Tools for Planning Your Weekly Menu

Aug 14, 2008

Here is an email alert that I received from a popular menu planning service that I have used in the past, I love the service as you can chose weekly traditional plans, vegetarian meal plans and healthy meal plans. The menus/recipes are customizable. Here's the information I received, and links so you can get a free "Back to School Report" (pg. down to the bottom of the web page for the report), or sign up for the service:

There's a pretty good chance that you won't be able to get your hands on the popular menus at MenuPlanningCentral.com pretty soon.

The owner, Christine (also known as The Menu Mom) is 31 weeks pregnant. She sat down with her team at MenuPlanningCentral and decided that the best way they can ensure they can give one-on-one interaction with their members inside the members area during her maternity leave is to close the membership after the next 500 spots sell out.

Fair Warning ... They've sent the notice out to 30,562 people and, needless to say, the spots are filling fast. If you want one of them, go to Menu Planning Central now and order.

Even if you aren't interested in saving time and money with menu planning, there is a FREE "Back To School" Report on that page. You are welcome to grab a copy of the report as a free gift.

Insomnia, Not the Movie, I'm Tired

Aug 6, 2008

If you haven't seen the 2002 movie, "Insomnia" starring Al Pacino and Robin Williams, and you like intense crime thriller type movies, it's a must see, but that's not what I'm here to write about.

Recently I've been experiencing some insomnia, and so when WebMD had an article on the subject it caught my eye. They had a lot of good information about how often many use sleeping aids, how your not supposed to use them for more than a certain period of time (I didn't know that). They shared that the key things that people have in common who don't get a good night's sleep are:

• Health Problems
• Family Concerns
• Financial Concerns
• Worry about Work

All of us experience these things at some point in our lives. Sometimes a few at a time, as our family did when my husband lost his job, got a new one and both of us lost a parent within a week of each other, and frankly, every day can bring a concern of it's own. Here are a few things that help me a lot:

• Spiritually = Mentally - You must read the words of Jesus in Matthew 6, starting at about v. 25, but the rest is great too. They are so comforting if you have a relationship with God through Christ, and so many places in the Bible God reminds us he will provide all of our needs, maybe not everything we want, but definitely what we need if we trust in Him.
• Physically - I've been busy, but not the kind of busy that gets me outside walking, getting enough physical exercise. I sleep SO much better after a day of physical exercise or labor.
• Food - Of course it's good to eat a well-balanced diet, and then there's the herbs that help with sleep, herbs are food sources with medicinal properties, but in the complete package God created, not chemical derivatives of the properties formulated in a laboratory. I use combinations like Herbal Sleep .
• Lighting - We made the mistake of getting new blinds that were WHITE after having dark ones for years, and our bedroom is on the sunny side of the house. Light affects your sleep dramatically, no matter how late (or early) you get to bed. Make sure you block the light that comes into your windows unless you are a very early riser.
• Getting to Bed - There are many things that can tempt us to stay up to late, or into the wee hours of the morning, a good book, a favorite TV show, or the newest diversion, spending time on the internet. I find the last one on the list to be my greatest challenge, it used to be reading. So figure out when you usually get up, the do the math to determine how to get your 7-8 hours of sleep.
  

Sweet dreams, everyone.

Recipe from an Author: Orange Roughy Soup

Aug 1, 2008

Here is a yummy recipe that will be one of many in a book by Debra Shiveley Welch's son, Christopher - "Christopher's Family Table - Inheriting Family Recipes & Traditions From Adopted Kin & Clan". Watch for details on the book, and view other titles by Debra and Christopher on a variety of topics at DebraShiveleyWelch.net

Debra is challenged with a few food allergies, so if she can eat and enjoy this recipe, I'm sure it's not only delicious, but healthy!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup clam juice and 2 cups low sodium organic chicken stock
• 1 teaspoon saffron threads
• 1 ½ pound orange roughy cut into bite-size pieces
• Creole seasoning
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 cup assorted wild mushrooms, stemmed and sliced or crimini mushrooms
• 2 tablespoons chopped tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
• 1/4 cup chopped green onions
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 cup cleaned romaine lettuce leaves
• 1 cup cleaned spinach leaves
• Salt and pepper
  

Preparation:

Combine clam juice, chicken stock and saffron. Bring just to a simmer and remove from heat. Allow it to sit for ten minutes.

Season the orange roughy with your Creole seasoning.

Heat oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add the fish and sauté for one minute. Then add the mushrooms, tomatoes, basil, green onions, Garlic, romaine and spinach and sauté for one minute.

Pour in the clam juice, chicken stock, saffron mixture and simmer for 4 to 5 minutes. Season with salt pepper. Serve immediately.

Relief for Carpel Tunnel Syndrome Is At Hand

Jul 26, 2008

Our bodies are so intricately designed, and often we take for granted the motion of our fingers, and the impact that repeated use can have on the hand. One of the negative results can be a condition called Carpel Tunnel Syndrome (CTS).

CTS is a very painful condition that builds over time with regular use of certain tendons and muscles in the fingers. When the condition is at it's worst, there is sometimes unbearable pain in the thumb, index and middle finger. Sometimes you can even feel this pain on the inside of the ring finger as well. One very common use that can cause problems is the repetitious motion of using the mouse with your computer, or typing, or any other thing that requires repeated motion affecting the tendons associated with the movement of your fingers. This is why it is important to know the various things that can cause CTS, and know there are numerous helps and ergonomic supports that you can use to find carpal tunnel relief. If you feel symptoms that indicate you are developing this condition, you may be able to stop it before it progresses. Please take a moment to visit a comprehensive site, IMAK, for much more information, a very impressive site with extensive information.

Water Bottle Pollution Solution

Jul 23, 2008

I was just listening to a report this morning on the fact that, yes, many are drinking more water which is beneficial to health, but many are buying cases of water in water bottles on a regular basis, and the bottles are becoming a pollution problem.

Personally, very rarely do I buy a case of pure water from the store, because I have a counter-top reverse osmosis water purifier and a 2 gallon polycarbonate bottle with a spigot that I fill from the purifier on a regular basis. There's also a bottle large enough to use in a water cooler. Then I use a washable, re-fillable water bottle, and have that with me almost all the time. Water is always in the fridge, ready to go, right from my own tap, using a water purification method that is most definitely the best. While purchasing the unit cost me something, it has saved me in the long run, I've been using my RO unit for at least 20? years, and decided to replace the unit once in that time, just because it was looking old. I replace the membrane and filters on an occasional basis as needed. How often that is depends upon your water, and how often you use your unit...actually the more it is used the better.

Helping Those Who Can't Remember

Jul 21, 2008

One of the most difficult things to watch is someone who was once bright, lively and intelligent struggle with memory loss. I have watched the parents of two friends struggle with Alzheimer's Disease...and though they were precious even with their memories stolen from them bit by bit with the disease, it was sometimes hard to be with them and look back and recall intelligent conversations we had shared. I experienced this in a different way with my father, who lost his memory due to strokes, but the struggle is very similar, and the closest thing I have to what it is like within the immediate family.

So what can one do to help in the battle against Alzheimer's Disease, what small thing can one do that may help in a great way? Just this evening I watched a commercial on television about the upcoming Alzheimer's Memory Walk. The advertisement...and the website devoted to this event...show how just one person can multiply themselves into many by inviting a few to join you in the walk, then the friends invite a few, and on it goes!

Each year, the Alzheimer's Association Memory Walk® takes place in the fall on a weekend morning and is about 2-3 mile long. You will want to visit the site to find out more details about this event, which is the largest in the nation when it comes to raising awareness about Alzheimer's Disease. This event also provides ways for people to help financially to help fund research and support for families facing this disease.

I haven't done a Memory Walk yet, and am going to look into this myself. How about you?

Food and Cancer Connection, esp. Breast, Ovarian

Jun 27, 2008

Here is a study that I thought was worth sharing, related to cancer, especially breast cancer and ovarian cancer. I hope I haven't shared this somewhere else already, but it's worth sharing as often as possible. Diet plays such an important role in getting to the root of health problems, it can't be said enough! Enjoy the following study:

Eating foods like broccoli and soy has now been linked to lower cancer rates, and California researchers recently reported that they may have discovered the biological mechanism behind the protective effect.

Using cells in a lab dish, researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles, found that diindolymethane (DIM), a compound resulting from digestion of cruciferous vegetables such as Broccoli, along with genistein, an isoflavone in soy, reduce the production of two proteins needed for breast and ovarian cancers to spread.

“We think these compounds might slow or prevent the metastasis of breast and ovarian cancer, which would greatly increase the effectiveness of current treatments,” said Erin Hsu, a UCLA graduate student in molecular toxicology.

The findings highlight “an entirely unique mechanism ... Preventing the invasion and metastasis of cancer cells is crucial,” said Dr. Alan Kristal, associate head of the cancer prevention program at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle.

Cancer cells express very high levels of a surface receptor known as CXCR4, while the organs to which the cancers spread secrete high levels of CXCL12, a ligand that binds to that particular receptor.

This attraction stimulates the invasive properties of cancer cells and acts like a homing device, drawing the cancer cells to organs like the liver or brain.

The study found that when cancer cells were treated with either DIM or genistein, movement toward CXCL12 is reduced by at least 80 percent compared to untreated cells.

As the modern day researchers continue to confirm the wisdom of the ancients, we encourage you to embrace this wisdom. Ancient civilizations such as the Greeks and the Essenes knew the recipe for good health. They partook of pure air and water, sunshine, and nutrient-dense whole foods. Today, it seems that science has come full circle. They have arrived “back in time”…… only to discover the future!

This article was inspired by the Wholefood Farmacy great source of snacks that have unique names, unique quality, and best of all, taste great!!

Choosing a Good Medical Education Program

Jun 24, 2008

When I decided I wanted to expand my knowledge about Nutrition, I took distance education courses. At that time it was not as convenient as it is now. Home computers and home internet access were not what they are today, making online training for medical assistants a great option if you are thinking of pursuing the medical field. St. Augustine School of Medical Assistants is an excellent option for those who would like to study at home, the program is explained in great detail at their website. There are several kinds of courses to chose from, including dental assistant, medical assistant, pharmacy technician, nursing assistant and more.

There are many advantages to an education without leaving your home, you do need to be very self-disciplined, which isn't hard if you enjoy what you are learning. Some advantages include:

• Being home if you are married and have young children.
• You can't find a program like what is offered online in the area where you live.
• Saving on your gasoline bill, especially these days!
• Studying when it fits in with your schedule.
• Easy access to all you need online.
• Being available if an emergency arises.
• Less time wasted driving to and from your classes.
• A wonderful option for those with physical disabilities.

Whether it is a medical assistant education you are looking for or one of the other courses of study mentioned, I encourage you to stop by and visit any of the links in this post for more information.