DIABETES QUOTE FROM COUNTRY MUSICIAN BEN RUE

Country music artist Ben Rue is a type 1 diabetic. He was diagnosed at the age of 14. Even though he is often on the road, he keeps check on his blood sugar readings and takes his medication. He is also a spokesman for Accu-Chek. He happily states, "There is life after diabetes. It's not something that should set you back. You can accomplish anything you want to." Let that be an encouragement to go after your dreams.

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DR. OZ COMMENTS ON MEAT

In an interview a few years ago, Dr. Oz was asked if he thinks meat is demonized in this country.  His answer:  "I do.  I don't think how we grow meat is ideal.  But grass-fed, organic beef has a fair amount of omega-3 fats.  It has iron.  It has lots of B vitamins.  It has nutrients that our bodies need desperately."    He also said that when he eats meat, probably around once a week, he eats a high-quality steak.

 

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MRSA

MRSA is a deadly, antibiotic-resistant strain of bacteria that can be very dangerous and is becoming more and more prevalent.  I found this study about coffee and MRSA to be interesting:  2.5 million Americans apparently carry MRSA in their nasal passages without showing symptoms of the bacteria.  People who drink hot coffee and/or tea were found to be 50% less vulnerable to the bacteria.  It is assumed that the protection probably stems from the antimicrobial properties in the coffee and tea.  But beware, I said people who drink HOT coffee and/or tea.  The same protection was not found when drinking the beverages cold or iced.

Note: This study was published in the Annals of Family Medicine.

This is a mild, early picture of MRSA. It can quickly become much worse and can actually be deadly in some cases.

WISHING YOU A VERY HEALTHY 2022

 

FAMILY MEALS

A 2010 survey found that 70% of children agreed they appreciated their parents more when the family took time to eat together.  Folks, that is a large number!  A 2014 study found that children who eat at the table with their family several times a week are less likely to be obese and much less likely to be truant from school.The 2010 survey also showed that 65% of parents said they felt less stressed when their family made a habit of eating their dinner/supper meals together.  Do not let today's busy lifestyles cause you to neglect this important family ritual.  Even if it can't be done on a regular basis, just twice a week is a good start.

However, the pleasure and peace from such occasions will be null and void if the process creates more stress.  Try these simple ways to get family meals going in your home:

• Be realistic.  You cannot expect to put a gourmet caliber meal on the table in a matter of minutes.  It is the togetherness that counts, not the quality of the meal.
• Order in food, if necessary.  Conversation and togetherness can be accomplished over a delivered pizza or Chinese takeout.
• Make soups, lasagna, casseroles, etc when you can and refrigerate or freeze for warming up later.
• Get a slow cooker or crockpot.  You can have some really good foods ready when you come home after a hectic day.
• While home cooking is usually best for one's health, get together at a relaxing restaurant for a family meal from time to time.

Remember less stress and more relaxation is good for the health of mom, dad, and the children.  Make family meals a habit even if it is only a couple of times a week!  Health and happiness go hand-in-hand!

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QUOTES FROM DR KENNETH COOPER

Kenneth Cooper, MD, founder of the world renowned Cooper Clinic in Dallas Texas, stated, "In 1968 when my first book Aerobics was published, and in 1970, when I founded The Cooper Aerobics Center in Dallas, preventive medicine was still a new concept.  I wanted to help move medicine away from a strict emphasis on disease treatment toward disease prevention through exercise, diet, and stress control." 

We owe thanks to Dr. Cooper for awakening awareness in all of us to not only exercise but how our diet can help or hinder our overall health.  He continued on to say, "From the beginning, we emphasized aerobics and nutrition.  The two go hand in hand.  Not that it's always easy to eat right or to change ingrained habits  - our busy lives put our nutrition at risk.  We grab food on the run without thinking about what we are putting into our bodies.  When we do try to eat better, we are often confused about what we should eat."  Dr. Cooper's last statement there is why I started this blog.  My goal is to help us all, yes - me as well as you, - learn to use food to help our bodies be healthy working machines.

 "A sensible and well-informed approach to eating is essential to good health."  by Kenneth Cooper, MD

The late Dr Cooper

TIPS ABOUT MY FAVORITE SWEETENER, SPLENDA

Over the past twenty-some years, well over 100 tests have been done on Splenda to confirm it's safety. I often see, especially on facebook, Splenda lumped in with other sweeteners and how harmful they are. Splenda is actually in a category by itself as it is the only sweetener actually made from sugar*. This is why it does not have the aftertaste most sweeteners do. Splenda is the brand name for the nonnutritive sweetener sucralose. Over the years my doctors have told me to use only sucralose or stevia products (I am a diabetic). I have used Splenda for 18 years. During that time my liver function has returned to normal, it was bad before, and all my blood work which is done every 3 to 6 months is always normal. So do not be frightened by the scary stuff you see on facebook or other social media. There are exceptions to everything, so I am sure there is someone out there that has an allergy or something to it but overall, it is a very safe product for me. I am not trying to convert you to Splenda; you use the product you like that works well for you. I am simply stating, do not believe things you see on social media. Always check things out on your own.

Facts: a Splenda packet is equal to the sweetness of 2 teaspoons of sugar and Splenda Granular measures cup for cup the same as sugar.
Splenda does not create an insulin response in the body, does not raise blood sugar or affect triglycerides.
*As of the original writing of this article in 2018. (I still use Splenda and bake with it weekly).

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SMART BALANCE OMEGA BUTTERY SPREAD

I am often asked about "healthy" margarines. Personally, I don't really think there is such a thing as I believe our body is made to use natural, not man made, foods. But for those of you who use margarines, here is some information on this particular one. Note that half the fat is saturated fat and the amount of fish oil is minimal.

1 tablespoon of this spread = 80 calories, 5 grams (2.5 g sat) fat, 85 mg sodium 

This product is made from a natural blend of soybean, palm fruit, fish, flaxseed, canola, and olive oils. There is a small amount of omega-3 fats which are heart-healthy fats. 

Works well as a topping, and also for cooking and baking. 

NOTE: This same product in the "Light" version has 30 calories less, 1 gram less saturated fat, and should not be used for baking as it has a high water content. 

 

INFO ON COVID-19

NOTE: I copied this from a friend. I usually stay away from things others post but this article gives the sources so I am posting it here.

Here is some very useful COVID information from the John Hopkins Hospital information sheet relative to Coronavirus 19.

It is extremely informative and seems to be about the latest release of personal handling of this medical issue and is worth the time to study the information given for your personal care. Stay safe and stay well.

This certainly makes the CoVid -19 protection methods more understandable.

* This virus is not a living organism. It is a protein molecule (RNA or DNA) covered by a protective layer of lipid (fat), which, when absorbed by the cells of the ocular (eyes), nasal (nose) or buccal mucosa (mouth), changes their genetic code (mutates) and converts into aggressor and multiplier cells.

* Since the virus is not a living organism, but is a protein molecule, it cannot be killed.

It has to decay on its own. The disintegration time depends on the temperature, humidity and type of material where it lies.

* The virus is very fragile; the only thing that protects it is a thin outer layer of fat, and that is the reason why soap or detergent is the best weapon. The foam CUTS THE FAT (that is why you have to scrub for 20 seconds or more, to create lots of foam). By dissolving the fat layer, the protein molecule disperses and breaks down.

* HEAT melts fat; this is why it is necessary to use water above 77 degrees for hand washing, laundry and cleaning surfaces. In addition, hot water makes more foam, making it more effective.

* Alcohol or any mixture with alcohol over 65% DISSOLVES ALL FAT, especially the external lipid layer of the virus.

* Any solution with 1 part bleach and 5 parts water directly dissolves the protein, breaking it down from the inside.

* Oxygenated water increases the effectiveness of soap, alcohol, and chlorine, because peroxide dissolves the virus protein. However, because you have to use it in its pure form, it can damage your skin.

* NO BACTERICIDE OR ANTIBIOTIC WILL WORK because the virus is not a living organism like bacteria; antibodies cannot kill what is not alive.

* The virus molecules remain very stable at colder temperatures, including air conditioning in houses and cars. They also need moisture and darkness to stay stable. Therefore, dehumidified, dry, warm and bright environments will degrade the virus faster.

* UV LIGHT on any object that may contain the virus breaks down the protein. Be careful, it also breaks down collagen (which is protein) in the skin.

* The virus CANNOT go through healthy skin.

* Vinegar is NOT useful because it does not break down the protective layer of fat.

* NO SPIRITS, NOR VODKA, serve. The strongest vodka is only 40% alcohol, and you need a minimum of 65%.

* LISTERINE is 65% alcohol.

* The more confined the space, the higher the concentration of the virus there can be. The more open or naturally ventilated, the less.

* You have to wash your hands before and after touching any commonly used surfaces such as: mucosa (mouth area), food, locks, knobs, switches, remotes, cell phones, watches, computers, desks etc… and don’t forget when you use the bathroom.

* You have to MOISTURIZE YOUR HANDS due to frequent washing. Dry hands have cracks and the molecules can hide in the micro cracks. The thicker the moisturizer, the better.

* Also keep your NAILS SHORT so that the virus does not hide there.

Now for some additional input:

Dr. Bonnie Henry is the Provincial Health Officer for British Columbia, the first woman in this position. She is also an associate professor at the University of British Columbia. She has a background in epidemiology and is a specialist in public health and preventive medicine . She is also from PEI (Prince Edward Island).

The Wisdom of Dr. Bonnie Henry

1. We may have to live with COVID-19 for months or years. Let's not deny it or panic. Let's not make our lives useless. Let's learn to live with this fact.

2. You can't destroy COVID-19 viruses that have penetrated cell walls, by drinking gallons of hot water you'll just go to the bathroom more often.

3. Washing hands and maintaining a two-meter physical distance is the best method for your protection.

4. If you don't have a COVID-19 patient at home, there's no need to disinfect the surfaces at your house.

5. Packaged cargo, gas pumps, shopping carts and ATMs do not cause infection. If you wash your hands, live your life as usual.

6. COVID-19 is not a food infection. It is associated with drops of infection like the 'flu’. There is no demonstrated risk that COVID-19 is transmitted by food.

7. You can lose your sense of smell with a lot of allergies and viral infections. This is only a non-specific symptom of COVID-19.

8. Once at home, you don't need to change your clothes urgently and go shower! Purity is a virtue, paranoia is not!

9. The COVID-19 virus doesn't hang in the air for long. This is a respiratory droplet infection that requires close contact.

10. The air is clean; you can walk through the gardens and through parks (just keeping your physical protection distance).

11. It is sufficient to use normal soap against COVID-19, not antibacterial soap. This is a virus, not a bacterium.

12. You don't have to worry about your food orders. But you can heat it all up in the microwave if you wish.

13. The chances of bringing COVID-19 home with your shoes is like being struck by lightning twice in a day. I've been working against viruses for 20 years — drop infections don't spread like that!

14. You can't be protected from the virus by taking vinegar, sugarcane juice and ginger! These are for immunity not a cure.

15. Wearing a mask for long periods interferes with your breathing and oxygen levels. Wear it only in crowds.

16. Wearing gloves is also a bad idea; the virus can accumulate into the glove and be easily transmitted if you touch your face. Better just to wash your hands regularly.

Immunity is weakened by always staying in a sterile environment. Even if you eat immune boosting foods, please go out of your house regularly to any park/beach. Immunity is increased by EXPOSURE TO PATHOGENS, not by sitting at home and consuming fried/ spicy/sugary food and aerated drinks.

Be smart and stay informed! Live life sensibly and to the fullest.

Be Kind, Be Calm and Be Safe!

Share with your friends!!

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