food that hurt belly

Dairy
Inulin   products with high fiber or "good source of fiber".  Too much fiber or too fast could be the problem
Sulfites a preservative that can cause cramping and diarrhea.
Sugar alcohols: this is something that can be found in the artificial sweeteners. So what for reactions.
Large meals. I know this happens to me now. I have to watch quantity and be careful of variety at one sitting.
Watch your left over. My daughter always talks about left overs. Her family very seldom eats left overs and then only the next day. I have found I am not so careful and that could be a problem because of the all the bacteria.
My take on article from Sparks.
es

dieters

Was feeling a little on the heavy side again and found this article about what diets do to us. Want a reason not to diet?
Overhauling your habit ti fast!  When starting a diet begin slowly and get into the new habit.
Giving UP certain foods. A sure fire way to make your body want this item. MODERATion is the key to eating anything.
Calories# the be all of dieting but not the complete answer. Do not forget about nutrition.
The scale# just watching the weight trying to go down is not the complete answer either. You want to loose some inches and get fitter in this process.
Diet with no exercise# would that not be like a magic pill? We need to burn some of the calories while we are toning.
Don't stop eating#People tend to think by not eating you can save the calories. Your needs food with the essential nutrients to make the process work. One does not want the body to be in starvation mood.
Confusing health with low-calorie??Watch the lingo on food labeled low-calorie. The food industry is know to stretch the truth.
EXpectations# Let us be realistic in our goals. Loosing weight is a hard time. IT does not happen quickly even when the commericals say that. Be prepared to take some time..slowly wins the race and one will keep the weight off.
My take of an article from Spark..
Any reaction to these ideas?

Vitamin D

Vitamin D  such a big hipe now for this. Do we Don't we. how much to ,much.
Found a great article that has helped me understand.  Is your sufficient AND most importantly is it a Vit?  not really is is a HORMONE. I did not this and still not sure if I understand.  OF course, the most important aspect of D (the sunshine Vit) is bone health.
But deficiency goes beyond bone/ Studies are showing that it goes to the prevention of other ailments.
 The below information was very enlightening to me from the article: but use with caution
Cancer: could have a anti-cancer benefit. Good stop the growth of some cancers and help during treatment
Hormone functions of insulin, rennin, serotonin and estrogen
OBESity: deficiency could
interfer with the "fullness" hormone
Inflamation: might help in control of inflammation
Immune systems: much research has been done in this area and has shown that Vit D is a much needed ingredient for your system that helps fight disease.

SOOOOOOOOOOOO how much do you need. Another good question!
ages 1-70  which is a very long span  600 IU daily
ages 71 older 800

So how do you get this vit/hormone?
Sunlight ofcourse
some food sources:  cod liver oil, salmon, mackerel tuna, orange juice. yogurt, soy milk, swiss cheese, ready to eat cereal, beef liver.
Supplements: since it is a fat-soluble vit. take the supplement with source containing some fat.
D is also added to calcium which is helpful for both of these supplements
A BIG word of caution it can be toxic. Do not mega dose unless instructed by a Dr.  VIT D is also stored and can build up.  USE with caution.

ticks

It's that season again. Since my youngest daughter has finally been diagnosed with Lyme's I have been very concerned for others in the family. I found an article in Mother earth news about natural prevention. I am not saying not to use the chemicals that help, I am saying that there a natural way that could be also used and used in conjunction. Lyme is a nasty customer that seems to be spreading inland. All should be aware.
Dress defensively: wear a hat, light colored clothes. Tuck clothes into shoes or socks.
Get sticky: Believed it or not the sticky tape like lint roller is great for finding ticks on clothes. Get them before you enter the house if you have been in woods.
Clean up: a 10 minute spin in hot clothes dryer kills any hiding ticks. For yourself, a hot soap bath will help do the trick.
Tick check: do not forget to does this check especially when being in the woods or tall grass. It is a preventive measure. Look under arm, ankles, and hair areas.
Do not forget to mow. Ticks love the high grass areas and shrubbery.
Perfume your pants. Yes ticks do not like the heavy perfume spray like lemon eucalyptus.
So all please be aware and check yourself and love ones. This disease is curable if caught early but hard to detect. Took many test and process of illumination before she was actually diagnosed. The longer the time, the harder it is to treat and the longer recovery system.

self care

We in New Jersey are still in such amess, that when I saw this article I wanted to share. We know our own bodies and can usually tell when something is out of sink but do we do anything about it? Sometimes no!. Below are few hints from the article that I have found useful with a few twist.
For the common cold TRY: gently blowing your nose if mucus is present
                                              Inhaling steam might help to loosen the mucus
                                               Try a warm shower
                                               Drink plenty of fluids (warm liquids)
                                               Increase amount of sleep
                                               Carefully take the nonprescription medicine
                                              
BE aware if the congestion last more than two weeks or moves down to chest area
                  if you have a chronic condition
                  if you have trouble breathing

Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, queasiness, cramping you might have a viral infection
   Drink as much liquid as you can--dehydration is a big concern
   Avoid dairy, greasy foods, fried and highly seasoned food, caffeine and alcohol
SEEK medical attention if unable to keep anything down in a 24 hour period
                                       You become dehydrated, weak, dizzy, vomit blood, diarrhea
Some foods suggested in the article and one's I have tried that can be of help..
  broth, carbonated beverages, fruit drinks, hard candy, honey especially in tea, Popsicle, ices.
So take of yourself friends, us some common sense and be good.
From B Hand licensed dietitian and spark people and Elaine

Well guys I am back
What a mess I have been living in has as many of us in OCeancounty New Jersey. The super storm Sand has been dumped on the unsuppecting people and we are down. Things are being rebuilt, but OH so slowly.
It is very sad state around here. I for one have lost the bottom of my house and seem to be moving very slowly in the repair department. Still I keep saying to myself every day, that I have a house. So many of us in this area have actually lost the whole house or damaged beyond repair.
AND the businessooso sad. Many are gone and not going to be able to rebuild. FEMA, government, town, no-one is helping. just to sad.  es

Calcium

Calcium  it's good for you
plays an important role in bones and teeth as we all know.  I found a very informative article on calcium and thought I would pass along. As I am aging, I have become very concerned with this--older adul;ts need about 1200 milligrams.
Diary ofcourse is still the best but might contain more calories, so be aware.
Green leafy veggies high in calcium low in calories
Since it seem that Americans do not consume enough, the article mentions way to add calcium
Add beans to chilli and pasta
grate low-fat cheese ove soups
enjoy a smoothie
use milk instead of water in some soups
try plain yogurt as a vegetable dip
add nuts to anything you can
leafy vegs in casseroles
fortified juices and cereals with calcium
treat yourself to puddings
Try milk instead of soda or tea
Don't forget the suppliment

Comfort food

We all want comfort food--We all need comfort food. Looking at the post about the kids food, I thought of children needed comfort food also. My grandson, is always saying he is hungry, even right after he eats. I know that it is just a ploy for attention, but so many times all in the family just give insto this. Not good.
Read an article that some comfort food just might be in alright area.
Yogurt especially with fruit..can help with the sweet tooth. Can almost be a icecream replacement.
Make a smoothie instead of a shake.
Chicken noodle soup
Angel food cake-can even add some fruit to this and some fat free whipped cream
Oatmeal all one needs for a hot breakfast
Vegetable juice..helps fill a person up and gives you little extra zip.
Crock pot creations..a real good go to for hot merals that can cook all day and be ready and healthy.
So try some comfort and make it easy on yourself..

healthy habits for kids

I am sorry to say that my kids are not teaching their children healthy eating habits. Today's parents just have so little time that they forget what they are doing to the children. By fixing separate meals, they teach them to eat to much frozen,fast fixed and fast paced meals without the goodness and freshness of home cook.
Western culture stresses regular health care for our children which a good thing but it does stress enough about nutrition. PARENTS please think about your children and the diet you are feeding them. Cut down on the starch, sweet snacks and try substituting fresh fruit and veggies. If you haven't already started the special eating DON"T. Stop the drive through.
Your example will teach them more than talking. Eat right yourself and do not give into the gimmes.
PARENTS are the people who can stop obesity in this nation.
Do you agree?

food attitude

Do you struggle with food cravings and try to eliminate some foods all together. You made already be sabotaging your diet with this type of thinking. I read an article about labeling "BAD food" is a bad idea. We need to BUILD a relationship with food that will build self-control.
Stop labeling. This actually wants you to eat the food more by making your body crave it. Be conscious about your eating and have just enough of the food that you might be wanting to cut out to satisfy. The article says that several studies have shown that suppressing the urges most likely will result in eating more of the food.

Dump the idea of Diet Foods
Often we we are trying to start a diet plan we think about banning certain foods. Not necessarily true.. We need to read the labels so we can choose wisely. Nothing is absolutely bad, we want refocus our minds to eating healthy and not worry so much about the "food". Try to enjoy the food that you choosing to eat.!
Moderation
Remember the "eat everything in Moderation" This is still true today for most of us. BUT let still remember that there might some food that are really triggers. We need to be aware of what these are to each of us, allowing a person not to over indulge in that food.
Rearrange your environment for success--thought that was a neat statement-. Choose snacks that you like but not just LOVE. Try having them when you eat out or at a party instead of having the trigger foods in your house ALL the time.
Keep cravings in check!!
Remember that cravings are not ALL bad. The problem seems to be us and the easy access to anything we want whenever we want.  This is why establishing what we really crave is so important to any plan we are establishing. Try to the food journal that has been mentioned before to get an idea of what you are really craving and when. In doing this a person can start to give themselves some alternatives at the bad eating time and continue the weight loss program that you might be on.
Let us all try to stay in tune with our bodies.
Megan Coatley behavior consultant

clean out

The worst food in fridge or freezer!!
Funny, this weekend I just did this and then I found the article from food network. Thought I would pass along.
Expired condiments: I did not know that the ever expired. DUH.. Check your dates...Mine aren't even in the fridge, so
I need to get busy on this, They can be a breeding place for mold and yeast,
Sugar-sweetened beverages.. UGH but they are so addictive. A study showed that Americans consume 21.4 teaspoons each day. WOW..I have been working on trying to eliminate these to at least just one a day.
Coffee creamer..oh no, you are saying not my beloved creamer, but yes folks..you are consuming palm oil, hydrogenated oils corn syrup and preservatives. LEt us go back to cream and sugar.
Frozen fried foods--not good. Try to find a recipe and make your own and freeze. Since my grand children eat so much of these, I am making this a goal to find some recipes.
BOTTLED salad dressing--preservatives and gobs of sugar. Make your own!
Rotten fruit..Where did this come from. Keep an eye out for these rotten fruit that seem to hide. Mushy, sticky, moldy--get rid off quick.
Frozen entrees..quick yes, Healthy no!! Fake tasting and salty as all get out. Make a head and freeze small portion.
Ready to bake dough..this I have not thought of??tubes of highly processed ingredients and unhealthy fats. I have to look into this. I tend to use this product a lot.
Processed meats: sodium, nitrates and fat. Be aware, they taste great but loaded--try for the low-sodium-low fat version.
Artificially-Sweetened yogurt? Check ingredients to watch for artifical sweeteners..
So be aware and take another look at your fridge and freezer. Just might help in the weight department and certainly in the health department.

mental flexibility

I do not seem to have to much of this lately, This article caught my fancy, so I wanted to share with you.  ENJOY, I did
From Spark people
Be flexible some time about the things that you can. "Lighten UP" as the saying goes. We older American humans need to LEARN to enjoy, relax, get back the laughter in life. IF you think you might have become a little rigid or strict in your daily plans, these hints might help:
Accept this about yourself. Your take charge attitude in the past has given you many rewards. You have much success in your efforts of planning, following through, which is great but we need some more freedom also.
Can you compromise: Watch the fine line line that you might be portraying between being assertive and being domineering. Listen to what others suggest, accept some help, let others take the lead. This will help you feel more relaxed and less rigid.
Flexible Actions: (don't you just love these titles)  Let someone else take over some the planning of day to day life. Leave the dirty dishes till the night, forget about the bed etc. It's like stretching in YOGA, each time to stretch, your body allows you to go a little further.
REWARD: yes, here is that word again. You get to reward yourself for being more flexible. Since you are letting others do some of the daily actions, you might feel a little crazy but bite your tongue, walk away. "LET IT BE" Get a massage, get your nails done, go for a walk. Whatever is soothing to you.
FAILURE IS Functional?? What.!!! Remember,  Becoming more flexible is a WELLNESS goal. We are getting good at setting goals, so let this be a new one for our mental health.  Remember that you do not have to carry all the weight. Flexible actions every day takes some of the stress away.
Be in control, some of the times is really OK. Don't get me wrong; but when it becomes to much for all around, let go. Stretch those mental muscles. You and all around you will be better for it.
My new living situation is testing me every day. So I am taking this to heart for my mental health.
take care all and BE HAPPY

eating mistakes

we all make them. I read this article and it was an awakening for me. Maybe for you also.
Womansday.com says:
Too much salt.. did you know that the average American consumers around 3,300 mg..UGH!!
     Try to eat less prepared foods. Prepare your own food. We seem to be getting so lazy in America, wanting every thing fast.. Need to take the time to cook Get sauces on the side..ask for some low salt choices at restaurants.
Sugar:  no more than 24 g of added sugar a day for us women. Again read the labels---watch for honey, molasses, cane juice malt syrup. Soda fruit-like drinks, iced coffee. AND low fat foods
Fiber: Do not skimp on fiber which helps with energy and stabilises food intake. Try to up your fiber intake SLOWLY and drink more water..Eat beans, eat your skin on fruit and veggies
Protein:We need to protein to help with hunger about 46 g a day.remember that protein is not only from meat. Try an egg, low fat yogurt, low fat cottage cheese. Use some nut butters on an apple or banana, even celery sticks. EAT YOUR greens.
WATER< WATER..as I have said before, it seems that we Americans do not drink enough water.
Add some lemon slices, mint berries. Maybe drizzle some fruit juice into your seltzer. Even the fruit you eat, counts, so  keep eating your fruit and veggies.
Carbs..Do you overdose on carbs. I use to be a ocarb junkie. Fortunately I h ave been able to control this. Watch the highly processed foods-eat oats, beans, lentil instead. I think most people need some carbs but not as much as Americans seem to consume.
Do you skip meals? Another no-no in the women world. Make the time to eat,,try to avoid the drive through. Try to pack some snacks that you can keep handy. It does not help in the weight loss end of the deal either. We need calories to "BURN" calories.

Happiness

I decided to end the week back to the happiness theme. Found a great article L Beattie on "Myths" of happiness. I have touched on this before also, but this article was very good.
Do you feel happiness it out of reach for you? How do you finish the sentence "I could be happy if..."
DESIRE might be considered the defeat of happiness. People seem to feel that they can not be happy or content with the life they are leading. The in only take over. It seems that people tend to put their life on hold waiting for the next best thing.  BUT really!! follow me on this-happiness is a thought process that depends on your OWN thinking.
Even a small thing like loosing a couple of lbs is good, be happy, clean your car, be happy. Think about the good things in a job that you may not like. YOUR are employed--remember the many that are not.
DO not abscess about the flaws, focus on strenghts. So many of us have money problems, but you have a roof over your head and can keep plugging along. Be grateful about your life and WHAT you have. Think about this, be creative, take in the wonders around you. US, what a place we live in.
TRY to remember that it is not only the big events that make up your life. IF we can keep in mind the day to day little events that make up the day, then we will begin to feel some contentment. You are the "constant" in your life. FEEL like you have the ability to make the changes and you will do that. Do not depend on others to make you happy, appreciate your blessings and the positives in your life.
ENJOY today!!! See what kind of a difference that makes.
WHAT do you guys think?

ICE coffee

DO you/Don 't you. I for one am do. I just love Ice coffee, heck with the calories. I decided I needed to find out what where the best of the lot especially concerning calories.
To watch the calories or small, hold the whipped cream, use skim milk.
I found a very interesting list in Sparks
Starbucks coffee I usually do not like but their grande Skinny latte is a go. 80 cal, fat 0 sugars 10
   icred sjibby nocha 100 cal 8 grams sugar
   light frappuccino
(my favorite) 140 cal, i gram fat, sugars
McDonald Mccafee 50 cal latte
, o fat and 6 gram sugar
Dunkin D:Med hazelnut with skim--20 cal o fast and2 grans sugar
Med dark skim Burger King Med with skim
Watch out for these
Grande Java chip
Large carmel mocha(mcdonald) 360 cal
Dunkins Caramel turtle 450 cal
Baskin Robbins mocha blast (my favorite) big no no 610 cal

Food Mind

Interesting YES? Did you know that food can improve your mood. Duh, why do we eat ice cream. HOWEVER, do we as healthy eaters, trying to loose weight want to result to this kind of eating? NO
Stress : you might want to eat when stressed, but try something else for awhile. Exercise, walk, gym, gardening, even housecleaning. Move let the stress go by keeping it manageable in the first place.
Bored: Get off the couch and move it baby. Mix things up. Talk to a friend, keep your hands busy, volunteer. Get out of your fating boring routine.
Lonely: This is a tough one. So many reason that we humans are lonely . The above mentioned activities are good for lonely also. Find some more social activities to expand your social activity.
SAD: another hard feeling in this day and age. For some reason people do not want to cry. Do you think it is weak to cry> I don't. Crying releases emotions and tension. Please don't eat your sorrows anyway, deal with them and move on.
Toughts: Change your mood by changing your thoughts. HEY, how does that sound. Try this..REALLY really works. Put a smile on your face, say hello. It seems that a person mind can have only one thought at a time (not so sure about this). Still is you are angry change your thought to a happier moment..think positive. This should help you stay anyway from the cookie and grab an apple.
So guys, let us be positive and not eat just because. We want our calories to matter for the better.

night eating

Are you a night eater. I am. I have found that during the day I can be very good and am not even that hungry but watch out after the dinner meal. UGH.
Evening eating in itself is not a problem but the quantity that is consumed can be.
Whatever you might be doing at night, the unconciousios eating of bag of chips, sleeve of cookies big helping ice cream can be consumed before you even know it. Then you have blown the day of good eating.  On top of this the food can result in indigestion and sleep problems. Believe it not, there have been some studies that are showing overweight people sllep less hours a week than normal weight people. WHO knew?
SLEEP regulates two hormones that effect appetite one suppress your hungry while the other stimulates. So sleep people and keep this regulated.
Also you can plan activities that do not include food: take a bath
                                                                                      Walk the dog
                                                                                        play games with friends or kids
                                                                                        read, knit sew, craft
Plan your meals including your snacks
Try to get 7-8 hours of sleep by maintaining a regular bedtime and wake time.
Don't eat in bed
Avoid drinking and nicotine
It is not so bad to do when you continue to loose some weight and sleep better.

CHEAP FOODS GOOD FOR YOU
TAKEN FROM NUTRITIONIST s. romaine AND COUPLE OF OTHER ARTICLES


Canned salmon usually  less than fresh except when on sale.  Omega 3's
Chicken breast  easy to prepare..maybe not as cheap as legs and thigh but somewhat better for you.

Natural peanut butter -usually about the same prize as other p butter but WAY better for you..spread on whole grain bread, put on smoothies, use as a dip
Canned beans==bulk up soups and stews
Eggs not just for breakfast
Dried lentils  full of protein and fiber.
Almonds Vit E, fiber, protein. Rich in amino acid.
Apples..full of antioxidants
Bananas put one in yogurt or oatmeal..Potassium rich
Grapes Freeze for low calorie dessert or snack
Lettuce: fiber and nutrients plus crunchy.
Carrots good for eyes
Canned tomatoes low-sodium -throw in stew, make sauce and stretch chili
Garlic-fresh help lower cholesterol and blood clots
Sweet potatoes-great source of fiber..bake mash or roast
Onions full of health benefits
Broccoli (a toothbrush for inside) Vit A C and fiber.
Whole grain pasta, popcorn, Brown rice Oats ass cheap and healthy. Good to add to other foods or eat alone
Fat-free yogurt, skim milk--calcium and protein

ADD some of these, to keep meals lower and healthier. Enjoy!!!

lighten up recipe

Now you guys out there..I am not a chief. HOWEVER I have been trying to do some easy recipes this summer that are good and fattening to go along with Health and Happiness project.
I came a cross some hints on what to do with recipes that would help slice off some of the calories.

Saute with low sodium veg broth instead of soy, butter, or even oil. On veggies and or salad pour small amount of olive oil over the greens.

NO SKIN, no skin...The skin contains unhealthy saturated fats. It is alright to cook with the skin on but take it off before serving.

Citrus adds a punch without many calories. Squeeze onto veggies, salads and seafood.

Cheese...by using a stronger cheese, one Can use less., Try a soft  cheese in eggs or noodles.

GO Creek..Fat-free Greek yogurt can replace sour cream for dips or even as a thickening agent
.
Puree..not real fond of this process but articles say reduces calories when you puree veggies to add to sauces.

Cottage cheese You can substitute half low cottage cheese for feta or ricotta. Adds protein and calcium without the fat.

Cut the cream..Half and half for heavy cream in creaming coup and pasta dishes.
Be creative to find the right combos and cut the fat, the salt and of course the calories.
Have and be happy!!

Superfoods

yes, gang another article on food. I think I am obsessed with food. Just feel that I am doing things wrong in my eating habits and want to try and stop.
These foods are suppose to build muscle and loose the fat. Tall order but going to share and you can try them yourself.
Whole eggs: big debate on this food but is rich source or protein and vit A?D?E
Fish oil: reduces inflammation, lowers body fat
Wild salmon:omega-3 fatty acids
Berries: antioxidants that is suppose to help prevent cancer, heart and eye
Yogurt: improve gastrointestinal health.
Flax seeds source of fiber, protein and omega-3. GRIND the flax seed (this was new for me)
extra virgin oil
Mixed nuts contain-mono-polyunsaturated fats, proteins, fiber, vitamin E and much more
Red meat Protein, vit b12 iron, zinc much more
Broccoli: high in phytochemicals. High soluable fiber and low in calorie..Also try cabbage, bok choy, cauliflower, kale
Spinach. Prevents muscle and bone loss
Oats, reduce cholestrol, provides low-gi carbs for energy-quinoa "king of grains" high in fiber and protein
Tomatoes high in lycopene which could prevent cancer
Oranges (one of my favorite being from Fla) Vit c to help prevent diseases, magnesium lower blood pressure
Apples pectin helps weight loss EAT the peels.
Carrots:huge vit A improves eye-health, low calorie
WATER WATER...does a body good
Green tea  strong antioxidant and natural diuretic. Also speeds up weight loss.
Article from stronglifts.com

Check this out with Dr. and be carefull when trying something new.

I have been finding some reactions to some of the items. Even had a big blood workout to see why my tongue is still feeling kind of oversized sometimes and having bumps.
enjoy