Archive for May, 2009

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Many potatoes contain more water than others. When Michael Season chooses low water content potatoes for his chips, he has your waistline in mind. After a potato is sliced, these sliced are then put into oil and cooked. This is when the water is released from the little pockets in the potato. While these slices are moved around in a vat of hot oil, those empty pocket spaces are then filled up by this oil. Thus the more water in a raw potato, the more water pockets, the more oil is absorbed while cooked making it a “fatter” chip. Michael’s secret to his line of delicious reduced fat potato chips is that he not only selects potatoes with lower water content, he cooks them on a conveyor belt type of machine. The result is a lower fat, beautiful and crispy potato chip. That’s not all. Season’s Snacks is also committed to ALL NATURAL – fresh from the earth – Wheat Free, Gluten Free, GMO Free, Kosher products. Michael’s real secret to his exceptional snack line is that he is consistent in his dedication to making better for you snacks.

… for the health of your family,
ellen

What is normally a “no, no” is a “yes” in Dr. Keri Marshall’s office. Poop Talk. It is embarrassing for anyone to talk about their bowel movement patterns, especially kids. Yet it is critical that we pay attention to them. “At least 50 percent of the kids in my practice have constipation,” says Dr. Marshall. This is a reflection of the reality that their young bodies are not absorbing important nutrients since their digestive systems have been compromised. Sooner or later, this can lead to illness. A number one complaint during a doctor’s visit is abdominal pain – a tummy ache. Usually you can tract this to indigestion issues, including constipation. Ask your children, tactfully, about their elimination experiences. Make sure they go every day. Also, give them books and magazines to read while they are on the toilet so their bodies and minds will relax and can perform comfortably. By the way, a footstool for putting their feet up helps. Why are they constipated? Stress and “fiberless” food. That’s another blog – or listen to our archived interview with Dr. Keri Marshall, May 22, www.BetterFoodChoicesRadio.com

… for the health of families,
e

50 times! That’s the number of times we should chew every bite of food for complete efficient digestion. Bet you don’t do this. I confess that I don’t. Who has time to chew a mouthful of chicken 50 times? You’d be late for the game, your meeting, your doctor’s appointment – you’d miss the boat if you took that much time to process food in your mouth. Yet, this is what is recommended during the first stage of your healthy digestion process. Even at 25 times, it is difficult to imagine anyone finishing their meals before the moon sets. Unfortunately, families devote very little time to enjoy a relaxing meal together. Eating on the run is one of the root causes for indigestion. This leads to avoidable disease. Hey, if you are trying to lose weight, adopt the 50 times chewing rule.  Guarantee you that your portion sizes will diminish. You would probably eat far less in order to avoid being stressed for time. Bottom line: encourage your family to take more time to enjoy their food while chewing!

… for the health of families,
ellen

Sally Byrd, ND, told me that she used to give her kids foods with basil leaves so they would not get hyper. Really? Yes. She explained that this herb is loaded with antioxidants, Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Calcium and also is a rich source for magnesium, potassium, iron and phosphorous. Oh, and chlorophyll plus fiber, too. Will your kids eat basil? Its worth the try. Choose the big leaves as they are not as strong in flavor. Mix some into salads. Place some in sandwiches along with lettuce and eventually as a lettuce replacement. Basil goes well with cheese, especially cream cheese, and tomatoes. Throw little bits into eggs with some cheese. Of course, pesto is made from pureed basil leaves and other great tasting ingredients. Add basil to your kitchen staples. It is easy to grow in a garden or a pot. Chill with basil.
… for the health of families,
ellen

Right now as I am typing, John DePaolis, Chief Cookie Officer of Country Choice Organic, is tasting a new batch of their soon to be launched Soft Baked Cookies.  They are warm and soft and undoubtably melt-in-your-mouth delicious.  Tough job.  Someone has to do it!

Soft cookies or crunchy ones.  Which do you prefer?  The overwhelming favorite is the soft cookie.  John thinks this is because everyone relates to that special memory of mom’s fresh home-baked cookies.  The only time I have ever baked a crunchy cookie right out of the oven is when I burned it!    As moms and dads, we should take a little time once in a while to give that home-made right out of the oven cookie experience.  But when you can’t,  buy some Country Choice Organic soft cookies.  Their “Soft Baked”, made without wheat, are soon to be released in the stores across America. 

… for the health of your family,
ellen