Sweeteners

Prepare your womb with good eating habits before you are pregnant.  When you test positive for pregnancy you are already at least 2 weeks along.  So stop with the smoking, drinking and drugs well before you conceive to give your baby his or her best odds. Also, Dr. Keri Batiskov  says no raw fish or meat (sushi), deli meats, fast foods, unpasteurized milk and soft cheeses, artificial additives, fake sugars, fish with mercury, sodas… AND YES to fruits, vegetables, grains, meats, good fats, eggs,dairy and WATER!  "Eat from the earth."  Definitely take supplements per your doctor's recommendations, especially folic acid, and hold off on herbal supplements during your pregnancy.  Take the time to listen to more from Dr. Batiskov, go to www.BetterFoodChoicesRadio.com or iTunes ("Better Food Choices".

… for the health of your family,|
ellen

Thanks to Nutrition Babes Registered Dieticians, Lauren Harris Pincus and Kathy Siegel, we have a great list of cake toppings to replace sugar-filled frosting and dyed decorations:

- Icing: gluten-free, no high fructose corn syrup, no hydrogenated or trans fats whip cream: TruWhip
- Fresh fruit, cut or sliced
- Frozen fruit, drained
- Dried fruit
- Nuts, only when there are no allergy concerns
- Non-eatable decorations: curled ribbon, plastic creatures, other plastic decor

I am adding mint leaves and flowers (for girls)! Get creative.  Have you kids help decorate their cakes. For more delicious tips about Healthier Birthday Celebrations for home and school parties listen on iTunes, Better Food Choices.  Then, please, let us know your ideas!

… for the health of your family,
ellen

Don’t forget about the YOU WIN, YOU CHOSE! sweepstakes this week.  When I call the winner, he or she will tell me whether to ship a case of Original, Pizza, Hot Veggie Stix or Chips to him or her.  Plus this is the last week you can win “The Princess and the Pop Star” DVD by Veggie Tales.  Go to www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes and enter today!

That's 1/3 a pound of sugar daily. No wonder about 75% of Americans are overweight.*  Yes, sugar turns to fat when not used.  Bet your family and friends are not active enough to burn up this many sugar calories. Fat is not the only health issue presented by sugar.  Free radicals, viruses and bacteria feed on it causing all kinds of health problems. Don't be average. Please take heed. Give you kids great odds at school this year. Serve and consume less sugar.

… for the health of  your family,
ellen

Source: "This Substance Foods Your Metabolism – and Tricks Your Body into Gaining Pounds," Dr. Mercola, July 26, 2011.

It's summer so why not cave and eat that ice cream cone, strawberry shortcake, drink lots of ice cold pink lemonade?  After all, its hot out and don't you deserve some sugar fun?  I would agree that an occasional summer treat is in order.  My choice is real, not dyed green, mint chocolate chip ice cream.  However, I don't want to play with fire, the diabetes and debilitating related diseases consequences.  Problem is, sugar is not just in treats.  It is a dominant player in processed foods such as ketchup and flavored yogurts.  How much should you have?  Woman, about 6 teaspoons a day.  Children, about 4 teaspoons daily. Sound reasonable?  Note: 4 grams of sugar equals 1 teaspoon.  BBQ sauce (1/2 cup) has 33 grams = more than 8 teaspoons of sugar.  A fat-free fruit yogurt may have 47 grams – almost 12 teaspoons of sugar.  And that delicious pink (dyed) lemonade?  1 cup contains 25 grams or over 6 teaspoons, more than you daily limit.  How many of you drink just one cup on a hot day?  Get my point?  So how do your humble your sugar cravings?  Be aware and eat less.  By the way, protein is known to diminish your desire for sweets.  Eat nuts, seeds, cheese, slices of meat or hummus to manage your sugar intake.  Then once in awhile, have that ice cream cone!

… for the health of your family,
ellen

Another sweepstakes prize combination: Win a Case of 6 oz. (large) bags of Pizza Veggie Stix with the generous addition of the Veggie Tales DVD, "The Princess and the Pop Star."  Go to www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes.  Enter more than once to up your odds!

 High Fructose Corn Syrup  – looks harmless… not.

    Sugar Cane Crystals (not bleached)

Some restaurants and packaged food companies are “bowing to consumer concerns about HFCS (high fructose corn syrup) and replacing the sweetener with sugar…. It’s so hard. It’s in everything.” True. From ketchup to oyster crackers, HFCS has been the sweetener of choice for decades. Finally, many are waking up to the reality this needs to stop due to the research associating it with cancer and more. Sugar cane crystals are still sugar but are at least less processed. This change will up their prices since part of the appeal of HFCS was how cheap it was as an ingredient. Still, this is a good move and you can thank those who spoke up and said, “We don’t want it.” Keep speaking out…

… for the health of your family,
ellen

* Katy McLaughlin, “Sweet Revenge, Chefs Pour on the Sugar,” Wall Street Journal, 7/6 11, p. D1.