GO ORGANIC, SAVE YOUR SWIMMERS

GO ORGANIC, SAVE YOUR SWIMMERS

Trace amounts ofpesticides in food “maybe enough to damagesperm” [“15 Ways toChange the World,”April]? Since readingthat, I’ve been eatingall the organic foodsyou recommend.

MAJOR CHALLENGE
I use a card deck to make mypushup workout more interesting.Aces are 15; face cards are 10—396 total. (The cards also help mekeep track.) I’m in my 50s and canstill finish a deck three or fourtimes a week. So after reading“The Pushup Challenge” [April],I figured 111 pushups in 3 minuteswould be a snap. I hit it on my firsttry, but I was exhausted. MartinRooney knows his stuff.

RAW BAR FAVES
In “The Awesome Oyster” [Bulletins,March], you failed to recommendwhat is arguably the mostsought-after variety of oyster inthe world: the Malpeque, which isharvested from a bay near myhome. New Brunswick’s Beausoleiloysters are pretty good, too.

IT WORKED OUT
The Spartacus Workout [MensHealth.com/spartacus] changedmy life. The results came quicklyand were exactly what I hadhoped for. I’ve since enrolled inthe International Sports SciencesAssociation’s Elite Trainer certificationprogram. You reopened myeyes to the fitness world.

PLANTS FOR POWER
“The Truth about Protein” [March]provided great information, butI’m vegan. For after a workout,what’s a realistic protein/carb thatdoesn’t rely on animal products?COLIN, TUCSON, AZMost beans contain 25 to 30 percentprotein and 60 to 65 percentcarbs, making them a great choicefor a postworkout meal. Try ameatless chili: In a medium saucepan,sauté half a small diced onionand a minced garlic clove until soft,and add a small can of your favoritebeans, a small can of pureedtomatoes, and 1½ teaspoons ofchili powder. Bring it to a boil, andsimmer until thickened (about 10minutes).—Eds.

REMEMBERING DAD
My father passed away 5 yearsago. Jacob Levenson’s “A Farewellto Father” [April] remindedme of the times I spent at hisbedside. A father wants to see theman his son has become, andbeing there allowed me to showthat to him. He knew he wasdying—he just didn’t want to doit alone.

My father and I had our differences,but no matter how I feltabout him, the fight he gave ALS[Lou Gehrig’s disease] was inspirational.He met with renownedspecialists, paid for round-the clock care, and traded in hisbeloved Cadillac for a speciallyequipped van. My lesson: Stayclose to your family, especiallyyour parents.