Okay, so I've given up numbering the days for the title of my blog post.
~ what if I want to post two blogs in one day?
~ what if I don't post anything for days(the more likely scenario)
~ what if I can't remember what day the last post was & I have to keep looking
back at my posts to know the correct day....you get my drift.
Thus, from now on the post title will be according to the content....what a novel
idea, I know!
I figure that I'm also taking the pressure off of you to follow the days....
Oh, I didn't do Day 1 so can I do Day 6?
Wait, Day 7 isn't anything to do so should I go back and do a day that had something to do?
What if I don't like Day 4, can I go back to Day 1?
Where's Day 11!?
It shouldn't be so complicated!
It's not. Read whatever day you like from now on.
The titles are on the right if you'd like to go back and
see if there's anything you're interested in.
Today's post is about recent(for over a decade now) information about the relationship
between flax, flaxseed oil(also called linseed oil) and breast cancer(also, some other cancers).
There is so much to tell you I don't know where to begin so I will end here:
I've listed a few links that may be of interest to you but please do your own research as well. I have included three reputable sources with no alterior motives(e.g. want to sell you something) and who have scientific backing for their medical opinions:
http://www.vitalitymagazine.com/the_cancer_chronicles_1
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/flaxseed/NS_patient-flaxseed
http://www.cancer.org/Treatment/TreatmentsandSideEffects/ComplementaryandAlternativeMedicine/HerbsVitaminsandMinerals/flaxseed
Good luck. Be well. Take good care of yourself. Enjoy this day!
Friday, November 26, 2010
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Day 1, Part 2 - Looking at Labels
Okay. So we will all say that we read labels.
I look for the amount of fat, you might say.
Oh look, this has no saturated fat(bad fat, bad fat).
Yay! I can eat lots of this!
But wait! What's this? Why is the sodium content so high?
Hmmmm....let's read the ingredients....
Artificial flavour....."natural" flavour.....long words that I can't pronounce.....
so they've lowered the fat, but what price is my body paying for all the other stuff they've added!
Back to fat content. Here's some helpful information about fat from Katherine Zeratsky a nutritionist with the Mayo Clinic (note: Mayo doesn't stand for Mayonaisse)
Once I've established the fat content then I will look at the sodium.
According to this article posted by the University of Maine,
"the sodium content should not be more than 5%"
Read more on sodium at:
http://www.umext.maine.edu/onlinepubs/PDFpubs/4059.pdf
IF the fat and sodium content pass, I will look at hidden additives like:
I cannot name them all here - my first posting about monos$#%um gl(*&mate
connected my blog to an advertisement for a site that sells it - lol!
Reread the names of some hidden forms of "you know what" in earlier blogs and remember...
If I can't pronounce it, it's probably not good for me.
Okay. That's plenty of information for today. Take one thing from this post and
pay attention to it in the next while. Grams of fat, sodium content, words I can't
pronounce - you choose your focus. Maybe just getting in the habit of reading labels
(either for the first time or a renewed attempt to know what you're eating).
Have a great week!
I look for the amount of fat, you might say.
Oh look, this has no saturated fat(bad fat, bad fat).
Yay! I can eat lots of this!
But wait! What's this? Why is the sodium content so high?
Hmmmm....let's read the ingredients....
Artificial flavour....."natural" flavour.....long words that I can't pronounce.....
so they've lowered the fat, but what price is my body paying for all the other stuff they've added!
Back to fat content. Here's some helpful information about fat from Katherine Zeratsky a nutritionist with the Mayo Clinic (note: Mayo doesn't stand for Mayonaisse)
Question
Fat grams, calories or percentages: Which are more important?
When assessing the fat content of foods, which should I focus on — fat grams, calories or percentages?
Answer
from Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D.
All three are intended to help you understand the fat content of foods. However, looking at fat grams is probably the most useful way to monitor how much fat you're getting in your daily diet.
Health experts at the Institute of Medicine recommend that healthy adults get 20 to 35 percent of their total calories from fat. Each gram of fat has 9 calories. So, if you're trying to eat 1,800 calories a day, you should have no more than 70 grams of fat a day — 35 percent of 1,800 calories = 630 calories, divided by 9 (calories per gram of fat) = 70 grams.
For the rests of this article see: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/fat-grams/HQ00671
Once I've established the fat content then I will look at the sodium.
According to this article posted by the University of Maine,
"the sodium content should not be more than 5%"
Read more on sodium at:
http://www.umext.maine.edu/onlinepubs/PDFpubs/4059.pdf
IF the fat and sodium content pass, I will look at hidden additives like:
I cannot name them all here - my first posting about monos$#%um gl(*&mate
connected my blog to an advertisement for a site that sells it - lol!
Reread the names of some hidden forms of "you know what" in earlier blogs and remember...
If I can't pronounce it, it's probably not good for me.
Okay. That's plenty of information for today. Take one thing from this post and
pay attention to it in the next while. Grams of fat, sodium content, words I can't
pronounce - you choose your focus. Maybe just getting in the habit of reading labels
(either for the first time or a renewed attempt to know what you're eating).
Have a great week!
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Day 10 - Priorities
In the face of so many tasks it is sometimes difficult to set priorities.
Some of you have told me that you are still working on cleaning out your cupboards. Good.
Do it when you can, but make sure you are priorizing all of the tasks of your day.
Here are a few tasks that I would consider vital to healthy & whole everyday fulfilment.
Choose one to focus on for the week, doing it every day.
Be mindful of everything surrounding this simple daily task:
Have a glass of water.
Shower or wash.
Eat a piece of fruit.
Look outside. Go outside.
Plan a meal.
Pay attention to the people in your surroundings.
Pay attention to your choices and actions.
Make a list.
Check your calendar.
Sit without purpose or distraction.
Connect with someone about something meaningful at least 5 minutes - in person, by phone, by email.
Do one thing that contributes to your ability to be mentally well, financially stable, physically healthy, creatively expressive, socially satisfied & spiritually sound - if you have a job that involves all five you are really really lucky!
This is not about just "getting through your day"
or "getting things done"
or "doing what you're supposed to"
or "listening to Bonnie Bee or getting into big trouble :)"
We are allowing our lives to be transformed
~ our days, our weeks, our months, our lives ~
one moment at a time.
Enjoy this day.
Some of you have told me that you are still working on cleaning out your cupboards. Good.
Do it when you can, but make sure you are priorizing all of the tasks of your day.
Here are a few tasks that I would consider vital to healthy & whole everyday fulfilment.
Choose one to focus on for the week, doing it every day.
Be mindful of everything surrounding this simple daily task:
Have a glass of water.
Shower or wash.
Eat a piece of fruit.
Look outside. Go outside.
Plan a meal.
Pay attention to the people in your surroundings.
Pay attention to your choices and actions.
Make a list.
Check your calendar.
Sit without purpose or distraction.
Connect with someone about something meaningful at least 5 minutes - in person, by phone, by email.
Do one thing that contributes to your ability to be mentally well, financially stable, physically healthy, creatively expressive, socially satisfied & spiritually sound - if you have a job that involves all five you are really really lucky!
This is not about just "getting through your day"
or "getting things done"
or "doing what you're supposed to"
or "listening to Bonnie Bee or getting into big trouble :)"
We are allowing our lives to be transformed
~ our days, our weeks, our months, our lives ~
one moment at a time.
Enjoy this day.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Day 8 & 9 - When Life Happens
Sometimes when life happens one needs to set priorities so as not to go crazy trying to get it all done. The past two days have been like that. I'll be back on here tomorrow. Thanks for checking in. :)
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Day 6 - A Hopi Elder Speaks
"You have been telling the people that this is the Eleventh Hour, now you must go back and tell the people that this is the Hour. And there are things to be considered . . . Where are you living? Then he clasped his hands together, smiled, and said, "This could be a good time!"What are you doing? What are your relationships? Are you in right relation? Where is your water? Know your garden. It is time to speak your Truth. Create your community. Be good to each other. And do not look outside yourself for the leader." "There is a river flowing now very fast. It is so great and swift that there are those who will be afraid. They will try to hold on to the shore. They will feel they are torn apart and will suffer greatly. "Know the river has its destination. The elders say we must let go of the shore, push off into the middle of the river, keep our eyes open, and our heads above water."The time for the lone wolf is over. Gather yourselves! Banish the word struggle from you attitude and your vocabulary. All that we do now must be done in a sacred manner and in celebration. "We are the ones we've been waiting for." Hopi elderHopi NationOraibi, Arizona Source: http://www.communityworks.info/hopi.htm |
Friday, November 12, 2010
Day 5 - Freedom
* Freedom is never free. ~Author Unknown
You've probably heard this in reference to war and the sacrifices made by many for freedom in any country.
Does not the same holds true of our own personal freedom?
~ freedom from fear
~ freedom from irritants
~ freedom from being a slave to our work
~ freedom from being dependent on others for our happiness ~
~ freedom from anger
~ freedom from unhealthy attachments to people, places or things
~ freedom from ourselves, sometimes said to be "our worst enemy"
~ freedom from.........add your own words here
* Freedom is nothing else but a chance to be better. ~Albert Camus
If you've read this blog thus far you are most likely aware of needing
* We must be free not because we claim freedom,
but because we practice it. ~William Faulkner
(* thanks to www.quotegarden.com)
You've probably heard this in reference to war and the sacrifices made by many for freedom in any country.
Does not the same holds true of our own personal freedom?
~ freedom from fear
~ freedom from irritants
~ freedom from being a slave to our work
~ freedom from being dependent on others for our happiness ~
~ freedom from anger
~ freedom from unhealthy attachments to people, places or things
~ freedom from ourselves, sometimes said to be "our worst enemy"
~ freedom from.........add your own words here
* Freedom is nothing else but a chance to be better. ~Albert Camus
If you've read this blog thus far you are most likely aware of needing
to free yourself of a few things whether it's toxins in your body,
patterns of your mind or resentments in your heart.
I believe that wherever you begin the practice of freeing yourself,
the side effects of such actions will be felt in all aspects of your life.
Today's practice: Freedom
Begin with the small things. The big things will take care of themselves.
* We must be free not because we claim freedom,
but because we practice it. ~William Faulkner
(* thanks to www.quotegarden.com)
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Day 4 - A Day of Remembrance, Forgiveness & Gratitude
Today, November 11th is Veteran's Day in the United States
and Remembrance Day in Canada.
At 11:00am we will have a minute of silence to remember those who have served
our countries and died. Let us also take the time to remember those who are
still alive who carry images that darken their dreams and whose bodies carry
the pain and suffering of war.
On November 19th we are asked to wear camouflage to show our
love and support for all soldiers - male & female - remembering those who have
taken their own lives because their gender preference needed to be kept a dirty secret,
or worse, because they were tormented because of who they were.
Let us vow not to wait until days we are told to remember, but remember always
that we are all one & the same.
Let us remember and forgive.
Remember those who fight for what they believe in, even until death.
Forgive our enemies.
Forgive ourselves for not standing up for justice in our everyday lives.
Forgive ourselves for judging others and adding to their pain
Seek the place of gratitude within ourselves for all that we have.
May we always return to the path of remembrance, forgiveness & gratitude.
Peace. Shalom.
and Remembrance Day in Canada.
At 11:00am we will have a minute of silence to remember those who have served
our countries and died. Let us also take the time to remember those who are
still alive who carry images that darken their dreams and whose bodies carry
the pain and suffering of war.
On November 19th we are asked to wear camouflage to show our
love and support for all soldiers - male & female - remembering those who have
taken their own lives because their gender preference needed to be kept a dirty secret,
or worse, because they were tormented because of who they were.
Let us vow not to wait until days we are told to remember, but remember always
that we are all one & the same.
Let us remember and forgive.
Remember those who fight for what they believe in, even until death.
Forgive our enemies.
Forgive ourselves for not standing up for justice in our everyday lives.
Forgive ourselves for judging others and adding to their pain
Seek the place of gratitude within ourselves for all that we have.
May we always return to the path of remembrance, forgiveness & gratitude.
Peace. Shalom.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Day 3 - We're still cleaning out the cupboards
Okay. So today we are still looking for hydrolyzed protein(MSG or glutamic acid)
hidden away in the recesses of our cupboards. Chances are you've found prepackaged
soups, boxed pasta, gravy & soup mixes and such that contain hydrolyzed protein &
in some cases will say monsodium glutamate as well.
DOUBLE WHAMMY!
No, it's more than double. Let's look at what else is in there.
Here are a few more words to our vocabulary that are another word for,
you guessed it, MSG. Check your labels.
amino acids (They almost invariably contain glutamic acid.)
autolyzed yeast
glutamate
glutamic acid
hydrolyzed protein
monopotassium glutamate
monosodium glutamate
protein
whey protein concentrate
The bad news is that you can find these names in many items sold in
health food stores or in items sold as organic.
The good news is....well....we're working on that.
So this is what happens: you find yourself reaching for your old standby - a quick lunch/dinner item when you're running out of groceries - chicken noodle vegetable something, Somebody's Uncle's tasty pasta and herbs or yummy rice and seasoning, or instant pasta in a box.
Today I make a different choice: you're grabbing whatever vegetables you can find, throwing them in a pan/wok with some olive oil and herbs. Broccoli, onion, garlic, carrot, tomato, peppers, zucchini, chopped spinach, beans...whatever's hanging around. No boullion. Salt, pepper, basil, oregano, paprika, cayenne, dillweed, rosemary - whatever taste suits - be brave & zesty!
But what about the pasta? I love it.......the noodles in the soup, the KD, the prepackaged seasoned thing I really like in garlic and cheese or that yummy salty herby one what's it called...I really like the pasta part.....whine whine whine.....
The answer is angel hair pasta. It cooks up quickly while you're tossing the veggies in the pan.
Best of all, you will know exactly what is in your food! If you're eating gluten free, like my nephew,
then you throw rice noodles right into the pan - even quicker!
Today, I am starting a grocery list that includes 6 kinds of vegetables and angel hair pasta.
Source: www.truthinlabeling.com
hidden away in the recesses of our cupboards. Chances are you've found prepackaged
soups, boxed pasta, gravy & soup mixes and such that contain hydrolyzed protein &
in some cases will say monsodium glutamate as well.
DOUBLE WHAMMY!
No, it's more than double. Let's look at what else is in there.
Here are a few more words to our vocabulary that are another word for,
you guessed it, MSG. Check your labels.
amino acids (They almost invariably contain glutamic acid.)
autolyzed yeast
glutamate
glutamic acid
hydrolyzed protein
monopotassium glutamate
monosodium glutamate
protein
whey protein concentrate
The bad news is that you can find these names in many items sold in
health food stores or in items sold as organic.
The good news is....well....we're working on that.
So this is what happens: you find yourself reaching for your old standby - a quick lunch/dinner item when you're running out of groceries - chicken noodle vegetable something, Somebody's Uncle's tasty pasta and herbs or yummy rice and seasoning, or instant pasta in a box.
Today I make a different choice: you're grabbing whatever vegetables you can find, throwing them in a pan/wok with some olive oil and herbs. Broccoli, onion, garlic, carrot, tomato, peppers, zucchini, chopped spinach, beans...whatever's hanging around. No boullion. Salt, pepper, basil, oregano, paprika, cayenne, dillweed, rosemary - whatever taste suits - be brave & zesty!
But what about the pasta? I love it.......the noodles in the soup, the KD, the prepackaged seasoned thing I really like in garlic and cheese or that yummy salty herby one what's it called...I really like the pasta part.....whine whine whine.....
The answer is angel hair pasta. It cooks up quickly while you're tossing the veggies in the pan.
Best of all, you will know exactly what is in your food! If you're eating gluten free, like my nephew,
then you throw rice noodles right into the pan - even quicker!
Today, I am starting a grocery list that includes 6 kinds of vegetables and angel hair pasta.
Source: www.truthinlabeling.com
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Day 2 - Bars - Granola, Cereal, 'Health', Protein - Look at the Label
It can be overwhelming to change our eating habits.
Everywhere we turn we hear about something else that's not good for us or something that we should be eating that we're not or something new that's linked with cancer or, or, or.....
WE DO NOT NEED MORE STRESS IN OUR LIVES! Agree? Agreed!
But wait! That's why you're reading this blog.
Everywhere we turn we hear about something else that's not good for us or something that we should be eating that we're not or something new that's linked with cancer or, or, or.....
WE DO NOT NEED MORE STRESS IN OUR LIVES! Agree? Agreed!
But wait! That's why you're reading this blog.
It's simple.
It's free.
It allows you to keep living the way you are.
(I picked up one of Martha Stewart's Simple Living magazines at the dentist's
office the other day. Martha has a bit of a different take on 'simple' and 'living'
than I. I'm guessing her take on 'free' would be as well :) At the end of the week,
we'll look at these three words and try to come to a consensus as to their meaning
in this blog without offending Martha fans :)
WE ARE MAKING CHANGES ONE STEP AT A TIME :)
We have found out that hydrolyzed protein is in many things in our cupboards(thanks for the messages everyone). Soya sauce is not one of the things for which I'm going to attempt to find an alternative.
WE ARE GIVING UP SOYA SAUCE.
Where else did we find hydrolyzed protein? In our packages of granola and cereal bars.
In our favourite protein bar that we keep handy for an instant satisfying snack on the run.
We don't want to give these up! Have no fear. There are many brands that don't have
hydrolyzed protein. Eat the ones you have left - they haven't killed you yet - & be prepared
to read the labels on your next trip to the grocery store.
WE ARE READING LABELS ON ALL GRANOLA, CEREAL, PROTEIN,
OR ANY OTHER KIND OF BARS WE WANT TO BUY.
I've had to give up many packaged items and over the years have replaced them with my
own homemade options. So, here's today's offering:
Hearty Healthy Granola Bars(gluten free)
You'll want: A baking sheet &/or an 8X10 pan, a coffee grinder, a small pot, a large bowl,
a wooden spoon, wax paper, an apron(because I think it's fun to bake with an apron on)
I LOVE YOU MOM!
Preheat oven to 350 F.
Baking Sheet - 2 cups oats
or 8 X 10 pan - 3/4 cups wheat germ
- 3/4 cups raw sunflower seeds
- 1 cup crushed peanuts(allergy? substitute another nut or seed)
Toast in oven 10 to 12 minutes. In the meantime......
Simmer in pan - 1/2 cup brown sugar
for 5 to 8 min. - 1/2 cup honey
(as local as possible to boost the system of allergy sufferers)
(as local as possible to boost the system of allergy sufferers)
- 4 T. butter
- 1/2 t. salt
Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and fold in 8 oz. of dried fruit
(I like cranberries, currants, fig or date pieces)
Read the label: no sulphites please!
Line the 8 X 10 pan with wax paper. Press the mixture in.
Cover in wax paper & press flat. Wait 2 to 3 hours then cut.
Cover in wax paper & press flat. Wait 2 to 3 hours then cut.
I reuse the wax paper by cutting it into pieces to wrap the bars.
Cut them into whatever size you like - rectangles, squares - big or small.
Enjoy these bars packed with fibre & protein(that's not been hydrolyzed :)
Source:
http://www.joyfulabode.com/2008/04/11/homemade-granola-bar-recipe-no-high-fructose-corn-syrup-in-these-bars/
I adjusted and put less brown sugar.
Source:
http://www.joyfulabode.com/2008/04/11/homemade-granola-bar-recipe-no-high-fructose-corn-syrup-in-these-bars/
I adjusted and put less brown sugar.
Monday, November 8, 2010
Day 1 - MSG & Hydrolyzed Protein Are One & the Same.
DAY 1 - MSG & Procrastination - are they linked?
This morning I posted the following on my facebook profile page after some friends said they'd like to join me in getting rid of unhealthy things in my diet:
" 'Living free' blog coming soon. For now I will post daily tips on here.
Eliminating MSG is 1st(& it's 45 hidden forms): reduce weight/ blood pressure,
eliminate headaches & being flushied after eating/drinking & many other benefits.
Your body will thank you!
1. "Hydrolyzed protein". Go to your cupboards.
Remove everything that has this in it. Post them.
We will find healthy alternatives for all of them.
Good luck."
I will now admit that I said "coming soon," but hadn't looked into how I would do this blog yet.
Presto. My sister sent me the idea of blogspot and I created this blog.
Step 1 toward Simple Free Living has become:
DO NOT PROCRASTINATE. IF YOU WANT TO DO IT THEN WRITE DOWN THAT YOU ARE DOING IT.
Today you are taking everything out of your cupboards that says "hydrolyzed protein" on the label(because it is MSG in disguise) and posting it here for us to find healthy alternatives for you. Good luck!
Source: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/help/faqs_flavorings/index.asp
Are MSG and hydrolyzed protein related?
Yes. MSG is the sodium salt of glutamic acid. Glutamic acid is an amino acid, one of the building blocks of protein. It is found in virtually all food and, in abundance, in food that is high in protein, including meat, poultry, cheeses, and fish.
Hydrolyzed proteins, used by the food industry to enhance flavor, are simply proteins that have been chemically broken apart into amino acids. The chemical breakdown of proteins may result in the formation of free glutamate that joins with free sodium to form MSG. In this case, the presence of MSG does not need to be disclosed on labeling. Labeling is required when MSG is added as a direct ingredient.
This morning I posted the following on my facebook profile page after some friends said they'd like to join me in getting rid of unhealthy things in my diet:
" 'Living free' blog coming soon. For now I will post daily tips on here.
Eliminating MSG is 1st(& it's 45 hidden forms): reduce weight/ blood pressure,
eliminate headaches & being flushied after eating/drinking & many other benefits.
Your body will thank you!
1. "Hydrolyzed protein". Go to your cupboards.
Remove everything that has this in it. Post them.
We will find healthy alternatives for all of them.
Good luck."
I will now admit that I said "coming soon," but hadn't looked into how I would do this blog yet.
Presto. My sister sent me the idea of blogspot and I created this blog.
Step 1 toward Simple Free Living has become:
DO NOT PROCRASTINATE. IF YOU WANT TO DO IT THEN WRITE DOWN THAT YOU ARE DOING IT.
Today you are taking everything out of your cupboards that says "hydrolyzed protein" on the label(because it is MSG in disguise) and posting it here for us to find healthy alternatives for you. Good luck!
Source: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/help/faqs_flavorings/index.asp
Are MSG and hydrolyzed protein related?
Yes. MSG is the sodium salt of glutamic acid. Glutamic acid is an amino acid, one of the building blocks of protein. It is found in virtually all food and, in abundance, in food that is high in protein, including meat, poultry, cheeses, and fish.
Hydrolyzed proteins, used by the food industry to enhance flavor, are simply proteins that have been chemically broken apart into amino acids. The chemical breakdown of proteins may result in the formation of free glutamate that joins with free sodium to form MSG. In this case, the presence of MSG does not need to be disclosed on labeling. Labeling is required when MSG is added as a direct ingredient.
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