I having been dodging a craving for poutine all week. Don’t ask me why, it is not even a favourite of mine or anything. I seriously have probably only ordered it about 4 times in my entire life (I can’t say the same about fries and gravy though). So, I am not sure why I have had poutine on my brain, but I have.
I Am Only Human
We spent all day doing laundry, minor projects around the house and some cleaning and by supper time I was ready to cave and give into my craving. Because I really don’t eat poutine, I didn’t even really know where to get it. I went to good old Google and found a place just up the street from us. They advertise homemade burgers and great poutine. Much to my families surprise, I was the one in the hunt for a not so nutritious meal. I came home with “Super Boys” and Poutine. The burgers were loaded with the works, including chili.
I Guess My Healthy Eating Really Does Pay Off
It is has been so long since I ate a meal like that, I actually couldn’t do it. I managed to eat about a half-dozen mouthfuls of fries and about 1/2 of my burger, but that was it. I generally have a large appetite and can put away more food than the average female, but this was too much for my tummy. I guess that all that healthy food has made my body into a bit of a “food snob” ~ Ha! Ha! I never would have guessed it, but despite my craving, there was no way I could choke that down. The bad news is I wasted about $10 on greasy food that I couldn’t even eat and didn’t enjoy. The good news is that I didn’t bother consuming the rest of the empty calories and felt fine with leaving it unfinished on my plate.
Yuck!
The Verdict
Like I said in an earlier post, we strive to eat well most of the time, but I truly love food and have no intention of depriving myself from the things I love every single day of my life. Let’s get real! I am glad that I went ahead and gave into the craving, as it left me so dissatisfied and disgusted that I won’t be in a hurry to do that again, anytime soon. My stomach was churning and cramping in response to the shock my system got from the food. In the future, I will be saving up my indulgences for a great big piece of very chocolately cheesecake ~ guaranteed not to disappoint!
Did you know that bananas are one of the world’s most popular foods and the #1 selling item at Wal-Mart?
Over 100 billion bananas are consumed annually in the world, making bananas the 4th largest agricultural product in the world, following only wheat, rice and corn.
Are Bananas Really at Risk?
Bananas are loved for their flavour, texture and health properties, but this highly popular fruit may be on the brink of extinction. Check-out this video to learn how and why the future of bananas may be at risk.
Until the 1960’s, the bananas that were found in most stores were from the “Gros Michel” banana crops, but crops were quickly wiped out by the Panama Disease. The entire banana industry had to be re-built and the variety most consumed today is known as the “Cavendish” banana. The Cavendish crops are now in danger of being wiped out as well. Hopefully, scientists will be able to use what they know about bananas and the diseases infecting the crops to prevent extinction.
Banana Nutrition Facts
As you can see from the nutrition facts chart on the left, bananas are low in fat and provide a great source of both Dietary Fibre and Vitamin C. They also contain Vitamin A, Calcium and Iron. In addition to the above, bananas also provide us with Vitamin B6, manganese, and an excellent source of potassium. Bananas are high in carbohydrates and so if weight loss is your intent, you may want to monitor your consumption, especially in relation to other carbs you may be consuming on a given day.
Health Benefits of Bananas
The potassium in bananas helps to protect our cardiovascular system (high blood pressure and stroke) and enhances the performance of our circulatory system.
Bananas contain a prebiotic substance called fructooligosaccharide, which aids in digestion and the absorption of calcium.
Banana peels have been used for a variety of natural healing purposes such treatment of warts, mosquito bites and even pimples!
Regular consumption of bananas has also been linked to increasing brain power.
Bananas can stimulate energy and help improve your mood.
Another benefit to bananas high potassium content derives from that mineral’s role as an energy-supplying electrolyte. Since bananas also contain tryptophan, serotonin and norepinephrine, they help prevent depression while encouraging feelings of well-being and relaxation. In addition, the vitamin B6 in bananas helps protect against sleeplessness, mood swings and irritability.
Borrowed from thesecretyumiverse.wonderhowto.com. Click the image to go directly to the original site.
Delicious and Healthy Banana Bread
This photo was borrowed from The Vibrant Family. The picture links back to their recipe, which sounds delicious, but I haven’t tried it.
We love banana bread at our house. I have a great recipe that I have used for years. It is very moist and delicious, but probably not the most nutritious. Last winter, our family did a 3 month stint of eating following the Primal Blueprint principles. The Primal Blueprint is not exactly the same eating Paleo, but the two are similar in many regards. One of the recipes that we fell in love with was a grain and sugar-free banana bread recipe. It is moist and delicious and very nutritious. I don’t even feel bad when my family cobbles it up in one sitting! Follow the links to check-out the original recipe.
Banana Bread and the Date Mixture that is called for in the recipe. I do find that it tends to stick to the pan a little more than regular banana bread, so I will often line my loaf pan with parchment paper or wax paper. I also add a handful of semi-sweet chocolate chips to the batter (of course!!). Enjoy!
I am a big fan of spinach and consume most of my spinach in the form of salads. Although it is considered to have many health benefits when eaten fresh or lightly cooked, some believe that nutrients can be lost when it is frozen. I always knew spinach was a healthy choice, but recently learned a bit more about spinach, its health benefits, and even a few cautions. Please read to the end of the post if you would like to check out our two favourite spinach salad recipes.
Spinach Warnings and Cautions
If you are like me, then you too probably love the idea of buying the pre-washed containers and/or bags of spinach and other greens. However, in recent years, there has been new information regarding these pre-washed packages.
It is really important to wash all of your fruits and vegetables. Don’t be fooled by the “pre-washed” advertizing on the label. Generally, rinsing really well under cool water is enough, but there are other options available. Personally, I couldn’t live with out my salad spinner to remove the excess water after washing. For an extensive guide to washing fresh produce, follow this link.
Spinach is one of the foods that was named on the ewg.org (Environmental Working Group) “Dirty Dozen” list of foods contaminated with pesticides. When considering buying organic, the “dirty dozen” list helps you to make choices that fit your pocketbook by highlighting those foods that are considered to be the most contaminated. They also provide a list of the “clean fifteen”. Again, their lists can help to guide your shopping and enable you to make well-informed choices when deciding whether to buy organic or not. Follow the ewg.com link to check out the lists.
Some cautions have been noted for those with kidney or gallbladder problems as the oxalates in spinach may interfere with the absorption of calcium and could possibly crystallize.
It has also been suggested that those with thyroid problems may find spinach more reactive (causing inflammation). This could possibly be reduced by purchasing organic and cooking your spinach.
Health Benefits of Spinach
Many deem spinach the most superior of all “super foods”. Spinach is a very nutrient dense food. Spinach:
contains carotenoids and flavonoids (which act as antioxidants)
also contains manganese, Vitamin B2 and B6, phosphorus, Vitamin E, zinc, copper, selenium, niacin and omega 3 fatty acids
You can see that spinach is jam-packed with nutrients and antioxidants. With all that spinach contains, it is no wonder that it is considered to be a super food. Some of the health benefits related to regular spinach consumption are:
its anti-inflammatory properties (asthma, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis)
its ability to help protect against cataracts and macular degeneration
its importance for bone health (Vitamin K, calcium and magnesium)
its ability to help manage cholesterol damage to arteries (Vitamin A)
its properties that help protect against heart disease
3 different flavonoid compounds in spinach that not only serve as antioxidants but may also reduce the risk of cancer
The first recipe is a recipe I received from my friend Lise. I have made it many times and have also had it served by others at potlucks and dinner parties. It is a delicious blend of flavours and always a crowd pleaser. I don’t know the original source and thus can’t give credit, but here it is:
Spinach Salad with Strawberries and Poppy Seed Dressing
Spinach Leaves (organic and washed ~ please!!) Fresh Strawberries ~ washed and sliced Toasted Almond Slivers ~ toast lightly in a non- stick pan, stirring constantly until lightly golden in colour Feta Cheese ~ optional (but a very good addition)
Dressing:
Photo borrowed from The Gourmand Mom
1/3 cup of sugar 1/2 cup of olive oil 1/4 cup of vinegar 1/4 tsp. of paprika 1/2 tsp. Worcestershire Sauce 1 1/4 tsp. minced onion (optional) 2 T. poppy seeds 2 T. sesame seeds
Place dressing ingredients in a jar or other container with a lid. Shake and pour over salad just before serving. Toss and serve.
Spinach Salad with Warm Bacon Dressing
Photo borrowed from Closet Cooking
Yum! Yum! Yum! This is one of our favourite dinner salads. The dressing is delicious and the presentation is truly gourmet restaurant style! You will love this. It reminds me of the Boston Pizza Spinach Salad. I found this recipe online at the food network. Don’t be grossed-out by the bacon drippings (fat) that is used in the dressing. Mark my words, that is the secret ingredient that makes this dressing a step above all others. Enjoy!
Anyone who knows me, knows that I love chocolate. My favourite forms of chocolate are rich chocolately desserts such as cheese cake or chocolate mousse cake, but those decadent desserts are reserved as once in a while indulgences. On a daily basis, I eat approximately one ounce of chocolate ….sometimes a bit more! I find that by having my chocolate fix every day, I rarely feel the need to overindulge on other sweets. The key is really moderation ~ a little bit each day really is okay!
Understanding Chocolate and Where It Comes From
The first video in this series outlines where chocolate comes from. It helps to clarify any misunderstandings about what chocolate actually is and creates a clearer understanding of some of the chocolate terminology.
Understanding the Different Types of Chocolate
There are so many varieties of chocolate that the terminology can become quite confusing. This excerpt was taken from an article on bestrecipes.com outlining many of the different types of chocolate, but for the purpose of this post, we will focus on what are considered to be the three main types of chocolate:
Dark chocolate
Dark chocolate has little or no added milk and is produced by adding fat and sugar to cocoa. It includes a minimum of 35% cocoa solids and is a favourite eating and cooking chocolate. Even if you don’t like the taste of dark chocolate on its own, it’s the best option for cooking as it will keep its distinct chocolaty flavour.
Milk chocolate
Combining cocoa solids and milk (either fresh milk, milk powder, or condensed milk) this is one of the world’s favourite eating chocolates. It usually includes 20-30% cocoa solids and is the most common chocolate for eating but is less widely used in cooking.
White chocolate
Purists say this isn’t chocolate at all as it does not contain any cocoa solids; however, it does include cocoa butter mixed with sugar, milk and flavourings. Be careful what you buy though, as some cheaper white chocolates don’t include any cocoa butter at all.
Health Benefits of Dark Chocolate
There is ample research being done in this area and many studies are now proving the health benefits of chocolate. Studies have linked regular chocolate consumption with various health benefits, some of which are outlined in this article from besthealthmagazine.ca.
• Chocolate may improve your skin
Researchers at Germany’s Heinrich Heine University exposed chocolate eaters to ultraviolet light and found that after six weeks, they had 15 percent less skin reddening than those who didn’t eat it. “We believe the compounds in chocolate act as UV filters,” says study leader Wilhelm Stahl. After 12 weeks, the chocolate eaters’ skin was 16 percent denser and 42 percent less scaly. Concerned about it causing acne? Researchers at Australia’s University of Newcastle reviewed the evidence and found nothing to suggest that chocolate triggers blemishes.
• Chocolate checks cancer
Georgetown University researchers found that when breast cancer cells were treated with chocolate flavanols, the cells stopped dividing. The findings could also apply to other cancers.
• Chocolate helps blood flow
Dr. Norman Hollenberg of Harvard Medical School found that rates of stroke, heart disease, cancer and diabetes are less than 10 percent among Panama’s Kuna people, who drink up to 40 cups of cocoa per week. “The epicatechin in cocoa increases nitric oxide, which dilates vessels and improves blood flow,” he says. His belief is that epicatechin should be considered essential in our diet and should be classed as a vitamin.
• Chocoate boosts the brain
A brain-imaging study on healthy women at Britain’s University of Nottingham found flavanol-rich cocoa increased blood flow to their brains for two to three hours. Researchers believe cocoa could benefit older adults with dementia and Alzheimer’s.
• Chocolate relieves fatigue
Chronic fatigue syndrome patients who ate 1.6 ounces (45 grams) of dark chocolate daily for eight weeks were less tired than when fed placebos. Researchers think it boosts the neurotransmitters regulating sleep and mood.
My Personal History and Relationship with Chocolate
I must admit, I prefer the melt in your mouth flavour of milk chocolate over that of the stronger flavoured dark chocolate. However, as I have become more health conscious over the years, I trained myself to go for the darker chocolate, believing it was the superior health choice. Even then, for most of my life, I have considered chocolate a sometimes treat. It is funny how we establish belief systems very early in our lives and those belief systems often become the rules by which we live. I always thought of chocolate as an indulgence and would only have it when my cravings won out over my willpower. It is only recently, that I learned to look at chocolate with a new perspective. I have embraced the research on the benefits of chocolate and learned that by making it a part of my regular diet, I no longer have the intense cravings. What was most exciting to me was what I learned from Lyn-Genet Recitas in her book The Plan….she actually encourages daily chocolate consumption, but states:
My only qualifier is to please make sure that it is 65% cacao or less. Higher than that and the chocolate gets too acidic; this can trigger inflammation and acid reflux.
What? You mean I don’t have to choke down the 89% bars anymore? Yay! I have been stocking up on the Hershey’s Special Dark (available both with and without almonds). It is delicious (only 50% cacao) and my daily one ounce dose causes me no weight issues or skin problems. Best of all, I feel great because I am having something I absolutlely love, everyday. Many will recommend that to reap the health benefits of chocolate, you need to try to eat a higher cacao %. I am not going to argue this and occassionally will still by the higher chocolate values. Mark Stisson has a few great articles on chocolate and the health benefits, but definitely is in favour of the higher percentages. I guess it is more about personal preference and having an understanding that the higher percentages may cause inflammation is some people and thus be harder to tolerate.
My diet is generally about 80 to 90% great, so I am going to aim for 50 to 72% cacao, and feel great about it!! Remember a chunk of chocolate a day, keeps the cravings away!
About a year and a half ago, I was searching the net and accidentally came across a crazy cool idea. This lady had decided to perform “random acts of kindness” on her birthday, with the number of acts equalling her age. What a clever idea I thought! At this point my 44th birthday was still 6 months away, but I immediately began to contemplate the possibility of pulling this off. When I looked at the calendar, I realized that May 24th, 2012 just happened to land on my day off from work. At that point, I knew that I was going to make every effort to pull this off. Sometimes the best thing you can do for our own emotional health and well-being is simply to “check-out” for a day, and just try to not think about yourself at all.
Although this blurb below was not directly my inspiration, you can see how little things can make a difference to someone’s day. Just that fact that someone notices them or takes the time for them, carries a message of “you are special and people do care”.
44 Acts of Kindness ~ Initial Planning and Preparation
I began the process several weeks before my actual birthday. I started by doing some research to see what other people have done. I used some of their ideas and then came up with several of my own. (I must say, I was jealous that the other lady was only 30!) I began by simply making a list of things that I would like to do and then began to go through my list to see what kind of preparation was needed for each item. Some of the things that I did in the weeks prior included:
buying dollar store notepads and “upcycling” them into something unique and pretty, tied a pencil/pen on
went through my “treasure box” in the basement to see what kinds of small gifts and loot I could find to give away
went through my kids’ clothes to see what was too small and could be passed on
made some fridge magnets with scrapbook paper and glass beads
typed up my recording list and plans
The Weekend Prior to the Quest
made “pill boxes” for the fridge magnets and tags to go on them
went shopping and bought: a case of water, gum, “Silly Bandz”, small gifts, colouring books, puzzle books, clear cellophane, granola bars and a little wooden treasure chest from the dollar store
got lots of change for the vending machines and other fun activities
hand wrote some notes and cards, addressed and stamped them so they were ready to be mailed
baked 6 dozen peanut free cookies and popped them in the freezer
wrote out tags (with my daughter’s help) for the many little gifts we were going to deliver
made up gift bags for children and families at the hospital and labelled them “boy” or “girl” and indicate the age appropriateness of each gift
filled the little wooden treasure chest full of little toys and goodies that would not spoil
made up snack bags for the homeless (pull tab tuna, granola bars, juice box, package of cheese and crackers, fresh cookies and a fruit)
purchased several extra little items that I could randomly use to bless people I encountered on my route
Children’s Hospital Gift Bags
Cookies for Newspaper Delivery
Pill Box with Magnet Set
Fridge Magnet Sets
Treasure Chest for the Sandbox
Things to do in the hospital lounge
Muffin for the Mailman
Packages of Gum with Notes
Decorative Notepads
A Notepad for the Music Teacher
Snack Bags for the Homeless
Shay enjoying the fresh baking!
The Big Day! My Quest to Perform 44 Acts of Kindness in One Day
Before going to bed on the 23rd, I would set in motion my quest, by leaving out little packs of cookies for the two people who deliver our newspapers. They come very early and I knew I would miss them if I didn’t leave their little blessings out the night before. My second act would begin at 5:30 a.m. when I got up to bake fresh muffins and tea biscuits for my family and delivery later in the day. While the goodies were baking, I wrote my husband a love letter. How fun!! I also cellophane wrapped many of the cookies and muffins (as they cooled) and attached little notes before I left. I did up a few plates of baking and took some loose in a Tupperware container to hand-out along the way. By 7:30 a.m., the water was on ice and the car was loaded. I had pre-established my route so that I could make all of my deliveries and not have to do any back tracking. I had calculated the approximate timing and had a list of people who I wanted to bless along the way. I had invited my children to join me for the afternoon and thus needed to be back home by lunch time. They were thrilled to “play hooky” (this never happens at our house), but I figured the life experience of being a giver without any expectation of thanks or even gratitude would be as valuable as any lesson at school that afternoon.
As I set-out, I was on high alert for ways in which I might be able to bless someone with a true “random” act of kindness. I tried to be hyper aware of others around me and I looked for any opportunities that I could find to:
open and/or hold a door for someone
help with loading groceries
put a grocery cart away
give an extra smile or offer a compliment or some encouragement
reach something high on a shelf for someone more “vertically challenged” than I
I grabbed a clip board and my recording sheet to help me keep track of all of the “acts of kindness” completed. I set-up the sheet to show how many people may have been impacted by the one act (last column), as I only counted each item a single act even though it may have been received by many. A good example is plugging the vending machines with money. I counted it as one act, but because I left money in many, it may have actually been a blessing to several people. It was really important to keep a record of everything or it would be impossible to stay on track and know where I was at in my quest. I did most of the preparation myself and spent the morning doing tasks that were further from home and involved people from my work or friends through work. I picked my kids up at lunch and they joined me for the afternoon.
Eden and Shay helping to delivery clothes.
Please note a few typos, #21 and #43 should only count as “1” act of kindness not 10+. Oops!
I literally finished my last act around 9 pm, totally exhausted, but thrilled with the success of the day. You can see that many of the acts only counted as one on my list of 44, but may have impacted as many as 10 people.
44 Random Acts of Kindness ~ Who is More Blessed, the Giver or the Receiver?
There were several really memorable moments from the day…..like surprising Mary with the muffin and note BEFORE she had a chance to phone and sing me “Happy Birthday!” or the city worker in the park that was sweating as he worked and got choked-up with our small offer of cookies and water. It was a proud moment when my 8 year old son shared his revelation that “it really does feel good to do nice things for others!” (He said he thought grown-ups were trying to trick him when they said that it feels good to do things for other people – he finally truly understood the message from the “Bucket Book” – yay!!). It was amazing to watch my kids as they became totally absorbed in how they could make others feel good by simple, small random acts of kindness. Towards the end of the day, I observed how their behaviour became so much more considerate – with emphasis on good manners, opening/holding the door for others, more observant and in tune with those in need. It made me just want to freeze that moment in time. It was an unbelievable experience with not even a moment to think of yourself. The quest had me totally consumed with the welfare and happiness of others! Such an incredible experience, on so many levels.
I truly believe that we are blessed to be a blessing to others, and that the best way to “get over ourselves” is to think of others. Perhaps the key to emotional well being “is to spend more time thinking of other,s and less time thinking about ourselves.”
In Summary:
I basically accomplished my quest, but blew my $44 budget. I think that you could easily do it for that amount, but I got carried away with the gifts, etc. If you were to count every single act of kindness, it would be easy to stay within a tight budget. For example, instead of 4 packs of gum, do one.
It definitely was a Happy birthday to me!! By far the most memorable in my now, 45 years! I know it will be hard to ever top that.
If you liked this post, please leave a comment below. I would love to hear from you!
First let me make something clear, I am not a calorie counter and don’t believe in it. However, this video is produced by Asap Science and is a great example of how to think about food and what your choices are doing for you. For example, I rarely drink juice because it doesn’t fill me up and there are often many additives I don’t need. I would rather go for a whole piece of fruit that is completely natural (minus all the junk that is added during the growing process) and will help fill me up. Even without counting calories, this can help you make better choices.
Calorie counting is way too much work for me. I believe it is more about how certain foods react with your own body to cause weight gain, rather than just counting calories. For example, through The Plan, I discovered that chocolate is a “friendly food” for me, but that 6 oz of sole fish will cause me to gain up to one pound, due to inflammation I experience as a result of eating it.
Cool and Fun Ways to Burn off 200 Calories
Asap just put out another video to follow-up on the first. It has some crazy ideas about how you can creatively burn off 200 calories. Some of the ideas are wacky and of course, you would never do, but others are quite doable. Check it out.
Exercise and Weight Loss ~ A Battle of Perceptions
There are many that believe that hardcore workouts like CrossFit, Insanity, P90X and bootcamps are the answer to their body woes. Within that group are those that truly love to push themselves through hard workouts and have great results with such programs, but there are also many people like me. I have completed the P90X twice and tried the Insanity program, but quit because I thought I might have a cardiac arrest. (Even I know my limits and when to break a commitment.) I have to be honest. I hate working out or at least those hardcore workouts in which my body is left feeling beaten up. I hate intense cardio and when I am following a program or routine like the above it is has always been with one purpose. Results. Don’t get me wrong, at the end of such a program, my body would be leaner and I would feel great about myself and my accomplishment. However, reality would soon set in. There is no way that as a full-time working mom with active kids and a very demanding job that I can continue to keep up the pace of working out 1 to 2 hours every morning. I would burn-out and be right back where I started in no time at all. This system of chronic exercise simply does not work for me and I believe there are many others out there who are like me. They do not love the intense exercise, but believe that it is the only path to get them to where they want to be.
Some experts are now saying that chronic exercise can actually have the opposite effect on our bodies and in fact cause weight gain. In Lyn-Genet Recitas book, The Plan, she says:
Overexercising puts your body through stress. If you’re exercising day after day, your body gets the message that it needs to hold on to more calories to keep up with the energetic demands. It doesn’t know how much energy it will need, so it adapts to the energy requirements you are programming into it and holds on to more and more calories for potential future survival. That is why chronic exercisers have trouble losing weight.
Mark Sisson also talks about the benefits of low-level aerobic activity along with some strength building and “sprinting” in his book called The Primal Blueprint. The premise is that we were never designed to go to the gym 5 to 7 times a week. He suggests dancing, hiking, gardening, swimming, rollerblading, ice skating, yoga, racquet sports or any other activity that keeps you active and that you really enjoy doing. He couples this low-level aerobic activity with simple strengthening activities such as push-ups and recommends “sprinting” once every 7 to 10 days.
What Works for Me
I have found that the key to my success has been the discovery of foods that react with my body. Although I am still in the process of testing many foods to determine if they are “reactive” or “friendly”, it has been so empowering to know and understand my own body. I am certain that my battle was not with the occasional sweet treat, but rather with my sacred group of “go to foods” that were part of our regular healthy menu. In Lyn’s book, she identifies 7 specific foods as “The Devil Foods”. It is not that these foods are evil, but rather that we are being deceived into believing that they are great healthy food choices when in reality they are reactive for many.
…the reason I get so worked up about these food is that people are making a concerted effort to include them in their daily diets, and
DEVIL FOODS
So what are the DEVIL FOODS?
oatmeal
salmon
asparagus
tomato sauce
tofu
black beans
turkey
Kettle Chips available at all major supermarkets.
So, if you are like me and was on the “treadmill” of life trying to eat well and exercise like crazy to get rid of those extra few pounds. Maybe it is just a matter of figuring out what works for you and your body. Here are a few other foods that were part of our regular diet and that I discovered can be highly reactive for many people: farm raised fish, corn (I already knew this one), thick crust pizza, Greek yogurt, cottage cheese and grapefruit. Would you believe I used to have a protein shake and a grapefruit for lunch everyday for 6 months? 85% to 90% of the population react to the foods I mentioned above. Who would have thought that a small of bowl of low sodium (Kettles) potato chips is better for me than a grapefruit!!
I am so excited about my new blog and hope you are enjoying it. If you like this post leave a comment below.
PROS’PEROUS, a. L.prosperus. Advancing in the pursuit of any thing desirable; making gain or increase; thriving; successful; as a prosperous trade; a prosperous voyage; a prosperous expedition or undertaking; a prosperous man, family or nation; a prosperous war.
Prosperity is Not Just About Money
I believe that we are meant to be prosperous in all that we do. That means we need to strive for abundance in all areas of our life… in health, happiness, love, relationships, family, finances, etc. There is always room for growth and change, and we need to try to be examples of God’s goodness in all that we do. “Blessed to be a blessing to others.”
Prosperity and The Plan
I am so excited to share something that could truly bless you, as it has me. On May 16th, I embarked on a new adventure in my quest for optimal health. People would not describe me as overweight, but I am someone who never feels great when I am carrying those extra 5 to 10 pounds. Unfortunately, I feel like that has been most of my adult life! I certainly have worked hard through both exercise and diet to rid myself of those few pesky pounds, but with little success. I could lose the first 2 to 4 pounds without too much difficulty, but despite continuing to eat well, I would find the scale crawling back up. It was usually at this point that I would throw my arms in the air and say “Really….I am working my buns off trying to eat well and exercise regularly, only to gain weight! Forget it…pass me the cheesecake!” I have literally tried everything….Blood Type diets, weight loss Shakes, Eating Clean, Paleo, The Primal Blueprint, Weight Watchers, etc. Again, I achieved some success in all programs, but it was always short-lived and I really never felt great. I was either hungry, had stomach issues or hated the food and it always ended in extreme frustration. However, in May, I came across an article describing a book that was being endorsed by Dr. Oz. I was really intrigued, because I have been a long-standing believer in the philosophy that there is no diet on the planet that will work effectively for everyone. I believe that every individual reacts differently to food, but I just never had the tools or knowledge to figure it out for myself. I immediately ordered the book from Amazon and became totally immersed in my new purchase. Now remember what I said in a previous post, when I truly commit to something, I am ALL IN. I don’t waiver or cheat, I stick to the program in order to get the results I seek. So, when I say that I bought in to the concept shared in Lyn-Genet Recitas book called THE PLAN. I mean I was/am 100% committed. It has only been a month, but I can’t believe the results. I am just 2 pounds over my high school graduation weight and what’s even more exciting is that I am learning how to test the foods I love and discover how my body reacts with each and every one of them. I have already discovered that “healthy” foods like Rye (bread, crackers, etc), sole fish and chick peas cause me to gain weight and that my body is very sensitive to sleep deprivation. When I have a bad sleep or go to bed later than usual, it shows up on the scale the next morning. The most exciting part is, that I have also learned which foods are “friendly” and help my body to recover from the inflammation caused by those foods that I “react” to. I have finally lost those miserable pounds and am now approximately 8 pounds lighter than I was a month ago. I am not hungry. The meals are easy and delicious and I love the idea that I have a “Plan” for when I do react to a food, so that I can immediately have a few “friendly days” to counteract the inflammation and get right back on track. I have control and feel great, finally!! Thanks Lyn!!
Be Committed to Make Positive Changes in Your Life ~ You Won’t Regret It!
Like The Plan and my health, I know that when you make any changes in life, you must be committed to make them happen. You must focus and the choices that you make each day must line-up with that focus for your life. My neighbor was saying that she has always had difficulty saying no to others and asked me how I do it. I said that I often used to struggle with that as well. That is, until I began working on my goals and purpose. When you are clear about where you are going and what you want in life, it becomes really easy to say “no”. I just ask myself, “Does that align with my purpose?” If it interferes with my purpose, the answer is “no”. If it does align with where I am headed, the answer is “yes” and I can feel great knowing that what I am taking on is helping to propel me closer to where I am going. For example, if I am offered a bowl of ice cream ~ it is an easy “no” for me, even though I love ice cream. It doesn’t mean I will never partake again, it just means that right now it does not fit with my goals and aspirations. If someone offers me an apple or another “friendly” snack, I graciously accept, because it does not lead me off my path to weight loss. Like my journey into health and wellness, this philosophy also applies to my goals regarding prosperity. If I am going to achieve my goals, I need to guard my time and my mind. I need to make sure that what I am taking in aligns with my goals and beliefs and be sure that I am maximizing my time each and everyday. My choices must line-up with my overall goals and purposes or I can easily be swayed off my path to prosperity.
Wow! This is amazing! I honestly didn’t know that an infant could be taught to swim so well. Our own children took lessons as infants, but never really learned to swim independently until they were about 4 (I think!) Elizabeth swims across their backyard pool like a 5 or 6 year old. Unbelievable.
Amazing Infant Swimming Across the Pool
Swimming: Learning to Swim is a Life Skill Not Just an Activity
I grew up spending my summers at the town pool. We would literally spend everyday swimming. We always took lessons during the first two weeks of July and all of my friends knew how to swim. It wasn’t until I was an adult that I realized that many people grow up never having taken any formal swimming lessons. I was amazed to meet people who feared the water and were unable to swim any distance at all. I guess as a kid, I thought swimming was like riding a bike. Everyone learned how to do it at some point.
What struck me the most was that these adults did not have the ability to save themselves let alone their own children in the case of an emergency. I believe that learning to swim is much like learning to read, write and do math. It is a life skill that everyone should have.
Swimming Lessons are a Must
Did you know that drowning is the number 2 cause of death amongst minors? To learn more about why swimming lessons are so important for your child, click here.
My husband and I enrolled our children in Parent/Tot classes between the ages of 4 and 6 months. Although this is not necessary, I believed that the earlier the kids were exposed to the water, the more comfortable they would be. For us, this worked well. Our kids never experienced any fear or anxiety when it came to swimming or taking lessons. I would often see children in the 4 to 6 year old age level that would cry and demonstrate true fear of the water. I am guessing that their exposure to swimming prior to beginning their lessons was very limited, and their emotions were probably more related to a fear of the unknown and lack of comfort.
Even when we would bath our kids as toddlers, we would make a game out of blowing bubbles in the water and pouring water over their heads and face. They had a great time and were always very comfortable with putting their heads under water.
Baby Elizabeth has parents that are well trained certified instructors. They have the ability and expertise to both teach and supervise Elizabeth. No baby should be thrown in a pool and expected to swim.
If you are interested in getting your infant comfortable in the water, seek out lessons with a certified instructor. Just taking your child in the pool with you will also help with this. Some programs suggest that babies are ready for the pool as soon as they are able to hold their head-up (4 to 6 months of age).
Swimming is Not Unlike Other Life Skills
As an early years teacher, I am often amazed at how many children enter school with very limited basic skills. I guess my training in education gives me a bit of a different mind set, but to me basic skills like counting and learning the alphabet just happen naturally throughout the day. I honestly do not understand how a child can be 4 or 5 years old and have had no exposure to numbers or counting. If you are not yet doing this, make counting and letter work a part of your daily interaction with your child. Little things like counting the buttons on their shirt as you do them up, counting the stairs as you take them up to bed, counting backwards from 10 when you give them a “time to clean-up warning”, counting snacks, etc. They don’t need to do math, but incorporate little activities into their daily routines. The same is true with letters. Look for alphabet DVD’s, puzzles, toys and games. When you are playing with your child begin to add in little “teaching times”. An example might be….connecting letters and sounds with some of your child’s favourite toys, snacks and even people. “B” b b b banana. It will take no time at all before your child learns to connect sounds and letters with words. My only caution would be to make sure that over time, you introduce more than one connection for a letter. For example, “B” is also for ball.
Photo from FitPregnancy
Again, it is never too young to start. You should begin reading to your child as an infant and take every opportunity to teach them those skills that will prepare them for life; manners, sharing, right from wrong, very simple basic literacy and math skills and give them ample opportunities to progressively become more independent as they are able. My mantra is and has always been “Don’t do for kids, what they can do for themselves.”
Whey Protein Isolates? What are they? What do I know about them? I am not expert, but I am a bit of a health nut and am constantly trying new and better strategies and products to obtain optimal health. Despite this, there is one product that I will never stop taking. Immunocal is the miracle product that every person should be on.
A whey protein isolate (often whey isolate) is a dietary supplement created by filtering milk protein. Whey is a by-product of the cheese-making process. Whey can be processed to yield whey protein in three forms: whey isolate, whey concentrate, or whey hydrolysate.
Whey proteins are highly bioavailable, are very quickly absorbed into the body, and have a high concentration of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs)[1] which are highly concentrated in muscle tissue, and are used to fuel working muscles and stimulate protein synthesis.[2]
The difference between the whey protein forms is the process used to filter the proteins. Whey isolates yield a higher percentage of pure protein and can be filtered enough to be virtually lactose free, carbohydrate free, fat free, and cholesterol free.
For more information on whey proteins and the difference between Whey Isolate and Concentrate, visit The Fitness Doc’s Blog and/or Femmefitale.
Whey protein isolates in Immunocal rank high in the market?
Immunocal is a patented supplement that in nature is most similar to mother’s milk. It is over 90% pure protein and has a biological value higher than any other protein supplement or food available. The term “biological value” (BV) refers to a measurement of how important any edible protein is to your body.
Taken daily, Immunocal will raise your body’s concentration of glutathione (abbreviated as GSH), a molecule referred to as “Your Body’s Most Important Protector”. Most individuals have never heard of glutathione, however given the huge amount of research publications on the subject and the large impact it will have in future health care, the term glutathione will shortly become part of our everyday language, the same way as we use the words “antioxidant” or “cholesterol”. To date, there have been over 80,000 published articles on glutathione in the medical literature.
Glutathione is considered by many researchers to be the superhero of antioxidants. Our bodies produce glutathione and it is responsible for fighting off toxins in our bodies. Because our bodies produce it, it is difficult to take it as a supplement. Immunocal is a product that was developed by Dr. Gustavo Bounous in the 70’s. This product, unlike others, is not just a whey protein supplement, but it is integral in promoting the production of glutathione in our bodies. His long standing research is well respected and the results of the product have been life changing for me and many others worldwide.
Dr. Gutman is currently the senior medical consultant with Immunotec. Check out this interview with Dr. Gutman. He will be speaking in Winnipeg, MB in July 2013. His extensive research on the subject makes him one of the world’s most predominant experts on the subject. Come and check it out. You can find out more about the company, events and its products by visiting the Immunotec website or by googling “immunocal testimonials”. You don’t want to miss this opportunity to achieve long term health benefits.
Some of the numerous health benefits of whey protein and regular Immunocal consumption can be found in this article below and the research is supported by Health Canada. The benefits can be summed up by the following acronym:
A – FOR ANTIOXIDANT DEFENSE
I – FOR IMMUNE FUNCTIONS
D – FOR DETOXIFICATION Plus
M – FOR MUSCLE FUNCTION
The Best Whey Protein Supplement for Optimal Health
If you or your family members are suffering from any diseases, conditions or ailments it is worth doing some research to see if Immunocal will help. People all over the world are having incredible results with this product. Success ranges from elite athletic performance enhancement to incredible relief from symptoms and disease. There are continuous studies being done on the effects of Immunocal with a current focus on Lou Gehrig’s Disease, Autism and Alzheimer’s. The key is continuous daily consumption to help your body restore depleted glutathione levels which are key to fighting off sickness and disease. This product is way more than just a whey protein supplement, it is the key to optimal health and wellness. The results speak for themselves, so I encourage you to research what ails you and see what kind of research and testimonies you can find on the success of Immunocal with your particular condition.
Tick bites! Yuck! That is all I have to say. Yesterday, I found a tick with its creepy little head embedded in my tummy.
Tick Bites Really Scare Me!
Let’s just say….I do not handle spiders, beetles or tick bites well. Of course, I found the tick when I was getting ready for bed and reacted without thinking. As I began flapping my arms irrationally and screaming for my husband….patience was not on the agenda. I darted out of the bedroom “topless” to track him down. Although his response was quick, I had already managed to run down our main hallway which leads directly to our front entrance. Having no A/C and with the temperature hovering around 85 degrees in our house, of course, the front door was open and the only think between my topless body and my neighbours was our vintage screen door. Yikes! I sure hope no one was out and about during that display of craziness!
Clearly this is not me, but I can totally relate to the panic this guy was feeling and can only imagine how stupid I would have looked if it my tick bite was captured on video. This is really funny, check it out.
I remember getting tick bites as a kid and having my mom remove them without incident, but that was long before Lyme Disease became of concern or so it would seem. My anxiety over ticks traces back to my cousin. She was bitten several years ago and has been fighting symptoms of lyme disease ever since.
Ticks and Tick Bites: Did you know?
I have heard and read lots of suggestions on tick removal because I have kids and always wanted to be prepared. Unfortunately, some of those suggestions came from social media and/or via word of mouth. In the midst of my dilemma last night, I told my hubby that we were supposed to smother the little stinker in petroleum jelly (WRONG) which we proceeded to do, before burning the little sucker with a the end of a hot needle (WRONG AGAIN). Yikes! In an article put out by Health Links BC, it describe in detail what to do and what not to do when dealing with tick bites.
Use fine-tipped tweezers to remove a tick. If you don’t have tweezers, put on gloves or cover your hands with tissue paper, then use your fingers. Do not handle the tick with bare hands.
Grab the tick as close to its mouth (the part that is stuck in your skin) as you can. The body of the tick will be above your skin.
Do not grab the tick around its swollen belly. You could push infected fluid from the tick into your body if you squeeze it.
Gently pull the tick straight out until its mouth lets go of your skin. Do not twist the tick. This may break off the tick’s body and leave the head in your skin.
Put the tick in a dry jar or ziplock bag and save it in the freezer for later identification if needed.
The article suggest that you not smother or burn the tick when dealing with tick bites. Go figure? Evidently when you do either of these two things, it can cause the tick to release infected fluid into your body and increase your chances of becoming infected.
Tick Bites and Lyme Disease
I was surprised to learn that a tick can only transfer lyme disease if it has had time to have a blood meal and is engorged. (The one on me was flat and couldn’t have been there more than a couple of hours. Yay!!)
Even if a tick is attached, it must have taken a blood meal to transmit Lyme disease. At least 36 to 48 hours of feeding is required for a tick to have fed and then transmit the bacterium that causes Lyme disease. After this amount of time, the tick will be engorged (full of blood). An engorged tick has a globular shape and is larger than an unengorged one.
What is Lyme Disease?
In the early stages of Lyme disease, you may experience flu-like symptoms that can include a stiff neck, chills, fever, swollen lymph nodes, headaches, fatigue,muscle aches, and joint pain. You also may experience a large, expanding skin rash around the area of the tick bite. In more advanced disease, nerve problems and arthritis, especially in the knees, may occur.
I would suggest seeing a doctor if you suspect that the tick has been on you or your child long enough to have a blood feed and/or if you notice any symptoms.
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