Happy Nutritionist's Nuggets

How to Manage High Prescription Prices

2012-01-15T02:00:00.001-05:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Walgreens for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.
I have been fortunate enough to require very few prescriptions in my life thanks to eating well and natural remedies, but my husband requires hundreds of dollars of prescriptions each month. Fortunately, we have medical coverage through his job, but we are moving closer to our retirement years when that will end. It's hard to know what kind of changes will come about by that time, but thinking about it makes us aware of what those around us are going through.

We have a pharmacy in town as well as a new Walgreens. Recently I read about the Walgreens and Express Script situation. It appears that Walgreens was trying to renew their contract with Express Scripts to have the pharmacy provider network available to their customers. The contract was not renewed, so Walgreens either needed a new program or customer would be forced to drive to other locations to get their prescriptions.

Fortunately, Walgreens has come up with a solution, the Walgreens Prescription Savings Club. An individual pays $5 a year, and family pays $10 - and this even covers their pet prescriptions. You can register now, in January, for this program. It helps with the cost of over 8000 brand name prescriptions and all generic prescriptions, greatly reducing prices. It is helpful with other services as well, including flu shots and diabetic supplies.

For more information, follow Walgreens on Twitter, and visit and "like" Walgreens on Facebook.

Nutrition Calculator - Make a Nutrition Label

2012-01-14T13:01:00.000-05:00

Have you ever altered a recipe and wondered how it has affected how many calories, how much sodium, carbohydrates, etc., are now in your recipe? There is an easy way to find out.

I enjoy the Sparkpeople site as it offers many free services. Their recipe site has a wonderful tool that calculates the nutritional content of your food. You can find the recipe calculator here. Just enter the ingredients in the calculator and click on the "calculate information" button. If you like, you can post your recipes to the site, and it will include the standard nutrition information label that you are accustomed to seeing on all foods labels.

Calculating nutrition and making nutrition labels is not only a bit fun, but educational. It will go a long way in helping you if you're counting calories, carbohydrates, sodium content, and more.

Help for Headlight Glare and Vision Problems

2012-01-13T16:25:00.000-05:00

Just last week I ordered glasses online just in case something should happen to the progressive lens eyeglasses I already have. I got one pair just for distance and another pair for reading. I did this because I have a distance prescription from my new optometrist, and an unchanged older one for reading from my previous optometrist.

When ordering online, it can be fun at some of the sites, especially Zenni Optical, the one I used, as you can upload your photo and "try on" the glasses, not only to see how they look, but to see how the size looks on your face. It is helpful if not necessary to have the PD number from the prescription your eye doctor writes...and make sure he or she includes it. That's the distance between the pupils when looking straight ahead and not focused on anything.

What I was most pleased about for the distance glasses, which will be used as my sunglasses with the clip-ons I ordered, is the anti-glare coating, also called an oleophobic coating. It is said to help with glare when having photos taken, but I'm more excited about the help it may be when driving at night. I have so much trouble with oncoming headlights, especially the bright ones they have now. I don't even like to drive at night, and hope that this will improve things at least a little bit.

Best of all, I paid only a little over $30 for 2 pairs of glasses, including the frames, coating and clip-on sunglasses for each...so much less than I paid for my progressives even with the insurance. If my order had been $50 or more, shipping would have been free. I know it would have cost a little more to purchase progressives online as well, but not close to what I paid.

I'll let you know how it all works out when the glasses arrive.

8 Facts About B12 Pantothenic Acid

2012-01-13T15:33:00.001-05:00

Occasional I do posts about particular vitamins and minerals, and what foods contain them. Today I'd like to take a look at Vitamin B5, also known as Pantothenic Acid. And at the end of the post you'll find links to other posts done in the past about Vitamins.

Here are some facts about Vitamin B5

1. Vitamin B5 or Pantothenic Acid is a water soluble vitamin. This means that unlike Vitamin A, for example, it does not build up in your system, but excess is flushed out through the kidneys in the urine.

2. Vitamin B5 is found in many things that we eat, but is most abundant in eggs, meat, legumes, avocados, whole grains, broccoli and yogurt. It is also in Royal Jelly, from a Bee of another kind.

3. When taking B5 in supplement form, it is best when taken with other B vitamins.

4. Since the vitamin is in so many foods and in vitamin supplements, it is rare that there be a deficiency, but if there is, the symptoms would include symptoms common to many conditions...fatigue and irritability; lack of it could lead to hypoglycemia, trouble sleeping, nausea and other common conditions...but since it is rare that it is deficient, it would not be the first thing I'd think of if suffering from any one of these symptoms.

5. It doesn't seem to cause harm if too much is ingested, and again, it is water soluble so what is not used is flushed out of the body.

6. According to information at Linus Pauling Inst. at Oregon State University, Pantothenic Acid is a component of Coenzyme A. They also provide a nice chart that shows how many mg. are found in several foods.

7. Wikipedia provides a nice chart that shows daily requirements for Vitamin B5 by age and other information that may not be listed above.

8. B5 benefits many things, but most information points towards it's benefit to the skin and hair.

Other Vitamin Fact Lists:

Vitamin A Facts

Vitamin B12 Facts and Sources

Vitamin C Facts and Sources

Vitamin D Facts

Vitamin E Facts

Vitamin K Facts

Is the Updated Slim-Fast Program for You?

2011-12-22T19:00:00.001-05:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Slim-Fast for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Slim-Fast has recently updated and improved their diet program by improving the packaging and the creamy richness of their shakes. The shakes now come in a bottle that you can easily carry anywhere, which is great for the person on the go. You can put them in your purse, in your lunch bag, or your carry bag when headed to the beach or anywhere....quick and easy portability.

I was just thinking that this might be a nice thing to help get some of us through the holiday season, and then carry us through the New Year when many are inclined to lose weight. It is suggested that you drink a Slim-Fast shake for 2 meals, have 3 snacks a day between meals, such as fruit, nuts, or Slim-Fast's 100 calorie snack bar. Then eat one regular meal whenever you eat your main meal. This could be the time that you eat your holiday dinner...with as much portion control as possible. Your appetite will most likely be less than it would be because you have the 10 grams of protein and the fiber in Slim-Fast to carry you through.

Slim-Fast can be found at many of the major department stores like Walmart, Target, Safe-Way, Kroger, and you can even purchase online through Amazon. I know it is available in our local supermarket as well, so you may want to check your grocery store.

Personally, I'd like to give Cappuccino Delight a try as I love Cappucino...and I'm off to visit their Facebook page.

Tis the Season to Think About Dieting

2011-12-22T09:36:00.000-05:00

January is close at hand, and inspired by making a "fresh start" and New Years Resolutions, many will decide to lose weight.

Last year I decided to challenge myself, as I always do, with losing a certain amount of weight, and not gaining any more weight. I did a page that not only included my progress (or lack thereof), but also provided weight loss tools for others who might want to lose weight. You can take a look at that page by clicking here and see if any of the weight loss resources may be helpful to you.
Was I successful in losing? A little...I lost a few pounds, but I didn't gain any either because I was conscious of the foods that went into my mouth.

Weight loss programs are helpful if you want to take off weight quickly, but keeping the weight off is the greater challenge, so when you are looking for a good weight loss program, make sure that it includes a maintenance program for keeping the weight off when you have lost weight.

Other related posts:

From Food Pyramid to Food Plate

Restaurant Nutrition Guides

The Cabbage Soup Diet (+ recipe)

5 Ways to Reduce Fat in Meat Dishes

Weight Gain = Increased Cancer Risk?

Natural Solutions to Inflammation in the Body

2011-12-21T13:44:00.000-05:00

Inflammation in the body is both good and bad. Inflammation is good because it can be a warning sign that there is a part of our body that needs attention. Inflammation is also part of a healing process at times when a part of the body is injured or diseased. In each of these cases, the inflammation should be temporary.

There are other conditions in the body that cause chronic inflammation, these may be related to things that we eat that we shouldn't. This was the case with me in the earlier post that I wrote about being lactose intolerant. It was causing many problems and much inflammation, and it took time to get to the root of the problem. There are other autoimmune conditions in which the body's immune system turns upon itself causing inflammation and pain.

Many common over-the-counter remedies for inflammation contain NSAIDS, or properties that can cause stomach ulcers and other unpleasant side affects that are also a source of pain. It is better to find natural solutions to help. I have known for a long time that there are drinks that contain natural properties that help with inflammation, one of them can be viewed at this video about Trivita. I do not sell this product, and am not affiliated with the company that does, but I was impressed with the ability that many say has to reduce inflammation, and am considering trying the free offer they mention in the video. Scientific studies have proven that some of the properties that this drink contains do help reduce inflammation.

Studies are showing that inflammation in the body can make us more susceptible to many different diseases, some of them quite serious, so finding solutions to help reduce chronic inflammation can be beneficial in many ways.

Another time we will look further at foods to avoid if you have inflammation and more foods that reduce inflammation.

Is Gluten Free Christmas Baking Possible?

2011-12-21T12:24:00.001-05:00

We are in or near what some call "gluten free baking week" and Christmas is in a matter of days.

Is it possible to have a gluten-free Christmas? I think so. There are so many gluten free recipe books available as well as prepared gluten free flours, snacks and more, that it is much easier to go gluten free than it used to be.

So in this week of gluten free baking, know that you have many options available to you. In our home, we enjoy traditional Scotch shortbread, which is basically flour, sugar and butter....here are the ingredients for a gluten-free variation to the recipe, plus a link to the recipe at celiac.com.

Ingredients for Gluten Free Honey Lavender Shortbread...click the recipe name for the full recipe:
1½ cups almond meal flour, plus extra for dusting
¼ cup cornstarch
2 tablespoons dried lavender flowers, chopped
2 tablespoons honey
¼ cup sugar
8 tablespoons butter, cut into 1-tablespoon pieces
½ teaspoon salt

Yes, it is easy to find gluten free recipes to make your Christmas and holiday season gluten free.

The Joy of Knowing I'm Lactose Intolerant

2011-12-12T14:06:00.002-05:00

Lactose Intolerance isn't a joy, finding out what has been troubling you for, in my case, probably the past few years, is indeed a joy!Something has always troubled my digestive system on and off for years...it wasn't severe, just an annoyance, but in the past year the condition escalated to the point that I was always nauseous, feeling pain in my abdomen, and suffered a host of other symptoms that had me quite concerned.

When I would look in the mirror in the morning, the face looking back didn't look well. I went to one doctor and had normal blood work, my blood pressure was up, I was diagnosed with an intestinal infection, and anxiety (we have come through some stressful months...more on the stress aspect later) and had 3 medications prescribed, all of which did nothing but aggravate what I was experiencing...more nausea, more pain, more tiredness. I stopped taking them and just hoped it would all go away...it didn't.

I finally made an appointment with my gastroenterologist who is downstairs from my general MD, so also set up an appointment for my annual physical, which is one free thing you get with our insurance. The gastroenterologist patiently explained to me that I was not having anxiety attacks during the night like I thought I was...he explained the connection between some nerves in the colon, brain, etc., that lead to symptoms similar to a heart attack and anxiety in terms that I could understand. This was happening because something was aggravating my digestive system...he thought perhaps just a virus...but to me it seemed like more. Still, it was a relief to know what what happening physiologically, but I still needed to know the cause.

We had prayed that God would give wisdom to the doctors when I went in that day, and He answered and did. When I went to my general MD, I had my usual physical...all good...even the blood pressure. She asked me what I eat each night before bed. I told her I loved yogurt mixed with frozen blueberries and ate them almost nightly. She said to cut out dairy for one month, and see how I do....that if you are going to develop lactose intolerance, you often do when you are in your 40's and 50's. I told her that I thought yogurt was okay even if you were lactose intolerant. She said not necessarily so, especially in the quantity I was eating it.

She was so very right! It only took a matter of days for me to see improvement. I replaced the yogurt and cheeses with lactose free yogurt and cheese, and did not eat anything with dairy when I wasn't sure whether it contained lactose or not. I cannot get over the improvement over the past month...and am so very thankful. My body is healing, and having the physical stress relieved is making the mental stress less stressful...still needs dealing with, but oh so much better things are. So yes, it is a joy to finally know that I am lactose intolerant and what to do about it.

After Dinner Laughs for the American Family

2011-11-20T20:00:00.001-05:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of American Family Insurance for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

It's hard to find good clean fun, humor that you can sit down and enjoy with the whole family and not worry about your children hearing inappropriate jokes. The best humor is the kind that makes us laugh at ourselves, and I found that a lot of the videos put together by AmFam were a lot of fun to view.

I could never be a stand-up comedian, but do remember a few funny things that happened around the dinner table that a comedian could have a field day with. I remember a night when a small glass of milk was knocked over by one of us as children. There were 4 of us around the table, plus my parents. As one of us reached to try to stop it, another glass was knocked over, and then as one of my parents reached for that glass, they knocked a 1/2 full gallon milk bottle on the floor. Normally this would have lead to a little frustration and maybe even a little anger, but the situation was so ridiculous that we all burst out laughing and chipped in to clean up the mess. One of those parents has been in heaven for 6 years now, my Dad, but his memory lives on in remembering moments like that with a smile.

American Family Insurance inspired this post, and brings you all the humor that most of you will enjoy at links in this post. We all have different things that tickle our funny bone, and I'm sure you'll find more than one video that will do just that.

With Thanksgiving only days away, there is no better time to have a forgiving heart towards those that you may struggle with in the family, a thankful heart for those things that you have, great or small, and to enjoy some laughs together at videos from the Stand Up For Family website.

Pecans Getting some Attention This Month

2011-11-20T01:24:00.001-05:00

Thanksgiving and Christmas are times of the year when nuts are enjoyed more than usual, and Pecans are among my favorite. They have a smooth shell, and care should be taken when you remove the outer shell to remove every bit of the part of the nut that divides the edible parts. It is very bitter.

Pecans are quite delicious and do have several health benefits that you might enjoy reading about at our companion sight, "Pecans and Health", which is also the source for the image to the left. Somewhere I read that this month is National Georgia Pecan Month...wherever your pecans come from, I do hope you enjoy them!

Social Networking can be Good for Your Health

2011-11-19T23:00:00.001-05:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Cafe Well for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Can Social Networking be good for your health, or is it contributing to poor health because you're just sitting looking at a screen? I believe it can be good for your health if you connect with the right networking site. I was just introduced for the first time to Cafe Well, a place to gather and be inspired to improve your health. I have just joined as "happynutrition" since "happynutritionist" was too long a username, and am exploring. When you join, you check off health conditions that you are dealing with, and if you wish, you can connect with others who are dealing with the same health condition(s).

An example of how Cafe Well can benefit health is a challenge called "Race to the Moon", many have gotten moving and greatly improved their health through this program through various means, including wireless pedometers that are offered free that track the steps of those participating, and provide rewards for accomplishments. Of course the greatest reward is seeing the changes that will take place in your body, and the feeling you get from knowing you are in good company through Cafe Well's Social Network as you work to achieve your goals. I am so very interested in this program, that as soon as I am finished posting this, I'm off to do some more exploring at the site. I hope you join and look for me. It would be fun to participate in a challenge geared toward improving eating habits and I must be more consistent about my walking. Hope to see you at .Cafe Well.

Cute Baby vs Puppy Pictures are Good Medicine

2011-11-17T20:00:00.001-05:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Puppies vs. Babies for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Sometimes the gray winter days that are now shortened by daylight savings time can bring on the blues. That's when there's nothing like taking a look at VERY cute pictures at the Puppies vs. Babies online contest.. They lift your spirits, make you smile, make you laugh and are all around good medicine.

Many of you may know already that I'm a little biased towards dogs. Yes, babies are cute...I had two of them, but now they are all grown up, and we have our little cute, adorable, fur-baby, Aspen the Yorkie. If she had been entered into the contest, I'm sure she would have been a winner...it's too late for entries now, but it's not too late for looking and voting.
Have I introduced you to Aspen before? No? Well here she is...even if I have...can't get enough of showing her off:

Don't you think she would have been a winner if she had been entered into the Puppies vs. Babies contest? Well it may be too late for her, but it's not too late for a lot of other cute babies and cute puppies, so go cast your vote...and have fun looking at cute little babies and cute fuzzy puppies.
COMMENTS? Please let us know who you're going to vote for...cute babies or cute puppies...in the comments section.

Thanksgiving Memory and Recipe Collection

2011-11-12T23:16:00.001-05:00

I can't believe that Happy Nutritionist's Nuggets is going to be 6 years old in 2 months. So much has happened in those years. It brings back memories to search for a topic like Thanksgiving on the blog and read what has happened in the past years.

Thanksgiving will very unique this year. I have one brother who lives in a group home, and another brother who thought it might be nice if we hosted Thanksgiving Dinner for the residents at the group home, a wonderful idea. If all goes as planned, that is what we'll be doing this year. I am cooking the Turkey and making a vegetable dish, and other members of the family will do their part to add to the meal. We are praying for good weather, health, and a good time of sharing.Here is a collection from here and there of things I've written related to Thanksgiving that you might enjoy.

1. It is a tradition to watch the Thanksgiving Parade in New York City each year on Television, but if you like venturing into the city to watch, you might enjoy the helpful information at Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City

2. I may have shared this link with you before, but it's timely, so here it is again with a recipe for healthy home-made cranberry sauce...Cranberry Sauce from Bog to Table

3. What do you do with your Thanksgiving Leftovers?

4. This is a favorite Corn, Cabbage and Cheddar Cheese recipe you might like to try as a side dish this Thanksgiving.

5. Or how about a little Pumpkin Spiced Tea?

I'll be back to add more Thanksgiving themed posts soon.

Does Staring at a Computer Affect Vision?

2011-11-06T23:43:00.000-05:00

Do you ever wonder whether staring at a computer screen, or television, or the now-smaller screens of a tablet, kindle or phone affect your eyesight?I have been concerned about this lately because the amount of writing I'm doing online is increasing a lot.

In addition, I recently purchased an inexpensive mini-PC Tablet with Android so that I could not only read my favorite books using the Kindle application, but do a lot more. It do wear glasses that I got about 2+ years ago, and they have served me well, but it may be time to replace them. I can either take the trip to my eye doctor or use the prescription he wrote up for me back then and buy my eyeglasses online directly from the manufacturer. They are so much less expensive...ridiculously inexpensive actually...perfect for those with no vision insurance...and less expensive than I paid with insurance!

You do need a vision check and prescription, and most important, the proper lens measurements (I forget the proper term) especially if you are getting glasses like mine, which are progressive lenses, or bifocals. Shopping online has saved us so much money on many things we purchase, including our eyeglasses...which are quite attractive even though the price is low. You don't need to pay for a name brand to look good.

Now about staring at a computer screen for hours, here are some suggestions for you:

1) Look up regularly and look off to the distance to rest your eyes, and so that they have to refocus. There are doctors who say to look away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes...the 20-20 rule.

2) Have the computer screen 18 or more inches from your eyes.

3) Don't sit in the dark staring at a bright screen for extended periods, the lighting that surrounds you should be similar to what you are looking at on the screen.

It's not a bad idea to get up from your computer every hour anyway, for health reasons. Too many of us are sitting far to long at our computers, with no movement of the body at all except our fingers...this is bad for us in so many ways. Set an alarm to go off every hour and get up and do a short task, stretch, or take a short walk.

Getting away from the computer at regular intervals will benefit both your eyes and your body.

Women and Heart Disease

2011-10-12T15:34:00.000-04:00

Tomorrow I am going for an Echo-cardiogram...a painless test to take a basic look at my heart, because of some symptoms I've been having. They could simply be stress (we've had loads of that lately) or an intestinal/digestive thing, but my doctor seems to have the insight to realize that a woman's heart attack symptoms are not the same as a mans...and yes, I've had some of them.

My BP has been high, my blood test was normal, my EKG was good except for my irregular beats that I've always had when under stress. So what are the symptoms a woman might experience? Even before a heart attack, if you are experiencing shortness of breath or more than usual fatigue, these could be a sign that something is brewing.During a heart attack you may experience any one or more of the following:

Pain/pressure in the upper chest
Nausea and Vomiting
Pain in the back, neck, jaw
Discomfort in the lower abdomen that may be confused with stomach problems
Shortness of breath
Sweats
Confusion
(Do a search online for "womens heart attack symptoms" for more)

The first symptom, pressure and pain in the chest, is the one that women are less likely to experience...but they sometimes do.

Some information that I've read says that if you think you are having symptoms like this and go to the emergency room, tell them that you think you are having a heart attack, especially if chest pain is not present, because if you just tell your symptoms and they do not include the chest pain, you are less likely to checked for heart disease or heart attack.

In fact, when you make your 911 call, which you should do if symptoms persist for no more than 5 minutes or so, tell them you think it's a heart attack so they'll get a paramedic to you and get you right into the hospital. It's better to be safe than sorry...embarrassed by it not really being heart disease than having a heart attack down the road with much more serious consequences. I'll let you know what happens...I'm pretty sure I'll be okay, but you just never know.

Do You Talk on Your Cell Phone When Eating Out?

2011-08-28T00:01:00.001-04:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Straight Talk for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

I love having a cell phone in a practical sense, but don't use it when I'm out eating with a friend at a restaurant. In fact, my experience eating out with someone can be greatly affected by a cell phone if a person hasn't planned ahead so that they do not have to answer their phone. For some people, cell phones are almost an appendage, a part of them, it seems any time is a good time to call a friend or text.

When raising my children they weren't quite into the times when children carried around cell phones, that began late in their high school years, but we taught them manners when it came to cell phone use - when it was right to use the phone and when it was rude...such as when you should be giving undivided attention to a friend. I think they learned pretty well, mom knows best after all, right?

Speaking of cell phones, I do want to take a moment to introduce you to Straight Talk, a service with no contracts that provides you with everything you need for a low, low price....for example, unlimited phone use, texting with pictures and web access runs at about $45 each month...and again, since there isn't a contract, it's a month to month thing. There's no activation fees, and much more that you should explore if you want to save a lot on your cell phone. With that savings, why don't you enjoy extra nights out at restaurants with your wife, husband, child, or friends....and at least while your out, when appropriate, silence your cell phone and give the person you're with quality time and attention.

My Freezer Died and a Hurricane is Coming

2011-08-25T16:57:00.001-04:00

What losing a freezer that I've had for 25+ years and Hurricane Irene have to do with the other, I'm not sure, except for the fact that if we lose power, I won't have to worry about what to do with all the extra food in my extra freezer since that was done late last week and early this week. It's funny how you get attached to things...that old freezer has been with us for most of our marriage, we hated to see her go, but as a result, I'm not tempted to buy more food than I need just because there's extra space to store it. But it served us well while we had it.

As for Hurricane Irene...those of you in the path...are you prepared? Do you have your plans made for this or any other natural disaster? Here's some things you should be thinking about when it comes to food and water:

- Have a plan for what you'll do with food in your refrigerator or freezer if your power goes down.
- Have enough drinking water on hand...we will be filling a very large Gatorade water cooler that we have, plus have quite a bit of bottled water on hand, and juice, etc.
- Do you have the ability to cook if there is now power? We live in a situation where our oven and stove top use propane, a large tank that we take to be filled ourselves, so are okay there, but you may not...barbecuing may be possible, but these are things you should have a plan for.
- You may want to put together a meal plan in advance.
- Non-perishable foods are a good idea for times like this, though personally, since I'll still be able to use my stove or barbecue grill, I'd be wanting to cook the things that are going to thaw out in my freezer if the power goes down.
- What will you do with the foods in your refrigerator that will go bad quickly if not cold, like milk, salad greens, cheese and such? If the power is only down for a day or so, nestling it between some of the foods in your freezer until it, too, thaws might save it for a while until you can find a way to use it.

Be sure to visit the emergency management website for your State for further information on what to do to be prepared for Hurricane Irene, and may we all come through this fine...better yet, may things not be as bad as predicted.

I always had good Blood Pressure..what happened?

2011-06-21T17:03:00.001-04:00

My last physical revealed that, for the first time in my life, I had borderline high blood pressure. What happened? Where did I go wrong? I've always prided myself in having good blood pressure. 130 to 140 over 70 were standard readings for me. In fact at my physical a few years ago, my doctor said that for my age my blood pressure was really good. Okay, so the "at your age" part didn't thrill me, but knowing that my blood pressure was good did.

That all changed during my last physical. There are many factors. My weight was a little bit more, but my BP has been good at this weight. There has been a great increase in stress...big time...over the past several years, maybe that is catching up with me? My diet is pretty good, but maybe there are things I need to address in the diet. Here are a list of things that I'm doing, and if you happen to be reading, and know of other things that I could do, please feel free to comment.

1. I don't use regular salt, but sea salt...in moderation...yes, even though it's supposed to be better because it has extra trace minerals that counter the affect of sodium's affect of blood pressure, they aren't quite enough that you can use sea salt freely.
2. I'm taking off extra weight
3. I'm trying to walk more...used to do that so regularly, and have been "bad" about that recently
4. Stress...well that usually shoots me over the top, to the point that I get broken blood vessels in my eye. I can't do much about sudden stressful circumstances, like when my dear husband has a health emergency, family emergencies, any emergency...but I can do something about thoughts about all the worries "in between" emergencies. I've downloaded an audio bible and put it in my MP3 player to listen to, as well as inspirational music. Filling that void when I'm alone with prayer and uplifting things should help.
5. I'm evaluating my supplements. I've read some information on Magnesium, and want to research more about blood pressure lowering herbs. In fact, if you'd like a fact sheet about one that I'm going to try, please let me know.
6. MOST IMPORTANT, take my blood pressure at least once, but better, more than once a day...at different times...morning, early afternoon, evening...keep a record and share it with my doctor, as well as watch for improvements by keeping a Blood Pressure Diary.

Using a Neti Pot to Clear the Sinuses

2011-06-10T08:01:00.002-04:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Walgreens for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.
Writing about Walgreens Brand Health & Wellness Products like my Neti Pot is a pleasure because it's one of the first things I purchased at our local Walgreens store, and it's something I use frequently now that the season of pollen is upon us. For those of you that don't have a Walgreens close to you, or are unable to drive to the store, the product is available online as well.
Though traditionally the Neti Pot is used on a daily basis just like you would brush your teeth and comb your hair, my husband and I use ours as we need them. Traditionally each member of the family had their own Neti Pot for sanitary reasons. After I purchased mine, and told my husband how well it worked, he purchased one too. They give instant, natural relief by washing out the sinuses, and I like the fact that the Walgreens Brand Health & Wellness Products are much lower priced than similar products. Plus they give you all you need to make many batches of saline solution to "pour" through the sinuses. It's not hard to do this, and the relief makes it so very worth it. It has saved us from taking pain killers for sinus headaches many times.
When I shop for Walgreens Brand Health & Wellness Products I know that I'm supporting a good cause, the Walgreens Way to Well Fund™ . This program provides help to those in the local community in the form of free preventative health and wellness tests, and similar services. Visit "Walgreens Way to Well Fund™" for more information. Oh, and don't miss the Walgreens Gift Card giveaways!

From Food Pyramid to Food Plate

2011-06-05T11:40:00.000-04:00

I was pleased to see the new food pyramid...I mean circle...actually it's a plate. I have always felt the food pyramid was too complicated for many. Looking at a simple plate, with portion amounts shown on the plate in colors is appealing to the eye, and easy to understand...even for children.

When I used to meet with people for consultations, for years, I would do something very similar. When explaining how much of each food group they should eat, I would say to look at your plate, this much should be meat, this much grains, etc., and would draw a diagram to explain. Now this simple concept is being used by the USDA. Since I'm not sure whether the image is copyrighted, may I invite you to visit the USDA ChooseMyPlate page for more information.

If you are interested in portion control dishes, which are used by many for weight loss or weight management, please visit this page for Portion Control Meal Measuring Dishes.

Genetically Engineered or Modified (GMO) Foods

2011-05-20T09:35:00.001-04:00

Genetically altered foods are something I've heard a lot about, but not taken as seriously as I should. For me, there is nothing like taking time to look into something in order to write about it to open my eyes to things I haven't seen before. And that's just what happened to me this week.

I am still learning how best to put into scientific words what all of this is about, but generally, it is altering the characteristics of an organism by injecting it's DNA with genes or other properties(?) from another organism. This tampering with the natural structure of, for example, corn or soy beans, common foods that are altered in this way, is naturally of concern to those of us who want to eat foods as close to the way God created them as we can in our tainted environment.

I went into greater detail on this at another page, with compelling videos and more links to sites that are passionate about the subject at Non-GMO or GMO Free Food List and Information Sources. I invite you to take time to read it for your health's sake, and am open to input if I have incorrectly stated anything.

Health and Wellness from Walgreens

2011-05-01T01:01:00.005-04:00

This is a compensated post written by me on behalf of Walgreens. All opinions are 100% mine.

A little over a year ago a new Walgreens store was opened in our area. We live in a community that covers a large area, but has a small-town atmosphere in Northern New Jersey.

I decided to try one of Walgreens Brand Health & Wellness Products and chose one that interested me because of my love for natural products and Green Tea. When my product arrived it was a package of 30 Green Tea (extract) caplets that are said to help curb appetite, burn calories and boost energy. The price is better than many national brands that contain almost all of the same ingredients.

Though I always buy store brand when I can to save money, and have purchased other products with the Walgreens name on them, I had never tried this product before. I believe it will be helpful to someone who does not have to avoid products that contain naturally-occurring caffeine, or herbs that act like caffeine, like guarana. Both of these ingredients are found in this product. It is suggested that you take 2 caplets a day, one in the mid-morning and one in the mid-afternoon. For many, this may be a safe and effective way to increase metabolism as part of a weight-loss program because all of the ingredients are natural, it is drug-free, and has the added bonus of calcium and a natural antioxidant, EGCG.

In case you do get a product that isn't exactly what you were expecting, it is good to know that they all come with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. During difficult economic times and with the rising cost of health care, it is also good to know that you can save your family money because the products are such a good value. I appreciate lower priced products that contain many of the same active ingredients that national name-brand products contain, and that are pharmacist recommended, and am sure you do too.

You will also want to visit to learn more about Walgreens Way to Well Fund™ and see the great products offered. I noticed many with free shipping options available. Let us know in a comment about your experiences with Walgreens Brand Health & Wellness Products.

Have you ever heard of Vulvar Cancer?

2011-04-29T15:15:00.000-04:00

Today I was reading a web page at one of my favorite sites...a daughter shares her mother's experience with Vulvar Cancer.

I had never heard of this type of cancer before, and appreciated the detail with which this woman explained the disease that is unique to women. Because it seems that so few know about it, I want to share a link to her page, where it shares early signs of the disease that you might take for granted, and we know how important early detection is with cancer.

Here is her page, My Mother's Fight with Vulvar Cancer. I hope it helps someone, gaining much more knowledge has helped me.

Considering Changing Over to Organic Olive Oil

2011-04-17T12:16:00.000-04:00

Extra Virgin Olive oil, now often called "EVOO", is the only oil I use as a cooking oil. We have an oil and vinegar salad set with olive oil in the oil bottle, and balsamic vinegar in the vinegar bottle to sprinkle on our salads. Except for occasionally seasoning a dish with Sesame Oil, olive oil is really the only oil that we have in the house. This is because I am convinced that the olive oil is beneficial to the health, a reason why many more are using olive oil than ever before.

I must admit that I haven't gone out of my way to find organic olive oil, but maybe it is something to be considered. How oils are processed and how they are bottled can have an affect on their quality. I do make sure that the oils I purchase are cold-pressed, as heat processing can destroy some of the valuable nutrients. I store ours in a cool dark cabinet and purchase in darkened glass bottles as light can affect the taste and quality of the oil. I have tried to keep olive oil in the refrigerator, but it tends to harden. Some suggest using and unopened bottle of olive oil within a year, and an opened one within 6 months.

Olive oil is high in fat content, but the healthy kind of fat that is beneficial to the heart. It contains monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs). This type of fat is better than saturated fat and trans fats. Still, because of it's high fat content, it is best to use it as an alternative to other fats in recipes than in addition too. For example, rather than slathering butter on bread, some now enjoy dipping in seasoned olive oil.

To me, it's easy to see why so many have turned to olive oil as their oil of choice, and now I have to take some time to explore the increased benefits of organic olive oil.

Image credit: giangrandigourmet.com - Beautiful site!

Mouth-Watering Meals Using Campbells Recipes

2011-04-09T23:20:00.000-04:00

Many years ago, I had a Campbells soup recipe cookbook that I loved. It got miss-placed, and I was so excited when one was available at a garage sale I went to. It had so many easy and delicious recipes using various soups by Campbells. I was working out of the home at the time, and loved the crock pot recipes that were so easy to make and tasted so good when the soup suggested in the recipe was added.

That was before the internet and home computers...and now computers that you carry around with you in your cell phones. Now I can find these mouth-watering Campbells recipes online so easily. I just visited the link I shared, and must have the slow cooker chicken with dumplings recipe I saw using a Campbells soup in it before the the cool weather leaves us here in the Northeast. I tend to think winter and crock pots go together, though that's not necessarily so, as using them does not heat up the kitchen as much in the summer. They are great times savers and it's so nice to come home to a home-cooked meal ready to eat after a long day of work.

There were many casserole recipes, another way to cook that is quick...a number of the casseroles I make can be cooked in the microwave. Then there are the budget Campbells recipes, who doesn't live on a budget these days? I know I do. Even the soups alone are a great meal on a budget, popular flavors in the USA being Campbells Tomato, which I love with a grilled cheese sandwich; Cream of Mushroom which is in my personal opinion one of the most common soups used in casseroles and similar dishes, and Chicken Noodle Soup.

It was great to be given the opportunity to write about Campbells Recipes, both because it brought back many memories and provided me a source to find some old favorite recipes online. I found over 20 Casserole recipes, about 20 budget recipes from Campbells, 20 main course recipes (I am feeling very hungry about now looking through these recipes!), and some new pork chop recipes to try. My husband will be happy about that, he loves pork chops, but I've been cooking them the same way for a long time. I'm excited! Can't wait to try some of these easy meals.

Japan's Radiation vs Food Irradiation

2011-03-23T15:31:00.000-04:00

A run on Iodine Tablets has occurred since the earthquake and tsunami in Japan due to concern about radiation exposure from damaged nuclear power plants. Japan's coastline, and many other coastlines, including the California coastline, is situated in the "ring of fire" area of the Pacific Ocean, with greater potential for earthquakes than many other places due to tectonic plate movement under the ocean and faults on land.

The damage to the nuclear power plants and release of radiation that has resulted has lead to fear all the way to the coast of California. Sellers of Iodine Tablets have done well, no doubt, as a result, as many fear exposure to the negative affects of radiation. In some cases, especially in Japan, the concern is valid, here in the US in California where many have been buying the tablets, I'm not so sure.

Time will tell whether concern is valid...we are a media-driven society that tends to panic at the latest reports, sometimes the panic is justified, sometimes not.

For those living in Japan, which includes one of our nieces, there is valid concern about radiation appearing not only on and in individuals, but in the food they eat, and the milk and water they drink. What does one do in a situation like this? Will there be any foods safe to export from Japan? Debates abound on some news stations about what is considered to be a safe level of radiation. I must admit that I have more questions than answers myself. I'm from the generation that carried signs when nuclear power plants were being built shouting "no nukes, no nukes", though I can't say I ever fought the matter...more out of ignorance at that time in my life than anything.

Some confuse radiation such as the kind caused by nuclear power plant damage with that of irradiation of food. Irradiation does not increase levels of radiation in food, but it change the chemical structure of the food, breaking down chemical bonds, and in doing so, makes the food not what it was intended to be.

You will find many links to information about safe radiation levels and the health affects of radiation at this Environmental Protection Agency link.

Stainless Steel Sink Memories

2011-02-24T23:26:00.001-05:00

When we remodeled our kitchen YEARS ago, we replaced our old kitchen sink with a stainless steel sink that we purchased at a large mall. After all these years, when we polish it up it looks as good as new. This is one of the things I like about stainless steel kitchen sinks, the fact that they are so durable and so easy to make look like new that they last for a long, long time. If the day comes that I need to replace ours, it will definitely be with stainless steel. In the apartment we lived in when my son was a baby, we had a double stainless steel sink...so he could be sitting in one sink when he was very small, of course (he's 29 now)...and I could be washing dishes in the other while he played in the water.

When we shopped for our current sink, you couldn't buy them online (that's how long we've owned it!), but now it's easy to find a stainless steel kitchen sink and have it shipped to your home at a good rate, and if you need other accessories, you can get them without having to make a trip to the busy shopping center or mall. I love shopping online!

Dinner by Candle Light

2011-02-15T11:30:00.000-05:00

Did you have a romantic dinner by candlelight on Valentines Day? Did you eat out, or provide the dinner and the romantic atmosphere at home? I can honestly say that I did provide a nice dinner with delicious shrimp, and some favorite foods that I know my husband loves, but forgot about lighting any candles. I do love candles, though, which makes forgetting to use them even more disappointing, but there's a reason why it may not have crossed my mind.

I have candles on our fireplace mantel, candles in the bathroom, candles on the kitchen table, and candles in the bedroom. BUT, I can tell you that when I recently lit the ones on the mantel, I started sneezing, and seem to be having trouble with some of the scents in the candles or something, I'm not sure what. It interested me to find out that there are flameless candles on the market. Obviously, without a flame I wouldn't have the sneezing fits, and the candles wouldn't run down, and there would still be that romantic and warm atmosphere. I believe they use LED lights that flicker in a way that makes them look real, but would want to try them to see just how real they are, so am thinking of doing the free trial offer. I miss the warm glow of dinner by candlelight, or the lights being low in the living room and watching the candles flicker on the mantel.

Valentines Day and Heart Attacks

2011-02-15T11:10:00.000-05:00

Did you have a nice Valentine's Day yesterday? My husband and I celebrated our 32nd together...31 of them as a married couple. People say that's an accomplishment, I say it's a commitment that we made to one another to enjoy the good times together, and work through the challenging ones, and we've had our share of those. We take our vows before God seriously, if we didn't, I can honestly say I'm not sure where we'd be. I can tell you that if you don't work through the challenges, in many cases you may be missing out on the miracle of a stronger relationship on the other side of the challenge. A healthy marriage relationship is better for us in some ways than food.

Most of you know that my husband has had a heart attack, and ongoing heart issues, we did have another scare last month that put us in the emergency room for a night, but he is doing well. This is National Heart month, not surprising that they would call it that since it is also the month of Valentine's Day when everyone is looking at heart cards and decorations. How are you doing with looking after your heart? Here are some posts from the past related to the heart:

Sea Salt is Better for Your Heart
My Husband's Heart Attack Part 1
My Husband's Heart Attack Part 2
My Husband's Heart Attack part 3
ORAC - Free Radicals and the Heart
Heart Attacks and Women part 1
Heart Attacks and Women part 2
Anger and Heart Health
The Connection Between the Heart and the Tomato

Take care of your heart, and the one you love, "for better or worse, richer or poorer, 'till death do us part".

Mice in our Kitchen Cabinet

2011-01-29T23:00:00.002-05:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Victor Pest. All opinions are 100% mine.
One of the most difficult things about our country cabin living is the mice that frequent my kitchen cabinet. I know that this isn't something that only happens in the country, but it seems like we have more than our share of the critters...both mice and little moles or as we call them mole-mice.
Our Yorkie is naturally inclined toward chasing mice, and tries her best to bark them away, but it isn't enough. The evidence that they've been around is there each morning. Sometimes they even find their way up into our utensil drawer, which means cleaning everything in the drawer to rid it of the bacteria and droppings they leave behind. We have tried a trap that catches them live, then we let them go out in the cold and snow...they are actually kind of cute, so I hate to kill them.
As a child, my parents used the spring type traps by Victor®, a company that has specialized in rodent control for as far back as I can remember, and being an animal lover, there would be times when the trap didn't do the job completely, and I'd find myself rescuing the little partially-trapped creatures and letting them go. But we do need some kind of rodent control. Victor® now has a full line of traps that I would have loved to see as a child. The are efficient, yet safe for children and pets, and non-toxic. They include a sonic or ultrasonic pest chaser that emits a sound that keep the rodents from coming into the home in the first place. This I like, it is more merciful to the animals. Since the sound doesn't travel through walls, more than one may be needed. Victor is offering a special with free shipping that includes: (1) Victor® Sonic PestChaser® Heavy Duty Sonic, (2) Victor® Sonic Mini PestChaser® Ultrasonic Rodent Repellent, and (2) Victor® Electronic Mouse Traps. I think I'll look into this safe and humane solution to the mice visiting our kitchen cabinet.

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Living Near a Spring Fed Water Source

2011-01-22T00:00:00.000-05:00

Between 25 and 30 years ago, my husband and I lived in Haledon, NJ, not far from a source of spring water. All residents of the Town had access with a key given only to residents by the Town to this source of water. It was just around the corner from us, so we regularly went and filled bottles full of delicious drinking water. It was so very much better than the chlorinated tap water we had at the time. I'm not sure whether they still offer this service to residents of Haledon, but it was a wonderful thing while we were living there.

There is a site that tells you, by state, where to find sources of spring water near you called findaspring.com - you can look at the "Springs by Region" tab along the top and find the spring water source closest to you...in and in some regions outside of the United States.

Sources of good water are hard to come by, so treasure it if you find one!

Learning About Foods By Trying them Free

2011-01-19T23:57:00.004-05:00

I just finished typing a post about saving on groceries, and then came upon a site that gives you the opportunity to try things for free. This can be helpful if you are interested in learning about a food or kitchen item, but don't want to spend the money until you know more. I find it hard to imagine that you can really get free cell phones, but for the kitchen, I noticed there were offers, at least at the time I am typing this, for free Magic Grip Jar Openers; free Fiber Plus Cereal; free samples from Gerber and also free Enfamil samples for new mothers; free Men's Health Guides; free french fries and the list goes on and on.

Can I suggest something? When you visit sites like this, don't just go through the list and get anything that you see for free...get things that interest you, or you will overwhelm the party that is giving away free things. You are not likely to try something that doesn't interest you once you receive it anyway. I remember once I was offering free stuff and there was simply no way I could provide for all the people that contacted me, but I am not a large company either.

I love the idea of free trials when it comes to helping people decide whether a product is something they would like to use in the future.

6 Ways to Save at the Grocery Store

2011-01-19T23:00:00.000-05:00

From gas to groceries, everything is getting more expensive, challenging our dollars to stretch further and further. We have to find ways to spend less on groceries while still getting the things that we need to feed ourselves and our families. Here are 6 ways to save money at the grocery store. Some are obvious, but maybe during better times, you have gotten out of the habit of practicing them, so it's time reconsider these simple ways to save.

1. Clip coupon and use your store's discount card - Most stores have cards that give their regular customers discounts on select items each week. Our ShopRite offers what they call a "Price Plus" card. That, added to coupons that you clip, or are sometimes generated at checkout, can give you significant savings.
2. Buy more staples than prepared foods. It is easier to buy a box of macaroni and cheese, but is it more economical? Sometimes if may be, but you may be trading good nutrition by purchasing prepared foods with all the additional chemicals added. More often than not, a large box of macaroni and a block of cheese will make more servings for your family than one box of prepared macaroni and cheese. And you have the option to buy a better pasta...I like to use multi-grain pasta in my Macaroni and Cheese. The next time you go shopping and pick up a box or bag of an already prepared item, ask yourself if you can make that at home for less. If you can, then put that item back in favor of less expensive staples.
3. Buy in bulk and buy extra when items are on sale. Consider the food items that you use most often. Cereals, meats, vegetables, condiments, juices, and paper products can be bought in bulk usually at a lower price at food warehouses like Costco, BJ’s, and Wal-Mart. Of course, storage will be a factor here, but do the best that you can. We have an extra freezer, and I only buy meats at our "regular" supermarket when on sale and get an extra package each time so that we are always eating meat that was purchased on sale, and have a variety in the freezer at all times. I do this with frozen vegetables as well.
4. Don’t shop when you are hungry. Shopping on an empty stomach means that you will pick up more things than you need. You are more likely to pick up that bag of chocolate chip cookies or that box of donuts when the growling gets underway.
5. Take a grocery list with you. I keep a list going as things run out during the week and limit my shopping to what I need plus specials as mentioned above. Check your cabinets and the fridge to see what you need and write them down, and stick with your list as much as possible.
6. Shop at the same stores. This is easy for us as we are in a relatively rural area and there's only or two large stores in the area. Going to the same store each time makes you more familiar with the prices so you can estimate your bill as you write your grocery list.

Rising prices don’t have to mean a lean dinner table. There are ways to make your food dollar go further and if you take the time to implement the ideas listed above as well as others of your own, you’ll see savings each and every time you shop.

A Sauce that is a HOT Item in our house!

2011-01-12T18:00:00.001-05:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of TABASCO® Original Red. All opinions are 100% mine.

I am so excited about the opportunity to tell you about a delicious aged to perfection liquid spice treat that we enjoy in our house frequently, so frequently that we buy the large sized bottle of it. It is almost a staple when we make eggs, sprinkling some TABASCO® Original Red sauce onto them in just the right amount, which is a little more for the guys in my home than it is for me.

Tabasco® may be on the minds of some as they think of their Super Bowl preparations, you can find some help at the Game-Day Party Menu planning page on the web. We have always enjoyed the traditional Buffalo Hot Wings, but I am reading about a special kind of pizza that you can learn more about at the Pizza Perfected page. Whether it's Super Bowl Sunday or not, one of these days we're going to try this one.

Tabasco® is not just heat, but has a delicious, unique flavor to it that comes from a special combination of salt, red pepper and distilled vinegar. The solution is aged to perfection for 3 years. (I'm reading this on the packaging of the sauce we bought recently).

The sauce was formulated in the mid-1800's by the Mcllhenny family, and to this day the company is known as the Mcllhenny Company located in Louisiana.

So who do you think will play in...and win the Super Bowl this year?

What is the Colonoscopy Procedure Like?

2011-01-11T22:53:00.000-05:00

Someone commented on my earlier post mentioning that I had a colonoscopy asking me to describe the preparation and procedure...I can do that, but want you to remember that this is my experience...your doctor may guide you through a different, but similar approach.

Preparation:

The entire day before the colonoscopy, I had no solid foods. And I waited 3 weeks from my doctor appointment until the day of the colonoscopy, so had time to get much more nervous than I should have...I'll know better next time. During the day before, I was able to have lemon italian ice, yellow gatorade (62 oz during the day), broth, anything liquid that was not dark or red. I was supposed to take 4 Dulcolax plus 230 grams of MiraLax or PEG3350 (same thing basicly), the latter is a powder mixed into another 62 oz bottle of Gatorade. I will not tell you exactly how this is taken, your doctor will, but will admit that I have IBS and a VERY sensitive colon, so tried just 1 Dulcolax in the morning to see how my body would respond...well it responded very powerfully, so I didn't take any more of that. I mixed about 1/4 less of the PEG3350 than the doctor suggested into the bottle of Gatorade and drank in the intervals suggested in the late afternoon/early evening. It lead to a real good cleanout. I was able to get some sleep in eventually...but up often..it's good to stay near a bathroom, but for me there was no cramping or pain.

My appointment was at about 7:30 in the morning. This was my second Colonoscopy, the first was 4 years ago, and I used an oral Fleets product and found that it was even more draining than the procedure that I did this time...still, I was quite weak and tired when I went for my appointment, this is to be expected. The biggest suggestion I can make is to get as much fluid as you can up until midnight the night before...you have to stop drinking at midnight...and drink the full 2 bottles of Gatorade as well as water during that time...one of them is your prep, the other just for fluids that contain electrolytes you need. The preparation dehydrates you by pulling fluids into the colon from the body, so you need enough fluid in your system.

Procedure:

The procedure is nothing, especially if you are put to sleep during it. You need a driver to bring you and take you home. You go in, register, change into your gown and lie down, get your intravenous, I was given oxygen right before being put to sleep...and you wake up feeling great, at least with the drug they gave me. You don't feel a thing, and are awake and walking within a very short time. I was offered my choice of juices to drink after waking. I was lead by a nurse or aid to the place where I changed into the gown, my cloths and pocketbook locked in a locker, and then left to change. Then was led to wait for my son, and on my way home in an hour or less from the time I woke up. My son drove me and it was about 2 hours between the time he dropped me off for the procedure and the time he took me home. When you get home, you rest and sleep off the rest of the anesthesia, which is very mild, but you shouldn't drive until the next day.

I had one pea sized polyp removed each time I had a colonoscopy of the kind that can turn into cancer if left alone. So I will have to go in to have this done again in 3 years.

That's all there is to it....anticipating it, and the preparation are "harder" than the procedure itself. And it's worth it, especially if they find something that shouldn't be there and remove it, along with your risk of developing colon cancer. If they find nothing, generally you can wait 5 years for your next look-see, your doctor will let you know.

So that's my story.

Finding the Right Formula for your Baby

2011-01-11T01:01:00.001-05:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of PBM Products. All opinions are 100% mine.

In the past I've shared that when my children were little, I nursed both of them, but also had baby formula on hand so that my husband could do one feeding each day when he came home from work. It also helped with the transition from the breast to formula that we chose to do over a period of 5-6 months. So our children, now adults, had the health-giving benefits of breast milk as well as a bonding experience with their father. These were special times and bring back special memories.

At the time, there wasn't the variety of formula that there is now, formula designed for different digestive systems I was visiting a website that sells baby diapers, and was surprised at the variety of formulas you could buy on diapers.com. They included milk based organic formulas, gentle on the digestive system formulas, and soy-based formulas for babies that cannot tolerate dairy. Babies that cannot tolerate dairy experience a lot of gas and pain and colicky symptoms. You can talk to your doctor if your baby is experiencing these symptoms, or, personally, I don't think it would hurt to try an alternative formula, but that is my personal opinion. You do want to make sure there is nothing more wrong with your baby than just the wrong type of formula.

The formulas mentioned above are made by Bright Beginnings, you can find Bright Beginnings on Facebook.

If you are a new Mom, I wish you joy as your raise your child, and can assure you that no matter how challenging it is for some of you now, the day will come when they are grown and you will miss these times. Enjoy!

A Happy Healthy Colon

2011-01-05T17:40:00.000-05:00

I may have posted on this blog a few months back that I had a colonoscopy, a test that can prevent cancer if done regularly. During the test, my second one in 4 years, they removed another poply of the type that can, if left alone, turn into cancer. So I feel that the effort and time involved is not wasted.

Then I returned home, and found that my digestive system was a good bit out of balance, likely because the bacteria in the colon was out of balance, so started taking a Probiotic supplement which helped tremendously.

I don't often use articles written by others, preferring to write my own material, but the following was helpful, so for today, I'd like to share this with you:

Boost Colon Health With Nutrition and Digestive Enzymes
by Darrell Miller

A healthy colon is the basis for a healthy body, with most of not realizing exactly how important a healthy colon is for obtaining and maintaining optimal wellness. When searching for a healthy body, colon health should be a primary concern, as it is the source for a lot of diseases and health problems. A healthy body depends on the maintenance of a healthy digestive system and elimination. Since food is the primary source of fuel for the body, if the wrong foods are eaten, the body will not function as it should.

The nutrients, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, amino acids, carbohydrates, and lipids that are found in the foods we eat are what give us the energy and resources that keep us alive. Sadly, the foods we eat are also loaded with toxins and unnecessary substances that prevent our body from removing waste properly. A healthy colon means a healthy body, so learning natural methods to achieve colon health is extremely important. Nutritious eating habits, cleansing diets, fiber sources, herbal remedies, and nutritional substances can all contribute to the body’s well being.

The food we eat ultimately determines how efficiently our entire body system works, with digestion being the body’s first line of defense against foreign invaders that cause disease. The digestive system is also responsible for supplying cells with the nutrients and compounds that they need. There are many factors that contribute to digestive disorder including overeating cooked food and not enough raw foods, constipation, wrong combination of food, caffeine, alcohol, tobacco, sugar and sweets, white flour products, stress, any imbalance in the body, lack of hydrochloric acid and enzymes, Candida overgrowth, colon and liver congestion, allergies, hiatal hernia, gallbladder problems, ulcers, and heart problems.

Americans usually cause the most harm to themselves because of the types and amounts of food that they eat. In order to break down food, the body uses hydrochloric acid that is found in the stomach. This acid is actually strong enough to dissolve metal and is used in the stomach to neutralize the inappropriate substances, toxins, and bacteria that enter the body through the food that we eat daily. On occasion, the stomach and the acid inside breaks down and digestive malfunctions result.

There are many nutrients that are recommended to assist in proper digestion. Digestive enzymes are critical for digestion of any food, with acidophilus being important for proper bowel function. Hydrochloric acid is crucial for the assimilation of vitamins and minerals, especially vitamin C and calcium. B complex vitamins promote a healthy digestive tract and assist enzymes in the metabolism of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. Sodium, which is stored in the stomach wall and joints, neutralizes the acidity in the body and is needed when there is a deficiency of hydrochloric acid.

With out hydrochloric acid in the stomach, calcium, an essential mineral can not break down and is not properly absorbed in the stomach. Fiber, essential for proper digestion and elimination of food, reduces the absorption of fat, inhibits bad estrogens from absorbing into the bloodstream, and helps to maintain a healthy digestive tract.

Additionally herbal aids such as capsicum, garlic, gentian, ginger, goldenseal, licorice, papaya, and psyllium powder are great for assisting with digestion. Taking a good digestive enzyme is the first step to promoting a healthy digestive system and properly function colon. As we age, digestive functions will decline which causes disorders such as fatigue due to mal absorption. Those over 50 should take a digestive aid on their heaviest meal to ensure that proper digestion is happening and good health will continued free form disease.

Author Resource: More information on colon health is available at VitaNet ®, LLC Health Food Store. http://vitanetonline.com/

Article From Selling With Articles

Top Cookbooks and Cookware Gifts

2010-12-10T23:54:00.000-05:00

Are you Christmas Shopping online this year for someone who likes to cook? It's not too late to shop and here are a few links to help you.

Yes, you'll probably recognize the shop, I've narrowed things down to a few categories so you don't have to search quite as much, and whatever item shows first on the page is the "top" book or product:

Best Selling Cookbooks

Top Selling Food Christmas Gift Baskets

Top Selling Cookware

This should give you a good start! I'll be back to add more.

Clean Your Teeth Naturally and Contest

2010-12-02T13:00:00.004-05:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Tom's of Maine. All opinions are 100% mine.

It's Thanksgiving weekend as I type this, and I hope you are all enjoying your Thanksgiving leftovers now if you have any. I was THANKFUL to be given the opportunity to share a special company and product with you that has been around for many years, long before we could visit websites and read all about companies and products, and that company Tom's Of Maine.

If you follow my blog(s) much you know my husband and I love Maine, and anything from that beautiful state has to be good!! In fact, some of our most "Wicked Fresh" times have been spent there. Tom's of Maine is having a contest at their "That's Wicked Fresh contest page" where you can "tweet" and "Facebook" your favorite "Wicked Fresh" moments and maybe win a $500 Target gift card or other prizes.

Tom's Toothpaste has been making natural, high quality toothpaste for over 40 years and has always been concerned about doing things in a way that preserves the planet even before "going green" became popular. Though known for their toothpaste, they also make a "Wicked Fresh" mouthwash, and other natural products using the essence of plants and flowers, but NO preservatives, in fact, a complete list of what is not included can be found at the site, as well as the natural ingredients.

So enjoy your Thanksgiving leftovers, then clean your teeth with Tom's.

A Different Kind of Thanksgiving

2010-11-24T23:32:00.000-05:00

First, I want to wish all a wonderful Thanksgiving...whether your eating turkey, or going vegetarian, enjoy your meals and give thanks that we are blessed with so many choices when it comes to food. Think of others who are not as fortunate, and if there is something you feel you can do to help, do it.

Our family will not be gathering for the main meal at one of our homes, but meeting at a restaurant for dinner around the middle of the afternoon, then to my Moms for pies and visiting. We tried this for the first time last year, and it worked out nicely. Not too much work for any one of us.

With the changes that life brings, traditions change, but one thing that does not change at Thanksgiving time is the many things we have to be thankful for.

Picture by paullew on Flickr

How to Treat Diaper Rash

2010-11-24T23:00:00.003-05:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Boudreaux's Butt Paste. All opinions are 100% mine.

It has been a while since I've had to change a diaper, but I remember well that very few things healed diaper rash on a baby's bottom better than ointments that contained zinc oxide.

I can still remember the smell of it, and how quickly it worked. This is one of the ingredients in a product given a name that gave me a chuckle when I first heard it, but then, after visiting the site and seeing all those smiling baby faces, and reading about this fabulous remedy for diaper rash and irritated skin, I found myself wanting to try a sample of Boudreaux's Butt Paste offered at the site.

It comes in sizes that are perfect for the diaper bag and the changing table. I would always keep a supply of everything in the diaper bag so that we could run out with our babies whenever we needed to. This product has been featured on the Today show as well as the tonight show, and on Oprah and other popular network programs.

Boudreaux's Butt Paste® was formulated by a pharmacist with direction from a respected pediatrician just for the treatment of diaper rash. Stop by and get a sample to try today.

10 Iron Mineral Facts

2010-11-21T00:41:00.001-05:00

Iron is a mineral that is important to many, but may be cause for concern for others. Here are some facts about iron:

1. Iron is needed and essential for the formation of hemoglobin found in our red blood cells.
2. Iron promotes transport of oxygen in the muscles through formation of myoglobin, also in the blood.
3. Iron helps prevent anemia...a result of iron deficiency...and helps to stimulate the immune system.
4. A lack of iron can cause fatigue.
5. Iron is found in organ meats such as the liver, heart, kidneys, shellfish, and in vegetables such as whole grains, dried beans, fruits, leafy dark green vegies, nuts, and blackstrap molasses...oh, and from cooking with cast iron.
6. Though there are vegetables that contain iron, some on vegetarian diets may benefit from iron supplements.
7. Iron deficiency is usually called Anemia, and some symptoms that may indicate it are pale appearance to skin, fatigue, labored breathing when exerting oneself, and heart palpitations...as always, these symptoms can be caused by other things, but it's worth considering if you are suffering from all of these symptoms together...your doctor can determine this through blood testing.
8. RDA for men is less than woman - for men it's about 10 mg and women, 18 mg especially when menstruating. Men are best off getting whatever iron they happen to get from their daily diet....do not take excess iron.
9. Vitamin C improves absorption of Iron, so you may want to take your iron with vitamin C supplement or drink of fruit juice like orange juice.
10. Use organic iron, not inorganic (ferrous sulfate) which destroy Vitamin E. Organic irons include ferrous fumarate, ferrous citrate and ferrous gluconate

For more mineral facts, click the link below or in the right margin under "Categories" for "Mineral Facts".

Are Store Brands as Good as Name Brands?

2010-11-20T00:00:00.003-05:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of PBM Products. All opinions are 100% mine.

In a day when most of us are trying to save money when we shop, it's sometimes hard to know where to draw the line between saving money and buying food that contains the nutrients necessary to keep us healthy. So how do we make sure that we are getting the nutrients we need in the foods that we purchase, even if they are generic or store brands?

In reading an article discussing the advantages and disadvantages of buying brand name formula vs. store brand formula, it occurs to me that it is important to read the labels and compare products. This is true with any food that you are purchasing. You want to compare not only the nutritional facts, but the additives that may be in the product you are considering.

In the article about formulas, it states that store brands can cost less because they don't advertise heavily, which is very costly. This savings can then be passed on to the consumer. In the case of baby formula, buying store brand can mean a savings of up to $600 a year to a family. The article also states that according to the new 10th Edition of Consumer Reports there is "no need for parents to choose expensive national brand infant formulas over their much more reasonable store brand counterparts sold at retailers like Walmart, Sam’s Club, Target, CVS, Kroger, Walgreens, and Babies R Us".

So read labels, and for the most part, be assured that you can safely buy store brands and save.

10 Facts about Vitamin K

2010-11-17T00:17:00.002-05:00

There are times when Vitamin K is good for you....and times when it is not depending upon certain health issues you may be experiencing...we'll cover that in this post...a continuation of a series on Vitamins I have been posting on occasionally.

Here are facts that you should know about Vitamin K:

1 - Vitamin K is necessary for the formation of certain proteins that are called "clotting factors" which as the name indicates, regulate the ability of the blood to clot.
2 -There are also factors that are important in the formation of proper bone mineralization and the health of the teeth.
3 - Some with Crohn's disease and gastrointestinal disorders are benefited by vitamin K.
4 - It is rare to be deficient in Vitamin K because it is manufactured by bacteria present in the intestines...another "good" bacteria when working properly and in balance.
5 - Symptoms of deficiency (many of these symptoms can indicate other things, too, so see your doctor if you have them) include hemorrhages such as bloody urine, blood in stools, nosebleeds and in pregnant women, miscarriages...but again, different things can cause these symptoms.
6 - Studies suggest that perhaps men and women aged eighteen to forty-four regularly consume less than the RDA of Vitamin K.
7 - Most Vitamin and Mineral Supplements do not contain Vitamin K as enough is available in the diet.
8 - RDA for Women is 65 mcg. and 80 mcg. for men
9 - Contraindications - If you are taking anti-coagulants for any reason...like Coumadin and similar drugs that the doctor gives you to keep blood from forming clots, be sure to get instructions from the doctor regarding Vitamin K, generally it should be avoided but to what degree, this is up to your doctor.
10 - Vitamin K is a Fat Soluble vitamin

Links to earlier Vitamin Related Posts:

My husband's experience w/ Vit. K and Coumadin

16 Facts About Vitamin A

10 Facts About Vitamin B12 & Sources

10 Vitamin D Facts

10 Facts About Vitamin E and Cautions

Reviews are In on the Nescafe Dulce Gusto

2010-10-24T00:02:00.003-04:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Nestle Dolce Gusto. All opinions are 100% mine.

There is a new coffee machine in town, with outstanding features that is receiving great reviews!

The NESCAFE Dulce Gusto machine is similar to Krups, using a high pressure approach that you would find in coffee house machines. The machine produces not only a great cup of coffee, but that delicious frothy layer that makes your favorite latte or cappuccino delightful. Your coffee-making experience is simplified by the fact that you use capsules designed for the unit containing 8 delicious varieties of Arabica Bean only coffee that can be customized to taste. These include but aren't limited to Espresso, Cappuccino, Mocha, Caffe Lungo, and Caffe Americano. There's Ice Cappuccino for those warm months, and for the cold winter months ahead, there is even a rich Hot Chocolate available.

All you have to do is put in the capsule which is specifically designed for the machine, and contains 100% Arabica roast and ground coffee. This is the only kind of coffee we use in our home, as we think the flavor is superior, and I have read that there isn't as much caffeine in Arabica coffee. I do notice it wakes me up in the morning, but doesn't make me as jittery...this, of course, may vary by individual.

Anyway, back to the coffee machine...50 readers of divine.ca were given the opportunity to use the machine and provide reviews You can visit divine.ca to read the reviews...they are honest reviews, giving the pros and cons of the machine.

Now, after writing all this, I have to go get a nice cup of coffee.

happynutritionist.com Has Been Updated

2010-10-22T23:45:00.015-04:00

Just a note to let you know that I spent some time over the past couple weeks, between my son getting his wisdom teeth pulled, and my preparing for and recuperating from a colonoscopy (an important preventative test...another polyp found and removed...benign) to update my website.

The header matches this blog now, and I want to give credit to "finalsense" for the header background. He made the template used on this blog...a link his wonderful templates that are compatible with blogger blogs can be found at the bottom of this page.

So, if you want to see the new, updated page, visit http://happynutritionist.com

Don't forget to sign up for my newsletter there, or here. You'll receive whatever items are now being offered at my main website.

Thanks for reading, and have a great weekend!

Organic Healthy Meals Delivered to Your Door

2010-09-29T16:02:00.001-04:00

"Organic" seems to be the theme of my posts today, and I have found another great source for completely organic diet meals delivered to your door. As you know, I have tried NutriSystem a couple of times now, and though I have lost weight with the program, the foods are not all that a person who loves organic food would want them to be.

And what about the person who needs to avoid gluten? Watch the labels on the prepared foods for some of the popular weight loss programs, as many products contain gluten not only because it is naturally occurring in the food, but it is ADDED to some foods. You can visit the link to find samples of gluten free meals offered at the site I've been looking at today.

The thing that attracted me the most was the idea of having healthy meals delivered each Friday, weekly, and the prices start at about $8 and change per meal. What a wonderful and reasonable luxury...having someone else prepare your healthy organic meals for you. It's also a great way to lose weight for the person on the go who doesn't have time to cook healthy meals for themselves.

I am going to be exploring this for myself, it looks delicious, like it will go nicely with the organic wine I am considering mentioned in my earlier post.

I Found a New Source for Organic Wine Online

2010-09-29T15:36:00.001-04:00

I do believe I've found a source for inexpensive organic wine...and a lot more.

I can only drink organic, because it doesn't have any added sulfates. Grapes naturally have some sulfates, I understand, but what occurs naturally doesn't seem to bother me, it's when they add more. I wake up with heart palpitations from it in the middle of the night...because if I do drink wine, it's with dinner or in the evening. Because of the problems with it, I stopped drinking it altogether, and still don't drink it often as it's hard to find good organic wine.

I was introduced to a beautifully done website that has great cheap wine. The landing page has a map of the world, you can click on the name of countries to view what they have to offer...or click one of the links along the left side. You can also do a search if you have a specific type of wine in mind. You can also sort by Organic and Biodynamic wine. They claim that all of their wine is under $30.

The company was founded by Etty Lewensztain, a native of Los Angeles, California. There is a video description of many if not all of the wines. The featured wine of the month at this typing is $10 a bottle, and sounds delicious!

This post contains both personal and sponsored information.

New Place for Grocery Shopping Online

2010-09-26T23:51:00.001-04:00

Our local food store allows you to order your food online, and have it delivered for a fee, and for a bit more money, they will come to the house and deliver it for you...but now I have been introduced to a site that has lower flat rate shipping than what I am paying to pick up my groceries, and free shipping in the US if the order is over $75...and who of us spends less than that in a week?

Of course, I don't see some of the perishables that we are used to, but the site makes up for it by having some of the harder-to-find foods that I've been looking for in our super market, international foods from places like Indonesia, Japan, China, Asia India and more. And it also has the everyday American foods we are accustomed too as well. There are thousands of foods, and they claim that the selection is growing daily. I'm going to be taking an even closer look at this site after I'm finished typing this, maybe you are interested in doing some online grocery shopping too, if so, let's take a look together!

This is great not only for the working person, but for those who for physical reasons cannot get out easily and shop, or those who live in cities and do not drive but use mass transit to get around, or just because, like myself, you like to shop online. They even ship internationally.

So, let me post this, and then do a bit of shopping through the link above.

(P.S. I've just been shopping around a bit, and the prices are amazing, between that and shipping either free or under $5.00, I think I'm going to be a new customer!)

The Salads at Wendy's Have Changed!

2010-09-26T23:34:00.000-04:00

No more Taco Salad, one of my favorites, or Mandarin Chicken Salad, my second favorite, now Wendy's has a new selection of salads...but they are quite good...and by the way, I'm not being paid anything to tell you that...it's just true!

It makes me happy to see that so many "fast food" eateries now have salad selections...not just burgers like the one pictured to the left, and at least at present, Wendy's is my favorite...today after church we went out to lunch as usual and I enjoyed the new salad with a chicken breast, dried cranberries, sliced green apples and some feta and/or blue cheese. You are given a packet of Walnuts to top it with and some delicious Pomegranate dressing.

Here's the link to Wendy's new salads.

Thankfully, they still have their delicious Chili...but today, salad was just right, just enough.

Don't Remodel, Give the Kitchen a Touch-Up

2010-09-23T23:14:00.001-04:00

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Glidden. All opinions are 100% mine.

Remodeling a kitchen can be a big and costly job. It is necessary at times, but there are those times between remodels, if you have lived in your home as long as we have, when the heart of the home...the kitchen...can do with a little touching up. I have oak grain cabinets and would never paint over them, but they could use a good going over with lemon oil.

Although I do wallpaper some rooms, painting is one of the easiest and quickest ways to brighten up a room. Deciding what colors to use to compliment your kitchen is not hard to do if you use something like Glidden paint testers so you can try colors before buying an entire can or more of paint, only to find it isn't what you expected. Lighting in your home can be so very different from lighting at the store. OR if you have already painted a room, the testers are easy to store and come in handy for emergencies when you need a touch up due to a scratch, or when the children have had a little too much fun in a room, and have left their mark.

We have a Home Depot nearby, and I'll bet there is one not to far from where you live as well. They have tools to help you coordinate Glidden paint colors, paint testers in all the colors you need and more, and pictures to inspire you as you plan to freshen up your kitchen...or other room in the house.

Just for fun, give the Glidden Room Painter options at their site a try.

It is just amazing what a little paint can do to brighten up a room...and your face when you look at the completed project...very gratifying!

Routine Medical Exams: Are You Up to Date?

2010-09-23T22:41:00.001-04:00

I'm on a "mission" of sorts to get my medical tests and exams finished before the end of the year, and the start of Fall means we are in the last quarter. I am insured under my husband's insurance policy, pretty close to reaching the deductible for the year, so it seems wise to get all the tests suggested by my doctor finished before we start a new year, and new deductible due. I am in my late 50's...hard to believe, but it's true, and before 2010 is over, making sure I get my:

Routine Physical - done
Skin cancer screening - done
Mammogram - done
Gynecological - this week
Colonoscopy (least favorite test...prep "stinks" but the procedure is easy) - date set for early next month - had polyp the last time so have to have one every 3 years until none show, then can wait the usual 5 years.
"Bonus" test - Echo Cardiogram - I think that's what it's called - an ultrasound of the heart to check on possible mitral-valve prolapse, and general "look-around" in abdomen while they're at it.

That should do it for this year, barring the unexpected. It's important as years go by to make sure you keep up with your physicals and the extra tests needed, I used to avoid them, but it's always worth it when something is found that will prevent you from future health issues...or when something is found early enough to cure.

Do You Have a Source for Wine Online?

2010-09-16T16:14:00.000-04:00

A few years ago, I purchased organic wine online, and really enjoyed it. I had to give up "regular" wine because of the sulfates in it. They gave me heart palpitations and other symptoms that weren't pleasant enough to make it worth purchasing and drinking it any longer. I know I am not the only one that suffers from this problem. I do like the convenience of buying my wine online, and am looking for other sources for organic wine...not that there was anything wrong with the place that purchased from previously, I just want to know that I'm getting the best for the money that I'm paying.

It has been a long time since I've had a good glass of wine, my husband and I don't drink often, and when we do, we like to know we're getting our money's worth. We tried a local store, but they offered only 2 different kinds of organic wine, and neither were as good as we had purchased before.

So if anyone reading this has any suggestions, it would be much appreciated!

Oh, and if you visit the "wine" link in the categories in the right margins, you'll find one or more posts about the health benefits of wine.

This post contains personal and sponsored information.

Lobster- Bar Harbor Maine Photo Tour #2

2010-09-13T00:20:00.002-04:00

We have just returned from a week in Maine, and enjoyed 3 lobster dinners from 3 different lobster pounds while there. Twice we purchased lobster and took it back to our hotel and ate at the picnic table.

Once we ate at the lobster pound. It is tempting to put up pictures of our lobsters before we ate them, but instead, here is a picture of what was left after we were done with two delicious lobsters, corn-on-the-cob, and cole slaw. Nothing fancy here, just a lot of fun and good eating!

For the picture before this one, please visit this link at Aspen the Yorkie, for the next picture, please visit this link at Election Reflections.

Win 100 Rooms for a Weekend for Your Event!

2010-08-26T00:06:00.001-04:00

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Hampton Hotels. All opinions are 100% mine.

What would you do if you had 100 rooms available to you for family and friends to gather for a weekend for free? Would you use the money you save for a big wedding celebration? Or a family reunion? Or pick a hotel near your favorite vacation location and invite your friends to join you? Someone is going to win just that in the Hampton Chain of Friends Sweepstakes, <-- click to enter---<< and it might as well be you...you can at least give it a try! I'm going to as soon as I finish typing this. You should also know that this is the GRAND prize, there are also 100 weekends being given away for lucky winners who enter the Sweepstakes, plus 3 of their friends.

I would LOVE to have a reunion with some old college friends that I've been reconnecting with, and with 100 rooms, they could bring a friend or family member along. What an amazing and fun weekend this is going to be for a lucky someone!

Of course another thing you have to consider for a big event like this is FOOD, places to see, things to do. When you visit the site, look for the link to "Travel Guides" along the top of the page and click, then select a city to get the Travel Guide for that area to provide you with information about restaurants, entertainment and more.

Thanks so much for reading...now I'm off to enter the Sweepstakes and see what happens...and to browse the site a bit, we are leaving for a week away in September and I've been looking for hotels for a couple of our stops along the way...I just did a search in Maine, and will also be doing one in the Boston area when I go back.

Egg Recall AND Deli Meat Recall

2010-08-24T16:34:00.001-04:00

Currently, we not only have the egg recall making the news, but a meat recall as well. Here is more information about both.

Eggs: The egg recall is leading to the recall of over 450 million eggs. The source seems to be a couple of Iowa farms that have a reputation for poor farming conditions. The first farm to recall eggs is the Wright County Egg farm owned by a business man named Austin DeCoster. The recall was as a result of salmonella poisoning. Later, another egg farm owned by him, Hillandale Farms, also recalled their eggs. When I look at the news reports, I wonder if the images I am seeing are actually from the inside of these farms, but wherever the footage is taken, it looks as cruel as I would expect from an egg farm that is only looking at chickens as $$ signs would look...chickens all lined up in a row crammed in cages that may never see the light of day. Don't get me wrong, I love my eggs, but prefer them from happy, free range chickens if I can get them that way.

They say look for pasteurized eggs..I've never done this before. The idea that eggs may carry salmonella is not a new one, the remedy being to cook them through or order them cooked through if you eat out...at least for the foreseeable future. Look for a local supplier, free range chickens if you can.

Deli Meat: This recall is fairly new and I don't know how far it will go from here, but for now, avoid deli meat made by Zemco Industries, sold at Walmart, as it MAY be contaminated with listeria. It has been used in the sandwiches made in the Walmart Marketside Grab and Go according to an alert on the news channel site, wtkr.com that were to be sold by August 25th or earlier.

There is always a food recall of one kind or another going on, to keep up with the latest, visit the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and use common sense when shopping for and cooking your food.

Egg image used under creative commons license, click here for more information about this image and it's photographer.

Loving Mexican or Tex-Mex Food

2010-08-17T11:47:00.000-04:00

It was my husband's birthday last month, and we spent the day driving around enjoying nature and the outdoors...taking photographs...then stopped for dinner at a restaurant with authentic Mexican food. I can't say that this was Mexican food Frisco style because we are in the northeast, and not in the Texas area.

However, if you are traveling this year to the Texas area, or moving down that way like a few friends of mine have recently, or happen to live close enough to Dallas or Frisco, Texas, you'll find some great Mexican restaurants in Frisco and Dallas that offer great Tex-Mex food, the restaurant name is "Mattitos". If anyone has been there to eat, I'd love to hear your comments, just thinking about food like this has my mouth watering...my husband and I love it. He is from out west where Mexican food was common, and "converted" me into a Mexican and Tex-Mex food lover after we were married...I had never had it before meeting him. That was a long time ago, and since so many wonderful restaurants have sprung up offering delicious choices.

Here's another great idea...for those who want to host a fiesta or celebration of some kind, there is a banquet hall in Frisco at Mattitos. Whether it's a celebration with guests that number from 20 - 200, there are private rooms available. You can view a menu at the site in advance, just visit one of the links and look at the bar along the top for "Menu", you'll see many familiar favorites like Tamales, different kinds of Quessadillas, Tostados, Tacos, Taco Salads, and so very much more...the prices are good, too.

Now I am hungry after thinking of all this wonderful food, and must go get some lunch! I hope you get to visit one of these Restaurants and tell us about your experience.

Children Back to School in the Heat & Health

2010-08-14T00:05:00.002-04:00

Since the children in our State don't head back to school until shortly after Labor Day, it is such a surprise to see that children are actually back in school in some states...this is especially difficult for those in States that are experiencing record heat. I love the idea of fitness, but hope that care is being taken not to overdo it, keep hydrated if you must go out and exercise, but if it is really hot, it is best not to risk exercise since there is no way to be 100% certain of the physical health of each child.

Fitness and diet is important, however, and we've looked at the topic more than a few times, here are some posts from the past that are just as relevant now as they were when first typed:

Here's to a happy and healthy school year for your children, whether they have already started, or still have a few weeks of summer vacation left. I hope you've enjoyed your children...I know that it's easy to look forward to the day they go back to school after a long summer...but I'm at the point in life where my children are grown, and what I heard while I was raising my children is true, you do miss them when they grow up!

Generic Products, Foods, and When to Buy Them

2010-07-30T01:46:00.000-04:00

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of PBM Products. All opinions are 100% mine.

I am such a bargain shopper that I don't have to think twice if a generic product is put in front of me along with a name brand, I always grab the generic and try it. It's rare that I'm disappointed. Sure it doesn't have the fancy packaging, in fact I remember one store, for a while, had an isle of generics and all were in plain white wrappings with black letters...until they decided to mingle them in with the other foods, and finally do away with them.

Now store brand items are just as good and often just as much as a bargain...and I'll tell you a secret, there have been many times when I've preferred the store brand over the name brand...who wants to pay more just to have a name on something? I sure don't. Someone wrote a great post called "10 Products to Always Buy Generic" that you may want to read.

There are times when we tend to be more concerned about generics, like when we are feeding a baby, because they can't tell us what they think of the taste of a store brand formula you may be trying to give them...except to cry. But even back when I was raising my little ones, they are grown up now, I shopped for the generic or store brands by comparing the labels to the name brands. I found little to no difference at all, so had no problem choosing the store brand...and my children never had a problem drinking the formula. I breast fed the babies for several months, and supplemented with formula...this was a special treat for my husband, because he loved to be able to hold and feed them. And it got their bodies used to formula so that the gradual change-over was an easy transition.

How Do You Make Sun Tea?

2010-07-30T01:09:00.000-04:00

Early this week I spent some time thinking about Sun Tea. I love iced tea, but there's nothing like taking advantage of the hot, sunny days to brew your tea in a jar outside in the sun.

When I first made sun tea, it was a simple process, and still is. Years ago I didn't know about sweeteners like Stevia, and never thought of sweetening my tea with honey, it was always lemon and sweet 'n low.

And mint! Oh I never added mint to my tea! What a cool flavor it adds.

If you's like to read my sun tea story, and recipe, and other helpful things about the tea, please visit Simply Sumptuous Sun Tea. Enjoy!

Manage Medical Lab Tests Online

2010-07-30T00:02:00.001-04:00

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of GoToMyLabs.com. All opinions are 100% mine.. All opinions are 100% mine.

GoToMyLabs.com is a clean and organized site with resources you can use, confidentially, to arrange lab tests, whether you are arranging Online Blood Testing, need to have thyroid levels tested, or are concerned about the possibility that you may be carrying some form of STD.

When you visit, hover you mouse over the lower part of the page where it shows you the step by step, and a window will appear explaining each step. Most of us will have visited a physician to find out what type of testing we need.

After your testing (you can search for locations for testing near you) you will receive notification by email within 24 hours of your test with a secure link so that you can review your results online, in the privacy of your home. No need to sit in a doctors waiting room and wait for your results unless you are one of those fortunate people who have a doctor who will tell you results on the phone...they seem to be rare these days...and none of us like waiting for news about medical test results!

So whether it's Online Blood Testing, Thyroid testing, tests for STD's, HIV, etc., you may want to visit this site and see if it is something that will be helpful to you.

How Nutrition Helped This Woman's MS

2010-07-29T23:16:00.001-04:00

This week I received the following story about how good nutrition and eating good nutrient-dense food helped a woman overcome her MS symptoms. I hope you'll enjoy this, and be encouraged if you are battling this disease. The same principles apply no matter what is happening in the body that is taking away our health and vitality.

My name is Colleen B. and this is my story. I had MS and lost my coordination; I couldn't walk, lost my eyesight, my hearing, and had a lot of other problems. I ended up in a coma. My brain swelled up and put pressure against my motor skills.

All I remember was combing my hair and I couldn't move my arms, I woke up 5 days later in the hospital in ICU. The doctors wanted me to take some type of medicine that I would have to shoot myself up with. I said no. They said they were not going to release me until I took the medication. At that time I couldn't walk at all. I was still in ICU and I demanded to go home. My husband was going to take me out without their release so they gave in and let me go home.

As soon as I got home I started researching natural cures. I hooked up with Dr. H. and he suggested that I do the Tri-Decathalon Full Body Cleanse by Wholefood Farmacy along with other suggestions. Within 5 months I went from not being able to walk, see, hear, or comprehend, to walking every day for an hour and a half, being able to see the beautiful colors, hear the birds, and comprehend to the point of becoming a Certified Nutritional Consultant and am working on my certification of being a Holistic Health Practitioner.

I thank God every day for giving me a second chance at life, and giving me the strength not to fall into the drug industries scams. I feel so grateful and so blessed for my achievements.

Colleen B - Conway, SC

10 Facts about Vitamin E

2010-07-20T15:48:00.003-04:00

Months have gone by since we've looked at Vitamin Facts, here are facts about Vitamin E, followed by links to the Vitamins we've already looked at:

1. Vitamin E is found in foods such as soybean oil, safflower oil, peanuts, wheat, rice, oats, leafy green vegetables, cabbage, spinach, asparagus, broccoli, egg yolks, and wheat germ.
2. Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that aids the body in neutralizing free radicals that may be damaging.
3. Studies indicate that Vitamin E may be helpful in preventing stroke and similar cardiovascular problems
4. Though studies are being done on prevention of heart attack, there are conflicting results...but hopeful signs.
5. Vitamin E oil applied directly to wound with potential of scarring (ie radiation burns, other wounds that cause scarring) will greatly reduce visible scars.
6. Of interest to Diabetics, Vitamin E may be helpful in the improvement of the action of insulin.
7. RDA for men is 10 mg. (15 IU) and for women, 8 mg. aka (12 IU). When taking supplement, make sure it is taken in d-alpha tocopherol form (non-synthetic).
8. Safe level above what is indicated above is said to be 800 IU, and therapeutic dose (taken temporarily if above 800 IU) is said to be 400-1200 IU.
9. CAUTION - Vitamin E has blood thinning properties, and should not be taken as a supplement if you are taking blood thinners such as Warfarin (Coumadin) and aspirin. Talk to your doctor about this...if you are going to an MD who has knowledge about Nutrition, otherwise, take my word for it.
10. CAUTION - If you are going to have surgery, including dental, stop taking Vitamin E supplements a couple of days ahead of time, again, it has blood-thinning properties.

Here are links to earlier Vitamin posts:

10 Vitamin D Facts

10 Vitamin C Facts, and Colds

Vitamin B12 Facts

16 Facts About Vitamin A

Children, Obesity and Fitness

2010-07-01T23:58:00.001-04:00

School is out for the summer, so your children should be getting more exercise than they did in school, even if the school had a good physical education program, right? Or are your children the type that spend a lot of time in front of the television, sitting and playing games on computers, and other activities that don't require any physical activity?

Schools can find ways to put together good elementary PE lesson plans and programs for those who are older, in high school, because they have the resources available to them to do so. Parents need to do the best that they can to find ways to keep their children active during summer months.

Why? Childhood obesity is becoming more and more of a concern as so many of the things children do don't require much physical activity, so the same programs that one would use for after school physical activity may be helpful to your child at home.

There may be Physical Ed. teachers or school administrators reading this post as well, thinking ahead to the coming year and considering what physical education program you will be using in the coming years.

Do your research, parents and teachers, for the sake of the children that you care for, whether at home or at school.

Updating a Kitchen, New Refrigerator and More

2010-05-22T23:59:00.002-04:00

I am in New Jersey, not San Diego, like a few of my cousins, and my Aunt and Uncle, so I am sure that a San Diego kitchen design for our little home may be out of the question, but we did get a new refrigerator this week. It's the first one that we've purchased that has an ice maker and cold water dispenser built in, even though they've been around forever. It was great to be able to find one at such a good price...it was a floor model, but is spotless and perfect, and we were able to get it for about 2/3 - 1/2 the price we would have paid if it was new.

When we redid our kitchen, it wasn't kitchen remodeling San Diego style, but it was something suited to our lakefront log cabin home. Our cabinets are light oak, I love light colors because it better suited to our small home than dark. I'll have to leave the San Diego kitchen cabinets to my relatives in San Diego, unless they can be shipped clear across the USA.

Funny thing, every time the ice maker goes off, my dog starts barking. I guess she'll get used to the sound soon enough, but until then....

Post contains personal and sponsored information.

Raccoon Visit - Yes, I Fed Her Healthy Bread!

2010-05-22T23:51:00.001-04:00

I thought you might like to see the raccoon that came to visit us tonight...my dog and husband chased her up a tree and when I came out and talked to her, she started down...so of course I went in and got some bread for her to eat, whole grain, of course. Got quite a few pictures, have given her the name "Golden Eye" because of what the flash does to her eyes.

We have a lot of wildlife around, and I enjoy all of it, from bears to snakes, to ducks to turtles, a long list of beautiful creatures that make their home in the forests surrounding us.

Hope you are having a wonderful weekend!

Mini Moments of Happiness

2010-05-21T23:58:00.001-04:00

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Dove Ice Cream. All opinions are 100% mine.

Ladies, this is especially for you! The makers of Dove Ice Cream are having a contest...one that will bring back happy memories, and maybe win you one of the following mini-prizes, and grand prizes they are:

A mini-getaway to Napa Valley
A mini-home makover (that would be my choice!)
Spa Services for a Year (that sounds good, too!)

So what do you do to win one of these prizes. Well, you have until June 7th of 2010 to enter. What you do is write a short essay at this link - "My Mini Moment" contest - and include a photo. You'll see more information when you visit the link.

You'll remember that DOVE® Ice Cream Miniatures only have 70 calories each, and each ice cream is covered with a delicious chocolate coating...pictured is the newest ice cream collection in the Dove Miniatures line, Café Collection featuring Java Chip and Cappuccino Flavors.

Have fun entering the contest, and I hope you win!

Even Nutritionist's Struggle With Weight Loss

2010-05-21T23:38:00.000-04:00

Yes, even health-conscious people struggle with weight loss. Years ago, when I was winning trips with a company that I have promoted supplements for it amazed me to see how many of the people getting up to receive their awards were very overweight. It just shows that many of us, no matter how health conscious we are, can struggle with weight issues.

I have 20 lbs I'd like to lose, and started to cut back on foods, but found that I needed a jump-start, so am doing a month or 2 of NutriSystem...then must, must, MUST discover what it is that I, personally, must do to maintain my weight. It seems to me that bread must be my weak point, as there is little to no bread in the NutriSystem program...there are lots of yummy goodies, but they are higher in protein.

NutriSystem isn't the only way to go, but I enjoy some of their foods (not all), and know the program, so it's easy to go back to when needed. I can have a $30 coupon sent to you, which can be used toward starting the program, no matter what special they are offering that you choose. Email me a nutritionist[at]happynutritionist.com

Look for NutriSystem under "categories" in the right margin for more posts about NutriSystem.

Nominate a Class for a Special Field Trip

2010-05-18T00:05:00.002-04:00

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Lunchables. All opinions are 100% mine.

School budgets are tightening, many schools will be cutting programs in my own State, and I imagine it's true in many others with the economic challenges being what they are these days. Things like field trips could easily be targets for cutbacks. But "Lunchables Lunch Combinations" isn't going to let that happen for quite a few lucky classrooms...they want you to come over and take part in their Field Trips For All give-away...visit and nominate your favorite classroom. Trips will be given away all over the United States.

Here's a video called "Alien Field Trip" that's a lot of fun and will give you just one idea of what kind of trips are being given away:

Personally, I nominated a classroom in a school I attended as a child that had a great impact on me in my growing up years. My children are grown and out of school now, so I'm not as in touch with teachers in our local area...but loved my childhood school.

A few final facts to keep in mind about this special opportunity:

"Field Trips for All" is part of Lunchables new initiative called "Project Potential".
Their desire is to provide children with hands-on experiences that will open their eyes to the world around them and all that it has to offer.
If you are 6 years of age or older, you can nominate a classroom by visiting the link in the text above the video.
50 Classrooms will be selected from the entries made from all over the USA for this unique experience.

Please do visit and nominate a school, and then come back here, if you like, and tell us who you nominated in a comment. You can tell us why you'd love your classroom or school to win, too, if you'd like.

So thank you to Lunchables for not only providing good lunches, but fun programs for the students who enjoy them!

Time to Watch my Culinary Herbs Grow

2010-05-17T12:35:00.002-04:00

I do love this time of year, the winter was cold and harsh, dramatic weather in the spring with much snow then much rain and flooding, but now all is green and beautiful. So is the changing of the seasons...like life, there are ups and downs.

If I were to judge how things were over the winter for my gardens, I'd have to say they were happy, as the plants have all come up healthy and are thriving with little help from me so far. Let me share a few of the culinary herbs in my garden this year.

Lemon Balm

Oregano

Mint

Actually all three of the plants above are from the mint family, this is why they like to take over the area of the garden they are growing in. They are hearty and tolerate fairly harsh conditions, like relatively poor soils, heat, and drought within reason. I also had Catnip which is in the same family.

They are so easy to grow, and each has a unique way of enhancing your dishes or beverages. For example, what Italian sauce is complete without some Oregano? And my Iced Tea in the summer just isn't the same if I don't take a sprig of Mint, clean it of the little bugs that enjoy it, then roll it between my hands to release the aromatic and flavorful oils then put in my steeping pot of tea or "sun tea" jar. Lemon Balm has a lemony flavor, I enjoy it on a few things, like seafood. Catnip tea is calming, and a lot of fun if you own cats!

Here is another article about hard-to-kill herbs and plants from Weeds and Seed Swap - you can click on the links of the plants mentioned in the article for more information about the plant.

Sea Salt is Better For Your Heart

2010-04-18T00:20:00.002-04:00

We have been using only sea salt for the past 3-4 years, because it is so much better for you. Sea salt contains many minerals in it that occur naturally as it forms in the ocean. Standard table salt, sodium chloride, does not contain these minerals, is very refined, and sometimes only has iodine added which aids in preventing goiter, a thyroid condition.

My husband has been told to avoid added salt in his diet because of blood pressure. In my reading, I've found that Sea Salt, or some of you may refer to it as salt sea, contains minerals that help to compensate for the negative affect that can happen if you use regular table salt, also known as sodium chloride. Among the minerals sea salt contains is calcium, magnesium and potassium...potassium and magnesium are both so important to proper pumping action of the heart...and potassium acts as a diuretic, compensating sodium chlorides tendency to hold water in the body tissues. I don't notice any difference between the flavors of the two salts, sea salt adds nice flavor, but in spite of all the claims, we still use it lightly. I have been doing some more reading that indicates that you can get a low sodium form of sea salt, and will be doing a little more research on this, curious to know how you can reduce the sodium in sea salt and keep all those good minerals.

Kitchen Staging and Home Buyer Tax Credit

2010-04-14T15:02:00.001-04:00

To many, the kitchen is the heart of the home, and has a big affect on the value of the home. If you love cooking, you will see "you" all over the room...the appliances you like to cook with, the dishes you like and so much more.

But when you are planning to move, some of what makes the kitchen home to you will need to be removed, so that it looks like what I like to compare with an empty canvas, ready for a new home owner to come in and paint with their own likes. Because the home buyer tax credit offered right now may not be available after the end of this month, more people than usual are looking at homes to buy, or selling their homes, so they can take advantage of the credit. An $8000 credit is a nice sum of money, my daughter purchased her home recently and was able to take advantage of this special tax credit.

How can you prepare your kitchen? Here are a few home staging tips for your kitchen if you are selling your home right now:

Remove Clutter - remove everything possible from your counter tops and any visible surface. Pack it, if you can, because you are planning to move, so why not get started? This will make your kitchen appear larger, especially if it is a small one like ours, and cleaner. If appropriate, a basket or bowl of fruit or vase of flowers may be a nice touch.
Clean, clean, clean - make sure all surfaces are clean, all kitchen cabinets doors are clean, in our case I have oak cabinets and would go over all of them with lemon oil to give them a good cleaning and because it is good for the wood. Do whatever is best for the surface you have in your home. Clean the inside and outside of appliances you will be leaving behind.
Repairs - Are all the doors on your cabinets hanging properly? Closing tightly? Tighten hinges that need it. Are all door knobs present? Would new door knobs or hinges improve the look of the cabinets? Look over everything that you will be leaving behind in the kitchen when you move and make sure it is in good repair.
Walls and Ceilings - If you have neglected your home for a while, these surfaces may need repainting, new wallpaper, or whatever is necessary to bring them up to date and make them look pleasing to the eye.

With the spring season upon us and warmer weather in the northeast, and the special tax credit available, many more are looking at homes than usual, so be ready, and I wish you the best in selling your home, or purchasing a new one!

This post contains personal and sponsored information.

Cancer Screening Tests for Women

2010-04-14T13:55:00.003-04:00

It's Cancer Control Month, and one way to control cancer is to avoid it, prevent it, in any way possible. This can be achieved through nutrition as well as practical screening tests, whether you are a man or woman. In this post, the focus is on tests for women...this is the time of year when I have my physical and get the tests done that are recommended.

Cancer screening tests women should have include the following:

Mammogram - Have them done as often as your doctor suggests to prevent Breast Cancer, or catch it in it's early stages. I have one every other year. I am scheduled for one in about 2 weeks. In my case, I'm thankful that my insurance covers this, without dipping into my deductible. You should also learn to examine your own breasts between Mammograms, do so monthly. Here is "How to Perform a Breast Exam" from the American Cancer Society. (Men should perform this exam on themselves as well).
Pap Smear - This should be done to watch for any abnormalities that may indicate Cervical Cancer. Don't panic if you test is abnormal, I've had times when it was simply an irritation or a polyp that needed to be removed, but do follow up with whatever is suggested by your doctor.
Pelvic exam - this is usually done at the same time as you have your Pap Smear, a visual exam of the vaginal area and cervix for any abnormalities. This should start when you are 21 or after you begin having sexual intercourse. It is especially important for those who live at risk of sexually transmitted disease. Virgins need the exam only if there are abnormal symptoms or discharges.
Colonoscopy or other colon cancer screening - before the age of 50, usually sample after wiping after a bowel movement is checked for presence of blood in a lab, at the age of 50, it is suggested that women and men have a colonoscopy every 5 years. In my case, they found a benign polyp, so I was told to come back for one in 3 years. If nothing is found, then I can wait 5 years again. If your family is at high risk for colon cancer, colonoscopy may be recommended at a younger age.
Skin exam for skin cancer - there are 3 common skin cancers, the most serious being Melanoma - with so many spending time in tanning salons and not being careful when spending time in the sun, examining the skin for abnormalities is important.
Oral Exam - this is done to watch for any abnormalities in the mouth and gums, especially important for those who smoke, chew tobacco, or drink alcohol on a regular basis.

Please look at my posts under the general category of "Cancer" for more on this topic. I'll add a post about tests for men soon.

Please comment if you have a question.

It Feels Like Barbecue Weather Again

2010-04-07T23:25:00.003-04:00

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Dimplex North America Limited. All opinions are 100% mine.

I know the weather we've been having isn't going to stay as unseasonably warm as it has for the past week, but it is a taste of things to come. In fact, even though the temperatures are going to cool down, I don't think they will cool down so much that we can't barbecue...many people barbecue in the winter, we haven't done a lot of that, but occasionally do.

For us, using a gas grill is fine...though it is disappointing when the gas runs out half way through grilling my favorite london broil, but some cannot grill at all because they can't use gas grills as they live in condos or apartments...until now.

Dimplex PowerChef Electric Grills (click to view video) make it possible for anyone to grill. Here's a few key facts to remember about the benefits of electric grilling:

You don't have to be concerned about flare-ups...believe me, we had that happen once with our gas grill because we weren't aware that fat had collected in an area under the grill, and it was scarey...we let it burn out, and at our own home, not a big problem, but can't imagine it would have gone over very well at an apartment.
Fat does drip away from the food you are cooking, and cleanup isn't as involved as cooking in the kitchen, plus the food is healthier with less fat.
Aside from the flare-up scare I shared above, I've always had a fear of lighting our gas grill. I hate how it lights with a big "poof" sound, and this will not happen with electric grilling.

If you are in the market or a new grill, include PowerChef in you list of grills to take a close look at and consider.

Here's my best wishes for a wonderful barbecue season! My mouth waters just thinking about it!

Good Friday, Easter and Anniversary Blessings

2010-04-02T00:02:00.000-04:00

I am looking forward to spending this weekend away with my husband as we celebrate 31 years of marriage, and remember the wonderful things that God has done for us through His Son, Jesus Christ.

Friday, remembering the price He paid for the sin of man, Saturday, enjoying the beautiful weather that we are expecting with much thanksgiving, and Sunday rejoicing as we remember Jesus' Resurrection from the dead (amazing thought! Amazing Grace!), providing eternal life for all who believe in Him.

May I wish you all a blessed Holy Week, Good Friday, and Resurrection Sunday.

Some favorite verses about what God has done for us: John 3:16 and 17; Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23 to name a very few.

The Perfect Kitchen Sink

2010-04-01T23:27:00.001-04:00

What is your idea of the perfect kitchen sink? When we redid our kitchen a while back, we went from a small to a larger stainless steel sink with faucet and tap high above the area where the dishes go. Can you guess why? Because the housekeeper around here (yours truly) tends to let the dishes stack pretty high before loading the dishwasher, leaving little room for filling glasses with a regular tap.

My main reason for loving stainless steel sinks is the fact that they are virtually impossible to harm, and clean up so nicely, lasting for many, many years. You can clean them without much worry about harming the surface...we've had ours for many years now, and when cleaned, it looks like it is brand new.

When we purchased ours, they weren't readily available online (does that give you an idea of how old it is?), but now they are available and ship quickly and at reasonable prices.

Not "Nice" to my Doctor on Doctor's Day

2010-03-31T15:51:00.001-04:00

Yesterday I was watching closely the water situation around here because once again, we were having heavy rains, and as a result I missed remembering my MD on Doctor's Day. March 30th is a day to appreciate your doctor...something that started back in the 1930's.

Not only did I miss an opportunity to say thank you, but instead of receiving a thank you card she'll be receiving a fax asking that my medical records be transferred to a doctor right here in my town, just because it is much more convenient.

I didn't do this intentionally, and have appreciated the good service received over the years, and suppose it's never too late to say thank you, so I will do just that by sending a greeting card as soon as I finish this post.

Spring and Summer = Time for the Jersey Shore

2010-03-20T22:54:00.001-04:00

Being from New Jersey, the start of the Shore season is always greatly anticipated as soon as the weather shows signs of warming. The past few weekdays and this weekend have been a welcome relief after the storm related flooding and challenges I shared last weekend. We have had a long "tease" of warm and beautiful weather, sunny and up in the 70's.

The official start of the shore season is Memorial Day weekend...for some...but for Morey's Piers down in Wildwood, which is almost as far south as you can go in the State of New Jersey, the fun begins Easter weekend, which is only two weekends away! This is a great place for the whole family, with many events planned for the coming year.

There's an excellent spring sale going on right now at Moreys Piers with it's NJ Amusement Rides (visit for a list of events that run from April through October), in fact they have a new one, I was looking at some of the rides on the site and there's some real thrill rides!

This is a good time to check into getting reservations as there are up to 35% discounts available at the time of this typing. Look along the top of the web page for drop down menus, and as we're a food site, there's a whole section with places to eat in the area. We have been to Wildwood, and it's one of the nicest shore points in New Jersey.

This post contains personal and sponsored information.

I'm Ready to Cook My Corned Beef and Cabbage

2010-03-17T14:14:00.000-04:00

Happy St. Patrick's Day! In an hour, I'll be starting my Corned Beef and Cabbage for dinner, one of the easiest dinners I cook each year. We only eat it once a year because all the seasonings and things added to the meat aren't something we want as part of a steady diet, but as an annual treat, it's simply delicious!

I've been blogging on here through a St. Pattie's Day or two, so let me find some former posts related to share with you once again:

Corned Beef and Cabbage (from 2008)

Video: Making Corned Beef and Cabbage (also from 2008)

Hope this is a good day for you, after the flooding incident I shared a couple posts back, I'm glad to see the sunshine today, and hope all is well with our readers in places who have been battling the waters.

God bless!

Proper Alignment of Teeth

2010-03-17T13:24:00.002-04:00

If there is anything I regret not doing for my daughter when she was young, it's not investing the money needed to have a couple of her wayward teeth aligned. We didn't have dental insurance, and it was quite an expensive venture.

At one point my daughter said she was looking into Invisilign, a way of aligning teeth with clear "braces" so that your mouth and smile looks natural during the process. In browsing around looking for websites that might offer payment plans, I saw a San Diego sedation dentist which looked great because they have a payment plan, but my aunt, uncle and a couple of cousins live in San Diego, not us, so we're going to have to keep looking. The doctors sounded so good that I even took a look at the site map to see if there were links to any sites for places out here in the northeast. It was fun to look at the "smile gallery", in fact I found myself smiling while looking at it, people of all ages were displayed showing their "before" and "after" pictures, so it's never too late to improve your smile.

Dental care is so important, and like so many things, something we often neglect.

This post contains both personal and sponsored information.

Flooding in NJ - Flooding Health Hazards

2010-03-16T11:06:00.001-04:00

We are among many who have been affected by the flooding in the Northeast, many areas are still flooded here in New Jersey, not to mention power outages and trees down, sometimes on top of cars and homes. For us it was a matter of water coming at little lakefront log cabin from the snow melt and rain combination across the street from us. I've included a picture, it is dark and a small photo, so hard to make out, but the property drops off to the house, and the area up against the house had about 10-12" of water up against it several times that night...amazingly with lots of ingenuity, kept almost all of it outside. What you can't see is the torrent running down to the lake along the left side of the house, my husband had prepared for this by setting up things to divert as much water as possible.

Today, except for erosion outside that needs repair and the need to wash away some silt in the basement, with the sun shining, you'd never know that we spent over six hours protecting our home from a torrent of water, I from the inside building a barrier behind the door that the water was coming in, and my son and husband and a neighbor with a little help from our local overwhelmed police and DPW working from the outside.

There is a lot of information out there right now on how to clean up after a flood, and the health hazards, which are most often related to mold, drinking water, food damaged by power outages in refrigerators and freezers, sewage that may be in standing water on streets, and keeping in mind the potential of handling electric tools in water, or walking in water that has electrically charged wires in it, not to mention the emotional toll it takes, and the affect that can have on the immune system and body itself. These are the things that come to mind right away.

So it's been quite a few days, and for many it is far from over. If any are reading this that have been devastated in some way by flooding, our hearts go out to you, and we pray for your recovery from the disaster.

You Know I Like Nutrisystem

2010-03-04T09:23:00.003-05:00

The fact that I've used the Nutrisystem program successfully to lose weight isn't new news to those of you who follow this blog. What may be new news to you is that I'm thinking of giving it a try again. My failure to use the follow-up tools that they provide at their extensive and helpful website has lead to my gaining back a portion of the weight I lost. I don't THINK I eat a lot, but when I really put it down on paper, or enter what I've eaten at the Nutrisystem site, it becomes apparent how easy it is to gradually eat a little more, then a little more, until you're almost back where you started.

I would not hesitate for a moment to sign up again for Nutrisystem. They have several different affordable ways to start the program, including giving you two weeks free..that's a week free with each of your first 2 months' orders. You can push your 2nd months order ahead a certain number of days to allow for using the free week you receive in the first order before purchasing your next supply. I'd suggest choosing your foods, putting together your own breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert selections, over using one of their pre-selected programs. It's fun to read about all the different foods available.

If you stick with the program, your hunger cravings will diminish after a few days, and you'll get into a nice routine of eating, exercising and drinking enough water, and the pounds will come off at a safe and comfortable rate.

Shelf Life of Frozen Foods

2010-03-04T09:22:00.000-05:00

Most of us love the convenience of frozen foods, and I personally prefer them to canned if frozen properly, as they have not been put through a heating process that will destroy all of the nutrients in them.

But how long can foods be kept in the freezer safely? There are general guidelines, but they are affected by how often you use your freezer...for example, I've had an old industrial strength freezer for years, a storage freezer that I stock with items on sale each time I shop...including meats, breads, grain products, legumes, extra boxes of pasta, anything that might spoil or be infested by insects if kept in the cabinets to long. I don't open the door very often, so the temperature is rather steady and the food will be fine for much longer periods of time.

The freezer above our refrigerator that my husband and son open and close constantly, looking for snacks, and that I use more frequently for meal preparation is a different story, the temperature is constantly going up and down. Obviously these foods will not last as long.

Rather than re-invent the wheel so to speak, I'd like to share a link to a site that had a wonderful chart, keeping the above information that I've shared in mind while viewing the chart will be helpful...so click to visit the food storage chart.

I Love the Health Articles at AccuWeather!

2010-03-03T11:38:00.001-05:00

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of AccuWeather. All opinions are 100% mine.

What a treat to be asked to write about AccuWeather because I use it ALL the time! We have had such strange weather this year, in fact a huge 2+ foot snowstorm at the end of last week, and I was at the AccuWeather site on a regular basis because my husband had to work those days, and I was concerned for his safety.

This week when I went for my usual visit one day, I was met with a pleasing-to-the-eye and less-cluttered, change that has been made to the site! After I put in my zip code and pulled up the information about our area, I bookmarked the page, everything local to my area is now on that page when I go visit...even relevant videos.

We are a blog that focuses on health and nutrition, and AccuWeather is concerned about this too, because weather does affect how we feel. For example, when I visited today, there were articles about aches and pains, including "What is Reactive Arthritis", "Do I Have Arthritis", and many other health-related articles available under categories of Allergies, Cardiac health and more. You'll also find tabs about Travel, Home and Garden (can't wait for gardening season to begin!), and the Outdoors.

I just love this site and the new, clean, look and hope you'll stop by and see for yourself how helpful the site is whether you're heading out the door for work and want to dress appropriately, or planning a trip and want to know if you'll be stopped by weather, or whether you want to see how the weather is affecting your health.

Michelle Obama's Talks Let's Move on Huckabee

2010-03-01T11:06:00.001-05:00

Recently the First Lady, Michelle Obama, was on Mike Huckabee to promote her new "Let's Move" initiative. She shared her concern for the future of our children...the percentage of overweight children has increased dramatically...and children are getting diseases that didn't used to occur until much later in life at earlier ages because of bad nutrition practices.

Following is part one of the interview on this very important topic, and you should see links to the other parts of the series after you view part 1.

Watching Weight With Weight Watchers

2010-03-01T10:47:00.004-05:00

There are actually people out there who do not have to worry about weight gain, but I'm not one of them. My brother, on the other hand, is always trying to keep weight on, to eat enough to gain...he has to work at gaining weight! Can you imagine having such a "problem"? That's one challenge that I could live with and enjoy!

But the rest of the family has to be careful of how much we eat, what kinds of foods we eat, and how much exercise we get to take off weight and keep the body fit. My sister has used Weight Watchers, the online program, in the past and lost a lot of weight using the tools they provided. I took a look at a site to get some more information about weight watchers. They are the first weight loss program that I remember hearing about. Their focus is on helping you lose weight in a healthy and practical way, and then guiding you after you lose weight so that you can maintain that loss.

When I first heard about Weight Watchers, you went to meetings, weighed in, were encouraged by others and leaders who had used the program themselves...this is still available today, but the internet has brought a whole new way to approach this for those who can't carve out the time to go to meetings.

If you're considering different weight loss programs, you will find more details about Weight Watchers if you visit the "live link" above. There are always great specials going on at this time of year when so many are wanting to lose that extra winter weight they've gained. In fact as I type this, I believe the special price is under $60 to sign up for 3 months, a big savings over the standard plan, and you can make great progress toward your weight loss goal in 3 months.

Thinking Spring and National Nutrition Month

2010-03-01T10:26:00.001-05:00

Welcome to the month of March! Even though we have 2 feet of snow outside our windows right now, the sun shines brightly, and because of our snowy winter in the northeast, we look forward more than ever to the snow melting, and bulbs sprouting, it has been a long winter for us, and for many an exciting one if you live in places that have seen snow for the first time in a long, long while.

It's also National Nutrition Month. This is a time of year that was set aside by the National Dietetic Association to provide educational programs to encourage young and old alike to evaluate their eating choices, as well as what all of us can do to improve fitness. We're always looking at this topic in one way or another on this blog...please take a look at the many categories in one of the right columns for a topic that interests you, an area that you may need help in.

Wishing you all the best this month of March!

An Encouraging Wellness Resource

2010-02-25T01:14:00.002-05:00

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of wellnessdaily.com. All opinions are 100% mine.

My weight loss quest continues...maybe you remember that last year I tried a popular diet program, I lost weight, was happy with the results, and now I find myself back almost where I started from. I know a lot of it has to do with the cold winter (excuses?), not getting out to walk regularly (my favorite form of exercise), and thinking I'm eating less than I really am. I like using tools that help, for example, my pedometer when I walk...which I should do more often, even if it is a bit cold outside. I've enjoyed visiting the SparkPeople website, they offer tools to help with weight loss. I like using my old Richard Simmons "Deal-a-Meal" cards.

And now there is another source that I've just learned about through being offered the chance to write about it, and that is www.wellnessdaily.com....a great source of resources and tools to help with weight management and health in general.

If you sign up with wellnessdaily.com, and enter their Twitter contest, you may win a prize package which includes coupons for a year-long supply of Jennie-O Turkey Store products. I personally LOVE their products and often buy the Turkey Burgers and Turkey Pastrami especially. You may also win a one-year gym membership, all valued at $1,250.

What you have to do is link to the promo page, and then do a "tweet" on Twitter. If you're not a member of twitter, find out more at twitter.com. You can write something like this "Enter to win $ towards a gym membership & JENNIE-O turkey products. Just follow @wellness_daily RT this http://bit.ly/tbd123". Sounds like fun, I'm going to do it as soon as I can get on the site...I'm having a little trouble with my computer tonight.

Here's to a healthy 2010!

The Shape of Hot Dogs to Come

2010-02-22T19:49:00.006-05:00

I saw a headline today that said that a change is coming for hot dogs, among some other foods, because they are a choking risk. How do you feel about this? Personally, I'm far more concerned about what's IN hot dogs than the shape. When my children were growing up, we occasionally ate "regular" hot dogs, but I made an effort to buy organic hot dogs, soy hot dogs, anything but the kind that have meat and meat by-products with lots of chemicals and nitrates.

As for choking, of course none of us want our children to choke on anything, I experienced this first hand with my daughter when someone gave her a round candy, and I didn't want to hurt the persons feelings, so let my daughter go ahead and eat the candy. In the car she choked, could not breath, and amazingly I was able to maneuver through traffic and do the Heimlich maneuver on her and free her of the candy...she was turning blue...a frightening experience. People have eaten hot dogs for generations, and grapes, and other foods that we can cut and make safe for our children. I would always cut grapes in 1/2, and as for hot dogs, our healthy version of them, we slit them in half down the middle.

I don't know whether we need to change the shape of hot dogs, and am not going to join that debate, but do use some common sense, and be equally concerned about the ingredients in the foods you are feeding your children.

The Bathroom Next to the Kitchen

2010-02-22T16:39:00.010-05:00

In our home, the bathroom is right outside of the kitchen off the living room, and no, it doesn't have a pretty vanity for the sink, table, stool and mirror like the one pictured to the right...boy do I wish!

We had some major trouble with the plumbing recently. Something like that can be an eye-opener. As my husband repaired the plumbing by himself, which was a challenge as he's not a plumber, (we had the water turned off for about 24 hours:-) I focused on the room. It really is in need of updating...I keep "patching" things - painting, wallpapering, whatever-ing to get by. But it needs more than that. A bathroom is one of the most important rooms to have up-to-date when you are selling your home, and obviously more enjoyable if you are planning on living in it.

So what would my bathroom look like? It's fairly small, but adequate. We live in a log home on a lake, so the style would be earthy and country, warm and inviting. I was looking at bathroom vanities about a year ago when we replaced the floor and the toilet in the bathroom. I know that I like wood that is light in color, especially oak. When a room is small, lighter colors make it appear bigger. I just love the one pictured, but may have to find something similar that just has the vanity and mirror, not the extra table and stool, because of the size of the room. Right now I have a very old vanity, and a few years ago, sponge-painted it, and that's it's second painting. So yes, it's time for an update...time to dream...and make dreams a reality.

Help for a Hearty Heart

2010-02-09T23:18:00.003-05:00

Valentines Day is this coming Sunday, and this is a "healthy heart" month. My Valentine, my dear husband, has experienced a heart attack, and is a diabetic, increasing his risks in this area. Over the years posting to this blog, I've done several posts about heart health, and our experience.

To bring attention to them again at this time of the year, I thought I'd share links to some of those posts. They are:

My Husband's Heart Attack - Part 1

My Husband's Heart Attack - Part 2

My Husband's Heart Attack - Part 3

Hubby's Heart Attack - Final Post (I hope!)

ORAC, Antioxidants, Free Radicals, and What?

Heart Attacks and Women - Part 1

Heart Attacks and Women - Part 2

Anger and Heart Health

Connection Between the Heart and the Tomato

Rodeo Food, Fun and Music

2010-01-29T23:05:00.008-05:00

I love a rodeo, most of the time we watch them on television, but we were able to attend a couple when we were out west on extended business trips in Colorado. There is a BIG one that takes place in the Houston, Texas area that I've never had the privilege of attending, but if I were ever to be down that way in March, it would be on my list of things to do.

What makes them unique aside from the usual rodeo events is the concerts that take place the evening of the events. Some of the big names in country music perform at these events, including Kenny Chesny, Alan Jackson, oh, and the Jonas Brothers...the brothers' home town is a 1/2 hours drive from our home here in NJ. Then there's Rascal Flats, Toby Keith, Brooks and Dunn, the month of March is pretty much covered with big names, mostly in country music. Of course, you're going to need Tickets to concerts at the Houston Rodeo.

If you plan to attend the 2010 Houston Rodeo, there are plenty of places to eat, here's just a partial list in the Reliant Park area:

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
Go Tejano Diner
Berryhill Baja Grill
Blue Ribbon Grill
Cajun's Unlimited
Freebirds World Burrito
Goode Company Bar-B-Que
Half Moon Saloon
Holmes Smokehouse
Joe's Ale House
Margaritaville
New Braunfels Smokehouse
Oakridge Smokehouse
Pappas Bar-B-Q
Pappasito's
Paradise Burgers
Ranch House Burger Barn
Sills Funnel Cakes
Sudie's Catfish House
Tad's Bodacious Burrito
Texas Sized Pizza By The Giant Slice
The Texas Skillet

Just for fun, here's a slide show video of the Jonas Brothers at last year's Houston Rodeo event:

Restaurant Nutrition Guides

2010-01-29T22:00:00.001-05:00

Last week we were out of town on business and found ourselves eating at a few different restaurants. My husband is a Diabetic, and we should be watching what we eat, but it's hard when you're on the road...everything on the menu is so tempting. Yes, many restaurants are taking care to have items on the menu that are healthy choices, but I've often wondered if there are ways to plan ahead.

SO, I did a little search today to see I could find a few sites that list restaurants, and offer their nutrition guides...and here's what I found...hope these will be as helpful to you as they are to me:

Diabetes Daily Restaurant Nutrition Guides
Restaurant Nutrition Facts at dietfacts.com (a huge list!)

These two lists alone should be adequate if you want to plan ahead, and have a good idea of what foods are available when you're vacationing or on the road.

Enjoy a Taste of Italy - a Special Weekend Event

2010-01-26T15:45:00.006-05:00

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Hiltons of Branson. All opinions are 100% mine.

The Hilton Branson Convention Center is hosting a delicious Italian Culinary Weekend on February 26th and 27th. The pricing for this event is a package price, which covers your stay for 2 for about $429, look at what you get:

- You sleep in a deluxe king size bed, or double queen Friday and Saturday night
- There is a Friday evening reception at 7 pm with Italian wines and hors d'oeuvres (is your mouth watering yet?)
- Saturday from 9 am to Noon there is a hands-on cooking school
- Saturday evening you enjoy a five course dinner at 7 pm including foods learned about in the cooking school
- You receive a "goodie bag" filled with things for you, the home chef, to take home with you

The rest of the time is yours to enjoy the various attractions in the Branson, Missouri area. As many know, Branson is the best place to be for music and entertainment in the mid-west, with 49 entertainment theaters in the area. During the time of year when weather permits, there are many golf courses to enjoy. If you like history like I do, there are museums to enjoy. If you like shopping (I'm one of those rare woman who would rather be doing anything else but!) you'll find places to do that, too.

If the Italian Culinary Event interests you, make sure you get reservations in by the 23rd of February.

If the Italian Culinary package isn't your cup of tea, there are other packages available. The Hilton Branson Convention Center isn't the only Hilton in Branson, there is also the Hilton Promenade at Branson Landing.

Eyesight - How Is Your Vision

2010-01-24T23:33:00.003-05:00

A while back I did some posts on the theory of the Doctrine of Signatures, in the post that I have in mind, we took a look at the similarity between the eye and a carrot, it was really quite interesting, looking at the cross-section of a carrot, and comparing it to the way an eye looks. We then discussed the nutrients that are beneficial to vision in the eye, one of which is beta-carotene, which is converted into Vitamin A, a nutrient important to vision.

But most of us know that as we age, at some point we are going to need to purchase a pair of eyeglasses, especially after the age of 40, unless you are a candidate for any of the surgeries available, or are wearing contact lenses. I am used to glasses and have worn them all day for close to 20 years now...before that I would just use them to work and read. In today's economy, finding a way to get glasses at reasonable prices means a lot to people, so I found this article interesting as it reviews an online source for eyeglasses that is extremely reasonable. I hope that you will find it helpful if you are in need of glasses.

A NutriSystem Alternative Using My Own Foods?

2010-01-21T21:19:00.006-05:00

Updated 5/2010 - If you would like a $30 coupon toward your first NutriSystem purchase, which would be deducted in addition to whatever special is currently going on, please email me at nutritionist[at]happynutritionist.com

Last year at this time I had lost a nice amount of weight doing NutriSystem. I'm grateful for the weight I lost, but was surprised at how easy it was to put much of that weight back on again. It is more because of eating foods that are not as low in glycemic index as NutriSystem than anything else, because I don't consider myself to be a big eater or one to snack a lot.

I have challenged myself to lose that weight again, and put my challenge at another location on the web. The title is Replacing NutriSystem Your Own Foods - A Complete Weight Loss Program. Now this isn't meant to imply that what NutriSystem offers is bad, I appreciated the weight lost on the program...just wanted to see if there was an alternative way to do a similar thing. See what you think when you visit here.

Again, I liked the orderly way NutriSystem was laid out and may consider it again one day, just want to see how I'll do on my own.

Related Post:

Doing NutriSystem Gluten Free (With Correction)

Getting Your LIFE on Track

2010-01-21T16:55:00.005-05:00

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Allison Maslan, author of "Blast Off!". All opinions are 100% mine.

While eating right and taking care of yourself physically are important to the body as well as the mind, so is having a positive direction in which you are going in life. This includes the direction you are headed as far as career, and the motivation to reach your goals and beyond. Sometimes, with so many choices, the many challenges people face in today's economy, you can lose your focus, and things become a confused and directionless mess. This can leave you discouraged, and this can take it's toll on you physically as well as mentally.

I was recently asked to take a look at a website about a book entitled Blast Off!, which I did. I took a look at the website, and listened to a man speak of how this book by Allison Maslan helped him get his life on track...through the author and the book, his career took off to the point that he has his own National Television show, you can find out more about that at the site.

The launch date for the book was just a couple of days ago on January 19th and is available on Amazon, Borders, Barnes and Noble, and other major bookstores. The list price for the book is $24, but is less at sites like Amazon.

While I have a general idea of what I like to do, at times it seems like it would be nice to have a tool to help me become even more focused, and energized, and ready to go, and with a title like "Blast Off" and the things shared at the website, it's sounding like a good idea to invest in a book like this.

I encourage you to visit and see for yourself, find direction, find motivation, find a life-coach in a book. The best of success to you!

Helping In Haiti, Doing Our Part

2010-01-16T10:23:00.003-05:00

This week many of us have been thinking about the people of Haiti, including myself. As I did my food shopping this week, and was loading my freezer with an abundance of meat and my cabinets with food thanks to a number of favorite items being on sale, I was struck over and over with how blessed we are...yes, many are struggling with job loss, and the economy is unstable, but nothing is as bad as what the people in Haiti are experiencing. I asked my husband to remind me never to complain again.

I was inspired to do my small part by doing a couple of sites to help those who are putting their feet to the ground in Haiti, providing food, water, rescuing trapped victims, tending to serious wounds, the need is desperate. We were able to give some of our finances...like many we have been affected by the current economy, but that doesn't mean there isn't a little to give. Everyone doing their small part will help in a big way.

I put together "Natural Disaster Relief - What Can I do?". After finishing this on, I was asked if I wouldn't mind putting together another for a group called "RocketMoms" that would be an avenue for many to help...so I did, the result is "RocketMoms Help for Haiti". Please visit these sites if you have a moment, and I hope all of us will find a way to do something.

Tuna Casserole - Tuna and Pregnancy

2010-01-13T16:42:00.004-05:00

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of HealthyTuna.com. All opinions are 100% mine.

We enjoy a healthy tuna casserole that I just made a couple of evenings ago. This is how I make the dish to feed my family of 3:

Ingredients:

6 Oz. of Whole Grain Pasta - Penne, Macaroni, any noodle you like
2 Cans of Tuna.
1 Can of Cream of Mushroom Soup, Condensed
3/4 Cup of Water
1/4 Cup Wheat Germ
1/2 teas. of Basil
1 T. Garlic Powder

Preparation:

So easy, cook the pasta. While the Pasta is cooking, mix all of the other ingredients (except Wheat Germ) together in a microwave safe casserole bowl or dish. Mix in the pasta after it has cooked and drained. Stir well, sprinkle the Wheat Germ over the top, then cook in the microwave on high for 15 minutes.

I serve mine with a nice tossed salad.

Oh you're wondering about the tuna and pregnancy part of the title...some have said that it isn't safe to eat tuna or seafood while pregnant because of high mercury content. I would like to suggest that you look into the possibility that avoiding tuna and certain seafoods may be depriving you and your baby of vital nutrients. There are fish that have high mercury content, such as shark, mackeral and swordfish. Do your homework, look into how depriving yourself entirely of seafood may lead to depression.

Enjoy the tuna casserole recipe!