Ideas for improving health and lifestyle.
Copyright Living Better Magazine ISSN 1935-6161
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Pickle Wrap Dip
Here's a recipe for the Pickle Wrap Dip:
1 large sour cream (16 oz)
1 regular size cream cheese (thawed or at room temp)
1 package dried beef (by the lunch meat at wal mart)
3-4 large dill pickles
about 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce (optional)
Mix the sour cream and cream cheese together. Add the Worcestershire sauce. Cut up the dried beef into little squares. Mix into sour cream mixture. Cut up pickles into little squares and mix into sour cream mixture.
Dr . Michelle May, M.D. struggled with weight problems most of her life. She has found that diets don't work. Instead people need to make a lifestyle change, which she describes in her book Eat what you love; Love what you eat.
One tool she presents is the Hunger and Fullness Scale. It assesses your hunger and fullness levels before, during and after eating. "It will help you identify hunger cues, observe how different types and amounts of food affect you, and recognize when the urge to eat has been triggered by something other than hunger...."
The Hunger and Fullness Scale ranges from 1 to 10, with a level of 1 representing ravenous, and a level of 10 meaning you're so full that you're in pain and feel sick. The smaller numbers mean your stomach is smaller stomach; the larger numbers mean the stomach is larger.
Level 5, in the middle of the scale, equates to being satisfied and comfortable. At a 5, you cannot feel your stomach at all. It's neither empty nor full; it isn't growling or feeling stretched. This may be how your stomach feels after you've eaten a light breakfast, writes Dr. May.
Here is a description of the scale:
1 = Ravenous: a high-risk situation where you are too hungry to care what you eat.
2 = Starving
3 = Hungry
4 = Hunger pangs
5 = Satisfied: You are neither hungry nor full, but rather are content and comfortable.
6 = Full
7 = Very full
8 = Uncomfortable
9 = Stuffed
10 = Sick
If you are 5 or above, you know something other than hunger triggered your desire to eat. If you are a 4, you should either wait or eat a small amount. At 2 or 3 you should eat. Dr. May recommends you eat only enough so that you are at a level 5, where you are feeling comfortable. You can get a visual reminder of how much you need to eat by making a fist and then opening your hand. That's about the amount of food it takes to go from a level 2 to 5. If you're at a level 1, you need to exercise caution. The tendency from a level 1 (a ravenous situation) is to overeat.
Here are some maxims about eating from Dr. May.
- Eating when you are hungry helps signal to your body that food will be available when you need it and it allows your metabolism "to run on high."
- Eating small meals satisfies hunger best.
- It may take 20 to 30 minutes after eating for your body to signal the brain that you are full.
Scientists have found that showering under a dirty shower heads can deliver a face full of harmful bacteria. Tests revealed nearly a third of devices harbor significant levels of a bug that causes lung disease.
Snacks That Help You Keep Those New Year's 'Eat Better' Resolutions
by Renee Hewitt
It's that time of the year to make your food resolutions for 2010. Striking a balance between your love of food and your calorie count - without compromising on taste can be easier than you think thanks to Crispy Green and its line of delicious, natural and wholesome freeze-dried fruit snacks.
FruitziO are a light, sweet and crunchy snack that kids and adults can enjoy anytime, anywhere to provide the fruit they need with the taste they crave.
Available in two flavors: Strawberry FruitziO and Apples and Strawberries FruitziO and made with only the finest freeze-dried apples and strawberries - with just a hint of pure, natural sugar, FruitziO are packed with delicious fruit taste and just 100 calories.
Strawberry FruitziO and Apples and Strawberries FruitziO are available in .88-ounce moisture-free, resealable pouches. (The MSRP for FruitziO is $3.49.)
FruitziO is the perfect snack for kids, tweens and adults and the product's convenient resealable pouches, long shelf life and portability make FruitziO the ideal 'go anywhere' snack to take in the car, keep in a backpack, briefcase or luggage to enjoy on vacations, camping trips, shopping trips, a day at the beach, etc. and puts the natural goodness of fruit at your fingertips anytime.
All-natural FruitziO does not contain preservatives (including sulfides), fat, cholesterol or sodium and is peanut/tree nut free, gluten-free, dairy free and has been certified kosher by Orthodox Union (OU) and Shatz Kosher Services (SKS).
FruitziO helps you enjoy a delicious snack while avoiding the pitfalls of mindless munching and provides you with 100 calories of snacking satisfaction.
For more information about the FruitziO product line, go to www.crispygreen.com.
Being "D-ficient" bad for the heart, bones, and rest of the body, reports the Harvard Heart Letter
BOSTON -- New research suggests that having too little vitamin D, the so-called sunshine vitamin, can contribute to heart disease, falls and broken bones, breast cancer, prostate cancer, depression, and memory loss, reports the December 2009 issue of the Harvard Heart Letter. Vitamin D is best known for building and maintaining healthy bones by helping the digestive system absorb calcium and phosphorus. But it does much, much more.
Coronary artery disease. Calcium deposits that stiffen the arteries are more likely to develop in people with low levels of vitamin D. In one study, men low in vitamin D were twice as likely to develop heart disease.
High blood pressure. Vitamin D decreases the kidneys' production of renin, a hormone that boosts blood pressure. Several studies suggest that low vitamin D contributes to high blood pressure, and that getting more of the vitamin can help control blood pressure.
Statin-related muscle pain. Some people who take a cholesterol-lowering statin stop because of muscle pain. In a study of 128 men and women with statin-related muscle pain, two-thirds of them had low vitamin D levels. Among those who took a vitamin D supplement, muscle pain disappeared in 90%.
Infection. Preliminary trials suggest that too little vitamin D can leave the body prone to infection, and having enough in circulation can help the body fight off the flu, tuberculosis, and infections of the upper respiratory tract.
The Harvard Heart Letter notes that supplements are the simplest, safest way to get vitamin D. Getting 800 to 1,000 IU daily from supplements is a good goal. Ask your doctor to test your vitamin D level, and take a supplement if it is low.
There is no 'magic' pill or fad diet for good health; personal responsibility for wise choices can help you live to 100.
Like so many things in life, the best answer to a problem is often the simplest. It is no different when it comes to health, wellness, and longevity.
Dr. Sanja Gupta of CNN advocates over the airwaves healthy lifestyle choices. Dr. Mehmet Oz is well known for simplifying the message of preventive health choices and the effects bad health choices have on our bodies. Dr. Rima Laibow supports eating natural foods and supplements as a way to prevent disease. These doctors represent a growing number of physicians and researchers who have taken a stand for better lifestyle choices for improved health and longevity.
In her new book, Living Well at One Hundred, famed biochemist and treatment specialist of non-healing and complex wounds Dr. Darlene McCord joins this medical chorus and shares pertinent information that allows for healthy lifestyle changes. The colorfully illustrated tabletop book is an easy to read reference for anyone looking to improve their stamina, and prevent and treat diseases such as diabetes and hypertension as well as increase their life's longevity.
Living Well at One Hundred begins with an honest assessment of the rise in health care spending over the past 40-years, and why bad lifestyle choices - are one of the main culprits to this increase. Dr. McCord is a strong advocate for prevention using diet, exercise and supplements as a foundation to a healthy life.
She says of preventive medicine, "The march to better health is not being led by insurance and pharmaceutical companies -- it is being led by a growing number of cutting-edge physicians, researchers, and a throng of people just like you and me."
"Over the past century, the average life expectancy has more than doubled. The extension of human longevity is one of our greatest achievements. However, in order to maintain the tremendous gains we have made, we must become partners in our own health and more actively participate in the choices that will impact it," adds McCord. "The concept of living well is about how to take charge of our everyday life circumstances. Our own longevity is actually controlled each and every day by the decisions we make. Simple choices - from the food we eat to exercise - can result in previously unsurpassed physical and emotional health."
Living Well at One Hundred is decidedly different from most 'health' books in that it encourages and explains many small steps one can take toward a healthy life. At their own pace, readers can plan their own 'journey' to wellness and health.
"The answer to health and wellness is at our fingertips every day, from the food we eat to basic choices," notes McCord. "It really isn't complex, radical diets or new medicines aren't needed."
Jefferson City, Missouri -- Imagine a BB gun pellet striking your child's eye with enough force to knock him to the ground. Sadly, some popular children's gifts around the holidays can cause serious eye injuries. In recognition of Safe Toys and Celebrations Month, the Missouri Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons (MoSEPS) reminds parents of the dangers that toys may pose to children's eyes and offers tips on how to choose safe toys for gift-giving.
A serious eye injury from a toy can ruin your family's holiday and, more seriously leave your child with permanent vision loss. Children receive all types of potentially unsafe presents during the holidays, including BB guns, darts, pellet guns and paintball guns.
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, there were more than 235,000 toy-related injuries treated in U.S. emergency rooms in 2008; nearly three quarters of those injured were children under age 15.
With so many toys being recalled or having the potential to cause injuries, many parents are wondering what toys are safe. Sports equipment, a popular gift, should also include the protective eyewear. Sports-related eye injuries can cause permanent vision loss and account for about 40,000 eye injuries annually.
Tips for a safe holiday season:
- Avoid purchasing toys with sharp, protruding or projectile parts.
- Make sure children have appropriate supervision when playing with potentially hazardous toys or games that could cause injury.
- If you plan to give sports equipment, provide appropriate protective eyewear with polycarbonate lenses. Check with your local eye specialist to learn about protective gear recommended for your child's sport.
- Check labels for age recommendations and be sure to select gifts that are appropriate for a child’s age and maturity.
- Keep toys that are made for older children away from younger children.
- The branches and needles of Christmas trees can be hazardous to the eyes, so be especially careful when untying your tree. The branches can burst forward, hitting and injuring your eyes. Glass ornaments should be hung out of a child's reach to avoid potential injury.
For more information about eye safety and eye injuries, go to
EXPERT'S BOOK ADDS TO MOVEMENT ADVOCATING LIFESTYLE CHOICES -- NOT MEDICINE -- AS THE KEY TO GOOD HEALTH AND LONGEVITY
There is no 'magic' pill or fad diet for good health; personal responsibility for wise choices can help you live to 100.
Like so many things in life, the best answer to a problem is often the simplest. It is no different when it comes to health, wellness, and longevity.
Dr. Sanja Gupta of CNN advocates over the airwaves healthy lifestyle choices. Dr. Mehmet Oz is well known for simplifying the message of preventive health choices and the effects bad health choices have on our bodies. Dr. Rima Laibow, healthfreedomusa.org, advocates natural foods and supplements as a means of preventing disease. These doctors represent a growing number of physicians and researchers who have taken a stand for better lifestyle choices for improved health and longevity.
In her new book, Living Well at One Hundred, famed biochemist and treatment specialist of non-healing and complex wounds Dr. Darlene McCord joins this medical chorus and shares pertinent information that allows for healthy lifestyle changes. The colorfully illustrated tabletop book is an easy to read reference for anyone looking to improve their stamina, and prevent and treat diseases such as diabetes and hypertension as well as increase their life's longevity.
Living Well at One Hundred begins with an honest assessment of the rise in health care spending over the past 40-years, and why bad lifestyle choices - are one of the main culprits to this increase. Dr. McCord is a strong advocate for prevention using diet, exercise and supplements as a foundation to a healthy life.
She says of preventive medicine, "The march to better health is not being led by insurance and pharmaceutical companies—it is being led by a growing number of cutting-edge physicians, researchers, and a throng of people just like you and me."
"Over the past century, the average life expectancy has more than doubled. The extension of human longevity is one of our greatest achievements. However, in order to maintain the tremendous gains we have made, we must become partners in our own health and more actively participate in the choices that will impact it," adds McCord. "The concept of living well is about how to take charge of our everyday life circumstances. Our own longevity is actually controlled each and every day by the decisions we make. Simple choices - from the food we eat to exercise - can result in previously unsurpassed physical and emotional health."
Living Well at One Hundred is decidedly different from most 'health' books in that it encourages and explains many small steps one can take toward a healthy life. At their own pace, readers can plan their own 'journey' to wellness and health.
"The answer to health and wellness is at our fingertips every day, from the food we eat to basic choices," notes McCord. "It really isn't complex, radical diets or new medicines aren't needed."
MINNEAPOLIS (Dec. 2, 2009) -- This holiday season through a truly distinct online photo essay, natural care products e-commerce site www.WedgeWorldWide.coop taps residents of its neighborhood to show - not just tell - the myriad healthful and social benefits of its Earth-friendly goods.
To view the distinct catalog and to order, visit www.WedgeWorldWide.coop. It's the online retail site for Minneapolis-based The Wedge Co-op, the nation's largest single store, consumer-owned, natural food and products cooperative in the United States. Wedge Worldwide offers hundreds of natural health and lifestyle products to shoppers nationwide.
The photo essay features nine Twin Cities' residents in 12 distinct settings demonstrating the plethora of natural personal care products and housewares the Web site purveys. All models donated their time and service to support and showcase The Wedge's goods to a national audience.
Think, nutcrackers eating pecans. A holiday season filled with peppermint bliss on your body. Cozy up with your gingerbread man. Learn the true meaning of gathering under the mistletoe. Discover what "pamper me" really entails.
"Wedge Worldwide lets shoppers throughout the country have direct access to the ecologically sound general merchandise and personal care products local Wedge Co-op shoppers love,' said Jessie Jacobson, coordinator or Wedge Worldwide. "This holiday season, we asked, 'how can we illustrate our values at the Wedge on our retail site to the rest of the nation?'
"So we asked community members to help," Jacobson continued. "In doing so, the photos are unique in concept, as well as in their construction, and truly represent the eclectic tastes and artistic talents of our neighborhood."
About Wedge Co-op The Wedge Co-op is a natural and organic food cooperative with more than 14,000 member-owners who live throughout the metro area. Founded in 1974, the Wedge has grown to become the largest single store, consumer-owned, natural food cooperative in the United States. The co-op is dedicated to offering the freshest, highest-quality natural and organic food and the most friendly, informed staff of any grocer.
1 pound of ground turkey (or beef if preferred, but try the turkey you'll be surprised) 2 medium sized onions 1 jalepeneo pepper 2 cloves of garlic 1 Table spoon Chili powder 1/8 teaspoon powdered Cheyanne pepper 1 Tablespoon brown malasses 1 Tablespoon of powdered choclate (like for cocoa) 1 8-ounce can of chili beans 2 16-ounce cans of diced tomatoes 1 8-ounce can tomato sauce 1 fresh green pepper
In a fry pan, with some olive oil to cover the pan bottom, on about a medium heat, crumble the ground turkey and fry until cooked.
In a large stew pot, pour a bit of olive oil in the bottom and coat the bottom of pan. Chop onions and crush the garlic and throw into pan on warm. Add chopped jalepeno pepper, Chili powder, Cheyanne pepper, brown malasses, cocoa powder. Stir up good. Add a cup of water. Stir. Add cans of diced tomatoes including their liquid. stir. Add can of Tomato sauce. Keep well stired and increase heat to medium until brought to a boil, then reduce heat to warm and stir occasionally. After 45-minutes, add diced green pepper, drained kidney beans, and cooked meat. Stir occasionally and cook another 15 or twenty minutes.
Will make a big pot for the weekend. Once in your bowl you may want to add a dolop of sour cream or some shredded chedder cheese if you want to put on some pounds and inches.
First, cut the potatoes in cubes. Put some oil in the pan. When the oil is heated, put the cubed potatoes in the pan. Also, put some salt. Fry 3 minutes, then put some water in pan ( the volume of water is equally to the height of potatoes). After 3 minutes, put the beef in pan, Because the beef has already been cooked, you just need 3 more minutes. Yummy dish and quick to make.
