Chocolate Ice Cream Which one to choose?
What meets your needs and taste?
Test the Brands, Read the Portion Size,
Check the Calories and Fat.
Make an Educated Choice.
Mothers are special. You can create a gift she will cherish forever without spending any money or very little. Some of my favorite gifts have been handmade.
Gift Ideas for Mom with Zero Calories
Photos or Homemade Cards
Nutrition Consult with a Registered Dietitian
Perfume
Spa Day or Massage
Online Video
Flowers and/or Balloons Handprints
Gift Baskets
Makeover Vouchers for: 1. Go food shopping for a month. 2. Wash mom's car. 3. Clean the kitchen for a week. 4. Treat mom to a movie.
Favorite Mother's Day Videos
Anne Geddes pictures to Celine Dions song 'A mothers Prayer'
National Fruit Cocktail Day Definitions. 1. A mixture of sliced or diced fruits. 2. A mixture of chopped fruit served as an appetizer, often chilled; tends to be less sweet than a fruit salad. 3. A mixture of fresh or preserved fruits cut into pieces and served as an appetizer or dessert; also called a fruit cup. 4. Canned fruit cocktail and canned fruit salad are similar, but fruit salad contains larger fruit while fruit cocktail is diced.
Canned Fruit Cocktail can be purchased in the following packing mediums:
Extra heavy Heavy Light Fruit Juice and Water Fruit Juice Artificially Sweetened The USDA product sheets1 state canned "Fruit cocktail" must contain pears, grapes, cherries, peaches, and pineapples, otherwise it cannot be called fruit cocktail. It should contain fruits in not less nor more than the following percentages: 30% to 50% diced peaches, any yellow variety 25% to 45% diced pears, any variety 6% to 16% diced pineapple, any variety 6% to 20% whole grapes, any seedless variety 2% to 6% cherry halves, any light sweet or artificial red variety
A simple fruit salad or fruit kabob makes a healthy dish and easy to prepare.
"People who laugh actually live longer than
those who don't laugh.
Few persons realize that health actually varies
according to the amount of laughter."
James J. Walsh, MD
Having a good laugh usually makes
us feel good about ourselves. This can be a factor in motivating a person to lose weight.
I Love to Laugh
Babies Laughing
Research published in the International Journal of Obesity discovered laughter can be beneficial in weight control.
Laughing helps burn calories by increasing the heart rate by 10 to 20 percent: The metabolism increases as well, meaning you will burn more calories at rest once you have stopped laughing.
Scientists calculated 15 minutes of laughter a day will burn 10 to 40 calories, depending on a person’s weight and the intensity of the laughter.
Laughter can relieve physical tension and stress, leaving your muscles relaxed for up to 45 minutes after.
Laughter triggers the release of endorphins, which promotes an overall sense of well-being.
Laughter improves the function of blood vessels and increases blood flow, which may benefit the cardiovascular system.
Laughter may benefit people with diabetes. One study showed after watching a comedy, the group had lower blood sugar levels than they did after listening to a boring lecture.
Laugh because it feels great,
because it is healthy for you and
because we take ourselves too seriously.
It’s time to lighten up. “Laughter is the best medicine.”
*FDA 21 CFR 101.9 Nutrition labeling of food. FDA regulation allows manufacturers to round a number of servings to the nearest 0.5 serving, as long as they use the term “about”. Serving size is based on RACC = Reference Amount Customarily Consumed per Eating Occasion.
One Serving Size: 1oz (28g)
130 calories per Serving
Package Size: Net Wt. 2.25 oz (63.8g)
About 2 Servings per package
Findings Actual Serving per Package = 2.3 299 Calories per Package Read the Label; an Educated Consumer has the knowledge to make the Best Choices.
Fast foods do not have a monopoly on supersize. The plate industry has had its own growth spurt during the past 50 years. In the 1960s dinner plates were about 8.5 to 9-inches in diameter and held about 800 calories; by 2009 plate size had grown to 12-inches with the capacity to hold about 1900 calories. The calorie differences are illustrated in the graphic below. (Calorie amounts will vary depending on the foods you choose.)
Lollipops are what we call "Empty Calories." A food labeled as empty calories provides little to no nutrients, except calories. The calories in the "Dum Dum Pop" comes from sugar and corn syrup.
On May 8, 1999, Dan Glickman, Secretary of Agriculture of the United States of America proclaimed the month of July as "National Blueberry Month".
Spotlight on Blueberries
Blueberry Facts. Blueberries are a native North American fruit produced in 35 States. Fresh blueberries are available for about eight months of the year from producers across the United States and Canada. North America is the world's leading blueberry producer. The North American harvest runs from mid-April through early October, with peak harvest in mid-May through August. Blueberries can be found in the market all year round, along with frozen, canned and dried blueberries. Blueberries are low in calories and sodium and are a good source of fiber. Blueberries rank high in antioxidants that help protect against cancer, heart disease and other age-related diseases. Researchers have found compounds in blueberries that may help prevent urinary tract infection.
Purchasing Blueberries When purchasing fresh blueberries, look for firm, plump, dry berries with smooth skins and a silvery sheen. Check the color - reddish berries aren’t ripe but can be used in cooking. Avoid soft or shriveled fruit or any signs of mold. Containers with juice stains indicate that the fruit may be bruised. Storing Blueberries Refrigerate fresh blueberries as soon as you get them home, in their original plastic pack or in a covered bowl or storage container. Wash berries just before use. Use within 10 days of purchase. Freezing Blueberries Freeze unwashed and completely dry. Discard berries that are bruised or shriveled. Blueberries can be frozen in their original plastic pack or in resealable plastic or frozen bag or transferred to a freezer container. Remember to rinse them before using. Serving Suggestions *Add blueberries to your favorite muffin or pancake recipe. *Combine blueberries with yogurt and granola cereal.*Sprinkle blueberries over mixed greens. *Serve blueberries with sour cream, yogurt or cottage cheese.
Celebrating Blueberries During the month of July, we enjoyed the sweet flavor of blueberries in various recipes. Below are some of the photographs taken to capture their versatility and beauty.
Recipe: Blueberry Smoothie
Recipe. Frozen Blueberry Yogurt (low fat) with Fresh Blueberries
Recipe. Blueberry Ices with Kiwi and Blueberries
Recipe. Orange Sections and Fresh Blueberries
Recipe. Blueberries with Vanilla Ice Cream (light), Blueberry Ices and Frozen Blueberry Yogurt (low fat)
Recipe. Blueberry Crumb Ice Cream with Fresh Blueberries
As a Registered Dietitian, I was curious about how many calories, fat, and sodium was in their order. Per person, if everything was consumed, the total intake would be:
Calories: 3,549; Fat: 179 g; Sodium: 7782 mg
The calorie intake is excessive (by about 1000-2000 calories); Fat about 3 times the normal range; and sodium is off the chart (recommendation - less than 1500 to 2300 mg/day). However, the song is funny and I look forward to hearing more from Rhett and Link.
Drive-Thru Rap: Healthy Version
Rhett and Link are concerned about people's health and created the Healthy Version of the Drive-Thru Rap.
Rhett and Link are a North Carolina-based comedy duo consisting of life-long best friends, Rhett McLaughlin and Link Neal. They are best known for their Internet videos. In addition to their web presence, Rhett and Link are also musicians and filmmakers and have worked in network television as hosts. They own and operate a video production company, Rhett and Link, Inc. To learn more about the talented duo visit http://rhettandlink.com/.
In 2003, Pennsylvania Governor, Ed Rendell declares April 26 National Pretzel Day to acknowledge the importance of the pretzel to the state's history and economy.
Enjoy a pretzel while getting some exercise Alex Wong from FOX's "So You Think You Can Dance"
choreographed a Pretzel Dance for Auntie Anne's in
honor of National Pretzel Day and National Dance Week ( April 24 - May 3, 2015).
National Hot Dog and Sausage Council How It's Made - Hot Dogs U.S. Laws Regulating Hot Dogs Food Safety Hot Dogs and Nutrition Hot Dogs and Sodium Nitrate Choking risk Commercials Then and Now
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce designated July as National Hot Dog Month in 1957. The National Hot Dog and Sausage Council (http://www.hot-dog.org) is an organization created in 1994 by the American Meat Institute and is funded by contributions from hot dog and sausage manufacturers and suppliers of equipment, ingredients and services. The Council conducts scientific research and provides information to consumers and media on questions related to quality, safety, nutrition and preparation of hot dogs and sausages.
What's In A Hot Dog by Joy Bauer
How It's Made - Hot Dogs
U.S. Laws Regulating Hot Dogs (http://www.fsis.usda.gov/factsheets/hot_dogs/index.asp)
A hot dog, frankfurter or wiener is a cooked sausage. They are made from beef, pork, veal, turkey, chicken, or a combination and the label must state the type of meat and other foods used. Federal Standards of Identity.
1. Hot dogs may not contain more than 30% fat or no more than 10% water.
2. Beef or all-beef: Contains only beef with no soybean protein or dry milk solid fillers added.
3. Kosher: All-beef, usually heavily seasoned.
4. Frankfurter may contain up to 3.5 percent fillers and made from a combination of meats.
5. Turkey or Chicken Franks can contain turkey or chicken and turkey or chicken skin and fat in proportion to a turkey or chicken carcass.
6. If variety meats, cereal or soy fillers are used, the product name must be changed to "links" or the presence must be declared on the label. Hot dogs can be 15% byproducts; heart, kidney, liver or other organs. But it must be labeled.
7. Up to 3.5% non-meat binders and extenders (such as nonfat dry milk, cereal, or dried whole milk) or 2% isolated soy protein may be used, but must be shown in the ingredients statement on the product's label by its common name.
8. If a hot dog has a casing, or a thin skin and it is different than the meat used in the hot dog, the label must say so. For example, if a chicken hot dog has a pork casing, the label must list the pork casing on the ingredients list. If the casing is artificially colored, the label must indicate this
9. All ingredients in the product must be listed in the ingredients statement in order of predominance, from highest to lowest amounts.
10. To protect consumers against Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, mechanically separated beef is considered inedible and is prohibited for use as food. It is not permitted in hot dogs or any other processed product. (Mechanically separated meat is a process whereby meat is separated from the bone by scraping, shaving, or pressing the meat from the bone without crushing, breaking or grinding the bone.)
11. Mechanically separated pork is permitted and must be labeled as "mechanically separated pork" in the ingredients statement. Hot dogs can contain no more than 20% mechanically separated pork.
12. Hot dogs can contain any amount of mechanically separated chicken or turkey.
A vegetarian hot dog is a hot dog produced completely from non-meat products. Vegetarian hot dogs are usually from some sort of soy protein, but some contain egg whites (not acceptable to vegans). There are also vegetarian hot dogs made from tofu.
Food Safety 1. Hot dogs should be reheated until steaming hot before eating, due to the threat of listeriosis.
2. If there is no product date, hot dogs can be safely stored in the refrigerator in the unopened package for 2 weeks; once opened, only 1 week.
3. Frozen hot dogs maintain their quality for about 1 or 2 months.
4. Do not leave hot dogs at room temperature for more than 2 hours and no more than 1 hour when the temperature goes above 90 °F.
Hot Dogs and Nutrition The traditional hot dog is high in fat and salt, and contains very little or no fiber. Yet Americans typically consume 7 billion hot dogs during Hot Dog Season which runs from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Below is a list of hot dogs, from beef, pork, turkey, low fat, no fat and vegetarian. Moderation, individual needs and preferences are key to planning your meals. If you are someone that eats hot dogs more than once a week, it might be wise to choose a lower-fat variety.
The analysis provided is based on 2 ounces cooked. It is important to read the label and check the portion size. Some of the hot dogs listed below were rounded up to 2 ounces in order to show a comparison of equal weight.
Hot Dogs and Sodium Nitrate/Nitrite
Many brands of hot dogs contain sodium nitrite and nitrate. It is used as a food preservative, flavor enhancer, prevents spoilage and helps prevent botulism. Sodium nitrite and nitrate occur naturally in some vegetables, fruits, grains, spices and water. In the 1970’s there were a number of studies that linked the consumption of nitrite with cancer in laboratory rats.
As a result, the FDA and the USDA commissioned a comprehensive review of sodium nitrite's role as a food additive. The results from the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) stated that nitrite does not cause cancer, although exposure to high nitrite levels in certain populations may be associated with cancers. The NAS recommended people's exposure to both nitrates and nitrites be reduced as much as possible without endangering the protection against botulism.
The meat industry made substantial changes in the past 20 years to address the concerns about nitrite in cured meats. It reduced the use of nitrite in the processing of cured meats and now averages one-tenth of what the regulations allow.
In a Consumer Report analysis, it was found that the nitrates and nitrites in all the hot dogs tested were well below the maximum level for the additives established by the USDA. A hot dog labeled uncured cannot add nitrates or nitrites, but that does not necessarily mean the product is free of them. The three uncured hot dogs tested contained nitrites and nitrates because the compounds occur naturally in spices and other natural ingredients added during processing.
As I reviewed the literature, it was clear the controversy over nitrites causing cancer still exists today. The American Institute for Cancer Research report found that consuming one 50-gram serving of processed meat (about one hot dog) every day increases the risk of colorectal cancer by 20 percent. According to the AICR, the average risk of colorectal cancer is 5.8 percent, but 7 percent when a hot dog is consumed daily over years.
Hot dogs present a significant choking risk, especially for children under 14 years of age. Seventeen percent of all food-related asphyxiations are caused by hot dogs. It is suggested the size, shape and texture of hot dogs be modified to reduce the risk of choking. Pediatric emergency doctors note that a wedged hot dog is almost impossible to dislodge from a child's windpipe. To serve hot dogs safely for children, one should slice the hot dog into bite-size pieces. For adults it is recommended to slice hot dogs down the middle length-wise.
Commercials Then and Now
Hebrew National Hotdog Commercial
1978 commercial for Oscar Mayer Hot Dog Wieners. Hot diggity!
OSCAR MAYER, 1960’s
Hot Dog Commercial (2010)
OSCAR MAYER Selects. They're a great way to re-connect with your family.
Green Curry Noodles
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This simple Thai-inspired Green Curry Noodle recipe uses a creamy coconut
sauce with tofu, Thai green curry paste, and vegetables. It’s vegan,
gluten-free ...
Roasted Cabbage and Chickpea salad
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Sometimes as a vegetable cabbage doesn't get used enough, but it's cheap
and very versatile and fabulous roasted. This is a fun and tasty recipe
usin...
