Life Time Fitness : Resource List - LifeCafe

LifeCafe Promotions

webmaster@lifetimefitness.com — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 18:26:35 GMT

Incredible savings at LifeCafe EVERY DAY for members. Daily specials enable you to try something new every day at an amazing value.

Stop by the LifeCafe today!

About Life Cafe

webmaster@lifetimefitness.com — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 20:26:30 GMT

Food is essential for energy, and the Life Time Fitness LifeCafe brings to the table a new

and profound view of what nourishment is.

The first criteria to which the LifeCafe chef, David Fhima, adheres to when creating any

new recipe, dish or side, is that whatever is created has to be extremely good from a

taste standpoint. It isn’t enough to simply give members what their bodies need;

instead, Life Café cuisine gives members not only what a working body needs, but also

provides food that tastes superior.

A logical next step in creating great‐tasting and nutritionally sound food is to make it

with premium ingredients. Everything made from LifeCafe is 100% natural. Sourcing

100% natural ingredients means members can be assured their food is free of

preservatives, additives and antibiotics. As a precaution, there is a significant difference

between natural food and natural food which is also healthy.

Take a tomato, for example: LifeCafe would only serve the freshest tomato and though

canned tomato is considered fresh, the chef’s at LifeCafe would not see this as an

acceptable, natural option. They take care to make certain their ingredients are optimally

prime.

Since 90% of the ingredients sourced for LifeCafe are U.S.‐grown, raw foods, there is

assurance that the best, nutritionally superior ingredients are what make menu items

profoundly delicious and naturally healthy. Because ingredients are sourced raw, chefs

at LifeCafe make the food on‐site, giving the all‐important homemade feel with the

additional ability to enhance the taste of food with particular spices and sauces.

The dominant style for the LifeCafe menu items is a Mediterranean cuisine. Olive oil, for

instance, is the base of all the dressings. From greens to nuts to kosher salt, the

Mediterranean style of cooking provides a well‐rounded, interesting spectrum of foods

from which to choose. Herbs and spices are selected with particular care so as to

optimize the taste of dishes, but also to affect the physiology of a person having just

completed a workout. Turmeric, for instance, is included in several LifeCafe recipes

because it may aid in helping repair torn muscles. This particular approach to food gives

power to what food can do for you instead of making the consumption of food entirely

about eating.

Foods that are 100% natural satisfy both your need to taste exceptional food, and also

control cravings. If you are satisfied by the good taste of food and proper nourishment,

likely will not have the same cravings. Overeating often occurs because your body

knows it is not getting enough nutrients from the poorly created food being consumed.

Even though it may be full, the stomach recognizes it was nutritionally robbed and is

unsatisfied.

LifeCafe provides menu items with outstanding, 100% natural ingredients combined to

create powerhouse meals that taste phenomenal, stave off cravings, and promote the

post‐workout recovery process.

THE LIFE TIME FITNESS NUTRITION PHILOSOPHY

webmaster@lifetimefitness.com — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 20:14:12 GMT

The Life Time Fitness training and nutrition philosophies are based on the core belief

that a healthy way of life can be achieved through exercise, education and nutrition. Our

philosophy recognizes everyone as individuals and embraces the idea of partnering with

members and team members to achieve a maintainable, healthy lifestyle. We also

recognize the quest for a healthier life is an ongoing journey that requires integration

and balance in exercise and nutrition. The goal of the Life Time Fitness Nutrition

Philosophy is to optimize health by encouraging decisions based on food quality,

moderation and balance.

• Avoid “Dieting” – We discourage a “dieting” mindset, while promoting a nutrition

plan that supports good, overall health, metabolism and vitality. We encourage an

approach to eating that can be maintained for a lifetime. We advocate lifestyle

change, food quality and common‐sense portions as important components of

achieving and maintaining a healthy body weight. We also recognize that

appropriate portions and food choices are unique for every person.

• Whole, Natural Foods – We encourage members to nourish their bodies with

nutritious, high‐quality whole foods. Whole foods are an excellent way to obtain a

natural balance of vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients, antioxidants and fiber, while

at the same time avoiding excess calories, added sugars, salt, fats and other

chemicals. Once whole foods are processed, refined, bleached, preserved or

packaged, some of these nutrients are disrupted or destroyed.

An optimal diet emphasizes many plant‐based foods and encourages an array of

fiber‐rich vegetables, legumes, fruits, whole grains, seeds, nuts and other lean

proteins. Minimizing the intake of processed foods (including those with refined or

bleached flours, sugars, artificial ingredients, or additives) is an important part of a

health‐supporting nutrition plan. Examples of whole, natural foods include an apple

instead of artificially sweetened apple juice, a baked potato instead of potato chips,

or grass‐fed sirloin instead of a hot dog.

• Proper Hydration – Active individuals often do not consume enough liquids.

Maintaining hydration, by regularly drinking water, is essential for both physical

performance and overall health. We believe that minimizing the intake of processed

drinks (including those with refined sugars, artificial ingredients or additives) is an

important part of a health‐supporting hydration plan.

• Food as Fuel – It is important to recognize food as the ultimate source of physical

nourishment and fuel for the body. We encourage mindful eating and recommend

that our members approach meals and snacks thoughtfully, not just choose what is

convenient. The quality and type of nutrients we put in our bodies affect how we

perform mentally and physically.

The Life Time Fitness Nutrition Philosophy

• Mindful/Sensible Eating – Making practical and balanced decisions in regards to

when and what we eat, includes consciously being aware of why we eat, and

recognizing that the choices we make directly impact how we feel, perform and

look. Mindful/sensible eating means eating slowly, focusing on the sensory

experience (flavor, aroma, color, and texture), paying attention to physical, social

and emotional responses while eating, and developing an overall positive

relationship with food. It also means we should enjoy eating and satisfy cravings

periodically, but always be conscious of moderation.

• Body Awareness – We encourage people to take time to listen to their bodies –

especially when it comes to accurately distinguishing feelings of hunger, fullness and

satisfaction. In addition, we recognize the importance of identifying emotion such as

stress or anxiety that may trigger cravings and mindless or unconscious eating.

• Supplementation – Life Time Fitness understands the daily challenges involved with

constantly choosing a nutritious, balanced diet of whole and natural foods to supply

all our nutrients. The reality is it is nearly impossible to consume all the nutrients

you need from these sources on a consistent basis to support a healthy way of life.

Therefore, we value the role of select dietary supplements (vitamin/mineral

supplements, Omega‐3 EFAs, bars, shakes and powders) to promote overall health.

Supplements augment a healthy diet and should not be used to replace whole foods

or balanced meals long‐term. We encourage all members to choose supplements

carefully and to take an active role in understanding the benefits, validity, and

contraindications or risks of the products they choose. This includes seeking

trustworthy and reliable, science‐proven products such as those that have been

independently or third‐party tested and have gender‐specific formulations.

o Vitamins & Mineral Supplements – We consider a high‐quality multivitamin

with antioxidant qualities and mineral supplement essential for most people.

Select vitamins can be a safe and effective way to avoid nutrient deficiencies,

possibly help guard against certain diseases, and combat elements

contributing to the aging process. A high‐quality multivitamin can also be

important for achieving optimal health.

o Omega‐3 Fatty Acids – Omega‐3 fatty acids have been shown in studies to

help lower triglycerides, slow the buildup of plaque in the arteries and

reduce the risk of heart disease. They have been associated with hormone

production, brain development, and may reduce inflammation. Because the

average diet is so low in Omega‐3 fatty acids, we consider Omega‐3 fish oil

supplementation important for most people.

o Sport‐Specific/Dietary Supplements – Nutrition bars, shakes and powders can

also be a safe and effective way to avoid nutrient deficiencies, aid in recovery

after exercise or provide a snack alternative. However, avoiding high fructose

corn syrup and highly processed and artificially enhanced supplements is

recommended.

Finally, supplement needs can only be determined on an individual basis and must

consider the whole person – including his or her age, diet, lifestyle, physical health

and priorities.

• Personal Responsibility – Nutrition choices are ultimately a matter of personal

responsibility, and most adults are accountable for the foods they choose. Life Time

Fitness is committed to providing accurate and up‐to‐date nutrition information –

and to helping members make informed decisions about food and nutrition. We

recognize that healthy eating and living is a process. We encourage our members to

make sustainable dietary and lifestyle choices.

Finally, Life Time Fitness strongly urges members and team members to respect their

bodies and recognize that the exercise and food choices they make directly impact their

overall health and vitality.

Rediscover Pizza

webmaster@lifetimefitness.com — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 16:22:40 GMT

You can’t believe the pizza at Life Café. Your new favorite health food gives a refreshing new angle on a favorite meal. The carefully sourced ingredients are not only fresh, but supply the best tasting, healthiest version of what is typically considered a junk food.

It is what is in a food that really matters—not its name. The BBQ Chicken Pizza is one example of a
food that subverts the misconception that pizza is inherently a poor food choice. Rediscover how
pizza was intended, the Life Café way: unbleached flour, fresh tomatoes, fresh cilantro, BBQ sauce
and 100% natural, antibiotic-free chicken.

Chef David Fhima reminds us: “A good pizza once in awhile staves off cravings for bad pizza which
leads to overeating, additionally, the pizzas here have incredible taste.”

Pizza you can believe in—now at Life Café.

Meet David Fhima

webmaster@lifetimefitness.com — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 23:07:44 GMT

From a Sicilian father and a Spanish mother came David Fhima, world-renowned chef and food artist. Born in Casablanca, Morocco, David acquired his love of food from his mother’s devoted attention to bringing her family homecooked meals every single day. His true love affair with food started as a ten-year-old when he started helping his sister in her restaurant, La Ferme Des Grande Chenes in St. Raphael, France.

From there, David knew the world of culinary arts was his passion. He studied with world famous chefs like Andre Averseng and Jean Francois Meteigner. With credentials as a sommelier, pastry chef and Escoffier, David expanded his talent sharing it all over the world from Casablanca to Paris, and London to Los Angeles. His work in or ownership of restaurants of all varieties has earned David praise and rewards from “Best New Chef” to “Top Ten Chef” from food critics worldwide.

The David Fhima cuisine philosophy is considered classical French execution with authentic Mediterranean flavors. It relies on the premise that all food that is one hundred percent natural and well executed, becomes, then, an art. He has pioneered cooking techniques combining flavors from Franco Asian to Spanish Moroccan cuisines.

His prowess in the restaurant and culinary sector has meant David is often sought for features in magazines, television and newspapers. The hundreds of articles he’s written on food, and his culinary course offerings are significant contributions to the industry.

His most exceptional contributions, however, are the charity events in which he is committed to preserving. David’s role in such charity events as Feed the Children, Children’s Heartlink and Juvenile Diabetes are significant and life-changing. And though his awards and accolades are unceasing, David is most proud of his family, thanking his Sicilian father for giving him the gift of great love and passion for people (and exquisite wine).