McDonalds and Pepsi Writing UK Policy on Staying Healthy

OutRageOus! This is no way to Stay Healthy! - The Fox is minding the Hen House!

UK Health Policy Written by McDonalds and Pepsi

This is NOT Good Food to Eat!

Totally Disgusting Video of Good Food Gone Bad

If it wasn't real I would be laughing.....

The Seven Year Burger

Your Partner in Health and Weight Loss-

Jan Hickling

Is this Your Future? Is this YOUR CHILDS future?

By the year 2050 all of the adults in the USA will be over weight
By the year 2100 all of the adults in the USA will be obese

Is it time to move to Canada?

Is this YOUR FUTURE?

What you do, say and think today creates your tomorrow.

Women - Menopause - Thyroid and Weight Gain

Menopause is a time of profound transition which is a nice way of saying Yipes! I'm getting old!

Menopause effects both the mind and body, particularly the thyroid and for those of you who don't know - Hypothyroidism makes you FAT!! In my opinion, the best way to restore healthy thyroid function is naturally through food and supplementation. My opinion comes from my personal expereince working with a wonderful women Naturopath - Dr. Laura Heib, Renton, Washington.

Nutrient-rich foods to replenish thyroid health

* Iodine (I): seaweed (e.g., nori), clams, shrimp, haddock, oysters, salmon, sardines, pineapple, eggs.
* Selenium (Se): smoked herring, smelt, wheat germ, Brazil nuts (just one nut provides ~139 mcg), apple cider vinegar, scallops, barley, lobster.
* Zinc (Zn): fresh oysters, ginger root, pecans, dry split peas, Brazil nuts, egg yolk, whole wheat, rye, oats, peanuts.
* Vitamin E: wheat germ oil, olive oil, sunflower seeds, almonds, peanuts.
* Vitamin A: dark green leafy veggies, liver, winter squash, cantaloupe, stone fruits, papaya, and cod liver oil.
* B vitamin complex: brewer’s yeast, wild rice, brown rice, whole wheat, beans, peanuts.
* Vitamin C: Red chili, guava, parsley, dark green leafy veggies, strawberries, papaya, citrus fruits.
* Support your adrenals. If this is the only thing you do, I promise it will benefit your health on many levels. Not only will supporting your adrenals lighten the burden on your thyroid, it will also help restore your energy levels and overall well-being.
* Start using a quality multivitamin–mineral. I encourage all my clients, especailly perimenopausal and menopausal, to take a pharmaceutical-grade supplement like our Essential Nutrients. Giving your body proper nutrition by supplementing your diet may be all you need to get yourself back on track.PLEASE NOTE: The FDA regulates supplements in the USA - they only check the health standards of the manufacturing company. The DO NOT check for quality and quantity of ingredient in the products. In other words, They often RIP YOU OFF AT THE COST OF YOUR HEALTH.
* Consider supplementing with selenium and iodine. Ask your practitioner to test your iodine levels in addition to your multivitamin. You can do this through the foods you eat or with selenium or iodine supplements.

Please work with a professional Naturopatic Doctor to monitor your levels appropriately. And when it comes to selenium supplements, I do not recommend taking more than 200 mcg/day.
* Reduce stress. Most Women give too much to those around us. Learn to say "No, I can not do that for you." and reduce YOUR Stress. Don’t feel guilty about asking for help yourself. You deserve a break — and so do the cells in your body!

Remember to have your Naturopath check your thyroid levels once a year, to stay on top of any changes. Prevention is easier than repairing your thyroid.

Snacks to Help Stop your Sugar Addiction

Low-glycemic snacks that will help break your sugar addiction.

Snacking can be the quickest way for somebody with a sugar addiction to undo all of their weight loss efforts. You can keep your sugar cravings at bay by grabbing some low-glycemic alternatives when you get the munchies. Try these Sugar Buster, smart snacks:

Caution: Low-Glycemic does NOT guarantee healthy READ THE LABELS.

*A USANA Nutrition Bar
* A small handful of raw nuts or trail mix
* A few 100% whole-wheat crackers topped with low-fat cheese
* Celery or a banana topped with natural peanut butter (read labels for sugar
and partially-hydrogenated oils)
* Some 100% whole-wheat pita chips topped with hummus (watch for the partially-
hydrogenated oil in all baked goods)
* A handful of baked tortilla chips with fresh salsa
* String cheese and an apple (choose organic since you'll be eating the skin)
* Fresh or dried fruit (read label No Sulfates)
* A hardboiled egg
* Fresh cut vegetables
* An oat bran muffin (Read Labels - 100% whole grain only!)
* A 100-percent-juice bar (Read for hidden sugars and real % of fruit)

This is NOT Good Food

This was copied from the Center for Science in the Public Interest

ACESULFAME-K

Artificial sweetener: Baked goods, chewing gum, gelatin desserts, diet soda, Sunette.

This artificial sweetener, manufactured by Hoechst, a giant German chemical company, is widely used around the world. It is about 200 times sweeter than sugar. In the United States, for several years acesulfame-K (the K is the chemical symbol for potassium) was permitted only in such foods as sugar-free baked goods, chewing gum, and gelatin desserts. In July 1998, the FDA allowed this chemical to be used in soft drinks, thereby greatly increasing consumer exposure. It is often used together with sucralose (see SUCRALOSE).

The safety tests of acesulfame-K were conducted in the 1970s and were of mediocre quality. Key rat tests were afflicted by disease in the animal colonies; a mouse study was several months too brief and did not expose animals during gestation. Two rat studies suggest that the additive might cause cancer. It was for those reasons that in 1996 the Center for Science in the Public Interest urged the FDA to require better testing before permitting acesulfame-K in soft drinks. In addition, large doses of acetoacetamide, a breakdown product, have been shown to affect the thyroid in rats, rabbits, and dogs. Hopefully, the small amounts in food are not harmful.

Staying Strong and Healthy at 50 and Beyond:

My life's desire is to stay strong, healthy and fit at fifty. And now that I am 50 years old I am focusing a little bit harder on my health.

Some Good Info

You can slow down your aging process and help stave off heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. U.S. News & World Report offers some tips on how to do it:

1. Free radicals. Free radicals are chemically unstable molecules that attack your cells and damage your DNA. You can limit your exposure to them by avoiding cigarettes, trans fats, charred meats, and other sources.

Organic fruits and vegetables will also limit your exposure to pesticides and herbicides, which contain the harmful molecules.

2. Inflammation. Inflammation is a major player in many diseases of aging, including cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and Alzheimer's. One way to avoid it is to follow a Mediterranean-style diet.

Other great anti-inflammatory foods include turmeric, dark chocolate, and the anti-aging chemical resveratrol. Exercise is another great way to lower inflammation.

3. Glycation. Glycation is what happens when sugar mixes with proteins and fats to form molecules that promote aging. Advanced glycation end products, or AGEs, are thought to accelerate your aging process by churning out free radicals and promoting inflammation. One way to avoid ingesting AGEs is to turn down the heat when you cook. The browning effect of high-heat cooking causes these molecules to form. Limiting your intake of sugar-filled foods in general will also help.

4. Stress. Stress initiates the release of a variety of hormones that make your pulse race and cause your blood pressure to rise. The hormone cortisol, released to lessen these effects, also creates problems when it remains chronically elevated. Try practicing relaxation techniques to help manage stress, and get enough sleep every night.

Sources:
U.S. News & World Report July 29, 2010

What's the Connection between Disease and Inflamation?

Inflammation is the bodies way to protect itself for diseases. Working correctly it is one of our bodies natural and best defenses. But like so many other things affected by out modern lifestyles. The inflammatory response is messed up too. Rather than protecting us from disease there are many indications inflammation causes or encourages their spread.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a perfect example of the body perceiving an injury where none exists and launches a sustained attack on cartilage and healthy cells. High levels of inflammation are associated with diabetics and heart problems. And while inflammation doesn't cause cancer. Cancer does need inflammation to grow and spread.

Fat, because it leads to chemical changes in the liver is a primary cause of inflammation. All the foods that lead to Insulin Resistance raise inflammation levels.

So once again, the same song I keep on singing. We have to get back to basics. You need a program that includes eating good food every 2 1/2- 3 hours, drinking 80oz. of pure clean water, getting proper cellular nutrition, eating 6 super foods a day and getting moderate exercise. It is not natural for our bodies to swim in inflammation. We do not have to live with degenertive disease. It's simple to be healthy but most people find it hard to do. Most of us need help. What we can't do alone we can do together. Reach out - there are lots of hands waiting.

Comfort Food and Cancer

Comfort Food Linked to Heart Disease and Cancer??

Does it ever end???

You would think they have better things to do than check the chemicals of pizza (or and high-carb food) heated past 250" but it seems they don't. News from the labs is it creates harmful chemicals that have been linked to an increased risk of cancer and heart disease. So what to do? How can I still enjoy comfort food like pizza?

Antioxidents in one tablespoon of fresh rosemary added to the dough can slash the chemicals by 60%.

Mom always said eating the "green stuff" was good for you. Now it can help me eat comfort food. Yeah!

Chocolate; More than a Comfort Food.

Chocolate Delight

Not only does it do a great job with the morning after alcohol jitters but a few squares of dark chocolate can lower your blood pressure in as little as two hours. Have two ounces of chocolate made of at least 60% cocoa for desert or first thing the morning after.

I told you. Chocolate is the ultimate comfort food.

Lose Weight and Still Eat Comfort Food

Calling Comfort Food "BAD FOOD" is guaranteed to make you think of nothing else. After stopping food cravings you will find compulsive overeating is mostly in your mind.

We all like to think our willpower is strong and we can say, “I’ll never eat comfort food again” and be able to stick to it. But everybody who has failed at long term weight loss knows willpower alone is not enough. In fact, if I start to call my comfort food "bad food" I will never be satisfied by any other foods and all my Compulsive Overeating behaviors will flood back in.

Instead, stick to my 80/20 plan. 80% of the time you are making good choices and following the 5 Simple Rules for a Permanent Healthy Weight. And 20% of the time you choose whatever you want. If a certain food is not off limits your mind won't play games with you and make you think of nothing else. Remember, after the food cravings are gone Compulsive Overeating is all in your mind.

The key to achieving and maintaining a permanent weight loss is to make simple changes that you can live with. Not only physical changes but emotional and mental changes too. You will need to let go of old idea's like No Comfort Food. It takes time and patience, but considering that we’re talking about your emotional, physical and mental health the effort is well worth it in the long run. And Yes, you can lose weight and still eat comfort food.

Subway's Secret Weapon of Sugar

Even the semi healthy stuff is disgusting. It is very frustrating. We all need to become food detectives. No wonder so many of us have out of control cravings for food and sugar.

Chicken Finger reciepe - Kids love it.

This is listed as an appitizor on the HealthyEdge Web site but I made it as part of a meal. It was really easy, fast and all my family ate it. I have put Jan's Tips inside the " " marks.

Chicken Fingers

2 skinless, boneless organic chicken breasts
Olive oil (as needed)
1/2 cup whole grain bread crumbs "I put Kashi Nuggest brand cereal in my blender with some roasted wassabi edamame to make the bread crumbs. If you use store bought crumbs watch for preservatives, additives and other toxins"
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/4 tsp cracked black pepper
3 tbsp honey
2 tbsp Dijon mustard
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tbsp raspberry preserves (naturally sweetened)

# Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
# Cut the chicken breasts into 4 or 5 pieces (lengthwise).
# To create more pieces, cut into smaller sections. "or buy more chicken" Place pieces in a bowl. Add enough olive oil to cover pieces and stir to coat pieces evenly. "I added the honey to the olive oil as a coating. I think the honey made it coat the chicken better than olive oil alone. I put them together in a big baggie and put the chicken pieces in too. The honey and oil mixed up real nice without any messy bowl"
# In a plastic zip lock bag, mix whole grain bread crumbs, sea salt, and black pepper. Add chicken strips, 3 or 4 at a time, and shake to coat pieces with bread crumbs.
# Arrange the chicken strips on a non-stick or lightly oiled (olive oil spray) baking sheet. Bake 10 minutes, turn strips over and continue baking 5 to 10 minutes, until browned.
# In a small bowl, combine the honey, Dijon mustard, raspberry preserves and cup olive oil. Season with sea salt and cracked black pepper. Serve as a dip for the baked chicken fingers. "The finger strips are so good I didn't bother making the dip and every last piece of chicken was gone"

Cheaper than Ritilan

How Food Can Make Kid Nuts

So many kids aren't learning, acting out and just plain out of control. Maybe it's what they're eating. Great article with some good suggestions.

Certainly worth a look

Day Two - Eating with the Family

The experiment of cooking and eating a sit down meal for 14 days in a row is going to be more interesting and challenging that I expected.

Day 2: Vegi Burrito's: black and pinto beans (canned with low sodium), corn, green onions (diced) green peppers (diced)- heated together. I add in Jot brand enchilada mix (anything with no preservatives, food coloring ect is fine), a little water. Scoop enough into 100% whole wheat tortilla's (Trader Joe Brand is my choice) - a little sauce or oil on the bottom of a pan, bake at 350' for 20- 30 minutes with foil covering. I mixed shredded green organic cabbage and torn cilantro into what I call Cilantro Slaw. A little salsa and I had a meal.

So for two days I got the cooking part right. But still working on the whole family eating at the same time. Track practice from 6 - 7pm so the kids and I could eat at 7:30pm but my husband had a meeting at 7pm till 9pm. hmmmm.... too many activities.

Day One of Eating with the Family

The first meal and I can see this will be trickier than I imagined. The food is assembled: turkey burgers, un-sproated wheat buns, green salad with black bean, corn and tomato tossed in. It seems to be going so smoothly. The kids have actually agreed to eat the food.

Then the phone rings with a crisis on the other end. So today I learned my first lesson:

Eating Dinner Together Rule #1: Never answer the phone within 10 minutes of the meal time.

The FAT Syndrome

As an Online Weight Loss Coach I have found most people in Western culture are suffering from a condition called Metobolic Syndrome. There is no easy way to lose weight or maintain good health when you suffer from Metobolic Syndrome. This condition prevents the Insulin in your body from properly supporting the transfer of Glucose to the cells of your body beginning with the muscles. It isn't comfort eating that makes you fat.

The result is excess sugar in your blood stream that creates Out-Of-Control carb and sugar cravings and is readily converted to fat and stored. It's so much about how much food we were eating. It's how our bodies were reacting to our food choices. Yes! As your Online Weight Loss Coach I promise it is really that simple. You Can be Thin and Healthy without starvation dieting, cleanses, pre-packaged food, counting calories or points. Easy and Healthy! Good Health equals a Good Weight.

the Sugar-slayer

This video is great. It is an wonderful example of the type of thing you will learn in my Get Healthy and Release Weight group and on-line classes. In fact, the Metobolic Syndrome, caused by Insulin Resistance is one of the basic concepts of the program.

Please note the groups who support sugar in schools are the Corn Refiners Association and Pepsico (the mother company for Pepsi, 7-up...) Jan's Life Rule #45 Question information that comes from somebody who will make money off it.

Warrior in the Battle Against Bad Food

The Truth About Sugar

Excellent video on what sugar really is, does and what the FDA isn't doing about it.

Heart Disease in 10 Year Old Kids

Nothing is more precious than my beautiful daughters. I would willingly trade my life to save them. What parent doesn’t feel the same? Yet we are killing them, unknowingly, but killing them just the same. This generation is the first predicated NOT to live as long as their parents. Who would think of heart disease starting at 10 years old?
Studies are now showing us that children age 10 to 18 have evidence of early "hardening of the arteries" or cardiovascular disease. There is increasing evidence that many of children already have thickening of their arteries and that their arteries are already less pliable. This has been documented via ultrasounds of their arteries. This is primarily due to the insulin resistance they are developing so early in life.* Dr. Strand.
If insulin resistance is creating the beginning of heart disease in kids imagine what it is doing to the rest of us. Breaking insulin resistance is the first step. Not only will this FREE YOU FROM CRAVINGS but truly set you on the road to good health. Your heart, energy level, moods: there are a lot more to measure your health than a number on a scale. Following a program based on sound nutrition and moderate exercise will not only change the way you look but change the way you feel.