Harmony Evans's Blog, page 736
August 1, 2023
Trump Indicted For Conspiracy To Defraud The United States And 3 Other Charges
Former president and 2024 presidential front-runner for the Republican Party Donald Trump has been informed that he has been indicted on four charges by the grand jury in the District of Colombia over the 2020 election interference investigation.
The former president has been ordered to appear in court on Thursday.
Donald Trump has been informed that he has been indicted in the 1/6 investigation. pic.twitter.com/iwwh6HuPK6
— Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) August 1, 2023
Manu Raju detailed the charges:
Here are the four charges Trump is facing as he is ordered to appear in court on Thursday pic.twitter.com/HUc1yEjPNh
— Manu Raju (@mkraju) August 1, 2023
It was unprecedented for a former U.S. president indicted, before the last several months found Trump indicted in now three different states for three different alleged crimes.
Trump has already been charged in a federal criminal indictment in Florida and a criminal indictment in New York.
Listen to Sarah on the PoliticusUSA Pod on The Daily newsletter podcast here.
Sarah has been credentialed to cover President Barack Obama, then VP Joe Biden, 2016 Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, and exclusively interviewed Speaker Nancy Pelosi multiple times and exclusively covered her first home appearance after the first impeachment of then President Donald Trump.
Sarah is two-time Telly award winning video producer and a member of the Society of Professional Journalists.
Connect with Sarah on Post, Mastodon @PoliticusSarah@Journa.Host, & Twitter.
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WSJ Columnist Calls Climate Change Obsession a ‘Real Mental Disorder’ | The Gateway Pundit
A new column in the Wall Street Journal by Allysia Finley suggests that the left’s obsession with climate change is a genuine mental disorder.
She points to very real examples from politics and the liberal media to show how the obsession with climate change has even been substituted as a stand-in for other legitimate mental disorders.
None of this is surprising when you see elected officials like AOC and others spreading doomsday prophecies about the world ending in ten years due to climate change. It’s a hysteria.
From the Wall Street Journal via MSN:
Climate Change Obsession Is a Real Mental Disorder
The media wants you to know it’s hot outside. “ ‘Heat health emergency’: Nearly half the US at risk,” CNN proclaimed last week as temperatures climbed above 90 degrees in much of the country.
If heat waves were as deadly as the press proclaims, Homo sapiens couldn’t have survived thousands of years without air conditioning. Yet here were are. Humans have shown remarkable resilience and adaptation—at least until modern times, when half of society lost its cool over climate change.
“Extreme Temperatures Are Hurting Our Mental Health,” a recent Bloomberg headline warns. Apparently every social problem under the sun is now attributable to climate change. But it’s alarmist stories about bad weather that are fueling mental derangements worthy of the DSM-5—not the warm summer air itself…
The New Yorker magazine earlier this month published a 4,400-word piece titled “What to Do With Climate Emotions” by Jia Tolentino, a woman in the throes of such neurosis. “It may be impossible to seriously consider the reality of climate change for longer than ninety seconds without feeling depressed, angry, guilty, grief-stricken, or simply insane,” Ms. Tolentino writes.
Ms. Tolentino goes on to describe how climate therapists can help patients cope. “The goal is not to resolve the intrusive feeling and put it away” but, as one therapist advises her, “to aim for a middle ground of sustainable distress.” Even the climate left’s despair must be “sustainable.”
Climate therapists? That’s a real thing now?
Here’s a perfect example of how this happened. Kamala Harris says in an interview that young people are scared about the future because of climate change. Who put that fear in them?
VP HARRIS: “Climate anxiety — [young people] are concerned about their future in almost a doomsday fear about what might be within a couple of decades of now. They’re concerned about whether they should have children, whether they should even try to buy a home, because what does… pic.twitter.com/Gr7MMt7olC
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) July 31, 2023
Democrats do not care what this is doing to their supporters. It is all being done in the name of advancing their agenda, which is all they really care about.
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BOOM! It’s Happening!… Chairman James Comer Spoke with Speaker McCarthy About Impeachment Following Devon Archer Testimony (VIDEO) | The Gateway Pundit
House Oversight Chairman James Comer joined Greg Kelly on Monday night following the testimony earlier today by Hunter Biden associate Devon Archer in testimony before the committee.
And, Devon Archer sang like a bird. As The Gateway Pundit reported earlier today, Devon Archer was understandably upset when Joe Biden’s Department of Justice arrested him and sentenced him to over a year in prison earlier this year.
On Monday Devon Archer told House investigators that Joe Biden met with Hunter Biden’s clients numerous times, joined into meetings over the phone, and the family was rewarded with tens of millions of dollars for influence peddling and bribery schemes.
On Monday night Chairman Comer told Greg Kelly that Speaker McCarthy called and they discussed steps in impeachment following today’s explosive hearing.
Greg Kelly: How can a guy like this stay in office? You heard Speaker McCarthy. He’s talking about impeachment… If this is bribery, that’s in the Constitution. I mean, do you think he’s going to get impeached? Should he be impeached?
Chairman James Comer: Well, I know how I would vote, but again, that’s a decision for Speaker McCarthy. But I’ll tell you this. Right before I came on the show, speaker McCarthy called me and I gave him a rundown of what was said today. And we talked about steps moving forward. So stay tuned.
Comer added, “It’s like a snowball rolling down hill.”
Boom! It’s happening.
Via Greg Kelly on Newsmax.
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July 31, 2023
6 Healthy, Easy Peach Recipes for Summer
If you spend all year looking forward to your annual July-August peach harvest haul, we have some unfortunate news. According to recent reports, Georgia (aka the peachiest state) has experienced a devastating peach shortage this season due to a loss of 90 percent of this year’s crop after a February heat wave followed by two late-spring frosts. Big sigh.
This means that when we get our on one of these deliciously juicy stone fruits, we’re making the most of it. Ahead, we delve into some of our favorite peach recipes of all time—plus, a review of their bountiful health benefits (hellooooo, fiber) and a few recipes for stone fruits that aren’t peaches…because the peach shortage has been the pits.
Health benefits of peachesPeaches aren’t just nice to look at (wink, wink). According to Lauren Manaker, MS, RDN, LD, CLEC, CPT, a registered dietitian based in Charleston, the quintessential summertime fruit is also packed with health benefits. “Peaches offer so much more than great flavor with no added sugars. Peaches are a fantastic source of fiber, too, which can help support your gut health,” Manaker says.
Manaker says that peaches get their cheery hue from carotenoids, a group of fat-soluble pigments also found in and veggies like carrots, squash, and tomatoes. The registered dietitian explains that peaches contain two forms of carotenoids (lutein and zeaxanthin, both of which are linked to supporting eye health)—plus, they’re a great way to stay hydrated on a hot summer day. “Peaches also provide hydration and nutrients like vitamin C, which can help support immune health, and are a natural source of antioxidants, which can help support our overall health in various ways,” Manaker says.
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4 juicy peach recipes perfect for summertime
Photo: Downshiftology
Have guests coming over? Well, then it’s the perfect occasion to debut this grilled peach and burrata salad recipe by Downshiftology. It’s the ideal combination of sweet and savory with a touch of smokiness, thanks to the freshly-grilled peaches. Pair it with a side of balsamic glaze and fresh burrata for a balanced dish that’s tangy, refreshing, and creamy all in one. The hardest part about this recipe? Cutting the peaches correctly without making a total juicy mess. Ahem, a set of pliers might come in handy.
Get the recipe: Grilled Peach and Burrata Salad
Photo: Love and Lemons
You definitely don’t need an excuse to eat like you’re on an Italian countryside vacation every day of the year. Case in point: This panzanella salad with peaches and corn by Love and Lemons that’s giving holiday and OOO vibes thanks to its gorgeous presentation and even more enticing ingredients. (Hi, gorgeous medley of tomatoes, crunchy corn, punchy red onions, and of course, sweet peaches.)
Get the recipe: Panzanella Salad with Peaches and Corn
Photo: Feel Good Foodie
There’s no denying that baking can, at times, be a very daunting task. But galettes are one of the most forgiving ways to delve into the world of pastry-making. This peach galette by Feel Good Foodie features a homemade rustic pie crust that’s flaky, buttery, and, most importantly, perfectly imperfect. And at the center of it are fresh peaches lightly coated with a squeeze of lemon. It’s easily a 10 out of 10 on every level.
Get the recipe: Peach Galette
Photo: Well Plated by Erin
Peaches on your mind the moment you wake up? These peach pancakes by Well Plated by Erin are exactly what you need. Made with whole wheat flour for an extra boost of protein and griddled with slices of fresh peaches, these pancakes are what flapjack dreams are made of.
Get the recipe: Peach Pancakes
Plus, two additional (non-peach) stone fruit recipes…just in case
Photo: Love and Lemons
Since easy baked recipes are clearly on our minds, let us present you this cherry clafoutis recipe by Love and Lemons, that’s a French-inspired dessert that’s surprisingly very easy to make. (Although, it looks like something you’d be served at a five-star restaurant.) In this version of the dish, antioxidant-rich cherries are covered with a sweet, egg-based custard mixture that’s baked until light and fluffy. Serve it with a side of whipped cream, and you have yourself sheer perfection.
Get the recipe: Cherry Clafoutis
Photo: Feel Good Foodie
For those with a mango tree in their backyard, once mango season rolls around, all bets are off as the overload of mangoes starts coming in hot. So, if you’re dealing with a surplus of the fruit, this avocado mango salad by Feel Good Foodie is one quick and easy way to serve it up that won’t get boring, no matter how many times you make it. Perfectly seasoned with a dash of cumin, chili powder, cilantro, and onion, this salad is equally as refreshing as it is tasty.
Get the recipe: Avocado Mango Salad
Of course, if you’re able to get your hands on peaches (lucky you) this season, these two recipes can also be made with peaches instead.
Learn how to make the vegan peach cobbler of your dreams:
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Activist Warns Democrats That They’re Failing to Reach Black Male Voters Ahead of 2024 | The Gateway Pundit
Supporters with Blacks for Trump listen as President Trump speaks at his 2020 reelection campaign kickoff rally at the Amway Center, Orlando, FL, June 18, by Kristinn Taylor
A left wing activist has warned Democrats that they are failing to connect with black male voters in the run-up to the 2024 election.
Trump made impressive headway with black voters in 2016 and 2020, which is undoubtedly one of the reasons Democrats fear him so consistently.
This activist claimed that Democrats are focusing too much energy on reaching conservative white women.
FOX News reports:
Democrats ‘failing epically’ to reach Black male voters heading into 2024, activist warns
Democrats are worried about Black male voter turnout as they campaign for 2024 and some argue the party is “failing” to reach Black males and younger Black voters, the Washington Post reported.
Internal party analysis reportedly showed that Black male turnout and younger Black voter turnout were much lower in certain states in the 2022 midterms.
“The Democratic Party has been failing epically at reaching this demographic of Black men — and that’s sad to say,” W. Mondale Robinson, founder of the Black Male Voter Project, told the Washington Post. “Black men are your second-most stable base overwhelmingly, and yet you can’t reach them in a way that makes your work easier.”
Robinson told the outlet that Black men are “sporadic or non-voters” in multiple battleground states…
“We have to meet them where they are and we have to show them why the political process matters and what we have accomplished that benefits them,” Cedric L. Richmond, a senior adviser at the Democratic National Committee, told the outlet.
A small change in the number of black voters in 2024 could change the outcome.
While Democrats worry about Black men turning out to vote in 2024, they are also in a quandary to find the right messaging that will gaslight them into believing policies have benefitted them when in actuality? They really haven’t. https://t.co/KAxMRQY3Dk
— Stacey Ma Dukes Hopkins (@staceyhopkinsga) July 31, 2023
This is precisely why Democrats depend so heavily on false accusations of racism. They have nothing else.
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What To Keep in Mind| Well+Good
It might seem counterintuitive to move much when you have a painful condition that can also cause severe fatigue. But if you’re one of the 1.5 million Americans who have rheumatoid arthritis (RA)—or one of the 32.5 million with osteoarthritis—you should know that exercise has been found to be one of the best ways to help alleviate symptoms like joint pain, swelling, stiffness, and tenderness. The key is making sure you exercise in ways that benefit instead of harm your body, says Tamika Henry, MD, a board-certified family physician, founder of Unlimited Health Institute, and author of The Unlimited You Detox.
RA occurs when the immune system attacks the synovium, tissue that lines the joints and helps them move smoothly. When the synovium becomes inflamed, it thickens, causing swollen, tender joints, and making movement painful and difficult. While both RA and osteoarthritis involve inflammation of the joint lining, they differ in that osteoarthritis also causes weakening and deterioration of the entire joint including bones and connective tissue. However, both types of arthritis can be helped by exercise, says Dr. Henry, who was diagnosed with juvenile RA as a child.
“Exercise helps to maintain mobility and can help with decreasing further joint stiffening,” she says. “Exercise also increases blood flow to the area which can increase muscle strength and has been associated with decrease in pain.”
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Why your exercise routine might need to change
Dr. Henry says those with arthritis need to think about “preservation of joints” when exercising—which may mean changing your approach if you were doing HIIT or CrossFit prior to your diagnosis. “Activity that is high impact may cause further pain,” she says. “The wrong exercise can cause further swelling and inflammation, and could lead to even more restricted use of the joint.”
Dr. Henry’s advice if you have arthritis: Avoid workouts that involve jumping, running, or any other movement that puts heavy impact on the joints. Instead, stick to activities that are low impact and promote flexibility, range of motion, and involve both cardio and strength. Top options include yoga, tai chi, stretching, walking, water aerobics, swimming, cycling, and even gardening.
Resistance training has also been found to be beneficial if you have RA, improving joint function, pain, stiffness, physical functioning, and strength, including grip strength.
Maintaining grip strength if you have RA is particularly important because the condition commonly affects joints in the hands and fingers, which can lead to decreased mobility and increased stiffness, says Dr. Henry. That’s why she advises adding hand and finger exercises to your routine such as:
Squeezing a soft rubber ballOpening and closing your fistsMaking a circle like the shape of an “O” with your fingers and thumbAlternating finger taps between your thumb, and index, middle, ring, and fifth fingersKeeping the whole body healthyWhile exercise is one piece of the puzzle, managing arthritis requires a whole-body approach that keeps inflammation levels low through healthy lifestyle choices, says Dr. Henry. “Build up the muscles around the joint, stretch, and drink water to help hydrate the joints,” she says. “Consider anti-inflammatory supplements like turmeric, fish oil, and glutathione. Avoid processed foods and high-sugar content beverages. Also don’t forget to get adequate sleep. Your body heals and repairs itself while you sleep.”
And if you’re having a flare-up or just don’t feel up to doing much, it’s okay to take it easy—rest can help reduce inflammation and fatigue, and help conserve your energy for when you’re feeling better. With arthritis—as with all things in life—balance is key, and listening to what your body is telling you is always a smart idea.
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Trump Predicts Another Indictment Against Himself to Distract From Devon Archer’s Damning Testimony Against Biden Crime Family | The Gateway Pundit
Source: Getty Images
Former President Donald Trump has predicted that he may soon face another indictment to distract from the explosive testimony of Devon Archer, Hunter Biden’s longtime friend and business partner at Rosemont Seneca.
Archer is currently facing one year in prison on unrelated charges, and appeared before the House Oversight Committee on Monday to testify on against the Biden crime family.
Archer disclosed that while serving as Vice President, Joe Biden was part of more than 20 phone calls with Hunter’s business associates. He also stated that the ‘Biden brand’ was instrumental in preventing the Ukrainian Natural Gas Company, Burisma Holdings, from going bankrupt.
Archer shared with lawmakers that Hunter Biden was pressured by Burisma to intervene with the Ukrainian prosecutor investigating the company for corruption.
Ukrainian Prosecutor General Viktor Shokin had been probing Burisma and its CEO Mykola Zlochevsky for corruption when his investigation led to several properties and vehicles owned by the oligarch being seized. In response, Joe Biden threatened to withhold $1 billion from Ukraine, and Shokin was fired a month later. Joe Biden openly bragged about this move in 2018.
Devon Archer told Congress that Burisma execs, including Hunter Biden, Mykola Zlochevsky and Vadym Pozharski, convened a meeting and ‘called DC’ to get Viktor Shokin fired.
A few days later Joe Biden forced Ukrainian officials to fire Viktor Shokin, or else!
In addition, Archer testified that Joe Biden had a meeting with Yelena Baturina, Russia’s billionaire, who later invested $40 million into Hunter Biden’s real estate ventures and also paid him $3.5 million in consulting fees.
Yelena Baturina, the billionaire widow of a corrupt Moscow mayor, was left off of Biden’s Sanctions list.
Responding to the damning information brought forth by Archer, former President Donald Trump took to Truth Social to voice his reaction and predicted another indictment against himself in order to distract the public from the Biden scandal.
“Wow! “Crooked Joe Biden was on dozen’s of calls with Hunter’s Business Associates. He lied, said he didn’t know anything about his son’s business. Demanded the Ukrainian prosecutor be fired, immediately.” Laura Ingraham, FoxNews. “This is AMAZINGLY CORRUPT BEHAVIOR,” Mollie Hemingway. This is really bad news for Biden, which means I will probably be Indicted again, soon, in order to kill the News Cycle!!! MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN” Trump wrote.
Source: Truth SocialLast week Special Counsel Jack Smith hit Trump with a superseding indictment in the classified documents case and accused the former president of being a part of a scheme to delete Mar-a-Lago security tapes.
Trump was charged with three new counts, including one count for willful retention of national defense information related to a document he allegedly showed staffers at his Bedminster golf club.
Smith also charged a third defendant in Trump’s classified documents case on Thursday.
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What To Eat Before I Work Out: I Tried 4 Top Options
I recently moved 6,000 miles to Paris, and decided to take advantage of the fresh start to revamp a few parts of my life, including my fitness routine. Since everything’s up in the air, why not try a new approach? It’s not necessarily that I wanted to change how I was working out, but how I prepped for my workouts. Specifically, what to eat before I work out.
Some people like to take a supplement, or drink a specific energy booster, or sometimes even munch on some candy before they exercise. The theory is that you can maximize the efficacy of your workout by giving yourself some extra oomph to get through your sweat session with gusto with the right pre-workout snack. I figured I would run a one-woman experiment on what to eat before I work out, testing a few of the most popular options and seeing how they actually worked for me.
Experts In This Article
Leslie Bonci, sports registered dietitian and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Lisa Mastela, RD, MPH, registered dietitian and founder of Bumpin’ Blends What should your pre-workout fuel include?According to National Academy of Sports Medicine, the ideal combination of ingredients in a pre-workout food or drink would include “caffeine, beta-alanine/sodium bicarbonate, electrolytes, amino complex, and creatine.” Though this combo is science-backed, it isn’t necessarily a universal list (and pre-workout supplements in general haven’t been exhaustively studied, and many are mislabeled). “The best pre-workout food or snack should include, without exception, 20 ounces of water plus protein and carbs,” Leslie J. Bonci, MPH, RD, previously told Well+Good about what to look for in pre-workout food.
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It’s important to note that your pre-workout fuel choice depends on your fitness goals, what you hope to gain from the supplement or food, and the time of your workout. For instance, you don’t necessarily need an amino-acid-dense protein shake before a Yin yoga class.
“You have to evaluate based on what kind of workout you’re doing—that matters a lot,” Lisa Mastela, RD, MPH, registered dietitian and founder of Bumpin’ Blends, tells me. “A banana’s gonna give you a totally different effect than a pre-workout supplement.”
If you’re training for an endurance event or have specific goals that entail strenuous strength-training or HIIT workouts, then this is an area you’ll want to take more seriously. But if you’re just looking for a little boost? You might be satisfied with a banana or shot of espresso.
My experiment on what to eat before I work outWith all this in mind, I headed into my experiment. The controls: the same 30 minute Pilates workout, taken at the same time of day (8 am), by the same exerciser (me). The variables: a different pre-workout fuel choice each day. I went with the most popular options: a banana, a pre-mixed pre-workout supplement powder, a shot of espresso, and candy (specifically, Justin’s Peanut Butter Cups). I also did the Pilates class without any pre-workout food (day 0) so all my notes are based on a comparison to that “benchmark” setting.
Of course, my body is different from yours, so I also consulted Mastela on each fuel choice to get a broader perspective on each one’s benefits and limitations. And as with anything, it’s smartest to consult with your own doctor, dietitian, or coach to figure out what’s going to serve you best. As Mastela puts it, “There’s no one-size-fits-all solution here.”
Day 1: BananaThe most basic of the bunch is perhaps the humble banana. The pre-workout banana and I go way back, to my early days of working out and running, in which I’d have some peanut butter on a banana (or PB banana toast) before heading out for whatever movement the day had in store.
Bananas are the W+G proclaimed GOAT of pre-workout snacks. They’re naturally rich in the electrolytes magnesium and potassium, and can provide your muscles with a boost in glucose that can help you power through a workout, says Mastela.
“This is a whole food, which in general is an excellent choice,” she adds. “You could also use this as a post-workout snack, or blend it with some kind of protein to get even more benefits—again, depending on your goal.”
My banana experienceI don’t typically eat before a morning workout, but the banana was light enough that I didn’t feel overly full or uncomfortable. I also assume this digestive experience cued my body to shake off the sleepiness a little bit more, as if eating something told my body, “We’re awake now!” which helped me feel more present in the earlier half of the Pilates routine. (The science around this is a bit contradictory, so this is purely speculative.)
Though uneventful, I’m counting this as a win. I felt good, with no adverse side effects to report on. A point for team banana!
Day 2: CandyAs it turns out, a bit of candy before exercising is a popular pre-workout choice. And for good reason.
“Like bananas and fruit juice, a piece of candy can give your muscles a dose of glucose, which translates to quickly and easily-accessible energy for your workout,” says Mastela. “You’ll have more energy, more power, etc.”
Some people might give the idea of eating candy some side eye. Mastela, however, says a piece of candy isn’t a huge deal, especially if you’re regularly exercising. “For the most part, sugar is sugar,” she says, “Whether that’s from fruit or a piece of chocolate.” However, she points out that candy obviously has artificial ingredients, which aren’t optimal for your health. “The other pre-workout options are likely better because of this—you don’t want a ton of high fructose corn syrup.”
Also, she notes that quantity matters: “You don’t want to overdo sugar,” she adds. “Sugar before a workout might give you more energy, but ultimately, what’s your goal? Because if you have too much sugar in your bloodstream, it’s still gonna get taken up by your fat cells if you don’t work out hard enough. And if you’re working out with a ton of sugar pumping through your bloodstream, you’re not releasing any of the stored sugar in your body.”
My candy experienceFor this experiment, I opted for some of the Justin’s Peanut Butter Cups I brought with me from the States (yes, I brought some American candy). Mastela told me this was a great choice—so I immediately patted myself on the back for choosing a “healthy” candy—because it has a mix of protein (peanuts contain all of the branched chain amino acids, or BCAAs), carbohydrates (sugar), and electrolytes (from dark chocolate and salt).
I anticipated feeling more jittery or alert than I was with the banana, but it ended up being an identical experience. A little bit to eat, a little bit of sugar, not super full, but present and “powered.” Will I eat candy before every morning workout? No. But it was fun to feel like a kid eating my grown-up Reese’s for breakfast before doing Pilates.
Day 3: Pre-workout powdered drinkThe packaging of pre-workout supplements always makes me think AXE body spray has suddenly became a jar of watermelon-flavored powder. But serious weight lifters swear by them.
“These types of supplements are great if you’re weight lifting or doing something that requires a lot of power,” said Mastela. “If your goal is to lift heavier, go harder, build muscle, or to push yourself past yesterday’s limit, then supplements are a great way to do that.”
She says that taking these supplements before major strength workouts may help you gain weight through increased muscle mass. But they’re not for everyone. “If you’re just doing day-to-day workouts for your health maintenance and mental health, these supplements do absolutely nothing for you,” she says. “It could even give you heartburn depending on the supplement, as some are fizzy, or contain artificial sugars and sweeteners, or have lots of citric acid.”
She notes that any kind of supplement can have adverse effects, and it depends on your body. She says to watch out for “puffy face (water retention), and any kind of systemic inflammation.” If any of that happens she suggests switching to something natural, like a shot of espresso with a teaspoon of sugar, instead.
My pre-workout drink experienceIn general, I am supplement sensitive—I vomit if I take vitamins on an empty stomach, get acid reflux from some protein bars and shakes, so in general, I avoid supplements. But I have friends who absolutely rely by their pre-workout drinks, so I did a bit of research and chose a popular brand that ticked the aforementioned boxes: It contained a mixture of caffeine, electrolytes, beta alanine, BCAAs, and a natural sweetener.
At first I felt a boost of energy, but eventually got hit with what many other consumers have experienced: itchiness, and an uncomfortable tingling sensation. It was enough for me to not be able to focus on my workout, but fortunately it went away after about 30 or so minutes.
Perhaps if I spent more time using this supplement, my body would adjust to the beta alanine (the source of the itching), but for me, it simply isn’t worth trying again, given my health goals and the other available options. If I ever start training for an endurance event again, I’ll be sure to let you know how that goes and if I change my tune!
Day 4: EspressoThe most European of the options is just a shot of espresso. I had a bias with this one going in, as it tends to be my personal favorite, but I did my best to remain objective.
There are pros and cons to espresso. While it’s simple, easy to make, and delicious (assuming you like coffee), it also lacks nutritional value. There are no amino acids, creatine, protein, sugars, or electrolytes. If those are on your must-have list, espresso alone won’t cut it. (And it definitely doesn’t take the place of a real breakfast.) If you’re simply trying to harness the power of caffeine, however, then rock on… and please proceed.
Mastela points out that coffee or espresso can be an ideal choice: It’s a well-documented performance enhancer, thanks to the ability to aid your muscular strength. “If my goal is to build muscle and get stronger, then coffee with a little bit of sugar before a workout is what I’ll reach for, and then add in the protein and BCAAs and carbs afterward with a recovery food or drink,” she says.
If you’re caffeine-sensitive, it’s also helpful to know that an average shot of espresso contains about 64 mg of caffeine. For context, pre-workout drinks contain multiple times this amount (between 150 and 300 mg).
Similarly, you could opt for matcha tea, which has a bit of caffeine, alongside amino acids like L-theanine which may mitigate some of the jitters.
My espresso experienceLet’s be honest, this wasn’t my first espresso rodeo. I’ve been having a bit of coffee before many a workout (and have even documented it here at Well+Good!), so my positive results weren’t the least bit shocking.
If I’m doing a morning workout and feeling a bit groggy, the caffeine (in a small dose) helps me to feel more alert so I can focus on my body and get the most from my time exercising. Despite not adding sugar to my coffee like Mastela suggested, I personally felt best with this option. This could be a bit of confirmation bias, but this one gets the ultimate yes vote, IMO.
Which is the winner?In the end, figuring out the best option for your body requires your own experiment! Remember, evaluate your situation:
What are your fitness and health goals?What type of workouts are you doing?What time are your workouts?Do you have sensitivities or allergies?“The main takeaway,” Mastela says, “is that all of this really depends on your goals, the results you want, and what you need in that particular moment and that particular workout. The results are going to vary so much from person to person, so try this yourself and see what works for you.”
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Trump’s Super PAC Slush Fund Is Virtually Broke
Donald Trump’s super PAC has spent so much on legal bills that they are virtually broke and can’t afford money for campaign ads.
Former President Donald J. Trump’s political action committee, which began last year with $105 million, now has less than $4 million left in its account after paying tens of millions of dollars in legal fees for Mr. Trump and his associates.
The dwindling cash reserves in Mr. Trump’s PAC, called Save America, have fallen to such levels that the group has made the highly unusual request of a $60 million refund of a donation it had previously sent to a pro-Trump super PAC. This money had been intended for television commercials to help Mr. Trump’s candidacy, but as he is the dominant front-runner for the Republican nomination in 2024, his most immediate problems appear to be legal, not political.
If only Republicans had a formidable candidate with lots of money running against Trump who could take advantage of the former president’s inability to spend on his campaign. Republicans have no such candidate. Instead, they have Ron DeSantis. Gov. DeSantis has loads of campaign resources to work with, but he is a human faceplant each time he attempts to interact on the campaign trail.
This is how it is going to be for Republicans. Trump is going to divert massive amounts of money that should be for his presidential campaign to pay legal bills, and who will benefit from this situation?
President Joe Biden and the Democratic Party will benefit. People forget that one of the many reasons that Trump lost in 2020 was that his campaign ran out of money.
The same thing is happening again in 2024.
Donald Trump is already running out of cash because he is facing 75 felony charges.
Those charges aren’t going away, which is why Democrats should be ready to benefit from what will probably be another underfunded Trump campaign.
Jason is the managing editor. He is also a White House Press Pool and a Congressional correspondent for PoliticusUSA. Jason has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. His graduate work focused on public policy, with a specialization in social reform movements.
Awards and Professional Memberships
Member of the Society of Professional Journalists and The American Political Science Association
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Arizona law school embraces ChatGPT use in student applications
Benj Edwards / Arizona State University
On Friday, Arizona State University’s Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law announced that prospective students would be allowed to use AI tools, such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT, to assist in preparing their applications, according to a report by Reuters.
This decision comes a week after the University of Michigan Law School notably decided to ban such AI tools, highlighting the diverse policies different universities are adopting related to AI’s role in student applications.
Arizona State’s law school says that applicants who use AI tools must clearly disclose that fact, and they must also ensure that the submitted information is accurate. This parallels the school’s existing requirement for applicants to certify if they have used a professional consultant to help with their application.
The law school’s dean, Stacy Leeds, stated that the new policy acknowledges the increasing use of AI tools among lawyers and law students. Leeds emphasized that students cannot use AI to generate false information, adding that they still need to “communicate their own life.”
AdvertisementReleased in November, ChatGPT is an AI assistant application that can perform analysis and also compose text in different styles, depending on what the user requests. Its appearance, followed by similar tools from other vendors, sparked an existential crisis among some educators who worry that students will use it to complete assignments without learning the material.
Some university professors, such as Ethan Mollick of Wharton School in Pennsylvania, have taken a more open approach, recognizing that the use of tools like ChatGPT among some students is inevitable. Mollick’s policy states that students must be able to vouch for the accuracy of their work, no matter how it was composed. Also, students must disclose their use of AI tools to the professor.
Leeds believes that generative AI, widely available to applicants regardless of their economic situation, can potentially level the playing field for those who might not be able to afford to hire a professional consultant—some of which charge hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees.
Despite the new policy, Reuters reports that officially sanctioned ChatGPT use at the Arizona State law school is limited to applications for now. The school is still formulating regulations for AI usage within coursework and the classroom. Soon, ASU plans to provide educational videos to guide prospective students about acceptable uses and potential pitfalls of AI.
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