Friday, October 23, 2009
Jenny's 100 Calorie Peanut Butter Brownie
I know it has been forever since i have posted. As many of you know my downfall is SWEETS! Oh how I LOVE them. I found a great 75% organic brownie at Hannaford Grocery Store and it has 7 grams of fiber, 4 grams of protein, no trans fat and no hydrogenated oils and it TASTES GOOD! It does have 11 grams of sugar. I mean for 100calories and all that fiber and protein in a desset - yum!
Here is a photo of the wrapper. I haven't seen them anywhere else yet.
Enjoy!
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Aspartame - What you don't know WILL HURT YOU
According to researchers and physicians studying the adverse effects of aspartame, the following chronic illnesses can be triggered or worsened by ingesting of aspartame: (2) Brain tumors, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, chronic fatigue syndrome, parkinson's disease, alzheimer's, mental retardation, lymphoma, birth defects, fibromyalgia, and diabetes.
How Aspartate (and Glutamate) Cause Damage
ALS
Memory loss
Hormonal problems
Hearing loss
Epilepsy
Alzheimer's disease
Parkinson's disease
Hypoglycemia
AIDS
Dementia
Brain lesions
Neuroendocrine disorders
Nausea
Abdominal pains
Fatigue (blocks sufficient glucose entry into brain)
Sleep problems
Vision problems
Anxiety attacks
Depression
Asthma/chest tightness.
The absorption of methanol into the body is sped up considerably when free methanol is ingested. Free methanol is created from aspartame when it is heated to above 86 Fahrenheit (30 Centigrade). This would occur when aspartame-containing product is improperly stored or when it is heated (e.g., as part of a "food" product such as Jello).
Here is another article I found interesting.
"Just For The Taste of It"
What is Aspertame and it's history?
Aspertame is a component in common artificial sweetners that was accidentally discovered by James Schlatter in 1965 while he in the process of recrystalling aspartame from ethanol spilled some of the mixture onto the outside of a flask which transferred to his fingers. He later licked his fingers discovering the very strong sweet taste and determining this was more than likely the effect from the Aspartame. Believing that the dipetide aspartame was not likely toxic, he consumed a bit and discovered it indeed was the sweet taste he previously tasted.
"Don't Worry There's No Sugar"
Methanol/wood alchohol is a deadly poison and makes up 10% of the component in Aspertame. Methanol is gradually released in the small intestine when the methyl group of aspartame encounter the enzyme chymotrypsin.
The absorption of methanol into the body is sped up a great deal when free methanol is ingested. Free methanol is created from aspartame when it is heated to above 86 degrees Fahrenheit. This happens when aspartame-containing products is improperly stored orwhen heated (for instance as part of food a food product such as Jello.
It then breaks down into Formic Acid (found in Fire Ants) and Formaldehyde (commonly used to embalm corpses) in the body. Formaldehyde is a deadly neurotoxin. The EPA has assessed that methanol "is considered a cumulative poison due to the low rate of excretion once it is absorbed. In the body, methanol is oxidized to formaldehyde and formic acid; both of these metabolities are toxic."
This chemical sweetner can be found in many sugar-less substituted products that most of us consume on a daily basis, for instance nutra-sweet, diet coke, Jello products, splenda, lemonade beverages, chewing gums, popsicles, candy and over 5,000 other products.
"Just what the doctor ordered"
Most alarming is that aspertame alone finds a home in many non-food substances that we take into or on our bodies.
Dimetapp
Equate Chewable vitamin animal shaped tablets (with Iron)
Health Balance Childrens Chewable Multivitamin
Zoo Chews Animal-Shaped Chewable Multivitamin
Sugar Free Metamucil
Mylanta Natural Fiber Supplement, Sugar Free
Centrum, Jr Vitamins
Childrens Tylenol acetominophen Grape flavored Chewable Tablets
Junior Strength Tylenol acetaminophen (fruit flavored Chewable tablets; Grape flavored)
Pediacare Cold-Allergy Tablets for ages 6-12
Pediacare Childrens Cold Relief Tablets
Tylenol Cold and Flu (Hot Medication)
Tylenol Cold and Flu No Drowsiness Formula (Hot Medication)
Childrens chewable Co-Tylenol
Aspartame is banned in all childrens products in the European Common Market Why not here in the United STates? Are our children NOT worth being protected over pharmaceutical profits?
For gawds sake Even India has banned coke and pepsi!
The sad truth, ladies, is that once again the FDA, our government officials and of course the behemoth pharmaceutical companies have let us down. Their interest lie in lining the their own pockets and keeping their strangehold on power.
While the masses are purchasing these poisonous products they are taking trips to bermuda and keeping THEIR families safe. Now it's time for us to look out for OUR families and speak with our pocketbooks.
Now that you know some of the FACTS, here's what you can do to protect yourself and your family:
1. Take the 60-day No Aspartame Test (and see for yourself if there is a difference in your health)
2. Tell your doctor and all of your friends!
3. Return ALL Asparcidal food to the store. Tell them you have no wish to be poisoned.Anything with Monsanto's NutraSweet, Equal, Spoonful, Benevia, NatraTaste or the word Aspartame on the package.
Life Tastes Good. I don't think it's "Life" their selling.
And Yet another Article (http://www.mercola.com/article/aspartame/hidden_dangers.htm)
Aspartame's Hidden Dangers
If a product is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and composed of natural ingredients, would you assume it is safe to consume?
If the same product is an artificial sweetener, would you assume it helps control your weight?
Millions of people use aspartame, the artificial sweetener known as NutraSweet™, with these assumptions in mind.
Aspartame can be found in thousands of products such as:
instant breakfasts
breath mints
cereals
sugar-free chewing gum
cocoa mixes
coffee beverages
frozen desserts
gelatin desserts
juice beverages
laxatives
multivitamins
milk drinks
pharmaceuticals and supplements, including over-the-counter medicines
shake mixes
soft drinks
tabletop sweeteners
tea beverages
instant teas and coffees
topping mixes
wine coolers
yogurt
However, aspartame's tainted history of approval and potentially toxic ingredients cast serious doubt on the safety of this sugar substitute. Furthermore, aspartame may actually increase your appetite (Farber 52).
While the FDA approval may signal the green light for safe consumption, 85 percent of all complaints registered with the FDA are for adverse reactions to aspartame, including five reported deaths. A closer look at the unscientific studies, suspicious approval methods, and its harmful ingredients, reveal the hidden dangers of this artificial sweetener. In reality, aspartame poses a public health threat
Monday, June 8, 2009
Finding Inspiration In Your Biggest Temptations
Change the Way You Look at Obstacles on Your Journey
-- By Stepfanie Romine, Staff Writer
Thursday, June 4, 2009
ATTITUDE
- Charles Swindell
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Four Feet? Two Feet? No Feet?
The Ugly
What is the worst meat for you to be eating? The absolute worst meat for anyone is processed deli meat of any kind. And yes, this does include going to the deli counter to get fresh sliced meat. If it is wrapped in plastic it has been processed. Processed meat contains a large amount of preservatives, salt, and other "natural" ingredients that are less than ideal nutrient sources. In addition, any type of altered meat, such as sausage and hot dogs, no matter what the packaging says, should still be avoided. Also, beef that is corn-fed lands on the list of ugly; if you took just a few minutes to read the TIME article above, you will understand why. If you choose to eat beef, you should only be having one to two servings of 6-8oz a week; but basically try to keep red meat intake to a minimum.
Why are these meats considered ugly? The problem with processed and preserved meats is that they increase oxidation in the body. Think of oxidation as rust inside your body. When you eat these foods you cause build up of rust in all of your body's cells. Eventually, rust will eat away whatever it touches and destroy the structure. On top of that, the additives used to preserve meat increase the bad (LDL) cholesterol in the body, decrease the good (HDL) cholesterol, cause inflammation of the arteries, and increase blood pressure. All of these factors require your heart to work harder to perform its daily functions. The bottom line is that these processed meats cause damage within the body and should be avoided at all costs.
What to do?
So as previously stated, an easy way to choose nutrient-dense food is to avoid processed meats. Next, as described in the TIME article, you can cut your chances of cancer significantly by cutting the amount of beef you eat each week. Even if you start with one to two ounces less than last week, you can start to improve your health. The best thing to do is to increase your intake of fruits and vegetables. These are loaded with natural antioxidants that can help reverse or slow the affects of processed meats. In addition, add fish to your weekly meal menu. Fish contain omega-3 fats, which help reduce inflammation of the arteries, increase HDL and decrease LDL cholesterol, and boost fat metabolism (helping to burn fat). Ultimately, the more fish you eat the better health you will have. When I am asked what supplements people should take, I keep it simple. If you are not eating enough fish, ideally two to three times per week, or are not eating enough fruits and veggies you should supplement with fish oil pills or a Greens Plus supplement. For the fish oil, you should be looking to get between 4-6 grams of EPA and DHA fish oil each day, this is the equivalent of 4-6 Flameout fish oil pills. The Greens Plus powder is excellent and mixes easily into a 12oz bottle of water. Other supplements can be overkill unless you have very specific goals.
The data for one of the largest analyses of meat consumption and mortality to date were first gathered for the National Institutes of Health and AARP Diet and Health Study in 1995. Researchers then tracked deaths for 10 years, until 2005, using the Social Security Administration Death Master File and the National Death Index, controlling for factors such as age, race, education, body-mass index and alcohol intake.
But our diet can be changed back, says Mark Bittman, a cookbook author, New York Times contributor and deity in the world of foodies. He started by cutting back on meat and dairy and says he now consumes roughly one-third the animal products he used to, adhering to what's become known as the Vegan Before Six (or VB6) diet: vegan foods for the first two meals of the day, then anything you want for dinner.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
EGGS
3 Tbsp. olive oil 3 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar2 medium zucchini, cut in thirds lengthwise (about 1⁄2-inch-thick slices)2 medium crookneck squash, cut in thirds lengthwise (about 1⁄2-inch-thick slices)1. Whisk oil into vinegar. 2. Brush squash slices with vinaigrette about half an hour before grilling. 3. Heat grill to medium-high.4. Brush remaining marinade on slices and then grill until tender, about four minutes per side.
134 calories, 2 g protein, 9 g carbs, 11 g fat, 3 g fiber, 5 g sugar, 8 mg sodium