ICE

Since I hurt my back again, I found this article on the benefits of ICE with some alternative sources to be very helpful. You might also.
The bucket: Fill bucket with ice and water and plunge area into the ice-cold water.
Vegetable?: Frozen peas are great to use. They are little and flexible.
Fruity alternative: Great for feet or back of legs. Place can of frozen juice on the ground and roll foot over it. For back of legs do the same but roll calves over the container.
Slushy: Make your own flexible frozen gel-pack. one part alcohol and three parts water. The slushy compound will mold to fit the injury.
Traveling ice man:IF traveling carry a couple of empty freezer bags. A restaurant will give you ice if somethings happens. A big sock could also work.
Be careful and be prepared.

herbal supplements

Good or bad. This seems to be the debate. Did you know that it has been estimated that 18 million adults use herbs. Not all supplements are created equal. Do not assume that natural means safe. Here are some hints to use when purchasing these supplements:

Always tell your Dr. if you are taking herbs
DO NOT self treat conditions
DO NOT take herbal supplements if pregnant or nursing
Only purchase supplements that display an expiration date.
The supplement should state which part of the plant was used to make and the label should say if there is a blend of ingredients.
Check for symbols (USP, NSF)
Be a smart shopper
I have listed some of the supplements that I have used:
Black Cohosh
Cranberry juice
Echinacca
Garlic
Ginkgo Biloba
Ginseng
Check out below for more information: National library of medicine
National Center for Complementary and Alternative med
The OC library also has many great sources for supplements and vitamins.

SNACKS to lose weight

Hey guys, this article really caught my attention. Eat and enjoy but do not overdo. From a MD in LA who has a site NutruitonBIte

Nuts, pistachios, almonds, walnuts-list goes on. A great healthy snack: Check out "ready set, Go nuts to learn some more health benefits.

Chips: POPCHIPS that is. They are popped not baked or fried. Never heard of these but I am going do some looking. Anyone find them, let me know and give a report.

BARS: High fiber bars are very satisfy and portable. Bars should contain no more than 200 calories, have a least 3gr fiber with natural sugar.

Fruit and Yogurt: One of the best is Greek Yogurt. (That is another new one on me). Seems to have slight sour taste, so consider adding some fruit.

Low-fat chocolate milk: A source of protein, calcium and many vits. Great for the kid in all of us.

Lite popcorn: A high fiber food because it is whole grain. Avoid the salty and buttery ones.

Cheese and crackers: Use the whole grain kind and add light cheese wedges.

Proccessed Foods

Really food processing has been around for quit awhile. The problem has stemmed from the industrial practices that are not good. The food industry took this process out of the hands of the local destroying or alternating nutrients.
Your goal (if you decide to take the challenge) should be to decrease negative processed foods and replace them with nutrient-rich foods. WHAT?

Her are some suggestions: limit canned foods and select lower sodium versions
Limit white bread and pastas
avoid packaged snack foods
make your own meals instead of selecting the frozen versions
bake from scratch/this is a winner-hey right
select oats or corn meals instead of sugary boxed cereals
select turkey breast instead of processed meats
try some hummus spread
Bottom line do your best-pick while grains, low-sodium and trans-fat free choices.

FOR THE Brick library gang: check out the recipes in the folder for some ideas.

Winter blues

WOW what a snow storm. I even went out to play a couple of minutes. Was much fun but the shoveling wasn't or the wind wasn't. Mother nature at it again. It did make me think about needed more exercise again. Always a constant battle with my mine.
Article Heart-Healthy Benefits of exercise caught my eye. Might help us all stay motivated.

Lower blood pressure: many studies have been done to prove this fact. Can help even with the first work out, so let us begin again.

Improve Cholesterol levels: can help change the bad and the good cholesterol. IT is the AMount that seems to help-the more minutes per week the more the levels will improve.

Prevent Type 11 Diabetes: The COMBINATION of activity and weight loss has an effect of preventing the onset of Type 11.

BESIDES normal exercise plan, I found a few suggestions to add more activity to your daily live
Park car farther away
Get on or off the buss a couples of blocks from normal stop
TAKE STAIRS
Take fitness breaks
Do your own gardening, yard work and house cleaning
One can even exercise while watching TV-stretch, lift arms with some weights, do some squats, crunches
Walk when ever possible.
IT is never to late to START

New super food

POMEGRANTE-the new super food. A distinctive crown-shaped calyx at its base. Outer skin is rough and leathery. Skin color can range from pale pink to rich ruby red.. One of the MOST nutritious fruit to eat and also one of the most labor intensive to eat.
This fruit contains three different types of antioxidants tannins, anthocyanins, ellagic acid-very good for you.
Some common ailments that might be help: Anemia
Asthma
Loss of Appetite
Sore throat

home remedies

Honey and Lemon: coats and smooths raw throat. Put in tea keeps you hydrated and quiets cough.

Salt water: The unsung hero-smooth throat and clear sinus passages. Can be used in a neti-pot and can be gargled.

Rice in an old salt: Fill old sock with uncooked rice and close tightly. Heat the sock and put on forehead, eyes or neck, helps relax and pamper you so you can rest.

Anyone else know of a good home remedy? Add to the post or make your own.