spoke out for it just a few years ago. Makes you wonder since his wife is tied to the lobbyists for the insurance industry in that state AND Lieberman is tied to their money as well. Watch this very telling video from this free clinic. It says so much!!!
Saturday Funny; Look Who Came to Visit! Superbowl Eating
OK, this video is so funny! You must watch. Although I am not a beer fan, I laughed my arse off!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDMquUQE0aU&feature=player_embedded
Also, that little guy in the picture is here on a visit with his Mom & Dad! Linc is the youngest grandson & the son of middle daughter Lisa & her hubby Ray. Ray is turning 40 this Sunday & his parents brought him to town to celebrate. They decided to bring this little guy with them. Isn't he just the cutest kid!!!!!!!!!!! Always so happy & mom said he even did great on the plane! I can't remember a kid his age not crying on a plane! Anyway, fun for all! PS: Look at all those toys around him!
For those watching the Superbowl, ENJOY!!! KEEP IN MIND THAT AMERICANS EAT AROUND 156 BILLION CALORIES TODAY. Enjoy but be mindful!!!!
You don't have to eat everything in sight & don't eat stuff you don't really care about. Pick a couple things you really really want rather than just stuff you could care less about. Why add pounds based on food that you are eating just because it is there.
Have a great weekend!
Cookie Monster; Winter Blues; Pains that May Point to Cancer
Today I am sharing one of my fav Trader Joe's (TJ's) treat! Actually this "treat" has decent ingredients & maybe you want to eat it for a healthier snack. I actually break it up & get a couple servings out of it.. sometimes 3 depending on if I can control myself or not!
The TJ's treat I love is the oatmeal cranberry cookie pictured above. It measures about 3" x 3" although since these are bakery made, they will vary each package. They are a bit expensive, around $4.60 per package BUT for me, I can make the 6 cookies in the package last quite a while. If you can't control yourself, you may want to just "step away"! They are so YUMMY and even more so heated up a few seconds in the microwave! The ingredients are below:
OK, now it is up to you on whether you can handle having these in the house!!!
I also want to share a couple links from the Dr. Oz site. I recorded this show & I know there are many people that get the winter blues when the weather stinks & they don't get enough sun. Here is what Dr. Oz had to say:
Get through the dark winter days with 5 tips to beat the winter blues:
- Peppermint oil – helps with sadness, depression. Inhale a whiff to give you’re a burst of energy.
- Florescent compact bulb – these bright lights can actual change the levels of melatonin in your brain inhibiting depression. They’re also very inexpensive!
- Chili peppers – contain capsaicin, which boots your energy and can enhance your circulation.
- Ginger tea – it boosts your metabolism, increasing weight loss!
- Gingko biloba – makes you more alert and boosts your brain-power.
A longer post to read when you have time from Dr. OZ: 5 Pains that Point to Cancer
Sort & sweet today although I hope info that may be of help to you. Has anyone tried the winter blues suggestions? How about the pain post from Dr. Oz. Anyone heed one of those pains & got to a problem before it got worse?
Not sure if the cookie info is a help or hinder!
PS: I have a reader that says she is NOT able to leave comments on my blog. She is getting a closed comments when she tries to comment. Is anyone else having this problem? Thx!!!
Exercise Options!
I think I will make this another random post today on a few exercise options for all of you out there. Warning - a few links ahead but well worth your time to check them out!
1. Abdominals: I have done many posts of ab & core exercises but I saw this over at GirlGetStrong & had to share! Whenever I can find this wheel at the gym, I use it but it has seemed to disappear lately.
You can use a small stability ball or a barbell that rolls easily to mimic this exercise. Believe me , you will feel this! Check out the ab wheel here!2. Weight Lifting Options for Stepping it Up: Have you heard of supersets, compound sets or drop sets? Well, I will explain them to you & try them out if you are not a total beginner. Beginners, get your form & knowledge down first.
Supersets: This is when you do 2 exercises back to back but for different muscle groups & with little to no rest in between. Some typical pairings are back/chest, biceps/triceps or even a upper body/lower body pairing. This allows for heavier weights since you are working different muscle groups vs. the same one in a row.
Compound Sets: This is when you do 2 exercises back to back for the same or similar muscle groups with little to no rest in between. Keeps the heart rate up & fat burning up. You will have to use lighter weight though since you are working the same muscle group.
Drop Sets: This technique is usually used on the last set of an exercise, except if it is me!
You start heavy & go to failure & immediately drop to a lighter weight & go to failure & drop the weight again & go to failure. Some drop only 3 times & others may drop the weight several times. This technique really taxes the muscles so don't overdo.. unless you are me of course & then I do it all the time! But I am crazy & I am not lifting super heavy anymore.OK, I have more but will stop here on these. DO NOT DO THESE ALL AT ONCE!!!! Me, I do a combo of all of these!
My crazy workouts. I just make it my own after all these years at it. I have to keep my bod guessing!3. American Council on Exercise (ACE) Workout: A while back, I provided a link to this beginner workout from Ace. Go to the post & scroll down for the link there. Well, ACE has come out with the next phase, ACE’s Kick Start Workout : Phase II. CHECK THIS OUT!!! Lots of exercises for you & you can do them at home too!!!!! They explain exactly how to do the exercise, show a picture & talk about form. Good stuff!
I have so much more but I best stop here. I know I always write too much in one post!
Do You Hold Onto Your Dreams & Hopes; Believe In You
I think many of us may have had some tough childhood times if we were overweight or teased or many of the other things that happen when we are young.BUT, I think we also had some of that "dreaming" too. We dreamed we could fly or be a princess or touch the clouds. We made up stories of things that would happen & make us happier than happy. OR, we were just happy playing make believe. Me, I dreamed at times that I could join Winnie the Pooh & Christopher Robin too in those amazing books.... the old hard back ones that my parents had in the house. Yes, I also dreamed of touching the clouds & how they would feel.
A week or so ago, I happened to record Oprah when Susan Boyle & Adam Lambert were on - 2 people that have lived out their dreams. But for Susan Boyle, look how late in life that happened for her. I so wish her mom had lived to see this day for her but I am even happier that the day actually happened for her. At my age, I hold onto things like this. That there still is time. A couple ladies in the audience said the same thing. We get to an age when we think our dreams & hopes will never come true. I guess they can under the right circumstances.
Susan sang this amazing song, WHO I WAS BORN TO BE, written by Audra Mae, Johan Fransson, Tobias Lundgren & Tim Larsson. I am putting the lyrics below because they really hit a cord with me. Also, click on the link to hear the song.
When I was a child
I could see the wind in the trees
and I heard a song in the breeze
it was there, singing out my name
But I am not a girl
I have known the taste of defeat
and I have finally grown to believe
it will all came around again
Coro:
And though I may not
know the answers
I can finally say I am free
And if the questions
led me here,then
I am who I was born to be
And so here am I
Open arms and ready to stand
I've got the world in my hands
And it feels like my turn to fly
repit coro
When I was a child
there were flowers that bloomed in the night
Unafraid to take in the light
Unashamed to have braved the dark
repit coro
and ends: I am who I was born to be
I am who I was born to be.
How many of you dreamed as a kid & gave up on some or all of your dreams? If not, what have you done to make your dreams come true? Were you "Unafraid to take in the light, Unashamed to have braved the dark"? Were there flowers that bloomed in the night? Do you feel this: I am who I was born to be? Do you feel like you are getting there?
More Weights & Cardio from Me
First things first, a big thank you to Dr. J who sent me that great article for my post yesterday! Also, thx for all your comments. I have been a bit time crunched & will be this week as well so did not get to responding to your great comments yesterday!
Last week I posted about my all weight Monday workout & my Tuesday cardio and weight workout. Today, I am going to share my Wednesday workout with you which is cardio & weights. The cardio is different from my Tuesday one & of course weights are different too!
I do want to point out that this is just a sample workout. I do change the workout day's exeercises every week. I usually do the same body parts but change up the exercises and the intensity on the cardio too. If I am feeling AMAZING, then I will really push the cardio. If I am feeling normal good, the cardio may not be quite as crazy. Weights, always good for me. I love them!
Also, once again I want to stress that what works for me does not work for all! For many or most, this may be overtraining & you would get diminishing returns. For those that read MizFit (who doesn't read her!), she gets diminishing returns when she does too much. Me, I have always been the exact opposite. When I have done less, my results were not as good as now. I also am just a person who can do more & still get gains & results. My body has always fought me & I have always done more than others. Even during my bodybuilding years when most cut back on cardio, I still did 60+ minutes, 5 days per week ON TOP OF the weight workouts to build muscle for the shows. This is not usual for bodybuilders.. this is just my body. SO PLEASE EVALUATE & FIND WHAT IS BEST FOR YOU. THAT IS WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT! Also, I want to be this lean & have this muscle so I do more than if I just wanted less. I am older too & it is harder so I have had to work harder as I have aged.
OK, now that I got that out of the way, here is another cardio/weight workout for me - Wednesday workout:
Cardio: I would call this my HIIT day although I can go faster at the high end BUT I have found that due to my bad feet & stride, I end up with more probs so it is not worth it to go 10.0 & above. Instead, I do a bit longer in the higher 9 levels. I actually have improved my cardio over the past couple years. I used to run slower & not be able to do some of the higher speeds for as long as I do them now.
Treadmill: Have it on incline level 1 the whole time - 60 minutes
Walk at 4.3-4.4 to warm up for 3 minutes
Jog at 6.8 - 7.0 for 7 minutes
7.1 to 7.3 for 5 minutes
9.0 for 2 minutes
8.0 for 1.5 minutes
9.0 for 1.5 minutes
7.5 for 1 minute
9.9 for 1.5 minutes
8.0 for 1.5 minutes
9.9 for 1 minute
8.0 for 1.5 minute
9.8 for 1 minute
9.0 for 1 minute
8.0 for 1.5 minutes
9 for 2 minutes
7.7 for 1 minute
9.3 for 1 minute
8.0 for 1 minute
9.8 for 1.5 minutes
7.5 for 1 minute
9.2 for 1.5 minutes
8.0 for 1 minute
15 incline, 3.9 speed - 2 minutes
15 incline, jog at 5.5-5.0 for 1.5 minutes
15 incline, 3.9 speed - 1.5 minutes
15 incline, 5.5 - 5.0 speed - 1.5 minutes
15 incline, 3.9 speed - 1.5 minute
15 incline, jog at 5.5-5.0 for 1.5 minute
15 incline, jog at 5.5-5.0 for .5 minute
Elliptical - 15 minutes:
Incline 12 at level 8 for 1 minute - going forward
Incline 12 at level 9 for 4 minutes - going forward
Incline 12 at level 8 for 2 minutes - going forward
Incline 17 at level 6 for 1 minute - going backwards
Incline 17 at level 7 for 1 minute - going backwards
Incline 20 at level 7 for 2 minutes - going backwards
Incline 18 at level 8 for 2 minutes - going backwards
Incline 12 at level 9 for 1 minute - going forward
Incline 12 at level 8 for 1 minute - going forward
Weight workout: Triceps/Biceps/Shoulders/Abs in a circuit training fashion so that I can always go from one exercise to the next without rest. Some of the exercises I did, NOT in the order I did them are below. I mix them up & go from one body part to another in a circuit fashion.
Triceps (almost all drop sets): Tricep dips with feet on one bench & hands on another & weighted (15 pounds to none); Tricep pressdowns with straight bar & neutral grip bar; Overhead tricep rope extension; incline tricep dumbbell extensions; cable kickbacks
Biceps (almost all drop sets): Straight bar barbell curls; Dumbbell curls; cable rope hammer curl; preacher EZ bar curls varying the grip width; incline cable hammer AND dumbbell curls; 2 arm cable curls
Shoulders (almost all drop sets): Cable side lateral raises & leaning cable side laterals; dumbbell side laterals; cable rear delts; barbell shoulder presses; dumbbell shoulder presses; dumbbell v-shape shoulder presses; weight plate front raises; incline bench dumbbell front raises
Various abs before, during & after workout.... stretching at the very end too.
So, another one of my crazy workouts & last Wednesday, I was feeling really strong so I went crazy both cardio & weights cause my body said it was OK!
PS: I am at UCLA today. Just a cleaning & to discuss the "other stuff". UGH!
Weight Training - Bone Health AND MIND HEALTH!
My great online friend Dr. J over at CalorieLab sent this article to me cause he knows I live by my weight training AND I am an old broad! Thx Dr. J!!!!!!!I have written endlessly about weight training & how much I love it BUT I also point out how important resistance training is to the health of your bones & preventing osteoporosis! I think most of us already know that... it is common knowledge. BUT, did you know that weight training also helps with cognitive thinking? YES! I don't think many of us look forward to "losing the thought process" as we age. In fact, there are plenty of articles & studies out there telling us that using the mind will help you not lose it by reading, crossword puzzles, social interaction & more. BUT, now we can add weight training to that!!!
The article below states this: "We were able to demonstrate that simple training with weights that seniors can easily handle improved ability to make accurate decisions quickly," says Liu-Ambrose, who is also a researcher at the Brain Research Centre at UBC and Vancouver Coastal Health. "Additionally, we found that the exercises led to increased walking speed, a predictor of considerable reduction in mortality."
Even Dr. Oz says we need to incorporate resistance training!!! Plus read this article from WebMD,
OK, check out the article Dr. J shared with me below. I don't care if you are 25 years old right now. We can all benefit from working our minds & our bodies! Do it now & do it for you!!! A big thank you to Dr. J!!
Cognitive Function In Seniors Improved By Weight Training
Weight-bearing exercises may help minimize cognitive decline and impaired mobility in seniors, according to a new study conducted by the Centre for Hip Health and Mobility at Vancouver Coastal Health and the University of British Columbia.
The study, published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, is one of the first randomized controlled trials of progressively intensive resistance training in senior women. Led by Dr. Teresa Liu-Ambrose, researcher at the Centre and assistant professor in the Faculty of Medicine at UBC, the research team found that 12 months of once-weekly or twice-weekly resistance training improved executive cognitive function in senior women aged 65 to 75 years old. Executive cognitive functions are cognitive abilities necessary for independent living.
"We were able to demonstrate that simple training with weights that seniors can easily handle improved ability to make accurate decisions quickly," says Liu-Ambrose, who is also a researcher at the Brain Research Centre at UBC and Vancouver Coastal Health. "Additionally, we found that the exercises led to increased walking speed, a predictor of considerable reduction in mortality."
Previous studies have shown that aerobic exercise training, such as walking or swimming enhances brain and cognitive function. However, seniors with limited mobility are unable to benefit from this type of exercise.
Until now, the benefits of resistance training, which is an attractive alternative type of exercise for seniors with limited mobility, on cognitive function has received little investigation. Liu-Ambrose is one of few researchers in Canada investigating the role of targeted resistance training in promoting mobility and cognitive in seniors.
Cognitive decline among seniors is a pressing health care issue and it is a key risk factor for falls. Approximately 30 per cent of B.C. seniors experience a fall each year and fall-related hip fractures account for more than 4,000 injures each year at a cost of $75 Million to the health care system.
The number of seniors in B.C. is expected to increase by 220 per cent by 2031, representing 23.5 per cent of B.C. population. Effective strategies to prevent cognitive decline are essential to improving quality of life for older British Columbians and to save the health care system millions in associated costs.
"At the Centre for Hip Health and Mobility we focus on research that will have a positive impact on the health of people in B.C. and Canada," says Heather McKay, centre director and professor in the Faculty of Medicine at UBC. "Dr. Liu-Ambrose's research provides a clear illustration of relatively simple interventions with a profound and immediate impact on the mobility and quality of life of older adults."
Results from this study are available for immediate adoption by senior women seeking to improve their health as the doses of resistance training used meet the recommended criteria provided by the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for seniors.
Support for this research has been provided by a Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research Establishment Grant, the Vancouver Foundation, and the BC Medical Services Foundation.
Source: Brian Lin
University of British Columbia
Inspirational Thoughts; Healthcare Reform
I saw this quote over at the very inspirational blog, The Jungle of Life. If you have not gone there yet, do so & read some of Lance's past posts. Really amazing!
I have come to the frightening conclusion that I am the decisive element. It is my personal approach that creates the climate. It is my daily mood that makes the weather.
I possess tremendous power to make life miserable or joyous. I can be a tool of torture or an instrument of inspiration, I can humiliate or humor, hurt or heal.
In all situations, it is my response that decides whether a crisis is escalated or de-escalated, and a person is humanized or de-humanized.
If we treat people as they are, we make them worse. If we treat people as they ought to be, we help them become what they are capable of becoming.
~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
A special thank you to Dr. Holly Latty-Mann for sharing this quote. (from Lance's blog & thought I should put that on here too)
I just loved this quote!!! It says so much to life & the way we live it and how we treat others & ourselves!
Healthcare
Saying this, I do want to throw in a tiny bit of my healthcare reform Sunday. I have not done this for a couple weeks so I want to do a quick one on it. These are my thoughts & I have no idea what Lance does or does not believe so attribute this last part just to me. I just wanted to get Lance's post out to you & today seemed a good day to do that.
Why are some of the people out there fighting so hard to not have healthcare reform. Their fight at the beginning is what lead to such watered down bills in the House & Senate as the administration tried to meet them half way. And with the trying, came the continuous no's but no solution from the no brigade. As this continues, I guaranty you that those with health insurance will have rate hikes. In fact it is already happening now. You will get sick & rates will escalate, maybe beyond your means OR they will find a sneaky way to cancel you. Those with pre-existing conditions will be forced to be without & the ramifications of that are broad. Those that may lose your job & now find themselves without health insurance will wonder why they fought the reform. Let's all thing about this long & hard. Whether you have it or not, the insurance companies & their lobbyists run this game. You WILL have rate increases, you may not be able to afford them, you may give up important medications due to money issues, you may give up insurance all together due to the rates.... People, let's make healthcare affordable for all, access to all & believe me, those insurance companies are still going to make plenty of billions like they do now!
While I am at it & my ranting.. with all my teeth probs, I just have to say that I never understood why there was never a decent dental plan or coverage out there. Dental work is sooooooooooooo expensive yet I have never seem a comprehensive dental plan that covers very much. Maybe people would go more often if there was a plan that helped them in this regard. It is quite unaffordable for most average folks.
OK, feel free to leave comments on your thoughts about Lances' blog, healthcare reform or even what you think about the lack of dental insurance.
Bread & Toasting It!
Since I am a bread lover, I had to share this article. I never understood why toasters AND toaster ovens don't toast BOTH SIDES of the bread evenly. There are heating coils on both sides so why oh why does this happen!!! Every toaster I have had does NOT toast both sides. I have a convection toaster oven now that I love to cook in BUT even when I place the bread smack in the middle, it still toasts more on one side & I always end up stopping it & turning it over just like when I was using a toaster! WHY DOES THIS HAPPEN!!!! Anyway, I saw this report on toasters & I can't tell you that they will not do the same thing since that was not part of the story BUT it will help you if you go to buy one. Just make sure their return policy is good!
Best Performance Toasters:
Consumer Specialist Ric Romero says the latest toaster tests show the quest for perfectly browned bread continues.
It would seem that making great toast would be a piece of cake for today's toasters. After all, this simple kitchen appliance was invented long ago.
When we teamed up with Consumer Reports over 2,000 slices of bread were toasted and we found some real losers while finding some best buys too.
Drop the bread in, push the lever down, and up pops the toast. This has been happening since the 1920s.
"You'd think after 80 years, consumers could expect to get perfectly browned toast every time they use a toaster," said Bob Markovich of Consumer Reports.
But no, Consumer Reports tested 34 toasters assessing the evenness of browning against a color chart. While none delivered perfection, many are getting pretty close. Some even offer features like a digital countdown to let you know when your toast will be ready.
"Manufacturers are fighting for your appliance dollars and your counter space, so they're pretty busy developing features to get you to open your wallet," said Markovich.
But consumer Reports testers found some features come at the expense of others. For example, the Delonghi dtt312, for $130 has a lift-out grid for warming sandwiches like frozen paninis. Sounds appetizing, but unfortunately this toaster is only mediocre at its main job, which is toasting evenly.
For much less, Haier's $30 toaster did a better job toasting. It is one of five toasters Consumer Reports named a best buy. And another, the Proctor Silex Cool Touch model 22203, costs just $15. Both do a good job toasting for very little dough.
In order to help you figure out how to get the best toast, Consumer Reports toasted nearly 2,000 slices of bread in its tests. I guess no one can accuse them of "loafing around" on the job.
