diet doctrine

Food & drink have been celebratory mechanisms for gatherings & parties for hundreds of years.  Here’s why it is becoming a problem now:

• the abundance of accessible food
• the ready-made processed shelf foods are easy to purchase & serve
• the caloric content is unrealized (glazed donut = 255 calories)
• people & parents find it hard to say “no” in a crowd

Well meaning groups contribute to the issue as laid out in the following article:  The Obesity Epidemic in American Churches

Especially concerning to parents ~ Who typically makes a dash for the Sunday morning donuts or the birthday cake for Jesus on Christmas Eve service?…  Maybe we should thank groups for providing plenty of teachable moments.

How about a…

• produce potluck
• pedometer party
• fruity fellowship
• small plate party

“Childhood obesity is best tackled at home through improved parental involvement, increased physical exercise, better diet & restraint from eating.”  ~ Bob Filner

inflammation nation

Please read this interesting article by Dr. Dwight Lundell about what really causes heart disease.  Until fairly recently, the medical community has attributed the causes (for most) of heart disease to high cholesterol & saturated fats where one would be prescribed drugs & a low-fat diet.  Dr. Lundell states, in a nut shell, that the main cause is inflammation of the arteries which causes cholesterol to not move freely throughout the body, therefore creating plaque build-up on the artery wall.

Lots of things can cause inflammation – stress, environmental toxins, bodily reactions to internal imbalances due to allergies, injury, bacteria, virus, &/or fungus (oh my), or diet & lifestyle.

Points to remember:

• cells can only hold a certain amount of sugar
• extra sugar attaches to certain proteins which then act as “sandpaper” to the blood vessel wall causing…inflammation
• consuming processed foods with overloads of omega-6 fats (soybean, corn, sunflower oils) create an imbalance with omega-3 fats within cells which create…inflammation
• excess weight causes overloaded fat cells to secrete pro-inflammatory chemicals

Well.  How about we experiment in reducing inflammation?  Here’s the game plan:

• return foods to their natural state
• say no to processed foods, no to stress
• yes to butter (preferably from grass-fed cows) & olive oil
• yes to fruits & veggies
• yes to moderation, healthy body weight, exercise, water

“Health nuts are going to feel stupid someday, lying in hospitals dying of nothing.”  ~Redd Foxx

risk vs. reward

As we learn more about the human brain & its development, we can apply more effective parenting & teaching strategies to help kids mature.  Inspiration & information for today’s blog comes from:  National Geographic’s October 2011 article Beautiful Brains by David Dobbs.  Another fabulous, entertaining article full of relevant & eloquently written discoveries.

Starting with points we know & have now been proven via MRI science & studies.  Adolescence can be:

• emotional, trying
• a risk taking era
• a time when social interactions greatly influence motivation & behavior
• full of inconsistent behavior

From age 12 thru 25, “….brains undergo a massive reorganization…”  “…as we move through adolescence, the brain undergoes extensive remodeling, resembling a network & wiring upgrade.”  The brain “upgrade” directly impacts performance, behaviors, etc..  Plus, positive or negative (stress, fatigue) variables add another layer to behaviors & decisions.  Other points to keep in mind:

• teens tend to have a high regard for reward gleaned from taking a risk even though they may realize the consequences on a cognitive level (ie. they’re not stupid)
• risk taking with success contributes to being able to adapt
• the brain matures from back to front

Switching gears…consider the following important fact:

“The United States spends about a billion dollars a year on programs to counsel adolescents on violence, gangs, suicide, sex, substance abuse, & other potential pitfalls. Few of them work.”

HUH.  Are you surprised?  What has the greatest impact on kids?  PARENTING!

• share the brain development process with kids
• guide children, do not helicopter parent
• connect with kids & encourage independence
• have patience!!
• let kids fail..it is the best way to learn & the perfect lab to exercise  adaptation skills
• remember that building social relationships is key to their success now & in the future

“Heredity is what sets the parents of a teenager wondering about each other.”  ~Laurence J. Peter

kale chips

No joke!  Hubbie & I, plus one kiddo ate an entire bunch of KALE!

Cut leaves off stems, tear into chip size bites, wash, dry with paper towels or use salad spinner.

Heat oven to 350 degrees, spread kale onto baking sheet (parchment paper optional).

Spray or drizzle (douse?) with olive oil.  Sprinkle kosher salt all over leaves.  Bake for 10-15 minutes, until edges are a tad brown.

A good for you $2 appetizer!  Thanks for the recipe, Susan!!  Click here for more kale recipes.

Hillbilly Warning:  kale bits tent to lodge in teeth…seek mirror or trusted friend after eating!

 

marvelous metabolism

A bodily process we need to survive…& the better it works, the better we feel & operate.  A few key functions:

• converts the food we eat into energy for thinking, moving, growing
• a complicated collection of chemical reactions taking place in cells all throughout the body, all the time
• two-fold process – building up energy stores & breaking down energy stores to use as fuel

Many aspects of our bodies & lives effect metabolism:  endocrine system, genes, health problems or disease, health state, calorie intake & source

What can we do to encourage a healthier metabolism?  Read the article:  20 Ways to Speed Up Your Metabolism

Top 5 (in my opinion):

1. keep hydrated with water
2. destress yourself (cortisol is evil!)
3. get consistent good nights of sleep
4. exercise, including weight-bearing
5. enjoy a real food balanced diet & eat when hungry

“Healthy citizens are the greatest asset any country can have.”  ~ Winston Churchill

pico rescue

Yesterday, 5:23 pm, the dinner menu remained a mystery…  Upon searching through appliances & cabinets, I found frozen sliced pork tenderloin, taco shells, & ingredients for what I suspected would make pico de gallo. 

• tomatoes
• onion
• jalapenos
• avocado
• lime juice, salt & pepper

Can you believe how easy?  Plus, it’s a flexible recipe.  Emeril Lagasse’s does not have avocado but does include garlic & cilantro.

The pico saved the boring pork!

egg eaters

Try this Mini Frittatas recipe (October Family Circle) with left-overs:

12 cup muffin tin (spray with non-stick), 3 cups cooked meat & veg, shredded cheddar, 8 beaten eggs with salt & pepper – layer as listed & bake for 20 minutes at 350 degrees.

Combo above:  cooked crumbled italian sausage, roasted cauliflower, sage, onion.  Other thoughts:

• bacon, tomato (seeds out unless you dig soggy), onion
• breakfast sausage, peppers, mushrooms
• broccoli, potatoes
• serving size is perfect, freeze for a quick meal anytime or on the go, great way to use left-overs

chop chop

A delicious use of random vegetables.  A decomposed (rotten – no, separate parts – yes) salad made of romaine, red pepper, purple onion, tomatoes, cucumber, toasted almonds, & served with a honey mustard dressing.

• total cost:  $5
• buying nuts in bulk saves $$
• confession:  I was not the chef…see About page