Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Which cereal packs more fiber and protein?


You know that a healthy breakfast is an important part of your day, especially if you're watching your weight. Well not just any breakfast will do--you want lots of fiber and lean protein to keep you full through morning and meet your nutritional needs. Here are two healthy sounding cereals. Peace Cereal's Essential 10 is described as a "nutritious cinnamon-toasted cereal" and it is also stamped with the USDA Organic symbol. A similar concept by General Mills is their Basic 4 cereal, which contains a "blend of sweet & tangy fruits, crunchy nuts and a wholesome variety of whole grains." Their box is stamped with General Mills' symbol for "Whole Grains." These two cereals are equal in calories (210) and fat grams (3) per 1-cup serving, but only one contains more than three times the fiber and twice the protein of the other. Can you pick the winner?

Saturday, June 27, 2009

Rooting for Comfort Food


Next time you're tempted to reach for the mac n' cheese, turn to autumn's bounty for a healthy (but comforting) alternative. Starchy root veggies are rich in flavor, vitamins and fiber, making for nutritious and filling cold-weather eats.

Here's how we'll be using them to warm our bellies:

Mash 'em: The soft texture of mashed root veggies can be both delicious and comforting. Branch out from potatoes and try mashing mineral-packed parsnips with milk, nutmeg, salt, pepper and walnut oil. Or try this simple recipe for mashed rutabaga.

Cook 'em: We always feel better with a steaming bowl of chicken soup, but we like it even more with low-cal daikon (it's also thought to purify blood). For a hearty one-dish meal, dig into a bowl of filling sweet potato and apple stew.

Bake 'em: Longing for a sweet baked treat without the guilt? Pop these mini sweet potato pies into the oven or try whipping up a batch of delicious carrot spice muffins with agave.

Monday, June 22, 2009

Never Forget OUR men


Yesterday was Father's Day and many men as well as woman were still fighting for this country far away from their families;
Something cool that Xerox is doing

If you go to this web site, http://www.LetsSayThanks.com you can pick out a thank you card and Xerox will print it and it will be sent to a soldier that is currently serving in Iraq . You can't pick out who gets it, but it will go to a member of the armed services.

How AMAZING it would be if we could get everyone we know to send one!!! This is a great site. Please send a card. It is FREE and it only takes a second.

THIS IS A FREE SERVICE!! IT JUST TAKES EFFORT ON YOUR PART! PLEASE SEND ONE!

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Choose Wisely


One piece of bread before dinner could equal anywhere between 100-200 calories. Those same calories could mean a glass of wine or dessert. Choose wisely! Make the most of your meals when you eat out. Decide what is important to you. If you love bread, have the bread before your dinner. Choose one piece and eat it slowly. Or if there is a dessert on the menu you are craving, choose a dessert and split it with your fellow diners. This way, you will leave your dinner satisfied and guiltless.

Friday, June 12, 2009

Spring Allergy Tips



The majority of spring allergies are related to pollen—powdery grains that are carried by wind or insects and are necessary for plant reproduction. Flowering plants and trees, such as the oak, elm, birch, ash, hickory, poplar, maple and walnut, start pollinating between January and April, depending on their location. When pollen is in the air, it can land in the eyes, nose, lungs, or skin of a sensitive person and cause itchy, watery eyes, runny nose, coughing, and other breathing difficulties.

Pollen allergy symptoms are often minimal on rainy, windless days because pollen does not move much during those conditions. Hot, dry, and windy weather brings more pollen into the air and results in more allergy symptoms. In the United States, pollen season typically runs from March until October, but it can begin as early as January in southern states.

If you are sensitive to pollen, here are some tips to help you cope:

Keep windows and doors closed as much as possible to prevent pollen from blowing into your home and car.
Avoid going outside between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m., when pollen counts are highest.
Don’t dry your clothing on an outside line, as pollen can be transferred to your clothes and into your home that way. Use a clothes dryer instead, or an indoor clothing rack.
If you’ve been outside, change your clothes in the garage before entering your home to prevent pollen transfer. Shower and wash your hair before going to bed so you don’t spend the night covered in allergens.

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Dunkin Donuts wins it!!!!

Dunkin' Donuts wins out. Can you believe that all that creamy, sugary goodness adds up to a meager 240 calories and 7 grams of fat? How do they do it? Never mind that. Just remember to avoid Krispy Kreme's Frozen Latte Blend, which will fill you with 610 excessive calories, 22 grams of fat and 90% of your daily value of saturated fat (18 grams). If you want a frozen latte without all the sugar, opt for Dunkin' Donuts Iced latte (16 oz) for just 120 calories. Dunkin' Donuts website also advertises that at participating locations, you can order Reduced-Calorie versions of their Frozen Blends for just 99 calories (12 ounce drink without the whipped cream). Now that's sweet!

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Which Frozen Coffee Choice, which one?


If you're like me you don't need warm weather to drink the cold coffee but the weather is warm so here's the choice of the best coffee...
Frozen coffees and blended coffee treats are just as common these days as a regular cup of Joe. You probably hear warnings about Starbucks' caloric catastrophes, but how do other coffee shops compare? Dunkin' Donuts Iced Caramel Swirl Latte is made of espresso, caramel syrup and milk. On top of that, this "indulgent" drink is doused with whipped cream and mocha drizzle. Sounds too good to be good for you, right? Then there's Krispy Kreme's Frozen Latte Blend. They blend espresso, milk (and surely some sugar) and top their icy coffee with whipped cream as well. One of these creamy treats contains a fraction of the calories and fat of the other. Who's the winner?
Knowing the answer I'm too excited...what do you think?
Make your choice and the answer will post tomorrow.

Monday, June 8, 2009

TASTE MY JESUS

At the University of Chicago Divinity School each year they have what is called 'Baptist Day.' On this day each one is to bring a lunch to be eaten outdoors in a grassy picnic area. Every 'Baptist Day' the school would invite one of the greatest minds to lecture in the theological education center.
One year they invited Dr. Paul Tillich. Dr.Tillich spoke for two and one-half hours proving that the resurrection of Jesus was false. He quoted scholar after scholar and book after book. He concluded that since there was no such thing as the historical resurrection the religious tradition of the church was groundless, emotional mumbo-jumbo, because it was based on a relationship with a risen Jesus, who, in fact never rose from the dead in any literal sense. He then asked if there were any questions. After about 30 seconds, an old, dark skinned preacher with a head of short-cropped, woolly white hair stood up in the back of the auditorium. 'Docta Tillich, I got one question,' he said as all eyes turned toward him. He reached into his sack lunch and pulled out an apple and began eating it.
'Docta Tillich.. CRUNCH, MUNCH 'My question is a simple question,...
CRUNCH, MUNCH...'Now, I ain't never read them books you read..CRUNCH, MUNCH..
'and I can't recite the Scriptures in the original Greek...CRUNCH, MUNCH...
'I don't know nothin' about Niebuhr and Heidegger...CRUNCH, MUNCH. He finished
the apple. 'All I wanna know is: This apple I just ate, .... was it bitter or sweet?
Dr Tillich paused for a moment and answered in exemplary scholarly fashion: 'I
cannot possibly answer that question, for I haven't tasted your apple.' The
white-haired preacher dropped the core of his apple into his crumpled paper bag,
looked up at Dr. Tillich and said calmly, 'Neither have you tasted My Jesus.'
The 1,000 plus in attendance could not contain themselves. The auditorium
erupted with applause and cheers. Dr. Tillich thanked his audience and promptly
left the platform.
Have you tasted Jesus? Please pass this on Saints! Jesus has risen...and He's coming back one day.. Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him. If you have, rejoice in the hope of the resurrection that your faith in Him brings. Psalm 34:8

Friday, June 5, 2009

Take a moment to enjoy your day!


Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.

Get more sleep.

Make time to practice meditation, and prayer. They provide us with daily fuel for our busy lives.

Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants, and eat less food that is manufactured in factories.

Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli, almonds & walnuts.

Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, OR issues of the past, negative thoughts, or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.

Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card.

Life isn't always fair, but it's still good.

Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

Call your family often. (Or email them to death!!!)

Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements: I am thankful for __________. Today I accomplished _________.

May your troubles be less, May your blessings be more, May nothing but happiness come through your door!

Enjoy your weekend and every day!

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

THE WINNER!!! hmmmm

Taco Bell wins this competition. You could eat two of these "value menu" tacos for 360 calories and 14 grams of fat--not a bad way to satisfy that late night craving. Don't let the size of White Castle's burgers fool you. Each contains 140 calories, meaning that this modest 3-burger serving (who really eats just 3 anyway?) adds up to 420 calories and 21 grams of fat.

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Which late night drive-thru option won't wreck your diet?


White Castle and Taco Bell. Both are open late, and both are budget-friendly. White Castle's mini burgers are almost never eaten alone. After all, they come in sacks of ten. Taco Bell's Spicy Chicken Soft Tacos appear on the Big Bell Value Menu. Which of these late night values won't wreck your diet: three White Castle sliders, or two Taco Bell soft tacos?

Monday, June 1, 2009

How to Avoid On-the-Job Weight Gain


Even if you love your job, it may be killing you.

Australian researchers found that men sitting at their desks more than six hours a day are nearly twice as likely to be overweight than those who sit for less than 45 minutes a day. While women fared slightly better—spending on average 20 more minutes on their feet at the office than men—researchers conclude that a sedentary job is a major health concern for both genders.

And it’s no secret that sedentary jobs (and lifestyles) have contributed dramatically to the accelerating obesity rate of the past 20 years. Put emphasis on the word ‘dramatically’—a study conducted by the University of Chicago in 2001 found that a worker in a sedentary career may end up with a Body Mass Index 3.3 units higher than someone in a highly active job. If you’re 5'5" this can mean an increase in weight from 140 pounds to 155 pounds!

Now that you’ve heard the bad news, let’s turn to the good news…


You CAN love your less-than-active job and be fit. Here’s how:

Be sure to eat. It’s easy to slog through a day of meetings, e-mails, and phone calls to discover at 4 p.m. that you haven’t eaten since breakfast. But, your body needs energy to get you through the day.
Compensate, compensate. Get physical to compensate for your sedentary workday.
Rework your network. Chances are, your friends and co-workers need help with their love handles just as much as you do. So, try some new activities that don’t revolve around food.
Lose the technology. Modern advances are great, but do you control them or do they control you? As much as possible, take advantage of opportunities throughout the day to get up and move!
One in five Americans is obese; three in five are either overweight or obese. But sitting at a desk doesn’t have to mean you’ll be just another statistic! Incorporating these simple strategies into your workday will bring you one step closer to being a healthier, more energetic you.