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.