Wellness News at Weighing Success

March 7, National Cereal Day

2012-03-07T06:39:00.000-05:00

March 6, National Frozen Food Day

2012-03-06T10:03:00.000-05:00

Freezing is an effective form of food preservation because pathogens causing food spoilage are killed or do not grow very rapidly at reduced temperatures. However, freezing may only deactivate pathogens. Once food starts to thaw pathogens can become active and cause food poisoning. It is important to follow proper procedures for thawing and cooking frozen foods. USDA provides detailed instructions on how to thaw and cook foods properly.

Foods may be preserved for several months by freezing. Long-term frozen storage requires a constant temperature of -18 °C (0 °F) or less, in order to maintain safety and quality.

Frozen food choices : What are the healthiest?
Joan Salge Blake, registered dietitian and Boston University nutrition
professor, gives us an idea about some healthy options.

Frozen vs Fresh food

Moms are asked to evaluate the
taste of frozen vs fresh. Interesting findings.

Grocery Store Tour - Fresh, Frozen or Canned
Tour Guide: Mary Wilson, RD

Resources
Kids Eat Right. Frozen foods: convenient and nutritious
Fruits and Veggies, More Matters. Fresh, Frozen, Canned, Dried and 100% Juice
USDA, Freezing and Food Safety

National School Breakfast Week March 5-9, 2012

2012-03-05T08:09:00.000-05:00

The School Nutrition Association (SNA) created the “School Breakfast - Go for Gold” Campaign to highlight how eating a healthy balanced breakfast at school helps students shine. The campaign will help students learn about the importance of eating healthy and being active.
“School Breakfast - Go for Gold” also aligns with USDA’s HealthierUS School Challenge and the First Lady's Let's Move Goals.
Resources and Tools
SNA’s Member resource website has menus, checklists, logos and activity sheets to help get your NSBW celebrations started.
School Breakfast T-shirt contest

This year students will have the opportunity to design their own school breakfast medal that highlights the benefits of eating a healthy breakfast.

Rise and Shine with Raffi and
a Healthy Breakfast
A Special Thank You to Raffi and the Centre for Child Honouring for
providing permission to use "Rise and Shine" to encourage a Healthy Breakfast.

*Children who eat breakfast have more energy.
*Children who eat breakfast are less likely to be overweight.

*Children who eat breakfast concentrate better.

*Children who eat breakfast have higher grades in school.

*Children who skip breakfast may have learning and behavioral problems.

*Children who skip breakfast may develop nutritional deficiencies.

*Children who eat breakfast are Alert, Energized and Ready for a Brand New Day.

"Raffi" (Raffi Cavoukian), C.M., O.B.C.

Founder and Chair, Centre for Child Honouring

He is known to millions as "Raffi", a beloved songwriter and performer, author,
ecology advocate and founder of Centre for Child Honouring.
Child Honouring is a vision for creating a humane and sustainable
world by addressing the universal needs of children.

In his career, which spans three-decades, Raffi has refused all commercial endorsement offers, and Troubadour Music, his own company, has never directly advertised or marketed to children. He is a passionate advocate for a child’s right to live free of commercial exploitation.

"We invite you to be a part of the global movement that views honouring children as the best way to create sustainable, peacemaking societies." - Raffi

To learn more about the Centre for Child Honouring, please visit the Centre for Child Honouring and join "the compassion revolution."

Let’s Get Our Plate in Shape: Breakfast National Nutrition Month

2012-03-05T06:33:00.000-05:00

Let’s Get Our Plate in Shape: Breakfast. During the Month of March we will be illustrating how to get your plate in shape. National Nutrition Month #NNM

Time Magazine First Published on March 3, 1923 A look at Food and Nutrition through the Pages of Time

2012-03-03T09:19:00.000-05:00

TIME was first published on March 3, 1923 as a newsmagazine which summarized and organized the news. Here are some articles and cover stories form Time Magazine focusing on Food and Nutrition.

Monday, Oct. 08, 1923, Medicine: Vitamin X. Discovered by Dr. Herbert M. Evans and Dr. Katharine S. Bishop, of the University of California.* They call it ";Vitamin X." "Vitamins," now so popular, were unknown ten years ago. They cannot be seen or weighed. They came to light only when it was found diets are not providing proper nourishment and in some cases deficiencies would occur, such as scurvy, beriberi and pellagra.

Monday, Mar. 31, 1924, Medicine: Vitamin D. Dr. Walter H. Eddy, Professor of Physiological Chemistry in Teachers' College, Columbia University showed a group of his colleagues four test tubes containing 70 milligrams of a crystalline substance, Vitamine D. Their work may lay a basis for future synthetic foods to form a scientific diet, though the authentic vitamin scientists have nothing but condemnation for the various commercial tablets, cakes, etc., now on the market. The best diet can still be secured from natural foods.

Monday, Jun. 09, 1941, Medicine: The Nation's Food. Nine hundred doctors, dietitians, chemists, industrialists met in Washington last week to tackle an immense problem: the U.S. diet. As a whole the U.S. today is probably better fed than any other nation, but at least 45,000,000 people in the U.S. are undernourished. Another 50,000,000 people drag along on four cylinders, but cut a good five years off their work-life by not eating the right foods. Of the 35,000,000 remaining, quite a few suffer from overeating.

Monday, Aug. 06, 1956, Medicine: Crazy About Reducing

U.S. experts on diets and reducing are in a tizzy. For years they had been preaching the gospel that the only way to reduce is to cut down the amount of fuel (expressed as the number of calories) stoked into the body.

Friday, Nov. 25, 1966, Food: Everyone's in the Kitchen

Julia Child, 54, is the 6-ft.-2-in.-tall star of the Emmy-winning half-hour program, The French Chef. Her viewers on 104 educational TV stations across the U.S. watch her every move, forgive her every gaffe and, in a word, adore her.

Dec 18, 1972, The Perils of Eating, American Style

Whether they are simply trying to get thin, or whether they are pursuing health or even salvation through diet, Americans are perhaps more preoccupied than any other nation with what to eat, what not to eat, how to eat and even when.

Monday, Sep. 17, 1973, FOOD: The Burger That Conquered the Country

The destiny of nations depends on the manner in which they nourish themselves. - The Physiology of Taste, Jean Brillat-Savarin (1826). If so, America's destiny manifestly depends to no small degree on the hamburgers, French fries and milkshakes served beneath the golden arches of Mc Donald's. Last year the chain of drive-ins and restaurants rang up sales of $1.03 billion, passing the U.S. Army ( 1972 food volume: $909 million) as the nation's biggest dispenser of meals.

Monday, Nov. 02, 1981, Diet and Exercise Dangers. Regular exercise is good for the heart rate, blood pressure, respiration and metabolism. Says Jim Barnard, research cardiologist at U.C.L.A.: "It's similar to tuning up your car's engine to make the car run more efficiently." Vigorous physical effort helps release tension too. But it can also do a lot of damage, especially if the athlete is a neophyte or weekend warrior, both of whom tend to try to do too much too soon.

Dieting poses a whole set of different hazards, especially the quickie weight-losing schemes that separate U.S. dieters from a few pounds each year. Among the current In diets are the Pritikin, the Atkins and the Beverly Hills Diet. Nutrition experts insist that many fad diets are not really diets at all but bizarre and temporary ways of depriving the subject of adequate nutrition.

Mar 15, 1982, Salt: A New Villain? KILLER SALT screams the book cover from a huge display of volumes with titles like Shake the Salt Habit!, Cooking Without a Grain of Salt and Halt! No Salt. These days they are selling in the the hundreds of thousands.

Mar 26, 1984, Hold the Eggs and Butter. Cholesterol is proved deadly, and our diet may never be the same This year began with the announcement by the Federal Government of the results of the broadest and most expensive research project in medical history. Its subject was cholesterol.

Dec 24, 1990, Health: Red Alert on Red Meat. The link between high-fat diets and colon cancer gets stronger.

Jul 15, 1991, The Fight over Food Labels. By launching a holy war against misleading claims, the government could clear up some of the confusion on supermarket shelves and help Americans become healthier consumers

Apr 06, 1992, The New Scoop On Vitamins. They may be much more important than doctors thought in warding off cancer, heart disease and the ravages of aging and, no, you may not be getting enough of these crucial nutrients in your diet

Jan 08, 1996, HEALTH: ARE WE READY FOR FAT-FREE FAT?

The FDA is about to decide whether you can eat these chips. They are fried in a fake oil that can't make you fat. Dip, Anyone?

Nov 01, 1999, The Low-Carb Diet Craze. Fad diets come and go, but this one is exploding. Can you really lose weight by feasting on beef, eggs and bacon? And should you?

Jan 21, 2002, 10 Foods That Pack A Wallop. Eat, drink and be healthy! Scientists are rapidly identifying the natural chemicals that give preventive punch to a rainbow of ordinary edibles.

Jul 15, 2002, Should We All Be Vegetarians? Would we be healthier? Would the planet? The risks and benefits of a meat-free life.

Jul 07, 2003, Cracking The Fat Riddle. Should you count calories or carbs? Is dietary fat your biggest enemy? The latest research may surprise you.

Oct 20, 2003, Health: How to Eat Smarter. In a world that is raining food, making healthy choices about what and how to eat is not easy. Here are some rules to live by.

Jun 07, 2004, America's Obesity Crisis: Activists: The Obesity Warriors What will it take to end this epidemic? These experts are very glad you asked

June 11, 2007 The Science of Appetite

Jul 18, 2011 The Future of Fish

Sep 12, 2011 What to eat now.

March 2, 2012, NEA's Read Across America Day Meets National Nutrition Month

2012-03-02T07:09:00.000-05:00

March Wellness NewsCelebrate National Nutrition Month Topics for Journalists, Writers, Educators and Bloggers

2012-03-01T08:17:00.000-05:00

Current News, Resources and Events in Nutrition, Food, Health, Environment, Safety and Disability Rights. Encourages awareness and inspires ideas for Journalists, Educators, Consumers and Health Professionals. Wellness News is up-dated daily. To view the entire Newsletter online click here or subscribe to Wellness News by adding your email address to the link on the left.

Wellness News

March Highlights

National Nutrition Month®

American Red Cross Month
Brain Injury Awareness Month

Deaf History Month (3/13 to 4/15)
International Ideas Month
International Listening Awareness Month
National Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Awareness Month
National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
National Endometriosis Awareness Month
National Eye Donor Month
National Hemophilia Month
National Kidney Month
National Multiple Sclerosis Education & Awareness
National Social Work Month
Poison Prevention Awareness Month
Save Your Vision Month
National Ethics Awareness Month

Food Events

National Celery Month
Maple Sugar Month
National Caffeine Awareness Month
National Flour Month
National Frozen Food Month
National Noodle Month
National Peanut Month
National Sauce Month

Expanding Girls' Horizons in Science & Engineering
National Craft Month
National March Into Literacy Month
National Women's History Month
Optimism Month
Small Press Month

Youth Art Month

3/14 Registered Dietitian Day

3/3/27 American Diabetes Association Alert Day

3/31 Earth Hour

Wellness News employs young adults with "Special Needs" (Cerebral Palsy, Autism, Down Syndrome, Muscular Dystrophy). Many of the photographs are available for purchase with the proceeds going to special need young adults. Contact Dr. Sandra Frank for additional information (recipenews@gmail.com).

Prepared by
http://www.dietitians-online.com/
http://www.weighing-success.com/
Wellness News (www.weighing-success.com/WellnessNews.html)
http://www.wheelchair-connection.com/
Sandra Frank, Ed.D, RD, LDN
Jake Frank
Lance Li
Michelle Canazaro

February 28, 2012 National Pancake Day

2012-02-28T07:37:00.000-05:00

Celebrate National Pancake Day as a fun family activity.
Remember a stack of pancakes is not a single serving.

1 stack (20 pancakes) equals approximately 1600 calories

"Perfect Pancake" - "Sid the Science Kid"

What is a Pancake?

A pancake is a thin, flat cake prepared from a batter and cooked on a hot griddle or frying pan. Most pancakes are quick breads; some use a yeast-raised or fermented batter. Most pancakes are cooked one side on a griddle and flipped partway through to cook the other side. Depending on the region, pancakes may be served at any time, with a variety of toppings or fillings including jam, fruit, syrup or meat.

The pancake's shape and structure varies worldwide. There are numerous variations of them throughout Europe. A crêpe is a French variety of thin pancake cooked on one or both sides in a special crepe pan to achieve a network of fine bubbles often compared to lace - a savory variety made from buckwheat is usually known as a galette. In Germany, pancakes can be made from potatoes. In Italy they can be fried and stuffed with ricotta and chocolate into what is known as a cannoli.

Healthy Pancake Recipes

Click the links to obtain the recipes.

Oatmeal Pancake Recipe by Stella Juarez, yields 10 pancakes.
Nutrients Per Serving
Calories (kcal) 59.8
Fat (g) 0.9
Saturated Fat (g) 0.1
Cholesterol (mg) 0.4

Mr. Breakfast, Light And Tasty Lemon Yogurt Pancakes, yields 8 servings
Analysis is based on the use of egg substitutes.
Nutrients Per Serving
Calories (kcal) 104.2
Fat (g) 3.7
Saturated Fat (g) 0.3
Cholesterol (mg) 0.7

Reference
IHOP

February 26, World Pistachio Day

2012-02-27T10:02:00.000-05:00

I know it's Monday, February 27, but I didn't want to miss the opportunity to praise the Pistachio. Even today, "Kids Eat Right" came out with a hot tip on pistachios.

"Keep pistachios in sight for the sake of your kid's eyes. The green nut is bursting with sight-saving relatives of beta-carotene. http://bit.ly/xkmNV7 #mondaymessage"

Pistachios were introduced in the United States in the 1930s. Today, California produces more than 400 million pounds of pistachios each year making it a leading producer of pistachios worldwide. Each pistachio tree averages around 50 kg of seeds, or around 50,000, every two years.

Pistachios Offer Multiple

Health Benefits

Pistachio nuts, eaten as part of a healthy diet, can increase the levels of antioxidants in the blood of adults with high cholesterol, according to Penny Kris-Etherton, Penn State professor of nutrition, along with an international team of nutritional scientists. Previous research has shown that pistachios also lower lipids and lipoproteins, which benefits heart health.

Pistachio's Public Image

Lucy does it with a kick. See how Lucy and Charlie Brown of the Peanuts gang get snackin' with Wonderful Pistachios.

To learn more about the Pistachio, visit the following links:
Website. The Green Nut
Website. Pistachio Health
Event. World Pistachio Day
Twitter. Wonderful Pistachios @getcrackin
Facebook. Wonderful Pistachios

February is National Grapefruit Month

2012-02-26T12:46:00.001-05:00

Grapefruits come in many varieties. The most popular assortments are red, white, and pink colors. The flavors range from bitter to sweet and tart. The grapefruit was introduced to Florida in the 1820s. Today, most grapefruits are still grown in Florida.

Grapefruit is an excellent source of many nutrients and phytochemicals that contribute to a healthy diet. Grapefruit is a good source of vitamin C, which helps support the immune system. It also contains the fiber pectin, and the pink and red colors contain antioxidant lycopene.Lycopene appears to have properties that help fight oxygen free radicals, which are compounds that can damage cells. Studies have shown grapefruits help lower cholesterol, and there is evidence that the seeds have antioxidant properties.

Storage. If you plan on using grapefruits withing a week, store them at room temperature. If you are planning on using them after a week, store grapefruits in the refrigerator crisper where they will keep fresh for two to three weeks.

Grapefruit Active Lifestyle Meal Plan

Preparing Grapefruits

1. Grapefruits should be rinsed under cool water before consuming. The peel may contain dirt or bacteria that may reside on the skin's surface.
2. Grapefruits are usually eaten fresh by slicing the fruit horizontally and scooping out sections of the halves with a spoon.
3. To separate the flesh from the membrane you can cut it with a sharp knife, a special curved-blade grapefruit knife, or a serrated grapefruit spoon.
4. If there are seeds, you can remove them with your spoon before you eat the grapefruit.
5. Grapefruits can be peeled with your hands or with a knife. If using a knife, start at the top, make a vertical incision that runs downward and then back up to the top on the other side and then repeat so that there will be four sections of similar size. Be careful to only cut through skin and not into the membrane. The skin can then be peeled back with your hands or with the knife.

How to Peel and Segment a Grapefruit

Grapefruit-Drug Interactions

References:
1. Fruits and Veggies, More Matters. Grapefruit
2. Wikipedia. Grapefruit
3. The World’s Healthiest Foods: Grapefruit.

Sneak Preview March is National Nutrition Month Get Your Plate in Shape

2012-02-24T10:42:00.000-05:00

March is National Nutrition Month® (NNM), a nutrition education and information campaign created annually by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (Academy). The campaign focuses attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits. The March 2012 theme for National Nutrition Month® is "Get Your Plate in Shape."

The theme explores the health benefits associated with eating foods from all the food groups and staying active. During the month of March, we will explore the food groups and their benefits.

Our Host this year is Mary MyPlate.
She puts it all together.

Her support cast includes .....

and Some Surprise Friends

Health Benefits of Kindness

2012-02-18T16:33:00.000-05:00

WorldKindness Week, February 13-19, 2012

Random Act of Kindness: A selfless act performed by a person or persons wishing to either assist or cheer up an individual or in some cases an animal. There is no reason other than to make people smile, or be happier. Either spontaneous or planned in advance, random acts of kindness are encouraged by various communities.

The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation

Established in 1995 as a nonprofit organization, The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation is a resource for people committed to spreading kindness. The Random Acts of Kindness™ Foundation inspires people to practice kindness and to “pass it on” to others. They provide a wide variety of materials on their website, including activity ideas, lesson plans, project plans, teacher’s guide, project planning guide, publicity guide and workplace resources - all free of charge.

The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation is the United States delegate to the World Kindness Movement, an organization that includes various nations. People in these countries promote kindness within their countries’ borders and are creating a global network of kindness and compassion. As people from different cultures and from all walks of life are joining to spread kindness, they are creating a powerful, synergistic action throughout the world.

Health Benefits of Kindness
Studies have shown acts of kindness can result in physical and mental health benefits.
• Kindness can bring a sense of richness and fulfillment to our lives, and promote good health and longevity.
• Helping others can decrease the effect of diseases.
• After performing an act of kindness many experience a feeling of euphoria followed by a period of calm.
• Acts of kindness have shown to reduce feelings of stress, depression, loneliness, overeating, etc.
• Helping others increases self-worth, happiness and optimism.
• A person feels more energetic after performing an act of kindness
• A more optimistic and happier outlook on life

Kindness is not only something that has positive benefits for ourselves,

it is something that has a positive effect on the community.

As people tap into their own generous human spirit and share kindness with one another, they discover for themselves the power of kindness to effect positive change in their lives and the lives around them. When kindness is expressed, healthy relationships are created, community connections are nourished, and people are inspired to pass kindness on.

National Jell-O Week February 12 - 18, 2012

2012-02-17T13:13:00.000-05:00

February is National Snack Month

February 12 to 18, 2012

Week

Jelly or jello comes from gelatin. The Gelatin found in Jell-O comes from the collagen in cow or pig bones, hooves and connective tissues. Gelatin is not recommended for vegetarians. In 1923 D-Zerta became the first sugar-free gelatin dessert.

Agar or agar-agar is a gelatinous substance derived from agarophyte (red algae). Agar is used as an ingredient in desserts, a vegetarian gelatin substitute, a thickener for soups, in jellies, ice cream and other desserts. Agar-agar is approximately 80% fiber and serves to regulate bowel movements.

Agar-agar is sold in packages as washed and dried strips or in powdered form. For making jelly, it is boiled in water until the solids dissolve. Sweetener, flavouring, colouring, fruit or vegetables are then added and the liquid is poured into molds to be served as desserts and vegetable aspics, or incorporated with other desserts. Reference: Wikipedia

Liz Hickok is a San Francisco-based artist known for her work in Jell-O. Her artwork is exhibited across the country and internationally. Hickok’s San Francisco in Jell-O has been covered by The New York Times, Harper’s, Gastronomica, and appeared on the cover of Artweek. Hickok also appeared on the Food Network Awards Show, where she won an award for “Best Use of Food as Art Medium.” Click the link to view Liz Hickok portfolio

The Jell-O Gallery

As a dietitian, gelatin became known as a stable for clear liquid and full-liquid diets. It is often recommended for vomiting as a means to replace fluid loss and provide calories. The sugar-free gelatin became a favorite for individuals as a "Free Food" on weight-loss programs and diabetic diets. Gelatin is considered a fluid and therefore must be calculated when a patient is placed on a fluid restriction.

Jell-O Commercials

1990

2010

Links
Jell-O Recipes
7 Wacky Jell-O Molds from Around the World
Gelatin gets the jiggle back on

February 16, National Almond Day

2012-02-16T09:03:00.000-05:00

Health Benefits of

Almond Safety

Almond pasteurization became mandatory for the California almond industry on September 1, 2007, and was implemented on a voluntary basis over the previous two years. All almonds must be pasteurized before being sold to consumers in North America.

Pasteurization

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), along with a technical review panel comprised of almond scientific experts, are responsible for evaluating and approving the treatment processes that demonstrate effectiveness in achieving a reduction of possible contamination in almonds while not impacting their quality and sensory attributes. To date, FDA has approved oil roasting, dry roasting, blanching, steam processing and propylene oxide (PPO) processes as acceptable forms of pasteurization for almonds. Organic almonds will be pasteurized using treatments, such as steam pasteurization, that meet the USDA Organic Program’s national standards. Other forms of pasteurization continue to be researched, evaluated and tested. ABC worked over several years with leading experts and weighed all perspectives and issues in developing this industry-wide pasteurization plan.

Resources

Almond Board of California

Almonds, From Wikipedia

Happy Valentine's Day with Heart Healthy Foods

2012-02-14T07:54:00.001-05:00

A Collection of heart shaped and heart healthy foods with
special valentine messages for a heart healthy life.

Wishing you love, laughter, health and friendship.

February, Idaho Potato Lover's Month

2012-02-10T14:00:00.000-05:00

Nutrition, Recipes and Politics

Potatoes are a good source of vitamin C, vitamin B6, potassium, manganese, and dietary fiber. A baked potato is a healthy food choice and contains no fat, saturated fat and cholesterol.

The potato’s reputation as being fattening is related to the method of preparation, such as greasy French fries; and the addition of butter, sour cream, cheese and bacon.

Below are some heart healthy recipes, prepared by the Idaho Potato Commission.

Idaho® Potato Crusted Pizza

Estimated Nutritional Analysis per Serving:
(Omit the salt and use a low sodium broth to lower the sodium content)
280 calories, 25 mg cholesterol, 638 mg sodium,
13 g protein, 4 g fat, 27 g carbohydrates (Based upon 8 servings)

Grilled Idaho® Potato Ratatouille Salad

Estimated Nutritional Analysis per Serving:
345 calories, 0 mg cholesterol, 15 g fat, 90 mg sodium,

7 g protein, 52 g carbohydrates

Potato Bars
NPC Survey of School Food Service Directors
Dayle Hayes, registered dietitian speaks about the important role
of the potato and the variety of
healthy methods of preparation in our schools.

Resources
Idaho Potato Commission
National Potato Council
Dayle Hayes, MS, RD; Nutrition and the Future: Eat, Play, Rest

Bagel Terminology and Nutrition Information

2012-02-09T13:25:00.000-05:00

General Bagel Rules

*1 ounce of a bagel equals 80 calories (most bagels weigh about 3 ounces).
*Scooped, when the inside of the bagel is removed (Saves about 40 to 80 calories).
*Smear equals about one to two tablespoons of cream cheese.

Meal Planning

February is Fabulous Florida Strawberry Month

2012-02-08T05:05:00.000-05:00

To highlight this beautiful and delicious fruit, the Florida Strawberry Growers Association has created a series of educational videos, starring Jammer, the Strawberry.

Jammer the Strawberry and Nutrition

Jammer's Strawberry Fashion Show

Florida Strawberry Food Handling Tips

from Strawberry Sue

In 1982, the Florida Strawberry Growers Association (FSGA) was officially formed. This organization became a voice for Florida strawberry growers. The mission for the handful of farmers was to become "partners in research, promotion and member/community service”.

FSGA is a non-profit organization located in the city of Dover, which is a part of Hillsborough County, Florida. It is the parent company of the Florida Strawberry Patent Service and the Florida Strawberry Research and Education Foundation.

Over the years, the growers have formed a voluntary organization representing over 8,000 acres of berries. Hillsborough County, Florida produces about 15 percent of the nation’s strawberries and virtually all the berries grown during the winter. The 18 million flats produced each year, if placed end to end, would extend from Plant City, Florida to Seattle, Washington and back again.

Hillsborough County, Florida is recognized as the "Winter Strawberry Capital of the World and the home of some of the sweetest, reddest and juiciest strawberries around."

Strawberry Sue is the home of the FSGA blog. Sue Harrell, known affectionately as Strawberry Sue, is FSGA’s director of marketing, seasoned strawberry grower and the voice of the blog. Sue will keep you informed and inspired. You’ll find helpful strawberry-related links, year-round news from the fields, special events and easy to prepare strawberry recipes.

Strawberry Sue demonstrates how to make an Edible Strawberry Bouquet
(not just for Valentine's Day)

Visit the FSGA website for additional information, including research, educational resources, recipes, events and contact information.

Recipes
Healthy Strawberry Recipes and Tips. EatingWell has a selection of fresh and delicious strawberry recipes, such as

Green Salad with Strawberries and Goat Cheese. Per serving: 215 calories; 17 g fat; 4 mg cholesterol; 15 g carbohydrates; 5 g protein; 4 g fiber; 209 mg sodium.

Arugula and Strawberry Salad. Per serving: 204 calories; 16 g fat; 7 mg cholesterol; 10 g carbohydrates; 7 g protein; 3 g fiber; 251 mg sodium.

February 4, World Cancer Day

2012-02-04T08:42:00.000-05:00

WHAT IS WORLD CANCER DAY?
World Cancer Day takes place every year on February 4 and is the singularinitiative under which the entire world can unite together in the fightagainst the global cancer epidemic.

World Cancer Day is an initiative of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC),through which the aim is to help save millions of preventable deaths each year by raisingawareness and education about cancer, and pressing governments and individuals across theworld to take action against the disease.

World Cancer Day 2012 has been themed ’Together let’s do something’ because it is only byevery person, organisation, government individually doing their part that the world will beable to reduce premature deaths from cancer and other NCDs by 25% by 2025.

Cancer Prevention

Did you know that each year, over 12.7 million people receive a cancer diagnosis and 7.6 million people die from the disease?If no action is taken, the worldwide cancer burden is expected to reach 26 million new diagnoses and 17 million deaths by the year 2030, with the most rapid increases occurring in low- and middle-income countries.

It’s not all bad news as 30-40% of cancers can be prevented, and one-third of cancers can be cured through early diagnosis and treatment. UICC aims to help people understand how to take steps to prevent cancer and live a healthier and longer life.

A Healthy Diet and Physical Activity

A healthy diet and regular adequate physical activity are of major importance to preventing cancer and maintaining good health throughout life.

*Be as lean as possible without becoming underweight.
*Be physically active for at least 30 minutes every day
*Avoid sugary drinks. Limit consumption of energy-dense foods (particularly processed foods high in added sugar, or low in fiber, or high in fat)
*Eat more of a variety of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and beans
*Limit consumption of red meats (such as beef, pork and lamb) and avoid processed meats
*If consumed at all, limit alcoholic drinks to 2 for men and 1 for women a day
*Limit consumption of salty foods and foods processed with salt (sodium)
*Don’t use supplements to protect against cancer

Quit Tobacco
Tobacco kills more than 5 million people a year, an average of one person every six seconds. You can prevent cancer when you stop smoking, chewing and sniffing tobacco. Try to avoid exposure to passive smoke to further reduce your risk.

Sun Exposure
Excessive exposure to UV radiation (either from the sun or from artificial sources such as sun beds) is associated with accelerated skin aging and different types of skin cancer. Stop using sun beds and avoid excessive sun exposure. Remember to use sunscreens and protective clothing as an effective cancer prevention method.

For additional preventative measures, visit World Cancer Day – Union for International Cancer Control (UICC).

February 3, Go Red for Women Life's Simple 7

2012-02-02T19:38:00.000-05:00

The Nutrition and Dietetic Professionals want you to Tell 5 and Save Lives.

Keep your "Heart- Healthy".

A message from the American Heart Association.

Go Red For Women

In 2004, the American Heart Association (AHA) faced a challenge. Cardiovascular disease claimed the lives of nearly 500,000 American women each year, yet women were not paying attention. In fact, many even dismissed it as an “older man’s disease.” To dispel the myths and raise awareness of heart disease as the number one killer of women, the American Heart Association created Go Red For Women – a passionate, emotional, social initiative designed to empower women to take charge of their heart health.

Go Red For Women encourages awareness of the issue of women and heart disease, and also action to save more lives. The movement utilizes the energy, commitment and power women have to band together and collectively wipe out heart disease. It challenges them to know their risk for heart disease and take action to reduce their personal risk. It also gives them the tools they need to lead a heart healthy life.

In 2010, the American Heart Association set a strategic goal of reducing death and disability from cardiovascular disease and strokes by 20% while improving the cardiovascular health of all Americans by 20% by the year 2020.

Go Red For Women targets women because only 55 percent of women realize heart disease is their No. 1 killer and less than half know what are considered healthy levels for cardiovascular risk factors like blood pressure and cholesterol. The Go Red For Women movement works to make sure women know they are at risk so they can take action to protect their health.

Tell 5 and Save Lives

Tell five family members and friends how they can get heart healthy. Heart disease is still the No. 1 killer of women, taking the life of 1 in 3 women each year. This means women just like you - mothers, sisters, friends - are dying at the rate of one per minute because they don't know what you know: heart disease kills.

Just think: By simply bringing your network to our network, you could save lives. And if your five tell five, your mission can eventually impact hundreds and thousands of women.

Life's Simple Seven

Get Active

Finding time in our busy lives for exercise is a challenge for all Americans. But the benefits far outweigh the sacrifices it takes to create time. The facts are clear: By exercising for as little as 30 minutes each day you can reduce your risk of heart disease. Without regular physical activity, the body slowly loses its strength and ability to function well. Physical activity = living a longer, healthier life.

Regular Physical Activity helps: Lower blood pressure, increase HDL “good” cholesterol in your blood, control blood sugar by improving how your body uses insulin, reduce feelings of stress, control body weight and make you feel good about yourself.

Control Cholesterol

Cholesterol is a soft, fat-like, waxy substance found in the bloodstream and in all your body's cells. It's normal to have cholesterol. Cholesterol is an important part of a healthy body because it's used for producing cell membranes and some hormones, and serves other needed bodily functions. But too much cholesterol in the blood is a major risk for coronary heart disease (which leads to heart attack) and for stroke.

Cholesterol comes from two sources: your body and food. Your liver and other cells in your body make about 75% of blood cholesterol. The other 25% comes from the foods you eat.

LDL cholesterol is the “bad” cholesterol. When too much of it circulates in the blood, it can clog arteries, increasing your risk of heart attack and stroke. LDL cholesterol is produced naturally by the body, but many people inherit genes that cause them to make too much. Eating saturated fat, trans fats and dietary cholesterol also increases how much you have.

American Heart Association Recommendations: Total blood cholesterol is the most common measurement of blood cholesterol. It's the number you receive as test results. Cholesterol is measured in milligrams per deciliter of blood (mg/dL). A cholesterol level of 200 mg/dL or higher puts you in a high-risk category and is cause to take action.

Eat Better

A healthy diet and lifestyle are your best weapons to fight cardiovascular disease. You may be eating plenty of food, but your body may not be getting the nutrients it needs to be healthy. Nutrient-rich foods have vitamins, minerals, fiber and other nutrients, but are lower in calories. To get the nutrients you need, choose foods like vegetables, fruits, whole-grain products and fat-free or low-fat dairy products most often. The American Heart Association recommends that you eat a wide variety of nutritious foods daily from each of the basic food groups.

Recommended Food Choice Guidelines: Vegetables and fruits are high in vitamins, minerals and fiber; and lower in calories. Eating a variety of fruits and vegetables may help you control your weight and your blood pressure. Unrefined whole-grain foods contain fiber that can help lower your blood cholesterol and help you feel full. Eat fish at least twice a week. Recent research shows that eating oily fish containing omega-3 fatty acids (salmon, trout, and herring) may help lower your risk of death from coronary artery disease. Choose lean meats and poultry without skin and prepare them without added saturated and trans fat. Select fat-free, 1 percent fat, and low-fat dairy products. Cut back on foods containing partially hydrogenated vegetable oils to reduce trans fat in your diet. Aim to eat less than 300 milligrams of cholesterol each day. Choose and prepare foods with little or no salt. Aim to eat less than 1500 milligrams of sodium per day.

Heart Healthy Red Foods

Manage Blood Pressure

Hypertension (also know as High Blood Pressure) is the single most significant risk factor for heart disease. Uncontrolled high blood pressure can injure or kill you. It's sometimes called "the silent killer" because it has no symptoms. One in three adults has high blood pressure, yet, about 21% don’t even know they have it. Of those with high blood pressure, 69% are receiving treatment, yet, only 45% have their blood pressure controlled.

By keeping your blood pressure in the healthy range, you are:
* Reducing your risk of your vascular walls becoming overstretched and injured,
* Reducing your risk of your heart having to pump harder to compensate for blockages,
* Protecting your entire body so that your tissue receives regular supplies of blood that is rich in the oxygen it needs.

American Heart Association Guidelines: High blood pressure is manageable. These changes may reduce your blood pressure without the use of prescription medications: eating a heart-healthy diet, which may include reducing salt; enjoying regular physical activity; maintaining a healthy weight; managing stress; limiting alcohol; avoiding tobacco smoke.

Lose Weight

Among Americans age 20 and older, 145 million are overweight or obese (BMI of 25.0 kg/m2 and higher). That’s 76.9 million men and 68.1 million women. Obesity is now recognized as a major, independent risk factor for heart disease. If you have too much fat — especially if a lot of it is at your waist - you are at higher risk for such health problems as high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol and diabetes.

If you're overweight or obese, you can reduce your risk for heart disease by successfully losing weight and keeping it off. When coming up with a fitness and nutrition plan to lose weight, it’s crucial to understand your recommended calorie intake. And then the amount of food calories you’re consuming verses the energy calories you’re burning off with different levels of physical activity. It’s balancing healthy eating (caloric energy) with the (molecular) energy that leaves your body through a healthy level of exercise.

Reduce Blood Sugar

The American Heart Association considers diabetes one of the six major controllable risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Adults with diabetes are two to four times more likely to have heart disease or a stroke than adults without diabetes. Diabetes is treatable, but even when glucose levels are under control it greatly increases the risk of heart disease and stroke. Most people with diabetes die of some form of heart or blood vessel disease.

Pre-diabetes and subsequent type 2 diabetes usually results from insulin resistance. When insulin resistance or diabetes occur with other CVD risk factors (such as obesity, high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol and high triglycerides), the risk of heart disease and stroke rises even more. Controlling glucose can slow the progression of long-term complications. Often, many small changes add up to surprising improvements in diabetes control, including less need for medication.

American Heart Association Guidelines: When diabetes is detected, a doctor may prescribe changes in eating habits, weight control, exercise programs and medication to keep it in check. It's critical for people with diabetes to have regular check-ups. Work closely with your healthcare provider to manage your diabetes and control any other risk factors. For example, blood pressure for people with diabetes should be lower than 130/80 mm Hg.

Stop Smoking

Smoking is the most important preventable cause of premature death in the United States. Smokers have a higher risk of developing many chronic disorders, including atherosclerosis - the buildup of fatty substances in the arteries - which can lead to coronary heart disease, heart attack (myocardial infarction) and stroke. Smoking by itself increases the risk of coronary heart disease. When it acts with the other factors, it greatly increases your risk from those factors, too. Smoking decreases your tolerance for physical activity and increases the tendency for blood to clot. It decreases HDL (good) cholesterol. Your risks increase greatly if you smoke and have a family history of heart disease. Smoking also creates a higher risk for peripheral artery disease and aortic aneurysm. It increases the risk of recurrent coronary heart disease after bypass surgery, too.

February Wellness NewsTopics for Journalists, Writers, Educators and Bloggers

2012-02-01T18:11:00.000-05:00

Wellness News

February Highlights

American Heart Month

Eating Disorder Awareness Month

International Expect Success Month

Library Lovers Month

National Care about Your Indoor Air Month

National Children's Dental Health Month

National Parent Leadership Month
National Time Management Month
Plant the Seeds of Greatness Month
Responsible Pet Owner's Month

Youth Leadership Month

February Monthly Food Events

Bake for Family Fun Month

Canned Food Month

Chocolate Month

February is Fabulous Florida Strawberry

National Grapefruit Month

Great American Pies Month

National Cherry Month

National Hot Breakfast Month

National Potato Month

National Snack Food Month

National Wise Health Care Consumer

North Carolina Sweet Potato Month

Return Shopping Carts to the Supermarket

National Pet Dental Health Month

Soup's On National Soup Month

2012-01-27T01:26:00.001-05:00

Soup is a combination of foods with unlimited possibilities. It represents comfort, warmth, tradition and nourishment.

Soups can be an economical way of meeting nutritional needs. Leftovers are perfect when preparing soups.

Soups have been known to curb the appetite and slow down the eating process. Studies show slower eaters are more likely to notice signs of fullness sooner and consume fewer calories. With the extra time, enjoy the flavor, aroma and texture of the foods.

Soups can be prepared with a wide variety of healthy ingredients and traditional favorites made healthier with some substitutions.

Wisconsin Beer Cheese Soup

To put my food science background to the test, Jan Norris, a food writer and journalist sent me a "Wisconsin Beer Cheese Soup" recipe. Jan and I have worked together for many years and she often challenges me to make a recipe healthier. The original recipe is located at Jan Norris: Food and Florida.

Jan states “Don’t go with any recipe for beer-cheese soup if it’s not from Wisconsin, where beer and cheese rule the culinary world." This is a favorite for superbowl parties.

Original Nutrition Analysis: 577 Calories; 46 gm Fat; 27 gm Saturated Fat; 144 mg Cholesterol; and 818 mg Sodium.

Modified Wisconsin Beer Cheese Soup: 266 Calories; 16 gm Fat; 8 gm Saturated Fat; 41 mg Cholesterol; and 522 mg Sodium. The recipe is still high in fats and sodium, but by making some small changes, we were able to save 311 Calories; 30 gm Fat; 19 gm Saturated Fat; 103 mg Cholesterol; and 296 mg Sodium. The soup makes for a filling main course and perfect for those cold winter days.

Modified Wisconsin Beer Cheese Soup, serves 14, 1 cup =

1- 1/2 cups diced carrots

1- 1/2 cups diced onion

1 -1/2 cups diced celery

2 cloves garlic, minced

Dash (or to taste) hot pepper sauce

1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

3 cups low sodium chicken broth

2 cups beer

1/3 cup margarine, unsalted

1/3 cup flour

4 cups 2%milk

6 cups reduced-fat shredded extra-sharp Cheddar cheese

1 tablespoon Dijon or spicy mustard

2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

1 teaspoon dry mustard

popped popcorn, for topping

In a large saucepan over medium heat, mix carrots, onion, celery, and garlic. Stir in hot pepper sauce, cayenne pepper and pepper. Pour in chicken broth and beer; simmer until vegetables are tender, about 12 minutes. Remove from heat.

Meanwhile, heat margarine in a large soup pot over medium-high heat. Stir in flour with a wire whisk; cook, stirring until the flour is light brown, about 3 or 4 minutes. Gradually stir in milk, whisking to prevent scorching, until thickened. Remove from heat, and gradually stir in cheese. Keep warm. Stir beer mixture into cheese mixture. Stir in Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce and dry mustard. Adjust for hot pepper sauce. Bring to a simmer, and cook 10 minutes. Serve topped with popcorn.

Jan Norris is a journalist and food writer. She spent 26 years at The Palm Beach Post, 21 years as editor of the weekly Food and Dining section. Jan’s blog is full of food, travel, Old Florida, the South and a world of people with stories to tell.

Foods you can substitute to make heart healthy choices.

Instead of:	Try these heart healthy suggestions:
whole milk or 2% milk	1% milk or skim milk
whipped cream	chilled evaporated skim milk, whipped
cheese, (American, Cheddar, Swiss)	Cheeses with 5 or less grams of fat per ounce. Terms used: reduced-fat, low-fat or fat-free. Reduced-fat is easier to substitute when cooking.
creamed cottage cheese	nonfat or 1% fat cottage cheese, or farmers cheese
cream cheese	light, fat-free products, or Neufchatel cheese
Mozzarella cheese	part-skim mozzarella cheese
Ricotta cheese	nonfat, lite, or part-skim
sour cream, regular	non-fat, light, or low fat sour cream or plain yogurt.
butter	lower calorie margarines in soft tubes, vegetable cooking sprays, or nonstick cookware.
margarine, regular	lower calorie margarines in soft tubes, vegetable cooking sprays, or nonstick cookware.
mayonnaise, regular	reduced-fat, cholesterol free, low fat, or fat free. If making a dip you can substitute plain nonfat or low fat yogurt. Reduce the amount required in the recipe.
salad dressing	reduced-fat, cholesterol free, low fat, or fat free dressings or lemon juice, vinegar, or mustard. Reduce the amount required in the recipe.
one whole egg	equals 2 egg whites or 1/4 cup egg substitute
egg noodles	noodles made without egg yolk
condensed cream soup	99% fat-free condensed cream soup
salt	eliminate or reduce by 1/2; explore herbs and spices
gravy	gravies made with low sodium broth and thickened with flour/cornstarch
beef, pork, veal, lamb	choose lean cuts trimmed of all visible fat, or substitute with chicken or turkey without the skin.
oil for sautéing	water, broth, tomato juice
frying	broil, bake, microwave, poach, steam, grill, stir fry

Healthy Soup Additions
1. Instead of salt, add herbs and spices to enhance the flavor. Explore the many possible seasonings available.
2. Increase fiber, vitamins and minerals by adding fresh, frozen or leftover vegetables (use fruits if making a cold soup). Avoid canned vegetables high in sodium. Read the label. A low sodium food contains 140 mg or less per serving of sodium.
3. Increase fiber and protein by using foods such as, beans, lentils, brown rice, whole grain pasta, barley and bulgur.
4. Increase calcium and protein by using skim milk, evaporated skim milk, non-fat dry milk powder, or calcium-fortified soymilk. These low fat ingredients can replace the higher fat alternatives like whole milk or cream.

Canned and Dry Soup Mixes are known for their high sodium content, Read the label and check the serving size. Remember, a low sodium food contains 140 mg or less per serving of sodium.

There are some companies within the food industry making great strides in lowering the sodium content in their products. At Campbell, they have more than 100 products with a healthy level of sodium; more than 200 that are low in fat and saturated fat; more than 150 products that have 100 calories or less per serving; and more than 85 products certified by the American Heart Association.

As I searched the Campbell archives, I came across a commercial from 1959. Campbell had the foresight to recognize the importance of nutrition over 50 years ago.

Campbell's Soup, 1959

Soup Tidbits
Soup is a stable in almost every American home. After the NBC's "Seinfeld" show introduced the "Soup Nazi" in the United States on November 2, 1995 - Soup became a fashionable food.

The Soup Nazi - Revenge

Resources

Over 40 Healthy Soup Recipes from the Mayo Clinic.

January is “Poverty in America Awareness Month”

2012-01-25T08:57:00.000-05:00

Today, 37.3 million Americans—and 1 in 6 children (18 percent of all American children) are living below the poverty line. They live in families who have to make difficult choices between food, health care, heat and rent. To bring attention to this national crisis, the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) has designated January as “Poverty in America Awareness Month.”

CCHD is committed to working towards the elimination of poverty in the United States. Sponsored by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, tax-exempt organization, CCHD today stands as one of the nation’s largest funding organizations for self-help programs for the poor.

Tour Poverty USA

What Does Hunger Feel Like?

Shopping Matters Tour

Food Stamp Use Rising in Wealthy Areas

Numbers of Hungry Children
Increasing In US

CCHD invests in the dignity of people living below the poverty line. Their programs support self-sufficiency and self-determination for people who are working to bring permanent change to their communities. Their philosophy emphasizes empowerment and participation for those in poverty. By helping the poor to participate in the decisions and actions affecting their lives and communities, CCHD empowers them to move beyond poverty.

Since 1970, CCHD has provided about 8,000 grants to self-help projects to aid those living in poverty. Each year CCHD distributes national grants to more than 300 projects and hundreds of smaller local programs are funded through the 25 percent share of the CCHD collection retained by dioceses.

During Poverty in America Awareness Month, the CCHD devotes efforts to heightening the nation's understanding of the size and depth of the problems of poverty by:

• Releasing public service campaign to raise awareness of poverty in America.

• Encouraging the editorial media to focus on poverty.

• Educating the public to be sensitive to the needs of those in poverty and to treat poor people with respect.

• Holding events in schools and public settings to remind people poverty does exist in American.

USA Poverty Statistics

The official poverty rate in 2009 was 14.3 percent, that is up from 13.2 percent in 2008. The number of people living in extreme poverty (those with incomes below half the poverty line), rose to over 17 million people. This is the highest level on record since data first became available in 1975. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Housing and Household Economic Statistics Division: 2008

Brother can you Spare a Dime? (1920's)

Different Ways to Get Involved

1. Volunteer
2. Make a donation
3. Share your knowledge

4. Give your support

5. Ask before you give

6. Find out what people need

7. Sponsor an event

January 24, National Peanut Butter Day

2012-01-24T13:19:00.000-05:00

The American Peanut Council proclaims peanut butter one of America’s favorite foods. Peanut butter is a good source of protein, niacin, and folate. It is enjoyed by many of all ages.

The edible art shows a few ways to enjoy peanut butter, such as a peanut butter and fruit spread sandwich, on celery, creamy, or crunchy. Peanut butter is also available as low fat and reduced sodium.

The National Peanut Board has a fun website filled with recipes, classroom activities and fun facts. Did you know...

*It takes about 540 peanuts to make a 12-ounce jar of peanut butter.

*There are enough peanuts in one acre to make 30,000 peanut butter sandwiches.

*By law, any product labeled "peanut butter" in the United States must be at least 90 percent peanuts.

*Peanut butter has been banned in some schools due to peanut butterallergies. Make sure to read the ingredient label.

A Journey through the Years
with Peanut Butter

Peter Pan Peanut Butter, 1957

Peanut Butter by Marathons (1961)

1960's Skippy Peanut Butter

1970's Sesame Street
Peanut Butter Factory

Kraft Peanut Butter, 1987

January - National Birth Defects Prevention Month

2012-01-23T16:25:00.000-05:00

Sponsor: The National Birth Defects Prevention Network

2011 March of Dimes Report Card

Preterm birth rates improved in almost every state between 2006 and 2009, and in several states the change was more than 10 percent. According to the March of Dimes 2011 Premature Birth Report Card the United States earned a C; indicating the USA has a long way to go in reducing our rate of premature birth. At 1 in 8 babies born too soon, our country’s rate is higher than that of most developed nations.

Prevent Birth Defects

National Birth Defects Prevention Month is a time to raise awareness of birth defects and promote healthy pregnancies.

A birth defect is a problem that happens while a baby is developing in the mother’s body. One out of every 33 babies in the United States is born with a birth defect.

Many birth defects can be prevented. If you are pregnant or planning to get pregnant, these tips can help you have a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby:

* Take a multivitamin with folic acid every day before and during pregnancy.

* See your doctor or midwife regularly as soon as you think you're pregnant and throughout your pregnancy.

* Make sure your vaccinations are up to date.

* Eat well and stay active.

* Avoid alcohol, smoking, and other drug use.

* Prevent infections from food and other sources.

Healthy Lifestyle Choices

Diet and exercise
Eat healthy and exercise regularly. Health problems are linked to weighing too much or too little before and during pregnancy. Your health is affected by what you eat and by your physical activity.

Here are a few important guidelines for healthy eating:
• Eat lots of vegetables, fruits and whole grains such as whole wheat, oats, barley and brown rice. These are excellent sources of the vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber you need every day to feel your best.

• Eat less of the foods that are high in saturated fat and cholesterol, such as meat, poultry and whole milk dairy foods (low-fat dairy is okay). Saturated fat and cholesterol are strongly linked to heart disease, cancer and obesity.

Regular physical activity helps control weight, strengthen your heart, and give you more energy. It also reduces depression and relieves stress. It’s a good idea to exercise at least 3 times a week for at least 30 minutes.

Alcohol and drugs
Drinking alcohol or taking any type of legal or street drugs during the early weeks of pregnancy can hurt your unborn baby. That’s when the brain and other organs are forming.

If you drink alcohol, so does your unborn baby. Alcohol abuse during pregnancy is a leading known cause of mental retardation. If you are considering a pregnancy, it’s best to stop drinking alcohol before you conceive.

Cocaine, crack, heroin, amphetamines and other street drugs can badly hurt your baby if you use them while you are pregnant. Your baby could suffer lifelong health problems. Get help to stop using drugs before you become pregnant and stay clean.

National Fresh Squeezed Juice Week

2012-01-22T21:38:00.000-05:00

January 17 to 23 National Fresh Squeezed Juice Week

A glass of fresh squeezed juice is a great way to meet your fruit and vegetable needs. There are numerous combinations to create a variety of flavors that are packed with a lot of vitamins and minerals.

Fruits and Veggies Matter has a calculator to determine your your required servings of fruits and vegetables.

Review of Juicers

From Consumer Search Ratings

Best juice extractor

Breville Juice Fountain Elite 800JEXL

Best budget juicer

Hamilton Beach Big Mouth Pro 67650
Simple electric citrus juicer
Black and Decker CitrusMate Plus CJ625
Manual citrus juicer
Amco Houseworks Enameled Citrus Squeezer

Consumer Report Ratings
Top Three Juicers
Juiceman Pro JM503
Hamilton Beach Big Mouth Pro 67650
West Bend Performance 7010

Juicer Recipes

Note that not all juicers produce the same amount of liquid. Consider buying extra ingredients if your juicer produces a low output. To avoid pesticides and other chemicals, use organic fruits and vegetables and be sure to wash everything thoroughly. Some juicers heat juice slightly, so chill your ingredients before juicing them.

Carrot, Granny Smith, and Ginger Juice

yield: Makes about 7-1/2 cups, 1 serving (3/4 cup)

Calories (kcal) 69.7; Carbohydrates (g) 16.8; Fat (g) 0;
Saturated Fat (g) 0; Trans Fatty Acid (g) 0; Cholesterol (mg) 0;
Vitamin A (IU) 12250 (245.0%); Vitamin C (mg) 5.3 (8.9%);
Potassium (mg) 114.7; Sodium (mg) 56.7

Ingredients

4 to 5 pounds Granny Smith apples

3 to 4 pounds carrots, peeled and trimmed

1 (6-inch) piece peeled fresh ginger

Special equipment: a juicer (see cooks' note, below)

Preparation
Slice apples. Process enough slices in juicer, skimming and discarding any foam, to measure 4 cups juice, then transfer juice to a pitcher. Process enough carrots, skimming and discarding any foam, to measure 3 1/2 cups juice, then add to pitcher with apple juice. Process ginger, then stir 2 1/2 tablespoons ginger juice into pitcher. Chill until cold, about 2 hours. Serve over ice, if desired.

Spa Juice

yield: Makes 1 (1-cup) serving

Calories (kcal) 90; Carbohydrates (g) 21; Fat (g) 0;
Trans Fatty Acid (g) 0; Cholesterol (mg) 0;
Vitamin A - IU (IU) 4988 (99.8%); Vitamin C (mg) 51 (84.6%);
Iron (mg) 0.6 (3.2%); Sodium (mg) 67 (2.8%)
In addition, the recipe contains Vitamin B1; B2; B6; Folate;

Calcium; Phosphorus; and Potassium

Editor's note: This juice is fruity but not overly sweet. It gets its green color from parsley and spinach, but neither ingredient overwhelms the flavors of the pineapple, grapefruit, and carrots. The recipe is part of a spa menu developed exclusively for Epicurious by Chris Miller, executive chef at Como Shambhala Estate at Begawan Giri in Bali.

Use an electric juice extractor or heavy-duty juicer that can process stems, skin, and seeds.

Ingredients
5 ounces fresh pineapple (about 1 cup or 1/8 large pineapple), peeled, cored, cut into large chunks, and chilled

4 ounces pear (about 1 cup or 1/2 medium pear), unpeeled, cut into large chunks and chilled

2 cups (packed) spinach with stems (about 4 ounces), chilled

1 (2-ounce) bunch fresh flat-leaf parsley with stems, chilled

1/2 medium carrot, peeled and chilled

1/4 cup freshly squeezed grapefruit juice (from 1/2 small grapefruit), chilled

Preparation

In juice extractor, process pineapple, pear, spinach, parsley, and carrot, skimming foam if necessary. Stir in grapefruit juice, chill if desired, and serve. Juice is best served immediately but will keep, refrigerated, in airtight container up to two days.

Jack LaLanne Sings His Theme Song

as I conclude this Blog on Juicers.

In this clip from the Power Juicer infomercial,
Jack LaLanne sings the closing song from his old TV show
as a duet with an old video of himself.

Join the Beautiful and Bald Barbie Campaign

2012-01-22T11:21:00.000-05:00

The Beautiful and Bald Barbie

To help young children who suffer from hair loss due to cancer treatments, Alopecia or Trichotillomania. Also, for young children who are having trouble coping with their mother's hair loss from chemo. Many children have some difficulty accepting their mother, sister, aunt, grandparent or friend going from long haired to bald.

My Barbie is a quadriplegia.
She is in a wheelchair and is a photographer.

Barbie has become a teaching tool for a variety of professions; eating disorders; body image distortions, etc..

A bald Barbie shows the world that no illness can take away beauty.
Providing resources and accessories gives a bald Barbie the power of

Acceptance for many children, their families and friends.

To learn more, visit Beautiful and Bald Barbie!
and the Bald G.I. Joe Movement

Healthy Weight Week Resources

2012-01-21T09:18:00.000-05:00

In celebrating Healthy Weight Week, we looked at Weight Bias, Body Image, Self-Esteem, Lifelong Healthy Habits, Identifying Fad Diets and Beauty Comes in All Sizes and Shapes.

It is crucial to continue research and education. Eating disorder or disordered eating affects up to 24 million Americans and 70 million individuals worldwide. (Renfrew Center Foundation for Eating Disorders, Eating Disorders 101 Guide: A Summary of Issues, Statistics and Resources, October 2003)

You are so beautiful

Anorexia is the 3rd most common chronic illness among adolescents. (Public Health Service's Office in Women's Health, Eating Disorder Information Sheet, 2000).

A young woman with anorexia is 12 times more likely to die than other women her age without anorexia. (Mortality in Anorexia Nervosa. American Journal of Psychiatry, 152(7), 1073-1074).

Five to ten percent of people with anorexia die within ten years of onset, 18 to 20 percent die within twenty years of onset, and only 50 percent report ever being cured. Without treatment, up to 20% of people with serious eating disorders die. With treatment, the mortality rate falls to 2 to 3%. (American Psychiatric Association (1993), "Practice Guidelines for Eating Disorders." American Journal of Psychiatry, 150 (2), pp 212-228).

20% of people suffering from anorexia will prematurely die from complications related to their eating disorder, including suicide and heart problems. (Renfrew Center Foundation for Eating Disorders, "Eating Disorders 101 Guide: A Summary of Issues, Statistics and Resources," published September 2002, revised October 2003).

It is estimated currently 11% of high school students have been diagnosed with an eating disorder. (National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders)

51% of 9 and 10 year-old girls feel better about themselves if they are on a diet. (Mellin LM, Irwin CE and Scully S: Disordered eating characteristics in girls: A survey of middle class children. Journal of the American Dietetic Association. 1992; 92:851-53)

42% of 1st to 3rd grade girls want to be thinner. (Collins M.E., 1991. Body figure and preferences among pre-adolescent children. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 199-208.)

81% of 10 year olds are afraid of being fat. (Mellin LM, Irwin CE and Scully S: Disordered eating characteristics in girls: A survey of middle class children. Journal of the American Dietetic Association. 1992; 92:851-53).

91% of women surveyed on a college campus had attempted to control their weight through dieting, 22% dieted "often" or "always". (Kurth CL, Krahn DD, Nairn K and Drewnowski A: The severity of dieting and bingeing behaviors in college women: Interview validation of survey data. Journal of Psychiatric Research. 1995; 29(3):211-25).

Resources and Support
National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) provides education, resources and support for those individuals and families affected by eating disorders, and serves to prevent, cure and access quality care. NEDA sponsors events, programs and research on eating disorders, and contains a section on its site featuring recent news articles and information.

Academy for Eating Disorders (AED). The Academy for Eating Disorders aims to provide comprehensive information on the facts of eating disorders, treatment plans and education to prevent others from developing eating disorders.

Alliance of Eating Disorders Awareness was created as a source of community outreach, education, awareness and prevention of the various eating disorders. Their goal is to spread the message, recovery from these disorders is possible, and individuals should not have to suffer or recover alone.

Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Provides nutrition resources about eating disorders, including an extensive nutrition reading list.

American Obesity Association (AOA). AOA is the leading scientific society dedicated to the study of obesity. They are committed to encouraging research on the causes and treatment of obesity, and to keeping the medical community and public informed of new advances. AOA provides obesity awareness and prevention information.

Andrea's Voice Foundation (AVF) is dedicated to promoting education and understanding toward the prevention, identification, diagnosis and treatment of disordered eating and related issues. The site has a section for poetry, a blog, media, presentations and ways you can help.

Binge Eating Disorder Association (BEDA) is the national organization focusing on increased prevention, diagnosis, and treatment for Binge Eating Disorder.

BodyImageHealth.org introduces a model for a healthy body image and provides a variety of resources to help children and adults develop a positive body image, effective eating habits, nutritional health, fitness and weight.

Council on Size and Weight Discrimination, Inc. An activist group influencing public opinion and policy through education, information and networking.

Eating Disorders Anonymous (EDA). A 12 step self-help fellowship for anorexics and bulimics. EDA offers membership to any person who needs help recovering from an eating disorder. The site has meetings around the United States, publications, recovery information, EDA news and helpful links to other sites.

Eating Disorders Coalition. The goal of Eating Disorders Coalition is to "advance the federal recognition of eating disorders as a public health priority." The nonprofit organization lists the federal policy on its website, congressional briefings, events, information/resources on eating disorders and a blog.

Eating Disorders Information Network (EDIN) is a nonprofit organization committed to the prevention of all types of disordered eating, from obesity to anorexia, and the promotion of positive body-esteem through education, outreach and action.

Eating Disorder Referral and Information Center (EDRIC) includes links to sites which provide additional information on eating disorders and related topics.

Eating Disorders Resource Center (EDRC) is a non-profit organization that links resources, information and support for eating disorders in Silicon Valley. The mission of EDRC is to increase awareness and understanding of eating disorders for the general public and health professionals; to promote early diagnosis, effective treatment, and recovery; and to advocate for mental health legislation and effective insurance coverage. EDRC offers a comprehensive, online resource directory.

F.E.A.S.T. Families Empowered and Supporting Treatment of Eating Disorders is an international organization providing support to families and friends of those suffering from eating disorders. The site announces events and conferences, groups around the world, treatment providers, online caregivers and current news.

Fed Up Girl is a non-profit foundation educating young girls on body image, self-esteem and balanced living to prevent eating disorders. Founded in Los Angeles by two women who recovered from years of battling eating disorders, the program is available free of charge to groups of girls age 6 to 17. The program is tailored for each age group and provides access to some of the most current research in creating positive body image and self-esteem.

Healthy Weight Network provides information and resources pertaining to “health at any size”.

International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals (IAEDP) is well recognized for its excellence in providing education and training standards to an international multidisciplinary group of various healthcare treatment providers and helping professions, who treat the full spectrum of eating disorder problems.

Kristen Watt Foundation provides support for those suffering with eating disorders. The site has sections for parents, friends and coaches. They are dedicated to increasing awareness of eating disorders, education and treatment.

Multi-Service Eating Disorders Association (MEDA) is a nonprofit organization working to prevent and treat eating disorders. Their aim is to do this through early detection and increased public awareness. This site has events listed, resources and a place for individuals to join the organization.

National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD) seeks to alleviate the problems of eating disorders by educating the public and healthcare professionals, encouraging research, and sharing resources on all aspects of these disorders. Their website includes information on finding support groups, referrals, treatment centers, advocacy and background on eating disorders.

National Association for Males with Eating Disorders, Inc. (N.A.M.E.D.) is dedicated to offering support to and public awareness about males with eating disorders.

National Institute of Mental Health: Eating Disorders provides information on anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge-eating disorder, the affect eating disorders can have on men, treatment options and helpful resources and links.

Perfect Illusions. Discover what an eating disorder is, find help and resources, and look into the lives of several individuals and their families who are struggling with the consequences of anorexia and bulimia.

The Renfrew Center. Residential treatment facility specializing in eating disorders (anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorders) and related mental health issues. The Renfrew Center is a women's mental health center with locations in Philadelphia and Radnor, Pennsylvania; Coconut Creek, Florida; New York City; Old Greenwich, Connecticut; Ridgewood, New Jersey; Charlotte, North Carolina, Nashville, TN, Dallas, TX, and Bethesda, MD.

Something Fishy. The website gives detailed information on most aspects of eating disorders, such as defining them, preventing them, finding treatments and paying for recovery.

Womenshealth.gov The National Women's Health Information Center is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The site has information on body image, cosmetic surgery, eating disorders, and a list of links to various informational websites.

Books

Healthy Weight Week Awards for Healthy Body Image and Slim Chance

2012-01-20T11:07:00.000-05:00

Healthy Weight Week features the Healthy Body Image Awards and the Slim Chance Awards. This is a brief overview of the winners from Healthy Weight Network.

Winners of the
Women's Healthy Body
Image Awards

Adele, a young British singer with a strong contralto voice who wows audiences worldwide. Adele is unapologetic about her weight. “I’ve seen people where it rules their lives, how it wears them down. I don’t want that in my life.” Outspoken about loving her body the way it is, she advises, “Be happy and healthy. I like looking nice, but I always put comfort over fashion. I make music to be a musician not to be on the cover of Playboy.”

Adele - Natural Woman (Traduzido)

In Favor of Myself continues to evolve as an interactive educational program promoting positive self and body image among youth in Israel. Developed by Prof. Moria Golan, Director of the Management of Eating Disorders, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and now in the process of adaptation into the formal school system, it underwent four years of testing. Analysis shows reduced media influence and appearance focus. The eight sessions explore the impact of consumer culture, adolescent transitions, appearance issues and advertising. Participants learn to identify and counter prejudice and structures that contribute to body preoccupation. They role play, practice positive self-talk, resolve conflict and state their own opinions with confidence. The program builds on the earlier Patch program and is supported in part by the Dove Self Esteem Fund, Unilever.

Nancy Redd’s books Body Drama and Diet Drama redefine beauty for teen girls.

Diet Drama, Nancy Redd

Filled with hundreds of photos of real-life girls of varied sizes, they explore real issues and give real answers, such as changes going on during puberty and common sense ways to deal with them. Redd is a dynamic speaker and self-esteem advocate. With humor, authenticity and compassion, she balances the messages of body acceptance and getting healthier, without self-hatred and unrealistic expectations. She says, “I wrote Body Drama so that we could all acknowledge, understand, and celebrate the fact that everybody is different, and no matter what size and shape you are, you deal with body drama, and you are not alone!” Her books have been on bestseller lists at both the New York Times and USA Today and are translated into Russian, German and Italian.

My Pick: The Real Truth About Beauty: Revisited, Dove
Dove Movement for Self-Esteem:
A New Vision

Slim Chance Awards

Awards are presented in the following four categories: Worst Gimmick, Worst Claim, Worst Product and Most Outrageous.

WORST GIMMICK

The “Pure Energy Weight Loss plus Energy Band.”

Pure Energy Bands - Loud Rumor Video Productions

This plastic bracelet embeds green and silver hologram discs claims to give off vibes that resonate throughout the body and stimulate weight loss and health. Among the alleged results are decreased appetite, balanced metabolism, balanced hormones¸ enhanced energy flow, increased energy levels and the promotion of positive emotions. A testimonial declares, “Since I bought my Pure Energy Band I have lost over 83 pounds and I feel fantastic.” Furthermore a disc does not even need to touch the skin—apparently it can hover at some distance. Supposedly, to be effective it “only needs to be within the body’s natural energy field. For most people, that is within two inches of the body.”

WORST CLAIM
Sensa weight-loss crystals. The Sensa website states boldly that users can lose an average of 30.5 pounds in six months without dieting, exercise food restrictions or drastic lifestyle changes—by merely sprinkling these weight-loss crystals on their food. It claims that Sensa has been “clinically proven.” Smell and taste receptors supposedly send the brain messages to tell your body to stop eating. It “activates a hunger-control switch in the brain and you “eat less and feel more satisfied… no feelings of hunger or intense cravings.” Class-action suits have been filed in California and Texas against the marketers of Sensa, developed by Chicago neurologist Alan Hirsch, M.D. and sold by California-based Sensa Products. The California complaint states that (a) there is no competent and reliable scientific evidence to substantiate these claims and (b) an expert who reviewed Sensa's main clinical study judged it “beyond worthless.”

WORST PRODUCT

HCG Supplements HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin). HCG was first introduced more than 50 years ago by British physician Dr. Albert Simeon who claimed the hormone, found in the urine of pregnant women, would mobilize stored fat, suppress appetite and redistribute fat. He contended that regular injections would enable dieters to live comfortably on a 500-calorie-a-day diet. For a time, these weekly injections were the most widespread obesity medication administered in the US. In the mid-70s the FDA and FTC effectively shut them down by ordering the Simeon clinics to stop claiming their programs were safe and effective, and requiring they inform patients in writing that there was no evidence HCG increases weight loss beyond that resulting from caloric restriction.” More recently infomercial king Kevin Trudeau took up the cudgel. His 2007 book claims HCG is "an absolute cure for obesity discovered almost fifty years ago,” but “suppressed" by medical experts and the FDA. HCG is heavily marketed online and in retail outlets as oral drops, pellets, and sprays, while injections for weight loss continue. Labeling states that each should be taken in conjunction with a very-low-calorie-diet which, the FDA noted, can trigger gallstone formation, electrolyte imbalance and abnormal heart rhythms. (HCG is approved as an injectable prescription drug for the treatment of some cases of female infertility and other medical conditions.) In December the FDA and FTC jointly warned six companies that it is illegal to market over-the counter HCG products labeled as "homeopathic" for weight loss. This is considered a first step in halting sales (Dec 6, 2011).

MOST OUTRAGEOUS

Jesse Willms, the Canadian owner of Just Think Media. Willms is a multi-millionaire connected to more than 40 product and company names. The 23-year-old high school dropout is charged with deceiving people who order a free trial of a diet pill called Acai Burn that required only a small handling fee and later found credit cards depleted of nearly $700. It’s a major international problem says Canada's Anti-Fraud Call Centre. The FTC in the U.S. agrees and is suing Willms and his associates—who collected more than $450 million from online consumers in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand. The complaint says Willms sold at least 15 brands of acai berry weight-loss pills, six brands of colon cleansers and supplements containing resveratrol—all marketed with false or misleading claims. Promised money-back guarantees were often ignored. Despite the efforts of credit card companies and banks the money kept flowing through shell companies and manipulation of payment data.

Original article can be found at www.healthyweightnetwork.com. Francie M. Berg, MS, LN serves as chair of Healthy Weight Week. She is a licensed nutritionist, adjunct professor at the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and author of 12 books.

Her latest book "Underage and Overweight: Our Childhood Obesity Crisis – What Every Family Needs to Know” explores the facts behind the obesity crisis and provides a plan for raising confident healthy-weight children.

Francie M. Berg fmberg@healthyweight.net
Healthy Weight Network
402 South 14th Street
Hettinger, ND 58639
701-567-2646

What is Beauty? A part of Healthy Weight Week

2012-01-19T11:35:00.000-05:00

Healthy Weight Week was created to increase awareness of positive body image, build self-esteem and recognize Beauty cannot be measured by a scale.

The video is a composition created from three sources,
each sharing a message about Beauty.

The first looks at the efforts women have gone through to be "beautiful"

The second is a fashion show raising awareness
that beauty comes in all sizes.

The final segment is from the Dove campaign on "Real Beauty".

What is Beauty?

Credits

What is Beautiful?
created by Cherish Manifold

Fashion for Everybody

benefiting Eating Disorders Coalition of Tennessee

Dove, http://www.dove.us/

Acknowledging the Amazing efforts of Dove
to educate people about "Real Beauty".

"Campaign for Real Beauty"

"Dove Self Esteem Fund"

A part of Healthy Weight Week

Sandra Frank, Ed.D., RD, LDN

http://www.dietitians-online.com/

http://www.weighing-success.com/

Music
Beautiful People
performed by
Sandra Frank (age 14)

Self Esteem and Body Image

2012-01-18T04:41:00.000-05:00

A part of Healthy Weight Week

Be Proud of Who You Are

Fed Up Inc., helping build Self Esteem and a Positive Body Image

"Our mission is to prevent eating disorders by training students to become Junior Ambassadors who then educate peers and younger students about body image, self esteem and healthy living to create a world without diets and body bashing." - Bridget Loves Livingston, founder of Fed Up Inc.

Fed up Inc is a Non-Profit group based in Los Angeles. They go inside “Hollywood” to get a close look at how media images are created. They work with stylists, makeup artists, photographers, hairstylists, actors, singers, personalities, agents, producers, directors and people behind the scenes who create the art that is Show Business. The goal is to help educate everyone on how media is created and encourage people to stop comparing themselves to these images. Most importantly Fed Up is a grassroots campaign encouraging people to be their best individual selves.

Perfect

Body Image and Children

We can help children develop a positive body image and relate to foods in a healthy way. Here are some suggestions from Womenshealth.gov.

1. Make sure your children understand weight gain is a normal part of development, especially during puberty.

2. Avoid negative statements about food, weight and body size. Never tell your children they would be prettier and have more friends if they lost weight.

3. Allow your children to make decisions about food. Make sure plenty of healthy meals and snacks are available.

4. Compliment your children on their efforts, talents, accomplishments and personal values.

5. Encourage schools to enact policies against size and sexual discrimination, harassment, teasing; support the elimination of public weigh-ins and fat measurements.

6. Keep the lines of communication open between you and your children.

7. A parent is a role model, set an example by eating healthy and exercising.

Sarai Walker, the author of Building a Better Body Image states, "Include women of all ethnic and racial groups, age groups, sizes, abilities, and sexual orientations in your circle of friends. When we expose ourselves to the rich and varied experiences of all women, our narrow ideas about beauty and bodies often change.

2012-01-17T08:02:00.002-05:00

Fad diets usually refer to unconventional eating patterns promoting short-term weight loss, usually with no concern for long-term weight control. These diets become quickly popular and just as quickly lose appeal. Fad diets generally disregard or refute what is known about the basic association between dietary patterns and human health. Extreme fad diets may lack energy, protein, vitamins and minerals essential for growing children.

How to Spot a Fad Diet

Does the food plan make any of the following Claims or Statements?
1. Recommends a quick fix solution.
2. Sounds too good to be true.
3. Recommendations based on a single study.
4. Recommendations that ignore the differences between people.
5. Requires you buy a product or the program will not work.
6. Eliminates one or more of the food groups.
7. Draws simple conclusions from a complex study.
8. Dramatic results questioned by established scientific communities (Academy DA, AMA, NIH, etc..)

HCG: Dangerous to Dieters

This is an Example of a Fad Diet and it can Kill You!
The Tapeworm Diet

Celebrity Diets

These recommendations are NOT FAD DIETS.
The books represent healthy food plans and
lifelong strategies to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

A Look at Weight Bias

2012-01-16T06:02:00.000-05:00

During Healthy Weight Week, the issue of Weight Bias is addressed. The three videos reviewed look at this subject from the academic perspective, a personal view and government intervention. Though the videos discuss weight bias in relationship to overweight and obesity, the very thin often are a target of weight bias.

Weight Bias
Overweight and obese youth frequently are teased, harassed and mistreated because of their weight. Weight-related teasing ("weight bias") can have a damaging impact on both emotional and physical health. The Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity at Yale University (http://www.yaleruddcenter.org) created this video to help parents and teachers understand the severity and impacts of weight bias in school and at home and to present strategies to help combat this problem for overweight teens and pre-adolescents.

The video host is celebrity, model and activist Emme and features Rudd Center experts: Dr. Rebecca Puhl and Dr. Kelly Brownell. The obstacles overweight and obese youth encounter with weight bias is presented using expert commentary and dramatic representation.

Discrimination Against Overweight People

"My old suitemate inspired me to make this as my final project freshman year. When she broke out of her shell and felt good about herself, her personality really began to shine. Everyone we lived with started to see past her "big girl" exterior and opened up to her more. We had creative freedom wth our final project so I decided to look at various aspects of the discrimination against larger individuals."

Should Weight Discrimination Be Illegal?

Resources:

1. Understanding Size Bias, a Conversation with Rebecca Puhl

2. The Canadian Summit on Weight Bias and Discrimination

Healthy Weight Week January 15 to 21, 2012

2012-01-15T11:37:00.000-05:00

Today is the start of Healthy Weight Week. During Healthy Weight Week attention is focused on Lifelong Healthy Habits Self-Esteem; Weight Bias; Fad Diets and Gimmicks; Women’s Healthy Weight; Health at any Size and Professional Resources. The goals are to prevent eating disorders and weight problems.

What is Healthy Weight Week?

Frances M. "Francie" Berg, MS, LN is the founder of Healthy Weight Week. She is a licensed nutritionist, family wellness specialist and adjunct professor at the University of North Dakota School Of Medicine. Francie is the author of 12 books and the founder, editor and publisher of the Healthy Weight Journal (established in 1986).

Mission
"Healthy Weight Network (HWN) provides a critical link between research and practical application on weight and eating issues. Recognizing weight is a complex condition of increasing concern throughout the world, the HWN is committed to bringing together scientific information from many sources, reporting controversial issues in a clear, objective manner and the ongoing search for truth and understanding.

Recognizing weight is an easily exploitable health and social concern, the HWN is committed to exposing deception, reshaping detrimental social attitudes, and promoting health at any size. Our mission is to be a voice of integrity and insight in a field that has been much abused and neglected."

Francie M. Berg, MS, LN
Healthy Weight Network, 402 South 14th Street, Hettinger, ND 58639
email: fmberg@healthyweight.net; website: http://www.healthyweight.net/

Every Girl Is Beautiful / Self-Esteem PSA

Do You Think I'm Fat?
A Public Service Announcement from the
National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA).
For help visit http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/

January is National Get Organized Month

2012-01-14T04:51:00.000-05:00

January 2012 marks the 8th annual National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO) Get Organized (GO) Month. GO Month is dedicated to raising awareness to the benefits of being organized.

I always considered myself an organized person, but sometime in the 1980’s I started saving everything from – old lesson plans; grocery receipts (from recipe testing); scrap papers with numbers (no names); clothes (from size 2 to 24); my son’s art work; ADA journals; text books, VHS; cassettes; broken phones; wires.. the list is too long to include everything here.

In September 2011, I started to go through my collection of “stuff” to see what I had and what I no longer needed. I knew this would be a massive undertaking; this was almost 30 years of my life collecting dust in boxes, files, drawers, cupboards, closets, the garage and the attic. In just 3 months, I had thrown out over 15 large garbage bags of junk and still did not feel I had made a dent.

This week, I decided to focus only on one part of the house. I chose my office which is connected to my bedroom. I would not be going through my clothes yet, but it was on the to do list. I gathered all the boxes from my office, bedroom, under-the-bed, cupboards, shelves, draws, filing cabinets, and the hidden closet. I placed everything in my den to use as my staging area. This was also the only place in my home that still had a record player. I thought while I’m going through this massive amount of paper, I would listen to some of my old favorites before I donated (or threw out) my albums. I have to check to see if they are recyclable.

Who Is NAPO?
The National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO) is a group of about 4,200 professional organizers dedicated to helping individuals and businesses bring order and efficiency to their lives. Their vision is to have the world recognize the value of organizing and turn to NAPO as the leading organizing authority. Their mission is to develop, lead, and promote professional organizers and the organizing industry. In addition to serving professional organizers, they aim to help consumers and those interested in becoming professional organizers.

Get Rid of Clutter

Benefits of Organization
Organization improves one’s work, life, financial situation, and frees up time and space

10 Benefits of Getting Organized
1. Stress levels will go down and there will be less chaos and more relaxed life.
2. Efficiency gets projects done quicker with less time wasted on looking for things and being able to make quicker decisions.
3. An organized person is able to fit in time for friends, family members, and helping out in the community.
4. Getting organized helps you feel better about your environment and you are more likely to invite people into your environment without embarrassment.
5. You'll be a better role model for your children.
6. Get organized and you'll have more than enough time to exercise and cook healthy meals for yourself and your family.
7. An organized environment, also tends to be a much cleaner environment.
8. An organized person gives a much better business impression than someone who can't find a phone number, has an office piled with cardboard boxes or is always late for appointments.
9. When you're organized, you'll always know what you have, before you buy more.
10. Organized people find ways to eliminate tasks that aren't necessary and to streamline those that are taking too much time. This leaves plenty of time to work on achieving your goals.

“Organization brings a level of peace and tranquility to your life,” says Jennifer Snyder of Neat as a Pin! Organizing Experts. Snyder also advises people not to keep things around “just in case.”

“Clutter makes noise, it makes energetic noise. It sucks your energy from you.” Clutter also attracts dust and pests. “Clutter is basically sending a message there’s something in your life that you need to get at.

Snyder organizes for no more than four hours at a time, to give her clients time to adjust to the improvements.“It didn’t get that way overnight. It’s a lifestyle change. You’re changing the way you think about things and becoming more emotionally healthy,” she said.

What to do with castoffs. Once a space is organized, there will be bags of items to discard. Itemized list of donations to receive tax deductions, and discarding things properly, such as erasing computer hard drives before dropping them off at a donation center.

Being better organized can provide
energy, time and happiness.

Get the Children Involved

Resources:
National Association of Professional Organizers
NAPO Blog.
WebMD. 10 Ways to Cut Clutter in Your Home

A Final Message.

I read that one should take a photo of your child's art work and then the boxes of school work can be thrown away. I had one problem - my son. As I was admiring the years of his efforts, he came by to see how I was doing. With a look of shock and horror - Jake told me how could I throw away his work? "I made it for you, mom."

So here is the photo. I ended up keeping his cherished work. I guess I'm not ready to get rid of everything yet.

National Folic Acid Awareness Week January 8 - 14, 2012

2012-01-11T16:04:00.000-05:00

The National Council on Folic Acid (NCFA).
The mission of the National Council on Folic Acid (NCFA) is to improve health by promoting the benefits and consumption of folic acid.

National Folic Acid Awareness Week is January 8 -14, 2012. Adequate folic acid intake is important for the prevention of birth defects.

Healthy Food Choices for Folic Acid

Messages NCFA wants all women
of childbearing age to know.

Please visit NCFA to view
all the messages and links.

1. Folic acid is a vitamin that can help prevent birth defects. Women of childbearing age need an extra 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid each day.

2. Women can get the recommended 400 mcg of folic acid by taking a daily multivitamin or by eating fortified foods. Check the label of your cereal to see if it has 100% DV (daily value) of folic acid.

3. Important growth of the baby happens very early in pregnancy, before most women know that they are pregnant. Folic acid can prevent birth defects of the baby’s brain or spine if a woman takes it before and during pregnancy.

4. If you are pregnant, remember to take a prenatal vitamin with iron and folic acid every day.

Nutritional Habits
Although all enriched cereals and grain products in the U.S. are fortified with the B-vitamin folic acid, only one-third of U.S. women of childbearing age consume the recommended amount from their diet. Taking a multivitamin with folic acid every day is a key way that women can get the recommended amount of 400 mcg.
Be Prepared Before Pregnancy
Women need folic acid, even if not planning to become pregnant, since 50% of all pregnancies are unplanned. Taking folic acid before pregnancy reduces the risk of birth defects of the brain and spine, called neural tube defects (NTDs), by up to 70%.
Message to the Hispanic Community
Hispanic babies are 1.5 to 2 times more likely than others in the U.S. to be born with an NTD. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that Latinas in the U.S. consume the least amount of folic acid and have the least knowledge about folic acid among racial or ethnic groups.

Not only is this a father with a beautiful song,
but he has an important message
about folic acid and Birth Defects.