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Whats in a number?

29 Sep

So I have been tracking all of my food on www.thedailyplate.com. Let me just plug in here that its an AMAZING website with SO much information that is easy to find etc etc. GREAT GREAT GREAT.

Anyways, I consider myself a fairly healthy person. I make sure that all of the foods in our house are HFCS (high fructose corn syrup) free, no partially hydrogenated oils, fresh fruits and veggies grown in our backyard (well some of them anyways), hormone free milk and so on. Well…after tracking my food for 2 weeks I found out a few things that I never would have guessed:

a. I dont eat anough carbs. EXCUSE ME?? I feel like that is all I eat!

b. I eat too much sugar. Now I know I have a torrid affair with ice cream but I didn’t think it was THAT bad!

c. I eat too much fat. Not by a lot. But still too much. Where would this be coming from??

d. My protein intake was too high. We do not even eat a ton of meat around here!!… but apparently the other foods I am consuming are adding into that number as well.

E. I eat WAY too much salt. This was the one that blew me away. I never salt anything! When a recipe calls for salt, I always do half. When I season my foods, I use other seasonings besides salt. I have always tried to be really conscious about it. But apparently all of the other items that are in my pantry that I do not make from scratch are VERY high in salt content. I never knew. And I never would have known if I hadn’t tracked my food for 2 weeks. I would have gone along thinking, “I’m healthy cause I don’t put salt on my eggs”.

After taking some time to review what my intakes were and what was in my pantry I came to these conclusions:

- I need to eat more carbs, but the RIGHT carbs. Not cookies and granola bars and sugary items. This will also help cut down my sugar intake!

- I need to read labels for fat counts on all prepackaged and processed items. And I need to make sure they are mostly GOOD fats (mono and polyunsaturated, and SOME saturated fats) and not BAD fats (trans fats – aka partially hydrogenated oils)!

- I need to save my protein counts for fresh items like meats and legumes. The over abundance is coming from processed items!

- I need to READ the labels for salt content on any processed items I buy. Our bodies need salt. BUT mine does not need as much as I have been getting!

So…what are your counts like? What are you getting too much of? not enough of? Take some time to figure these things out! It will be worth it in the long run. Do a “spring cleaning” of your cupboards and get yourself on the right track!

Trans Fats

4 Jun

What is Trans Fat? When hydrogen is added to vegetable oil via hydrogenation.

Why do food manufacturers use them? Trans fats are more solid than oil causing them to spoil less quickly = increased shelf life.

Where can you find Trans Fats? Many of your favorite everyday foods. Like Oreo’s, Bisquick, Ramen Noodles, KFC chicken, Froot Loops, Quaker Chewy Granola Bars, Girl Scout Cookies, Animal crackers, Fig Newtons, and Ritz crackers just to name a few.

What words should you look for in ingredients? Partially Hydrogenated Oils, Hydrogenated Oils, Shortening, margarine.

Fact: If a product has less than 0.5 grams of Trans Fat the manufacturer can label it as Zero Trans Fats – even though they are still in there.

Fact: Trans Fats increase bad cholesterol

Fact: Trans fats increase triglycerides (fat found in your blood) which can cause hardening of the arteries and thickening of the artery walls which means increased risk of stroke, heart disease, diabetes, and heart attacks.

Fact: Trans Fats increase the body’s inflammation response which can effect the way your body responds to injury

To put it simply: Trans fats = BAD for your health. If you know what’s good for you, AVOID at all costs.

To learn more click HERE or HERE

Saving on Groceries

9 Apr

Since moving back to Oklahoma my husband and I decided that I am going to continue working part time vs. finding a full time job. So I have started trying to find ways to save money around the house. I have been attempting to cut down my grocery bill 10 dollars a week. Seems like such a small amount but it’s easier said than done. I have started cutting coupons! A pain you say? Not when you watch that grocery bill drop 20 dollars as the cashier scans away! I signed up on www.coupons.com and I have been saving a ton of money each week!

I make my “menu” for the week and my grocery list and then log on to cut any coupons that apply to what I will be needing to cook. I suggest you check into the whole coupon world. But one rule: Don’t clip coupons for items that you don’t need or would not typically buy. That is where you get yourself into trouble and start spending more money!

Hydromissions International

1 Apr

Check out this months Just Cause!

Hydromissions International – a great

 organization that does amazing things

 for this world.

Earth Hour 2009

26 Mar

aug

Earth Hour 2009

 

This Saturday, March 28th between the hours of 8:30 and 9:30 pm everyone needs to turn off their lights! This is a world wide effort to “vote” against global warming. And while I am not completely convinced that every piece of information about the earth melting, I do agree that we humans are taking a HUGE toll on this earth that the Lord has so kindly blessed us with. And on a financial note, just think that is one hour of electricity you do not have to pay for!

 

From the Earth Hour official website – a little more info:

“Earth Hour began in Sydney in 2007, when 2.2 million homes and businesses switched off their lights for one hour. In 2008 the message had grown into a global sustainability movement, with 50 million people switching off their lights. Global landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, Rome’s Colosseum, the Sydney Opera House and the Coca Cola billboard in Times Square all stood in darkness.

In 2009, Earth Hour is being taken to the next level, with the goal of 1 billion people switching off their lights as part of a global vote. Unlike any election in history, it is not about what country you’re from, but instead, what planet you’re from. VOTE EARTH is a global call to action for every individual, every business, and every community. A call to stand up and take control over the future of our planet. Over 74 countries and territories have pledged their support to VOTE EARTH during Earth Hour 2009, and this number is growing everyday.”

 

Join me and Millions of others THIS SATURDAY and turn out your lights and electrical products for ONE HOUR! Go to www.earthhour.org to learn more!

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