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Recently I had the opportunity to ask Celebrity Chef Tyler Florence some questions regarding preparing healthy meals for a busy family. You can find out what he had to say in the video below.
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When you think of a stroke survivor, you likely imagine an older person with lots of previous health problems. These days, however, that picture is changing. The mounting obesity epidemic in the United States has contributed to an increase in the number of strokes occurring among younger Americans, according to the American Stroke Association . The biggest increase was among men ages 15-34; stokes increased in this group by 51%! Strokes rose among woman in this age group as well, but not as dramatically (17%). Doctors throughout the country are seeing more strokes related to high blood pressure and clogged arteries in the younger population. Other risk factors include smoking, obesity, alcohol overuse and diabetes.
Surprisingly, the prevalence of strokes is decreasing in the elderly; strokes dropped 25% among men (age 65 and older) and 28% among women (age 65 and older). Doctors believe this decrease is due to increased awareness, prevention and treatment in this age group
So while it’s fantastic that we are seeing fewer strokes in the elderly, it seems crucial that we start cutting risk factors to prevent strokes in younger people.
One of the largest risk factors for stroke is high blood pressure. People who have hypertension increase their risk for a stroke 4 to 6 times more than those with normal blood pressure. According to studies, almost two thirds of people suffering from obesity are at risk for hypertension. Maintaining a healthy weight can reduce your chances of having elevated blood pressure, therefore reducing the risk for a stroke. Speak to your doctor to be sure you know if you have high or borderline high blood pressure. It is always best to treat a problem when it is at its earliest (and most treatable) stage. Many doctors wait until patients have true hypertension before bringing it to a patient’s attention, especially when the patient is young. Don’t wait for your doctor to raise the subject; knowledge is power.
The second most powerful risk factor for a stroke is heart disease. High cholesterol levels contribute to heart disease which in turn increases risk of a stroke. Foods high in saturated fat and cholesterol, like meats, eggs and dairy products, can increase the amount of total cholesterol in the body. A total cholesterol level of less than 200 is considered safe while a level of more than 240 is considered dangerous and places a person at risk for heart disease. Kids should have a fasting cholesterol level of less than 170. It is best to choose low-fat dairy products and limit consumption of eggs and red meat to achieve this. Increasing exercise is also a good way to help lower cholesterol levels. Again, ask your doctor for your numbers and start watching your diet if you see your numbers start to creep up.
Diabetes is another disease that increases a person’s risk for stroke. People with diabetes have three times the risk of stroke compared to people without the disease. If left uncontrolled, over time the high glucose levels damage nerves and blood vessels leading to a stroke. This is why it is so important to monitor blood glucose levels, maintain a healthy weight and exercise to help keep diabetes in good control. Even better, keep your weight in check from the beginning to prevent diabetes from developing in the first place.
Strokes, while common, are also preventable. Risk factors for stroke are closely related to obesity. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is more important than ever. Exercise, eat healthy, and visit your doctor regularly to decrease your chances of having a stroke.
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I like to grow bacteria.
It’s a weird habit.
And a healthy habit.
It started about 6 years ago. And the more bacteria that I grow, the more I want to grow.
Why?
For starters, it is an addicting habit. I can be creative. Colorful. Even flavorful with this habit. It is a challenge to find just the right bacteria that my family will dive into. Begin requesting. Craving.
The more bacteria you have, the more you want it.
What am I really talking about?
Fermenting.
When my husband and I dived into the organic, whole foods rabbit hole six years ago, I had no idea that at any given time in the future, there would be countless Mason jars sitting on our counter top colonizing bacteria.
During my quest for improved health and a desperate attempt to avoid using medication, due to acquiring Hashimoto’s Disease and PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome), I came across a fabulous book titled, The Maker’s Diet, by Jordan Rubin. It changed my life . . . I suppose you could say.
That book then led me to Sally Fallon’s cookbook, Nourishing Traditions (which I am giving away on my website).
It was in these now well worn pages, that I discovered a whole new world of cooking, of baking, of nourishing my family. I would never go back to our old diet, our SAD diet (Standard American Diet).
Nourishing food is too much fun. And our health has significantly improved.
I can let my 3-year old eat spoonfuls of ketchup at a time. Yup. He’s eating bacteria! And I understand the ingredients. Let me show you.
Homemade Ketchup
Ingredients
Directions
To learn more about fermentation, I HIGHLY recommend you consider taking the Get Cultured e-course. In this course, you will gain an arsenal of information to begin a fun and easy journey into fermented foods, which sadly has become a lost art in our fast paced culture. You will learn how to prepare enzyme-rich fermented foods, yogurts, condiments, salsas and chutneys in your kitchen with over 50 video tutorials, 100 recipes and 60 tutorials, plus the free 36-pg e-book Get Cultured: Probiotic Recipe from the Nourished Kitchen. To see the course description, head on over to Nourished Kitchen’s Get Cultured: How to Ferment Anything.
If any of the below bullet points make your belly growl for help, sign up!
Sign up now and get a bonus free lesson!
Classes begin March 4th! Don’t wait, because the price for the class increases March1st, from $149 to $199. Don’t forget this course can be used for a lifetime of good intestinal health!
And if you sign up, you can get more entries over at my blog to win the Nourishing Traditions cookbook! I am also having a giveaway for some water kefir grains (a soda alternative) that you just might want to use during the Get Cultured e-course! Tell Jenny Granola Mom sent you!
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How to get a red carpet look at home: Celebrity stylist, host of the Style Network’s “How Do I Look?” and Yoplait Light Two Week Tune Up spokesperson Jeannie Mai tells us how to get red-carpet ready:
· The Dress: When picking a dress for your Oscar party, pick styles that show off your best assets. If you have great arms, show them off with a sleeveless look or try something like a wrap-dress to accentuate your curves. An added bonus of a cocktail dress is that it can be transformed from casual to formal with a little help from accessories – so you could wear your dress to work, add accessories and hit a party.
· Adding Glamour: You don’t have to spend a fortune to add a little flare to your outfit. Try adding a broach, a statement necklace or fabulous earrings and colorful scarf to add some glamour to your dress.
· Feeling Confident: Looking your best is also about feeling your best. With only a few days left before the Oscars, try a quick tune-up to give you that extra boost of confidence. I’m working with Yoplait Light and I love their Two Week Tune Up plan – you could lose five pounds in just two weeks which may help give you that extra boost (see Yoplait.com for full plan details).
· Shoes: Shoes are also an important part of your overall look. A pair of high heel shoes can give you added height making you look not only taller, but slimmer. Your shoes can instantly transform from casual to formal as well. Wear a classic pair of black or solid color pumps for day. Then to jazz them up for night – take a pair of pretty clip-on earrings and clip them onto the front of your shoes. It’s a great way to add some glitz to polish off your look.
Other ideas for your party:
· Set up a photo area in your home – it could simply be a corner of your living room – where each guest can take their own ‘red carpet’ photo.
· Pick a signature cocktail for the evening for something extra special.
· Play a game with your guests and vote on who you think will win each award.
Find out how you can lose five pounds in two weeks with Yoplait Light and download a free coupon by visiting this link: http://www.yoplait.com/twoweektuneup
This years' Oscar nominees are:
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