Swine Flu Update

on May 1st, 2009 by Chrissy

If you haven’t heard yet, on April 29th, the level of influenza pandemic alert raised from phase 4 to phase 5 due to the spread of the swine influenza A (H1N1). It started in Mexico and has moved to the US and 14 other countries. On Friday, Wor-Wic Community College posted an alert on their website – there are 4 confirmed cases in Delaware which is one of the reasons for concern along with the duties of government organizations when the pandemic alert level is raised to phase 5.

Here are some good places to visit for up-to-date information:

Some of the best recommendations I have read to prevent infection:

  • Avoid close contact with sick people.
  • Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. Or use an alcohol-based hand cleaner.
  • Avoid touching your mouth, nose, or eyes.

Any flu is never something to take lightly. The young, the elderly, and those with decreased immune systems are most at risk when it comes to the deadliness of the flu, but anyone can get it and get very sick. Airborne diseases can be contained easily with just staying home from work or school when you are sick and not passing it on to others and also staying away from those that are sick. Be preventative and prepared.

Scalloped Potatoes

on April 22nd, 2009 by Chrissy

I had never made scalloped potatoes before today. I looked at over 5 recipes and wasn’t happy with any of them. So, I took bits and pieces of different recipes and added an idea of my own. Below is the result of the concoction. It is not the typical scalloped potatoes but all of the major ingredients are there and it tastes great. Plus, 4 out of the 5 ingredients are organic. The only ingredient I haven’t found in an organic variety is cream cheese… one day.

img 0587 1 300x225 Scalloped Potatoes

Ingredients

  • 4 oz – Neufchâtel cheese (1/3 less fat than regular cream cheese)
  • 1/2 c – sour cream
  • 1 1/2 c – half and half
  • 3 lbs – red potatoes
  • 8 oz – shredded cheddar cheese

Directions

  1. Heat oven to 350°F.
  2. Mix cream cheese, sour cream, and half and half in a bowl.
  3. Thinly slice potatoes, place in bowl with cheese mixture, and gently mix to coat potatoes.
  4. Spoon into 9″ x 13″ baking dish and scatter 2 oz of shredded cheddar cheese on top.
  5. Bake for about 1 hour until cooked through.

Nutritional Information
Serving size 8oz

  • Calories: 278
  • Fat: 15.7g
  • Cholesterol: 45mg
  • Sodium: 548mg
  • Carbohydrates: 26.6g
  • Fiber: 2.7g
  • Sugar: 4.7g
  • Protein: 11g

Makes 10 servings

Trail Mix Recipe Mod

on February 20th, 2009 by Chrissy

Recently, we have been making our original Trail Mix recipe on the lighter granola side (maybe a winter thing) and since I make our granola from this blog every time, I thought I would update the recipe. There are only 2 modifications: double all of the non-granola ingredients (or cut the granola in half with respect to the other ingredients) and remove the dates (we were not enjoying them) and replace them with 1/2 raisins and 1/2 cranberries.

2889829053 48a1cd5776 m Trail Mix Recipe Mod

In a large bowl, mix the following ingredients:

  • Raisins (45 grams/1.6 oz/4.5 Tbsp)
  • Dried Cranberries (45 grams/1.6 oz/3.5 Tbsp)
  • Almonds (28 grams/1 oz/4 Tbsp)
  • Peanuts (28 grams/1 oz/4 Tbsp)
  • Cashews (22 grams/0.8 oz/4 Tbsp)
  • Walnuts (28 grams/1 oz/4 Tbsp)
  • Pepitas (aka. Pumpkins seeds without shells) (30 grams/1.1 oz/4 Tbsp)
  • Chocolate Chips (60 grams/2.1 oz/4 Tbsp)
  • Granola (110 grams/3.9 oz/1-1/3 cups)

Note: All ingredients are listed in grams, ounces, and measuring device depending on how specific you want to be and what your scale reads. If you want something more exact with a closer repeatability, use the grams/oz measurements. If you want something a little bit more random or want to put it together really fast, use the Tbsp/cup measurements.

Store in an air tight container and enjoy. We store the bulk of it in a large air tight container and then put small 30 g servings in small air tight containers that we can take to work or throw in our bags when we have to run out the door quickly. It gives a whole new meaning to fast food.

Nutritional Information… coming soon
Serving size 30 grams/1.1 oz

  • Calories: -
  • Fat: -
  • Carbohydrates: -
  • Protein: -

There are lots of substitutions that can be made. Some substitutions are:

  • use one type or other types of nuts
  • use one type or other types of fruit
  • use sunflower seeds or pretzels in place of pepitas
  • use M&M’s or peanut butter chips in place of chocolate chips

If there are any allergies, remove those foods and either add more of something already in the recipe or something else. The trick is to keep a preferred ratio of granola to the additional ingredients. If you like it more on the granola side, then add more of it and if you don’t, then add less. Trail mix is so easy to make and it relatively good for you in small quantities when not exercising; and, it is a great energy food when hiking or such. Just remember to write down what you do end up making so you can make it the same way or know what to increase or decrease next time. Just remember, trail mix is supposed to be an energy food not junk food.

What Muscle Recovery Drink Should I Use?

on February 15th, 2009 by Matt

I actually get this question myself a lot. I am no expert! However, I have done quite a bit of research because I am extremely conscious of what goes into my body; knowingly and unknowingly.

The most important factor of any recovery drink, including P90X’s Recovery Drink, is the 4 to 1 ratio (4:1). 4 parts carbohydrates to 1 part protein taken within an hour of finishing your workout. That’s the magic ratio and the magic window of time you need to take it in. From that, there are so many possibilities. Do I use whey protein? Do I use soy protein or pea protein because I’m a vegan? Do I use sucrose, fructose, or a non-sugar based carbohydrate? Do I use something with creatine in it?

The last question above is a pretty common one; with regards to recovery drinks or otherwise. Is creatine important for muscle recovery, or should it be taken before a workout for best results? Creatine is an energy compound. It’s primarily found in the skeletal muscles and is naturally occurring in our bodies (more so in meat-eaters). It’s also something that gets extracted quicker when we are not working out much, or at all. Some experts say it is healthy and safe as a supplement. The supplement may help build muscle quicker than without. It may even help with certain types of muscle recovery. Other experts insist that if it were meant to be, our bodies would have ways to produce extra when needed. Therefore, these experts say you should not take supplemental creatine.

Honestly, I think glutamine is a better choice for muscle recovery than creatine. I have based this on my own research. However, I do not use either of these supplements myself. To be fair, I am also down with a Plyometric-based injury for the next 3–6 months.

If you decide to use any of these supplements, please research them until you are satisfied. Make your own decisions based on your findings and do not let non-medical friends sway you easily. Most of the stuff out there has not had long-term effects testing at this point. Also, be aware that the FDA does not regulate supplements, so just about anything goes.

Be smart. Try to see through the marketing hype. Always listen to your body. If your body reacts poorly to a new supplement, discontinue immediately. To help figure out which new supplement it is that you are reacting to, only introduce 1 new supplement at a time. Wait at least 2 weeks, preferably 4 weeks, before adding another new supplement to your diet.

B+S Challenge on hold

on February 13th, 2009 by Chrissy

If you are wondering what happened and why I all of the sudden stopped my posts on only Day 4 of The Challege. I got in a little over my head. I needed to buy some items to continue the process. One lesson learned – read a week ahead so you always have all of the things you need!  Also, my face had bumps all over it and I had to figure out what the cause was – was it the detox or some food I ate… well, when I stopped eating the food I had prepared for the detox, the bumps started to go away. Almost exactly 1 week later after the bumps started and I stopped eating a certain food I made, they went away. Now I am just going to have to whittle it down to which food. I am really hoping it isn’t the quinoa, but I think it is going to be. Only one way to find out, but I just don’t want to do that right now. In another week or so I am going to start the Challenge again. When I do, I will resume where I left off and start posting from there. Until then…

More Peanut Butter Product Recalls

on February 6th, 2009 by Chrissy

I received an email from Drugstore.com today notifying me that there was an update to the “Peanut Butter and other Peanut Containing
Products Recall” that has been in the news for a little while now. The FDA has a new list of the foods. Please check it out. I don’t want anyone I know getting sick because another stupid company wasn’t careful with food.

Modifying Recipes

on February 1st, 2009 by Chrissy

I was just reading one of my friend’s blogs where she did the 20 Random Things About Me exercise. I noticed an item that we had talked about recently – she always follows a recipe when she cooks. This made me think about myself and how different we are on this topic. I, myself, take a recipe and change it – no matter what it is – usually. It may be one small change or lots of changes – it just depends on the recipe. I don’t have a specific reason why I do it, but I was just thinking what some of the reasons might be.

Some logical reasons might be:

  • Substitution of healthier options
  • Disliking of an ingredient
  • Not happy with the cooking method

Less logical reasons might be:

  • Add my personal touch
  • To interject my creativity
  • To be defiant
  • Because I can

I never really thought about why I modify receipes before, so this was a neat exercise. Now I need to think about the 20 Random Things About Me.

Body + Soul Challenge Day 4

on January 29th, 2009 by Chrissy

The Challenge Day 4

Stay on Track

Healthy food for all week. Check. I made a crock pot full of rice, quinoa, lentils, split peas, veggies, and spices. I can only wonder if something in this concoction is breaking my face out. I am used to eating healthy, but I am new to quinoa and a few of the spices I used. Also, I may not be accustomed to all of the extra virgin olive oil (healthy fat) that I am using in our food lately. We have enough of this food though to eat all week, so once it is gone, I will see if some ingredient in this dish is the cause.

Reflect

Q: What are your main day-to-day stressors?
A: Money, Accomplishing all my daily tasks, Keeping a clean desk, Planning and organizing for the future (not in any particular order)
Q: On a scale of one to 10, how stressed do you feel?
A: 5, In the middle. I don’t feel overly stressed, but I know I am stressed at times.
Q: What are your methods for dealing with stress?
A: Watching design shows. Playing video games. Cleaning. Organizing. Building things. And figuring out what caused the stess and either remove it or modify it so that it isn’t as stressful.
Q: Do you feel these methods are healthy or unhealthy?
A: I feel they are healthy methods. A little bit of escape/distraction. A little bit of constuctiveness. A little bit of busy tasks where I can think but not think too hard.
Q: What, if anything, would you like to change about how you react to and deal with stress?
A: I keep too much in. I need an outlet. Some people lash out and that just isn’t me. Some people vent to others, but I just don’t like putting my problems on others very much. Blogging can get me an outlet to vent if I like along with talking with my husband and sticking to my methods above.

Purifying Bath

Oops. Last night as I was reading ahead for the next couple days so I could be prepared for what is coming next, I read this section. I need ingredients that I don’t have and it is too late to run out and get them. A few tasks will just be out of sync. This would have derailed me last year when I attempted this challenge, but this year I am not going to let it. The ingredients don’t seem so bad at least: Epsom Salts, Grapefruit Oil, Baking Soda and possibly Jojoba or Almond Oil. I can find most of these items at our local health store and what I don’t find there, I can find at any drugstore hopefully.

Other Findings

I am probably not doing as well with the media detox as I should be. Positive moments: no watching of news, no unnecessary web surfing, less general computer time. Not-so-positive moments: more watching of TV than normal (design shows were building up on my DVR and I didn’t want to loose them), can not get out of checking my email before bed but trying to figure out a way, I am journalling on my computer rather than a notebook which increases my computer time but in no way compares to normal computer time.

Body + Soul Challenge Day 3

on January 28th, 2009 by Chrissy

The Challenge Day 3

Detox Your Diet

Today was the day I was supposed to start the eating plan according to Body+Soul, but I started it on Monday, so I guess I just got a head start on that part. I really need to read more than just the day that I am on and actually read ahead. I will try to do that today, if not, I will do it tomorrow.

Get Moving

1/2 hour of exercising. Done. More reason to use my Wii Fit – I love that little board. It makes exercise fun!

Reflect

The reflection questions for today:
Q: Do you have an exercise routine? If not, what are your main obstacles?
A: I do have an exercise routine now. I may not always follow it, which makes it a little less of a routine, but it is a planned routine none-the-less. With the acquisition of a Wii Fit for Christmas, my main obstacle was hurdled and a routine was created. My routine is 30-45 minutes of exercise before lunch using my Wii Fit. It is fun. Time flies by using the Wii Fit and it gives me positive feedback. What more can I ask for?
Q: How do you feel when you exercise?
A: Good. Like I am getting energy even though I am expending it. The right exercise can energize me while the wrong exercise can drain me. It is all about finding the ones that work.
Q: How much time do you sit each day?
A: This varies tremendously from day to day. It depends on what my work is, what season it is, and where the work is that needs to be done. If it is an organizing job that is outside versus inside, paper versus items, or computer versus house/office make a huge difference in how much I sit – and then if it is a leisure activity it can be anything from scrapbooking to exercise. I do know that I can not be on my feet all day (my feet don’t like it). Q: What, if anything, would you like to change about your approach to exercise?
A: To have a positive approach and want to designate at least 30 minutes each day to exercise.

Other Findings

I don’t exactly know what is going on, but this evening my face started to get little raised bumps all over it. It is probably a reaction to the change in diet. I will see how long it lasts and if it does not go away once I go back to my normal healthy eating practices, I will have to look into it more.

Body + Soul Challenge Day 2

on January 27th, 2009 by Chrissy

Today has been interesting. I woke up before 10am. I drove in the snow. And, the laundry is almost done and it isn’t even mid-week yet.

Let me digress to update you on my progress yesterday. As for what I needed to accomplish yesterday, I did better than average on most things and not so hot on a couple. For starters, I only drank 4 cups of water rather than the 8 recommended, but I know I will improve. Bedtime was supposed to be 10pm. I pushed it to 11pm since there was a really good movie on – Something About Mary – and I intended to go to bed right after, but I checked my email before shutting down my computer and had an issue that I had to respond to – well, it probably could have waited until morning -  pertaining to my Amazon Selling Account. I stayed off the computer pretty much the rest of the day minus my blog post. At least I was still in bed before 12am. I think the reason it snowed today is that I was in bed before midnight! Tonight I will shoot for 10pm again and we will see what happens.

So, about today. Waking up before 10am may not be a big deal to most people but for someone who likes to stay up late and get up late it is a big deal. There are morning people and there are night people and I most definitely am a night person. By noon, I had breakfast, checked my email, started laundry, and drove to the post office to ship a package  – in the snow mind you. I love snow but I do not like to drive in it. I have a 4-wheel drive vehicle but that still doesn’t help me in the snow and ice. My theory is that if I am sliding in a 4-wheel drive vehicle, I am no better off than most other vehicles. But, today, I thought I would boost my confidence and go out. Now, I only had to go about a mile and the whole way there I went less than the speed limit. I know the people behind me were so annoyed but I might have saved them from an accident, right?

Now onto the goals of The Challenge Day 2

Scale Back

No caffeine. Check. Eating fruit instead of sugary foods. Peaches instead of a brownie with lunch. Check. Cow’s milk is recommended to be replaced with rice milk, but I usually drink soy milk so I will have to see what to do there. At this point today (about 5pm) I have drank the 4 cups of water that I did all day yesterday, so that is an improvement.

Tune Out

The goal is to keep TV watching, emailing, web surfing, and newspaper reading all to a minimum or as little as absolutely possible. I am usually technology immersed, but today I have been on email for only a couple minutes and watched one episode of Color Splash – one of my favorite HGTV design shows – on TV. Today has been a big day for laundry and making lunches so that I can eat the way I am supposed to this week.

Reflect

The questions for today are: Do you eat in response to stress or emotions? What types of foods do you crave? What, if anything, would you like to change about why or how you eat? As for stress and emotional eating, my experience is that I don’t eat. Calming myself down is the only answer. Only then can I actually hold food down. As for my changes on how I eat, I want to create structure on when I eat. The time I eat is usually pretty random and sometimes not at all for some meals – not good, not good at all. I was just talking with a friend two nights ago about how long it takes me to eat. It is a while – my grandmother taught me that. It is healthy and I am proud of it. Yes, I am left at the dinner table quite a bit, but when you are a slow eater, you shouldn’t expect others to hang around and wait – I don’t expect it – but sometimes people will hang around which is really cool.

Go Whole

I have to admit that I used minute brown rice today. I used up the whole wild rice in dinner for the next few days, so I had to improvise. The rice was still good and it was better than not eating it. Our dinner however will have lots of whole grains: wild rice and quinoa. It is the first time I have cooked quinoa before so we will see how it goes. If the recipe turns out well tonight, I will post it – a bean, rice, quinoa, and veggie soup.

Tune Into Yourself

I think I feel the detox already working. I have more energy today that I usually do. I accomplished so many things – maybe part of that is that I was not on the Internet – but I don’t want to discount my increased energy.

Conclusion

Rice, veggies, beans, fruit, water… this detox is so much better than others out there and I haven’t felt hungry yet. With the publishing of this post, I have already achieved one of my goals for week 1: blog at least twice a week. Yea! This is actually fun. To be writing about something that is not technical nor science or design related is an interesting experience. Until next time…

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