December 12, 2013

Grain Brain - The Surprising Truth About Wheat, Carbs, and Sugar - Your Brain's Silent Killer



by David Perlmutter, MD a board-certified neurologist.

 Excited to read and a tad anxious as well. I'm certain that once I finish the last chapter, I will never look at "what's on my plate" the same way again.

December 8, 2013

Food Inc. Chicken Farmer…five years later

Excerpts from "Take Part" post: "Food Inc" Chicken Farmer Goes Rogue - Says Goodbye to Factory Farming

Carole Morison (Chicken Farmer featured in Movie): Becoming disgusted with the conditions on the farm and the pressures from Perdue was a gradual buildup of things until the final questioning of myself: “How did I get like this?” 

Carole Morison: Perdue showed up on the farm when the Food, Inc. film crew was here. When the company finally figured out who was visiting, we received a letter threatening contract termination for “violating bio-security.” 


Congratulations to Carole Morison!

My husband and I saw Food Inc. in the theatre when it was first released, and I was so sad that there was only (maybe) eight of us.  When we walked out - I was so bummed out - and my husband said, "this movie is great. You know how long it takes to turn a big ship - it's turning and this movie is helping to turn it."

Here we are five years later - Congratulations Carole! And, thank you to all those that shared their stories and created Food Inc.- our teenagers watch the movie in their high school science classes. Imagine, food has become science. Meanwhile, America has never been fatter or sicker and strangely we can't seem to figure out why.

Best health to all and thanks again Food Inc. for changing the world one plate at a time.

November 28, 2013

Thanks Giving

For the abundance of God's Blessings today and always…

Friend made above centerpiece -
My sister suggested the stems with seeds to feed the birds
And may our hearts not be too heavy as we give thanks where there is an empty seat at the table.

p.s. My sister suggested I take the long thingy sticks - how's that for not knowing what they are called - and place in my garden for the birds since they had seeds on them - it worked!

November 24, 2013

9 health risks hiding in your Thanksgiving dinner

9 health risks hiding in your Thanksgiving dinner

Warning:  this post can be depressing.  Try and focus on the "Quality" of your food and not the "quantity" and your waste line will be thankful too.

November 22, 2013

The health benefits of tree nuts*

During a 30-year Harvard study, regular nut eaters were less likely to die of cancer or heart disease.

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/11/20/3767370/eating-nuts-is-tied-to-lower-risk.html#storylink=cpy

New England Journal of Medicine - Quick Video - Study Overview

*p.s. A peanut is a legume and not a tree nut.

November 19, 2013

Fooducate:9 Tips for Healthy and AFFORDABLE Grocery Shopping



Posted comment:

Great tips!  I'd also suggest to be sure to read your labels to keep out the "cheap" ingredients  (high fructose corn syrup and partially hydrogenated oils) from your shopping carts.    If I can't make it in my kitchen, find it in my cabinet, or pronounce one of the ingredients - it doesn't go in my cart.  

Love the idea about trying one new produce per week.  True story:  last night I made brussels sprouts - haven't had them in years.  They were frozen so I gently thawed and threw in the oven with a tad of olive oil to finish cooking.  As I was eating them, our fourteen year old kept asking me what they were and the first two times I pretended not to hear.  When I offered him one - he must of had 10.   Looks like I'll be making brussels sprouts again soon.

Best health to all...

November 13, 2013

Huh? New cholesterol treatment guidelines could double number of Americans taking statins



A "real" apple a day helps keeps the doctor away. - Ben Franklin

Daily Dose at www.boston.com

Comment posted 11/14/2013:

Ask any cardiologist about the correlation between what's on your plate and heart disease.  Strange, the article only mentions "may not eat as well" in the very last sentence.  Plus, how come no mention of the horrific side effects some may experience when taking a statin, i.e. Parkinson's like symptoms.

Meanwhile, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration - notice it's not the U.S.D.A. - because it is manufactured in a laboratory - not grown in a field) cautions against trans fats (a.k.a. partially hydrogenated oil).   No wonder America (and her children) have never been fatter, sicker or more malnourished.  We're consuming highly processed, chemically engineered, genetically modified, steroid injected, antibiotic feed, artificially colored and flavored, fake food.  

After I had cancer 12 years ago at the age of 38 I shop for only "real" food - that is I can pronounce everything on the label and make it in my kitchen.  Can't do that with hydrogenated oils or high fructose corn syrup and just got back my cholesterol levels - yep - they're a-o-k.

Best health to all....
p.s. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. - Ben Franklin

November 8, 2013

Trans Fats (aka partially hydrogenated oils) and a world of health problems

Please don't let the food industry convince you that taking away trans fats (aka partially hydrogenated oils) is taking away your right to eat a fake, chemically engineered food product that leads to a host of health problems.  Ask your local heart doctor (American Heart Association) what foods she suggests you stop eating after a heart attack.
Keep reading the labels - on everything!
This is great news:  Here are a few resources that will hopefully enlighten your world and have you reading labels more diligently:

Even the city of Boston realizes the HUGE health risks

Harvard School of Public Health

22 Worst Foods for Trans Fats



October 26, 2013

Even Fido isn't safe: FDA recall of imported Chinese Jerky Pet Treats



FDA has been actively investigating consumer complaints about jerky pet treats causing illness in dogs and in some cats. As of Sept. 24, 2013, over 3,600 dogs and 10 cats have reportedly become ill from eating jerky pet treats according to the FDA Fact Sheet.

October 3, 2013

Quick meal and it's delicious

When traveling -  nutritious food choices can be very limited and always find enjoying Odwalla is a great way to sneak in a meal.  Plus, it's quick and delicious.

Nutritious + delicious + fast =  superfood smoothie

September 28, 2013

Fat Sick and Nearly Dead - The Movie

Follow one man's journey as he travels Fat Sick and Nearly Dead across America.


Juiced every morning to detox after numerous surgeries and it was truly amazing how great I felt - inside and out.  I'm inspired to dust it off and get back to it.

Watch the movie for free through the Fat Sick and Nearly Dead web page.

p.s. Certainly a new perspective on the old adage: An apple a day helps keep the doctor away. - Ben Franklin

September 27, 2013

Is Stevia Sweetener really natural?

Yep!  We consumers have been duped once again, and the manufacturer (Cargill*) of Stevia Sweetener will pay a fine.

Full post at: Fooducate

Does anyone else find it strange that America and her children have never been fatter, sicker, and malnourished and we can't seem to figure out why.
Check out the "ingredients" in water
p.s. Have a former work colleague (a nurse) that swore she got migraines from diet sodas.

Cargill is an international producer and marketer of food, agricultural, financial and industrial products and services. 

September 24, 2013

Common Cathedral: Sharing Lunch and the Eucharist on Boston Common

This past Sunday was a spectacular day. At 6:00AM the rain was pouring.  By 8:00AM, it was still raining and chilly.   Our church's confirmation class (approximately 8 young men and women) were scheduled to make sandwiches and deliver them to Boston Common.  We would participate in the worship service with Common Cathedral that would be held outside (rain or shine/snow or sleet).*  Knowing that we most likely would prepare and provide processed foods,  I made homemade chocolate chip cookies to share.  Recipe below:


Chewy Mini Chunk Chocolate Chip Cookies 
(minus the butter)
makes about 3 dozen cookies

1 cup Earth Balance, softened (non dairy buttery spread) no hydrogenated oils here
3/4 granulated sugar
3/4 cup backed brown sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 1/4 cup flour (unbleached)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup dark chocolate mini chunks (or semi sweet chocolate chips) - semi sweet contain contain zero milk

Heat oven to 375°.  Mix softened Earth Balance, sugars, egg and vanilla.  Stir in flour, baking soda, and salt (dough will be stiff).  Stir in chocolate chips.
Drop by rounded tablespoons on to cookie sheet and bake for 10 minutes, slightly golden brown on the bottom and you can smell them in the oven.  Let cool on cookie sheet.  

(To create bars prepare as noted above and place in glass 13x9 baking dish - or spray other baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.  Bake until a toothpick comes out clean. Approximately 15- 20 minutes.)

*Those of us from New England can appreciate that the weather broke, and the day turned in to a fantastic fall day filled with brilliant sunshine and 70 degrees.   We shared lunch, prayers, hope, faith and community.  As my mom says, "there but by the grace of God."

On a side note:  the phrase, "Good Bye" comes from the old English: "God be with ye."

September 14, 2013

Pear (or Apple) Crisp for that Fall New England Morning (Dairy-Free)



Four pears (or apples) - or a combination of the two (about 3-4 cups)
1 and 1/2 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup unbleached flour

This smells delicious baking on a cool, fall morning.
1/3 cup (packed) brown sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1/3 cup Earth Balance (vegan buttery stick)
Preheat oven to 375°

Rub baking dish with Earth Balance (or any vegan buttery spread)
Slice pears with skin on is fine, especially if they are way over ripe (peel apples) and place in shallow baking dish 
Mix rolled oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg
Melt Earth Balance and stir in to mixture until coated
Sprinkle mixture over pears (apples)

Bake for 20 minutes or until fruit is easy to pierce and sides are bubbling.  (Apples will take longer to bake than overripe pears.)

Update:  friend just shared with me that pears are a terrific Fall food for those individuals that have a "hot" stomach.  (That is they may experience indigestion and crave foods that will "cool" their stomaches.)  Fall is also the season for lungs and pears are good for the lungs.  

September 11, 2013

The Food Project - Serve & Grow

"Our mission is to grow a thoughtful and productive community of youth and adults from diverse backgrounds who work together to build a sustainable food system. We produce healthy food for residents of the city and suburbs and provide youth leadership opportunities. Most importantly, we strive to inspire and support others to create change in their own communities."


What We Do

Young People at the Lynn Farm
Young People at the Lynn Farm
Since 1991, The Food Project has built a national model of engaging young people in personal and social change through sustainable agriculture. Each year, we work with over 150 teenagers andthousands of volunteers to farm on 40 acres in eastern Massachusetts in the towns and cities of Beverly, Boston, Lincoln, and Lynn. We consider our hallmark to be our focus on identifying and transforming a new generation of leaders by placing teens in unusually responsible roles, with deeply meaningful work.
Food from our farms is distributed through our community supported agriculture programs and farmers' markets, and donated to local hunger relief organizations. The young people working in our programs participate in all of these distribution streams, giving them valuable job experiences and a personal connection to our food system and issues of food justice.
In addition to producing and distributing food, we help others grow their own food through our community programs and provide training resources based on all we have learned since 1991.

September 4, 2013

Purchased a Naked Juice Lately? You might have $45 bucks coming your way...

Seems Naked Juice (a PepsiCo Company) has been using the term "all Natural" when (ahem) that might not be the case...


Link to Naked Juice class action lawsuit to claim your $45 bucks (and $75 with receipts).  

p.s. Thanks to Fooducate for spreading the word.

September 2, 2013

Cliff Diving - Boston Harbor - roof of the ICA (Institute of Contemporary Art)


Way...way... cool....

Video

p.s. disappointed to see "candy-in-a-can" advertisement.

p.s.s. Had the opportunity to attend the event - it was incredible.  The "candy-in-a-can" company that sponsored the event made an announcement that a certain percentage of sales goes to the American Diabetes Association.  My husband and I thought that was (sadly) hysterical.

August 16, 2013

Campbell Soup sued over heart-healthy label


My comment:
A "little red dress" to "support" heart health can also be found on diet coke cans...

p.s. So true MimiME - a friend showed me how to dry the oregano and thyme (both from other friend's gardens) and now we have herbs all New England winter long.  You need barely any space, plant them, and watch 'em grow.  
Hmmmm...heart-healthy?

August 14, 2013

Fooducate Blog - Food Marketing to Kids: What Every Parent Should Know

Fascinating: Fooducate Blog - Marketing to Kids: What Every Parent Should Know

Here's my response:

Terrific post! Haven't been to a MacDonald's in probably 10 years and took our 13 year old son through the window after a late baseball game. He ordered a medium french fries and it came in a big red box. I said, "Oh, they gave you a large by accident." He said, "this is the medium." The portion was huge! At least twice as big as what I remember as a kid.
Is this "medium" the extra large from 20 years ago?
Had a niece lose over 70 pounds when she stopped drinking the high calorie, nutritionally void frozen drinks - she had no idea that one drink was nearly a day's worth of calories. (She also changed to much better eating habits when she discovered what she was really eating and drinking.)
Any one else find it strange that America (and her children) have never been fatter or sicker and we can't seem to figure out why?
Looking forward to reading your book the Spring of 2014.

July 27, 2013

Dannon Urged to Remove Bug Extracts* from its Yogurt Products

Read entire post here: www.boston.com/daily-dose


*This "All Natural" dye can cause severe allergic reactions not to mention it's not vegetarian or vegan.  Don't mind if you've been using it to dye rugs for centuries... just not my food please.

July 6, 2013

Gone fishing....

All hooks have barbs removed and are catch and release -
although if the catch is large enough -  we'll enjoy for dinner


Be back soon....

July 1, 2013

Forgot how hilariously funny this movie is...



True story:  the morning I first watched this movie, I was informed that water can not be served with children's school lunches because "the Federal Government sees no nutritional value in water."  Hmmm...wonder what interest group is fighting to keep a carton of chocolate candy on the lunch tray?

June 9, 2013

25 free things to do on Cape Cod

25 free things to do on Cape Cod

Uncle Tim's Bridge - Wellfleet, MA (Photo: Byrne)
p.s. If you are interested in spending a few dollars,  greetings cards are available of photo for $3.99 (plus shipping and handling depending on quantity.)   Feel free to email: supermom101x2@gmail.com

May 25, 2013

That's okay - don't label your fake food products - I'll look for this...Non GMO Project (GMOs)

So, America and her children have never been fatter, sicker or malnourished and we can't seem to figure out why.  Plus, we can't figure out why all the bee colonies are dying off...

Thank goodness that common sense always prevails - NonGMOProject.org.

Frnken-food manufacturers of America - that's fine - keep using industrial strength, genetically modified  (GMO) "ingredients" to make your highly processed, nutritionally void "food."  This consumer won't put your products in her shopping cart unless it is GMO free.

Plus, which tomato do you think tastes better?


VS

Garden fresh heirloom tomatoes and cilantro

p.s. Most of the world won't allow GMO seeds

May 17, 2013

Please! This is such an advertisement for dairy...

Do you think this is an infomercial?

- Who signs his paycheck?
- Why is "dairy" the only option presented?
- Do you believe there should be a footnote that reads: these are paid actors and not medical doctors?

Is it me or is it bizarre that this infomerical is bashing smoking...

April 23, 2013

Boston Marathon Bombings - The One Fund and other financial support

 
Boston Marathon Bombings
to help the people most affected by the tragic events that occurred in Boston
because this could have been my sister, husband, parent, aunt, colleague, neighbor or child.

 
Donate Here
 

April 18, 2013

Boston Marathon Bomb Attacks - compassion vs. cowardly acts of violence against innocent victims


Our hearts are simply...broken. Yet light can break the darkness and there we find faith, hope and love. The following is a testament to the human spirit that from great tragedy - when chaos can prevail  - we find acts of love, kindness and care because this could have been my sister, husband, aunt, parents, co-worker, and child.


Newton Police Officer:

I have been a Police Officer for 11 years. I am often asked, What is the craziest or worst thing you have ever seen. I hate this question. I have to think about what this person wants me to tell them. Is it the many calls for alarms or neighbor complaints? The house breaks, the robberies, or all the little things. I know they don't want to hear about all the suicides, or gruesome car accidents I have seen. Or all the elderly people who passed away by falling down the steps and not found for several days until their mail man calls us to say they haven't taken in their mail because their kids are not around to care for them. I could probably tell you about every suicide I have been to. Having to tell the parents who just found their teenager hanging, or over dosed that it will be OK. Or telling the children that mommy or daddy is not coming home. It's a difficult question.

Yesterday I woke up, happy to go to work on one of my favorite days of the year. I got my assignment on the motorcycle, MC3. Patrol Comm ave to the Boston line. The historic Heart Break Hill. A hill I conquered in 2010 when I completed a life long goal to run the historic 26.2 miles. I was standing along the route when I ran into an old friend that I haven't seen in about 15 years. I met his 3 children as they waited for their mother to pass by. I saw fellow co workers and wives run by as everyone cheered them on. I watched Dick Hoyt push his son Rick in his wheelchair up Heart Break hill for the 31st time. I was standing with my Sergeant and another officer as their wives and kids came to visit them at work. They gave them kisses and bid them fair well.

It was then that a National Guardsman came over to us and asked if we heard anything about an explosion. And then it came over our radio. "Newton control to all officers, there were two explosions at the finish line, be on alert." I jumped on the bike and headed for the Boston Line at BC. After some confusion we were given the order to stop the race. Stop the Boston Marathon? Never in a million years would I believe I would have to stop the Boston Marathon. Myself and other officer made a human barricade and stopped the runners. They were beginning to hear about what happened and asking us questions we did not know the answers to. What do we do next. This is when it all came to light and to say I am proud to serve with the people I do. Immediately a joint effort was made between Newton, Boston, State, and Boston College Police. We opened up St. Ignatius church and set up a shelter. About 200-300 runners entered as we tried to make arraignments for family to pick them up. BC brought food and drinks for them. Students brought phone chargers for people who had dead batteries. We announced the names of people over the loud speaker as family members showed up and people cheered. People were translating for runners that were from other countries. Everyone came together. After a few hours I was given the assignment to escort the remaining runners who needed to back to Boston.

We loaded up 6 buses with about 300 people and along with State Police and Middlesex sheriffs, we began the convoy. 15 motorcycles and 3 cruiser. We brought them all the way into the Castle where runners were taken after the explosion. Seeing all aspects of law enforcement driving around an empty city was crazy. Bomb trucks with guys riding on the back, Dogs, trucks, FBI, ATF, Boston, Transit, Brookline, everyone. You name it they were there. The few people we saw walking were video taping us as we passed with the buses.

Rich and I drove back slow. We rode down Comm Ave into Kenmore and kept looking down Boylston St toward the finish line, all lit up with temporary lights. Media everywhere. It was like a movie set.

I received Facebook messages from people I haven't seen since high school. Texts from family members telling me to stay safe. I felt like I wasn't doing enough to help. I wanted to do more. I headed home to my wife and kids. I can not imagine what the victims' and their family are going through. The little boy who lost his life. The hundreds of injured. I gave my wife and two sons a kiss and thanked God for my blessings.

I woke up today only to realize it was not a dream, it really happened. So for now on when I am asked the question, what is the craziest thing you have seen as a Newton Police Officer, I know how to respond. April 15, 2013
1

April 3, 2013

The Conversation

Teaching doctors to cook: recipe for a healthier community?

This article was originally published at The Conversation. Read the original article.

By Alessandro R Demaio, University of Copenhagen

The traditional adage in the world of medical education, is to “see one, do one, teach one”… Medicine, at its fundamental core, is a profession best learnt through experience.. Best mastered through engaging with patients and observing senior colleagues. This is why we have teaching hospitals. Why we spend more than half of most medical courses in hospitals and not in universities.. And why we see so many trainee-doctors every time we go for that checkup.

Flickr / ReneS

But a recent paper in the prestigious journal JAMA suggests a new adage for doctors in the 21st century.. An updated ideology for health-care professionals entering a world in which diabetes, heart disease and obesity are major killers and where over-nutrition is often more common than under-nutrition.

A delicious new recipe for education and health, excuse the pun, of ‘See One. Taste One. Cook One. Teach One.  You see, doctors are trained to prescribe medications to bring down their patients' cholesterol. They’re even lectured on the benefits of exercise for a healthy heart. But at no stage in most medical curricula are medical students taught how to cook. How to approach food in a healthy way, to maintain a balanced diet or to prepare a “heart-friendly” snack. Yet the largest health threats facing most communities globally, are those caused and remedied by the quality and quantity of the food we consume.

We look to doctors as leaders, as role-models and as trusted providers of health – so why not stock their pantries with recipes for healthier living, which in turn they can provide to their patients.

Flickr / campdarby

Of course, it is more complicated, and I am not suggesting that chef-doctors are the answer to our obesogenic societies, but it would be a very intelligent step. Almost free to the taxpayer – in sharp contrast to treating the outcome of the obesity epidemic – giving health promoters the skills to cook a balanced meal seems logical.

I also admit that the typical medical course is already dense, as with any course at university, but the role of tertiary education is to instill in us the skills to overcome common professional challenges. How can we expect medical professionals, not just doctors, to guide their patients to health (and healthy food is part of this), if they don’t have the skills themselves? If we’re not teaching the teachers some basic recipes for a nutritious and healthy lifestyle – how can we expect them to do the same for their community?

There are good examples from the USA, and the benefits of knowing how to make healthy, affordable food is nothing new to many – see the Kitchen Garden Project and Food Revolution. But as a community investing in the education of doctors, maybe we have the recipe slightly wrong… In addition to anatomy, physiology and pharmacology, could a dash of cookery be the missing ingredient for a healthier society?

For more on global health, explore Translational Global Health, from Alessandro and PLOS
Alessandro R Demaio does not work for, consult to, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has no relevant affiliations.

The Conversation
This article was originally published at The Conversation. Read the original article.

March 30, 2013

Touch of Comfort - Honoring the spirit of a true Super Mom Foster/Grand/Aunt/Daycare/Church Nursery

Please join me in supporting the loving memory of one extraordinary SuperMom:

She loved babies, and they adored her. She had her own of course, lots, and loved them all deeply. She nurtured her little nieces and nephews, grandkids and foster babies. She ran a home daycare, and worked in church nurseries and in preschools, all because kids were her calling.

Touch of Comfort - in loving memory of Angela Bauer

Blankets to newborns in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Children’s Hospital in Boston, 
providing joy and comfort at a difficult time.

March 6, 2013

Fooducate: 10 Reasons to Quit Soft Drinks (and diet soda too)


Let’s admit it. We’re a nation of junkies addicted to sugary soft drinks. Decades of clever advertising and cheap unlimited access have made us slaves to sugary pop. We must stop this nonsense. Here are 10 reminders why you should quit, right now!
1. You’ll lose weight. Regular consumption of soft drinks make you fat. Drinking just one 12 oz. Pepsi a day for a year will add 18 pounds to your body weight when compared to water consumption.
2. You’ll lose weight by quitting diet drinks too! When you consume calorie-less sweets, your body gets confused. It releases insulin to absorb the expected sugars in the blood stream, but those sugars never arrive. The result is increased fat cell production.

p.s. My comment:

Soda = candy-in-a-can
Diet soda = chemicals-in-a-can

Is this chemical-in-a-can really health smart?
Wonder how much $$ the American Heart Association received from...

March 3, 2013

Still Believe 'A Calorie Is a Calorie'?


Terrific article! Hope we can spread the word to parents that we are unknowingly hurting our children.

It's so strange: America (and her children) have never been fatter or sicker and we can't seem to figure out why....meanwhile we're told everything is fine with our highly processed, genetically engineered, factory farmed, chemically engineered, artificially flavored, sugar loaded, antibiotic administered, franken-fake food supply.

Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

BPA may increase asthma risk in kids...


"...experienced a dramatic rise in their BPA levels -- because of unexpectedly high levels of BPA in the milk and dried spices they were consuming."  One more reason why I avoid ALL dairy products since I had breast cancer over 12 years ago.

I had no idea about our highly processed, artifically flavored, chemically laden, clean room manufactured, factory farmed, genetically engineered, steroid injected, arsenic feed, antibiotic administered, high fructose corn syrup addicted, franken-food supply. ...and I thought I was eating healthy.

It's so strange, America (and her children) have never been fatter or sicker and we can't seem to figure out why.   

An "organic" apple a day helps keep the doctor a way. - Ben Franklin

p.s. Great article! Totally agree on glass storage suggestions and basically eliminating  "plastic" as a cooking/storage utensil.  Cans lined with BPA will become a thing of the past because (hopefully) consumers will purchase only those cans that state "no BPA" similar to HFCS and non GMO.    Thanks again for getting the word out there about BPA and its dangers.



DIrect marketing piece handed out at our children's school picnic -
I added the red cross out

March 1, 2013

Happiness Tips: 13 Experts Weigh In On The Pursuit Of Joy



"Count your blessings ... pray every day ... honor God by taking care of your body and mind ... remove all negative people from your life ... learn to forgive yourself and others ... watch as many sun rises and sunsets as you can." - Richard Simmons, American fitness personality and motivator

Great quote!   For over a year now, I try and catch a glimpse of every sunrise and sunset. I've been in meetings and could see the light changing behind a colleagues head and said, "excuse me" and turned to catch a glimpse of the setting sun.

Also suggest taking 15 minutes and watch The Happy Movie - if you don't like it - turn it off. Our 19 year old couldn't stop watching it...

Best health always....
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

February 27, 2013

Federal panel: Don’t take vitamin D and calcium supplements to prevent fractures

Federal panel: Don’t take vitamin D and calcium supplements to prevent fractures


"My oncologist says the best way to get vitamin D is through 15 minutes of sunshine (even in the winter)  and to build strong bones is weight bearing exercises.  Hopefully, walking from the grocery store carrying groceries after a snow storm counts." - SuperMom101

February 24, 2013

The horsemeat scandal


Just returned from the United Kingdom and this Horsemeat Scandal is HUGE.  I would liken it to our "pink slime" controversy last year.  Consumers feel duped that they have no idea what is really in their food supply, where it comes from and how badly it may be contaminated. Plus, you're paying for something entirely different than what you thought you were.  Social norms aside, doubt the healthiest horses are used for processing and they are administered drugs that are illegal for human consumption.  Plus, in this case, there is more than just a trace of pork in the beef products which is forbidden in the Jewish and Muslim communities.

Read entire post at Food Politics.

Side note:  had the pleasure of staying with a lovely Muslim family that follows the practice of consuming only Halal meat - fascinating how the "food rules" are similar to kosher:

Guarantee that the animal has been raised and butchered humanely.
No factory farmed meat here!

What is Halal?

According to the U.S. Halal Chamber of Commmerce:
In Arabic, the word halal means permitted or lawful. Halal foods are foods that are allowed under Islamic dietary guidelines. According to these guidelines gathered from the Qu'ran, Muslim followers cannot consume the following:
  • pork or pork by products
  • animals that were dead prior to slaughtering
  • animals not slaughtered properly or not slaughtered in the name of Allah
  •  blood and blood by products
  • alcohol
  • carnivorous animals
  • birds of prey
  • land animals without external ears 
Find the following post discussing the methods of butchering interesting as well and far more humane than factory farming.

Recent post at www.thekitchn.com:

My boyfriend owns a large Halal slaughter house in New York. Each animal is taken away from the other animals when it is slaughtered. It is given water to drink beforehand, and each animal is killed with one cut to the throat while ritual prayers are recited. The knives are re-sharpened before and after each killing. The animals are not kept in cages. The chickens are not piled on top of each other in crates. His poultry comes from Amish farms, and his lamb and goats are free range from Texas. The animals are fed all natural feed, and they are never given drugs or fed any animal by-products. 

The Halal laws are very similar to the Kosher laws. It is about respecting the creature whose life you are taking, and acting with reverent accordance. Two-thirds of my boyfriend's customers are not Muslim. They are just people looking for responsibly raised and slaughtered meat. I have lamb chops in my freezer right now, and I know exactly where and how they were produced. And I get the freshest eggs of anyone I know!

Recent college grad lives off $7 per day for food


Good luck Anna!  These skills will take you far.  Have a pound of "organic" black beans soaking for chili  - you can buy them in bulk for far less than cans without the added salt. Completely intimitated at first to buy in bulk and had to look at a dry bean package to get the directions on how to soak - none of the cookbooks gave great details.  Entire countries live off rice and beans (with barely any meat and zero dairy)  and have a fraction of the health issues we Americans experience and they're thin too.

Great ideas for Kale - will give them a try.

Wishing you continued success,
SuperMom101

Overnight soak: add 6- 8 cups cold water to 1lb dried beans (approx. 2 1/4 cups.)
Let stand overnight - at least 6-8 hours.
Drain soak water and rinse beans. Cook as desired.*
*To cook: add 6 cups water to drained and rinsed beans.  Simmer gently with lid tilted until desired tenderness is reached, about 45 minutes - 1 1/2 hours.  Stir occasionally and add water to cover beans as needed.  Acidic ingredients such as tomatoes, vinegar, wine or citrus juices should only be added at the end of cooking once beans are tender.  Thank you to Whole Foods Market for providing the directions.

February 12, 2013

Fooducate leads the way...no more artificial food dyes for our children

Fooducate leads the way...

In honor of my sister, who tragically passed away unexpectedly last January 2012 - I signed the  petition.  As a mother of four - nursery school teacher - friend to the developmentally challenged and story listener of the elderly - Susan believed food dyes, diet sodas, chemical additives, etc. "screwed up the wiring in our children's brains"...

America's children deserve better - sign here

Hmmm..are these kid's sticking out their artificially dyed tongues at us?
To:
John Bryant, CEO, Kellogg's
Indra Nooyi, CEO, PepsiCo
Tony Vernon, President, Kraft Foods
and all American Food Manufacturers 
Please stop using artificial colors in your food products. They are unnecessary and potentially hazardous to our health:

* Artificial colors are a petroleum industry derivative, not a food product.

* Artificial colors have been linked to cancer in lab animals

* Artificial colors may cause allergic reactions

* Artificial colors cause hyperactivity in some children

* Food products with Artificial dyes require warning labels in the UK

* Artificial colors are banned in several European countries

* Artificial colors provide absolutely no nutritional benefit

* Artificial colors are easily replaceable by natural coloring such as paprika and turmeric.

So why keep using them?

Companies like yours have shown that natural colorings can be used in products for the European market. Those very same products use artificial colors when manufactured for the US. Don't American kids deserve better?

In summary: Please remove Red #40, Yellow #5, Yellow #6, and Blue #2 from ALL foods you manufacture.