Popcorn, Peanuts, and Cracker Jacks (sort of): World Series Winning Foods



Source:  MyRecipes.com

 Don’t have a ticket to get into Fenway to watch the Red Sox clinch the Series? Gather other ticketless fans into your living room for a World Series-watching party instead and serve these three traditional ballpark foods made healthier:


Popcorn:  Since popcorn is a wholegrain, it contains fiber and healthy phytochemicals so can be a healthy snack. To help with portion control and sharing issues among the fans, give everyone their own popped, 100-calorie bag.

Peanuts: Full of fiber and protein, peanuts will help fill you up before the 7th inning stretch.  Buy them in their shells to slow down your consumption and exert some physical activity when cracking each one open. Additional bonus: You’ll also burn some calories after the game cleaning up all the shells that will litter your floor and couch.

Caramel Corn: Well, it’s not exactly Cracker Jacks, but this healthier caramel corn recipe puts a sweet twist on popcorn for less calories and fat per serving. Unfortunately, the toy is also missing but the winning the series will be the prize.

Go Sox!

Follow Joan on Twitter at: joansalgeblake

Ways to Use Essential Oils ~ Laundry

You can add essential oils to enhance the cleanliness and fragrance of the laundry. Recent research shows that eucalyptus oils kills dust mites. Add 25 drops of eucalyptus oil to each load for an effective dust mite control. You can also add 1 tablespoon to a bottle of liquid laundry detergent.

Click to enlarge

A few drops of oils like spruce, lavender, fir, juniper, rosewood, wintergreen/birch, cedarwood and juniper can also be added to the rinse cycle.

Use a dampened wash cloth with 10 drops of lavender, bergamot, lemon, or melaleuca instead of a softening agent in the dryer.

Before you leave:

I recommend that you always perform a skin patch test when you try a new oil.

Check out my safety page to make sure you are aware of any contrindications before you use essential oils. Some oils are not suitable when suffering from certain conditions. Also, Read this Before You Start Using Essential oils. Some oils should not be applied prior to sun exposure so make sure you check this list before spending time in the sun.

Not sure how to apply the oils? Visit these pages to learn how to apply the oils:

• Topical Application
• Inhaling Essential Oils
• Are You Diffusing the Oils Correctly?
• How to Dilute Essential Oils
• Vita Flex Technique

If you're new to essential oils you might want to check out my Getting Started Guide. 

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Johanna is an aromatherapist and she is passionate about educating people about health, essential oils, real food, natural remedies, and nutrition so they make healthier choices in their lives. 
Follow Johanna on twitter and facebook for more health tips and information.

Black Licorice: A Treat that Can Play a Trick on Your Heart

Photo Source:  FDA

Consuming excess sugar and calories from candy is not the only health issues that you may need to be concerned about this Halloween season.  The FDA warns lovers of black licorice candy that consuming too much may not be sweet for your heart.   According to the FDA, if you’re 40 or older, eating multiple, 2 ounce bags of black licorice a day for at least two weeks, could put you are risk for heart arrhythmias.

It appears that black licorice contains a sweetening compound, glycyrrhizin, which is derived from the licorice root.       Glycyrrhizin can cause potassium levels in the body to drop.  When this occurs, some folks may experience abnormal heart rhythms, high blood pressure, swelling or edema, lethargy, and even congestive heart failure.  Articles published in medical journals have linked black licorice these health issues in folks who are 40 years of age or older, especially those with a history of heart problems and/or high blood pressure.

Luckily, many of the licorice candy and products on the market do not actually contain any real licorice. Instead, they contain anise oil, which smells and taste like the real stuff but without the health problems, according to the FDA.

If black licorice is your favorite candy, here’s the advice from the FDA:

1. Don't eat a large amount of black licorice at one time, no matter what age you are!

2. If you do consume it and experience an irregular heart rhythms or muscle weakness, stop eating it and call your healthcare provider.

3. Black licorice can also interact with some medications, herbs, and dietary supplements. Consult your healthcare professional should you have any questions regarding potential interactions.

       

      If you experience any problems when consuming black licorice, please notify the FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinator here.

     

      Follow Joan on Twitter at:  joansalgeblake

Hyperactivity

Click for a larger view

Remember to use good judgement and don't hesitate to seek medical help when you think it is needed. This information is not meant to prescribe or diagnose, it is only for information and education purposes only.

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Johanna is an aromatherapist and she is passionate about educating people about health, essential oils, real food, natural remedies, and nutrition so they make healthier choices in their lives. 
Follow Johanna on twitter and facebook for more health tips and information.

Allergies in Children

According to a CDC study survey, 1 in 20  children have food allergies which is a 50% increase since the late 1990's, and 1 in 8 have contact allergies. Dr. Benjamin Perkus said at the Young Living Convention,  "kids and teens who are born abroad and immigrate to the United States are about half as likely to have asthma and allergies as those who are born in the U.S."


As a European who has lived in  several countries I have noticed a few things:

• More food in other countries contain less or no preservatives than here in USA.
• More  food in other countries contain natural food colorings (from vegetables) than here in USA.
• A lot of chemicals are forbidden in Europe but still allowed here in USA. American food manufactures have to make special products for the European market.
• Genetically modified food has been banned in many countries, and GMO food is required to be labeled in several countries. 
• The amount of vaccines children receive is less in many other countries than here in USA. Swedish children receive less vaccines than most other children in other countries and the amount of SID cases are among the lowest in the world. 

So I am not surprised to find out that children born abroad will develop less asthma and allergies than children born here in the U.S. The European Union has also taken an interest in what damage chemicals can do to children. It is now a law to label products aimed at children that contain artificial coloring.  EU recognizes that food dyes can cause allergies, asthma and cancer. 

Dr.Perkus recommends to use lavender, and an anti-microbial blend of rosemary cineol, clove, cinnamon, lemon and Eucalyptus radiata for children. He recommends to use the anti-microbial blend for mold. He also recommends to use probiotics and enzymes.

What to do about allergies
Fortunately as parents we can be proactive and protect our children here in the U.S. Whether your child is allergic or not, it has to start with the diet. 

• Make sure to purchase food that doesn't have any nasty chemicals, but as you will notice it will be hard to find good quality food in the stores. Your best bet is to make as much as possible from scratch and to buy organic. 
• Eat wholesome food with plenty of fruit and vegetables, replace the sugary snacks with some fruit, veggies, smoothies, chicken, eggs etc. 
• Make sure that your child receives sufficient amount of vitamins and minerals, it is said it is impossible to receive all the nutrients we need through food alone so purchase a good quality multivitamin. 
• Vitamin D and omega -3 fatty acids are said to decrease allergy symptoms.

Replace all the toxic household products and personal hygiene products with natural products. It doesn't have to be expensive, you can use vinegar and baking soda for a lot of things in the house. Check out my Natural Cleaning Post. 

It is recommended to keep a log once you notice your child show signs of allergies. It is important to ask what has your child touched, inhaled, smelled, eaten prior to the change. Contact and inhalant allergies are usually instant while food allergic are usually delayed 20 min - 2 hours.

Before you leave:

I recommend that you always perform a skin patch test when you try a new oil.

Check out my safety page to make sure you are aware of any contrindications before you use essential oils. Some oils are not suitable when suffering from certain conditions. Also, Read this Before You Start Using Essential oils. Some oils should not be applied prior to sun exposure so make sure you check this list before spending time in the sun.

Not sure how to apply the oils? Visit these pages to learn how to apply the oils:

• Topical Application
• Inhaling Essential Oils
• Are You Diffusing the Oils Correctly?
• How to Dilute Essential Oils
• Vita Flex Technique

If you're new to essential oils you might want to check out my Getting Started Guide. 

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Johanna is an aromatherapist and she is passionate about educating people about health, essential oils, real food, natural remedies, and nutrition so they make healthier choices in their lives. 
Follow Johanna on twitter and facebook for more health tips and information.

Why is Peyton Manning Promoting Sugary Beverages to Kids?

Source: Nutrition and You

In addition to lucrative NFL and NBA contracts, many professional athletes also land financially jaw-dropping product endorsement deals, many of which are for food and beverages.  According to research published in the journal, Pediatrics, players such as Peyton Manning  and LeBron James earn at least $5 million annually from product endorsements.   For food marketers, these athlete endorsements are pure gold as they create positive associations with their brand.   In other words, if superstar Peyton Manning drinks the beverage, it must be super good for you.

Unfortunately, these food product endorsements are not typically for eating apples or chugging milk.  To investigate the type of foods and beverages that were being endorsed by athletes, researchers at Yale University viewed the advertisements of the top 100 most prominent professional athletes and calculated the number of food and beverage ads being endorsed by these athletes.  They then analyzed the nutritional quality of each product being advertised. 

According to their research, almost 80 percent of the 62 food products being endorsed were unhealthy and over 90 percent of the 46 beverages had all of their calories coming from sugar.  Through the use of Nielsen data, which can determine television advertisements by age, the researchers also calculated that adolescents, 12 to 17 years of age, watched the most athlete-endorsed food commercials, more than adults. 

When the majority of the food products that are being endorsed by athletes are considered junk foods such as soft drinks, this sends mixed messages to the public about diet and fitness, especially to children. “Professional athletes endorse a lot of foods and beverages and most are unhealthy, which is a concern for a country struggling with obesity,” claims Marie Braggs, a doctoral student at Yale University and lead author of the study.  “The message being delivered by these athletes goes against what parents are trying to feed their kids to be healthy." 

It also goes against the Fuel Up to Play 60 Program, which is an in-school nutrition and physical activity program launched by the NFL and the National Dairy Council in collaboration with the USDA.  The program encourages today's youth to lead healthier lives by consuming nutrient-rich foods and to get at least 60 minutes of physical activity daily.

Professional athletes are in an unique position to influence healthy food choices among our youth.   While unhealthy food and beverage endorsements by athletes are lucrative, being a good media role model is, well, priceless.   I long for the time when the only athlete-endorsed food and beverage ads that are targeted to children are of athletes refueling their post-game bodies with a healthy, well-balanced meal and chasing it with skim milk.

Follow Joan on Twitter at:  joansalgeblake

Lemon ~ Citrus limon

The lemon tree is a small evergreen tree. It is the outer rind of the ripe fruit that is used. 3,000 lemons produces one kilo of essential oil.

Origin 

Lemon is grown in different regions around the world. 

Aroma

Lemon has a sharp, clean, and refreshing citrus aroma. Gary Young says it promotes clarity of thought and purpose, as well as healing, purification, physical energy and health. 

Historical and traditional uses

Columbus brought lemon and orange seeds to Spain in 1493. Spain quickly became one of the largest producers of lemon. Already in 1692 distilled and expressed lemon could be bought in Paris.

Indications, therapeutic actions and traditional uses

Research in Japan has found that lemon improves the ability to concentrate. It is said to lift the spirit during times of mental fatigue. Lemon has also been found useful for stimulating and clearing the mind. It is also said to aid in the decision making process.

According to Battaglia, lemon is able to stimule the action of the white blood corpuscles, which are the body's own defense. According to Dr. Jean Valnet, the vaporized essence of lemon can kill the meningococcus bacteria in 15 minutes, typhoid bacilli in one hour, Staphylococcus aureus in two hours, and Pneumococcus bacteria within three hours. Battaglia also says lemon improves the functioning of the digestive system. Battaglia also says it counteracts the acidity in the body and makes the stomach more alkaline. 

Battaglia says lemon is said to have a tonic effect on the circulatory system and is useful in treating varicose veins. Battaglia says it may be helpful in cases of high blood pressure and can be used in preventative regimen against arteriosclerosis. 

Battaglia also says lemon can be used in cases of toxemia, such as gout, rheumatism, general obesity, cellulite, abscesses, and carbuncles and boils.

As an astringent lemon has an effective cleansing effect on greasy skin. Its antiseptic properties make it useful for treating boils and cuts according to Battaglia.

According to Gary Young, lemon may be beneficial for blood pressure, anxiety, respiratory problems, digestive problems, sore throats and respiratory infections. Young says it helps promote leukocyte promotion, improve memory, cleans the nails and promote a sense of well-being. 

According to a research done by Komori, et al., 1995, lemon has shown to have antidepressant effect. It is also said to work well in removing wood stain, oil, gum, and grease spots.

Safety

Possible skin sensitivity. If pregnant or under a doctor's care, consult your physician. Dilution recommended for both topical and internal use. Dilute before using on sensitive areas such as the face, neck, genital area, etc. Keep out of reach of children. Avoid using on infants and very small children. Avoid using on skin exposed to direct sunlight or UV rays. Do not use near fire, flame, heat or sparks.

Before you leave:

I recommend that you always perform a skin patch test when you try a new oil.

Check out my safety page to make sure you are aware of any contrindications before you use essential oils. Some oils are not suitable when suffering from certain conditions. Also, Read this Before You Start Using Essential oils. Some oils should not be applied prior to sun exposure so make sure you check this list before spending time in the sun.

Not sure how to apply the oils? Visit these pages to learn how to apply the oils:

• Topical Application
• Inhaling Essential Oils
• Are You Diffusing the Oils Correctly?
• How to Dilute Essential Oils
• Vita Flex Technique

If you're new to essential oils you might want to check out my Getting Started Guide. 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Johanna is an aromatherapist she is passionate about educating people about health, essential oils, real food, natural remedies, and nutrition so they make healthier choices in their lives. 
Follow Johanna on twitter and facebook for more health tips and information.

Sources:

Gary Young, ND (2006). Essential Oils, Integrative Medical Guide. Essential Science Publishing

Salvatore Battaglia (1995). The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy. The Perfect Potion Pty Ltd

The War On Energy Drinks Continues

The battle to protect children from the harmful effects of highly caffeinated, sugary energy drinks rages on.  Both a U.S. Senate committee and a pediatric association have decided to add to the artillery currently being used to educate the public about the potential dangers associated with the consumption of these drinks.  Currently, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate these products.

Last week, Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass) and several of his senator colleagues sent letters to 17 major energy drink companies asking them to commit to voluntary steps to curtail the marketing and promotion of energy drink products to children and to stop selling these products in K-12 schools.  In the letters, the senators also requested that these companies agree to voluntarily label their products with the total amount of caffeine, as well as report to the FDA any adverse events associated with the consumption of energy drinks.

"Energy drink makers have been urging customers to consume too much of their products too fast and too young," said Senator Markey.  "We need all major energy drink companies to be good corporate actors and agree to these steps to address appropriate marketing and consumption of their products.  We need to ensure that kids and parents are protected from the negative health impacts of these products and are not subjected to deceptive marketing practices.  I urge all energy drink makers to commit to these commonsense and appropriate steps."

At the same time, the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) has adopted a resolution that the organization will work with the FDA to advocate for a ban on these stimulant drinks for individuals younger than 18 and to oppose the availability of free or discounted versions of these energy products to individuals younger than 18.  "(Energy drink manufacturers) are giving out free samples just around the corner from where we live, and kids are walking home with 5-hour Energy shots because these things are completely unregulated.  This is about (taking) time to look at the side effects and making sure to protect young people," said Sarah Nosal, MD, a member of AAFP.

In addition to providing up to 13 teaspoons of added sugars per can (see photo), these energy products have been shown to not only cause serious medical issues such as increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure, and heart palpitations, but research also suggests that they are a major cause of increased visits to hospital emergency rooms.  For more on what you need to know about these energy products, please see my previous blog post.

What do you think?  Should these products be regulated by the FDA and be prevented from being sold to young people?  Please post your comments below.

Follow Joan on Twitter at:  joansalgeblake