February 2022

Cooking With Children in Mind

If you are considering cooking with children, you need to be prepared and make sure you have the proper ingredients on hand before beginning. You will certainly need your patience and you would not want to leave in the middle of things to run to the local grocery store to pick up the missing ingredients.

Another very important rule when it comes to cooking with children is to clean as you go whenever possible. While there is part of you that will want to put off this task, cleaning the mess that is made rather than waiting until the end prevents successive mess to compound each other. Constantly clean throughout the process for the best possible results is my advice. Enlist your children in the cleaning process as well. While it may be easier to do yourself, it is far more important to teach them the basics of cleaning, as a part of the process, as you go. Remember one day they will more than likely invade your kitchen while you’re not looking and good habits will pay in the long-term.

Cooking for toddlers and growing children presents some unique challenges along the way. While you want to provide them with those ever so important nutrients, it is often difficult to get them to eat those foods that are best for their growing bodies, however you make them attractive. Most of us are all probably well aware of the food pyramid and the number of servings our children need of healthy grains, proteins, fruits, vegetables, and calcium products. Getting them to eat these nourishing products is, however, another matter all together unfortunately.

Cooking healthier meals for kids is now easier than ever before. Fresh fruits and vegetables are best whenever possible and packaging is just as important as a persuasive factor. However, if you cannot manage fresh, you should avoid canned (fruits especially as they are often swimming in sugary sweetness) whenever possible. Frozen is far preferable to canned when it comes to both fruit and vegetables, as there are often fewer additives.

Perhaps the greatest gift you can give yourself (much greater than the help in the kitchen) by ‘forcing’ your little ones to help prepare dinner is that they will learn to better appreciate your culinary efforts and eat peacefully rather than sullenly. They also take some ownership of what they produce. This tactic has met with great success in my house and I’m sure you will enjoy the same.…

What Vegans Should Know Part 1 – MSG

This is the first in a series of planned articles concerning what vegans and vegetarians should know.

Monosodium glutamate (MSG) has gotten much publicity for several years. One would think that a reasonably intelligent adult would be very familiar with MSG today. Unfortunately, many misconceptions persist. My guess is that if you ask ten people at random why MSG is used in food, eight of the ten would say “it’s a preservative”. Well, the correct answer is “no”, it is not a preservative.

Before continuing, this article presents facts that are available to anyone willing to do some research on the internet. It also presents some of the authors opinions which you can take or leave. The author is not intent on convincing you that MSG or the food industry is good or bad. The goal of this article is to induce you to think about what is in your food, to do some investigation and to decide for yourself. Even vegans and vegetarians who, in general, are more conscience of what they eat, are frequently unaware of MSG in their food (check the label on that can of organic beans).

So, what is wrong with MSG? It can cause migraine headaches, upset stomach, fuzzy thinking, diarrhea, heart irregularities, asthma, mood swings and has been linked to obesity. Don’t believe it? Go to the website (U S Library of Medicine) and type MSG in the search box. You will get 620 articles on MSG toxicity.

If we assume at this point that MSG is something you do not want to be eating, the question arises, if it is bad, why does the food industry put it food? As mentioned earlier it is not a preservative. MSG is a flavor enhancer. It has the ability to make even tainted food taste good to us. Additionally, it has an addictive effect on the human body. Quite simply, it makes us want to eat more. Is it any wonder the food industry puts it in virtually everything?

So, how do you know if MSG is in your food? First, if you eat fast food, it is in the hamburgers, hot dogs, tacos, chicken and practically everything else served at every major fast food restaurant in America. Nearly everything you eat at Kentucky Fried Chicken is loaded with MSG. So about the only way to avoid it at fast food outlets is not to eat fast food or stick with salad. No wait…there is MSG in the salad dressing.

However, at your grocery store, you can do something about it. Simply read the ingredient label on everything you buy. But, be aware that the food industry does not make it easy for you. MSG is disguised under about forty different names. You will seldom see the words monosodium glutamate. Instead look for:

Anything with the word “hydrolyzed” (like hydrolyzed flour)Anything with the word “…protein” (like textured protein)Anything with the word “glutamate” or “glutamic” (like Glutamic acid) …

Whether it’s a neighborhood get-together, a kid’s birthday party, a picnic, or another event involving food, hosting it can be a great deal of fun. It can also be a headache to plan and prepare, especially when it comes to gathering supplies.

One way to make this easier – and maybe even throw a few other fun events – is to purchase items that you can reuse each time. While each type of event will require some different items, there are a few to keep in your cabinets, such as those listed below.

Serving Dishes and Utensils

If you’re serving food, you need something to serve it in and with. Investing in a durable set of serving dishes and some easy-to-clean serving utensils will serve you well. Choosing clear, white, or black are good ideas as they can match nearly all themes.

Pitchers and Cups

Whether you’re serving water, sweet tea, or mixed drinks, you need a way to dispense them and something to drink from. Clear pitchers make great dispensers, especially as your guests can easily see what’s inside. Glass cups and tumblers are great for grown-up parties indoors, but if you’re hosting kids or doing outdoor events, you can choose plastic that mimics the appearance of glass ones.

Plates and Flatware

You can always purchase paper plates and plastic spoons. And at times, such as a birthday party with 20 five-year-olds running around, that might be the best option. However, there are a few reasons to consider a good set of dinner plates and flatware.

One reason is that they work well for both casual and formal parties. They are also better if you’re serving heavy food. You should also consider the cost. Yes, paper and plastic are cheaper options upfront, but if you’re throwing several events each year, those low costs add up.

Investing time and money in these few items can make a big difference in your future events. They won’t cover every need, but you’re sure to get your money’s worth from each. …

Healthy Eating on a Budget

Who says you can’t eat healthy foods on a budget? This has been the chief complaint of many people who wants to eat healthy but couldn’t. Is eating healthy really that expensive? Well, some foods are truly expensive, like fresh yogurt and some fruits like kiwis and strawberries. Look on the bright side, there are other foods that are healthy but are easily accessible and cheap.

The problem with healthy eating is that you have to prepare it yourself. Why? Restaurants and fast food chains do not serve healthy foods or healthy alternatives. One reason for this is that it is easier to deep fry chicken, rather than mixing up sauces and chopping vegetables for your healthy garden salad. Grease and oil also help in making the food easier to prepare, and they greatly enhance the flavor of the food. These are the main reasons why fast food chains only serve greasy food.

How to eat healthy on a budget? It is easy. First, you have to know what healthy foods are. Then, you must incorporate these foods into your daily diet. Come to think of it, healthy foods are in plain sight and are readily available, not to mention accessible. The following foods can be found in your local fresh market: fruits, vegetables, nuts, beans, lean meats, and other natural foods, as these can be very cheap.

Making these healthy and delicious at the same time it is all about how you prepare the ingredients. Avoid deep frying and using a lot of unhealthy oils, and avoid using sauces that are high in sugar and salt. It is how you cook the food that makes it healthy. Also, eating a lot of fresh fruits and veggies that are readily available in the market is one of the ways to eat healthy.

The secret in buying fresh fruits and vegetables that are cheap is to make sure that the fruit or vegetable you are about to buy is natural and in season. If the fruit or vegetable is in season, you can make sure that it is natural with no fertilizers added, since the fruits or vegetables are in the prime of their growth. When these foods are in season chances are the market will be filled with them. With the law of supply and demand the prices are going to drop like a rock. It is just a matter of choosing the one that is in season, and you are in for healthy, delicious and cheap meals.

The following are some foods that are healthy, cheap and delicious.

Brown rice – if you eat white rice, then brown rice is a healthier alternative. It may be a bit more expensive compared to white varieties, but brown rice contains more fiber, which will keep you full longer.

Whole wheat pasta – this is a very good alternative to pasta, and it contains added fiber.

Whole wheat bread – white bread has about as few nutrients …

Healthy Food For the Heart – Making the Right Choices

Heart disease is one of the main causes of death among adults worldwide. All of us know there is good healthy food for the heart. Healthy eating is all about enjoying a variety of foods from the different food groups. Unfortunately, when it comes to our health and nutrition, our society seems predisposed towards making us choose the unhealthy options. Why should you consume healthy foods for your heart? Learning to eat healthy foods is not a science reserved for the elite. For a healthy and sound body, all you need to do is substitute harmful food with healthy food alternatives.

A recent study discovered that nearly one third of the people today studied have got undetectable amounts of omega 3 fatty acids within their blood stream, putting these people at more significant possibility for heart problems, stroke, being diabetic, and cognitive complications. Omega 3 also reduces the risk of heart attack. While being a very popular and heart-healthy food rich in omega 3 fatty acids, salmon is also a very tasty food. Consistently seafood is described as “brain food” and of late experts have included “rich in Omega 3” and “heart healthy” on labeling. To prepare a heart-healthy food, try baked salmon steak with vegetables and a salad dressed with lemon juice (instead of a vinaigrette sauce which is too rich in calories)

Brazil nuts contain mono-saturated fats that make it a healthy food for the heart. Parsley contains several important flavonoids, and this makes it a healthy food for the heart. Enjoying some dark chocolate bars is similar to obtaining the identical antioxidant content provided by a couple of glasses of burgandy or merlot wine or three servings of Asian tea extract. If you miss milk shakes, try a low-fat fruit smoothie, instead. Soluble fiber also helps keep your digestive system healthy. Apples, nuts and oats are an excellent source of soluble fiber. Eat an apple with a handful of walnuts or almonds as a healthy treat or add slices of apples to salads. In addition Nuts lower the LDL (bad) cholesterol and the risk of heart disease. Research shows that if you lower your blood cholesterol levels, you lower your risk of coronary disease and stroke. Whole grains are another source of soluble fiber and provide vitamins to help maintain a healthy heart. The soluble fiber binds with cholesterol, which is then shunted out of the body, and their level falls. These good fats will also keep your cholesterol levels low.

In spite of what the thousands of seemingly “healthy” products claim, the truth is there are no shortcuts to becoming fit and healthy. It is a conscious effort and choice. Our purpose is to help make the healthier alternative easier to choose. Most people can lower their cholesterol by choosing an active lifestyle, achieving and maintaining a healthy body weight, and eating better. Eating healthy for your heart is something everybody should attempt to do, particularly …

Clinicians must use the research and medical data available to choose the most appropriate cannabinoid therapies for their patients. This will ensure that they select treatments that deliver consistent results with maximal patient benefit and minimal side effects.

Below are some frequently asked questions about CBN products.

Why Do You Recommend Using Full-Spectrum CBN Instead of a Specific Form?

Broad spectrum CBN therapy is the preferred treatment in cases where a more targeted approach may be ineffective or contraindicated, such as in children and patients with complex comorbidities. There are also cases where a more nuanced degree of CBN dosing may not be clinically appropriate. For example, some patients experience severe nausea and vomiting due to chemotherapy, and their appetite may not be optimal. In these cases, the ability to use high-dose CBN oil without inducing nausea is preferable.

What Are Some of the Reasons Patients Prefer Full Spectrum CBN?

Several factors contribute to this phenomenon, including that full-spectrum extracts are typically dispensed at a lower volume making the cost per milligram of CBD less expensive. Another is that full-spectrum extracts can provide a wider range of therapeutic benefits that may be beneficial for specific patient conditions.

What Are Some Common Misconceptions About Full-Spectrum CBN?

Some clinicians have expressed concern about purified forms of CBN being non-FDA approved or containing hidden active ingredients. In reality, though, the only difference between a purified form of CBN and a full-spectrum extract is concentration. It is important to note that all forms of CBN, whether they are isolated or full-spectrum extracts, have undergone extensive safety testing for purity and potency.

Why Is the Use of Full-Spectrum CBN More Preferable When Treating Children?

Children are often given liquid extracts, making it easy for patients to dose themselves quickly. Since children’s doses can vary between each administration, being able to dose without any added ingredients is critical in ensuring that they get their proper medication. CBN can treat many conditions. However, it is important to note that there are also some conditions for which CBN may exacerbate symptoms.…