Thursday, October 30, 2008

Apple Season-

The Better Life Experts | October 30, 2008


It is fall in the great state of Michigan and that means APPLE SEASON. Apples are a versatile and wonderful low-calorie food, have no fat, cholesterol or sodium, and contain small amounts of potassium, which may promote heart health, help maintain healthy blood pressure and a healthy weight. We came across this recipe at our local farm stand in Ada and want to share it with you. We made a few changes to the recipe so that it fits into a healthy weight loss/management program. Give it a try and tell us what you think…

Serves 6 as a side dish or main dish w/ other vegetable



Ingredients
6 oz. linguine, cooked and cooled
6 oz. grilled chicken breast, thinly sliced
1 Michigan Apple, peeled, cored and coarsely chopped
½ cup dried cherries
½ cup chopped celery
1 teaspoon fresh tarragon, chopped
1 teaspoon salt
½ cup chopped walnuts or almonds
½ cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

Dressing
½ cup bottled Balsamic Vinaigrette
¼ cup light mayonnaise
Freshly ground pepper

Nutritional Facts
Calories 340
Fat cal 160
Total fat 18g
Saturated fat 2.0
Cholesterol 40 mg
Sodium 640 mg
Carbohydrate 33 g
Fiber 3 g
Sugars 10 g
Protein 15.0 g

Combine dressing ingredients. Refrigerate until ready to use.

In large bowl, combine linguine, chicken, apple, dried cherries, celery, tarragon and salt. Stir in dressing, mixing to combine. Season with pepper. Refrigerate 2-3 hours to combine flavors. To serve, top with chopped walnuts and cheddar cheese.

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Satisfaction & Weight Loss

The Better Life Experts | October 23, 2008


Most of us who have dieted or who are currently dieting struggle with impulsivity. The need to satisfy a small short term “need” (eating that chocolate doughnut) overpowers our long term goal (losing unwanted weight). Is this the result of nature or nurture?

Satisfaction derived from eating is probably a combination of the two. We are hard-wired to eat when the opportunity presents itself as part of our survival instinct. That’s the nature part of the equation; we eat to meet the basic need to survive. But, what we eat is choice-driven – our decision about which foods to eat is based upon their availability. Apple or doughnut? Salad or french fries? Double Deluxe hamburger or grilled chicken pita sandwich? That’s the nurture part of the equation, and the part that we can control.

What if one of the keys to losing weight is to avoid giving ourselves so many choices? After all, the body is just as satisfied with an apple as it is with a doughnut (probably more so since it’s easier to digest). Try limiting your options by avoiding restaurants, vending machines, and the break room if you are tempted by fattening foods. This simple strategy can help limit extra calories eaten throughout the day that are avoidable, unnecessary, and pack on unwanted pounds.

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Give Your Faith a Voice

Today's Scripture
We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;
(2 Corinthians 4:13 KJ).

Today's Word from Joel and Victoria

Every believer has been given a measure of faith. In order to see the promises of God come to pass in your life, you have to give your faith a voice. You must declare what God says about you in His Word. Those seeds of faith inside you are activated when you speak them out into the atmosphere. Thats why the scripture tells us, Let the weak say I am strong. Let the poor say I am rich. When you give your faith a voice and send forth the Word of God out of your mouth, the Bible says that He watches over His Word to bring it to pass in your life.

Dont dig up your seed by speaking against His Word. Dont allow words of defeat or negativity to come out of your mouth. Instead, water your seed by continuing to declare the Word of God. When you wake up every morning, thank Him that His promises are coming to pass in your life. As you do, you will see those things come to pass, and you will live the life of victory God has prepared for you.

A Prayer for Today

Father in heaven, I humbly come before You giving You my thoughts, my actions, and my words. Help me to activate my faith by speaking Your Word daily. May my words and thoughts be pleasing to You always. In Jesus Name. Amen.

Stress—Controlling It Before It Controls You, Part 3

The Better Life Experts | October 21, 2008


The Aggressor
The person who lashes out at others seldom initiates the experience and usually doesn’t enjoy it. Since the Aggressor would probably prefer to avoid these highly stressful situations, adequate preparation would probably lead to a more desirable outcome. Here’s where meal planning can be very helpful. Whereas some foods tend to have a calming effect, other foods frequently have a stimulating effect and should be avoided if we are stress-prone or are facing a stressful situation.

Foods that give sudden bursts of energy should be avoided. These include high-sugar foods like pastry, soda and candy. Alcohol should also be used in moderation, if at all, due to its tendency to release inhibitions. Fruits are a good substitution for those who enjoy sweets because the fructose in the fruit is absorbed in a way that does not exaggerate your mood. Similarly, sugar-free snacks and those containing lean protein provide a slow-release of energy into the bloodstream, sustaining us throughout the day. A diet containing fish such as tuna or salmon twice per week also keeps the protein level at a healthy level. See Stress-Less Food Choices at the end of this series for tips.

The person with aggressive tendencies can appear similar to the Denier since both tend to be outgoing and active. However, while the Denier frequently seeks out stimulating experiences, the Aggressor is usually reactive to them. Obviously, some people seek out opportunities to exercise their aggressive nature; but for those individuals who tend to strike out at others impulsively when under stress, food choices can go a long way toward keeping aggression under control and channeling the energy to your advantage.

The Denier
The person who seeks out high risk behaviors and excitement is often attempting to increase their dopamine level through inappropriate means. The same is true of individuals who engage in addictive behaviors. However, when levels of dopamine are too high, a person can experience a panic attack.

Foods that can safely increase dopamine are snacks such as nuts and seeds, and tyrosine-rich proteins found in salmon, tuna and shellfish. The obvious benefit of elevating and maintaining a higher dopamine level via this method is that these foods are highly nutritious and tend to remain in our system longer.

Since the Denier also tends to experience bouts of depression, foods that increase the serotonin level can help level off the mood swings. Serotonin is found in complex carbohydrates (e.g., oatmeal, Wheat thins and whole grains). Dairy products and protein-rich foods like white flaky fish, chicken and turkey can also raise the serotonin level. During times of stress, foods such as avocados, soft cheese, red meats and coffee should be avoided. Since Denier’s are prone to be compulsive eaters, it would be important for them to keep on hand snacks that are closest to their natural form rather than those high in sugar, additives and refined ingredients. Supplements such as fish oil and flaxseed can also help to keep mood swings in check.

The Withdrawer
The person who copes by withdrawing frequently struggles with anxious depression. Easily overwhelmed by expectations and stressful situations, the Withdrawer lives in constant fear of being negatively evaluated by others. Unfortunately, this behavior provides fewer opportunities to the person to attain the skills needed to become competent and successful. Their preferred coping strategy is to be controlling and perfectionistic, but when that isn’t possible, the person often resorts to withdrawal. Since these individuals often find comfort in food, they are more likely to suffer from eating disorders and/or obesity.

The Withdrawer would benefit from a diet that avoids the so-called comfort foods (e.g., fried foods, sweets, foods high in carbohydrates) since they tend to have a short-term benefit of relieving anxiety. However, the temporary benefit is quickly replaced by heightened depression, not only because of the biochemical “crash” following carb-loading and the sudden intake of sucrose, but because this strategy frequently leads to weight gain.

Foods high in proteins and those that help maintain the stress hormone balance are better able to counter the wearing effects of stress on the immune system. By including fish in the diet two or three times per week along with daily servings of cruciferous vegetables, you can help boost the immune system. Additionally, taking supplements such as flaxseed and fish oil as well as antioxidants on a daily basis can also be beneficial.

Monday, October 20, 2008

TEMPLEtuesdays

OK... MOM's unite!!
We have some feedback for the babysitting swap...
Laura Franklin, Krista Lundell, Julie VanNess, and Kirsten Dasilva all said they would like to swap...for a morning at the temple.

In the HUNT for Christmas gift ideas..

SHAUNA's RESPONSE
------------------------------(I sent the pix on email)

I heard you talking on Thursday about possibly wanting to do some of the vinyl lettering projects. I've included some photos of the ones that I did on tiles with the quotes listed below.

In all of living, have
much fun and laughter.
Life is to be enjoyed,
not just endured.
Gordon B. Hinckley


Never be afraid to
trust an unknown
future to an all
knowing God.
NOV 6th we are supposed to be making some of our Christmas gifts... WE NEED
YOUR IDEAS... Melissa Brewer- rumor has it you have some cool
ideas...HELP!!!
NOV 13th we are supposed to be taking our little ones on a field trip... WE
NEED YOUR IDEAS... HELP :-) NOV 20th for those of you who misses our first
HFPE... We have talked Karen Rich into helping us with our control journals.
Bring your binder, read up on www.flylady.net THIS IS ALSO OUR RECIPE
EXCHANGE...SLOW COOKER SOUPS...BRING YOUR FAVORITE SOUP TO SHARE AND THE
RECIPE FOR US TO STEAL :-)
----------------------
HERE IS MELISSA BREWER'S RESPONSE

WHO SAID SUCH THINGS?? And what are they saying? Because I don't know of
anything that I can make that people would know about!!!!

Im working on a new bracelet. Its got a picture charm on it that's NO SOLDER
and super easy!!! But it might be kind of crazy since I don't have enough
beads for everyone. Um... I can teach how to do it? Or maybe I can make a
few and people can pick one to make and give me the money ahead of time? But
I don't even know if theyre cute yet. I got to show them around and test
them out to see!!! I can make mixing spoons too? See the 2nd to the last
post here... http://retromommies.blogspot.com/ Theyre cute for a small gift
paired with like a sauce and some noodles or cookie mix packaged cute.
OOOOH! maybe we could focus on small gifts... Like the ones you give to kids
teachers or trade with family friends. I was planning on making smore making
kits this year. Its all about presentation you know. Anything can be
fabulous!

Um so yah. Ive got small ideas. Nothing that's good for like a HERES YOUR
BIG CHRISTMAS GIFT- GIFT.

Schedule change

Hi Ladies,
I wanted to let you know we rearranged our schedule a bit for MIDweek.
This coming Thursday 23rd... We are going to be sharing ideas on how to SAVE money in this economy... bring your ideas. Kirsten Dasilva will be leading the
discussion.

Next thursday 30th... We are going to be learning about and possibly organizing the opportunity for freezer meals. Laura Franklin will be leading the
discussion.

Don't forget Tuesday night Kirsten Dasilva is opening her home for anyone who wants to learn how she uses coupons... I will say she bought 6 items a few
days ago and made $.16 in the process. 8 pm -

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

The Dreaded “Middle Age Spread”

The Better Life Experts | October 13, 2008


Most of us are familiar with this phenomenon – as we get older our proportions of fat to body weight tends to increase. Extra pounds tend to move in around the midsection of our bodies as the ratio of fat to lean tissue shifts and fat storage begins to take a liking to the upper body, hips and thighs. So much so that even if people don’t actually gain weight in middle age, they may still gain inches at the waist.

What should we do about our tubby tummies? For starters, we need to begin to bring weight under control (generally) and engage in waging war against abdominal fat through regular moderate intensity exercise. Strength training for men and women helps to fight abdominal fat; spot exercising, such as sit-ups, bent leg crunches, straight leg crunches and push-ups can help tighten abdominal muscles; 30 minutes of aerobic exercise helps to burn calories and stored fat. Finally, a diet that is high in complex carbohydrates, lean proteins and mono/polyunsaturated fats will help curb the expansion of our waistlines and even reduce inches if adopted as part of a lifestyle change.

It sounds so simple - and it is, but no one ever said that it was easy to make necessary changes in our lives. Remember the maxim “exercise more and eat less”; your waistline will thank you for it.

Thursday, October 9, 2008

Is Halloween Candy Safe For Our Kids?

Is Halloween Candy Safe For Our Kids?
The Better Life Experts | October 9, 2008


On Monday, September 29, 2008, the Cadbury Candy Company, one of the largest candy empires in the world, recalled 11 types of their candies manufactured in China from store shelves due to suspected melamine chemical contamination. Cadbury’s ordered their recall because tests done on milk chocolate in its Beijing factory have “cast doubt on the integrity of a range of our products manufactured in China”.

What is melamine? Melamine is a nitrogen based product used in fertilizers, glues, and other industrial materials. This substance has been blamed for the deaths of at least 4 infants in China, and is suspected in the hospitalization of over 50,000 others. Melamine was also behind the recall of pet foods in 2007 that killed and sickened many dogs and cats in the United States.

The contaminated candy was distributed in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Australia. The FDA has not issued a general recall for Cadbury candy distributed and sold in the United States. HOWEVER, a particular brand of Cadbury candy that has been sold in the United States, and MAY be made with contaminated dairy products is sold under the brand name of WHITE RABBIT CANDY. The FDA recommended last week that consumers do not eat White Rabbit Candy and retailers remove the product from store shelves. So, if your child comes home with any White Rabbit Candy on Halloween, do not eat it and do not throw it away! Contact the authorities, and turn the suspected candy over to them! GOT IT?!?!

Okay, now the good news! The Hershey Candy Company of Pennsylvania and The MARS Company have released statements saying that they do not purchase dry milk from China and that both Hershey and MARS Company candy is safe for Halloween Trick or Treaters.

We all want our children to have a fun time with lots of Halloween adventures. Make sure your child’s adventure is also a safe one by checking all the contents in their “goodie bags” – screen for suspected candy and other food items before anything is eaten.

God Bless and Happy Halloween.

GIRLS IN MY CIRCLE

When I was little,
I used to believe in the concept of one best friend,
And then I started to become a woman.

And then I found out that if you allow your heart to open up,
God would show you the best in many friends.

One friend is needed when you're going through things with your man.
Another friend is needed when you're going through things with your mom.

Another will sit beside you in the bleachers as you delight in your children and their activities.
Another when you want to shop, share, heal, hurt, joke, or just be.
One friend will say, 'Let's cry together,'

Another , 'Let's fight together,'
Another , 'Let's walk away together.'

Another friend will meet your spiritual need,
Another your shoe fetish,
Another your love for movies,

Another will be with you in your season of confusion,
Another will be your clarifier,
Another the wind beneath your wings.

But whatever their assignment in your life,
On whatever the occasion,
On whatever the day,
Or wherever you need them to meet you with their gym shoes on and hair pulled back,

Or to hold you back from making a complete fool of yourself ..
Those are your best friends.

It may all be wrapped up in one woman, But for many, it's wrapped up in several..
One from 7th grade,
One from high school,
Several from the college years,

a couple from old jobs,
On some days your mother,
On some days your neighbour,
On others, your sisters,
And on some days, your daughters.

Thanks for being in my circle.