Some Direction

After talking with friends and relatives alike I thought of the following:

1.  When I speak of hormones in meat I mean that unless the meat is listed as hormone free it does not matter whether it is an expensive or inexpensive steak or cut of beef.  Hormones are hormones and if you can avoid them then please do.  If you can't and I know that hormone free meat is more expensive then have it maybe two or three times a week and make it the smallest portion of your dinner.

2.  Yes, glass is better when buying storage containers even when they say BPA free.  BPA in plastic is mostly a problem with hot foods and hot liquids.  If you have lots of plastic containers cool the items first in stainless steel or glass then pour into the plastic.  Better idea is to avoid plastic all the way but may not be financially able to replace all of your plastic containers.

3.  When buying quick food because you have a busy schedule and want to avoid the golden arches then look elsewhere than bread, cookies and muffins.  Read those labels and be aware of saturated fats (very bad for the heart and circulation) and chemically added ingredients (Dirty Dozen Ingredients:  Hydrogenated/partially hydrogenated oils; Aspartame (NutraSweet, Equal); MSG (monosodium glutamate); Hydrolyzed vegetable protein; BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole); Acesulfame potassium; BHT (butylated hyroxytoluene); Potassium bromate; Sodium nitrate and nitrate;  Propyl gallate; Sodium benzoate; Artificial colors).

4.  Check your yogurt and milk to make sure it is hormone free (it will state this on the label).

5.  Hormones are not used on chicken but check your label for added sodium and make sure the package reads that they are not treated with antibiotics.

6.  Try for at least one meat free dinner a week and work your way up from that.

7.  Whole wheat bread is nice but the Cadillac of bread is WHOLE GRAIN not whole wheat.  If the label reads enriched whole wheat flour then it has been stripped of vitamins and a lab has added back in the least expensive to sell the bread at a profit.

8.  If you are looking at salt then read that sometime the sodium content of, for example, chicken broth might be 610 mg. per serving (one cup) and there are 4 cups in a box which means that the box of chicken broth contains 2440 mg. of sodium.  That's alot of salt to put into a pot of soup, stew or beans.

We are striving for more whole grains, nutrient dense foods (vegetables) and low sodium in our diet.

Sprouted Foods

Have you seen sprouted foods in the supermarket and wondered what they are and if they are beneficial to you?  I tried sprouted brown rice and while it is tasty I wondered if I was doing a good thing for myself.  My mantra in the New Year is eat healthy and tasty and not just tasty.  I have to say I fell off the bandwagon this weekend but promise to do better going forward.  In any event, here is an article I saw on the web which touts some of the benefits of sprouted grains and nuts. . .

http://www.naturaltherapypages.com.au/article/print/Benefits_Sprouted_Grains

Spa Time

In our stroll downtown this weekend to enjoy the Saturday "spring-like" weather we decided to stop in Maise Dunbar Spa and Lounge.  We spent a good bit of time in the lounge and I ended up having a threading and a manicure.  While it can be pricey it was well worth every penny.  There was no smell and the shop has many, many various healthy and fair trade items for sale.  I love the clarity rocks and the massage/candle combo.  Maise did my manicure and it was so relaxing.  My friend sat and enjoyed the atmosphere with a cup of tea (complimentary) and an offer of a neck massage (also complimentary)  This is a place I will visit again and if you happen to be in our neck of the woods, give her a try. . . .let me know because I can give you a $5 off coupon. http://www.maisiedunbarspalounge.com/promo.asp