Common Sense Living

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OK, I’ve had my head buried in the sand again. I’ve been busy loading recipes at Rebel With a Fork so you all have plenty of good food, not only for Thanksgiving – but for any busy day of the week. It’s turned out to be a tall order! But I think I’ve got a lot of fast easy stuff to get your taste buds activated

But – I just found out that one of our fellow readers makes these fantastic handmade soaps that sound so luscious – and they’re so inexpensive! I wanted to tell you right away because I don’t know how many orders she’ll be able to handle by Christmass – and at these prices you’ll want to get some.

I get nothing for telling you about them. She doesn’t even know I’m doing this. Shelli is one of us, and these soaps look incredible, and the prices are definitely right. Check them out!  http://buttontreesoaps.com/Soaps.html

Last night I was actually working on that decorating e-book that I’ve wanted to get to for like the last year. I was really getting into it and having fun.

And then it hit me.

I haven’t had much fun for quite a while now.

I’m sure that’s reflected in my writing lately too, hasn’t it?

Between the stress of the job, the stress of quitting the job, all the computer problems, Mary’s death, the funeral – and the darkness that seems to have overtaken the world lately. UGH!

No matter what happens with the election, tomorrow we need to get back to living our lives.

Get the house cleaned and ready for the holidays,

Get our bodies fortified for another long cold winter,

And holy cow, try to have more fun!

I’m predicting that the haze we’ve been living in lately will lift tomorrow.

It’s going to get cold this weekend. So I made sure to get out and clean the outside of the house. Did my window trick, hosed down the siding, cleaned up the gardens. It feels good to have it done, but sad that the warm weather will soon be over.

It was really nice having these few nice days in November! I hope you got out and enjoyed them – even though it’s dark so darned early now L

I’m really tempted to put up my Christmas tree. That’s one advantage to an artificial tree. I can leave it up for months if I want to. Plus, having the tree up at Thanksgiving Dinner will really annoy my father

Even at my age, annoying your parents is still fun.

Oh, speaking of Thanksgiving – The latest Dance Through Thanksgiving Guide is ready! (click on the title to download free)

Start doing little things now so you can have a stress free Thanksgiving!

Carole

Everyone is always all stressed out over eating Thanksgiving dinner. All that food, all those calories, so much fat, yada, yada, yada.

Baloney! This is one great opportunity to stuff your family with tons of good for you foods, and they won’t suspect a thing.

That’s right. I’m here to tell you that Thanksgiving dinner is one of the healthiest meals of the year. Now doesn’t that ease your guilty conscience a bit?

Don’t believe me? OK, lets take a look at the most traditional Thanksgiving dinner foods –

Almonds
Used since the middle ages to relieve heartburn. A one-and-a-half ounce handful of almonds, is a great source of antioxidants, vitamin E and magnesium and contains protein, fiber, potassium, calcium, phosphorus and iron. Almonds and other nuts contain phytochemicals –that have been shown to protect against heart disease, stroke, and other chronic diseases. The following nuts are included in the new claims: almonds, hazelnuts, pecans, pistachios, walnuts and peanuts. Almonds contain ALA, and can reduce cholesterol as well as prescription drugs and reduce triglycerides. Almonds contain more calcium than any other nut. Nuts also contain L-Arginine, which helps reduce blood clotting that causes clogged arteries, helps your body repair tissue, and supports your immune system.

Vitamin E and C have been shown to reduce your number of colds. I haven’t had a real cold in years.

Broccoli
High in fiber, vitamin c, vitamin A, carotenoids, calcium, and folic acid. The isothiocynanates stimulate the liver to break down pesticides and other carcinogens. (colon cancer) Cruciferous vegetables contain sulforaphane which is said to not only prevent changes that can lead to cancer in breast cells, but also has been found to stop the growth of malignant breast cells by stopping the cancer cell’s ability to divide. A famous John Hopkins study in 1992 found that broccoli helped prevent the growth of tumors, and reduced the size of the tumors that did grow by up to 75%.

Cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts) help to remove excess estrogens from your body. See the Warning under Soy to learn why this is important.

Broccoli also contains alpha-lipoic acid, or A.L.A., which strengthens cell metabolism of liver and heart cells making them better able to withstand our abuse.

Broccoli is high in magnesium. Magnesium deficiency is linked to eyesight problems, bone loss, heart disease, colon cancer, and even MS. Also contains indole-3-carbinol, which makes it harder for estrogen to bind to breast tissue, which reduces monthly type breast pain. BUT – broccoli must be exposed to heat to release it’s full chemical power house, which is a disappointment to us – we like it raw. Place in the microwave with just the water left on it from washing for just a couple of minutes.
There’s nothing worse than mushy broccoli.

Carrots
Carotenoids for reducing risk of heart disease and skin cancer. New studies show not as effective as previously thought in preserving eyesight. Has been used in many cultures to reduce menstrual pain. Carrot juice helps to relieve diarrhea.

Chocolate
Natural mood enhancer, now also thought to help reduce risk of heart disease and high blood pressure (maybe something to do with being in a good mood?). Dark chocolate contains a high amount of Flavonoids – antioxidants that fight heart disease, reduce plaque build up in arteries, reduce blood pressure, and increase good cholesterol. Dark chocolate also contains trace amount of A, B1, C, D, and E, iron and magnesium. Chocolate also contain L-Arginine which helps reduce blood clotting that causes clogged arteries, helps your body repair tissue, and supports your immune system. Choose higher quality for lower fat and sugar content. 1 ounce of dark chocolate has 10 times more antioxidants than a strawberry.

But strawberries dipped in dark chocolate would cover all the bases, wouldn’t it? J

Coffee
Good news! Coffee seems to prevent type 2 diabetes, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s. It reduces your risk of colon cancer by keeping you regular. Research says it reduces the risk of kidney stones, though my sister who is a heavy coffee drinker still had kidney stones. Coffee contains theophylline with acts as a bronchodilator-, which helps asthma symptoms. It may also help prevent cirrhosis of the liver, skin cancer and gallstones.

Coffee contains a multitude of nutrients – riboflavin, potassium, magnesium, zinc, niacin, folate, sodium, thiamin, protein, calcium, and vitamin k. Coffee is full of anti-inflammatory antioxidants, and for many people, coffee is their main source of anti-oxidants.

Coffee can cause anxiety, headaches, heartburn, high blood pressure, yellow teeth, and possibly heart attacks, so be aware of your sensitivity to caffeine. If caffeine sends you bouncing off the walls, increasing your coffee intake would not be a good idea for you.

Corn –Ok, for years I considered corn a non-food, but now it appears that canned corn, or steamed fresh corn contain a phytochemical called ferulic acid, which may help prevent cancer. The antioxidants are released once the corn is exposed to heat. The study did not mention frozen corn. Canned corn was shown to contain 44% more antioxidants than raw corn. OK, canned corn it is.

A former school nurse just informed me that corn and beans form a complete protein – for the vegetarians.

Cranberries
A super powerhouse! Reduces cholesterol, and flushes bacteria that causes urinary tract infections. May also help reduce dental plaque and the bacteria that cause stomach and intestinal ulcers. Contains flavonoids called oligomeric proanthocyanidins or OPCs. These help stop the oxidation of bad cholesterol. They may also help prevent plaque build up in the arteries, which helps ward off heart disease, stroke, and varicose veins. Cranberries have the highest antioxidants of any fruit.

Lemon
Aromatic qualities calm you. Thirst quenching. High in Vitamin C. In the south, they used a slightly salted lemonade to quench thirst and replace salt lost through perspiration. I found pages and pages on the lemon- keeps your liver functioning properly, helps asthma, colds, flu, rheumatism, constipation, diarrhea, dissolves uric acid, removes bacteria, cleanses the system of impurities, contains calcium, potassium, phosphorus and magnesium, reduces hemorrhage, (including heavy menstrual flow), reduces heart palpitations, soothes heartburn, soothes sore throats when mixed with honey, reduces fever … and that’s just the high points. Also contains a compound called flavones, which reduce your risk of breast cancer. I will be squeezing fresh lemon into all our water pitchers a lot more often. My daughter loves it. Must be fresh lemon. Bottled juice does not contain the same qualities.

Olive Oil
Can reduce cholesterol. Contains oleic acid – which reduces cellular inflammation. Saturated fats on the other hand, such as butter – increase cellular inflammation, which cause a whole slew of ugly chain reactions. The one you’ll notice the most is that they drain your energy. Heating olive oil takes away it’s nutritional benefits, but it’s still healthier than using saturated fats to cook with.

In Italy, they dip their Italian bread (French and Italian bread is lower in fat than white bread to begin with) in olive oil mixed with herbs, and maybe some Parmesan cheese. Yummy!

Why not put out a variety of olives?

Pickles –
The vinegar in pickles can reduce your blood sugar spikes after meals. It can also help you lose weight by preventing your body from digesting some carbohydrates.

Potatoes
High in potassium and antioxidants. You know, it’s what you put on it that makes it unhealthy.

Pumpkin
Besides the obvious carotene, pumpkin also contains Lutein, which reduces the risk of heart disease and stroke, and age related macular degeneration.

Sage
Improves memory, behavior, and attention. When combined with Lemon Balm it improves memory and mood. Sage is helpful in managing symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.

Sweet Potato
It’s orange, so you know it’s full of beta-carotene – which you know is converted into vitamin A, which is good for eyes and skin. Also high in vitamin C, carotenoids, potassium, and fiber.

Turkey
Very high in protein! High in selenium which helps repair DNA damage to your cells, regulates your thyroid, and strengthens your immune system. High in niacin and B6 to help your heart, and helps all of the functions that regulate sugar in your system. And it’s low in fat.

Walnuts
A healthy fat source. Also contains alpha-lipoic acid, or A.L.A., which strengthens cell metabolism of liver and heart cells making them better able to withstand our abuse, and helps to reduce triglycerides. Nuts also contain L-Arginine, which helps reduce blood clotting that causes clogged arteries, helps your body repair tissue, and supports your immune system. But only a handful – nuts are high in calories.

Wine
Some varieties contain a cholesterol fighting chemical called saponins. Zinfandel has been found to have the highest saponins. All wines, when limited to about 5 glasses a week, helps raise good cholesterol. Good cholesterol helps your body get rid of the bad cholesterol.

In Germany they alternate sips of wine and cold water. The water helps flush the system, and cold water burns more calories as the body warms it. The combination is also said to boost metabolism. German wines naturally contain less sugar because of the way grapes grow in that cooler region.

Red Wine also contains resveratol – a compound that blocks a key protein that cancer cells need to survive – actually starving them to death.

And it does the same thing for colds and flu viruses. I can personally attest to this. If you’re feeling like you’re coming down with something, have a glass of wine and get 8 hours sleep.

Drinking alcohol on an empty stomach can raise blood pressure by as much as 40%.

Whew! And that’s not to mention onions, parsley, nutmeg, tea, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, green beans, cinnamon, or many other foods that you might traditionally serve.

You didn’t know healthy eating was so great, did you?

Grab your copy of High Energy Eating to find out more about great healthy eating! It’s not as dull and boring as your thought, is it?