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Friday, March 30, 2012

Anemia


Anemia

About 30% of the U.S population is iron deficient. vegetarians  usually find that after years of vegetarianism that they   lack B12.  Some medications like birth control anticonvulsants can cause a deficiency. Iron deficiency anemia
B12 deficiency or pernicious anemia can be treated with B12 shoots daily for a week. Folic acid anemia can be treated by eating folic acid rich foods like calf liver and lentils.
Foods that are  high in iron are:
  • Almonds
  • Basil
  • brewers yeast
  • Cereal/breads with iron in it (100% iron-fortified is best. Check food label.)
  • Liver
  • Lentils and beans
  • mangoes
  • Oysters
  • Tofu
  • Green, leafy vegetables such as spinach
  • Red meat (lean only)
  • Fish
  • Dried fruits such as apricots, prunes, and raisins
Eat and drink foods that help your body absorb iron, like orange juice, strawberries, broccoli, or other fruits and vegetables with vitamin C.
Foods to Avoid
Don’t drink coffee or tea with meals. These drinks make it harder for your body to absorb iron.
Calcium can hurt your absorption of iron also egg yolks,  brazil nuts wheat bran should also be avoided if you have a hard time getting enough iron.
Having a large reserve of iron is linked to diabetes. Heme iron is also linked to colon,  prostate cancer and heart disease. Research is still being done on it. People with Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s disease and Lou Gehrig’s disease have high levels of iron in their brains, but it is not clear if the iron is the problem or is it the result of it.  Ways to reduce your intake of heme iron are, eat plant proteins like lentils, beans, tofu, and grains poultry and seafood and eat  less red meat. Also donate blood regularly.

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Healing Your Ulcer


A peptic ulcer is a sore in the lining of your stomach or  the first part of your small intestine.  If it forms in the stomach it is called a gastric ulcer, in the small intestine it  is called a duodenal ulcer.
Taking probiotics or eating  foods with probiotics like yogurt may reduce the side effects of taking antibiotics, which are a common treatment for ulcers.
Apples
Foods rich in fiber, such as apples, can help reduce the risk of developing a peptic ulcer. High-fiber foods like apples can speed up the recovery for people who already have peptic ulcers. Apples also have flavonoids, compounds which may reduce the growth of ulcer-causing bacteria
Garlic
Adding fresh garlic to your foods can increase the speed the recovery of a peptic ulcer. Garlic is also rich in flavonoids and anti-oxidants to boost the immune system and stimulate healing of the sore.
Cranberries
Cranberries speed the healing of a peptic ulcer, try adding cranberries and cranberry juice to your diet.
Rhubarb
Rhubarb can can help reduce intestinal bleeding, which is common with peptic ulcers.
Cabbage Juice
Drinking 1 liter a day of cabbage juice has been shown to help heal peptic ulcers in 1 week to 10 days.
Thing that will help
Eat SLOWLY. Many people find it so hard to do this.
Chew and swallow food slowly. Be relaxed when you are eating
Sit upright or even stand up when you eat
Choose low fat foods instead of fatty foods
Finish eating at least two hours before you go to bed.
Drink Water -  In most cases, a glass of water can relieve abdominal pains within ten minutes. A glass of water a half hour before and two to three hours after each meal can relieve ulcer pain continuously.
Eat three small meals plus three snacks per day. Eat regularly to avoid periods of hunger.
Eat these foods
Vegetables - Fresh, frozen, or canned. Vegetables, Okra, sweet potatoes, squash, yams, broccoli, brussel sprouts, bean sprouts, carrots and fresh cabbage juice
Fruit - Papaya, avocados, bananas, almonds and almond milk and any other fresh, frozen, and canned fruits.
High-fiber foods - Brown rice, barley, oats, are helpful as they can naturally coat and soothe your stomach lining.
Eggs - 3-4 egg yolks per week at the most
Smooth peanut butter
Meat in small 6oz portions at most - lean beef, pork, lamb, veal, and skinless poultry.
Fish - All fresh, frozen, or canned fish packed in water
To help your body heal it also needs increased amounts of vitamin A and C vitamins , zinc, iron, and protein  during the healing process.
Vitamin A - promotes healing of damaged issue.  Eat foods like spinach, sweet potatoes, asparagus, carrots
Vitamin B complex - for general healing. Eat foods like eggs, beans, spinach, and kale
Vitamin C and bioflavonoid - heal ulcers.  Eat foods like bell peppers, strawberries, papaya, spinach, green beans, summer squash
Vitamin E - assists with pain relief and stomach acid reduction. Eat foods like spinach and almonds
Vitamin K - prevents bleeding. Eat foods like spinach, asparagus, green beans, celery, basil
Calcium, magnesium, Potassium, Zinc are all helpful in the healing process.  Swiss chard and spinach are great foods.  Zinc is plentiful in nuts, beans, red meats and seafood, and certain cereals are also fortified with the healthy nutrient. To increase your daily iron intake, add meats, potatoes, beans, eggs, whole grains and fortified cereals to your daily diet.
Avoid
Salt and sugar may increase stomach acid production
Refined Carbohydrates - sugar and white flour products
cow milk- instead use almond, rice or soy milk
Try not to drink too much tea or coffee - caffeine raises acid levels. Allow hot beverages to cool before drinking. otherwise it can trigger gastric discomfort.
alcohol - it also raises acid levels
Smoking - nicotine also raises acid levels. Smoking is known to delay ulcer healing.
Try not to use any form of aspirin
Painkillers and arthritis medications which contain ibuprofen can cause ulcers and delay the healing process
Antacids should be used sparingly or avoided - most antacids contain magnesium and can cause diarrhea.
  • abrasive roughage - like bran, nuts, popcorn, and seeds.
  • red meat in large quantities - animal proteins are high in acids.
  • High-fat breads and cereals such as croissants, biscuits and crackers, and granola-based cereals.
  • Raw vegetables, corn, tomatoes and tomato based products
  • Berries, figs, lemons, grapefruit, oranges, pineapples, and tangerines, Orange, pineapple and grapefruit juice
  • Highly processed or seasoned meats or poultry or fish - such as corned beef, sausages, sardines and anchovies
  • All fried or fatty meat, poultry, or fish
  • Coconut, chocolate.

Monday, March 26, 2012

Gluten Free Easter Ham


Gluten Free Easter Ham

Thank you Gluten Freeville for the great information.   When I find great blogs that help me, I love to pass them along to you.

Many newly gluten free folks may wonder why a list is needed for gluten free ham. Ham is meat and meat is gluten free, right? Well, yes and no. Hams usually have a yummy, crunchy, sweet glaze atop them that often contains wheat.
If your ham comes with a glaze packet for you to add, it’s simple to leave it off and make your own. Each year I notice more companies who used to include wheat in the glaze, now make it gluten free. ALWAYS check your glaze ingredients on a ham.
Most major grocery chain stores have a list of gluten free products at the customer service desk that applies to their location. Start there to find out which hams may be safe for you to buy.
Here is a list of some hams that claim to be gluten free. Again, check the glaze ingredients anyway, just to be sure.
Click the company name for a link to their website or gluten free information.
BERKSHIRE HAM
All natural and made with no added nitrites or nitrates, no MSG, no preservatives, uncured.
Spiral Cut Ham – Hickory Smoked – Bone In, Hickory Smoked – Boneless
BOAR’S HEAD
From their website: “All Boar’s Head Brand® Meats, Cheeses and Condiments, as well as Hans Jurgen® Pickles are Gluten Free.”
CELEBRITY
Boneless Canned Ham (Walgreens)
D’ARTAGNAN
Applewood-Smoked Bone-In Heritage Ham and Boneless Heritage Ham are gluten free and organic on their website.
FARMER JOHN
The Hams don’t contain gluten, but make your own glaze. Their glaze packets contain wheat. Farmer John® Boneless Hams – Golden Tradition Premium Original Whole and Half, Golden Tradition Black Forest Premium Black Forest, Pee Wee Half, Golden Tradition Premium Tradition Brown Sugar and Honey, Golden Tradition, Canless Honey Ham (glaze packets contain wheat)
Farmer John® Bone In Hams – Premium Butt and Shank Portions, Premium Gold Wrap, Premium Sliced Ham Steaks, Premium Spiral Sliced, Premium Half, Premium Spiral Sliced Half, Whole (glaze packets contain wheat)
FIVE STAR BRAND
Smoked Boneless Cottage Ham
HARRY & DAVID
Harry & David Hams list no gluten ingredients.
Here is their allergen statement: “Harry & David Operations, Inc. is in compliance with the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004 (Title II of Public Law 108-282) as of January 1, 2006. Harry & David is 100% compliant with the new Act as currently defined.
We have contacted our ingredient suppliers to insure that all ingredients are declared on the label. Therefore, to the best of our knowledge, our labels list all ingredients. For those with peanut allergies, we also include a disclaimer stating “May contain trace amounts of other nuts or allergens not listed in the ingredients”. Also, since Gluten and other allergens are found in wheat and some other grain products, we encourage you to read the ingredient information carefully and determine if the product is appropriate for your consumption. If you cannot locate an ingredient label on the product you received, contact us with the product name or item number and we will gladly research the information for you.”
HONEYBAKED HAM
“ Our ham and glaze do not contain gluten.” (Yes, they used to contain gluten, but it’s been out of the recipe for a couple of years according to the company rep I have spoken to.)
HORMEL
Black Label® Canned Hams
Cure 81® Ham and Ham Steaks
See the compete Hormel GF list here.
JENNY-O
Turkey Ham
JONES DAIRY FARM
Ham Steaks, Dainty Ham Hickory Smoked, Half Family Ham, Whole Family Ham, Old Fashioned Hickory Smoked, Whole Short Shanked Hickory Smoked, Whole Country Club Ham
KIRKLAND (Costco)
Kirkland Signature Applewood Smoked Spiral Sliced Hickory Ham
KROGER
Private Selection Honey Ham
Private Selection Hickory Smoked Ham
Kretshmar Hams
Kroger gluten free list.
PUBLIX
Publix Ham, Hickory Smoked Ham, Semi-Boneless, fully cooked, Honey Cured Boneless Ham– with Brown Sugar Glaze, Honey Cured Bone-In Ham – Brown Sugar Glazed or with Brown Sugar Glaze Mix Packet
SAFEWAY
Safeway Brand Boneless Honey, Safeway Select ½ Boneless, Butcher’s Cut Shank Cut and Spiral Sliced Ham (glaze packet is not gluten free)
SMITHFIELD FARMS
All of their hams and their ham glazes are free of the top 8 allergens. (Via email from the company 12/11, Lauren David Style blog) I did find one source that says the HEB Private Label Brand from Smithfield is NOT gluten free.
WEGMANS
Wegmans Cracked Pepper Double Smoked Ham off the bone
WELLSHIRE FARMS
Semi-boneless Whole Ham, Black Forest, Glazed Boneless Half, Old Fashioned Boneless, Turkey Half Ham
NOTE: This information is meant as a guide only. Ingredients change, so always check labels before buying and consuming products.
For more information like this check out

Friday, March 23, 2012

Eating this means exercising for how long?



Eating this means exercising for how long?

Next time you go to grab a quick snack you might want to think about a healthy option like fruit or nuts instead.  Some foods just are not worth the amount of exercise that it takes to burn it off.  You don’t have to give up your favorite afternoon treat, look for a  low-calorie options like a skinny latte (120 calories) instead for example.
If you eat this food, this is how long it will take  to burn it off for the average person.
Five Guys Fries regular portion
9 oz. 620 calories



1 hour 35 minutes at
9 mph bicycling


Margarita in a pint glass
550 calories


Downhill Ski
1 hour and 15 minutes



Small movie popcorn
portion 6 cups    410 calories

Low impact aerobics  for
1 hour 15 minutes



Starbucks Latte with whipped cream
venti 20 oz  410 calories

Jogging 50 minutes




Panera Chocolate Chipper Cookie
1 cookie 3 oz. 440 calories

Brisk walk at 3.5 mph for
1 hour 30 min



Starbucks banana bread
4 oz.  490 calories
Swimming laps for
1 hour 15 minutes

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Quick Facts about Exercise


Quick Facts about Exercise

Can you lose weight in specific body parts?
There is no such thing as spot reduction. Body fat is lost from the entire body. Target training can limit the benefits of training since other muscle groups will be neglected.

Will exercising before bed help you sleep better?
Working out up to 3 hours before bed is not recommended. Working out elevates body temperature, and it may cause discomfort making it hard  to fall asleep.  Aim for 5 – 6 hours before bed time to work out and it will help you sleep better.

Does lifting weights make you bulk up?
Strength training (weight lifting) is important as we age to help prevent age related bone and muscle loss. It also decreases body fat and increases the rate that the body burns calories.

Should I drink a sport drink after working out?
For most people no,  unless you have lost lots of sodium and electrolytes through sweating. Drink water , aim for 7 to 15 ounces for every 15 minutes while exercising and then also afterwards.

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Gluten Free finger Paint Recipe


Gluten Free finger Paint Recipe

Kids love to finger paint but most finger paints contain gluten. Here is a great recipe that is easy to make and inexpensive.
Here is how you make them:
1/2 cup cornstarch
3 Tbsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
2 cups cold water
food coloring
Directions:
In a medium pan, mix all the ingredients together to make the finger paint. Cook over low heat 10 minutes.  Keep stirring the finger paint mixture until it is smooth and thick. After the finger paint has thickened take the pan off the stove and let the mixture cool.
After cooling, divide the finger paint into storage containers depending on how many colors you would like. Add a few drops of food coloring to each container. Stir the coloring in to the paint to determine the shade of color. You’re ready to finger paint! Cover tightly when storing.
After making this I though, I wonder how it would come out using juiced fruit and vegetables for coloring. I will experiment with replacing the water with juice and I’ll tell you what the outcome is.

Monday, March 19, 2012

Great Benefits of Safflower Oil


Safflower Oil


Safflower oil reduces the appearance of wrinkles by softening, smoothing and hydrating the skin. In dry, itchy skin conditions, such as eczema, it helps reduce inflammation and speeds healing. It can help skin conditions like, acne, scars and wrinkles.
Safflower oil is a great heart healthy unsaturated fat. It also contains Omega-6 fatty acids which help the body burn fat. These fatty acids,helps control muscle contractions, balance blood pressure, and help the immune system.
Safflower oil can also be taken as a health supplement. Studies have shown that taking a daily dosage of the oil has reduced inflammation, lowered bad cholesterol, reduced body fat, and promote muscle growth.
The oil can be used to promote healthy hair and nail growth my massaging it into the scalp and nail bed. It is also used in massage oils and lotions since it  doesn’t clog pores.
The American Diabetes Association recommends including safflower oil in your diet to lower the risk of heart disease. When using polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats to replace saturated fats you help to lower your total cholesterol levels.  Ohio State University suggests that a bit of safflower oil in your daily diet may improve beneficial cholesterol levels, blood sugars and insulin production in those with Type 2 diabetes.