Healthy Living

Slow Food ~ The Healthy Alternative to Fast Food

Alice Waters is a pioneer. She’s been preaching the virtues of cultivating fresh food for decades. Lesley Stahl interviews this world-renowned chef and restaurateur. Alice Waters hopes a slower approach to the food we eat will keeps us healthier and greener.

From the Chez Panisse Restaurant website:
“Alice and Chez Panisse have become convinced that the best-tasting food is organically grown and harvested in ways that are ecologically sound, by people who are taking care of the land for future generations. The quest for such ingredients has largely determined the restaurant’s cuisine. Chez Panisse has tried for years to make diners here partake of the immediacy and excitement of vegetables just out of the garden, fruit right off the branch, and fish straight out of the sea. In doing so, Chez Panisse has stitched together a patchwork of over sixty nearby suppliers, whose concerns, like the restaurant’s, are environmental harmony and optimal flavor.”

Chez Panisse is located in Berkeley, California, but Alice Water’s influence extends far beyond.

Protect Yourself Against Swine Flu

Apr 28th, 2009

by Marilyn.

4 comments

The news is everywhere – On TV, radio, online and the newspaper. The speculation is that the Swine Flu breakout may become a pandemic. The key word is MAY. Right now, it is NOT a pandemic. Now is the time to take all the precautions we can to avoid this illness.

First we need to be able to recognize the Swine Flu. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “The symptoms of swine flu in people are expected to be similar to the symptoms of regular human seasonal influenza and include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing. Some people with swine flu also have reported runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.”

It’s time to take preventive measures:

Eat a healthy diet with lots of fruits, vegetables, lean meats, fish and soy.
Take your vitamins every day.
Keep your immune system strong. I like a natural interferon booster.
Drink lots of filtered water.
Wash your hands often. Soap and warm water kill most germs.
Use a hand sanitizer.
Use a saline nasal spray before you leave the house and when you return.
Keep your hands away from your eyes, nose and mouth.
Avoid public restrooms, crowded waiting rooms and anywhere lots of people gather.
Avoid sick people. Unfortunately, people are most contagious just before they get sick.
Don’t share personal items, food or drinks.
Keep a positive attitude.

If you get sick:

Visit your doctor. There are tests to determine if you have a cold, seasonal influenza or the Swine Flu.
Prescription medication is available to help you feel better, keep the flu virus from reproducing in your system and possibly prevent complications.
Stay home. You need the rest and you don’t want to infect others.
Follow the guidelines above for prevention. They work well when you’re sick, too.

Prevention is the best course of action. Living a healthy lifestyle keeps your body in the best shape to ward off illnesses of all kinds. You can’t go back and do things over, but you can start from today and make a better future.

What are you doing to get healthy and stay healthy?

Top 10 Weight Loss Secrets

Apr 21st, 2009

by Marilyn.

1 comment

Losing weight isn’t so hard if you do it a little at a time. Find a sensible plan that fits your needs and follow it. Sounds simple, but simple isn’t always easy.

I found a free ebook that sounds like it has solid information. I’ve just skimmed the book and plan to read it soon.

Free download: The Hacker’s Diet and the spreadsheets.

Top 10 Weight Loss Secrets

Surprise! There’s no secret. There’s no shortcut to losing weight. If you want to lose weight and keep it off, you need to change your lifestyle.
Eat less and do more. You gain weight when you take in more calories than you burn. To lose weight, you need to burn more calories than you take in.
Keep a food journal. Knowing what you eat and seeing it in black and white is the first step to making good food choices. A food journal can be as simple as paper and pencil. Or as sophisticated as a computer program. I use CinchCoach as part of my weight management system.
Make eating an event. Plan what you’re going to eat, prepare a plate or bowl, sit and enjoy your meal or snack.
Chew, Chew, Chew. Take small bites and chew well. This helps break down the food. And the saliva starts to break it down. This will help your digestive system.
Find a support system. This could be a spouse, sister-in-law or trusted friend. Make sure it’s someone you can confide in and who will give you encouragement. Stay away from negative people. You don’t need to be nagged or feel like a failure.
Join a support group. Find a local meeting or start one. Or join an online support group.
Walk 10,000 steps a day. Wear a pedometer to monitor your walking. If you’re sedentary, you may only walk 2,000-3,000 steps a day.
Park your car away from the store or building. Walking the extra steps burns more calories. find other ways to add more exercise like taking the stairs instead of the elevator, walk 15 minutes with a friend before eating lunch or take a Sunday morning bike ride thru the park.
Think thin. Keep a positive attitude. Don’t expect to lose a lot of weight in a short amount of time. About 2 pounds a week is a good target. To lose one pound, you need to burn 3,500 calories more than what you eat.

Plastic Bags

Jan 15th, 2009

by Marilyn.

3 comments

I’m trying hard to live green, but it’s not easy. I bought green, reusable bags to tote purchases home from the store. It’s becoming a habit to remember to take them into the store. But, I also have to remember to get them back to the car after I’ve used them.

It’s almost impossible to completely get away from plastic bags. The cashiers and baggers automatically start packing orders into their plastic bags. I can’t remember the last time I heard “paper or plastic.” They just put a couple items into each plastic bag. They can’t fill the bags because they tear too easy. So, if I don’t stop them, I end up taking home several bags. Then, I’m compelled to reuse or recycle.

I no longer use a plastic produce bag for each fruit and vegetable that I buy. I keep one of my cloth bags open in the cart and add tomatoes, apples, cucumbers and all the loose items into my bag. Then, at the check out, I set my bag on the counter and give the cashier an empty bag to transfer to as she rings up each item. So far, it’s working well.

Free Dr. Pepper – Today only

Nov 23rd, 2008

by Marilyn.

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Dr. Pepper is offering every American a free single serve* of Dr. Pepper today only. Just login or register and let them know where to send the coupon.

*A SINGLE SERVE IS EITHER A 16 OZ., 20 OZ., OR 21 OZ. OF DR PEPPER OR DIET DR PEPPER. DR PEPPER AND THE DP LOGO ARE REGISTERED TRADEMARKS OF DR PEPPER/SEVEN UP, INC. © DR PEPPER/SEVEN UP, INC.

Marilyn Kvasnok