HEALTHY LIVING WITH JANICE - SUPERFOODS

From time to time we’ve talked about superfoods here, those foods that give you extra energy, help you lose weight, or even possibly ward off cancer. Today health editor Janice Kerr adds a few more foods to the superfoods list. -- AP

Anastasia, have you ever eaten kefir? It’s a creamy drink that’s not only rich in calcium, it’s a probiotic. That means it aids in healthy digestion and also pumps up your immune system. You can find kefir in the dairy section of most supermarkets. Because it has a slightly tart taste, blend it with berries or add a drop of vanilla extract.

When choosing berries to add to your kefir, consider black raspberries. This fruit is not only low in sugar and calories, it’s high in fiber, folate, and vitamin C. But best of all, guess what the  phytochemicals in black raspberries do? Nothing short of causing cancer cells to commit suicide. How cool is that? 

HEALTHY LIVING WITH JANICE - TIP OF THE DAY

I read an article recently that said guzzling coffee without food to keep you going during the day is like revving the engine of your car with no gas in the tank. Why? Because although it gives you a quick energy boost, it doesn’t provide you with any nutrients. Therefore, you may wind up crashing and burning.

The article recommended that you snack on a handful of nuts (almonds are great!) or try some veggie sticks dipped in hummus along with your java.


Leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of a book from our Book Club Friday guest author. -- AP

TIP OF THE DAY -- #1 WEIGHT LOSS FOOD

Health editor Janice Kerr came across an interesting study recently in the Journal of the American Medical Association. According to Harvard School of Public Health lead researcher Dariush Mozaffarian, M.D., people who ate at least one serving of yogurt a day lost almost a pound every four years. Those who skipped a serving each day gained weight.  The study was run over a twenty year period with nearly 120,000 participants. 

HEALTHY LIVING WITH JANICE - CINNAMON FOR GOOD HEALTH

We’re learning more and more everyday about the health benefits of certain herbs and spices. Today health editor Janice Kerr takes a look at cinnamon. -- AP

Studies show that cinnamon is good for your heart. One teaspoon a day can lower cholesterol, reducing your risk of heart disease. Start your day off right by sprinkling a teaspoon of cinnamon on your morning oatmeal. Or add a teaspoon to fresh fruit and cottage cheese or yogurt. Cinnamon is also delicious mixed into applesauce or sprinkled over pancakes or waffles. You can also stir it into your tea or coffee or warm apple cider.

And it smells so good! Thanks, Janice. Readers, can you think of other ways to add cinnamon to your diet? -- AP

HEALTHY LIVING WITH JANICE--PAPER, PLASTIC, OR E COLI?

Health editor Janice Kerr has some important advice today for those of you who are bringing your own reusable shopping bags to the supermarket. -- AP

Thanks, Anastasia! I’m sure many of our readers are thinking greener lately by choosing reusable bags over paper or plastic. We’re killing less trees and cutting down on landfill waste. In addition, most supermarkets and big box stores give you a certain amount of cash back for using your own bags, and those pennies and nickels add up over time.

So for all of you who bring your own bags, hooray for you! But how many of you wash those bags on a regular basis? How many of you have never thought about washing those bags? A recent study found that 97% of people the people surveyed who use reusable bags have never laundered them.

Shopping bags should be treated the same way you’d treat an food storage containers. You don’t put your Pyrex and Tupperware away without washing them, do you? The same should hold true for your shopping bags. Those bags are perfect breeding grounds for various food borne bacteria. One study showed that nearly half the bags tested contained coliform bacteria, including e coli and in quantities 10 to 20 times the amount found on the average toilet seat. Now that’s disgusting!

So how do you balance what’s good for the environment with what’s good for your health? Here are a few simple rules:

1. To prevent cross-contamination, always separate your items -- meats in one bag, produce in another, dairy in a third, cleaning products in a fourth, etc. Never place any raw foods in a bag that has carried meat products.

2. Never use reusable food bags for any other purposes such as carrying gym clothes, books, water bottles, laptops, etc.

3. Never store your reusable food bags in the trunk of your car. The higher temperatures are a perfect breeding ground for bacteria.

4. Wash your bags regularly in the washing machine, using bleach.

Excellent advice as always, Janice! Thanks for educating our readers.


Our Book Club Friday guest author this week is giving away a copy of one of her books. To be entered in the drawing, all you have to do is post a comment to the blog this week. -- AP