Healthy and delicious fruity milk shakes are packed with protein, fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants- these smoothies will keep your energy up all summer long…without the caffeine!

Nothing beats an ice-cold drink on a hot, lazy summer day.  Colas and “energy drinks” might temporarily give you that extra power boost you need in the middle of the afternoon, but that’s only because they get their fuel from caffeine.

One 16-ounce can of SoBe’s No Fear contains 141mg of caffeine; that’s about as much as an 8-ounce cup of coffee, which can have anywhere between 100-150mg of caffeine.

So, what’s wrong with a caffeine buzz?

Nothing, if it’s an occasional cup of coffee.  But if you’re banking on a can of Diet Coke or a tall Frappuccino to get you through your morning workload or afternoon gym class on a regular basis, then you should consider the health risks involved.

Caffeine and your health

Besides guaranteeing a “caffeine crash” a few hours later, which defeats the whole purpose of drinking an energy drink, excess caffeine intake causes the following side effects:

• Trouble sleeping
• Mood swings
• Heart problems
• High blood pressure
• Withdrawal symptoms

Nutritious, energy drinks just make more sense

Why risk all the ill effects of caffeine addiction, when you can get a vitamin-packed power boost from heart-healthy ingredients that your body loves?

Whip up a high-energy smoothie for a quick, refreshing breakfast, snack, or frozen dessert. 

Dairy ingredients such as yogurt and low-fat milk provide protein and vitamin B12, for long-lasting energy and metabolic performance throughout your day. 

Individuals on special diets can substitute soy milk or soy ice cream for a vegetarian milk shake. 

Fresh fruits of the season deliver maximum vitamins and antioxidants.

Try some of these healthy, summertime smoothie recipes for yourself; listed below is one for each day of the week!

Sunday: Tea-Licious Smoothie

This frosty drink gets it vavavoom from peppermint tea, lemon sorbet, and vitamin C-rich citrus fruits.  It’s an excellent alternative to caffeine-laden Southern sweet tea.

Monday: Apple à la Mode Smoothie

You’ll start loving Mondays if you make this apple pie smoothie a part of your morning ritual.  The apple pectin provides high fiber, so you won’t get hungry by the time 10:00 am rolls around.

Tuesday: Creamy Date Shake

Dates add natural sweetness and filling fiber to this low-fat milk shake.

Wednesday: Banana-Yogurt Smoothie

Martha Stewart recommends this naturally wholesome and delicious banana drink, which also contains flax seeds, honey, and plain yogurt.

Thursday: Watermelon Yogurt Mint Smoothie

Are you ready to try something refreshingly different?  If you love crisp watermelon, then you’ll flip for this cooling summer treat, made with fresh watermelon, mint leaves, honey, and lemon yogurt.

Friday: Pumpkin Pie Green Smoothie Recipe

You don’t have to wait until October to enjoy antioxidant-rich pumpkin pie! Just crack open a can of pumpkin puree, and add banana and almond milk.  This recipe also contains two cups of baby spinach, but you can substitute your favorite leafy greens.

Saturday: Avocado-Pear Smoothie

Avocado and silken tofu add a smooth, creamy texture to this protein drink, and pear juice and honey give it a naturally sweet taste.

Other great healthy recipes:

10 Most Tempting Vegan Ice Cream Recipes

Crohn’s Disease Suggested Dinner Menu, plus Recipes

8 Rockin’ Meatless Grill Recipes for Memorial’s Day

Ten Ultimate Super Bowl Snacks That Are High in Vitamin B12

Sources:

Too much caffeine – Caffeine crash – TheSite.org

Caffeine Fuels Most Energy Drinks

The Daily Meal

Health.com

Food.com

Incredible Smoothies

Whole Living

My Recipes

zoyachubby

Some mornings, you wake up feeling wired, achy, and sleep deprived, especially if you suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) or fibromyalgia. Here are some beauty tips to give you wide-awake eyes before that first cup of coffee…

CFS and fibromyalgia can make you feel lethargic and achy all day…sometimes, chronic pain wakes you up even before your alarm clock.

On those days, it helps to make yourself look refreshed and well rested on the outside, even if your body is telling you to crawl back under the covers.  A few simple beauty techniques are all it takes to revive tired eyes, even your skin tone, and get your sparkle on!  Who knows- you might even feel more roused and ready by the time you’re finished!

Suffering from Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue? B12 to the Rescue!

Try these 7 makeup tricks and treatments, and you’ll be on your toes and out the door in a flash:

#1- Chill out. According to the Mayo Clinic, nothing revives tired eyes as well as a cold compress.  As soon as you get out of bed, splash some icy cold water on your face.  Next, take a bag of frozen peas out of the freezer; wrap it in a small towel and press gently, alternating between eyes.  On the go?  Keep a package of Spenco 2nd Skin Moist Burn Pads handy for a quick fresher-upper.

#2- Get your caffeine fix. Only not from coffee or energy drinks, which will just make you crash and burn later.  Caffeine is a natural diuretic, so it’s only natural that some of the best under-eye treatments use caffeine to combat puffy, watery eyes.  Some good ones to try are Murad Moisture Silk Eye Gel ($49.00), or First Aid Beauty Detox Eye Roller ($24.00).

#3- Now add milk. The lactic acid in milk brightens your complexion by reducing under eye puffiness and lightening dark circles.  Pour yourself a cup of milk on ice.  Now, grab a face cloth, dip it into the milk, and wring it out gently.  Apply the icy “milk bath” to your face.  Repeat.

#4- Ditch the mask. Instead of applying a thick layer of foundation, opt for a light tinted moisturizer.  There’s no need to rush out to the makeup counter; save a few pennies by making your own custom makeup cream!  Just mix a few dabs of liquid foundation with an equal amount of SPF 30+ face cream.  The sunblock will protect you from getting dark spots, and the lotion will alleviate dry flaky skin.

100 Best Sites for Fibromyalgia or Chronic Fatigue Information

#5- Lighten up. A few strategically placed dabs of shimmery highlighter on the lids will give you that wide-eyed look you’re after.  Just remember to keep it minimal- too much shine can magnify fine lines, rather than hide them.  When choosing blush, pick out a natural peachy shade, and avoid dark contrasting color, which can give a haggard, tired look.

#6- Do some curls and stretches. If nothing else, take care of your lashes.  Long, bouncy eyelashes are the best way to sharpen your look and give you a youthful, fresh appearance.  First, curl with an eyelash curler, keeping it as close to the lash line as possible, and holding for 10-15 seconds.  Repeat.  Follow up with a brownish-black shade of waterproof mascara to the upper lashes only.

#7- Get the grease out. Too exhausted to think about shampooing your hair?  Oily, flat hair tells the world that you’re tired, and makes you feel tired, to boot.  Go to Walgreens and pick up a can of Tresemme Fresh Start Dry Shampoo ($4.99) – it contains oil-absorbing powder to draw out grimy dirt and perspiration, and leave your hair smelling fresh.  Alternatively, you can visit Drugstore.com to order a bottle of Klorane Gentle Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk Non-Aerosol Spray ($18.00).  Dry shampoo is also an excellent hair-cleansing treatment for bedridden patients.

Also read:

Staying Fit with Fibromyalgia: 13 Pain-Free Workouts

7 Reasons You Have Brain Fog…And What to do About It

Sources:

Dark circles under eyes: When to see a doctor – MayoClinic.com

5 Steps to Wide-Awake Eyes

Six Easy Ways to Look Younger, Less Tired and More Vibrant!

10 Ways to Fake 8 Hours of Sleep

Milk Nutrients and Health Benefits

What is gastric bypass dumping , and how can I avoid it? If you’ve had bariatric surgery, then you need to learn how to prevent getting “dumped.”

Dumping Syndrome or “rapid gastric emptying” is what occurs after a gastric bypass surgery when the food you eat moves through your digestive system too quickly.

Swallowed bits of food are unceremoniously “dumped” through your stomach and into your small intestines without proper digestion, leading to unpleasant side effects, such as nausea.

Dumping syndrome can happen quickly, only thirty minutes after eating, but it can also occur several hours later.

Within the first hour of eating, dumping syndrome symptoms may include:

• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Lightheadedness
• Stomach cramps
• Fatigue
• Belching
• Heart palpitations

When dumping occurs about three hours after a meal, then symptoms may include:

• Perspiring
• Tiredness
• Light-headedness
• Jerkiness
• Anxiety
• Heart palpitations
• Fainting
• Muddled thinking
• Diarrhea
• Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)

10 Mistakes Gastric Bypass Patients Often Make

Dumping syndrome is painful and often embarrassing, with strict adherence to a few simple dietary rules, you can avoiding experiencing it in the future.

Here are four basic rules for preventing gastric bypass dumping symptoms:

1) Eat slowly.

Eating or drinking hurriedly is a certain way to cause dumping later. 

Because your body no longer has the control mechanism that regulates how quickly food enters your small intestines, it is up to you to make sure that your stomach receives food to digest at a slow, steady pace before sending it on through your gastrointestinal tract.

So eat at a leisurely pace, chew your food carefully, and take small bites.

2) Avoid simple sugars.

Certain foods, such as ice cream, cakes, and cookies (the very things that got you fat in the first place) are likely to cause the unpleasant side effects of dumping, such as dizziness, hypertension, nausea, and diarrhea. 

Check food labels, and avoid anything that lists sugar, glucose, or dextrose (or anything ending in –ose) as one of its first three ingredients.  

Study: Gastric Bypass as a Cure for Diabetes?

3) Sip water throughout the day, and lots of it.

Never drink liquids while eating, as that causes dumping symptoms, like nausea and vomiting.  

Always leave a no-drinking window of thirty minutes before and after eating. 

Additionally, drinking during a meal will cause you to eat less, which can lead to malnutrition.  

To avoid dehydration, remember to drink small sips of water between meals, amounting to 64 ounces per day. Don’t rush- the same rules apply for eating as they do for drinking water.

4) Eat protein with your meals.

Half of your dinner plate should include a source of protein, such as lean beef, chicken, fish, eggs or dairy.  Because it takes longer to digest protein, you’re less likely to overeat or eat too quickly. 

In addition, protein foods are high in vitamin B12, a nutrient that you should be including in your daily supplements, as well as in your regular diet.  

B12 Deficiency: Don’t Ignore the Symptoms

Related Reading:

Weight Loss Surgery: What 50 Post-Op Patients have to Say

Teens and Weight Loss Surgery: Worth the Risk?

Gastric Bypass Surgery: Good for the Heart

Sources:

Gastric bypass diet- MayoClinic.com

How to Prevent Dumping Syndrome After Weight Loss Surgery | eHow.com

Gastric Dumping Diet | LIVESTRONG.COM

Dumping Syndrome: Unpleasant Gastric Bypass Side Effect. Avoid It!

Dumping Syndrome: The Dirty Secret Gastric Bypass Patients Keep

Fibromyalgia patients report feeling fewer and milder fibromyalgia chronic pain symptoms with routine gentle workouts.

Fibromyalgia, or Fibromyositis (FMS), is a debilitating condition in which sufferers often feel excruciating pain for little or no apparent reason.

Other symptoms might include depression, insomnia, and  chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), also referred to as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME/CFS) or chronic fatigue and immune dysfunction syndrome (CFIDS).

If you suffer from long-term chronic pain in your muscles, joints, or other areas of your body, yet are unable to isolate any injury whatsoever, then you should visit your doctor and ask for a fibromyalgia screening.  Although scientists are still at a loss to explain the causes of fibromyalgia, they have found some effective fibromyalgia treatments to help you cope with the symptoms, including some fibromyalgia approved fitness exercises.

Suffering from Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue? B12 to the Rescue!

Which workout is right for you?

Finding the right workout routine with fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue can be intimidating.

On the one hand, even the slightest amount of physical activity leaves you feeling worn out, exhausted, achy, and ill.  This phenomenon, “Post-exertional malaise,” often deters fibro sufferers from staying active.  However, you can eventually build up your tolerance to post-workout fatigue and slowly raise your endurance level to many kinds of aerobic exercises and strength training.

Many fibromyalgia patients who successfully get past that first “hurdle” report feeling fewer and milder fibromyalgia pain symptoms.

7 Reasons You Have Brain Fog…And What to do About It

Below are some light exercises that you can practice 3-5 days per week.  As with any new fitness program, consult your doctor first.

1- Bike Riding: Bicycle riding is a fun exercise that can be adapted to suit many levels.  Start out small- avoid hilly areas, choose a short-term goal, such as circling the block once, and pace yourself.

2- Stationary Bike: If you belong to a gym, sign up for a beginners spinning class.  There are also many virtual spinning classes, both on YouTube and DVD, which can provide a great home workout.

3- Walking: Walking is a great low-impact sport for pain sufferers.  Invest in a good pair of walking shoes, pick a comfortable route, and grab a friend!  People who walk in pairs are more likely to stick to their routine, and find it easier to complete their workout.  If weather permits, take a nice nature walk or stroll in the sunshine, but if it doesn’t, you can still hit the indoor mall before the morning rush for a bit of brisk “window shopping.”

4- Jogging: Light jogging is like running, only more controlled and less strenuous.  If you want to increase your energy without compromising your leg muscles, then try alternating five minutes of jogging with five minutes of brisk walking, and work up to fifteen-minute sessions of each.  Choose soft, grassy, or sandy paths, if possible, and try to avoid jogging on hard surfaces, which can cause knee injuries.

Can a Gluten-Free Diet Ease Symptoms of Fibromyalgia?

5- Treadmill: Walking on the treadmill is a great indoor alternative to stationary biking, and an excellent way to get the heart pumping.  As with jogging, be on the alert for any sign of swelling, which could indicate knee injury.

6- Swimming: Swimming is one the best, non-injurious cardiovascular workouts for people who suffer from chronic pain, particularly arthritis.  Individuals who have difficulty with most types of physical activity often have an easier time incorporating water aerobics or lap swimming into their daily workout.

7- Golfing: Golfing is an enjoyable sport, but it can be strenuous on the lower back muscles.  Get your doctor’s okay before heading out for the golf course.  Avoid the urge to join the caddy, and walk your way around the greens for a low-impact aerobic workout.

8- Physical Therapy: A certified physical therapist can teach you how to relieve some of your pain symptoms, enabling you to stick to your daily workout.

9- Yoga: Yoga combines therapeutic deep breathing with gentle stretching of your various muscles, for a relaxing, healing bodily workout.  Many fibromyalgia patients have reaped the benefits of yoga in alleviating their chronic pain symptoms.

10- Pilates: Pilates focuses on developing core muscular strength and flexibility, as opposed to merely stretching the muscles.  Developed by Joseph Pilates, Pilates is a beneficial exercise for fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome patients.

Do not attempt to practice Pilates on your own; a trained Pilates instructor is crucial, in order to avoid injury.

11- Stretching: Stretching exercises are a mandatory pre-workout activity, even if you don’t suffer from chronic pain.  Stretching warms up your muscles and increases flexibility, preventing torn muscles, sprains, and other sports injuries.

12- Tai Chi: Similar to yoga, Tai Chi also incorporates controlled movements, deep breathing, and meditation.  A growing number of fibromyalgia patients have found relief through these gentle martial arts.

Why More Fibromyalgia Patients are Taking Tai Chi

13- Movement Therapy: Also known as dance therapy, movement therapy uses music and gently choreographed dance movements to relieve anxiety, chronic pain, depression and stress.

Related reading:

15 Handy Household Tools for Chronic Pain Sufferers

100 Best Sites for Fibromyalgia or Chronic Fatigue Information

How to Tell if Chronic Pain is Fibromyalgia: 18 Pressure Points

Sources:

Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia Syndrome and Alternative Therapies: Dance Therapy

Strenuous Exercise & Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia Treatment – Exercise as a Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia Treatment

Post-Exertional Malaise

Aerobic exercise in fibromyalgia: a practical review

Avoid acid reflux and heartburn…for good! Follow this GERD diet.

Most people get heartburn occasionally, but if  you experience acid reflux frequently, then you might be suffering from GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease).

GERD is caused when the lower “gate” (sphincter) of the lower esophagus relaxes, thereby creating a regular flow of stomach acids through the esophageal tubes.

GERD has the potential to cause serious damage to your esophageal lining, vocal chords, lung tissues, and throat, in addition to creating ulcers.

How is GERD different from heartburn?

GERD is the clinical disease of chronic acid reflux, and heartburn is one of its symptoms.

The symptoms of GERD include:

• Heartburn- burning, painful sensation behind the chest, and feeling of a “bubble” behind the breastbone
• Partial vomiting of sour bile into mouth
• Throat pain while swallowing
• Asthma-like symptoms, including coughing, wheezing, and sore throat

Here are 20 Do’s and Don’t for managing GERD:

1- DO…Take vitamin B12 supplements.

Vitamin B12 deficiency is a common complication with GERD patients who take antacid medication.

A normal amount of stomach acids is healthy and beneficial for digesting foods, and your body cannot absorb vitamin B12 without them.

If you take prescription heartburn medication, then you run the risk of developing B12 deficiency, which can lead to anemia, chronic fatigue, memory loss, and a host of other harmful symptoms.

B12 Deficiency: Don’t Ignore the Symptoms.

2- DON’T… Eat chocolate.

Chocolate is chock-full of ingredients that disagree with acid reflux- it’s highly caffeinated, contains theobromine, a bitter alkaloid, and it’s high in fat.  If you must have your chocolate fix, opt for lower-fat dark chocolate- at least you’ll be getting some antioxidants.

3- DO…Follow a low-fat diet.

Fatty foods slow down digestion, increasing your chances of suffering a gastrointestinal backlash.  Follow a light diet, and you’ll feel lighter, too.

4- DON’T…Eat fried foods. Oily foods are at the top of the no-no list if you have GERD, and fried foods are the oiliest of the oiliest.  Save yourself from the pain, and experiment with roasted potatoes, eggplant, carrots, zucchini, or kohlrabi.  Roasting brings out the natural flavor, and requires less oil.

5- DO…Avoid caffeine.

A small cup of coffee every morning is fine, even if you get chronic heartburn, but a tall mug of latte every three hours is pushing it.

6- DON’T…Eat starchy carbohydrates.

Starchy, high-sugar vegetables are difficult for your body to digest, resulting in large amounts of undigested carbs.  Carbohydrates that sit in your stomach end up contributing to excess stomach acids, a sure-fire way to cause acid reflux.

7- DO…Eat sauerkraut.

Aged, fermented foods like pickles, kimchee, and sauerkraut have a stabilizing effect on the tummy, according to many health experts, when eaten in moderate amounts.

8- DON’T…Consume alcohol.

Although alcohol is not an acidic substance, it does have a loosening effect on the esophagus’s lower valve that controls gastric acid flow.

9- DO…Take probiotics supplements.

Probiotics promote healthy bacteria, a veritable army against heartburn, diarrhea, and many other stomach problems.

Probiotics are a main ingredient in yogurt and kefir, but if you can’t handle dairy products, then opt for probiotic supplements and tonics.

Natural Treatments for the Symptoms of Crohn’s Disease

10- DON’T…Indulge in fatty dairy products.

Sour cream, soft cheeses, ice cream, and whole milk these all contribute to GERD symptoms.  Opt for the lower fat versions, if dairy is what you crave.

11- DO…Exercise portion control.

When dining out, ask for a to-go container as soon as the food reaches your table.  You’ll be less tempted to overindulge if you divide your meal in half before you start eating, and save the rest for later.

12- DON’T…Drink acidic fruit juice.

Orange juice, grapefruit juice, lemonade, and tomato juice just add fuel to the fire.  Also, avoid tomato-based sauces, as their acidic content aggravates heartburn symptoms.

13- DO…Keep a food diary.

Let’s face it- not everybody can keep a mental log of everything he ate this past week, let alone since breakfast.  Keeping track of your eating habits in a food journal is the only way to manage your heartburn triggers.

14- DON’T…Drink bubbly drinks.

Remember the volcano science projects you used to do as a kid- the one where you put baking soda inside a papier-mâché “volcano,” poured in a solution of vinegar and red food food coloring? Well, imagine that in your stomach…

15- DO…Avoid processed foods.

Overly processed, refined foods lack the fiber needed to travel through your digestive system efficiently.  Choose whole foods- brown rice instead of white, whole sugar instead of white, and you’ll also get more vitamins, to boot.

16- DON’T…Eat fatty meats.

Stay away from fatty beefsteaks, beef jerky, and pork.  Leaner meats like ground turkey breast, skinless chicken, and trimmed beef chuck are healthier for the heart, less likely to cause heartburn, and higher in vitamin B12.

17- DO…Drink apple cider.

Apple cider is a natural alternative that balances stomach fluids, even if you have GERD.

Drink a few tablespoons of organic apple cider added to an 8-ounce glass of water, every day after meals.

Gut Bugs:Winning the Bacteria Battle

18- DON’T…Fall asleep after a meal.

Your body needs time and energy to process a meal.  While physical activity is excellent for pushing food through your system, lying on the couch has the opposite effect.  Sit down for dinner early, and make a habit of going out for a neighborhood stroll afterwards.

19- DO…Exercise regularly.

Light aerobic exercise increases your metabolism, ensuring that your food digests quicker and more efficiently, as opposed to sitting around in your stomach collecting acids

20- DON’T…Sleep on your right side.

Use the force of gravity to your advantage.  If nighttime heartburn is an issue, then sleep on your left side, and your stomach acids will stay where they belong.

Sources:

7 Foods That Cause Acid Reflux

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

What Is GERD? Pain, Symptoms, Causes, Remedies, and More

QUICK REMEDY: APPLE CIDER VINEGAR

Natural Remedies for Acid Reflux & GERD

If you think Arugula is a Mediterranean village off the coast of Italy, then you should really give dark leafy greens another chance.

Dark green salads, such as romaine, spinach, and kale are wonderfully versatile and tasty, in addition to containing tons of beneficial vitamins and minerals like vitamins A, C, B6, and K, and folate, iron, calcium, and magnesium.

Green veggies are also high in fiber, which is great for your digestive system.

What’s in it for me?

Overall good health

The virtues of green salad vegetables are too numerous to mention, but here are just a few:

Including a variety of dark green salads in your daily diet is a recommended course of action for optimum overall health, as they are high in antioxidants and carotenoids.

In addition, because salads are high in fiber, they help to quickly and efficiently remove toxins from your body before they have a chance to do you any harm.

Avoid getting Type 2 diabetes

According to a publication in the British Medical Journal, eating spinach regularly improves your insulin response; this is due to its high magnesium content.

Type 2 Diabetes Often Undetected- Do You Have These Symptoms?

Heart-healthy

The Harvard Public School of Public Health announced that eating one serving of dark salad leaves improves heart health by 23%.

Anti-aging benefits

When combined with vitamin B12, the folate that occurs naturally in salad greens boosts memory retention in people with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of brain atrophy caused by old age.

Alzheimer’s Disease and Vitamin B12 Deficiency

Promotes healthy skin

Eating nutrients containing vitamin A is like getting a facial from within.  Vitamin A benefits the skin by curbing acne flare-ups, improving skin elasticity, and removing toxins.

Vitamin B12 for Healthy Hair, Skin and Nails

Prevents birth defects

Folate is one of the most vital nutrients for women who are either pregnant, nursing, or trying to conceive.

It is essential for proper development of the nervous system; deficiencies in folate are linked to several types of birth defects.

Folic Acid and B12: Your Nerves Need Both to Thrive

Did you know…?

Always pair leafy greens with some form of healthy oil.  The vitamins in salad greens are oil-soluble, meaning if you don’t sprinkle some olive oil on them, then you’re missing out on a powerhouse of nutrients.  So say bye-bye to that fat-free salad dressing.  You didn’t really like it, anyways.

The most popular way of preparing salad greens is…

in a salad, of course, but there are many other great greens recipes.

Make yourself a healthy low-carb gyro– just substitute a few large leaves of romaine or Swiss chard for the pita, choose your fillings, and that’s a wrap!

Kale holds up well in Chinese stir-fry.

Spinach makes a tasty addition to soups and casseroles.

Some people still enjoy eating their greens “old school.”  That is, the way their grandma’s grandma ate them- stewed or steamed, mustard, collard, or turnip greens.

The top ten

Here is a list of the ten greenest of the greens.  Try one today!

Mustard Greens

Watercress

Arugula

Dandelion Greens

Collard Greens

Swiss Chard

Spinach

Romaine Lettuce

Kale

Turnip greens

Related Reading:

Ten Bites to Better Brain Power

8 Rockin’ Meatless Grill Recipes for Memorial’s Day

Sources:

Top 5 Reasons to Eat Your Green Leafy Vegetables

Leafy Greens — Ranked and Rated

Healthy Salad Greens: New Options To Power Up Your Salad

Dark Green Leafy Vegetables

Green leafy vegetables reduce diabetes risk, study finds

You already know what you can’t eat on a Crohn’s disease restrictive diet…here are some foods you can eat! Because IBD doesn’t stand for Insufferably Boring Diet…

Choosing a diet you can stomach

If you have inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, then you know that certain foods trigger gastrointestinal flare-ups that cause diarrhea, stomach cramping, nausea, and vomiting.

Following an IBD-friendly diet is instrumental in preventing damage to the small and large intestines, and promoting digestive health.

There are no unanimous opinions when it comes to following a diet for inflammatory bowel disease.  Some swear by the Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD), which permits most cooked and raw vegetables, including broccoli, beans, and celery, while the Low Residue diet follows a selective list of permitted vegetables that are rarely, if ever, eaten raw.

Ten Foods to avoid if you have Inflammatory Bowel Disorder

Know your bowels

If there is any one rule regarding following a healthy Crohn’s meal plan, it is that you should pay attention to how your body reacts to certain foods.  Keeping a food diary is a great way to keep track of useful info like:

• What foods you ate today
• What time you ate
• How much you ate
• How it made you feel later
• What feelings or thoughts you were experiencing at the time

The following delicious recipes are usually healthy for Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis patients who are not suffering flare-ups:

Appetizer:

Quinoa Salad with tomatoes, feta, and parsley

This quinoa salad recipe, taken from the Crohn’s-Sanity forum, is very adaptable.  If dairy is a problem for you, then leave it out, and you’ll still have a delicious, light appetizer to serve with the salad course.  Remember, quinoa requires a through rinsing through a fine sieve before cooking, in order to avoid a bitter aftertaste.

Soup:

New England Clam Chowder Recipe

This clam chowder is one of many scrumptious recipes featured in the Creative Colitis Cookbook, which boasts 100 recipes that follow the low residue diet plan.  This creamy broth gets its high vitamin B12 content from clams. Many varieties of seafood, as well as meat, poultry, and dairy items, are rich in vitamin B12, a crucial nutrient for patients with inflammatory bowel disease.  

Related:  Nine Healthiest Canned Foods: Many Contain Vitamin B12

Main Course:

Grilled Turkey Breast

What could be more presentable than a large tray of steaming, aromatic grilled turkey with rosemary?  If you don’t own a barbecue grill, you can always roast this delectable dish in the oven.  Taken from Living with Crohn’s Disease.com.

Butternut Squash Risotto

As featured in Crohn’s Health Center, butternut squash is one of many light, comfort vegetables that are agreeable with individuals with ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.  This recipe combines sweet squash and rice with a seasoned broth.  Omit the garlic if they are not on your diet.

Dessert:

Coconut Lemon-Ginger Cakes

These cupcakes come from the Ramble On blog, and are gluten-free, nut-free, and SCD-friendly.  Made from very few simple ingredients, they smell heavenly fresh out of the oven.  When cool, top with an icing made with powdered sugar, soy milk, lemon juice, and vanilla extract.

Some more great reads:

101 Helpful Sites for Kids ‘n Teens with Crohn’s (and their Parents)

On the Run with Crohn’s? 6 Ways to Ease Public Restroom Anxiety

Natural Treatments for the Symptoms of Crohn’s Disease

Sources:

Crohn’s Health Center

Crohn’s Disease Diet Plan

Low Residue Diet

Reasons to get a tracking device for your children, especially if they have autism:

You’re at the park watching your 18-month-old dig in the sand.  You reach into your beach tote to retrieve a water bottle, glance back to check on your toddler, and she isn’t there.  Your eyes quickly scan the grassy perimeter, your heart begins to palpitate, and you tell yourself to stay calm while you ask for help.  Every second brings increasing anxiety, until the moment when your child is, at last, safe and in your arms again.

It’s every parent’s nightmare: the disappearance of a small child.

For many parents of autistic kids, such as scenario is not uncommon.

Children with autism often behave impulsively, and as a result, there are high incidences of autistic children wandering off and going missing, such as the case with two-year-old Adam Benhamma of Quebec, Canada, diagnosed with autism, partial deafness, and speech difficulties.

Related: Support for Parents of Autistic Children

Tracking devices save lives

For peace of mind, many parents of children with autism spectrum disorder invest in a tracking device to locate their kids at all times.  There is a variety of child locating devices to meet your needs.  Some operate over a 150-foot range, and are practical for the mall, while others feature high-tech GPS positioning and emergency alarm for round-the-clock security.  Similarly, prices can range from $40.00 and on into the hundreds.

Regardless of which tracking system you use, please keep in mind that no electronic device works properly without fully charged batteries.  Make a habit of checking your battery pack every day, and keep a backup supply of replacement batteries handy.

Below is a review of 8 popular tracking devices for autistic children:

1) LiveViewGPS Covert GPS Tracker PT-8200

LiveView is one of the leading manufacturers of quality GPS devices, and for good reason.  While most GPS trackers receive a weak signal or fail completely while indoors, the LiveViewGPS Covert GPS Tracker continues to operate efficiently in underground parking structures, from inside elevators, or even in high-rise buildings. It has a long battery life of 10-30 days per charge, and can be accessed remotely via the internet.  $799.99 plus subscription plan.

2) WorldTracker Enduro GPS Tracker

The WorldTracker Endure GPS Tracker is one of the smallest, lightest, and most competitively priced security devices of its caliber.  It’s waterproof, uses real-time GPS, and has a battery life of 5-10 days.  It costs $240.00 for device, plus $49.95 per month for tracking service.

3) The Care Trak Wrist Transmitter

Care Trak, Inc. offers a home security plan that will notify you any time your child leaves the designated Care Trak Perimeter System.  Their Mobile Locater tracking unit covers a one-mile radius and measures signal strength coming from the waterproof transmitter.  The Care Trak Wrist Transmitter operates on radio frequency. This is not a GPS device, nor does it communicate with cell phone networks.  Contact Care Trak for pricing at 1-800-842-4537

4) GPS Child Locator

Your kid will love this cool-looking watch/GPS tracking device.  For ages 3-12, the GPS Child Locator is compatible with Google Street Maps and network coverage such as AT&T, T-Mobile, and Network Partners.  Battery life is only good for 3-8 hours, so it’s best used for outings at the park.  Unit is $199.99, and available in black and hot pink.

5) Insignia Little Buddy GPS Child Tracker

This powerful little GPS tracking device costs $49.00, plus $14.99 per month for nonstop coverage.  Cancel anytime- there’s no penalty, and the first 30 days are free.

6) Amber Alert GPS 2G Child Location System

The compact Amber Alert GPS 2G is the smallest GPS tracking device around.  It comes with a tiny carrying pouch that clips easily onto backpacks and threads onto shoelaces.  Receive alerts on your AT&T or T-Mobile cell phone. It’s only con is that it’s slightly less sensitive than many of the more expensive, larger models.  Prices vary by plan.

7) Safetytat

While not technically a tracking device, the Safetytat has a convenience and practicality that is worth mentioning.  Choose from the original custom-designed tattoos, Quick Stick Write-On’s, or the new Safetytat QR, which utilized QR (Quick Response) codes.  All tattoos are sweat-proof and waterproof.  Just $9.99 for 6-pack of Write-On tattoos.

8) The Mommy I’m Here Kids Tracking Device

The cute Mommy I’m Here tracking device is a popular alternative to a child leash, which many parents find awkward.  The teddy bear’s receiver emits a virtual tether that covers a 150-foot range, and will alert you when you child wanders more than 15 feet away from its keychain transmitter.  $39.99

Also read:

Autism, B12 and Your Child

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Celebrities for Autism Awareness Month

Are you planning a road trip this summer?  If you or any of your travel mates are on a celiac disease restrictive diet, it’s important to pack plenty of healthy travel snacks for the ride that are gluten-free.  There are oodles of delicious, low-cost natural and packaged food items that appeal to even the finickiest of children with celiac disease. Assemble your own gluten-free snack pack from home, so you’ll always be prepared.

Here are some great snack travel tips for adults and kids with celiac disease or gluten intolerance:

Gluten-Free Snack Kit:

Larabar

Larabar brand snack bars are completely gluten-free: not only do they contain 100% gluten-free diet ingredients, but also their manufacturing plant is a gluten-free facility, so there’s no danger of gluten cross-contamination.  With over one dozen flavors, such as Ginger Snap, Cherry Pie, and their new Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, you’ll never get bored!

Udi’s Gluten Free Bagels

Udi’s Gluten Free Foods makes the hands-down, best-tasting non-gluten bagels and sliced bread on the planet.  Choose from a variety of breads, bagels, pizza crusts, muffins, and granola cereals.

Justin’s Natural Chocolate Peanut Butter Squeeze Packs

Slip a few packets of Justin’s gourmet peanut butter packets in your travel bag or purse; it’s so much tastier than plain butter on your gluten-free toast, and it packs a protein punch.  Justin’s Products are gluten-free, organic, and delicious.  Their nut butters come in peanut, almond, and hazelnut; flavors include Chocolate, Maple, Honey, and Classic.  They taste excellent paired with Mary’s Gone Crackers Original flavor vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free crackers.

Glutino’s Family Bag Pretzels – Sticks

If you’re hankering for a quick crunch, then Glutino’s Gluten-Free Pretzels fit the bill.  Get the giant family bag, so everyone can enjoy the wheat-free, gluten-free, casein-free goodness.  Glutino’s offers a wide selection of frozen meals, baking mixes, bakery items, and snack foods that are all catered to the celiac disease restrictive diet.

Some cheap staples from home include GF microwave popcorn, fresh fruit, water bottles (labeled with permanent marker), boxed soymilk, and GF Rice Krispies.

Also, check out Gluten-Free Mommy’s 30 snack ideas for a list of other yummy celiac-friendly munchies.

Gluten-Free Friendly Markets:

A number of popular supermarkets offer a wide selection of frozen meals, mixes, bakery items, and snacks that are safe for individuals on restrictive diets.  Many of the items mentioned appear on their health food aisle.  Alternatively, health food grocery chains such as Whole Foods Market and Trader Joe’s sell competitively priced organic, wheat-free, casein-free, and gluten-free snack foods, and have branches in all 50 states.  Before you hit the road, check to see if they have any branches in or around your vacation destination, in case you need to replenish your food supplies

Necessary Equipment and Supplies:

Here are just a few no-brainer supplies you should always remember to pack:

Toast-It! Bags

From Celinal Foods: you’ll wonder how you ever got along without this.  Now you can have your gluten-free bread, and toast it, too!  If you’re a celiac disease patient on a restrictive diet, you won’t have to worry anymore about gluten cross-contamination while traveling, as long as you keep a few of these toaster bags handy.  Just slip a slice of bread into the insulated pouch, pop it into the toaster, and voila!  Your toast stays nice and warm, and any preexistent glutinous breadcrumbs stay out.  You can also make grilled cheese sandwiches, tuna melts, toasted bagels…whatever you’re in the mood for.  The reusable nonstick Toast-it bag is safe to use in all toasters, toaster ovens, and countertop (grill) sandwich makers.

Ziploc On-the-Go Food Storage Products

You name it, they’ve thought of it.  Ziplocs bags and food containers come in lots of different sizes, for packing leftovers, mini-bites, frozen grapes, or whole meals.

Coleman’s Portable stove

Breakdowns happen.  If you’re going on a long road trip with the family, it’s a good idea to prepare for the worst, and hope it doesn’t happen.  Going camping?  Even more reason to invest in a Coleman portable stove, such as their All-In-One Cooking System for $149.99.

Also read:

Celiac Summer, Part 1:Plan a Fun and Gluten-Free Disney Vacation

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Sources:

Gluten Free Information on Celiac Disease and Gluten

How to Stay Gluten-free at a Ritz Carlton or other Resort Hotel

Hip-Hop Music star Missy Elliott is one of many celebrities to suffer from thyroid disease, a condition that causes the thyroid gland to malfunction.  The award-winning rap singer opened up about her recent diagnosis for Graves’ disease, an autoimmune disorder that impairs the neurological system and causes hyperthyroidism.

Graves’ Disease: It’s a Thyroid Thing

The symptoms of hyperthyroidism are:

• Anxiety
• Inattentiveness
• Visual disturbances
• Bulging eyeballs
• Tearing
• Low energy
• Overactive bowel
• Increased appetite
• Weight fluctuations
• Sensitivity to heat
• Excess perspiring
• Insomnia
• Heart palpitations
• Irregular menstrual cycle
• Loss of muscular strength
• Hypertension

Fifteen celebrities who also battle with thyroid disorders

Grammy award-winning Missy Elliott had the shock of her life recently; while driving, her leg wouldn’t respond as she attempted to step on the brake pedal.  She almost had a car accident.  A recent diagnosis indicated Graves’ disease, a condition that impairs neurological functioning.  She says, “I couldn’t write because my nervous system was so bad — I couldn’t even use a pen.”

Oprah Winfrey, the talk show legend who recently called it quits, admitted in 2007 that her weight gain of 20 pounds was a result of having thyroid disease.

Jillian Michaels, former fitness trainer of The Biggest Loser, keeps her thyroid and weight problems in check by exercising daily and eating a low-fat diet.

Weeds’ Mary-Louise Parker doesn’t let an underactive thyroid get in the way of her movie star fame.

Sex & the City siren Kim Cattrall revealed that she suffers from Hashimoto’s disease, an autoimmune disorder that attacks the thyroid gland.

Katee Sackhoff, who played Dana Walsh on 24, underwent surgery for her thyroid in 2009. Although the operation was successful, the scars remain.  “It was the scariest thing I’ve ever been through,” she admitted in 2010. “I’m still in therapy trying to get over it.”

Modern Family star Sofia Vergara successfully battled thyroid disorder in 2002.  The actress who also recently gave voice to The Smurfs’ character, Odile, told reporters, “I’ve been through it all, so I don’t take life’s little dramas too seriously.  I say, don’t sweat the small stuff, because there’s bigger stuff that can really make you sweat.”

Tipper Gore, wife to former vice president Al Gore, underwent surgery to have half of a nodule removed from her thyroid gland.

Kelly Osbourne, daughter of heavy metal giant and reality TV star Ozzy Osbourne, blames her longtime struggle with her weight on a thyroid condition.

Rock star Rod Stewart required surgery when a benign tumor developed on his thyroid gland.  Thankfully, the famed musician suffered no damage to his vocal chords.

Catherine Bell, star of the hit TV series Army Wives, is one of many thyroid surgery survivors.

Linda Ronstadt suffers from a lifelong underactive thyroid condition.

Model Kim Alexis claims that diet and exercise have helped her avoid weight gain, a symptom of her hyperthyroidism diagnosis.

Former president George Bush and his wife, Barbara, both suffer from Graves’ disease.

Film critic Roger Ebert gives two thumbs down to living with thyroid disorder, a condition with which he has had his battles.

Also read:

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B12 Vitamin’s Chemical Functions

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Sources:

Hashimoto’s disease